INDIANAPOLIS – As Mike Pence and his attack-dog Eric Holcomb begin their “Start Your Engines Tour” today, it’s worth noting that under the governor’s first term in office – the state of Indiana and its economic engine have stalled.

Currently, Hoosiers earn just 86 cents on the dollar compared to the average American. That’s nearly $7,000 less per year. And Indiana’s per capita income dropped to 38^th in the nation. With the state being ranked dead LAST in economic growth in the Midwest, Hoosier workers are left falling behind the rest of the nation.

“Mike Pence has touted various ranks and ratings to fit his out-of-touch view of the state’s economy, but the only figures Hoosiers care about are their incomes. Under Mike Pence, wages have fallen and the state’s economy has stalled,” said Drew Anderson, communications director. “Hoosiers already know the governor will always put his ideology ahead of what’s best for them. However, when will Governor Pence stop scaring good jobs away because of his radical social agenda? Mike Pence is simply not getting the job done, and bottom line – it continues to hurt Hoosier families.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: INDIANA IS FALLING BEHIND THE REST OF THE NATION

Overall State Economy

• Indiana’s economy grew at a sluggish .4% rate in 2014. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Indiana’s economy grew .5% or less three of last four years. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Indiana ranks LAST in economic growth in the Midwest. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Indiana ranks 38^th in per capita income, down from 34th in 2004. – [NWI Times, 03.26.16]
• Median Incomes: Wages have dropped from $53,500 in 2000 to $46,900 in 2013. – [U.S. Census]
• Hoosiers make 86 cents for every one American dollar earned. – [Indianapolis Star, 6.1.15]
• Indiana ranks 46^th in quality of life, 42^nd in workforce. – [CNBC]
• About two thirds of minimum wage workers in Indiana are women. – [Forbes, 7, 2015]
• Hoosier women make 75 cents for every dollar a man makes. – [AAUW, 2015]
• African American households earn on average $21,000 less than white households. – [Indianapolis Star, 4.11.15]
• Hispanic households make $15,000 less than white households. – [Indianapolis Star, 4.11.15]

Mike Pence’s RFRA

• Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in a closed door ceremony [FOX 59, 3.26.15], throwing Indiana into a $250 million economic panic. – [The Advocate, 7.10.15]

Pence Repeals Common Construction Wage Law

• Mike Pence and Statehouse Republicans repealed the common construction wage laws, allowing union worker wages to go down and the expanding wage gap continues to grow in our state. – [NWI Times, 5.6.15]

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