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.  

Pryor reminds community of upcoming National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend

Friday, June 6, is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, marking the beginning of Wear Orange weekend. State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) is reminding the community to wear orange this weekend to honor those who have been impacted by gun violence and advocate for action against gun violence. This movement is put on by the group Everytown for Gun Safety and brings people together from across the nation to advocate for gun reform.

“Far too many people in our community have had their lives torn apart by gun violence,” Pryor said. “Just earlier this month, 14 people were injured and a 17-year-old was killed in a single weekend in Indianapolis. Black and brown communities are disproportionately affected by gun violence, and it is the leading cause of death for children in our nation. 

“Our city should be a place where people can thrive, not constantly worry about surviving. That is why I am calling on our community to come together for Wear Orange weekend to honor those who have fallen victim to gun violence. Indiana has some of the loosest gun safety policies in the nation, and we all pay the price. It is time to demand a change.

"Join me by wearing orange on Friday, June 6, to kick off the weekend. I encourage all those who are able to be part of that change by participating in Wear Orange weekend." 

For more information and to find/register for an event, click the link here. 

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.”

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.” 

Pryor: ‘This budget fails to support the least of thee’

In the early hours of April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the budget to the governor’s desk. State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) voted against the budget due to insufficient funding for K-12 public education, the expansion of the voucher program and the cut in funding for local public health initiatives, public broadcasting services and higher education.

“Many Hoosiers struggle to keep up with the increasing cost of housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare. The 2025 state budget passed by Indiana Republicans does not address the very real needs of working families. 

“Just a few days ago, Republicans announced that our state revenue was $2.4 billion less than expected. What was their solution? To cut critical programs for Hoosiers like public health initiatives, higher education, pre-k, public transportation and more. Additionally, not only is there no solution to make housing more affordable, but funding for housing resources like the Housing First program was eliminated.

“While these services that benefit hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers were cut, the private school voucher program will receive an additional $100 million of taxpayer money every year starting in 2027. The public schools that serve the overwhelming majority of Hoosier students will remain underfunded. 

“The state budget is a blueprint of our priorities. This budget supports the wealthiest among us while leaving the populations that need state support the most out to dry.

“I am disappointed in the lack of involvement Democrats had in this process. Collaboration brings the very best ideas to the table. This budget is not what Hoosiers need, and it is not what Hoosiers deserve.” 

Pryor opposes bill to criminalize homelessness

Today, April 14, the Indiana House majority passed Senate Bill 197. The bill was amended in the House Committee on Judiciary to include language making it a Class C misdemeanor for a person to sleep or camp on public property of the state or a political subdivision. SB 197 criminalizes homelessness and traps individuals in a cycle of poverty by imposing a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail for sleeping outside. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement after speaking against the bill on the House floor:

“This bill will do nothing but perpetuate the cycle of incarceration, homelessness and poverty. Individuals who are in such dire straits that they have to suffer through the elements and sleep on the street do not have the means to pay $500. 

“Making homelessness a crime is not only illogical, it is simply cruel. There is no compassion in locking someone up for being in a situation they did not choose to be in. There is no compassion in this bill. 

“Our public safety officials are overwhelmed as is. Rounding up all of the homeless people in the community and throwing them in jail should not be a burden that we add to their plate. There are many better ways to address the growing population of unhoused individuals. Crisis intervention teams specially trained to help individuals with mental illness are far better equipped to address these situations. Why don’t we invest more money in this program?

“We need to invest in addressing the housing crisis by creating more affordable housing units instead of punishing those who find themselves without a roof over their heads. The cost to hold a person in jail is greater than what it would take to provide emergency or transitional shelter. I don’t understand why the solution is to be both costly and cruel. 

“We can do better than this. Our most vulnerable Hoosiers deserve better than this.” 

Pryor votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers

Today, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, EMS and public school services by $1.4 billion over three years. While the bill was pushed through with very little time to review the possible fiscal impact, it's clear that SB 1 will provide minimal property tax relief to Hoosiers. Republican leadership told Hoosiers it's time to "tighten our belts" while discussing this legislation, despite House Democrats' concerns that SB 1 will choke the life out of vital services provided by local governments.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“People in my community want a true decrease in their taxes, not a decrease in property taxes that is cancelled out by increased income taxes. Marion County stands to lose $75 million under the current version of SB 1. In order for our community to fund essential public services like police, fire and EMS, as well as public schools for our kids, they will be forced to find the funding elsewhere. 

“This proposal is nothing but smoke and mirrors. Republicans in the legislature can run around touting that they have saved Hoosiers $300 on property taxes and then turn around to the local governments and force them to play the villain by raising local income taxes by $300 to keep functioning. They have managed to save Hoosier taxpayers very little while passing off responsibility to local governments. 

“I know this is not the best we can do for Hoosiers. This proposal is not a collaborative solution to help taxpayers around the state. We need to help our seniors stay in their homes while not cutting their access to emergency medical services. We need to help working parents keep a roof over their children’s head while not reducing the quality of their children’s education. 

“I am disappointed in the lack of action on the part of the legislature in helping Hoosier taxpayers get real relief.” 

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During House session on Wednesday, April 9, Gov. Mike Braun signaled that this was the Indiana GOP's final property tax plan, despite House Democrats still working to make the bill better on the House floor via amendments which were all voted down by the majority.

Pryor co-sponsored bill to reform eviction filing passes the House

Yesterday, April 8, the Indiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 142 which reforms state policy for filing evictions and sealing eviction records. This bill requires courts to order an expungement in cases that qualify and allows that action to be taken without a full hearing. In many cases, prior evictions stay on someone’s record and can be used by landlords to deny housing applications, even if the case has been resolved. Without this bill, the eviction expungement process can require large amounts of time and resources. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), co-sponsor of SB 142, issued the following statement: 

“Housing has become an increasing challenge for far too many Hoosiers. Eviction rates have skyrocketed, with some courts dealing with hundreds of eviction cases every day. Even for those who settle all debts, these evictions stay on your record and act as a barrier to securing housing in the future. 

“Requiring courts to seal eviction records in cases that have been resolved without the process of a full hearing will eliminate large amounts of time and resources for both the state and Hoosiers in this situation. Not only will this save the state money and help relieve chronically backlogged courts, but it will have significant impacts on the lives of struggling Hoosiers. I have heard stories from my constituents of apartment buildings giving families only a few hours to move out because of a facility issue in the dead of winter. If someone is waiting for their case to move through backlogged courts, having this mark on their record could be the difference between a new place to live and being on the streets. 

“There is no need to continuously penalize those who have satisfied their debt. This bill will free those who have settled their debts from having a scarlet letter on their housing applications. 

“Having a roof over your head is an essential human need. Access to reliable, safe and affordable shelter is something the state should strive to help all Hoosiers reach. I am so proud to have been a co-sponsor on this bill to remove this critical barrier to housing.” 

Pryor opposes the disenfranchisement of college students

Today, Tuesday, April 1, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 10 by a vote of 66-25. This bill changes the requirements of what is needed so that college students cannot use their official government-issued university student identification to vote. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Elections and Apportionment Committee, issued the following statement after speaking against the bill on the House floor: 

“Indiana has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the nation. Yet, year after year, Statehouse Republicans pass legislation to make it harder for Hoosiers to exercise their right to vote. 

“When this bill was heard in committee, I was inspired by the number of students who showed up to testify against this bill and stand up for their right to vote. The General Assembly needs to be doing everything we can to get more of our young people engaged in our democracy, not put additional hurdles in their way. 

“If the concern is that some of our state institutions don’t have an expiration date on these IDs, the fix is simple. Just require university IDs to have expiration dates. Don’t use this reason to make it harder to vote for thousands of college students. 

“Many college students live, work, spend money, pay taxes and participate in the community of their college towns. They deserve the right to have a say on the officials who pass policies that impact their everyday lives.”

Pryor receives Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Over the weekend, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) was presented with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the Top Ladies of Distinction Area V Leadership Conference. The award was issued by former President of the United States, Joe Biden. 

Pryor issued the following statement:

“I am beyond honored to have been presented with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden. My career has been spent advocating for my community and uplifting the voices that may otherwise not be heard. As a public official, my goal has always been not just to represent my constituents, but to truly listen to their needs and serve them to the best of my ability. I strive to be available, accessible, present and compassionate. 

“Receiving this award and being recognized for my dedication to service by former President Joe Biden is deeply humbling. No matter how exciting it was to be surprised with this award, the true reward is seeing the impact my work has on the lives of people in my community.

“I want to thank all of the wonderful people who have believed in me, encouraged me, mentored me and supported me over the years. I also want to thank my former legislative colleague and friend Dee Dawkins-Haigler for waiting for the right moment to present me with this award." 

Pryor opposes bill to make school board races partisan

Today, Monday, March 31, the House passed Senate Bill 287 by a vote of 54 to 40. The bill makes Indiana’s school board elections partisan, requiring candidates to run as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a blank space next to their name. The bill now heads to the Senate to approve the changes made in the House. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement upon the passage of the bill: 

“During discussion of this bill on the House Floor, a colleague of mine from across the aisle made derogatory comments aimed at one political party. If things like that happen on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives, it just goes to show that we do not need to bring more partisan politics into our school boards. We do not need one more thing driving a wedge between people in our communities. 

“School boards need to focus on serving the needs of our kids. The decision to elect someone to the school board should be based on what they are going to do to improve literacy and math skills, recruit quality teachers to address the teacher shortage and prepare students for the workforce or higher education. 

“Across the state, this is an unpopular policy. There is enough politics everywhere else. We don’t need politics in our school boards.”