Today, March 24, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) held an investigative inquiry into Indiana's investor-owned utilities: AES Indiana, CenterPoint Energy Indiana, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC, Indiana Michigan Power Company, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company, LLC (NIPSCO). 

Today, Feb. 25, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) announced an "Investigative Inquiry on Energy Affordability" on March 24 calling in the five largest investor-owned utilities in the state to present on various topics related to energy affordability.

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Yesterday, Feb. 16, State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) offered an amendment to Senate Bill 160. The amendment would have required the Law Enforcement Training Board to adopt a statewide policy prohibiting officers from wearing a mask during official duties, with exceptions for situations such as tactical operations and undercover work. It also would have made it a class A misdemeanor for a law enforcement officer to wear a mask with the intent to commit or conceal the commission of a criminal act. It would have applied to federal law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  House Republicans voted down the amendment 33-59.

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Yesterday, Feb. 12, Senate Bill 76 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 61 to 28. Because the bill was amended in the House, it returns to the Senate to approve the House changes or to request a conference committee to reconcile differences in the bill. 

Today, Jan. 28, State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) voted for House Bill 1002, which passed with a vote of 88-4. The bill is a small step towards limiting energy cost increases and expanding protections for utility customers, but it doesn’t provide immediate relief.

Today, Jan. 27, State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) offered an amendment to House Bill 1343. HB 1343 includes a provision allowing the Indiana National Guard to create a military police unit that could be deployed to enforce laws against civilians in any community when the Governor thinks it's necessary. Local government officials would have no power to prevent the military force from invading their communities. Pierce’s amendment would have removed this language from the bill, but the amendment was voted down by the House Majority.

Today, Dec. 11, the Indiana Senate voted down House Bill 1032, preserving Indiana’s current congressional map. The bill failed with a vote of 31-19. 

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 Republicans control of every congressional district in Indiana. HB 1032 now must be approved by the Senate to become law. 

Tomorrow, Oct. 3, Andy Mahler will receive the Governor's Circle of Corydon award posthumously. Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) and State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) nominated Mahler for the award. Senator Yoder will present the award to his wife, Linda Lee, at the Heartwood Reunion, which celebrates the founding of the grassroots movement to protect the public forests of the central hardwood region of the North American continent.

Today, Aug. 5, Gov. Mike Braun did not rule out calling a special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps. Braun’s statement follows national pressure from President Donald Trump, who has called for Republican states to redistrict to increase the number of GOP seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Vice President J.D. Vance is visiting Indianapolis to discuss redistricting on Thursday. 

Today, Feb. 10, State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) offered amendments to House Bill 1007 that would have prevented utility customers from bearing the cost of failed nuclear power plant projects