Errington expresses condolences following tragic loss of Delaware County Deputy

Today, State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) issued the following statement after Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy Corporal Blake Reynolds was tragically killed this morning while assisting a stranded motorist on I-69:

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Cpl. Blake Reynolds. Every day, our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe, and their bravery and service do not go unnoticed. My thoughts are with the deputy’s loved ones, colleagues and everyone impacted by this heartbreaking loss.”

Errington also encouraged drivers to remain alert and give first responders space to work safely when approaching emergency scenes on Indiana roadways.

Op-Ed: Indiana is pulling the rug out from under working families

Child care is not a luxury. For parents across Indiana, it is what allows them to work, attend school and provide for their families. For employers, it is what keeps a reliable workforce in place. And for our children, it is the foundation for lifelong learning and social growth. Yet this fall, the state announced deep cuts to child care voucher reimbursements and paused new enrollments in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). Those decisions threaten to unravel a system that is already hanging by a thread.

Earlier this month, the Family and Social Services Administration announced reductions to reimbursement rates by as much as 35% for school-age children and 10% for infants and toddlers, beginning Oct. 5. At the same time, the agency said it would halt new CCDF enrollments in 2025 to focus funding only on current families. The result is fewer resources for providers, longer waitlists for parents and more uncertainty for Hoosier children who deserve stability and care.

These are not just budget numbers on a spreadsheet. For centers and family child care providers across Indiana, including many here in Muncie, these reimbursements can determine whether a program stays open. Reduced payments force providers to either cut staff, raise parent fees or close altogether. Most cannot absorb the losses without sacrificing quality or accessibility.

The human toll falls hardest on the families this program was designed to help. Working parents, who are teachers, fast food workers, restaurant servers, check out clerks, and other hourly employees, now face impossible choices between paying for care and keeping their jobs. My colleague State Rep. Carey Hamilton has rightly pointed out that these cuts put families in an impossible position, and she’s exactly right. When child care disappears, so do paychecks and economic stability. Communities like Muncie cannot attract or retain workers if parents don’t have dependable care for their kids.

State officials point to the end of pandemic-era federal funding as the reason for these cuts. But budgets are a reflection of priorities, and Indiana has chosen to expand private school vouchers and accelerate tax cuts while reducing support for working families. Protecting current voucher families while blocking new ones from enrolling might sound fair on paper, but it creates a ripple effect that will weaken the entire child care network over time.

We can do better. Lawmakers should restore reimbursement rates to reflect the real cost of high-quality care and reopen enrollment for families on waiting lists. We must also invest in the early-childhood workforce with fair wages and professional development so providers can continue doing the work that shapes Indiana’s future.

For Muncie families, these choices are not hypothetical. Local employers are already struggling to find workers because reliable child care is too expensive or too hard to find. Parents tell me they feel trapped between earning a paycheck and caring for their children. The providers who have kept their doors open through every challenge deserve more than budget cuts and broken promises.

Recently, I visited United Daycare Center here in Muncie after an employee reached out to my office about the impact of losing voucher funding. The center added 3 new classrooms last year to expand space for additional children to receive their high quality care. Now with the reduced access, due to the child care voucher waitlist, that low-income families need, the center can’t add children. The new rooms remain empty. This is exactly what happens when state policy fails to match community needs.

Indiana’s children and families deserve better than this. If we truly value work, family and a strong economy, we must treat child care as the essential infrastructure it is. Restoring this funding is not just an investment in parents — it’s an investment in our state’s future.

Errington reacts to EPA Admin and Braun’s historic deregulatory initative

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited Indianapolis to announce their proposal to repeal the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding, which determined that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. 

This move, which they touted as “one of the largest deregulation efforts in U.S. history,” would eliminate the foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, including tailpipe emissions and threatens decades of progress on clean air and climate protections.

State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie), Ranking Minority Member of the House Environmental Affairs Committee, issued the following statement:

“Today’s announcement from Gov. Mike Braun, made in collaboration with the nation’s top environmental officials, was nothing short of troubling. Calling this ‘deregulation’ is misleading. This is deletion. By repealing the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the EPA is erasing the protections that ensure our air is breathable, our summers bearable and communities safe.

“We are in the middle of a heat wave. Summers in Indiana are already hotter, longer and more dangerous than they were a decade ago. Eliminating greenhouse gas standards will only accelerate climate change and harm public health. Why would we take actions that make climate change worse and Hoosiers more vulnerable?

“Federal officials love to visit Indiana and talk about ‘commonsense’ reforms for health — whether it’s nutrition, health care or wellness programs. But how are Hoosiers supposed to stay healthy if they cannot even breathe clean air? Individual responsibility matters, yes, but when our institutions remove the basic safeguards for air and water, they are actively making people sicker.

“Indiana already faces significant environmental challenges, from industrial pollution to the growing water supply demands of data centers moving into the state. Weakening these protections will not make our communities safer, our air cleaner or our water more drinkable. It only benefits polluters while leaving taxpayers and future generations to bear the costs.

“Environmental protections, long supported on a bipartisan basis, are now being used as a political tool. Hoosiers deserve better than short-term political gain at the expense of our land, water and health.

“I strongly urge the EPA and Gov. Braun to reconsider this misguided effort and to prioritize public health, scientific integrity and environmental responsibility over following political whims. Indiana deserves more than greenwashed policies. Hoosiers deserve solutions that strengthen our communities, not jeopardize them.”

The EPA’s proposal is now open for 45 days of public comment. Hoosiers are encouraged to speak out against this dangerous rollback by submitting their comments at regulations.gov.

Errington votes ‘no’ on budget, acknowledges cigarette tax increase and cites concerns on funding cuts

Today, April 25, the Indiana General Assembly approved the final version of House Bill 1001, advancing the state's next two-year budget to the governor's desk. State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) voted against the bill, acknowledging the positive step of increasing the cigarette tax but raising concerns about significant cuts to public health and higher education funding.

“Raising the cigarette tax is a long-overdue move that can discourage smoking and generate essential revenue for our state’s health initiatives,” Errington said. The budget includes raising the per-pack cigarette tax to $2.99, expected to generate approximately $800 million over the next two years.  “However, it’s disheartening to see that while we take this step forward, we’re simultaneously undermining our public health infrastructure and educational institutions. This budget reduces funding for local public health grants by $120 million over the next two years, leaving only $40 million annually for health departments across the state.”

“Ball State University and other public universities are vital to our state’s future, providing education and driving economic growth,” Errington said. “Cutting their funding sends the wrong message about our commitment to higher education. Additionally, I am particularly concerned about the language that micromanages our university and faculty affairs. By requiring tenured faculty to prove their worth through rigid productivity checklists, this bill undermines academic freedom and weakens the foundation of our higher education system. Tenure was designed to protect intellectual independence — not to be used as a tool for political oversight. Our professors should be encouraged to pursue bold research and mentor students, not worry about ticking boxes to keep their jobs. This legislation devalues their work and opens the door to censorship in the classroom.”

Errington emphasized the need for a balanced approach that invests in both public health and education — and one that respects university faculty, rather than politicizing their work.

“We should be investing in our communities’ well-being, and this budget falls short of that goal.”

Errington votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers, ‘What’s being sold as property relief is deceptive’

Today, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill (SB) 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, Emergency Medical Services (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. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“This bill isn’t a tax plan - it’s a tax scam. What’s being sold as property tax relief is deceptive. Even if you are a homeowner, you're likely to see little to no benefit, and that's only based on statewide averages. There’s no guarantee those savings will actually show up in your mailbox.

“And for renters, there’s nothing. Absolutely no relief. In fact, many will end up paying more through higher local income taxes, just to keep basic community services like police and fire departments functioning.

“I’ve been hearing from my city and county councils who are deeply concerned. Without a reciprocal replacement for the lost revenue, this bill leaves local governments scrambling to plug budget holes - and that’s not just bad policy, it’s irresponsible. If the state is going to take away this funding, it has a duty to replace it. Don't make our towns and cities dig themselves out of a hole that the state created.

“To make matters worse, we’re voting on all of this without even knowing our state’s financial future. Next week’s state revenue forecast could bring news of even more cuts. Rushing through legislation that destabilizes local budgets before we’ve seen that forecast is shortsighted and potentially devastating.

“Our communities deserve better than political theater. They deserve sound fiscal policy that doesn’t gut the services they rely on daily.”

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During the 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.

Errington opposes SB 10, Fighting for college students’ right to use student IDs in elections

Today, State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) voted to oppose Senate Bill (SB) 10 in the House Elections and Apportionment Committee. In committee, Errington proposed an amendment that would remove the language that prohibits a document issued by an educational institution from being considered as proof of identification. It was voted down by a party line vote. As it stands, SB 10 would restrict college students from using their state issued student IDs to vote in elections.

Errington released the following statement on her vote:

“College students are vital members of the communities they live in, and they deserve to have a say in the elections that affect their futures. Universities like Ball State University play a crucial role in driving growth and progress in cities like Muncie, and students contribute to the vibrancy and success of our local economy. Denying them the ability to vote with the IDs they use every day would be a step backward for our democracy.

“At a time when voter participation is already appalling low, SB 10 creates yet another unnecessary hurdle for Hoosier voters. We should be making it easier, not harder, for eligible voters to participate in our elections, and I will continue to fight for the rights of college students and all Hoosiers to have their voices heard.”

Rep. Errington remains committed to protecting the voting rights of all Hoosiers and ensuring that every eligible citizen has access to the ballot box.

A landmark step for Hoosier safety: Errington’s HB 1297 heads to the governor’s desk

Today, March 24, State Rep. Sue Errington’s (D-Muncie) House Bill (HB) 1297 is headed to Gov. Braun’s desk for final approval after amendments from the Senate were approved by the House. 

The bill creates a groundbreaking initiative in Indiana: the voluntary Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Program. This program aims to provide life-saving medical information to first responders in the critical moments following an automobile accident, significantly enhancing the safety and well-being of Hoosiers.

HB 1297 establishes a simple yet powerful tool to aid first responders: a yellow decal on the rear window of participating vehicles and a yellow envelope containing essential medical details to be kept in the glove compartment. In the event of an accident, first responders will be able to immediately access vital information about the injured individual’s medical history, allergies and conditions—helping to ensure timely, informed care during emergencies.

Errington shared her thoughts on the bill’s advancement:

“The Yellow Dot Program is a crucial step forward in ensuring Hoosiers receive the immediate care they need following a car accident. This program will enable first responders to act quickly and effectively, ultimately saving lives and enhancing the safety of our communities. HB 1297 is now on its way to Gov. Braun’s desk for final approval.

“I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of Lt. Gov. Beckwith, whose dedication to this initiative has been invaluable. I also want to express my gratitude to my co-authors—Rep. Pressel, Rep. Harris Jr. and Rep. Karickhoff—as well as my Senate sponsors, Sen. Doriot, Sen. Alexander, Sen. Randolph, Sen. Jackson, Sen. Ford and Sen. Pol. Their continued support has been instrumental in advancing this important initiative.

“I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the constituent in my district with Parkinson's disease who brought this critical issue to my attention and inspired this cause. A special thank you also goes to Debby Holcombe, whose passionate testimony illustrated the profound impact this program will have on families across our state. It is for people like her—and others in similar situations—that I have worked tirelessly to bring this bill to fruition, strengthening emergency response protocols and reinforcing our state’s commitment to keeping Hoosiers safe.”

HB 1297 now moves to Gov. Braun’s desk for final approval, bringing Indiana one step closer to providing a more informed and life-saving approach to emergency care.

House Democrats in Election Committee stand against disenfranchisement of college students, partisan school board races

Today, March 12, the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment heard two controversial bills. Senate Bill 10 eliminates the ability of college students to use their official student ID to register to vote in Indiana. Senate Bill 287 would require school board candidates to declare their political party as a Democrat or Republican to be on the ballot.

Ranking Minority Member Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City), Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) and Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), who serve on the House Election Committee, released the following statement on hearing testimony on Senate Bill 10:

“Today, people from across the state came to testify against Senate Bill 10 and the disenfranchisement of college students. Our institutions are trusted to determine if a student is an Indiana resident when they decide to charge them in-state or out-of-state tuition. Why are we suddenly deeming them an unreliable source for verifying residence? 

“Indiana is one of the worst states when it comes to voter turnout. On both sides of the aisle, we agree that is it important to get our young people engaged in our democracy. Adding an additional barrier will inherently discourage college students from participating in elections that will directly impact them.” 

Jackson, Boy, Errington and Pryor released the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 287 out of committee by a vote of 8 to 5:

“This bill takes the focus of school boards off of educating our students and onto politics. The fundamental purpose of a school board is to keep the schools running smoothly, oversee transportation, building maintenance and teacher retention. Those issues are not political. Forcing these positions to be affiliated with a party will only sow discourse and slow down the process of decision-making. 

“We want qualified, dedicated candidates to step up and run because they are called to serve the community. Making school board elections partisan would deter anyone working for the federal government or an agency that receives federal funding from running to avoid violating the Hatch Act. 

“There are many actions we can take to improve our schools. Inserting politics into school board elections is not one of them. Let’s focus on the real issues for our kids and bolster teacher retention, academic outcomes, and graduation rates."  

Errington’s HB1297 passes unanimously out of Senate Committee

Today, March 11, State Rep. Sue Errington’s (D-Muncie) House Bill 1297 passed unanimously out of the Senate Homeland Security and Transportation Committee. The bill creates a voluntary Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Program, aimed at providing first responders with crucial medical information during automobile accidents. The program will include a yellow decal for the vehicle’s rear window and an envelope with medical details to be kept in the glove compartment.

Errington issued the following statement following the bill’s passage:

“The Yellow Dot Program is a life-saving initiative that ensures first responders can access vital medical information quickly, particularly when accident victims are unable to provide it themselves. This program is already in effect in 22 other states, providing added benefits for Hoosiers traveling out of state.

“I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of Lt. Governor Beckwith, who has been a strong advocate for this bill and played a key role in its progression by offering his testimony before the committee.

“I also want to thank a Hoosier resident, Debby Holcombe, who came to testify at the Statehouse in support of the bill. Debby’s son, who has medically complex conditions, would benefit greatly from the Yellow Dot Program.

“And to our dedicated first responders who continue to serve as heroes in our communities, thank you for your service and sacrifice. While this program is primarily aimed at benefiting older residents, it is designed for individuals of all ages—both healthy and those with medical conditions.

“As HB 1297 moves forward to the Senate floor, I remain hopeful for continued bipartisan support to improve the lives of Hoosiers and better support the critical work of our first responders.”

Errington celebrates INDOT Community Crossings Matching Grants to improve roads and bridges in Delaware County

Today, March 6, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced the recipients of the Spring 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. More than $200 million was awarded through the program and will go towards improving roads and bridges throughout the state.

Delaware County, with a portion represented by State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie), received grants for Spring 2025.

The matching grant winners and amounts include:

Delaware County - $680,715.38

Errington released the following statement celebrating the funding:

“I am excited to announce that Delaware County will receive approximately $680,000 in state funding this year through the Community Crossings Matching Grant. Since the very first day I began serving in the Statehouse, my commitment has been clear - fighting for the resources and support our district deserves to strengthen our infrastructure and make sure our community thrives. This funding isn’t just about paving roads or repairing bridges, it’s about creating safer, more reliable connections for our families, our businesses, our college students and our future. It’s a major step forward in ensuring that District 34 remains a place where people feel safe, supported and connected to everything that matters.”

House Democrats in the Elections Committee stand against partisan school board race bill

Yesterday, March 5, Senate Bill 287 was heard in the House Elections and Apportionment Committee but did not receive a vote. The bill would require school board candidates to declare their party and run in partisan primaries in order to be on the ballot in the November general election as a Democrat or Republican.

Ranking Minority Member Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City), Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) and Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), who serve on the House Election Committee, released the following statement on the bill:

“We believe this piece of legislation will severely damage Indiana public schools, by making school boards about politics and not our students. If this bill passes, we will see the same partisan arguments so prevalent in Washington, D.C. trickle down to our children’s schools. Issues like transportation, building maintenance and teacher retention have nothing to do with party affiliations and will slow down decision-making on our school boards. 

“The bill as written would make it necessary to run in a primary election and general election, when people step up to run simply because they want to serve their communities and provide a good educational system for students. The bill will also prevent anyone who works for the government or any other agency that receives federal funds or grants from running in a partisan election because of the Hatch Act. This will discourage many highly qualified individuals from serving our schools, and it would force many qualified school board members to resign.

“If we want to improve our schools, we should create legislation to increase our teacher retention, strengthen our graduation rate and ensure young Hoosiers receive the same educational opportunities as students across the nation. SB 287 will not help us further these goals, but will distract from the real obstacles we face in our education system. Taxpayers should let their representatives know they oppose this legislation and show them Hoosiers do not want political wars in our schools.”

Errington’s HB 1297 passes unanimously out of the House, moves to the Senate

Today, Feb. 17, State Rep. Sue Errington’s (D-Muncie) House Bill 1297 passed unanimously out of the House. The bill creates a voluntary Yellow Dot Motor Vehicle Medical Information Program, designed to provide first responders with vital medical information during automobile accidents. The program includes a yellow decal for the vehicle’s rear window and an envelope with medical details to be kept in the glove compartment.

Errington released the following statement on the bill’s passage:

“The Yellow Dot Program is a life-saving initiative that helps first responders access critical medical information quickly, especially when accident victims are unable to provide it themselves. The program is already active in 22 other states, offering added benefit for Hoosiers traveling out of state.

“I want to thank the constituent in my district with Parkinson’s Disease who brought this idea to my attention, as well as our dedicated first responders who serve as heroes in our communities.

“While this program will primarily benefit older residents, it’s designed for individuals of all ages, both healthy and those with medical conditions.”

As HB 1297 heads to the Senate, Errington expressed her hopes for continued bipartisan support to improve the lives of Hoosiers and support first responders in their critical work.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration. To follow HB 1297, click here.