Harris condemns passage of anti-DEI legislation

Senate Bill 289, which limits the role of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices in state agencies and limits scholarships based on race and/or personal characteristics, passed out of the House of Representatives today by a vote of 66-27.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), issued the following statement on the legislation:

"While I amended this legislation last week to help protect vital higher education scholarships, I could not, in good conscious, vote for this bill. For years, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices have been demonized as a far-left attempt to divide Americans. DEI isn’t about division. It’s about access. It’s about ensuring that every Hoosier — regardless of their characteristics— has a fair shot at success. DEI doesn’t ask for special treatment. It asks for equal opportunity. And if we can’t stand for equal opportunity in this chamber, then what exactly are we doing here?

"This bill would undermine the progress we’ve made in making our campuses and government institutions more reflective of the people they serve. It would send a chilling message to young people, workers and businesses that Indiana is moving backward — away from fairness, away from representation and away from accountability.

"This legislation will have detrimental effects on Indiana students, professionals and businesses, and Indiana Republicans will be to blame for allowing hyper-partisan culture wars to override their obligations to Hoosiers."

Campbell: Homeless lives matter too

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. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) released the following statement:

“In the last five years, we’ve seen an increase in people experiencing homelessness. SB 197 will add more barriers for those experiencing housing insecurity. Individuals already struggling to make ends meet would now have to pay a $500 fine, and they’ll be shuffled through the state’s prisons. 

“Many of them are sleeping outside, trying to get what little rest they can, because they have no other place to go. Only 55 of our 92 counties said they had adequate resources to serve unhoused people. With this bill, individuals experiencing homelessness will go from jail straight back to the street due to a lack of services. Incarceration will create additional barriers to housing and employment. 

“We should pass legislation ensuring Hoosiers can thrive and grow in our state. Instead, we’re criminalizing the most vulnerable members of our community and forcing them into a cycle of poverty. I find it extremely disappointing that the majority would push for legislation harming people in need instead of addressing the real concerns in our state. People experiencing homelessness matter too.”

Porter stands up for the least of these, stands against bill criminalizing homelessness

Today, April 14, the Indiana House majority passed Senate Bill 197 with a vote of 52 to 40. 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. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“The House majority reached a new low today by passing a bill criminalizing homelessness. Never in all my years did I expect to see a measure like this pass through our chamber. It’s heartbreaking. These are people who aren’t sleeping in a public place by choice–it’s because they have no other option. Unlike the legislators in this chamber, they don’t have a warm bed to go home to.

“Indianapolis is doing all it can to help unhoused people. Our shelters are taking everybody they can, and we’re constructing a low-barrier homeless shelter. Now, they want to trap people in a cycle of poverty and send them off in handcuffs. Per person, incarceration will cost Indianapolis $52 a day, which is money that could be used for permanent, supportive housing. 

“Where is our compassion? Expecting people experiencing hardship to pay a $500 fine is just flat out wrong. I’m extremely saddened this bill passed, as it will only cause more pain for those who are already hurting. Jail harms, housing heals.” 

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.” 

Shackleford votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers, “We need to prioritize our most vulnerable’

Today, April 10, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill (SB) 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, Emergency Medical Services (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. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“Senate Bill 1 will cost Marion County $75 million over the next three years. These crucial tax dollars would have gone to our schools, our fire departments and other essential services. Instead, now, local governments will have to impose income taxes to make up for the revenue lost by these cuts, negating any tax breaks Hoosiers would receive from the property tax reductions. 

“This bill, rushed forward without necessary research, also fails to alleviate the burdens faced by veterans and fixed-income seniors. As the economy gets worse and more and more Hoosiers have to be wary of every dollar they spend, we in the legislature should be prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable in our community. Instead, the majority has prioritized providing millions in tax cuts for business personal property while saying that we can’t afford benefits for veterans, homestead credits, and first-time homebuyer credits.

“The House Republicans have also squeezed in language from SB 518, forcing public schools to share their property tax revenues with charter schools. This bill will be immensely damaging for our communities while providing little to no relief for the most vulnerable in our communities. I strongly oppose this bill and will continue to advocate for the needs of our seniors on the House floor.”

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During the 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.

Lawmakers from Southern Indiana honor Jeff High Red Devils for winning the 4A state championship

On Tuesday, April 8, state representatives from Southern Indiana honored the Jeffersonville High School boys’ basketball team with a House resolution. The resolution, authored by State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville), congratulates the team for winning the 4A state championship– snapping their opponent's 43-game win streak. State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) and State Rep. Zach Payne (R-Charlestown) co-authored the resolution. 

Dant Chesser released the following statement: 

“I’m insanely proud of our boys’ basketball team for bringing home the state title and ending Fishers' two-year win streak. The overtime game was thrilling, and our team pushed through until the end. I also applaud Coach Wilkerson for being the second Hoosier to win a state title as a coach and player for the same team. 

“My favorite thing has been watching the community come together. Close to 500 people welcomed our players home in the middle of the night. The day after their win, Facebook and other social media platforms were filled with love, pride and support. Congrats to the Jeff High Red Devils, and I wish our players the best of luck as they continue their leadership both in sports and in life.” 

House Democrats stand against Senate Bill 1

Yesterday, following the passage of Senate Bill 1 out of the House of Representatives, Indiana House Democrats held a press conference to oppose the bill's tax hike provisions for Hoosiers.

SB 1 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.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) delivered the following remarks at the press conference:

"Hoosiers, I'm not going to mince words today. Senate Bill 1 as passed by the House is a bad deal for all Hoosiers. This plan is a trick. It's a scam. It presumes Hoosiers can't understand that 2.9% of their income is a lot more money than a $300 property tax credit.

"Statehouse Republicans are telling you they are cutting property taxes so they can score political points, but let me tell you the truth. Republicans are backing out of the state's obligation to return your tax dollars to pay for services like schools, EMS, fire, and police. They're forcing our local public servants to take the heat for raising YOUR taxes when they have revenue loss from the property tax cuts. This isn't leadership or a solution or even good policy – this is utterly self-serving. The drastic change in Indiana's tax policy will force local communities to raise your taxes to keep schools open and ambulances running.  

"America is staring down a recession and stagflation thanks to President Trump’s tariffs. This mean the cost of clothes, food, and goods for working Hoosier families are going to wildly increase. Why are we forcing local governments to tax Hoosiers at a higher level? That's insane. House Democrats have fought all session to lower the cost of living for Hoosiers, and this Republican scam will do the exact opposite. Hoosiers need real relief, and SB 1 doesn't cut it.

"Not only are the costs of goods going to put additional pressure on Hoosiers, but the threats of losing their livelihoods is also under pressure with the new federal tariffs and this tax hike plan from Indiana Republicans.

"Working Hoosier families sent House Democrats to the General Assembly to cut costs for them and use the levers of government to improve their lives. This tax hike does the opposite."

Errington votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers, ‘What’s being sold as property relief is deceptive’

Today, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill (SB) 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, Emergency Medical Services (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. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“This bill isn’t a tax plan - it’s a tax scam. What’s being sold as property tax relief is deceptive. Even if you are a homeowner, you're likely to see little to no benefit, and that's only based on statewide averages. There’s no guarantee those savings will actually show up in your mailbox.

“And for renters, there’s nothing. Absolutely no relief. In fact, many will end up paying more through higher local income taxes, just to keep basic community services like police and fire departments functioning.

“I’ve been hearing from my city and county councils who are deeply concerned. Without a reciprocal replacement for the lost revenue, this bill leaves local governments scrambling to plug budget holes - and that’s not just bad policy, it’s irresponsible. If the state is going to take away this funding, it has a duty to replace it. Don't make our towns and cities dig themselves out of a hole that the state created.

“To make matters worse, we’re voting on all of this without even knowing our state’s financial future. Next week’s state revenue forecast could bring news of even more cuts. Rushing through legislation that destabilizes local budgets before we’ve seen that forecast is shortsighted and potentially devastating.

“Our communities deserve better than political theater. They deserve sound fiscal policy that doesn’t gut the services they rely on daily.”

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During the 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.

Burton votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers

Today, April 10, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill (SB) 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, Emergency Medical Services (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. Burton (D-Evansville) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“Indiana cities and towns cannot thrive under SB 1. This is an attempt to defund critical services by reducing local governments’ budgets, while adding more parameters. Our local government will be forced to overcompensate by imposing income taxes to fund our first responders. Vanderburgh County will lose $45.14 million over the next three years, money that would be going to schools, public safety, and paving roads. Rural, urban, and suburban communities will all be handed some very difficult decisions that will lead to less stable communities.

“Vanderburgh County relies on these resources and cutting that funding will only lead to more harm. We need to be proactive and recognize this is not sustainable for the future of Evansville and will only create more problems down the line.

“No one is championing this legislation besides legislators voting in favor. $300 is not worth the problems that are sure to come. Mayors, police chiefs, fire chiefs, and school superintendents are all concerned about this tax proposal. I agree property tax relief is needed, but not at the cost of our communities, and I want to continue to work with the legislature to find better solutions. Our state’s reserves are drying up, local governments may be forced to increase taxes, and there’s not much proposed to help everyday Hoosiers. I voted NO to SB 1.”

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During the 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.

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Click here to download a high-resolution photo of Burton.

Boy votes against tax hike on Hoosiers

Today, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill (SB) 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, Emergency Medical Services (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. Boy (D-Michigan City) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“Hoosiers across the state are struggling to pay their bills and buy groceries, all while having one of the lowest wages in the Midwest. This bill exploits the real concerns of struggling families and advertises gutted community services as ‘property tax relief.’ In reality, the bill will not lead to any tax relief, as local governments will be forced to make up lost revenue through income taxes to continue funding essential services like fire, EMS and police. 

“This bill will cost LaPorte County $18.1 million and Porter County $49.6 million. Also, the bill has rolled in language from SB 518, forcing public schools to share their already reduced property tax dollars with charter schools.

“This legislation is being rushed forward without even waiting for the state's updated revenue forecast, which is due next week. We don’t know the full picture of our current economy or what revenues our local governments can expect - and if more cuts are still to come, this bill only makes a bad situation worse.

“Republicans like to say this bill will create property tax relief, but that only applies to homeowners. Renters - who make up a significant portion of our communities - will see no benefit. In fact, they’ll be hit with higher local income taxes without seeing a single cent in relief.

“This bill will greatly damage our communities. It will force our fire and police departments to cut staff and it will dissolve school districts, all so that the majority can win a few political points. It will not reduce Hoosiers’ tax bills. I am greatly concerned by this piece of legislation and will continue to advocate against SB 1.”

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During the 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.

Bauer votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers

Today, April 10, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill (SB) 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion a year and cut police, fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and public school services by $1.4 billion over three years. While the bill was rewritten with a second reading amendment on Wednesday with little time for policymakers or the public to review the real fiscal impact, it’s clear that SB 1 will not provide tangible property tax relief for Hoosiers. Republican leadership told Hoosiers it's time to “do more with less” while discussing this legislation, despite House Democrats’ concerns that SB 1 will bankrupt vital services provided by local governments.

State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“SB 1, which is being pushed by Republicans as 'property tax relief' is a threat to our communities across the state. Cities and towns will lose critical property tax revenue – money we use to fund schools, police, fire departments, libraries, and road maintenance. While the bill is masked as a property tax cut, it fails to provide any real tax relief to working families. The reality is that this legislation will lead to significant increases in Hoosiers' income taxes, and local governments will be forced to fill in the lost revenue elsewhere to fund essential resources while the state gets to evade responsibility.

“In St. Joseph County alone, SB 1 is expected to cut $108,875,000 over the next three years. The consequences of this bill are too risky: libraries in rural Indiana have stated they will have to consider shutting their doors or going virtual only and entire school corporations will be dissolved without any local input from their constituents. The bill caps fire territory tax rates at $0.40 per $100 of assessed value. Our own fire chiefs have told us that this cap would lead to personnel cuts and force fire stations in suburban areas to close.

“It forces public schools to share their local property tax dollars with charter schools even if those charter schools don’t serve the same neighborhoods or take on the same responsibilities. South Bend Schools alone could lose over $22 million in just a few years.

“The Republican party in Indiana continues to cut local resources, telling us that there’s ‘no money’ for real, tangible tax relief for working families: renters, first-time homebuyers, veterans, and seniors. We’re told the state can’t afford to expand the homestead credit or offer support to seniors on fixed incomes. Simultaneously, this bill hands out the largest tax breaks in business personal property tax cuts to a select few while our local services are left to scrape by.

“Our state is not broke—our priorities are. Due to poor fiscal management, the state has pulled hundreds of thousands from our general reserves to cover previous Medicaid budget shortfalls. Agencies across Indiana are being told to cut 5% from their budgets, meaning fewer resources for health care, transportation, and public safety.

“I’ve spoken to families across our district: seniors trying to keep up with rising assessments, renters who dream of owning a home, parents worried about their child’s school losing funding. These voices matter, and they’re being ignored in favor of rushed policy and political headlines.

“We cannot afford to gut the foundation of our communities. If we care about education, if we care about public safety, if we care about keeping our towns vibrant and livable, we have to say no to this version of SB 1.”

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During the 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.

Pfaff votes against 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 schools 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. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

 “This tax bill offers very little to individual homeowners while shifting the burden to increased local income taxes. The amount homeowners save in property taxes will be spent on the increased local income taxes needed for our community to just keep functioning. 

“Vigo County stands to lose $20.5 million under this plan. Of course everyone wants to pay less in property taxes, but at what cost? This may shave a couple of bucks off of your property tax bill, but our communities will lose funding for police and fire, public schools and road repairs. 

“The legislature promised a real property tax plan that would help working families get ahead, not a tax bill designed to fool them by shifting around numbers on their tax bills. Hard working Hoosiers deserve better. Hoosier taxpayers deserve real tax 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. House Democrats worked to make the bill better on the House floor via amendments, which were all voted down by the Republican majority.