Harris: “1002 is a start, but Hoosiers need relief”

Today, Jan. 28, the Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1002 after rejecting a dozen amendments from Indiana House Democrats to provide immediate utility bill relief. The bill aims to lower utility bills throughout the state. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) voted yes on the bill, but issued the following statement urging the supermajority to do more for Hoosiers:

"House Bill 1002 is a start, but Hoosiers need relief now. In Northwest Indiana and throughout the state, Hoosiers are struggling to keep up with their utility bills. House Bill 1002 should have been an easy way to give consumers long-term relief from rising costs that both sides of the aisle could unanimously support. Instead, Indiana Republicans offered a weak bill that does the bare minimum to help Hoosiers struggling to get by. The amendments my colleagues offered would have gone a long way in providing real relief; from eliminating the sales tax on residential utility bills to banning disconnections during the coldest months of the year. It's a shame the supermajority couldn't do more for Hoosiers."