SNAP cuts will hurt everyone — not just those who rely on it, but also the economy

The federal government shutdown is about to enter the second month. In November, almost 600,000 Hoosiers are at risk of losing their reliable source of food if the federal government does not fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). One in every eight of those relying on SNAP in Indiana is a child. If this funding suddenly disappears, this will mean children going to school with empty stomachs, elderly citizens forgoing medications to be able to afford groceries and parents unable to sleep at night wondering how they are going to feed their families. 

Let me be clear about who will be hurt by this funding cliff: everyone. If you are fortunate enough to not have to rely on SNAP to put food on the table, you may think this issue will have no impact on your daily life. I am here to tell you that you are dead wrong. Obviously, the most pressing aspect of this issue is that people will face food insecurity and hunger. However, this sudden cut off of SNAP benefits could have downstream effects on the economy that will impact consumers no matter what tax bracket they are in. 

Think about it. Grocery stores across the state would lose 9% of their customers overnight. In Indiana, SNAP users spend $111.4 million a month on food and other essentials. That doesn’t just leave tons of food on the shelves, but removes millions of dollars in income for every part of the food industry. The grocery stores themselves, the shipping companies, the food manufacturers, the packaging manufacturers, all the way down to farmers – this pause in SNAP will derail the entire supply chain. 

SNAP funding could be the difference in grocery stores being able to keep their doors open. This means employees losing their job, decreasing their ability to spend money on other things and increasing unemployment throughout the state. Our state already has an issue with vast food deserts. Those food deserts would expand as stores in low-income communities will be hit the hardest. This means people in those communities having to spend time and money traveling long distances to meet their needs. Property values will also decline as commercial spaces sit empty and the community loses resources. This also leads to less sales tax collection which will decrease services that the state and local governments can provide. 

Many of you may have your thoughts on who get SNAP benefits. In reality, 31 out of 92 counties receive 5% to 9.2% of their income share from SNAP, with Marion County being on the low end of 5%. Rural communities are going to be hit just as hard if not harder than larger cities. 

SNAP isn’t just an essential lifeline for the most vulnerable Hoosiers it’s – a major economic stabilizer. Suddenly pulling the funding from this program will have cascading effects on our entire economy that will hurt all citizens, not just those who will be devastated by the impact of hunger. 

Redistricting won’t help Hoosiers make ends meet

As a long-time legislator and chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), I know first-hand the issues plaguing Hoosiers. Every day, Indiana residents are struggling with rising costs of living, higher utility bills and sky-high health care costs. Local governments are set to lose huge chunks of revenue due to Senate Enrolled Act 1, which could lead to an increase in local taxes. Many Hoosiers are forced to leave work due to unaffordable or inaccessible child care.

However, when Gov. Mike Braun called for a special session of the Indiana General Assembly earlier this week, he didn't call it to focus on any of these problems. Instead, he bowed to Washington, D.C. in an attempt to help the national Republican Party rig the 2026 midterm elections.

The last time we redrew our congressional maps in 2021 – when we were constitutionally required to following the census – Indiana Republicans touted the maps as "fair" and "beautiful." With seven of Indiana's nine congressional seats safely held by their fellow Republicans, they saw no issue with the maps they created.

And, it seems, Hoosiers largely agreed. Before Vice President JD Vance visited Indiana the first time earlier this summer, no one in our caucus received any calls or emails in favor of creating new maps. Again, Hoosiers have bigger fish to fry – from needing rental assistance to help handling medical debt and everything in between. The fact is, Republicans throughout the country know their policies are not popular with the American people and causing financial stress. If their policies were really helping improve the quality of life for Americans across the board, they wouldn't have to play these political games to ensure they maintain their power. Unfortunately, Indiana Republicans seem far too willing to play ball to help the folks in Washington.

Let's be clear, mid-decade redistricting is not about helping Hoosiers, it's about disenfranchising them. Roughly 40% of Hoosiers align with the Democratic Party, and they deserve fair representation in Congress and in the Statehouse. I'm not just saying this as a Democrat; I'm saying this as a lawmaker and Hoosier who values fairness and equity. Without balanced representation, a large swath of Hoosiers will not have their voices heard, and that is unacceptable.

Mid-decade redistricting will also do a major disservice to civic engagement in Indiana. In the 2024 general election, only 61% of registered voters cast a ballot in Indiana, with 97,000 fewer Hoosiers participating in our democracy than in 2020. If Indiana Republicans go through with this redistricting scheme against the wishes of their constituents, why would Hoosiers be compelled to vote in future elections? Both Reps. Frank Mrvan and Andre Carson – who are being targeted by this effort – have won reelection in their districts multiple times. It's clear to me that their communities are happy with the work they're doing. If that should change, it's the community who should be able to vote them out, not the Indiana General Assembly deciding for them. I'd like to remind my Republican colleagues: Real leaders aren't afraid of their constituents.

It's important to note that just because Gov. Braun called a special session does not mean the General Assembly is forced to convene to redistrict. Our Republican colleagues still have an opportunity to stand up for Hoosiers and their real-world economic concerns and tell the folks in Washington, D.C. that they don't work for them. For anyone concerned about redistricting, the cost of living and the state of our democracy, we in the IBLC urge you to call your elected officials to share your thoughts.

If we do convene to draw new congressional maps and not deal with the real issues Hoosiers are facing, we in the IBLC plan to work with our respective caucus members to fight for Hoosiers and for fair maps, because democracy doesn't get redrawn.

IBLC condemns special session to redistrict Indiana congressional maps mid-decade

Today, Gov. Mike Braun called legislators back to the Statehouse for a special session to redraw Indiana's congressional maps mid-decade. Lawmakers are set to hold session starting Monday, Nov. 3.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement on behalf of the IBLC:

"Since President Donald Trump first began pressuring Republicans across the country to redraw congressional maps earlier this summer, Hoosiers have made one thing clear: they do not want new maps. Gov. Braun's decision prioritizes political games over the will of the people he was elected to serve. The question is simple: Does Braun serve Hoosiers, or Washington, D.C.?

"Indiana residents deserve fair and balanced representation in Congress. When the maps were redrawn in 2021, as required by the Constitution, our Republican colleagues repeatedly assured us that they were fair. So why the sudden change now? It's not because constituents demanded it – it's because President Trump and Vice President JD Vance successfully pressured them into submission.  

"There's a misconception that Indiana is a solidly 'red state.' In reality, President Trump only received 58% of the vote here in 2024. Indiana is a purple state with challenges in voter turnout. Calling a special session to redraw maps will only further discourage Hoosiers from participating in elections. Reps. Frank Mrvan and Andre Carson have repeatedly earned the trust of their constituents. Yet instead of listening to local communities, Indiana Republicans are disenfranchising them.

"Hoosiers don’t need new congressional maps—they need higher wages, affordable health care, accessible childcare and housing, and lower utility costs. These are the real issues affecting people’s daily lives. Yet the governor and Republican supermajority are wasting time—and taxpayer dollars—bowing to President Trump. This isn’t just disappointing—it’s an embarrassment to our state.

"We urge all Hoosiers to sign the petition set up by Common Cause Indiana to make their stance on redistricting clear to lawmakers. Call your state representative, senator and Gov. Braun to share your concerns. On the first day of special session, the IBLC encourages everyone to come to the Statehouse to make their voices heard and to understand the potential impact of redistricting.  

"The IBLC will stand alongside our Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate to fight this blatant power grab. Hoosiers are worth defending, and we will do everything possible to ensure congressional maps remain fair and balanced—because democracy should not be redrawn for political gain."

IBLC decries GOP attempts to rig Indiana elections

Today, Aug. 7, Gov. Mike Braun met with Vice President JD Vance regarding the possibility of a special session to redistrict Indiana's congressional maps. This meeting comes after President Donald Trump called for Republican-led states to redistrict to increase the number of GOP seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Indiana House Democrats were joined by Indiana Senate Democrats and U.S. Representatives André Carson and Frank J. Mrvan for a press conference this afternoon condemning any possibility of redistricting.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement regarding the possibility of new maps:

"The only two Democrats from Indiana serving in the federal government – Congressmen Frank J. Mrvan and André Carson – represent areas with some of the largest minority populations in the state. This GOP rush to redistrict congressional maps is not just a pathetic attempt to strip voters of their right to a free and fair election; it's a direct attack on Black and minority voters in Indiana.

"The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been drastically stripped down over the last decade, making minority voters even more susceptible to be stifled by unfair and unjust changes to the election systems. I have little confidence in our governor and our Republican supermajority's will to consider the voices and circumstances of minority and disenfranchised Hoosiers in their rush to appease Donald Trump.

"I should also point out that a special session would cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. This session, Indiana Republicans have created drastic cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and passed Senate Enrolled Act 1, which will raise local income taxes for many Hoosiers. In 2022, when we were called back for a special session to address abortion access, the two-week session cost taxpayers $240,000. Making taxpayers foot the bill for this is egregious by itself, but doing so in the wake of these benefit cuts and local tax hike is, frankly, a slap in the face to Hoosiers."

Gutting DEI programming will hurt Indiana for years to come

When Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order earlier this year banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices and programs in state agencies, we in the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) saw the writing on the wall. As a longtime lawmaker and chair of the IBLC, I know that nothing done in this building exists in a vacuum. This order from Gov. Braun signaled not only his willingness to comply with hyper-partisan D.C. culture wars, but his willingness to put politics over the lives and wellbeing of the Hoosiers he was elected to serve.

Now, just six months after his executive order, over 350 programs and positions throughout state agencies have been eliminated. These now-defunct programs include a Strategic Equity position within The Department of Child Services, a maternal health coordinator and disparities coordinator for the Indiana Department of Health and dozens of DEI training programs for Indiana educators. Beyond the classroom and doctors' offices, resources that were once available to parents who have adopted a child of a different race are now not offered to these families. This isn't about efficiency and it's not about "merit, excellence and innovation." It's an attempt to whitewash history and silence diverse voices.

We can't let that happen.

DEI isn't about giving any particular group a handout, it's about giving everyone a hand up by creating level playing fields and giving every Hoosier a fair shot at good health, a living wage and a high quality of life. The unfortunate reality is that, for many people, their race, gender, sexual orientation, ability and other factors have historically been a barrier to achieving these.

Indiana is one of the worst states in the nation for maternal mortality – an issue that disproportionally impacts Black women and women of color and we're terminating positions created to solve the problem. We're getting rid of protections against discrimination for renters and homeowners in a state plagued by a housing crisis. We're no longer going to provide our teachers with the resources they need to properly educate diverse classrooms while we're in the middle of a teacher shortage.

This isn't leadership; it's cruelty.

Not only will these actions negatively impact minority Hoosiers, it will hurt all Hoosiers for years to come. When our classrooms and hospitals are under resourced, when large swaths of people struggle to find affordable housing and when people don't have the resources they need to help themselves and their families thrive, all Hoosiers pay the price.

If we continue to go down this path, we'll see Indiana dip even lower in national rankings. Not only will the people already living and working in our state be impacted; it will actively discourage students, workers, families and businesses from bringing their talents to Indiana. Hoosiers deserve better than tired culture wars. The IBLC is calling on the governor and the Republican supermajority to focus their efforts on bringing us together, not creating more barriers that divide and weaken us.

IBLC condemns program cuts due to budgetary statute

On June 30, the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) announced that more than 400 degree programs across six of Indiana's universities will be either eliminated, suspended or merged due to a statute in the state budget. The statute set a minimum threshold of graduates for all degree programs. Impacted programs include special education, policy, mathematics, African American studies, religious studies and various disciplines of engineering.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement on behalf of the caucus:

"Beyond just getting a degree, the purpose of higher education is to help our students become more well-rounded and prepared for our workforce and to become a productive member of their community. Whether they receive a degree in mathematics, finance or a liberal arts program, students know what the best option is for them. The state government has no right to dictate what programs colleges can and cannot offer.

"I’m concerned not only about the students who will no longer be able to benefit from a well-rounded education through these programs, but also for the university staff currently working in the impacted departments. Educators are among our state's greatest resources, and this budget puts their livelihoods in jeopardy.

"It will be difficult to undo the harm that this biennial budget has created in many facets of Hoosiers' lives, but we in the IBLC look forward to working with our colleagues to mitigate these issues during the upcoming legislative session."

IBLC commemorates Juneteenth, calls for comprehensive American education

On June 19, 1865, African Americans enslaved in Galveston, Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery signed two years prior. Since then, June 19 – or "Juneteenth" – has been celebrated as a day of freedom throughout the country.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement in advance of the holiday:

"Today, 160 years later, Juneteenth is still as important as it was the first year it was celebrated. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the liberation, joy and achievements of Black people. It is also a time to channel our efforts to overcome the barriers that still lie ahead of us.

"In 2025 – in our state of Indiana and across the nation – efforts are being made to undo the progress Black leaders have made for our community. From banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices in government agencies to shameful whitewashing of slavery from the second-in-command of Indiana, we don't have the luxury of disengaging. We need to be steadfast in ensuring that our history is not erased, our contributions are not minimized and that our voices are heard.

"This starts in the classroom. Teaching our children true American history – the good, the bad and the ugly – will help us ensure that the achievements of African Americans, the horrors we faced and contributions we're making today will not be forgotten.  Some of the steps our Republican supermajority took in the most recent session of the Indiana General Assembly actively work against this goal. We should never shy away from our history – the strength of our democracy depends on us confronting our past and working to create a future where all people are extended the promise of America.

"There's still a lot of work to be done to make Indiana a better state for all. We in the IBLC will continue to work to remove roadblocks and create an equal playing field for Hoosiers from all walks of life."

Pryor denounces Lt. Gov. Beckwith’s embrace for the 3/5 Compromise, Attack on Indianapolis Faith Leaders

Last week, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith shared a video to his social media pages including incorrect information on the 3/5 Compromise following a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) mentioning the political move on the Senate floor. Beckwith praised the 3/5 Compromise as a tool used by the North in the Civil War to eradicate slavery. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement in response:

“The 3/5 Compromise was used to legitimize slavery and justify the mistreatment of Black Americans, as is proven by the Fugitive Slave Clause, the 1857 Dred Scott U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled Blacks were not citizens, selling slaves, raping slave women and so much more. It was not a ‘great move’ by the North to eradicate slavery. It was 78 years from the US Constitution signing to the Thirteenth Amendment ratification, which made slavery illegal. The best, humane and Christian option was to ban slavery…not embrace it as a 'great move.'

"Impacts from slavery are still felt today in our courts, neighborhoods, doctor’s offices, jobs and ballot boxes. For someone to celebrate it, especially someone in a position of power, is deeply troubling.

“To make matters worse, the Lt. Governor's response has been to attack 'inner city' clergy for speaking against his embrace of the constitutional provisions that treated Blacks as property.  This attack on inner city clergy, who are Democrats and Republican, is not grounded in scripture, and is disheartening.  These faith leaders are true public servants that advocate on behalf of the least of thee. From feeding the hungry, helping pay bills, providing childcare and helping resolve school challenges, clergy play a significant role in our communities and are responsible for helping to bring up the next generation of God-fearing leaders in Indiana.  

“I pray that Lt. Gov. Beckwith will move to focus on making life better for Hoosiers, not dividing us. While this topic brings with it the weight of hundreds of years of oppression and suffering for Black Americans, I ask for us all to do the difficult thing and pray for those that embrace racism, ignorance, greed and power. It must be difficult to live with that much hate in your heart.”

IBLC announces 2025 town hall series

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) will host seven town halls throughout the state this summer to discuss the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly and answer questions from constituents. The schedule for the town hall series is as follows:

• Saturday, June 7: Kountry Kitchen, 1831 N. College Ave., Indianapolis IN 46202, noon-2 p.m. ET

• Saturday, June 28: Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Central Branch's Browning Room, 200 SE MLK Jr. Blvd., Evansville, Indiana, 47713, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT

• Saturday, July 12: Michigan City Council Chambers, City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City, IN 46360, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT

• Saturday, Aug. 9: Allen County Public Library Main Branch Theater, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, noon-2 p.m. ET

• Saturday, Aug. 23: Terre Haute City Hall Courtroom, 17 Harding Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47807, noon-2 p.m. ET

• Saturday, Sept. 13: UAW Local 5, 1426 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46613, noon-2 p.m. ET

• Saturday, Sept. 20: East Chicago City Hall Council Chambers, 4525 Indianapolis Blvd., East Chicago, IN 46312, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT

"These town halls give us the opportunity to hear directly from our constituents throughout the state about their concerns for Indiana, questions about the legislative process and what we can do to connect them with needed resources," State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the IBLC, said. "Community engagement is an integral part of the work we do in the Statehouse. In the IBLC, we strive to be accessible and transparent, and to help our constituents understand not only what we're working on, but how they can play a role in shaping policy. When we listen, learn and work together, we build stronger, safer and more just communities across Indiana."

All town halls are free and open to the public.

IBLC condemns Lt. Gov.’s whitewashed ‘history lesson’ on the 3/5 Compromise

Last week, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith shared a video to his social media pages including incorrect information on the 3/5 Compromise following a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) mentioning the political move on the Senate floor. Beckwith claimed the 3/5 Compromise was a tool used by the North in the Civil War to eradicate slavery.

 State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the IBLC, issued the following statement in response:

"The 3/5 Compromise was created during the 1787 Constitutional Convention, determining that five enslaved Black people in the South would count as three free whites. Effectively, the 3/5 Compromise gave the South more political power, because enslaved African Americans were counted towards Southern representation without having any rights themselves and gave Southern states more electoral college votes. With the South paying a greater share of federal taxes, the 3/5 Compromise emboldened Southern slaveowners to argue that this abhorrent practice grew the American economy and therefore justified slavery. To argue that the 3/5 Compromise was the North's attempt at playing 'the long game' to undermine the South is not just a gross misunderstanding of history, it's a purposeful whitewashing of it for political gain and media attention.

"To this day, the ghost of the 3/5 Compromise still haunts Black Americans. From restrictions on voting rights to implicit bias in health care to an unjust justice system, too many people in power still view Black Americans as 'less-than.' We in the IBLC work every day to ensure that Black Hoosiers are given equal opportunities and equal protections under the law. More than that, we work to ensure that all Hoosiers have a high quality of life and an equal chance at achieving the American Dream.

"There is no shortage of work that needs to be done to make Indiana – and our nation – a stronger, more just place to live. As chair of the IBLC, I'm calling on my fellow elected officials to prioritize the needs of all Hoosiers over cheap media ploys and rage bait. Our constituents deserve better."

Harris votes ‘no’ on state budget, advocates for public health and public education

Today, April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the biennial budget to the governor's desk. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) voted against the budget, citing inadequate funding for public education, public health and stripped funding for Public Broadcasting Services.

"This budget fails to adequately fund public K-12 education, which is critical to the success of our state. Throughout the state, we're facing teacher shortages and underfunded classrooms. We had an opportunity to address this issue in our biennial budget, and Indiana Republicans squandered that chance. Along with the impact of House Bill 1001, Lake County is set to lose hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to Senate Bill 2. This budget will do nothing to help Lake County residents who will pay much more in local income taxes while getting minimal property tax relief. No one wins under this budget proposal.

"It's also worth noting the underfunding of public health under this budget, just a week since Gov. Mike Braun met with RFK Jr. to supposedly 'Make Indiana Healthy Again.' Over the next two years, funding for the Health First Indiana program has been cut to $80 million from $225 million in the 2023 biennial budget. How can we expect Hoosiers to be healthier when we are actively taking away funding from the very programs designed to increase public health?

"Higher education is taking a cut under this budget, with the Commission of Higher Education receiving a funding cut for student scholarships. As a lawmaker, I'm proud to say I've championed the 21st Century Scholars program, helping more Hoosiers achieve a higher education. Having more college graduates in Indiana means a stronger economy, a more robust workforce and more incentives for workers and families to move to our state. When we fail to prioritize higher education, we fail to prioritize the future of Indiana.

"With everything going on in our state right now, I find it odd that Indiana Republicans are focusing their efforts on stripping funding for Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). For over 50 years, PBS has helped keep Hoosiers informed on their local governments and communities. Perhaps most importantly, PBS has been a champion in early education since its founding. With Indiana's growing brain drain problem, we should be prioritizing any opportunity to help our children get ahead and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and civic engagement. An informed electorate helps create a stronger state and a government more representative of the people it serves.

"House Bill 1001 is fiscally irresponsible and will harm Lake County and Hoosiers throughout the state."

Bartlett anti-human trafficking bill heads to governor’s desk

Today, State Rep. John Barlett's (D-Indianapolis) House Bill 1416 passed through the House of Representatives and the Senate and now heads to the governor's desk. The bill requires gas stations and rest areas to display posters with information on human trafficking and the National Human Trafficking Hotline number in restrooms or a visible location on the premises.

Barlett issued the following statement following the vote:

"This bill is a great first step in curbing human trafficking in our state. Unfortunately, this abhorrent practice is a multi-billion-dollar industry around the world. As the Crossroads of America, roughly 80 million people pass through our state each year, and it's impossible to know how many of these individuals are victims of human trafficking. If having these posters on display in our gas stations and rest areas can save just one life, it's worth it.

"I'd like to thank my fellow lawmakers who have worked with me to get this bill to the finish line, and the brave survivors who shared their stories during committee to discuss the impact of this legislation."