Jackson opposes bill to deregulate IDEM

Today, Feb. 24, State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) voted no on Senate Bill 277. The bill passed out of the House by a vote of 53-45 and returns to the Senate for review of the changes made in the House.

SB 277 drastically changes the ability of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to protect human health and the environment. The bill eliminates hundreds of mandates and turns many requirements into discretionary actions. SB 277 provides that Indiana’s environmental regulations cannot be more burdensome than federal law, while simultaneously repealing protective offices and a majority of IDEM’s oversight of pollution prevention.

Jackson released the following statement:

“Indiana consistently ranks among the worst states for industrial toxins and pollution. That is not something to be proud of. This bill will not only make this issue worse, but it will cause lasting damage to our environment and to our constituents’ health. Deregulating IDEM will lead to increased land, air, and water pollution with decreased accountability and transparency.

Jackson introduced three amendments on the floor, all of which were voted down along party lines. Each amendment focused on the Environmental Rules Board and attempted to restore the political balance of the board and the provision that appointed members are qualified for their position.

“The Environmental Rules Board deals with toxic waste, water and soil. These issues affect everybody. The people appointed to this board need to be qualified and not simply chosen because of their party.

“Protecting human health is a non-partisan issue. We need to stop prioritizing corporations and start protecting our constituents. Everyone should agree that our water and our air need to be clean. A vote for this bill is a vote for unsafe drinking water.”

Jackson celebrates the passage of SB 27 inviting the Bears to Hammond

Today, Feb. 24, Senate Bill 27 passed the House with a final vote of 95 to 4. Since the bill was amended by the House Ways and Means Committee, it now heads back to the Senate for review and approval before going to Gov. Braun’s desk for signature into law. SB 27 invites the Chicago Bears to Hammond by creating various funding mechanisms to build a new stadium. 

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) released the following statement: 

“This is the first time I’ve seen local officials and the state come together to make a dream a reality in such a short time. Everybody wants progress, and I am thankful Northwest Indiana has been bold enough to step towards it. 

“This will bring the entire Region together. One city’s progress affects another city’s progress. We will all benefit from the thousands of new jobs created, the influx of new tourists and the millions in revenue generated at our hotels and restaurants.  

“We’ve laid the groundwork for the past 10 years to increase our economic development and tourism. The Region used to be the driver of Indiana’s economy until certain industries left us. We have worked hard to rebound from those losses, and the Chicago Bears have recognized our hard work. 

“Northwest Indiana is Bears country.”

Jackson ‘thrilled’ to bring the Bears to Hammond, Indiana

Today, Feb. 19, the House Ways and Means committee passed Senate Bill 27 establishing the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority as the Chicago Bears take steps to finalize a deal to move their stadium to the City of Hammond.  

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), who represents the area where the proposed stadium would be built, issued the following statement: 

“Bringing the Chicago Bears to Hammond would have a tremendous impact on our local economy and help us build up our community even further. Professional sports teams bring jobs and increased revenue to a city, especially by boosting tourism in the area. Over the past few years, we’ve made significant improvements and additions to the Region, and a National Football League team, especially one as historic as the Chicago Bears’ franchise, would be a fantastic addition to that work.  

“As a representative for Hammond, I am thrilled to do anything I can to finalize this plan and bring the Bears to our city.”  

Jackson passes amendment to allow ICE detainees to challenge their detainment

Today, Feb. 10, the Indiana House of Representatives adopted Amendment 19 to Senate Bill 76. The amendment, authored by State Rep. Carolyn B. Jackson (D-Indianapolis), would allow U.S. citizens detained by ICE to challenge their detainment. Jackson also offered an amendment to allow detainees to seek damages up to $10,000 for wrongful detainment, but that amendment was rejected by a vote of 31-63.

Jackson released the following statement on the acceptance of Amendment 19:

“I’m very proud that Amendment 19 was adopted to give U.S. citizens recourse if they are wrongfully detained by ICE. We’ve already seen many wrongful ICE detainments across the nation, and we need to do everything we can to ensure that Hoosiers don’t fall victim to that kind of government overreach. This amendment is a necessary step toward that goal. 

“While I’m glad that my colleagues have accepted Amendment 19, I’m disappointed that my other amendment was not adopted. Amendment 37 would have allowed those wrongfully detained to seek financial damages for the time they spent in custody. Being wrongfully detained or misidentified can come with significant financial loss if someone is forced to miss work. People deserve to be able to seek compensation if they are detained unlawfully simply because of their appearance, accent or skin color. SB 76 is a dangerous piece of legislation, and all my amendments would have ensured fairer treatment for all Hoosiers in the face of its provisions.”

Jackson presents resolution honoring the partnership between the Province of Quebec and the State of Indiana

Yesterday, Feb. 4, House Concurrent Resolution 8 honoring the longstanding partnership between the Province of Quebec and the State of Indiana was presented to Quebec Delegate Jean-François Hould. The resolution, authored by State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), recognizes the enduring friendship and the decades of cultural and economic collaboration between the two regions. The year 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of Quebec’s inclusion as an international affiliate member of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). 

“Having served on the Canada Relations Committee for the Council of State Governments since 2024, I have come to understand how Canada and specifically Quebec continue to be a good resource for Indiana and how connected we are," Jackson said. "Indiana’s relationship with Quebec represents the best of what cross-border partnerships can achieve. As members of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus, we have many shared interests such as water management, sustainability, tourism and commerce in the region. Our state economy is significantly boosted by our friendship with our northern neighbors as they are the third-largest international buyer of Indiana’s auto industry and the top provider of Indiana’s paper products. 

“In an increasingly interconnected world, relationships like ours with Quebec remind us that cooperation and mutual respect create opportunities for everyone.

“I would like to thank my coauthor in the House, State Rep. David Abbott, as well as my cosponsors in the Senate, Sen. Mike Bohacek and Sen. Andrea Hunley.”

Jackson gravely disappointed in lack of progress on child protection

This week, Jan. 27, was the final day for House Bills to be heard in committee. Last week, a bill authored by State Rep. Carolyn B. Jackson (D-Hammond) to increase protection for Children in Need of Services (CHINS) was removed from the hearing schedule in the House Committee on Family, Children and Human affairs following the Department of Child Services asking the committee chair to remove the bill. In 2024, 59 children died in Indiana from abuse and neglect. 

In many of these cases, including the tragic case of five-year-old Kinsleigh Welty who died from malnourishment and neglect, DCS closed their case without physically evaluating the child. 

“The current system of protecting children is not working. Too many of our babies have been failed by DCS,” Jackson said. “59 children were left to suffer and die from abuse and neglect. We cannot allow our babies to slip through the cracks like this. 

“I authored a bill to require a physical examination of children under the age of five about whom a report of neglect or abuse has been filed. As documents from a lawsuit allege, this measure could have saved Kinsleigh Welty and potentially more children. 

“The chairman of the committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs pulled my bill from being heard because DCS asked him to. Instead of collaborating to find a solution to some of the concerns, the issue was abandoned completely. I recognize the important work that DCS does, however, there is clearly the need for reforming their protocol surrounding child abuse and neglect. Their current policies are not working. The state should be focused on the children who need protecting, not protecting the agency who is failing children.

“I am deeply disappointed in the chairman’s decision not to hear my bill before the committee deadline. I sincerely hope we can collaborate in the second half of session to make real progress on ensuring DCS doesn’t allow more kids like Kinsleigh to fall through the cracks.”

Jackson condemns House passage of Republicans’ racially gerrymanded congressional map

Today, Dec. 5, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032, their gerrymandered congressional map, after months of pressure from Washington D.C. The map carves up like-minded communities to give the Republican party an advantage in Indiana’s congressional elections. HB 1032 heads to the Senate for their consideration next week. 

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment, released the following statement: 

“The precedent this sets moving forward is that redrawing our congressional map is simply a free for all. Whoever is in power can do whatever they want to make sure they stay in power. This will cause irreparable harm to public trust in the ability of our government to act out of anything but self-interest. 

“All week, my colleagues in the Democratic caucus have been fighting to get the Republican supermajority to acknowledge that Hoosiers need help with the real issues they face. We have put forth proposals to make child care, health care, housing, utilities and groceries more affordable. Time after time, Republicans shut down our proposals to discuss partisan gerrymandering that nobody asked for. This proposed map was not made for the benefit of Hoosiers. The author of the bill openly admitted over and over that this map was drawn by D.C. insiders purely to give one party a political advantage. 

“Our community in Lake County, one of the most diverse communities in the state, has been deliberately targeted partially because of that diversity. Breaking up our congressional district is a direct attempt to dilute the voting power and silence the voices of the Hoosiers I represent. I am ashamed of the action taken by the Indiana House of Representatives today.”  

House Democrats fight for an affordable Indiana, House Republicans choose partisan politics over family budgets

Today, the House Elections and Apportionment Committee passed House Bill 1032, the mid-decade redistricting bill, out of committee. House Democrats offered a minority report, an alternative to HB 1032 as passed out of committee, for the full House to vote on. House Republicans chose to block it by a 64-24 vote.  

The legislation House Democrats offered contained several provisions to lower the cost of living for Hoosiers and eliminated the redistricting provisions from the bill.

The report:

• Saves Hoosiers money on their utility bills by eliminating the sales tax on residential utility use;

• Protects Hoosiers from rising health care costs by creating a state tax credit for insurance premiums if the Affordable Care Act credits end;

• Lowers Hoosiers' grocery bills by eliminating the sales tax on prepared food sold in grocery stores, toothpaste, soap, adult diapers and feminine hygiene products; and

• Keeps Hoosier kids in early childhood education classrooms by eliminating the waitlists for Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K vouchers and fully funding both programs for one year.

"The legislation I offered to the House today would have eased up on Hoosiers' wallets as we enter the holiday season," State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), ranking Democrat on the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, said. "I keep hearing from my constituents about the rising cost of child care and utility bills. We offered House Republican legislators an opportunity to reverse course and pass something this December that would actually make a difference on pocketbooks, and they said 'no' to lowering costs for Hoosiers."  

"House Democrats have held town halls all over the state for the past four months, and Hoosiers told us that they want relief from the rising cost of living, not map rigging and political games," House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) said. "Today, we offered legislation to save Hoosiers money on their rising utility bills, health care costs, grocery bills, and pre-K and child care costs as an alternative to redistricting. House Republicans chose partisan map rigging instead.

"New political maps don't pay bills or put food on the table. House Democrats know your family budget is the real emergency. It's too bad House Republicans can only think of themselves – their only emergency is trying to protect their own political power."

Harris, Jackson respond to ICE agents operating in Northwest Indiana

Today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were seen throughout Northwest Indiana, including in Hammond and East Chicago. Multiple videos on social media show ICE agents pursuing individuals in parking lots and restaurants. Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott forced ICE agents off the grounds of a police department earlier today, calling their presence in the city “deeply concerning.”

Two Northwest Indiana state representatives, State Reps. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) and Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), are monitoring the situation in their respective communities. 

“I am deeply worried to see that ICE agents were attempting to use property of the City of Hammond to stage their terror operation,” Jackson said. “I am thankful to Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott for promptly making the public aware that ICE is present in the city and making sure they are not permitted to use Hammond facilities to intimidate members of our community. 

“What we have seen across the nation in terms of the treatment of immigrants, many of whom immigrated legally or have obtained their citizenship, has been cruel and downright inhumane. Just this week in Chicago, ICE agents have been deploying increasingly violent tactics such as using a Black Hawk helicopter to raid an apartment complex in the middle of the night, dragging children away from their families screaming and crying. Innocent men, women and children are being treated like violent criminals simply because of their appearance. I am devastated for all of the people in my community fearing for their safety and the safety of their friends and families.”

“Everyone deserves the right to due process,” Harris said. “When people can be picked up off the streets based on racial profiling, it is not only a gross injustice to them as an individual, but a signal to everyone that all our rights, too, can be violated with impunity. Across the country and right here in Indiana, immigrants have helped build and shape our communities. A poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, which has greeted countless immigrants to this nation, reads, ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ I truly believe that this sentiment is the great promise of America and, because of this belief, I can’t view these ICE raids as anything other than un-American."

See these resources from the National Immigration Law Center to know your rights if ICE is encountered in the community.

Jackson comments on FSSA slashing On My Way Pre-K

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) recently announced several significant cuts to On My Way Pre-K. These cuts include capping enrollment at 2,500 children, down from over 6,000 enrollees last year, and slashing the provider reimbursement rates.   

In the 2025 state budget, FSSA faced the 5% budget cut that most state agencies did and were recently ordered to cut an additional 5% specifically from their personnel and technology budgets. The agency claims that the cuts to the On My Way Pre-K program are a result of the budget reduction.   

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) issued the following statement:  

“I am extremely concerned about the recent cuts to On My Way Pre-K and the devastating impacts they will have on our state and our community. Over 85% of 4-year-olds in Indiana do not have access to preschool. On My Way Pre-K is already an extremely limited program to help the most vulnerable afford to send their children to pre-K. Now, 3,500 fewer Hoosier children will likely not be able to enroll in pre-K because their families cannot afford it without the voucher.

"Additionally, the financial incentive for providers to accept On My Way Pre-K vouchers in Lake County was reduced by up to 46%. Many facilities may choose or be forced to no longer participate in the program. Every year, I have families reaching out to me for help getting their children into pre-K because of the limited class sizes and long waitlists. Reducing this incentive will reduce class sizes even more. Families who desperately want to give their child a leg up with early childhood education are being left high and dry.  

“Indiana is one of only six states in the entire country that doesn’t fund a universal pre-K system. Early childhood education has been proven to improve academic performance and even salaries later in life. Additionally, access to pre-K boosts our economy by allowing parents to return to the workforce. The state should be pouring resources into expanding pre-K access for all children, not cutting it for vulnerable populations. If pre-K is a luxury that only wealthy families in well-off suburbs can afford, children living in underserved communities will be hurt the most.   

“Republican leadership claims that they had to cut funding for FSSA because there simply wasn’t enough money. I would like to know how they found $1.2 billion to expand private school vouchers universally so millionaires and billionaires can use taxpayer dollars to send their kids to private school. This is not about fiscal responsibility. This does not help working Hoosiers. This policy is harmful for children, families and our economy.” 

Jackson appointed to Council on State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference Energy and Environment Committee

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) has been appointed to the Council on State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference Energy and Environment Committee for 2025 and 2026. The purpose of this committee is to connect legislators across the Midwest with each other and industry experts to inform policymaking for the future. Jackson currently serves on the Environmental Affairs Committee and the Natural Resources Committee in the Indiana House of Representatives. 

“I am both honored and excited to have been appointed to the Committee on Energy and Environment for the Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council on State Governments,” Jackson said. “Since I became a legislator, I have focused on promoting the health and well-being of my constituents while protecting the community from harmful substances like lead and other pollutants. I am proud to have created programs to test schools and child care facilities for lead in drinking water, which can cause developmental disabilities in children. Additionally, I have worked to find solutions to make energy in Indiana more affordable and more efficient. 

“I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and learn from other legislators and policy experts from across the nation. Environmental policy is unique in the sense that the policies of one state impact neighboring states. In order to effectively govern, state governments must communicate and work together. This opportunity gives Northwest Indiana a seat at the table, and I am excited to advocate for Hoosiers and bring what I learn back to the General Assembly.” 

Jackson 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. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

 "Senate Bill 1 is not the property tax relief bill that Republicans promised Indiana residents. This bill does very little to limit property taxes while gutting local governments' ability to fund essential services. To make up for that fact, they have added provisions to raise local income taxes.

"Lake County alone stands to lose over $200 million by 2028 as a result of this bill's passage. These massive cuts will leave our public schools, libraries, fire departments and police departments struggling to operate. Republicans have talked about property tax relief for months. Instead of compromising, they are rushing a bill through the legislative process that does very little to help Indiana homeowners. No one is happy with this bill, and it's extremely disappointing that Republicans were unwilling to work with us to come up with a plan that actually benefits Hoosier taxpayers.”

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During House session on Wednesday, April 9, Gov. Mike Braun signaled that this was the Indiana GOP's final property tax plan, despite House Democrats still working to make the bill better on the House floor via amendments which were all voted down by the majority.