Harris bill to bring Professional Sports Development Commission to Northwest Indiana passes Senate

House Bill 1292, authored by State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), passed through the Senate today by a vote of 46-2. The bill establishes the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission, with the goal of attracting professional sports franchises to Northwest Indiana. The bill now heads back to the House for a concurrence vote and will then head to Gov. Braun's desk to be signed into law.

Harris released the following statement upon the bill's passage in the Senate:

"Northwest Indiana has a unique opportunity for economic development. Capitalizing on The Region's proximity to Chicago by bringing professional sports teams here makes sense for all parties involved. This is a chance to bring great investments and jobs to our community, and we know that The Region offers a great base of operation and amazing fans for any sports franchise looking for a home.

"I am very grateful for all the hard work of everyone, in both parties, that had a hand in getting this bill through the legislature. This piece of legislation is evidence that when we reach across the aisle, we can accomplish great things for the people of our state. I am hopeful that the commission will be successful in attracting a professional sports franchise to our area, and we have already heard from several sports organizations interested in the possibility of calling Northwest Indiana 'home.'"

Shackleford amendments to SB 2 voted down by House Republicans, shifting $1 billion Medicaid shortfall onto Hoosiers

Yesterday, April 7, State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) presented a series of amendments to Senate Bill (SB) 2, “Medicaid matters,” a Republican-led proposal that would drastically limit participation in Indiana’s Medicaid program. SB 2 seeks to impose stricter eligibility checks, restrict enrollment based on budget constraints and impose work requirements on recipients.

Despite numerous Democratic efforts to improve the bill and mitigate its harmful impacts on Hoosiers, House Republicans voted down all of Shackleford’s amendments.

Amendment #2 aimed to raise the disqualification threshold for lottery winnings from $3,000 to $20,000. Under SB 2, individuals who win as little as $3,000 would lose Medicaid coverage, a policy Shackleford argued disproportionally punishes low-income Hoosiers for a one-time win.

Amendment #3 would have protected current HIP participants by “grandfathering” them into the program, ensuring future caps based solely on appropriations. It also suggested funding coverage for these individuals through a potential increase in the cigarette tax.

Amendment #4 would have removed new state-imposed work requirements from the bill and defaulted to existing federal Medicaid regulations.

Amendment #5 aimed to prevent unnecessary loss of coverage. This amendment sought to maintain the current annual redetermination process for Medicaid eligibility rather than moving to costly and burdensome monthly and quarterly checks. The proposed redetermination system in SB 2 increases administrative expenses while risking the removal of eligible Hoosiers from the system.

Amendment #6 aimed to clarify definitions of paid advertising and marketing to include communications funded by public or private dollars that are intended to solicit, promote, or encourage Medicaid enrollment. It explicitly exempted nonprofits, advocacy groups, and health care providers offering general information, education and outreach.

Shackleford released the following statement on her voted down amendments to SB 2:

“As much as the majority wants to say this bill cuts the red tape - it adds more of it, and Hoosiers will pay the price. We are sitting on a surplus, yet we’re choosing to kick people off Medicaid instead of addressing the real drivers of the shortfall, managed care entities and systemic fraud at the institutional level.

“Because of a few bad apples, this legislature is treating every Medicaid recipient like they’re abusing the system. That’s simply not true. Most are working, doing their best and just trying to survive. 

“This bill doesn’t save money - it shifts the blame and the burden onto vulnerable Hoosiers while letting those actually responsible off the hook. We should be making it easier for people to get care, not punishing them with red tape and false narratives.”

Pack passes amendment to protect Hoosier veterans from eviction

Monday, April 7, State Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) successfully amended Senate Bill 433 to protect Hoosier veterans from eviction by requiring courts to stay an eviction proceeding of a veteran who demonstrates that they have applied for housing assistance with the U.S. or Indiana Departments of Veterans Affairs. This comes after a devastating fire at an Indianapolis veteran shelter that displaced over 45 veterans. 

“I am so proud to have passed this critical protection for Hoosier veterans. After my own six years of active-duty military service, I found myself in a very difficult position like so many others. If this measure saves just one veteran from hardship, I will be satisfied. 

“Those who dedicated their careers and put their lives on the line for our state and our nation deserve the utmost support from the government. That includes making sure they have their most basic needs accounted for, like access to safe and reliable shelter. 

“This measure will save veterans who have been through so much for their country from the stress of eviction and facing homelessness. I want to thank my colleagues across the aisle for working with me to expand state support for our Hoosier heroes.

“Right now, instead of being treated like heroes, both federal and state governments are cutting programs that serve veterans. Earlier this month, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) announced that it is ending the program that provided families with emergency rental assistance to prevent evictions during the pandemic six months early. Instead of using all of the money allocated to help Hoosiers, we shut off the program and are giving the money back to the federal government. At a time when so many are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, the least we can do is make sure our Hoosier veterans are supported.” 

House Majority blocks Porter’s amendment to fulfill state’s promies to higher ed students

Today, April 7, the House majority blocked a vote on an amendment on Senate Bill 5 offered by Ranking Ways and Means Democrat, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis). The amendment would have allocated an additional $100 million to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education (CHE), allowing them to continue providing the promised amount of award money to college students. Last November, the CHE announced its plan to reduce the grant money students receive for the 2025–26 academic year and onward. This decision came after changes to the federal financial aid formula resulted in more Hoosier students qualifying for state financial aid. 

Porter released the following statement on his amendment:

“Since this change was announced in November, House Democrats have repeatedly requested that the Frank O’Bannon and the Freedom of Choice awards be adequately funded. I advocated for it in the State Budget Committee hearing on the CHE budget, and again earlier this session in our House budget, to no avail. Republicans in both chambers have made it abundantly clear that they have no interest in fulfilling their promises to our college students. 

“This shortfall in student assistance is expected to impact more than 30,000 students across the state, placing many low-income students in further financial turmoil. Around 6,000 Ivy Tech students, many of whom are pursuing technical or associate degrees that the majority have pushed, will be affected. Students in both public and private schools are expected to lose, at minimum, up to $500 each year in assistance.

“The House majority blocked my amendment, which would have provided an additional $100 million in residuals from INvestEd to the CHE to support our students. This one-time, contractual transfer would guarantee that students already in school continue to receive the funding they were promised. In the past, INvestEd has been required to use its residuals to fund government projects. There is no better time than now to shift these unneeded dollars to help our students in need of assistance. 

“We’ve seen college enrollment drop to 53% in the last five years. Cutting student awards will only further the low college attendance rate in Indiana. We must act now to ensure students can pursue higher education and receive the money they were promised.”

Campbell: ‘SB 1 puts our police, fire and public schools at risk’

Today, April 7, House Republicans passed their 368-page amendment to Senate Bill 1. The amendment encourages local governments to raise their local income tax rate, potentially balancing out any property tax relief homeowners may receive. Local governments' budgets will be affected, but the majority has yet to share just how much–even though House Ways and Means Committee members, including State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), were asked to vote on the proposal today. 

Campbell released the following statement:  

“The latest version of SB 1 is a total mess. Our homeowners won't get the substantial property tax relief they need, and the amount they’ll receive varies. Some homeowners will get a $200 credit, while others may get $50 or $10. We’re putting our local governments' feet to the fire, funding relief from the local level. The state could provide every homeowner with real relief without harming local governments. This version will harm our local police, our local firefighters and our local schools. 

“I’ve heard from police and firefighters in West Lafayette. They’ve been outspoken about the likelihood of having to let go of staff and reduce their services. West Lafayette is a growing community, and our community wouldn’t have the money we need to expand our fire or police departments. People want to live in communities with ample services that are safe and upkept.

“Nobody likes paying taxes, but we pay them to provide for and better our communities. SB 1 would drastically defund our children in public schools, our local libraries, our parks and our public safety services. We can find the balance between government efficiency, relief for homeowners and fully funded local governments.”

DeLaney concerned about latest Republican property tax proposal

Today, Monday, April 7, the House Committee on Ways and Means discussed the latest version of the Republican property tax plan. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“If the attempt was to thread the needle, we have stabbed ourselves in the thumb. Senate Bill 1 offers very little relief to individual taxpayers while leaving local governments in potential chaos. 

“The precise fiscal impact of this version of the bill has not been released. House Republicans in Ways and Means decided to move full steam ahead.

“This latest proposal seems to do little to address the damage these funding cuts may do to public schools, police departments, fire services, road funding and other local services. The constraints will be the greatest on growing communities. There will also be a shift in financial burden from manufacturing to retail operations. 

“This is one of the reasons that I have serious questions on what this bill will do to our ability to meet our current bond obligation and obtain bonds at reasonable rates in the future.”

Garcia Wilburn offers cost-saving amendment to Medicaid bill

Today, State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) offered an amendment to Senate Bill 2 to lower costs for Indiana's Medicaid program without compromising Hoosiers' access to health care.

Garcia Wilburn's amendment would have prevented the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) from hiring a third party to verify eligibility for Medicaid's Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). In 2007, Indiana's third-party contract with IBM to privatize and automate welfare program applications resulted in millions of lost state dollars and delayed services for Hoosiers in need.

The amendment was rejected by the majority.

Garcia Wilburn released the following statement:

 "I am disappointed that the House did not join me in learning from our state's past mistakes today. As FSSA Director Mitch Roob shared earlier this year with the State Budget Committee, 'Twenty years from now, when I leave, my goal would be to make Medicaid boring again. To take it off the front pages, to take it off your top concern.'

"My amendment to SB 2 would have 'made Medicaid boring again' – we don't want another IBM fiasco in which the state is in headline after headline for a third-party company it's contracted with mishandling our Medicaid eligibility verifications. FSSA should handle this in-house, where they can control how the work is getting done and ensure it's happening in a timely manner, especially when we are increasing the number of eligibility checks each HIP enrollee has to undergo from once a year to four times a year. Who's to say we won't contract with another company that botches the job, thus costing taxpayers money and keeping Hoosiers from their health care?

"The Hoosiers who rely upon HIP deserve reliable and consistent service, and taxpayers deserve to know that their hard-earned money is being spent well. I have serious concerns that SB 2 will get in the way of this. Regardless, I will continue looking for ways to improve health care in our state and continue to offer common-sense solutions on the House floor."

Burton opposes SB 289 in Judiciary committee, speaks against institutions ‘Being forced to comply out of fear’

Today, April 7, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) voted to oppose Senate Bill (SB) 289 in the House Judiciary Committee. SB 289 passed, with amendments, 7-3 out of committee.

Burton released the following statement on SB 289:

“This is a budget year, and instead of investing in education, we’re watching our institutions be bullied into silence. SB 289 is more than bad policy — it’s a direct threat to academic freedom and our students’ futures. The communities and campuses most affected by this legislation weren’t even given a voice.

“They’re being forced to comply out of fear — fear of losing critical federal funding meant to support education, not control it. We cannot afford to let ideology dictate policy, especially when it puts our future at risk.”

SB 289 now moves to the full House for further consideration. Burton will be presenting further amendments addressing equitable access to education for all Hoosiers.

Porter comments on House Republicans’ property tax plan

Today, April 4, Indiana House Republicans announced their property tax plan. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement about the proposal: 

“I appreciate the work the House majority has done on property taxes, but this plan is far from a solution. Big businesses are still the winners, not homeowners, since they’ll eventually get a cut of $1 billion. It fails to address that homestead assessments are increasing more than commercial assessments and that our homeowners are paying a bigger portion of property tax revenue each year. 

“With roughly $1.1 billion saved over three years and about 1.9 million homesteads, each homeowner will save an average of close to $575 from 2026 to 2028. Our plan would save every homeowner $500 in just 2026. With an average property tax bill ranging from $1500 to $3000, a yearly credit of only $200 will fail to make a difference. The first-time homebuyer’s credit was eliminated, and there’s no significant relief for seniors, veterans or renters. 

“Our schools will lose money, especially with Senate Bill 518 rolled into the plan diverting property tax dollars to charter schools so the state can pay even less. This plan encourages local governments to raise their local income tax rate, so you’ll get more money in your right pocket but have to pay more out of your left. 

“Yesterday, the stock market lost close to $3.1 trillion– the steepest decline since Covid-19. We’re potentially headed into a recession, so every dollar in Hoosiers' pockets makes a difference.” 

Pfaff stands against bill supressing student voters

On Tuesday, April 1, the Indiana House passed Senate Bill 10 by a vote of 66-25. This legislation prohibits college students from using their state-issued educational institution ID to vote in elections.

State Representative Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) released the following statement in response:

“This bill is a clear attempt to make it harder for young Hoosiers to vote. Students at Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and Ivy Tech Terre Haute—right here in my district—and students all across the state deserve a say in the future of the state where they live, study and contribute. Whether they were born and raised in Indiana or came here to invest in their education and future, they are part of our community.

“Our student IDs already meet the standards for voter identification. They’re issued by state institutions, include a photo, and show the student’s full name. This is not about voter security—it’s about further voter suppression.

“In the November 2024 election, only 61% of Hoosiers voted. Indiana consistently ranks near the bottom in the country for voter turnout. We should be working to increase civic participation—not continuing this apparent drive to be the worst state for voting access in the nation.

“This bill doesn’t help working Hoosier families get ahead. It’s just another example of the legislature wasting time on non-issues instead of focusing on what really matters: making college more affordable, investing in strong public schools, fixing childcare access and ensuring our rural communities have the infrastructure and support they need to thrive.

“I came to the Statehouse to fight for common-sense policies that help Hoosiers—this isn’t it. Our young people should be welcomed into civic life, not shut out of it.”

IBLC condemns end of emergency housing program

The state of Indiana recently announced that the Indiana Emergency Rental Program (IERA) has been cut six months ahead of schedule, despite federal funding still being available. The fund, created during the COVID-19 pandemic to address housing instability, was funded through the U.S. Treasury and was set to expire in September of this year.

The program offered rental assistance and assistance for utility bills. While the state's housing crisis worsened throughout the pandemic, Indiana still faces a housing crisis. A recent report found an 11% increase in homelessness over the past several years, and there are only 34 affordable and available home for every 100 low-income renter households.

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

"Over the last couple of years, we've seen decreases in homeownership, especially among Black Hoosiers, and we continue to see rising rates of evictions throughout the state. As a state, we engage in a social contract with our constituents to ensure they have the tools they need to thrive. Ending a program designed to help people stay in their homes – especially when funding is still available – is a direct violation of that contract.

"This unnecessary action by the state will harm Hoosiers, especially African American, Hispanic and marginalized individuals. Not only does this change block Hoosiers in need from applying for assistance; those on the waiting list are not getting status updates and will likely not get the help they need.

"True government efficiency requires us to help people stay on their feet and give them the tools they need to get to a point where they can stand alone. Stable housing is a crucial part of that process. Ending this program prematurely will have dire consequences for many Hoosiers and for the state itself.

"There is still time – albeit limited – to fix the problem. We in the IBLC are calling on the Republican majority to set aside dollars in the biennial state budget to replace these federal funds. This is a necessary step in preventing our housing crisis from getting worse and helping our fellow Hoosiers stay in their homes."

Campbell’s bill allowing foster and emancipated youth to open bank accounts heads to governor’s desk

Today, April 3, House Bill 1441 heads to the governor’s desk after the House concurred with the changes made to the bill in the Senate. The bill, authored by State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), will allow foster children and emancipated youth at least 16 years old to open bank accounts without an adult co-signer. The bill was amended in the Senate to include minors automatically emancipated by operation of law. 

Campbell released the following statement: 

“I am thrilled to see my bill pass through the legislature and head to the governor’s desk. This bill will provide a valuable tool for so many foster and emancipated youth in Indiana to protect and control their own finances. 

“Current Indiana law requires minors to open a bank account with an adult co-signer, disadvantaging foster children and minors who may not have a stable, constant parent or guardian. There have been instances in which a child has immediately removed an adult from their account the moment they turned 18. Some of our children have had adults take money out of their accounts without their consent.

“With the new high school diploma requiring students to work to fulfill certain credits, it's important that all students have a secure place to keep the money they earn. This bill does exactly that; it allows foster or emancipated children 16 or older, found responsible by a juvenile court, the opportunity to open a bank account.

“I am thankful for the legislature’s support on this bill, and I will continue to advocate for the needs of foster youth in the Statehouse.”