David Greene

Candidate Q&A

In your view, what was the most important issue to come out of this year’s legislative session, and how would you have approached legislating the issue?

The most important issue to come out of this year’s legislative session is the growing cost-of-living crisis facing everyday Hoosiers. Families are dealing with rising housing costs, childcare expenses, and healthcare bills, while too many policies have failed to keep up with their realities.

I would have approached this session with an “Affordability First” framework, prioritizing policies that lower costs for working families. That includes expanding access to affordable childcare, protecting homeowners and renters from rising property tax burdens, and ensuring energy and utility decisions don’t drive up monthly bills.

Economic development should not come at the expense of the people already living here. If it doesn’t make life more affordable for Hoosiers, it shouldn’t be our top priority.

Companies proposing data centers in Indianapolis had touted jobs and local tax revenue as benefits. Residents, many of whom have fiercely opposed the proposals, are concerned about pollution, energy bills and property values. What is your stance on the future of data centers in Indianapolis?

Economic development matters, but it must be done responsibly, and in partnership with the communities it impacts. Data centers may bring some jobs and revenue, but those benefits cannot come at the cost of higher utility bills, environmental harm, or declining property values for residents.

In District 29, concerns about water usage and the long-term impact on resources like Eagle Creek are especially important. We must protect our water systems and ensure that large-scale developments do not strain or deplete resources that our communities depend on every day.

I support a “people-first” approach that requires full transparency, strong environmental protections, and guarantees that local residents are not left to pay the price through increased energy costs or water impacts. If a project cannot demonstrate clear, shared benefits and long-term sustainability, it should not move forward. Growth should lift communities up, not burden them.

Indianapolis residents are facing steep increases to the cost of living at the same time federal benefits are being pulled back. What is one policy you would pursue to ease the financial burden of your constituents?

One policy I would pursue is expanding access to affordable childcare by increasing
state support and reimbursement rates for providers. Right now, too many families are
paying more for childcare than they can afford, while providers struggle to stay open.

As the founder of an early childhood academy, I see firsthand how these rising costs impact both families and providers. Childcare is not a luxury. It is an essential
infrastructure. It allows parents to work, supports early childhood development, and
strengthens our entire economy. If elected, this would be a top priority because easing
the cost of childcare is one of the most immediate and meaningful ways we can reduce the financial burden on working families.

More than 1 in 10 Marion County residents were born outside the country. President Donald Trump’s administration is pursuing a immigration agenda that has led to mass detentions and at times resulted in the deaths of citizens and noncitizens. What is your role in maintaining the safety and due process rights of immigrants and other residents in Marion County?

My role is to be a voice for justice and to ensure that our laws reflect both our constitutional values and our shared humanity. As a pastor, I believe we are called to protect the dignity of every person, including our immigrant neighbors.

When policies lead to fear, family separation, or the denial of due process, it is our responsibility to speak out and act. I would stand against any state action that contributes to the targeting or mistreatment of immigrants, and I would advocate for
policies that protect due process, uphold civil rights, and keep families and communities safe.

In Marion County, our diversity is a strength, not a threat, and leadership means ensuring that every resident is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect under the law.

How should public tax dollars be spent on education? Do you support property tax funding for charter schools? Should Indiana fund students’ tuition to attend private schools?

Public tax dollars should prioritize strengthening our public schools, which are the foundation of our communities and serve the majority of students. We need to ensure those dollars reach classrooms, support educators, and improve outcomes for all children.

As someone who has dedicated my life to education and leads an early childhood academy, I’ve seen firsthand how critical strong public investment is for student success.

Any use of public funds outside of traditional public schools must meet the same standards of accountability, transparency, and equity. I am concerned that expanding property tax funding for charter schools and private school vouchers risks diverting critical resources from public education without adequate oversight. Our focus should be on building strong, well-funded public schools that serve every child.