Harris, IBLC commemorate Black History Month

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

“Black History Month is a time to recognize and honor the important contributions that Black and African Americans gave to history, culture, and society. It is a time to celebrate the improvements in American society to create a more equal and just playing field, while understanding that the solidarity within our community makes us stronger and pushes us on the path of unity, with equity as a distant goal.

“Each session the IBLC focuses our agenda on improving the lives of Black and African Americans throughout the state. Our 16-member caucus has filed legislation that will improve the lives of those within our communities. Legislation drafted by the caucus will benefit the community as a whole by taking a step in the right direction in achieving health equity. This year’s agenda: "Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds", is designed to increase access to health care, address health disparities, improve health outcomes for at-risk residents, bring more physicians to lower income communities and enhance funding for mental health care; These are issues our communities and cities have been asking the legislature to address.

“Black History Month also serves as a reminder that we must be mindful of the significant work that we still have to do. In a time that may seem unfamiliar to some, many of us realize that we’ve been here before. In a time overshadowed by an administration so eager to dismiss the inequalities so many face in education, the workplace, banks, housing and in our day-to-day lives; we must remain on the path of unity to overcome the injustices we face today.

"Black History Month celebrates the achievements of Black and African Americans, highlighting resilience, creativity, and contributions. It is a time to not only honor the past, but most importantly build upon it. Together, we can create a better, more equitable future. The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus invites all to reflect on the history, contributions, and strength of Black and African Americans, not just during this month but every day of the year."

Harris bill to bring professional sports development commission to northwest Indiana passes out of committee

House Bill 1292, authored by State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform today and now heads to the House Ways and Means Committee for further debate.

The bill would establish the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission to study plans and recommendations to bring professional sports franchises to the Region.

Harris offered the following statement after the vote:

"This bill builds on the legacy of my father, Rep. Earl Harris Sr., who worked to make this a reality for many years. Bringing professional sports to northwest Indiana would not only be a huge benefit for sports fans, it would bring money, business, tourism and endless opportunities for our community. This will also inspire our students by opening doors to careers in sports management, marketing, hospitality and countless other fields. This is an opportunity to give our students a pathway to success right here in their hometown.

"I'm thankful to say that this is a bipartisan bill with three Republican co-authors. This work is a testament to the good we can do for Indiana when we work together to strengthen our communities, expand our workforce and bolster our local economies. I look forward to furthering this discussion on the House floor."

Harris, IBLC comment on Braun’s State of the State address

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) issued the following statement regarding Gov. Mike Braun's State of the State address:

"Tonight, we heard from Gov. Braun that he believes diversity and equality are cornerstones of what makes America great. That's interesting, because just days into his administration, he signed an executive order banning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices from state agencies.

"Let's see some action from the governor by reversing his executive order to reinstate equity and fairness in our state agencies and make it clear that Indiana values diversity. Across the state, we've heard our constituents worry about how they're going to afford their prescriptions and their groceries, their struggles to find a safe home and how to help their children get a good education. With his executive orders, Braun has shown the Hoosier people where his priorities lie. We are concerned with making life easier for the people of Indiana, not targeting our most marginalized citizens.

"Tonight, we in the IBLC hosted a Unity Rally on the fourth floor of the Statehouse during Gov. Braun's address. The purpose of the rally was to send the message to Hoosiers that, when we work together for a common cause, there is very little we can't do to accomplish to make our state a better place for all. This rally was a celebration of diversity, equity and inclusion and an opportunity for citizens to make their voice heard. I hope this gathering was a reminder to all that unity is the only path toward equity."

IBLC to host Unity Rally during Gov. Braun’s State of the State address

From 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) will be joined by advocates and community leaders for a Unity Rally held outside the House chamber on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse.

The IBLC hopes the rally provides an opportunity for Hoosiers to come together and work toward positive change in their communities and promote the positive impact of diversity, equity and inclusion.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), issued the following statement regarding the rally, which is free to attend and open to the public.

"In the first few weeks of Gov. Braun's administration, we've received a message about the path he intends to follow," Harris said. "We want to bring Hoosiers together to fight for a better state for all."

"We hope concerned citizens will join us at the rally to advocate for communities being negatively impacted by Gov. Braun's administration decisions. We advise getting to the Statehouse early to allow time to get through security.

"If we show a united front, there's very little we can't do to make Indiana a state that welcomes all, celebrates diversity and allows every citizen a chance to build a great life for themselves and their families."

Harris urges anyone planning to attend to get to the Statehouse early to get through security on time.

Pryor files 2025 legislation, continues commitment to Indiana homeowners

With the 2025 legislative session underway, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) has filed eight pieces of legislation that will improve the lives of residents across the state. Pryor’s legislative agenda includes bills targeted at housing and homeownership, safety and expanding health care access. Pryor’s legislative agenda directly addresses pressing issues deemed detrimental to state residents.

“In Indiana, 31% of residents rent their homes, and our state ranks 35th in overall health,” Pryor said. “These numbers show the urgent need for us to get back to work and provide legislation that will actually address the issues faced by many residents today. Although there will be a lot to digest in this session, we must remain steadfast in what is ahead of us, and that is improving the lives of residents in the great state of Indiana.”

Continuing her work from last year on breast cancer prevention, House Bill 1061 requires a state employee health plan to cover supplemental breast examinations. This provides additional early detection cancer resources to state employees. HB 1062 prohibits state insurance policies from requiring patients with advanced cancer to try and fail other prescription drugs before covering a prescribed treatment. 

HB 1176 will allow an identifying symbol for a medical condition on a driver's license, permit, or identification card to also be used to indicate an autism spectrum disorder. This bill is aimed at providing information vital to interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism to prevent miscommunications. 

Pryor’s legislation also includes protections for tenants as Indiana has some of the worst renter protection laws in the nation. HB 1175 requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential item within 24 hours after of being notified by a tenant that the rental unit is without certain essential services. It would allow the health authority to make the repairs, charge the landlord and impose a fine if the landlord does not make the essential repair. This will provide additional support for tenants that may already be facing an uphill climb. 

“These bills will improve lives across the state, whether it's expanding health care coverage, improving interactions with law enforcement, or fighting for tenants' rights,” Pryor said.

Here is a list of Pryor’s legislation this session:

1. HB 1060 Right to repair

2. HB 1061 Coverage for cancer screening

3. HB 1062 Coverage for certain cancer prescriptions

4. HB 1063 Discriminatory profiling and pretextual stops    

5. HB 1175 Repair of residential rental properties

6. HB 1176 Health information and BMV records

7. HB 1177 Home ownership           

8. HB 1664 Due-on-sale clauses

IBLC comments on Gov. Braun’s DEI executive order

Today, Jan. 15, Gov. Mike Braun issued an executive order replacing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices in state government with "MEI": Merit, Excellence and Innovation. Braun's executive order requires state agencies to examine policies and procedures to ensure compliance, as well as closes the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Office created by former Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2020.

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

 "Out of all of the very-real issues Hoosiers are currently facing: poor health outcomes, poverty and a lack of affordable housing, it's extremely troubling that our new governor is starting his tenure by attacking measures to make state agencies reflective of our communities.

 "Based on the 2020 Disparity Study conducted for the Indiana Department of Administration, it's clear to me that Indiana is not meeting its goals for equitable hiring and contracts. Let's be clear: DEI practices are not about giving any group of people a handout, it's about helping people who have been historically overlooked a hand up.

 "Gov. Braun's pivot to 'Merit, Excellence and Innovation' creates an insidious, false narrative that DEI leads to unqualified individuals getting promoted based only on their race or nationality. This is not and has never been the case, and the insinuation is not only deeply offensive, but harmful to minority workers throughout the state.

 "We should all strive to create a talented, diverse workforce that reflects the makeup of our communities. When we have more insights, ideas and voices in our state agencies, all Hoosiers are better off."

Harris, IBLC unveil 2025 legislative agenda: ‘Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds’

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), announced that mental and physical health will be the focus of the caucus' 2025 legislative agenda.

The "Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds" agenda aims to increase access to health care, improve health outcomes for Hoosiers, bring more physicians to the state of Indiana and enhance funding for mental health care.

The collection of bills, which includes a "Momnibus" package in honor of the late Sen. Jean Breaux, also includes access to safe housing, maternal health resources for incarcerated women and legislation requiring mental health professionals to assist law enforcement with calls pertaining to a mental health or substance use disorder crises.

"When speaking about public health, we need to be thinking about the many facets of life that have an impact on our overall health and wellbeing," Harris said during a press conference today. "From making schools safer to increasing access to affordable housing, we in the IBLC are hard at work to make Indiana a safer, healthier and more equitable place to live, study, work and raise a family.

"We're not naïve; we know we won’t fix all of Indiana's health problems in one legislative session," Harris said. "But this year, we're committed to doing everything we can to help Hoosiers get access to preventative care, lower health care costs, bring more doctors to the state and to improve mental and physical health outcomes for citizens across the board."

IBLC, Porter honor Marshall “Major” Taylor with Distinguished Hoosier Award

Today, members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) honored Marshall “Major” Taylor with the Distinguished Hoosier Award. Born in 1878, Taylor became the first African American world champion in cycling.

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) sponsored the award. Porter serves House District 96, which includes the neighborhood Taylor lived in during his time in Indiana.

“I think Indiana has a lot of unsung Black heroes who deserve to be recognized for the barriers they broke,” Porter said in a statement to Indiana Public Broadcasting earlier this month. “Taylor was only the second Black athlete to win a world championship in any sport, and he was a trailblazer in a non-traditional sport. His sprint times are still considered some of the fastest in the world. Growing up as a Black man in Indianapolis, Taylor was a testament to how far grit and willpower could take you. I am honored to posthumously present this award to Marshall 'Major' Taylor for his legendary impact on Indiana.”

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) spoke at the award ceremony, praising Taylor's talent and perseverance.

“Taylor's story is not just one of triumph on the racetrack, but of courage in the face of adversity,” Harris said during the event. “He competed during a time when the color of his skin meant he was often excluded from competitions, subjected to harsh discrimination and even faced with threats of violence. Yet, despite the odds, Taylor's will to succeed remained unshaken. He set more than 20 records and became an international superstar. But even more than his victories, it was his refusal to be silenced or sidelined that made him a true champion.”

IBLC, Porter honor Marshall “Major” Taylor with Distinguished Hoosier Award

Today, members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) honored Marshall “Major” Taylor with the Distinguished Hoosier Award. Born in 1878, Taylor became the first African American world champion in cycling.

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) sponsored the award. Porter serves House District 96, which includes the neighborhood Taylor lived in during his time in Indiana.

“I think Indiana has a lot of unsung Black heroes who deserve to be recognized for the barriers they broke,” Porter said in a statement to Indiana Public Broadcasting earlier this month. “Taylor was only the second Black athlete to win a world championship in any sport, and he was a trailblazer in a non-traditional sport. His sprint times are still considered some of the fastest in the world. Growing up as a Black man in Indianapolis, Taylor was a testament to how far grit and willpower could take you. I am honored to posthumously present this award to Marshall 'Major' Taylor for his legendary impact on Indiana.”

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) spoke at the award ceremony, praising Taylor's talent and perseverance.

“Taylor's story is not just one of triumph on the racetrack, but of courage in the face of adversity,” Harris said during the event. “He competed during a time when the color of his skin meant he was often excluded from competitions, subjected to harsh discrimination and even faced with threats of violence. Yet, despite the odds, Taylor's will to succeed remained unshaken. He set more than 20 records and became an international superstar. But even more than his victories, it was his refusal to be silenced or sidelined that made him a true champion.”

Part of economic development is addressing educational inequity

For decades, the ticket to success has been post-grad education. Michael Hicks, a leading economist from Ball State University, sums it up well with the phrase “education is the path to a middle-class life.” This doesn’t mean that those who head straight into the workforce can’t be successful. I’m a strong believer in choosing the path that’s best for you. However, I can’t deny that jobs requiring degrees usually offer higher pay, consistent wage growth and more security. There are other ways to achieve middle-class life, but the attainment of a college degree is the most likely path to that outcome. 

Unfortunately, Hoosier students are moving away from degrees. Indiana’s college-going rate has plummeted from 65% to only 53% since 2015. COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem, and the cost of schools is another deterrent. We’ve discussed this issue, but we’ve missed a key component: our Black students. College enrollment is dropping across the board, but the decline is more severe among students of color. The college-going rate for Black students has dropped shockingly low to 44%. There’s been some progress through the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) with auto-enrollment for the 21st Century Scholars Program. But more should be done, especially across the aisle, to change the tide.  

Looking at Indiana’s education landscape, it’s easy to understand why Black students forgo college. Let’s look at the most recent college equity report: only 17% of Black students received an Honors diploma, only 40% earned AP or dual credit and only 27% met early success benchmarks. To top it off, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action was unconstitutional. These measures encouraged minority students to apply with the promise of equitable admissions. College may not be for everyone, but Black students are clearly underserved. 

Post-grad employment opportunities are similarly dismal. The GOP majority has focused on work-based learning, but Black students are underrepresented in these programs. Registered apprenticeships are a moderately successful program with 21,768 active apprentices who make an average wage of $19.50 per hour. But Black Hoosiers only make up 8.5% of Indiana’s active apprentices. A recent report for the Fiscal Policy Committee highlighted that a “participation and achievement gap remains for African Americans and other minority populations.” Even when they do these programs, they still face inequity in the workforce. Black Hoosiers experience racial disparities in their wages, with differences as large as $2,000 after graduating from adult education or technical programs. 

It’s a Catch-22. We encourage Black students to join work programs instead of college. Then in these programs, they receive lower pay, struggle to get credentialed and struggle to find lasting employment. How do we address these disparities? How do we keep Indiana from falling further behind other states? We could start by re-examining the tax cuts given to big companies or redirecting the “embarrassment of riches” given to non-transparent development projects. Just think, if we “cut the fat” on corporate tax cuts and non-transparent incentives provided for Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s (IEDC) projects we could fully fund education. College degrees are better for economic development, especially for individual wage growth than the LEAP district. 

Let’s redirect our limited resources to human infrastructure which is undoubtedly more important to Indiana’s economic success. Let's begin by funding our universities to the national average. Let’s encourage college attendance since it’s the easiest path to the middle class. Let’s provide support to those pursuing degrees or job training by fully funding child care, transportation and educational grant programs. If we continue following our current path, Indiana will fall further behind with the most adverse effects felt by Black and other marginalized Hoosiers.

Harris testifies on second draft of high school diploma proposal

Today, Nov. 8., the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) met to discuss the second draft of proposed changes to the Indiana high school diploma. At this meeting, SBOE accepted public testimony to close out the public comment period.

 State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) issued the following statement following his testimony to SBOE:

“It’s concerning that, despite months of public feedback, the second draft still leaves critical issues unresolved. I’ve heard from parents, educators and students in my district about the lack of clarity and support in this proposal, and many of their concerns remain unaddressed.

“One key issue is the impact this proposal will have on students with individualized education plans (IEPs). These students are being overlooked in a system that is rushing to implement changes without proper planning or consideration for the resources they need. It's troubling that companies may not be equipped to understand or implement IEPs, especially considering the widespread counselor shortage and the fact that many people, may not fully understand what an IEP entails until these plans were brought up in SBOE public meetings. The proposal lacks clear guidance on how work-based learning sites will ensure these students receive the necessary accommodations. We need a more thoughtful approach—one that ensures equity for all students, particularly those who require additional support.

“I’m also troubled by the lack of rigor in this draft. This isn’t about a simple name change for diplomas; it’s about maintaining the high academic standards that help prepare our students for the future. Unfortunately, the current proposal fails to address how we will maintain that rigor while providing real, sustainable work-based learning opportunities. Also, what about the background checks required for these work placements? Students' safety is paramount, yet there's no mention of whether employers will be required to conduct these checks to ensure a safe environment. While the proposal includes provisions for these experiences, there is no requirement to ensure that students are actually hired or placed in meaningful jobs, nor is there clarity on how transportation to these sites will be handled.

“Another significant concern is funding. The proposal suggests that schools would need to prepare students for this program in half of the school year, but there is no clear funding mechanism to support the staffing and resources required to make this happen. Schools are already stretched thin, and this proposal doesn’t provide the necessary financial support to implement these changes effectively.

“We must ask: Why the rush to implement this without ensuring we have the right resources and structures in place? We can’t afford to compromise the quality of education for our students. I encourage everyone to continue to provide feedback and raise their voices to ensure that the final version of this proposal meets the needs of all students, not just a select few. The stakes are too high for us to accept anything less than a comprehensive, well-thought-out plan.”

Porter comments on dismal monthly revenue report

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement regarding today’s revenue report, which is $183.7 million below forecast: 

“Unfortunately, this is another dismal revenue report that’s well below forecast. Revenue was down in August, and that trend has continued with our revenues down significantly for September. We’re now collectively $159.4 million under the total forecast for fiscal year 2025. 

“These variances in our forecasts may be due to 2023 legislation which changed the timing of payments. In some months, we have higher collections, whereas others have significantly lower payments. Time will tell whether or not the revenue missed this month will be made up over the holidays.

“Even if we do recoup our losses, there’s no denying that we won’t have much wiggle room in 2025. Short-sighted budgetary decisions in the past, like unrestrained voucher spending, diverted funding from public resources. In this next budget cycle, we must prioritize essential long-neglected human infrastructures over unneeded investments. 

“We can still fully fund Medicaid, statewide Pre-K, our public schools and provide a property tax credit with diminished revenue. The money is there: The general fund and state surplus exist to cover unexpected deficits. It all comes down to the programs we prioritize, and I will prioritize resources that truly benefit all Hoosiers.”