Pryor denounces Lt. Gov. Beckwith’s embrace for the 3/5 Compromise, Attack on Indianapolis Faith Leaders

Last week, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith shared a video to his social media pages including incorrect information on the 3/5 Compromise following a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) mentioning the political move on the Senate floor. Beckwith praised the 3/5 Compromise as a tool used by the North in the Civil War to eradicate slavery. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement in response:

“The 3/5 Compromise was used to legitimize slavery and justify the mistreatment of Black Americans, as is proven by the Fugitive Slave Clause, the 1857 Dred Scott U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled Blacks were not citizens, selling slaves, raping slave women and so much more. It was not a ‘great move’ by the North to eradicate slavery. It was 78 years from the US Constitution signing to the Thirteenth Amendment ratification, which made slavery illegal. The best, humane and Christian option was to ban slavery…not embrace it as a 'great move.'

"Impacts from slavery are still felt today in our courts, neighborhoods, doctor’s offices, jobs and ballot boxes. For someone to celebrate it, especially someone in a position of power, is deeply troubling.

“To make matters worse, the Lt. Governor's response has been to attack 'inner city' clergy for speaking against his embrace of the constitutional provisions that treated Blacks as property.  This attack on inner city clergy, who are Democrats and Republican, is not grounded in scripture, and is disheartening.  These faith leaders are true public servants that advocate on behalf of the least of thee. From feeding the hungry, helping pay bills, providing childcare and helping resolve school challenges, clergy play a significant role in our communities and are responsible for helping to bring up the next generation of God-fearing leaders in Indiana.  

“I pray that Lt. Gov. Beckwith will move to focus on making life better for Hoosiers, not dividing us. While this topic brings with it the weight of hundreds of years of oppression and suffering for Black Americans, I ask for us all to do the difficult thing and pray for those that embrace racism, ignorance, greed and power. It must be difficult to live with that much hate in your heart.”

IBLC announces 2025 town hall series

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) will host seven town halls throughout the state this summer to discuss the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly and answer questions from constituents. The schedule for the town hall series is as follows:

• Saturday, June 7: Kountry Kitchen, 1831 N. College Ave., Indianapolis IN 46202, noon-2 p.m. ET

• Saturday, June 28: Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Central Branch's Browning Room, 200 SE MLK Jr. Blvd., Evansville, Indiana, 47713, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT

• Saturday, July 12: Michigan City Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City, IN 46360, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT

• Saturday, Aug. 9: Allen County Public Library Main Branch Theater, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, noon-2 p.m. ET

• Saturday, Aug. 23: Terre Haute City Hall Courtroom, 17 Harding Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47807, noon-2 p.m. ET

• Saturday, Sept. 13: UAW Local 5, 1426 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46613, noon-2 p.m. ET

• Saturday, Sept. 20: East Chicago City Hall Council Chambers, 4525 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, IN 46312, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT

"These town halls give us the opportunity to hear directly from our constituents throughout the state about their concerns for Indiana, questions about the legislative process and what we can do to connect them with needed resources," State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the IBLC, said. "Community engagement is an integral part of the work we do in the Statehouse. In the IBLC, we strive to be accessible and transparent, and to help our constituents understand not only what we're working on, but how they can play a role in shaping policy. When we listen, learn and work together, we build stronger, safer and more just communities across Indiana."

All town halls are free and open to the public.

IBLC condemns Lt. Gov.’s whitewashed ‘history lesson’ on the 3/5 Compromise

Last week, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith shared a video to his social media pages including incorrect information on the 3/5 Compromise following a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) mentioning the political move on the Senate floor. Beckwith claimed the 3/5 Compromise was a tool used by the North in the Civil War to eradicate slavery.

 State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the IBLC, issued the following statement in response:

"The 3/5 Compromise was created during the 1787 Constitutional Convention, determining that five enslaved Black people in the South would count as three free whites. Effectively, the 3/5 Compromise gave the South more political power, because enslaved African Americans were counted towards Southern representation without having any rights themselves and gave Southern states more electoral college votes. With the South paying a greater share of federal taxes, the 3/5 Compromise emboldened Southern slaveowners to argue that this abhorrent practice grew the American economy and therefore justified slavery. To argue that the 3/5 Compromise was the North's attempt at playing 'the long game' to undermine the South is not just a gross misunderstanding of history, it's a purposeful whitewashing of it for political gain and media attention.

"To this day, the ghost of the 3/5 Compromise still haunts Black Americans. From restrictions on voting rights to implicit bias in health care to an unjust justice system, too many people in power still view Black Americans as 'less-than.' We in the IBLC work every day to ensure that Black Hoosiers are given equal opportunities and equal protections under the law. More than that, we work to ensure that all Hoosiers have a high quality of life and an equal chance at achieving the American Dream.

"There is no shortage of work that needs to be done to make Indiana – and our nation – a stronger, more just place to live. As chair of the IBLC, I'm calling on my fellow elected officials to prioritize the needs of all Hoosiers over cheap media ploys and rage bait. Our constituents deserve better."

Harris votes ‘no’ on state budget, advocates for public health and public education

Today, April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the biennial budget to the governor's desk. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) voted against the budget, citing inadequate funding for public education, public health and stripped funding for Public Broadcasting Services.

"This budget fails to adequately fund public K-12 education, which is critical to the success of our state. Throughout the state, we're facing teacher shortages and underfunded classrooms. We had an opportunity to address this issue in our biennial budget, and Indiana Republicans squandered that chance. Along with the impact of House Bill 1001, Lake County is set to lose hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to Senate Bill 2. This budget will do nothing to help Lake County residents who will pay much more in local income taxes while getting minimal property tax relief. No one wins under this budget proposal.

"It's also worth noting the underfunding of public health under this budget, just a week since Gov. Mike Braun met with RFK Jr. to supposedly 'Make Indiana Healthy Again.' Over the next two years, funding for the Health First Indiana program has been cut to $80 million from $225 million in the 2023 biennial budget. How can we expect Hoosiers to be healthier when we are actively taking away funding from the very programs designed to increase public health?

"Higher education is taking a cut under this budget, with the Commission of Higher Education receiving a funding cut for student scholarships. As a lawmaker, I'm proud to say I've championed the 21st Century Scholars program, helping more Hoosiers achieve a higher education. Having more college graduates in Indiana means a stronger economy, a more robust workforce and more incentives for workers and families to move to our state. When we fail to prioritize higher education, we fail to prioritize the future of Indiana.

"With everything going on in our state right now, I find it odd that Indiana Republicans are focusing their efforts on stripping funding for Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). For over 50 years, PBS has helped keep Hoosiers informed on their local governments and communities. Perhaps most importantly, PBS has been a champion in early education since its founding. With Indiana's growing brain drain problem, we should be prioritizing any opportunity to help our children get ahead and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and civic engagement. An informed electorate helps create a stronger state and a government more representative of the people it serves.

"House Bill 1001 is fiscally irresponsible and will harm Lake County and Hoosiers throughout the state."

Bartlett anti-human trafficking bill heads to governor’s desk

Today, State Rep. John Barlett's (D-Indianapolis) House Bill 1416 passed through the House of Representatives and the Senate and now heads to the governor's desk. The bill requires gas stations and rest areas to display posters with information on human trafficking and the National Human Trafficking Hotline number in restrooms or a visible location on the premises.

Barlett issued the following statement following the vote:

"This bill is a great first step in curbing human trafficking in our state. Unfortunately, this abhorrent practice is a multi-billion-dollar industry around the world. As the Crossroads of America, roughly 80 million people pass through our state each year, and it's impossible to know how many of these individuals are victims of human trafficking. If having these posters on display in our gas stations and rest areas can save just one life, it's worth it.

"I'd like to thank my fellow lawmakers who have worked with me to get this bill to the finish line, and the brave survivors who shared their stories during committee to discuss the impact of this legislation."

Harris condemns passage of anti-DEI legislation

Senate Bill 289, which limits the role of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices in state agencies and limits scholarships based on race and/or personal characteristics, passed out of the House of Representatives today by a vote of 66-27.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), issued the following statement on the legislation:

"While I amended this legislation last week to help protect vital higher education scholarships, I could not, in good conscious, vote for this bill. For years, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices have been demonized as a far-left attempt to divide Americans. DEI isn’t about division. It’s about access. It’s about ensuring that every Hoosier — regardless of their characteristics— has a fair shot at success. DEI doesn’t ask for special treatment. It asks for equal opportunity. And if we can’t stand for equal opportunity in this chamber, then what exactly are we doing here?

"This bill would undermine the progress we’ve made in making our campuses and government institutions more reflective of the people they serve. It would send a chilling message to young people, workers and businesses that Indiana is moving backward — away from fairness, away from representation and away from accountability.

"This legislation will have detrimental effects on Indiana students, professionals and businesses, and Indiana Republicans will be to blame for allowing hyper-partisan culture wars to override their obligations to Hoosiers."

Harris votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers

Today, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, EMS and public school services by $1.4 billion over three years. While the bill was pushed through with very little time to review the possible fiscal impact, it's clear that SB 1 will provide minimal property tax relief to Hoosiers. Republican leadership told Hoosiers it's time to "tighten our belts" while discussing this legislation, despite House Democrats' concerns that SB 1 will choke the life out of vital services provided by local governments.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

"With SB 1, Lake County is set to lose $193,198,000 over the next three years thanks to cuts to critical local services including police, fire, EMS and schools.  As residents of the county, we will be paying higher local income taxes to make up for this egregious funding cut. Unfortunately, you shouldn't expect to be able to use the money you save on property taxes under this legislation to help pay for that tax hike, because the relief SB 1 provides property taxpayers is minimal, at best. As for renters, they will see no property tax relief on top of these higher local income taxes. This Republican property tax plan is a sham designed to deceive Hoosiers into thinking they're getting a break, when in reality, they're paying the price for the majority party's fiscal irresponsibility.

"An earlier proposal to have public schools share property taxes with charter schools was also rolled into this bill, increasing the burden on our local public schools. Many of these schools are already doing more with less, and SB 1 will have detrimental impacts on schools and the children they serve for years to come."

Harris bill to bring Professional Sports Development Commission to Northwest Indiana passes Senate

House Bill 1292, authored by State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), passed through the Senate today by a vote of 46-2. The bill establishes the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission, with the goal of attracting professional sports franchises to Northwest Indiana. The bill now heads back to the House for a concurrence vote and will then head to Gov. Braun's desk to be signed into law.

Harris released the following statement upon the bill's passage in the Senate:

"Northwest Indiana has a unique opportunity for economic development. Capitalizing on The Region's proximity to Chicago by bringing professional sports teams here makes sense for all parties involved. This is a chance to bring great investments and jobs to our community, and we know that The Region offers a great base of operation and amazing fans for any sports franchise looking for a home.

"I am very grateful for all the hard work of everyone, in both parties, that had a hand in getting this bill through the legislature. This piece of legislation is evidence that when we reach across the aisle, we can accomplish great things for the people of our state. I am hopeful that the commission will be successful in attracting a professional sports franchise to our area, and we have already heard from several sports organizations interested in the possibility of calling Northwest Indiana 'home.'"

IBLC condemns end of emergency housing program

The state of Indiana recently announced that the Indiana Emergency Rental Program (IERA) has been cut six months ahead of schedule, despite federal funding still being available. The fund, created during the COVID-19 pandemic to address housing instability, was funded through the U.S. Treasury and was set to expire in September of this year.

The program offered rental assistance and assistance for utility bills. While the state's housing crisis worsened throughout the pandemic, Indiana still faces a housing crisis. A recent report found an 11% increase in homelessness over the past several years, and there are only 34 affordable and available home for every 100 low-income renter households.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement on behalf of the IBLC:

"Over the last couple of years, we've seen decreases in homeownership, especially among Black Hoosiers, and we continue to see rising rates of evictions throughout the state. As a state, we engage in a social contract with our constituents to ensure they have the tools they need to thrive. Ending a program designed to help people stay in their homes – especially when funding is still available – is a direct violation of that contract.

"This unnecessary action by the state will harm Hoosiers, especially African American, Hispanic and marginalized individuals. Not only does this change block Hoosiers in need from applying for assistance; those on the waiting list are not getting status updates and will likely not get the help they need.

"True government efficiency requires us to help people stay on their feet and give them the tools they need to get to a point where they can stand alone. Stable housing is a crucial part of that process. Ending this program prematurely will have dire consequences for many Hoosiers and for the state itself.

"There is still time – albeit limited – to fix the problem. We in the IBLC are calling on the Republican majority to set aside dollars in the biennial state budget to replace these federal funds. This is a necessary step in preventing our housing crisis from getting worse and helping our fellow Hoosiers stay in their homes."

IBLC members take part in community conversation

Members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) will take part in a panel conversation starting at 7 p.m. ET tomorrow, March 25 at the Crossroads AME Church, 4602 College Ave.

The panel includes IBLC Chair State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), State Rep. John Bartlett (D-Indianapolis) and State Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis). The panel is free to attend and will be livestreamed here.

The group will discuss property taxes, public health policy, the current legislative session and more.

Harris public safety legislation heads to governor’s desk

House Bill 1095, authored by State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), passed through the Indiana State Senate unanimously today. The bill extends the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force into Lake County to help prevent gun violence in The Region.

 The task force was created during the 2021 legislative session and seized more than 270 illegal firearms and over 75,000 grams of illegal narcotics in 2024 alone.

 Harris issued the following statement after the vote:

 "While homicides in Lake County have dropped in recent years, it's still imperative that we find ways to mitigate gun violence and enhance public safety in our community. This bill will help us get illegal guns and dangerous narcotics off our streets and make Lake County a safer place to live and raise a family.

"I'd like to thank my sponsors in the Senate for their work to get this across the finish line, and I now look forward to working with Gov. Braun to get this legislation signed into law."

Summers’ trauma-informed care bill passes out of House of Representatives

Today, Feb. 20, House Bill 1241 passed out of the House of Representatives and heads to the Senate for further consideration. The bill, authored by State Rep. Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis), creates a Trauma-Informed Care Commission to review best practices for providing health care to trauma victims.

 "A recent study found that 41% of Hoosier children have suffered significant hardships, from divorce to violence to substance abuse, which have impacted their personal and academic lives and their mental health," Summers said. "This bill is a good first step at helping individuals and their families heal and preventing these traumas from occurring in the first place. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this across the finish line for Hoosiers in need."