ISSUES
Minimum Wage:
Indiana’s minimum wage has been set at $7.25/hour since 2009. Victoria is dedicated to raising the minimum wage to $20/hour using the Small Business Minimum Wage Equity Act to allow for all all working-class Hoosiers to cover basic needs, like housing and food costs. The cost of living continues to rise while your pay stagnates, leading to a growing wealth gap between the rich and the working-class.
Supporting Skilled Workers:
Victoria Martz is dedicated to partnering with local businesses to identify key job skills and expanding access to vocational training, apprenticeships, and community college programs for District 55’s youth. She also supports initiatives that connect students with local job opportunities and mentorship, encouraging them to stay or return to Ripley County. As a 21st Century Scholars scholarship recipient, she is committed to securing scholarships and funding for low-income students.
Small Business Minimum Wage
Equity Act:
Victoria’s plan to raise the minimum wage to $20/hour over a five-year period to allow for employers to adjust. This legislation will provide small business with a subsidy to offset the increase in minimum wage to ensure they can remain competitive with large corporations without risk. This will also include exemptions for businesses with less than 15 employees.
Lowering Property Taxes:
Across Indiana, Hoosiers are being priced out of their homes, property they own outright, by exorbitant property taxes. We encourage our laborers to spend their lives working and paying taxes with the promise they can one day retire in peace in a home that is their own. Retired and working-class folks deserve the right to live in that property without being gouged out of what remains of their savings.
Fair Share Tax Reform:
Victoria supports fair share tax reform to ensure Indiana’s tax system works for everyone, not just the wealthy. She believes hardworking families shouldn’t carry a heavier burden while large corporations and the ultra-rich benefit from loopholes. By promoting a fairer structure, Victoria will work to ease the strain on middle- and working-class Hoosiers, invest in schools and infrastructure, and create a system where everyone contributes their fair share to build stronger communities.
Criminal Justice:
Hoosiers should not be charged with a crime for purchasing cannabis in a state where it is legal. As a criminal defense attorney, Victoria understands that Hoosiers purchase cannabis from our neighboring states who have legalized the substance. Legalizing cannabis will ease the burdens on our police force, courts, and jails.
Safety:
Fentanyl poses a threat to Hoosiers who purchase cannabis outside of legal providers. Victoria is dedicated to ensuring cannabis users purchase the substance legally and safely.
Economic Benefits:
Tax revenue from cannabis purchases should go directly back into our state, not our neighbors. Legalizing cannabis would have a significant economic boost, especially in District 55. Revenue will be put towards our roads, schools, and public programs.
Supporting District 55 Farmers:
Victoria sees cannabis legalization as a way to strengthen District 55’s agricultural roots. She believes local farmers should have the chance to grow and benefit from this high-demand crop, rather than losing the opportunity to outside markets. By adding cannabis to their production, local farmers could diversify their operations, increase profits, and keep family farms competitive for the future. Victoria also supports policies that prioritize local growers, ensuring that District 55’s farming families—not large out-of-state corporations—reap the economic rewards.