Pryor comments on energy affordability report

 Yesterday, July 15, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) released its 2026 Energy Affordability Report. The report included several action items that the IURC and Indiana General Assembly can take in the future to better address utility affordability. 

Among the action items were recommendations to consider removing the sales tax from utility bills, expand the Indiana Energy Saver Program and properly communicate ratepayer relief options. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the House Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications, released the following statement: 

“Several of the action items included in the IURC report have merit. I’m happy to see the Commission putting forward recommendations to bring down utility costs. However, I find it ironic that many of these same ideas were already on the table during the 2026 legislative session. 

I proposed Amendment 8 to House Bill 1002, which would have prohibited private equity firms from acquiring utility companies without IURC approval. House Democrats also offered an amendment to eliminate the 7% sales tax on utility bills. Both amendments were rejected by the Republican supermajority. 

“If the IURC is serious about bringing more affordable utilities to Hoosiers, then they need to start by reversing their recent decision to allow AES to raise its rates. The time for action items has passed. These action items only matter if they are implemented and Hoosiers’ bills keep coming to their mailboxes. Hoosiers want solutions, and I’m committed to delivering them.”

Pryor joins OUCC in request for reconsideration of AES rate increase

Yesterday, July 7, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), a utility ratepayer advocacy group, petitioned for the recent AES rate increase to be reconsidered.

The rate increase, worth $71 million, is set to happen in two phases and will result in customers’ electric bills increasing by roughly $9.52 per month. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement:

“I fully support the OUCC’s request that AES’s rate increase be reconsidered, and join them in calling for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to overturn their approval. 

“For too long now, ratepayers have been forced to take on higher utility bills despite stalled service quality and a broader affordability crisis. The last thing Hoosiers need is to foot the bill for another completely optional utility rate increase that will only serve to line shareholders’ pockets. 

“I encourage the IURC to act quickly, before AES can start implementing these hikes on families who are already stretched thin.”

Pryor: IURC chair replaced, we’re left with the rate increase

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On June 17, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved a rate increase for AES Indiana, sparking outrage from government officials and AES customers. 

In response, Gov. Mike Braun appointed Anthony Swinger as chairman of the IURC, replacing Andy Zay. Zay, who presided over the AES rate hike approval, will remain on the commission.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement:

“Unfortunately, replacing the chairman of the IURC won’t reverse the rate hike approval. Gov. Braun is simply distracting voters from his own appointment of former Chairman Zay, who supported the increase.

“Instead of political performances, lawmakers should be looking to the future and finding solutions to the growing utility affordability crisis. I urge my colleagues in the General Assembly to go into the 2027 legislative session with policies that will immediately lower Hoosiers’ utility costs and rein in AES and other utility providers. 

“This problem will only get worse if BlackRock, an international investment management corporation, is allowed to go through with its buyout of AES. Governor Braun must urge Indiana’s congressional delegation to stop the sale of AES to BlackRock and protect Hoosiers from further utility price gouging.” 

Pryor condemns IURC approval of AES rate increase

Yesterday, June 17, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) voted 3-1 to approve a $71 million rate increase for AES Indiana customers. 

This comes after the Indiana General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session, which focused heavily on utility affordability and protecting consumers from unchecked utility rate increases. Additionally, the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) recommended last year that AES undergo a $21 million rate reduction.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“I am deeply disappointed in the IURC’s decision to allow AES to, yet again, raise rates for its customers. Just three months ago, the General Assembly made it our priority to grant Hoosiers some relief from the burden of constantly-increasing utility rates. Now, AES customers are being told they have to contribute even more of their paychecks to keeping their lights on while their service quality stays stagnant. 

“Last year, the OUCC recommended that AES rates be reduced, saying the company is already more than profitable enough. Now, rather than follow that recommendation, the IURC has signed off on a rate hike that serves no purpose other than to enrich AES shareholders and strip customers of even more of their hard-earned money. The reality is that this decision will negatively impact people’s lives. 

“Hoosiers cannot continue to pay the price of utility providers putting profits over people.” 

Pryor joins community members, faith leaders to advocate for religious freedom

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Today, June 11, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D–Indianapolis) attended a “Faith Over Fear” religious freedom gathering at the Indiana Statehouse. The interfaith event, organized by State Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D–Indianapolis) in collaboration with religious leaders and community organizations, was designed to affirm Indiana’s commitment to religious freedom and stand up against religious discrimination. 

The event included a call to action for Gov. Braun to take meaningful steps to protect religious freedom for all Hoosiers. 

Pryor released the following statement: 

“I was happy to attend the Faith Over Fear event, but disappointed that the gathering was necessary. As someone who represents constituents of many faiths, I felt called to join my fellow Hoosiers in calling for an end to the type of religious discrimination that has become commonplace in our state government for the last eighteen months.

“As Christians, God calls us to love and accept everyone, but Gov. Braun and Lt. Gov. Beckwith have consistently sought to undermine religious freedom and marginalize non-Christian Hoosiers since taking office. This kind of treatment for some Hoosiers is a disservice to all Hoosiers. 

“Indiana won’t have true religious freedom until every Hoosier feels safe and free to practice their chosen faith. For that reason, I’m happy to support the religious protections proposed at the event. If Lt. Gov. Beckwith has so little interest in protecting and preserving the religious rights of non-Christian Hoosiers, then his office has no business running the Faith-Based Institutions Initiative. 

“Indiana is better when every Hoosier is respected, valued and free to practice their faith. That’s why I will always advocate for religious freedom and individuals’ rights to worship however they choose.”

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GiaQuinta reacts to Chicago Bears announcement

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement after the Chicago Bears Board of Directors voted to advance the team's stadium development project in Hammond:

"I'm glad to see this project moving forward. A development of this scale means good-paying jobs and major new investment for Hammond and all of Northwest Indiana. As it advances, House Democrats will focus on making sure local workers, businesses and families share in the benefits and that The Region is positioned to make the most of this opportunity. Bear Down!"

GiaQuinta glad for gas tax suspension, calls for resolution of Iran conflict driving high prices

Last week, gas hit $4.99 per gallon across Indiana. Today, Gov. Mike Braun announced that Indiana's sales tax and excise tax on gasoline – totaling $0.59 per gallon – will be suspended for 30 days, following April's suspension of the sales tax alone.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement in response:

"I am grateful that Hoosiers will get relief at the pump for another 30 days. Rep. Gregory W. Porter called for suspending both the sales tax and excise tax on gasoline last month, and House Democrats are glad Gov. Braun has now taken that step. However, our governor can also lobby his allies in D.C. to ease prices at the pump.

"Gas was affordable until the president chose to escalate in Iran with no clear strategy, no defined goals and no exit plan. That choice disrupted global energy markets, and Hoosiers are paying for it every time they fill up. Suspending both gas taxes gives Hoosiers $0.59 back per gallon, but the president's policy chaos is costing them far more than that. We're putting a band-aid on a wound the White House created.

"It's time for Gov. Braun and Indiana's congressional Republicans to push for an end to the war in Iran. This is the single most effective action they could take today to bring down prices for Hoosiers in the long term, not just this month."

GiaQuinta comments on child care funding transfer

Today, Gov. Braun announced that he will request approval from the State Budget Committee for a $200 million transfer from the state General Fund to fund Indiana's Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program. CCDF's vouchers help families pay for child care expenses, and the $200 million would move 14,000 children off the waitlist starting in May, according to the Braun administration.

This comes after Braun paused new vouchers and cut reimbursement rates for providers, resulting in the closure of hundreds of child care facilities around the state, including one in House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne)'s district. There will still be 21,400 children remaining on the waitlist.

GiaQuinta issued the following statement in response to the funding infusion:

"Too little, too late. While I'm thankful that Gov. Braun has taken steps to resuscitate our statewide child care program today, the reality is that the system was teetering on the brink of collapse back in Fall 2025 thanks to decisions made by him and Statehouse Republicans. For many providers, including a beloved one in my hometown of Fort Wayne, doors shut back in November and December.

"In December, House Democrats offered an opportunity for House Republicans to reject the redistricting bill and fund CCDF vouchers for a year. They said no. In last year's budget, Statehouse Republicans prioritized expanding private K-12 vouchers to Indiana's wealthiest families instead of funding child care and getting our neediest working families off the waitlist.

"I say all this not to descend into the partisan bickering that I know Hoosiers are tired of. I say this to let Hoosiers know that the near-collapse of our child care system is an active decision that Statehouse Republicans made time and time again.

"The money has always been there – the question has been whether there is the political will to invest in the hard-working, low-income families that keep our state economy running."

House Democrats support gas tax suspension, question timing

Today, Gov. Mike Braun announced a 30-day suspension of Indiana's gas use tax, which hit 17.2 cents per gallon in April, amid geopolitical crises leading to gas prices skyrocketing to nearly $4.25 a gallon in Indiana.

In 2022, Statehouse Democrats repeatedly called for the suspension of the gas tax starting in March when the tax hit 18.2 cents per gallon and peaked at 29.4 cents in August. Statehouse Republicans refused to suspend the tax then, even when the state was flush with federal cash.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement:

"It's clear that Hoosiers are in desperate need of economic relief, and I'm in favor of anything that can provide that, including suspending the gas tax. However, it's been clear for a long time that Hoosiers are struggling, and it's frustrating that it had to get this bad before Indiana Republicans took action.

"Back in 2022, House Democrats called for a gas tax suspension when gas prices soared due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our calls went unanswered by the Republican supermajority, who instead allowed Hoosiers to continue draining their wallets at the gas pump.

"I want to be clear: House Democrats support this suspension, but Gov. Braun and Statehouse Republicans are only cleaning up a mess that they helped create. Hoosiers are tired of unstrategic and unfocused foreign wars that cost American lives, drive up gas prices and raise the cost of living.

"This isn't leadership, it's a last-minute scramble to keep up the Indiana GOP's charade of being the 'fiscally responsible' party."

GiaQuinta weighs in on Supreme Court overturn of tariffs

Today, the Supreme Court overturned the Trump administration's global tariffs, ruling that Congress has the power to impose taxes, including tariffs. These overly broad and expansive tariffs have caused rising costs for Hoosier consumers and businesses and a decline in new job creation across America.    

Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement in response:

"Thank you to the Supreme Court for recognizing that the power of the purse clearly lies with Congress, not the executive branch.

"More importantly, I'm glad that Hoosiers will see some relief from the needless trade war and unnecessary taxes they've been paying at the store. House Democrats have been laser focused on lowering costs because Hoosiers have been struggling to pay utility bills, rent, health care bills and more. The tariffs only added fuel to the cost-of-living fire. Thank goodness they're going away.

"We need trade deals that keep jobs here and Indiana's manufacturing industry strong – not tax the average American family $1200 a year."

GiaQuinta: ‘Hoosiers should not expect an improvement in the cost of living from House Republicans’

Today, the Indiana House of Representatives concluded its action for the first half of the 2026 legislative session.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement at halftime:

"House Republicans say there's no time or money to give you immediate relief on your utility bills, lower your health care costs, keep kids in child care classrooms or protect your safety or freedom. But they somehow found time and money to give bigger tax bailouts to utility companies and data centers, eliminate teacher collective bargaining rights and shield the Indiana Economic Development Corporation from an investigation on misused taxpayer dollars.

"There have been a few bright spots, like bipartisan support for utility rate-making reform. But House Republicans still voted down House Democrats' efforts to strengthen House Bill 1002. All in all, Hoosiers should not expect an improvement in the cost of living from House Republicans. I want Hoosiers to know that it doesn't have to be this way. House Republicans continue to prioritize special interests and pointless culture wars over real relief for Hoosiers as costs continue to rise."

GiaQuinta reacts to 2026 State of the State

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement reacting to Gov. Mike Braun's 2026 State of the State address:

"House Democrats agree with Gov. Braun that Hoosiers are no better off than they were a year ago – and that’s thanks to him and the Braun supermajority. 

"If Statehouse Republicans wanted to lower costs, they would have already done that. They've been in charge for the past 20 years.

"Now that Gov. Braun is catching up to the fact that Hoosiers are struggling, he's talking about affordable utilities and child care. But his actions over the past year speak differently. Under Gov. Braun's watch, Indiana has seen the highest utility rate hikes in 20 years, doubled health insurance premiums for 300,000 Hoosiers, and dozens of child care centers close because of his voucher cuts.   

"Gov. Braun has failed at making life more affordable for Hoosiers while gutting the programs that help them get by, like health care, food assistance, child care, and public safety. The proof is in Hoosiers' wallets – they need real relief, not lip service without action."