Burton’s NIL Request Prompts Study Committee Discussion

The Interim Study Committee on Education met today at the Indiana Statehouse to discuss possible guidelines for name, image and likeness (NIL) contracts for Indiana high school students. Last school year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Board of Directors passed a bylaw allowing Indiana student-athletes to take part in Personal Branding Activities (PBA). PBA contracts are similar to the NIL deals that have become common among college student-athletes.

Today's discussion came at the request of State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville). In April, he wrote a letter asking the committee to study NIL guardrails.

Burton issued the following statement:

"Youth sports are evolving, and Indiana has an opportunity to lead by establishing thoughtful, responsible guardrails that protect the integrity of school-based athletics while empowering student-athletes.

"With 54 high school students signing NIL/PBA contracts in the state's inaugural year, it is clear that the impact of NIL/PBA on students, schools, teams and communities will only grow. We have an opportunity to get ahead of these changes and build a sustainable model that protects our traditions while preparing our young people for the opportunities and responsibilities ahead.

"The IHSAA has been very helpful in my research into this topic, and I am grateful for their partnership as the General Assembly continues to tackle this issue. I appreciate the committee's discussion today, and I am hopeful that we can continue this discussion during the 2027 legislative session."

Novak backs Michigan City council, steelworkers in push for stronger NIPSCO staffing

On Oct. 7, the Michigan City Common Council adopted a resolution in support of United Steelworkers Local Union 12775, District 7's petition calling for stronger NIPSCO staffing, improved reliability and greater storm and emergency-response readiness. The resolution was distributed to state legislators, Gov. Mike Braun and Indiana's utility regulators.

State Rep. Randy Novak (D-Michigan City) released the following statement:

"I applaud the Common Council for its support of the United Steelworkers' petition. NIPSCO has a responsibility to the community it serves to offer reliable and affordable electricity and gas. The company's reaction to August's storms was unacceptable, and it is clear that staffing issues played a part in its delayed response.

"I am sure there are lots of hardworking folks in Northwest Indiana who would apply for a position doing linework for NIPSCO. The company needs to give those people a shot. We can't rely on out-of-state help every time there's an outage. NIPSCO has a long way to go, but I think improved staffing would be a step in the right direction toward earning back the trust of residents here in the Region.

"Local governments in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties need to keep putting pressure on the state government to act on this issue. Utility companies across our state have been taking advantage of ratepayers for far too long. We need stronger guardrails and protections for customers, or the issues that we saw in August will happen again. We can't sit by and let that happen."

Op-ed: It's time to prepare Indiana's student-athletes for the future

High school athletics have always been about more than competition. They teach discipline, teamwork, accountability and perseverance. But the world surrounding our student-athletes is changing, and our policies should change responsibly with it.

Indiana is home to collegiate champions and some of the best high schools in the nation. Our responsibility is to ensure that the young athletes representing those schools are prepared not only for their next competition, but for their next chapter in life.

Indiana has begun recognizing that change. The IHSAA's new personal-branding framework allows student-athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness while maintaining the educational values of high school athletics. I believe Indiana should take the next step by establishing a clear, responsible framework for high school NIL.

This is not a proposal to turn high school athletics into professional sports. We can establish clear rules, meaningful guardrails and educational requirements that protect students while recognizing their talents and teaching young Hoosiers how to responsibly navigate opportunities that already exist in the marketplace.

Any policy should be developed with parents, students, coaches, educators and the public at the table. An effective framework should protect students, preserve education-based athletics, provide transparency and ensure that participation does not come at the expense of academics. It should prioritize school attendance, academic performance, graduation and preparation for collegiate success. It should also address transfers and ensure that public, charter and private schools operate under the same expectations.

Most importantly, NIL should become an educational opportunity. Financial literacy, contracts, entrepreneurship, personal branding, responsible money management and long-term financial stability can help students develop skills that extend far beyond athletics.

There is uncertainty surrounding high school NIL, and that uncertainty deserves thoughtful discussion. But our responsibility as policymakers is not to pretend the world is standing still. It is to prepare young Hoosiers to succeed in the world they are actually entering.

On Oct. 14, the Interim Study Committee on Education will meet at the Statehouse to discuss this very topic. I am looking forward to hearing from stakeholders and my fellow lawmakers about how they would approach this issue.

I believe Indiana can establish a model that protects education, develops our students and recognizes their talents, while keeping the classroom at the center of high school athletics. High school athletics are already preparing students for life. We should make sure our policies do the same.

Bauer joins multistate coalition pushing to strengthen sexual assault laws

State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) has joined a national coalition of 22 state legislators from 16 states pledging to strengthen sexual assault laws and address gaps in legal protections involving voluntary intoxication. The effort follows a high-profile lawsuit alleging that several fraternity members at Cornell University sexually assaulted an intoxicated female student, bringing renewed national attention to how state laws address consent when alcohol or drugs are involved.

Indiana courts have recognized that voluntary intoxication can render someone legally incapable of consenting to sexual activity. However, the state’s rape statute does not explicitly define intoxication-related incapacity, leaving important questions about how those protections are interpreted and applied.

Bauer released the following statement:

“Consent should not depend on how someone became intoxicated, and survivors should not lose legal protections simply because they voluntarily consumed a substance. Indiana law should make clear that intoxication does not erase a person’s right to consent. It’s time to strengthen these protections, eliminate ambiguity in our laws and hold offenders accountable.

“I am proud to stand with a national coalition of lawmakers who recognize the importance of this moment and the opportunity we have to advocate for survivors of sexual assault. Several states have already taken action to close gaps in their laws involving voluntary intoxication. Indiana should build on its existing legal protections and ensure that no survivor is denied justice simply because they chose to consume alcohol or another substance.”

DeLaney: This is Indiana’s chance to prove that we are reasonable and decent

Last week, a failed execution attempt in Tennessee resulted in a death row inmate surviving two doses of the lethal injection. Despite surviving the attempt, the inmate remains hospitalized in critical condition. In response, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee paused all executions pending an investigation into the botched attempt. 

Despite using the same lethal injection protocol as Tennessee, the Indiana Department of Correction says it intends to proceed with the scheduled Nov. 5 execution of Jeffrey Weisheit.

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement:

“How can anyone trust that next month’s execution will go any more smoothly than the failed attempt in Tennessee last week? I can't wrap my head around the idea that we’re planning to use a failed procedure to take someone’s life, when many of our people doubt that we should even engage in capital punishment at all. 

“Indiana’s execution process lives under a cloak of secrecy. The state won’t say who supplies the execution drugs, even after spending more than $1 million on them. IDOC won't explain how its execution team is trained or what safeguards are in place. Members of the media can’t even witness an execution unless the inmate invites them. If the state is going to put people to death, Hoosiers deserve full transparency about how it's done.

“The absolute least Gov. Braun can do is follow Gov. Lee’s lead and pause executions until we know what went wrong in Tennessee and whether the same failure could happen here.

“This is Indiana’s chance to show that we are reasonable and decent. We shouldn’t need a failed execution of our own to learn that lesson.”

Op-Ed: Utility bills are going up for the sake of scoring political points

When I talk to Hoosiers about the issues they face every day, skyrocketing energy costs are always near the top of the list. A federal order forcing outdated, expensive coal plants to continue running is only sending bills higher.

Recently, the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) asked state regulators for approval to recover $38 million from ratepayers, which is the cost of complying with a federal order requiring the utility to keep the aging Schahfer coal plant running in Jasper County. Estimates suggest this order could cost NIPSCO customers as much as $174,000 every day. This request also only covers three months of operations, so more will come. Nobody in Indiana voted for this.

Hoosiers are already stretched thin. Worse, many of the same residents being asked to pay more spent weeks without power due to severe weather in August. They aren't being asked to pay extra for more reliability, but to prop up an outdated plant. Keeping an old coal plant on life support does nothing to strengthen the lines that fail in a storm.

Before this federal order, Schahfer was already costing customers money. One report found that from 2021 to 2023, running the plant when cheaper power was available cost ratepayers over $100 million. Hoosiers were already overpaying for coal power that cleaner, cheaper sources could have supplied. This mandate makes it worse.

Southern Indiana ratepayers face the same problem with a CenterPoint plant. Recently, CenterPoint's Indiana region president asked the Department of Energy to let the initial order on its unit expire, calling it an "inefficient and increasingly unreliable asset." When the utility itself doesn't want to keep a plant running, it’s hard to justify these federal orders.

Neighboring Michigan could provide a path forward.  In early September, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a ruling allowing the closure of a Michigan coal plant that a federal order had forced to remain open. In Indiana, environmental and consumer groups have already challenged the mandates in the same court. This is a promising sign that these orders can be challenged and ratepayers don't have to simply absorb the cost.

The financial burden on Hoosier families demands action from the state's leaders – not celebrating higher bills as Gov. Mike Braun has, or lawsuits to keep other coal plants open, as Attorney General Todd Rokita has. When even the utility wants a plant shut down and the numbers show it's costing customers money, the only thing left keeping it open is politics. For some politicians, propping up coal has become a loyalty test, and what that does to your utility bill simply doesn't factor in.

Fighting for clean, affordable energy isn't new to me. I've spent most of my adult life working to protect the things that keep Hoosier families healthy: the air our kids breathe, the water that comes out of our taps, and the soil where we grow our food. I know what's at stake when we cling to the dirtiest, most expensive ways of making electricity. I want Hoosiers to have a healthy environment and affordable power bills. Those goals aren't at odds.

Every available data point shows Hoosiers and other Americans are most worried about the cost of living. On energy, the cold, hard economic facts are on our side, and leading with them is how we build a coalition broad enough to win. That's what makes these coal mandates so telling. When the cheaper option is also the cleaner one and some leaders still fight for the expensive one, affordability clearly isn't their priority, no matter how often our governor claims it is.

If an aging coal plant is worth keeping open, its backers should be able to prove it's cheaper and more reliable than the alternatives. They can't make that case for Schahfer or the CenterPoint plant, and households that had no say are footing the bill. Hoosiers deserve energy that is dependable, affordable and clean, and leaders who care more about their constituents' bills than their party's talking points. 

Charging Hoosiers an extra $174,000 a day to keep an outdated plant running isn't the answer.

Porter sounds alarm on lack of an operational definition of medical frailty as work requirements begin

Today, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) is sounding the alarm over Indiana's failure to finalize an operational definition of medical frailty as Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) work requirements begin. HIP enrollees renewing in January 2027 must start meeting the 80-hour monthly requirement this month to keep their coverage. Meanwhile, doctors and other medical professionals are still waiting for the state’s guidance on medical frailty to determine who qualifies for an exemption.

"Over 343,000 people have already lost their coverage, and work requirements will add to that figure," Porter said. "Indiana isn't ready for this rollout. Secretary Roob himself said he's worried, and I'm worried too. These are people's lives at stake.

"Some people need to start meeting these requirements now, and doctors still don't have a clear definition to decide exemptions. The Braun administration doesn't know how many people this could impact, doctors don't know what to do for patients, and a good chunk of HIP enrollees probably don't even know this change is coming."

In September, Porter urged the Indiana Attorney General to join the federal lawsuit Massachusetts v. Oz. Filed by 25 states and the District of Columbia, Massachusetts v. Oz alleges that a new federal rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) unlawfully narrows the exemptions for Medicaid work requirements. In July, a U.S. District Judge denied the states' request for a preliminary injunction. The Indiana Attorney General did not respond to Porter's request, but the case is still active, with states able to join. 

"The state hasn't released its final definition, but whatever it decides will be based on the new federal rule," Porter said. “That rule is restrictive, harmful and will be challenging for Indiana to implement. There’s no blanket exemption for Hoosiers with serious medical conditions, like cancer. Instead, you must prove the severity of your condition. All of this is a recipe for disaster.”

GiaQuinta: Diesel relief helps, but won’t undo damage done to Hoosier farmers

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement after Gov. Mike Braun announced Hoosier farmers can use tax-free off-road diesel in their on-road equipment:

"Our farmers need help right now, and we support the governor's decision. But let's be clear about what this is: small, temporary relief. It'll help with the harvest this fall, but it barely touches the rising costs farmers face. 

"Hoosier farmers have been crushed by two years of bad federal agricultural policy. Indiana farmers lost $607 million in exports from tariffs, when soybean exports to China dropped by 76%. Fertilizer prices spiked 30 to 40% during planting season and are climbing again ahead of fall application. Farm debt is growing as interest rates for operating loans stay above 7%, increasing farm bankruptcies by 46% last year. 

"A few months of relief won't make up for a trade war that sent Indiana's biggest soybean buyer to South America and a foreign war that hiked fertilizer prices. Hoosier farmers deserve real, lasting solutions, and Indiana Republicans should be demanding them from Washington."

Harris shares constituent concerns regarding NIPSCO

Today, the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications met at the Indiana Statehouse to discuss the widespread and long-lasting power outages Northwest Indiana residents endured following severe weather on Aug. 11. This meeting was scheduled after the Northwest Indiana delegation of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus called for a hearing to examine NIPSCO's shortcomings in the wake of the storms.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), testified before the committee to share his concerns and concerns from his constituents:

"What happened on Aug. 11 has been called the worst disaster in the state of Indiana. It was a horrendous experience; there were trees in houses, people lost power for weeks resulting in the loss of food, medicine and required people to leave their homes. I want to start by thanking the men and women who went out and worked day and night to restore power as fast as possible, but I also know that when this happens again, we need to improve communication between NIPSCO and the community.

"As a legislator, I got calls from constituents during this disaster, and part of the reason I was getting those calls is because they weren't getting the communication they needed from NIPSCO. That lack of communication hurt and scared a lot of people, and led to misinformation being spread through the Region.

"Transparency is key. We need to ensure vulnerable populations aren't being left in the dark about when their power will be restored. The Aug. 11 storm should not simply be remembered as the storm that caused massive power outages. It should be remembered as the event that taught us how to build a stronger, more transparent and more resilient emergency response system for Northwest Indiana."

Pack and King invite Hoosiers to annual veterans legislative day

State Representatives Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) and Joanna King (R-Middlebury) invite Hoosier veterans, active-duty personnel and their families to the 2027 Indiana Military & Veterans Legislative Day (IMVLD). The yearly event aims to amplify military voices and advocate for legislation that supports Hoosier veterans. 

“As a U.S. Army veteran and this year’s IMVLD sponsor, I’m proud to help bring Hoosiers who have served into the building where these decisions get made,” Pack said. “Veterans and military families know better than anyone what they need from their state, and lawmakers need to hear it from them directly. I hope every veteran, service member and military family will join us.”

Legislative participation by veterans and their families can make a real difference as lawmakers vote on various bills that affect those who served. Additionally, IMVLD brings together sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers who are passionate about advancing legislation that benefits Hoosier veterans.

"This is one of my favorite days at the Statehouse," King said. "I want veterans to walk through those doors knowing that this building belongs to them, too. I want them to see where decisions are made in Indiana, to meet the people who represent them and most importantly, be honored. If you're a veteran or know someone who is, I hope you will join us at the Statehouse." 

This year’s IMVLD takes place Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2027, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Indiana Statehouse (200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis) and is open to the public.

Smith denounces universal vouchers as data shows program benefiting wealthier families

New data revealed last week that, for the first time, Indiana gave more private school vouchers to families earning more than $100,000 per year than to families earning less than $100,000. In all, Indiana’s voucher program cost Hoosier taxpayers $548 million last year. Indiana’s median household income is $71,957. In 2025, the Republican supermajority voted to remove the maximum income cap for voucher eligibility, effective July of this year.

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) released the following statement:

“My Democratic colleagues and I warned that this is exactly where universal vouchers could lead. Now, we have the data to prove it.

“The General Assembly approved Indiana’s voucher program in 2011 as a lifeline for disadvantaged children who were underperforming in their assigned schools. Today, more of those vouchers go to families who never needed the help than to the students the program was supposedly built to serve.

“My constituents and families across the state believe their own government is neglecting public schools and the children in them. We are not doing right by our students, nor are we doing right by Hoosier taxpayers by diverting public school funding to wealthy families who can already afford private school. This is an egregious misuse of public funds.

“If my 59 years as an educator taught me anything, it is what a school needs to succeed. I assure you, the Republican supermajority isn’t meeting those needs. This is not smart governance; it is not conservative governance, and it certainly is not fair.”

Hamilton: Coal plants an unnecessary, inefficient energy option for Indiana

On Sept. 11, a ruling was handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that effectively allows for the closure of a coal plant in Michigan that had previously been forced to stay open by a federal order. The case was brought to the Court of Appeals after the order was challenged by the Michigan attorney general's office. The full ruling can be found here.

Two coal plants in Indiana are currently being forced to stay open under similar federal orders.

On. Sept. 14, the Environmental Protection Agency announced they would be rolling back regulations that required coal and gas power plants to capture 90% of climate-altering pollution by 2032. These regulations were projected to save thousands of lives in the coming years and save Americans $120 billion in health-related costs through 2047.

State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement:

"Hoosier families are already stretched thin, and now they're being asked to foot the bill for a decision they had no say in. Last month, NIPSCO requested approval from state regulators to recover $38 million from ratepayers – the cost of complying with a federal order that forces the utility to keep the aging Schahfer coal plant running. Estimates suggest this order could cost NIPSCO customers as much as $174,000 every day.

"Just last month, Northwest Indiana residents spent weeks without power due to severe weather, something I'll be discussing Sept. 29 as part of the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications. Families who had just endured that kind of hardship are now being asked to pay more, not for better reliability, but to prop up an outdated coal plant.

"I'm calling on the attorney general to challenge this order. This isn't a partisan issue, it's about standing up for the people who see the consequences of these decisions on their monthly power bill.

"Simultaneously, the Braun administration is following President Trump's lead in pushing deregulations that let utility companies cut corners on public health protections to save money. We should be demanding more accountability from utility companies, especially after a summer that showed us just how fragile our grid is."