Community Engagement Committee Kickoff and City of Lawrence Chaos Continues

Written By Admin Indy Republicans

Friday, November 7, 2025

Virtual Kickoff: Community Engagement Committee

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM as Lisa Bailey and Laura Giffel kick off our Community Engagement Committee. If you're interested in getting involved, you can reach out to [contact@indyrepublicans.com] or register your interest [HERE.]

City of Lawrence Democrats Vote for Budget Anyway, Despite Public Outrage

The Democrat infighting and growing public outrage over Mayor Deb Whitfield’s mismanagement continue to make headlines. So much so that Indianapolis City-County Council Vice President Ali Brown is not seeking re-election to the council in an effort to “protect the people of Lawrence.”

Here’s what Democrats are saying about Mayor Whitfield’s rushed budget and poor leadership:

  • Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ali Brown: “... I am deeply troubled by what I have seen and heard regarding the current management of the City of Lawrence.”

  • Lawrence Common Council Vice President Zach Cramer: “The actions of the mayor have directly undermined this council's ability to perform our duties and stripped us of independent expertise we sought on behalf of the taxpayers. This is not transparency. This is not accountability. And this is not good governance.”

  • Lawrence Common Council President Betty Robinson: “She [Mayor Whitfield] never engages in questions at all in public and not even in a group setting…”

Despite their public condemnation, Councilors Cramer and Robinson ultimately voted to approve Mayor Whitfield’s fiscally irresponsible budget, proving that their supposed outrage was nothing more than political posturing.

Reminder Mayor Whitfield’s budget: 

  • Slashes cash reserves from 22% to 13%, leaving Lawrence vulnerable to revenue shortfalls or emergencies.

  • Spends faster than revenues grow — expenses up 12.5% while revenue grows only 5%.

  • Guts core services: Fire capital down 90%, police training cut 45%, street capital zeroed out, parks funding reduced to a token $12,000.

Violent Weekend in Marion County

Indianapolis experienced another weekend of violence with shootings across the city. 

Remind your neighbors: In August, Democrats on the Indianapolis City-County Council rejected common-sense public safety proposals that would have:

  • Removed the residence requirements for city employees, allowing public safety departments to hire qualified candidates regardless of their ZIP code. 

  • Reformed the General Orders Advisory Boards to restore authority to the Chief of Police to issue and amend departmental orders effectively. This proposal would have streamlined processes within the department and supported IMPD officers. 

Still under consideration by the council: Parental accountability for juvenile curfew violations which would hold parents/guardians accountable for their minors after multiple curfew violations. These fines serve as a deterrent, much like speeding violations. 

Community Corner

  • Donate to Gleaners Food Bank [HERE] ahead of the holiday season. 

  • Saturday, November 8 @ 9:45 AM - 1:00 PM: Land That We Love, Veteran's Day Clean-Up with Mayor Greg Ballard

    • Reserve your spot [HERE]

    What We’re Reading

Mirror Indy: Lawrence councilors approved budget after tension with administration

“The 2026 budget spends more than Lawrence receives in revenue, which means the city will have to use its reserves to cover expenses. Council Vice President Zach Cramer said the Whitfield administration knew the budget was unbalanced when it was submitted…

“Despite this, Cramer said he would still be voting to approve the budget.”

Upcoming Events

Saturday, November 8 @ 9:45 AM - 1:00 PM: Land That We Love, Veteran's Day Clean-Up with Mayor Greg Ballard

  • Reserve your spot [HERE]

Wednesday, December 10 @ 6:30 PM: Virtual Kick Off, Community Engagement Committee

Wednesday, December 10: Wayne Township Lincoln Day Dinner with Governor Braun 

Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Washington Township Lincoln Day Dinner 

Friday-Saturday, February 20-21, 2026: Indiana GOP Congress of Counties

Admin Indy Republicans
Next

Grassroots Operations Committee Kick Off / Democrat Leadership’s Silence / Food Bank Donation Link