Campbell against special session: ‘increased political division doesn’t help Hoosiers’

Today, Oct. 27, Republican Gov. Mike Braun signed a proclamation calling a special session of the General Assembly to start on Nov. 3 to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps in the middle of the decade, to go into effect for next year’s midterm elections. 

State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement: 

"Redrawing Indiana's maps and drawing elected officials from their seats is a massive disservice to Hoosiers. It feeds further into political division at a time when many are tired of watching our country split down party lines. We should do what’s best for our communities – not what’s best for Washington, D.C., or for a political party.

“This is an effort to rig future elections and cheat voters out of their electoral power. There's no rationalizing this decision. Instead of voters choosing their representative, the people in power are choosing for them. 

“New maps won’t help our communities. It doesn’t solve the child care crisis. It doesn’t lower the cost-of-living or lower your utility bills. It doesn’t help our public schools. 

“I'll fight against this move to consolidate power, so we can preserve the idea of one voter, one vote.”

Campbell sends letter to Sec. Noem and Braun demanding proper protections for international students

Today, Aug. 21, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) and other Indiana House Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Gov. Mike Braun. The letter questions the wrongful arrest and five-day detainment of Purdue Pharmacy student Yeonsoo Go, who was in the country legally on a religious dependent visa. It also requests that federal and state agencies take steps to protect Indiana’s international students. 

“Now more than ever, we need to protect Indiana’s international students," Campbell said. "The viciousness our government is showing immigrants is truly frightening. Arresting people without due process and sending them to a detention center is not policy – it’s heartlessness. The wrongful detention of Yeonsoo Go is evidence of ICE’s carelessness. 

“I want answers. I want ICE to tell me how they made this mistake, and I want them to ensure this never happens again. Our international students deserve to be free from the fear that they’ll be detained simply because they are coming to the U.S. to learn from our great institutions. This letter asks both the federal and state governments to take immediate steps to protect students’ legal rights and safety.  

"Braun insists that his policy is the ‘worst first,’ so I hope he stands up for our international students who have committed no crime.” 

Campbell strongly opposed to mid-decade redistricting

State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement regarding a potential special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps: 

“I am strongly opposed to mid-decade redistricting. It’s unconstitutional, costly and flat-out wrong. 

“As a legislator, I never imagined the sitting Vice President of our nation would visit Indiana’s leadership and outright ask for more Republican seats. I would be shocked and opposed if either party did this. It’s a power grab that puts politics before Hoosiers. Voters have the right to tell Trump what they think of his policies in the 2026 midterms. It’s telling that national Republicans are afraid they'll lose seats in the next election. 

“Certain beliefs and opinions are no less important simply because they’re in the minority in Indiana. Unfortunately, we've come to a standoff between states, with blue states trying to protect democracy by fighting fire with fire. 

“Democrats need to fight back against this move to consolidate power, but I hope our nation can return to the ideal of one voter, one vote. Gov. Braun promised to listen to legislators about this issue, and we’ve been a resounding ‘no.’”

Campbell calls for ICE to release Purdue student from detainment

On Thursday, July, 31, a South Korean student enrolled at Purdue University, Yeonsoo Go, was arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Go was arrested outside of court in Manhattan after her immigration hearing. She was placed in federal detention nearby before being transferred to a facility in Louisiana. 

State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), who represents Purdue, released the following statement: 

“This is absolutely horrifying. Yeonsoo Go is a young woman who came to the U.S. on a legal, religious worker’s dependent visa. An attorney for the Episcopal Diocese in New York, where Go’s mother serves as a priest, says that her current visa doesn’t even expire until December. Go is trying to update her paperwork; she’s following the law, but ICE grabbed her outside of court. 

“Arresting people outside of the courthouse proves that this isn’t about legal immigration. It’s even more concerning that her parents found out about her transfer to Louisiana from online records. It’s cruel. 

“Go is enrolled in the Purdue College of Pharmacy. She doesn’t have a criminal record, and she’s an active part of her community. We are lucky she’s pursuing her education at Purdue University. 

“I urge for the release of Yeonsoo Go, and a proper review of her immigration status. Treat people with dignity regardless of their status.” 

Campbell celebrates new hospital coming to West Lafayette

Today, July 11, Indiana University Health announced the construction of a new hospital in West Lafayette. The city has no full-service hospitals within city limits, which means the nearest emergency rooms are about a 20-minute drive from Purdue University. The construction of this new hospital will bring services closer to the community, expand access to care and reduce emergency room wait times. 

State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement: 

“Our community is the fastest-growing metro area in the United States. Part of growing a community is expanding the city’s services and infrastructure. People want to live in West Lafayette, and it’s important we meet every aspect of their needs. It’s amazing news that IU Health is coming to the West Side. 

"Purdue will have a hospital close to campus, which will cut down the time of students’ ambulance rides. Our nursing homes and retirement facilities will also benefit from a closer hospital. Another emergency room will shorten wait times, and the hospital will be a great place for college students majoring in health and human sciences to work and volunteer. We will also have more doctors, nurses and specialists in our community, broadening access to care. 

“This is a great thing for West Lafayette. Thank you to IU Health for choosing our community, and I look forward to the construction and opening of our new hospital.” 

Campbell condems degree eliminations across Purdue University’s campuses

Yesterday, June 30, the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) announced that more than 400 degree programs across six of Indiana’s universities would be eliminated, suspended or merged. The state budget included a statute setting a minimum threshold of graduates for all degree programs. Across all Purdue University campuses, 83 programs will be impacted. Programs include bachelor’s in various disciplines of engineering, foreign languages, special education, economics and mathematics. 

State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement: 

“This is an overreach of government into higher education, echoing a dangerous national trend. The majority isn’t outright controlling students' education, but they’re restricting it, which achieves the same goal. Students should be able to study whatever they choose, especially since they’re paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for it. Programs impacted include economics, secondary education, finance and three engineering disciplines. I was especially shocked to see special education degrees on the list. 

“When I got my master's in audiology at Purdue, it was a relatively small program. But the size of the program didn’t matter. It was offered because students were interested, and even though the discipline is small, audiologists provide essential services. 

“Our public university is arguably our state’s greatest strength. Purdue is globally recognized. But to continue their record of success, Purdue has to be a great place to work and study. The General Assembly has continued to undercut these efforts with tenure reviews, monitoring instruction and now eliminating degree programs. It will get harder and harder for Purdue to pitch itself to out-of-state students and the nation’s top researchers. 

“For the party of small governance, this is a gross overreach into students' academic opportunities.” 

Campbell votes no on budget, bad deal for West Lafayette community

Today, April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the budget to the governor’s desk.  State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) voted against the budget due to insufficient funding for K-12 public education, cuts for Purdue University, cuts for local public health initiatives, changes to the eligibility threshold for On My Way Pre-K, cuts in housing assistance and the elimination of funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) TV and radio. Campbell supports a few portions of the budget, including cutting funding for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) by roughly 30%. 

Campbell released the following statement: 

“I couldn’t support this budget, which will adversely impact families in West Lafayette. The bad in the budget outweighs the good. Purdue’s funding is getting cut, and they’re receiving no funding for capital projects, even though they’ve been an excellent partner with the state. With Purdue’s housing crisis, the university needs additional funding to build dorms and meet students’ needs. 

“The cuts for local public health initiatives are concerning since that money has been used by Tippecanoe County to prevent chronic disease and improve maternal and infant health. Fewer of our families in need will qualify for state-funded pre-K since we’re changing the On My Way Pre-K threshold. Thank goodness the various attempts to criminalize homelessness all failed, but this budget eliminates the Housing First program.  

“Our public schools also get the short end of the stick. They’ll get a small increase in state funding, but at the same time, they’ll lose an even bigger amount in property tax revenue. This isn’t what our children and teachers deserve. The bad in the budget outweighs the good.”

Campbell: Homeless lives matter too

Today, April 14, the Indiana House majority passed Senate Bill 197. The bill was amended in the House Committee on Judiciary to include language making it a Class C misdemeanor for a person to sleep or camp on public property of the state or a political subdivision. SB 197 criminalizes homelessness and traps individuals in a cycle of poverty by imposing a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail for sleeping outside.

State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement:

“In the last five years, we’ve seen an increase in people experiencing homelessness. SB 197 will add more barriers for those experiencing housing insecurity. Individuals already struggling to make ends meet would now have to pay a $500 fine, and they’ll be shuffled through the state’s prisons. 

“Many of them are sleeping outside, trying to get what little rest they can, because they have no other place to go. Only 55 of our 92 counties said they had adequate resources to serve unhoused people. With this bill, individuals experiencing homelessness will go from jail straight back to the street due to a lack of services. Incarceration will create additional barriers to housing and employment. 

“We should pass legislation ensuring Hoosiers can thrive and grow in our state. Instead, we’re criminalizing the most vulnerable members of our community and forcing them into a cycle of poverty. I find it extremely disappointing that the majority would push for legislation harming people in need instead of addressing the real concerns in our state. People experiencing homelessness matter too.”

Campbell: ‘SB 1 puts our police, fire and public schools at risk’

Today, April 7, House Republicans passed their 368-page amendment to Senate Bill 1. The amendment encourages local governments to raise their local income tax rate, potentially balancing out any property tax relief homeowners may receive. Local governments' budgets will be affected, but the majority has yet to share just how much–even though House Ways and Means Committee members, including State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), were asked to vote on the proposal today. 

Campbell released the following statement:  

“The latest version of SB 1 is a total mess. Our homeowners won't get the substantial property tax relief they need, and the amount they’ll receive varies. Some homeowners will get a $200 credit, while others may get $50 or $10. We’re putting our local governments' feet to the fire, funding relief from the local level. The state could provide every homeowner with real relief without harming local governments. This version will harm our local police, our local firefighters and our local schools. 

“I’ve heard from police and firefighters in West Lafayette. They’ve been outspoken about the likelihood of having to let go of staff and reduce their services. West Lafayette is a growing community, and our community wouldn’t have the money we need to expand our fire or police departments. People want to live in communities with ample services that are safe and upkept.

“Nobody likes paying taxes, but we pay them to provide for and better our communities. SB 1 would drastically defund our children in public schools, our local libraries, our parks and our public safety services. We can find the balance between government efficiency, relief for homeowners and fully funded local governments.”

Campbell’s bill allowing foster and emancipated youth to open bank accounts heads to governor’s desk

Today, April 3, House Bill 1441 heads to the governor’s desk after the House concurred with the changes made to the bill in the Senate. The bill, authored by State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), will allow foster children and emancipated youth at least 16 years old to open bank accounts without an adult co-signer. The bill was amended in the Senate to include minors automatically emancipated by operation of law. 

Campbell released the following statement: 

“I am thrilled to see my bill pass through the legislature and head to the governor’s desk. This bill will provide a valuable tool for so many foster and emancipated youth in Indiana to protect and control their own finances. 

“Current Indiana law requires minors to open a bank account with an adult co-signer, disadvantaging foster children and minors who may not have a stable, constant parent or guardian. There have been instances in which a child has immediately removed an adult from their account the moment they turned 18. Some of our children have had adults take money out of their accounts without their consent.

“With the new high school diploma requiring students to work to fulfill certain credits, it's important that all students have a secure place to keep the money they earn. This bill does exactly that; it allows foster or emancipated children 16 or older, found responsible by a juvenile court, the opportunity to open a bank account.

“I am thankful for the legislature’s support on this bill, and I will continue to advocate for the needs of foster youth in the Statehouse.”

Republicans kill amendment from Campbell to pause groundwater withdrawals for the Wabash River

Today, March 31, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) proposed an amendment to Senate Bill 4. The amendment would have created a two-year moratorium on major groundwater withdrawals from the Wabash River Basin if adopted. The amendment would have also established the Groundwater and Aquifer Preservation Task Force. House Republicans struck down the amendment with a vote of 25 to 66. 

Campbell released the following statement: 

“The potential LEAP pipeline has been an issue of concern for my community for almost two years. They’ve chosen to ignore the pleas of our community once again. 

“West Lafayette is one of the fastest-growing communities in Indiana. We have to be properly prepared for the future so that our community, businesses, farmers and Purdue University have what they need. Recent water studies show that Indiana will have a scarcity problem soon. We need a state moratorium. We need state leaders to take the time to come to our county and listen to our community.  

“We still have no water regulations or water plan. The majority refuses to listen to our community, but they’re also refusing to prepare for the future. We should act in the best interest of Hoosiers–not in the best interest of a secretive agency that’s spent $1 billion on a project knowing their chosen location lacked the resources they needed.”

House Republicans strike down amendment to lower health care costs

Today, March 27, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) proposed an amendment to lower the cost of health care for Hoosiers. Her amendment to Senate Bill 3 would have restored language in the bill that requires health insurance middlemen, including pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), to provide a fiduciary duty for beneficiaries. These middlemen determine coverage and premiums for companies. Campbell's amendment was struck down by the House majority. 

Campbell released the following statement:

“SB 3 provides health care transparency and accountability. But we need to restore the language in the bill that provides fiduciary duties to beneficiaries of employers’ health plans: Hoosiers. This amendment puts Hoosiers first by prioritizing lowering health care costs, not padding the pockets of insurance companies and their shareholders. 

“Fiduciary duties ensure that providers act in the best interest of patients. It means that Hoosiers have access to potentially life-saving medications and services at the lowest available cost. Hoosiers deserve protection from bad actors in the health care industry. It’s time to put people over profit in Indiana. By striking down this amendment, the majority voted to leave Hoosiers out in the cold.

“The majority blocked an opportunity to provide much-needed savings for people who are drowning in health care expenses.”