Smith to focus on cost of living, community needs this session
On Monday, Jan. 5, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus announced its 2026 Working Hoosiers Agenda. The agenda centers on bringing down the cost of living and prioritizes measures to build an Indiana where Hoosiers can get ahead rather than stay afloat. This includes reducing utility bills, lowering health care costs, housing reform and affordable child care.
State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) issued the following statement about his focus on the cost of living:
"Many of our people are struggling to stay afloat. They're working multiple jobs, and they still can't make ends meet. People’s paychecks aren’t growing, but costs are rising. That’s why we must address skyrocketing utility bills, health care costs and housing. We need to give the residents of Indiana some relief.”
Indiana House Democrats' full agenda is below:
• Priority 1: Provide immediate financial relief on utility bills.
• Priority 2: Keep Hoosiers healthy through affordable health coverage and guardrails on medical debt.
• Priority 3: Create generational wealth by empowering more Hoosier homeowners.
• Priority 4: Deliver accessible, affordable and safe childcare for working families.
• Priority 5: Keep Hoosiers safe in their homes and neighborhoods.
In addition to the Indiana House Democrats' agenda, Smith filed five pieces of legislation to improve his community. Representatives can only file five bills during a short session. One of Smith’s bills, House Bill 1081, would establish the Hoosier Scam Prevention Board to protect Hoosiers from predatory scamming operations. A resident of Indiana House District 14 requested this bill.
“Scam attempts have become alarmingly common, and no one is more susceptible to scams than people in poverty,” Smith said. “When you're in need, it's easier to believe that these scams offering gifts or money could make a difference. People often fall for these tricks, losing thousands of dollars in the process. It adds more pain to an already difficult situation. We need to establish the Hoosier Scam Prevention Board to give struggling Hoosiers the help they need.”
House Bill 1299 and House Bill 1301 reform aspects of Indiana’s corrections system. HB 1299 prohibits people convicted of domestic violence from owning firearms, and HB 1301 requires the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) to issue certificates of eligibility for release to convicted people who have shown clear signs of rehabilitation and good behavior.
"If our system is doing what it’s supposed to do — correcting — then the IDOC shouldn’t hold people longer than necessary,” Smith said. “Corrections should be about the journey to rehabilitation, not about punishment. I know firsthand through calls, letters and emails with inmates that people are capable of change. They should be rewarded for their hard work to better themselves by having their sentences individually evaluated rather than continuing to be punished for past mistakes.”
Another piece of Smith’s legislation, House Bill 1082, requires that charter schools that receive referendum tax levies must also contribute a share of the labor to conduct those referendums.
“Charter schools are often managed by entities outside of the communities they operate in,” Smith said. “Charter school administrators promised to provide a cheaper, better education than public schools. Research shows that they haven’t. Charter schools have become more about profit and less about education. The overwhelming majority of citizens feel that charter schools shouldn't get a share of property taxes, but if they do, they should share the labor requirements.
“It takes work to pass a referendum through door knocking, phone banks, advertising and working the polls. Charter schools should be an equal partner in that labor if they want a share of the funding.”
A full list of Smith’s legislation is available below:
1. House Bill 1081: Hoosier Scam Prevention Board
2. House Bill 1082: Shared Labor to Conduct a Referendum
3. House Bill 1299: Surrender of Firearms for Domestic Violence Crimes
4. House Bill 1300: Deferred Retirement Option Plan
5. House Bill 1301: Sentence Modification
“The legislation I’ve filed for the 2026 Legislative Session, along with my caucus’s agenda, mirrors my strong commitment to uplifting House District 14. I hope to see progress on each of these issues in the coming weeks to benefit Hoosiers across our state."