Hatcher calls on Indiana’s federal congressional delegation to continue bipartisan gun safety progress

On Thursday (June 13), State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary) sent a letter to Indiana's federal congressional calling upon them to continue Indiana's recent run of successful bipartisan gun safety laws in both the state legislature and Congress. The ATF's new “Engaged in the Business” rule clarifies when a person needs to become a licensed dealer and run background checks and gives local law enforcement as well as the Department of Justice additional tools to prevent prohibited individuals from illegally obtaining firearms. 

In recent weeks,  the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to discuss overturning the rule. Nine members of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus asked Indiana’s congressional delegation to uphold the common-sense “Engaged in the Business” rule and protect Hoosiers from gun violence. 

Rep. Hatcher released the following statement: 

“Gary is known for a complicated history with gun violence. In 1999, our city was dubbed the ‘murder capital of America,’ and a majority of those deaths involved firearms. The city has worked tirelessly in the past two decades to promote responsible gun ownership and crack down on illegal firearm sales. The ATF’s rule supports Gary by defining who is and isn’t a licensed dealer and ensuring they properly run a background check. 

“This protection is essential to prevent unlicensed dealers from illegally trafficking guns into our community – which has already been targeted by firearm manufacturers themselves. I hope that Indiana’s federal delegation recognizes what this rule means to Gary and protects Hoosiers from the tragedy of gun violence.”

Hatcher stands up for Gary’s ‘Welcoming City’ ordinance after threat of legal action

Earlier this month, the Indiana Attorney General threatened to sue municipalities over their immigration policies – including Gary and East Chicago. Both cities have “Welcoming City” ordinances that limit involvement with federal officials regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status. In 2022, after a five-year court battle, Indiana’s Appellate Court upheld the ordinance finding it largely compliant with state immigration laws. 

State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary) released the following statement: 

“This threat of legal action for Gary’s ‘Welcoming City’ ordinance is a gross misstep of the Attorney General. The state continues to interfere in the day-to-day operations of majority-minority communities. It’s no secret that Gary is the city with the largest percentage minority population in Indiana. For decades, we’ve been a place of refuge for people of color who felt like they could safely live and raise their family here. I voted for this ordinance in 2017 when I was on the City Council to uphold this long-standing tradition. 

”As an attorney, I find the threat of legal action unnecessary. This ordinance was already litigated and spent five years in the court of law. One of Indiana’s highest court’s restored portions of the ordinance and believed it was compliant with state law. This isn’t a legal move; it is part of a national culture war surrounding immigration that has no place in the Hoosier state.”

Summers: Proposed cannabis reclassification could spark full legalization in Indiana

On April 30, the Biden administration announced a plan to reclassify cannabis for the first time since 1971 when the Controlled Substances Act was signed into law. The proposal would change the drug from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance, acknowledging its potential medicinal viability and removing its label as one of the most addictive, dangerous drugs.

Please attribute the following statement to State Rep. Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis):

“The Biden Administration is taking an important first step in reducing the negative stigma surrounding cannabis. Currently, cannabis is designated as a dangerous substance alongside the likes of heroin, a clearly ridiculous comparison. Cannabis is shown to have promising therapeutic benefits. Early research indicates the drug's effectiveness in mitigating symptoms caused by conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, schizophrenia, anxiety and chronic pain. A reclassification could break the barriers restricting further cannabis research that could positively impact healthcare for all Hoosiers.

“The potential of this reclassification extends even past medical applicability. By altering federal law, states like Indiana that criminalize the drug are more likely to follow suit. Though the proposed reclassification would not result in the federal legalization of recreational cannabis, it could get the ball rolling here in Indiana.  If fully legalized, cannabis could bring in an additional $171 million in annual revenue for our state.  In turn, this revenue can then be used to stimulate our economy and provide necessary funding for schools and other critical infrastructure. As it stands, Indiana is missing out while our neighbors in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio are raking in easy profits.

“But there is also the human element to consider. Hoosiers are currently being dragged off to prison over a drug that 24 other states have already legalized. And of course, the racial component of this issue cannot be ignored. While white and Black individuals use cannabis at similar rates, Black users are far more likely to face repercussions. In Indiana, Black people are 3.5x more likely to be arrested for possession when compared to their white counterparts. The data is clear: Criminalization disproportionately punishes Black Hoosiers, labeling them as dangerous criminals.

“Hoosiers want legal cannabis. A 2022 survey conducted by Ball State University found that 85% of Hoosiers are in favor of legalizing marijuana. Still, Republicans continue to fight against the will of the people. Our state is falling behind, and something must be done to get us back on track. I am hopeful that this proposed reclassification is the catalyst our legislature needs to spring into action.”

Miller celebrates expansion of StoryScape Early Literacy Center to Allen County Public Library’s Pontiac Branch

Today (April 30), State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne) attended the grand opening of the StoryScape early literacy center housed inside the Pontiac Branch of the Allen County Public Library (ACPL). The space is tailored to children seven and under and offers hands-on learning resources and activities that encourage creativity, imagination and curiosity.

The new literacy center is a part of ACPL Allen County's 2024-2028 strategic plan, “Window to Lifelong Learning and Discovery.” The initiative promotes child literacy by utilizing library materials for reading, discussion, song and other similar activities. The Pontiac Branch is the third to install StoryScape, and is expected to further expand to all branches of the ACPL system.

“StoryScape has been successfully implemented in both the main and the Woodburn Branches of the Allen County Public Library, and I fully anticipate its continued success at the Pontiac Branch,” Miller said. “Children thrive when they have the freedom to learn through hands-on, creative programs. With these experiences, they learn to explore and engage with the world effectively through various mediums and methods.

“I am proud that our library understands the necessity of providing these crucial developmental resources to our community. I am certain that StoryScape will continue fostering the intellectual curiosity and literacy of children in Allen County.”

Pierce statement on the unwarranted action of the Indiana University administration to arrest peaceful protestors

State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) released the following statement regarding the unwarranted actions of the Indiana University administration to arrest peaceful protesters:

“Yesterday, the Indiana University administration betrayed more than 50 years of support for free expression on campus by choosing to use force to shut down a peaceful protest and arresting students and faculty exercising their First Amendment rights.

“A University policy that has designated Dunn Meadow as a 'public forum for expression on all subjects' since 1969 was blatantly violated by the leaders of the University without justification. A policy that has withstood anti-Vietnam War protests, months-long shanty towns to protest apartheid in South Africa, the Gulf War, and numerous other controversies was summarily changed by an unknown committee with no public notice or input.

“It's clear this alleged policy change was directly targeted at a specific protest with speech the University wished to suppress. That is a textbook violation of the First Amendment. 

“It's ironic that University leaders who continually use the excuse of potential violence to suppress speech it opposes invited onto campus state police with military-style weapons that included what appeared to be snipers stationed on rooftops to force a physical confrontation with protesters. This reckless decision is indefensible. Does President Whitten not remember Kent State?

“President Whitten must correct this grievous violation of First Amendment rights by requesting all criminal charges against those arrested be dropped and rescinding any year-long bans from campus that have been issued against the protesters.

“It's time for President Whitten to put an end to her amateurish handling of campus protests before someone gets seriously hurt.”

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Moseley: "Steelworkers forged this state and deserve our protection"

Today, April 17, the Biden-Harris Administration announced their plan to protect American steelworkers from China’s predatory practices. For years, China has been producing artificially cheap steel – producing more than there is demand – flooding the market with low-quality products. The Biden-Harris Administration is calling for the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to triple tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum and to investigate their unfair practices.

State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage) released the following supportive statement: 

“I strongly support any action that protects American businesses, their employees and their products. These are common sense policies that will protect Hoosier steelworkers who helped forge our state. Indiana leads the nation in steel production, so we must prioritize the security and well-being of this industry. 

“We know that one bad actor can undermine an entire industry. For too long, China has flooded the market with cheap steel which has drastically lowered prices and eliminated competition. Tripling tariffs on China’s steel and aluminum imports will protect Indiana’s industry. Our domestic industry – and our thousands of steelworkers – will be safeguarded from layoffs, mill closures and loss of profits due to offshore production. It’s both the state and nation’s responsibility to protect prosperity and our manufacturers from harm. I’m glad that we’re protecting Indiana industry and the thousands of steelworkers who call the Hoosier state home.” 

Bartlett comments on ICGTF report in the wake of tragic Lawrence triple homicide

Earlier this month, the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force released their report for the first quarter of 2024. The report shows that 102 firearms were seized, along with 5,638 grams of Fentanyl, and 2,819 grams of Methamphetamine. The ICGTF was established in 2021 to disrupt the cycle of violence and curb the flow of firearms throughout Central Indiana. This report was released just days before last Friday’s triple homicide in Lawrence that took the lives of 19-year-olds Aaliyah Wortman and Londyn Coleman, along with 27-year-old Spencer Lawson. 

State Rep. John Bartlett (D-Indianapolis), co-author of the 2021 bill that established the ICGTF, released the following statement:  

“Last Friday, our community lost three young souls to gun violence. My heart breaks for the families of the two 19-year-old women, Aaliyah Wortman and Londyn Coleman, and 27-year-old Spencer Lawson. This unspeakable act is just the latest in a tragic trend that plagues our city, our state, and our nation. 

“Getting guns used for crime out of the hands of violent people is essential to preventing these tragedies from happening. I am proud to have played a role in the creation of the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force that has already taken 102 firearms off the streets just this year.

“On top of that, the task force has also seized 5,638 grams of Fentanyl and 2,819 grams of Methamphetamine, both dangerous drugs responsible for so much death, addiction, and suffering in Indiana. 

“No amount of thoughts and prayers will bring back the three young individuals lost in Friday’s triple homicide, or ease the pain of anyone grieving a loved one lost to gun violence. The best thing we can do to honor those we have lost is try our best to prevent these tragedies from happening in the future.” 

Jackson and Summers call state leaders to action during Black Maternal Health Week

It’s Black Maternal Health Week, and we want to shine a spotlight on the unique issues that Black moms in Indiana face and discuss how to improve the standard of healthcare they receive before, during and after pregnancy. Across the board, Black mothers do not receive the same level of care as their white counterparts, resulting in deadly consequences.

The last thing an expecting mother should worry about is feeling unheard by the medical team charged with their well-being. And yet, these fears ring true for far too many Black mothers. The most recent data from the CDC lays out the grim reality faced by Black women across the country: Black mothers die at a staggering rate of 2.6 times that of white mothers. 

Looking at the numbers for Indiana further showcases this racial disparity. Indiana has the 3rd highest maternal mortality rate in America, and most of those deaths are Black mothers. A recent report shows that in Indiana in 2021, Black women represented 13% of live births but 21% of maternal deaths.  

Simply put, there is a crisis in our state. This crisis is fueled by a multitude of policy failures, including Black mortality rates, implicit bias within the healthcare system and a lack of dedicated funding for solutions. It doesn’t help that Indiana has an abortion ban in place – women know when they are able to carry an unintended pregnancy healthily, and the ban makes it so that the most vulnerable will be the ones carrying unintended pregnancies to term.

Unfortunately, the Republican supermajority at the Statehouse has not previously greenlit a wealth of legislation that would go far toward saving Black moms’ lives, but the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is committed to offering and passing solutions of substance. At the same time, we are proud to celebrate the legislative wins that have passed and been signed into law.

Rep. Summers co-authored a 2022 law to end the practice of shackling pregnant inmates when they give birth. Birth should not be a traumatic experience, but until just two years ago, the system was failing women who were forced to give birth while incarcerated. She has also fought to create a grant program for community organizations fighting the maternal mortality crisis, but Republican supermajority voted down her amendments to do so during the abortion special session and haven’t yet heard her grant program legislation in committee.

Rep. Jackson has filed legislation for several years now to end the practice of doctors performing non-consensual pelvic exams on patients while they are sedated. In a positive development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently instructed teaching hospitals to obtain written consent before performing sensitive exams, but codifying this common-sense practice in state law is necessary. Our healthcare system has failed Black women time and time again by abusing the relationship of trust that should exist between doctor and patient. This would go a long way toward restoring that trust.

Unfortunately, it is well documented that pregnancy and domestic violence go hand in hand. Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary) offered a bill this session to make it easier for victims of domestic violence to file forms requesting a protection order and remove affidavit requirements from parts of the process for establishing probable cause. A holistic approach to improving mortality rates is necessary, and that strategy includes protecting moms and moms-to-be from abusers. 

Expanding access to substance use disorder recovery efforts is a critical part of solving this issue because addiction is currently the number-one cause of maternal mortality in Indiana. Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) has worked on this issue by offering a bill to ensure that Medicaid patients are not given lifetime restrictions on receiving substance use recovery treatments. 

Defunding harmful organizations that only contribute to misinformation about pregnancy and abortion is important if we’re going to fund organizations truly working on behalf of vulnerable moms-to-be. Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment during the 2022 abortion special session to require that Real Alternatives, which receives state funding and operates so-called “pregnancy resource centers” throughout the state, must provide medically accurate information to patients. However, House Republican lawmakers voted it down. 

Finally, Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) has repeatedly filed a bill to require that healthcare professionals and community health workers undergo cultural awareness and competency training every two years. Working to break down the harmful biases that some doctors hold about Black women will ensure that every pregnant woman’s doctor cares about her unique circumstances and needs as she undergoes pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.

While we’ve made strides in improving maternal health outcomes, the fact remains that there is much more work to do. If we are able to deploy those resources and enact policies to make healthcare truly equitable, Black maternal mortality can be greatly improved, but that’s only if we can muster the necessary support behind the notion that Black mothers’ lives are worth protecting.

Moed statement on charges filed against negligent landlord who put Indianapolis renters at risk

State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement on a New Jersey man charged with misuse of funds that resulted in utility shut-offs for those in affordable housing: 

“A critical step in allowing Indianapolis to thrive is holding bad-acting landlords accountable. Two years ago, the JPC Affordable Housing Foundation's misuse of funds resulted in people losing access to necessities such as power and water, with some families even facing eviction.

“Today's criminal charges are a crucial step forward for tenant protections, but the state legislature must do more to prevent similar abuses. JPC properties have shown that there are loopholes in our ability to protect renters. Last year, I helped pass legislation allowing the court to appoint a receiver when a landlord incurs utility bills 60 days past due. That was a crucial victory, but there’s still so much to do. We need to make sure we have the tools to proactively go after bad actors in the future.” 

Miller mourns Mayor Tom Henry

State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement mourning the loss of Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry: 

“I am incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of our beloved mayor. For nearly two decades, Tom has selflessly served our Fort Wayne community, and his dedication to Fort Wayne will not be forgotten.

“It was not long ago that Mayor Henry announced his cancer diagnosis, and it is a shock to lose him so soon. In the face of his devastating condition, he remained committed to serving Fort Wayne in his capacity as mayor. I am grateful for his commitment to the betterment of Fort Wayne, which can be seen in every instance of his 40-year-long career in public service.

“In losing Tom, Fort Wayne has truly lost an icon, but his legacy lives on. As we move forward, our community will honor the progress he made in Fort Wayne during his tenure. I want to personally extend my condolences to Tom's family, and I look forward to celebrating his life and accomplishments as a community.”

OP-ED: Consumers should not be on the hook for the mistakes of utility ocmpanies

Let us describe an issue with a business operating in our community. They provide a service that you pay for monthly. A few months ago, they upgraded their interface system which made the service more expensive. Since that change, customers have experienced issues such as their monthly bills withdrawn ten times from their bank account, and waiting months for the refund. Other customers have been told they have missed several payments, despite the money being withdrawn from their bank accounts. On top of that, more customers have seen random charges or unexplained increases up to 3 times the amount with no explanation.

Why don’t consumers just switch companies or stop using the service? Here is the kicker: This service is something that everyone needs to survive, and this company is the only one allowed to sell it here. Sounds crazy? We just described the situation with our Indianapolis electric company, Applied Energy Services Corporation, or AES Indiana.

If a company makes a mistake and charges customers multiple times or an amount higher than agreed upon with no explanation, that should not go unanswered. There is no excuse for money to be unfairly taken from someone’s bank account due to a faulty system and held for weeks. At most, there should be a 48-hour deadline for utility companies to issue refunds to consumers when they are overcharged due to a company mistake. The fact that AES wants to up their rates in part to cover the cost of a system “upgrade” this flawed is astounding.

Utility companies in Indiana operate by a different set of rules than any other industry. Instead of being subject to the natural rules of the free market that say overpriced, poor service will be bad for business, utilities are a regulated monopoly. This means, no matter how terrible you are treated by AES, the only alternative is to go without power, which is obviously not a viable option. It is up to lawmakers to protect the wallets and the wellbeing of residents in Indiana.

A member of the Indiana Black Leadership Caucus (IBLC) proposed several measures this session that would stabilize utility bills so families could keep more of their hard-earned money. One of these measures was the effort by State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) that would put a one-year freeze on the ability of utility companies to request a rate increase and charge punitive reconnection fees. Last year, all of Indiana’s major utility companies, including AES, asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to allow them to raise rates on their customers.

Another amendment proposed by Rep. Pryor would have eliminated punitive, predatory reconnection fees for a year so Hoosiers could catch their breath and AES could figure out their system failure. For those struggling to make ends meet, getting slapped with a $250 fine to turn their lights back on in the dead of winter, or possibly even their heat, means that another necessity must be sacrificed. What should these people be expected to give up? Food? Medication?

Both of these amendments were struck down on procedural grounds. Housing affordability was a priority agenda item for both the House Democratic Caucus and the IBLC. This legislature has enacted policies year after year that benefit utility companies and their shareholders at the expense of consumers. It is high time for the General Assembly to act in the best interest of our constituents, not corporations.

Pierce appointed to Federal Communications Commission advisory committee

State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) has been appointed by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to serve on the FCC's Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC). The advisory panel provides expertise and recommendations on telecommunications issues affecting state, local, and tribal governments. Pierce will serve a two-year term on the Committee.

“I am excited about the opportunity to provide state perspectives about telecommunications issues affecting the states,” Pierce said. “State governments often share responsibilities with the FCC for telecommunications issues and work with the FCC to implement its programs, particularly making affordable broadband available throughout the country.

“I look forward to using my experience working on telecommunications policies and teaching about them in the classroom to work with my fellow committee members on important FCC issues.”

Pierce has an extensive background in telecommunications, including interning for the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance, clerking in the legal department of the National Association of Broadcasters, and serving on Bloomington's Telecommunications Council, which administered the city's cable television franchise. He received his B.A. in Telecommunications and Political Science in 1984 and a law degree in 1987 from Indiana University Bloomington where he currently is a Senior Lecturer in The Media School.