Pryor dismayed by passage of rigged Texas maps

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 23, the Texas legislature passed the newly drawn electoral maps into law that create five new Republican districts at the request of President Donald Trump. This comes after Texas House Democrats' fight to save democracy led them to leave the state earlier this month to delay the approval of these maps. The Trump Administration has set their sights on a number of other states, including Indiana, to rig their electoral maps to artificially strengthen the slim Republican majority in congress. Last week, Indiana House Democrats held an event with Texas House Democrats in Chicago to stand against this power grab.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), House Democratic Floor leader, a member of the House Committee on Elections and one of the speakers at last week's press conference with Texas Democrats, issued the following statement: 

“The situation we are in today should trouble everyone who believes in the sacred principle of Democracy. The effort to redistrict in the middle of a decade with the explicit purpose of giving the president more power is not only unprecedented, but morally corrupt. This is behavior you expect to see from nations who live under a dictatorship, not the United States of America. 

“In a single action, Texas Republicans have undone decades of progress and pulled on a thread that could unravel everything America has come to stand for. The Texas maps that passed today don’t only signal to every citizen that their vote doesn’t matter, but they intentionally silence Black and Latino voices. A single white Texan now has the voting power of five Black Texans. This is reminiscent of the days when Black Americans were literally told our lives and our voices were worth less than White Americans. And as this fight expands, this could happen across the country. I live in one of only two Democratic districts in Indiana. Any attempt to eliminate that district will divide the minority community and deny us the ability to elect someone who truly reflects our values and advocates for our best interests.

“Why are they doing this? Because they know their policies are failing. They know that throwing families, seniors and vulnerable people off of Medicaid and gutting SNAP and other vital programs are unpopular. Americans are feeling the impact at their kitchen tables, at the gas pump, in the doctors’ office, in the grocery store and everywhere in between. They know they can’t win with the cards they’ve dealt themselves, so they are trying to reshuffle the deck in their favor. That’s not democracy — that’s cheating.

“While Texas was the front line, Indiana may be next – and the list of states joining this trend is growing. On Tuesday, Indiana Republicans are set to travel to D.C. where they will undoubtedly be pushed to call a special session to rig Indiana’s maps. 

“I am proud of the stand my Democratic colleagues in the Texas legislature took against this attack on our democracy. Indiana Democrats do not have the numbers to break quorum as they did in Texas. However, as the fight comes to our doorstep, Indiana House Democrats plan to follow their lead and do everything we can to defend the power of Hoosier voters. The power must remain in the hands of the people.”

Pryor encourages constituents to join her at AES rate hike public hearing in district on Monday

On Monday, Aug. 25, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) is holding the third public field hearing in the AES utilities rate hike case. The event will take place in the auditorium of New Augusta North Public Academy at 6450 Rodebaugh Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268 and will begin at 6:00 p.m. EST. In June, AES Indiana submitted a request to raise prices for ratepayers by as much as 21% or $30 every month. State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), who has spent her legislative career fighting against increasing utility costs, will be in attendance as Monday’s hearing is in her district. 

“Hoosiers cannot afford to have AES raise their rates every single year. Over the last decade, AES has raised their rates by over 34%. While these previous rate hikes have been justified by claiming they will go toward improving infrastructure and service," Pryor said. "However, many issues remain unresolved, such as consumers getting charged 10 times for the same bill without an immediate refund. Yes, the cost of doing business has increased – but so has the cost of living. Hoosier families cannot simply force someone else to foot the bill to cover increasing expenses. For those living on a low-or-fixed income, the extra $30 a month could mean they have to sacrifice medication or food just to keep the lights on. 

“Over the last several years, I have worked on legislative solutions to give Hoosiers a break. All have been rejected by the Republican supermajority. In Indiana, utilities are a regulated monopoly. Consumers have nowhere else to turn if they are dissatisfied with the price or service AES is providing. That is why it is so important to make your voice heard during this public comment period.   

“I wrote a letter asking the IURC to hold multiple public hearings across Indianapolis to give residents ample opportunity to weigh in. While they are only required by law to hold one hearing, I appreciate that the IURC decided to hold four.  I will be present at Monday’s hearing in my district to testify against raising rates on my constituents. I encourage all who are able to join me on Monday to make it known that this rate hike is an unfair burden on consumers.” 

For those unable to attend Monday’s hearing, there will be another hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the Fort Event Center at Fort Harrison State Park, 6002 N. Post Road. Additionally, the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), the entity responsible for representing consumer interests in rate cases, is accepting written public comment through Sept. 2. The link to submit a comment can be found here. 

GiaQuinta comments on Indiana Republicans visiting White House to discuss redistricting

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement reacting to the news that President Donald Trump has invited Indiana Statehouse Republicans to the White House to discuss a number of topics, likely including redistricting:

"I am thankful for the ten or so Republican lawmakers who have already spoken out saying that redrawing our congressional maps this year is wrong. I echo their sentiments. If President Trump is so afraid of the voters, he should have passed popular legislation instead of a law that will kick Hoosiers off their health care, make kids go hungry and give billionaires a huge tax break.

"Not a single Hoosier Republican was asking for redistricting before the White House forced the issue. All we've heard from our constituents since this became an issue is that they are opposed. To my Republican colleagues, I ask: Are you going to listen to Hoosiers or are you going to bow to Donald Trump?"

GiaQuinta comments on passage of federal bill selling out working Hoosier families

Upon the U.S. House of Representative's vote to send the "Big Ugly Betrayal" bill to President Trump's desk for signing, Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement in response:

"This bill may be big, but it's not beautiful. It's an ugly betrayal of the working Hoosier families who keep our state running.

"About 1.9 million Hoosiers rely on Hoosier Healthwise, the Healthy Indiana Plan and other services – a.k.a. our state's Medicaid plans – for health insurance. The 'Big Ugly Betrayal' will take away health care from 17 million Americans, including 267,996 Hoosiers.

"More Hoosiers, including children, will go hungry because of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts in this bill. Our state food banks have spoken up about the devastation these cuts will cause, but Indiana's Republican delegation all voted for this anyway.

"The spin I'm hearing from Indiana's federal Republican representatives is that this is the biggest tax cut in history for working Americans. If so, why are the overwhelming majority of tax breaks going to the super-rich and corporations? And why are the billionaire and corporate tax breaks permanent, while the measly working-class benefits phase out after four years?

"Beyond selling out working Hoosier families, this bill adds trillions to the national debt, which I've always heard Republicans claim they hate to do.

"To put it briefly: This 'Big Ugly Betrayal' sends our country further and further in debt while hollowing out the working and middle class, all so Republicans' wealthy friends can pay less in taxes. It will certainly make our Indiana state budget harder and harder to balance. You can count on Statehouse Republicans to steal from the D.C. playbook and hollow out health care and food assistance while growing handouts and tax breaks for the wealthy.

"Indiana House Democrats won't stand by while working families get hurt. We'll keep fighting to protect health care and food assistance for Hoosiers, and we'll work to make sure any state budget decisions put working families first."

GiaQuinta comments on new laws going into effect

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement on the new laws going into effect today, July 1: 

"Today, Indiana's misguided budget and Medicaid cuts go into effect. In recent weeks, we've seen our state pre-K program get cut. Just yesterday, the Commission for Higher Education announced that over 400 degree programs at public universities will be cut or merged. 

"What this all means is this: Working people get ripped off while the wealthy get richer. You'll have fewer health care options and your local public school will have less funding. Meanwhile, you'll be paying more taxes and receiving less services. But at least a few corporations no longer have to pay some business taxes, and wealthy families who already were sending their children to private school will get a tax break for it.

"This doesn't have to be Indiana's future, though. Indiana House Democrats are committed to fighting for laws that invest in public education, protect health care, and ensure working families aren't left behind.

"The message from Statehouse Republicans is that you should be happy with less. House Democrats believe you deserve more. You deserve an Indiana you can afford."

OP-ED: No, you're not hallucinating – AES wants to raise your rates again.

AES Indiana just requested to raise their rates on consumers. Again. 

Last year, they raised rates for consumers by an average of $9.36 per month, although their original ask was $17.50. This year, they want an increase of 13.5%, but in reality is closer to 21% and will cost Hoosiers an extra $30 every month. If it feels like your utility bill is always growing, that’s because it is. 

To some, $30 a month, or $360 dollars a year, may not seem like a lot. But what if your electricity bill rose $360 every year? In five years, you would see your bill grow by $1,800. Asking the IURC to approve a rate increase shouldn’t become an annual tradition for utility companies across the state, including AES, and those additional monthly costs add up quickly. When coupled with inflation, high housing costs, increased grocery costs, higher medical bills and lagging growth in wages, this rate increase very well could be the straw that breaks the camel's back for residents in Marion County. And those who are living paycheck to paycheck, or on a fixed income, may be forced to sacrifice essentials like food or medication to cover that extra $30 month after month. 

In 2020, AES was approved to use $1.2 billion from ratepayers to upgrade their system. Ratepayers are still in the process of paying for that, as the plan built in seven years of consecutive increases on top of other requests they have made separately. By the time the 21% hike would go into effect, you would really see an increase of 27% because of a 6% increase already approved to cover projects such as the Pike County battery storage facility. 

It's honestly hard to keep track of how many times AES has raised their rates. Over the last decade, rates have increased by more than 34%. The pace at which prices are increasing is not sustainable for Hoosier families. Something eventually must give. In 2024, I filed an amendment to create a one-year moratorium on rate increases to help Hoosiers catch their breath. The Republican supermajority at the Statehouse struck this down.

Every time these rate hike requests are made, the justification has been a system or infrastructure improvement. However, even with the additional revenue, many pressing concerns about the services have gone unaddressed. After the increase in 2023 to “upgrade” systems, customers experienced issues such as charges on their account three times the normal size with no explanation, charges being withdrawn up to 10 times without immediate refund and completed payments being marked as missing. AES paused disconnections temporarily while they stabilized the billing system, but disconnections were recently resumed with many customers still facing billing issues. 

Are consumers just supposed to helplessly accept that they must pay more and more for utilities every single year? Part of AES' justification for this most recent request was that they need to cover the cost of doing business due to inflation and rising costs. We all live in this economy. Hoosiers are facing the consequences of inflation and rising costs too. But the average person can’t demand money from others to cover our expenses. And because utilities are regulated monopolies, ratepayers don’t have a choice of providers. Which means, we are left footing the bill at the whim of stockholders who don’t have a connection to our communities. 

If a $1.2 billion upgrade isn’t enough, and you have to ask for tens of millions of dollars every year and still not solve basic customer-service issues, how can any amount of money be enough? I was heartened to see Gov. Mike Braun express displeasure over this rate hike request. But ultimately, Gov. Braun and the last 20 years of Republican leadership are responsible for the high rates consumers find themselves paying today. If Gov. Braun wants to stand up for affordability, he should call on IURC to deny this outrageous request.  

GiaQuinta, House Democrats condemn slashing of Indiana state pre-K program

As Hoosier parents prepare their household budgets for the 2025-2026 school year, fewer working families will have On My Way Pre-K, Indiana's state preschool program, at their disposal to assist with the cost of sending their 3- and 4-year-olds to pre-K. Gov. Braun's administration announced at the beginning of June that it would slash On My Way Pre-K seats from over 6,000 to 2,500 for the upcoming school year.

Additionally, reimbursement subsidies for families enrolled in the program will be capped at $147.82 a week – for some counties, this will slash reimbursement rates in half or more. This means that child care providers will receive less money from the state for children enrolled in the program, disincentivizing provider participation and broad access, and low-income families will be responsible for the cost not paid for by the state.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) and House Democrats are deeply concerned that the Braun administration and Statehouse Republicans chose to prioritize the expansion of Indiana's private school voucher program to millionaires and billionaires this session over maintaining the On My Way Pre-K program for low- to moderate-income families. GiaQuinta released the following statement reacting to the cuts:

"Working parents are already stretched thin. Now, they’re being told to do more with less – the theme of this administration. Cutting On My Way Pre-K means pulling the rug out from under hard-working families who were planning to use this program to make their household budget work.

"These cuts weren't inevitable. In the 2025 budget, Statehouse Republicans chose to prioritize making private school vouchers universal. While millionaires and billionaires are getting more tuition assistance for the private schools their children already attend, working families are being told that pre-K for their 3- and 4-year-olds is too expensive for the state. That’s not budgeting — that’s bad priorities. Amid a budget shortfall, Statehouse Republicans found the money to expand a program that they cared about. It just wasn't the program that benefits families struggling to get by.

"Hoosier families deserve more, plain and simple."

GiaQuinta comments on Braun IU trustee removals and appointments: ‘Promises made, promises broken’

Yesterday, June 2, Gov. Mike Braun removed three elected members of the Indiana University Board of Trustees by way of authority granted to him by the General Assembly in a last-minute, unvetted move to end alumni trustee elections at Indiana University. In their places, he appointed James Bopp, Jr., a prominent conservative attorney known for his work to overturn Roe v. Wade; Sage Steele, a conservative sports broadcaster; and Brian Eagle, an Indianapolis attorney. Braun previously indicated that he would not immediately take action to use this new unilateral authority of the governor over IU.  

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne), an IU graduate himself, released the following statement:

"I am incredibly disappointed in this decision by Gov. Braun to remove democratically elected IU trustees for a number of reasons.

"Not fulfilling a promise you previously made is par for the course with this administration – first property tax relief, now IU trustee appointments. Promises made, promises broken.

"IU leads the world in its rigor and research breakthroughs because its experts have been allowed to operate within the realm of academic freedom. It's not hard to imagine that our two new trustees who are well known for their successful work overturning a woman's right to choose and work in the conservative media circuit, respectively, will have an agenda to limit the research questions that researchers and professors are allowed to pose. This, combined with recent Statehouse Republican actions to threaten tenure and degree programs, will limit the number of world-class researchers willing to relocate to Indiana. Why take a risk on a university system with less academic freedom protections?

"Gov. Braun stated that this decision will 'help guide IU back in the right direction.' Republican governors of Indiana have been appointing the majority of the IU Board of Trustees for 20 years now. If the university has been headed in the wrong direction, the Indiana Republican Party objectively bears some responsibility for that.

"Finally, this decision doesn't just affect the university – it also hurts working Hoosiers. In particular, IU's strong life sciences programs have helped Indiana's life science, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries flourish. When we start making workforce pipeline decisions about politics instead of business, I worry that the companies that employ thousands of Hoosiers with good-paying jobs will suffer and ultimately disinvest in our state."

Pryor receives IUI O’Neill School Distinguished Alumni Award

On Monday, May 12, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) was presented with the 2025 Indiana University Indianapolis O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Distinguished Alumni Award. This is the highest honor bestowed by the school and honors those who have not only distinguished themselves in their fields but also set an example of what it means to live a life of service. Pryor earned a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the O’Neill School in 2005. 

“I am truly humbled to receive this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award from the IU Indianapolis O’Neill School. My time at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs laid the foundation for my career of speaking up for the voiceless and serving my community. While I had the value of service instilled in me growing up, my education and this institution gave me the skills and opportunities I needed to succeed in making a difference. 

“While it was incredibly meaningful to be honored at Monday’s ceremony, I am also glad I had the opportunity to speak to the graduating class of 2025. My call to action to all the graduates in that room was to SERVE: Support others who are in need; Engage with those who share your vision to help those less fortunate; Reward those who make sacrifices so that others can reach their potential; Value the contributions of those working alongside you; Encourage those who may feel lost or are tempted to give up.

“Today, I am as proud as ever to be an alumni of the O’Neill School. I look forward to seeing all the wonderful achievements of the class of 2025!”

Pryor was nominated for the award by her college friend Robbin Grimes Sally.

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.”

Hamilton calls on Braun to leave democratically elected IU officials in office

In the early hours of Friday, April 25, the Indiana General Assembly sent a final version of the state budget to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. Statehouse Republicans added a provision at the last minute to give the governor control over all trustee appointments for Indiana University. On the House Floor, State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) called on Governor Braun to leave the three democratically elected alumni trustees in office. 

“I am calling on Gov. Braun to respect the democratic process that has successfully served Indiana University for approximately 150 years,” Hamilton said. “Different perspectives are what keep our universities strong. 

“This move was done behind closed doors in the 11th hour to deliberately avoid the full democratic process, including input from the public. 

“Gov. Braun, I implore you not to follow the supermajority’s tendency to create a solution in search of a problem. Leave the democratically elected IU Trustees in the positions that they were entrusted with by thousands of IU alumni.” 

Pryor comments on defeat of language to criminalize homelessness

Last week, the House passed a bill that included a provision to effectively criminalize homelessness by imposing a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail for sleeping outside. While that language was taken out of that bill by the Senate, it was added to House Bill 1014 behind closed doors. In the 11th hour of the legislative session, the language was removed. In the early hours of Friday morning, the 2025 legislative session officially concluded without passing any law to criminalize homelessness.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement:

“It is deeply relieving that the provision to criminalize homelessness did not pass this year. 

“I cannot understand how any person thinks it is fair and just to make it a crime to be homeless. People do not choose to endure the suffering of sleeping on the street, not knowing where their next meal will come from. Those who find themselves in such a difficult situation that they are without stable housing do not have $500 to spare. 

“There are many ways to help the unhoused population in our state. We must invest in more low-barrier homeless shelters and transitional housing, mental health and addiction services, and crisis intervention response teams. 

“I am thankful that my colleagues saw reason and decided not to move forward with this cruel policy. I truly hope this idea is not revisited in the future.”