Errington expresses condolences following tragic loss of Delaware County Deputy

Today, State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) issued the following statement after Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy Corporal Blake Reynolds was tragically killed this morning while assisting a stranded motorist on I-69:

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Cpl. Blake Reynolds. Every day, our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe, and their bravery and service do not go unnoticed. My thoughts are with the deputy’s loved ones, colleagues and everyone impacted by this heartbreaking loss.”

Errington also encouraged drivers to remain alert and give first responders space to work safely when approaching emergency scenes on Indiana roadways.

Smith announces live performers for Harvest Feast

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) announced the group of live performers for the Harvest Feast. The Feast will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, at the New Hope Church, 2307 Rhode Island St., in Gary. Dr. Smith organizes and hosts this event each year in memory of his mother, the Rev. Julia E. Smith, and his aunt Magnolia Allen. The late Julia E. Smith was a former pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. 

This year's performers include gospel soloists, Nate Mason and Stephan Henderson, and the West Side Theatre Guild Repertoire Dance Company. Other performers will be announced later. 

“The Harvest feast isn't just a meal,” said Dr. Smith. “It’s a chance to worship and lift our spirits in thankfulness. Gary has a rich history of music, especially gospel and soul. In the shared history, we find peace and unity. Each year, it’s an immense joy to see live performers share their talents during the service. Thank you to this year’s performers who are taking the time out of their busy holiday schedules to worship with us.” 

Attendees can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal, featuring turkey, dressing, roast beef, macaroni and cheese, green beans, greens, mashed potatoes, cabbage, sweet potatoes and a variety of desserts. The feast is free to attend and open to all residents of the Greater Gary community. 

“There is a seat at the table for everyone,” explained Dr. Smith. “All are welcome at the feast. If you have plans with your family, bring them. If you don’t have any plans, we’ll be your family. I would especially like to extend the invitation to our veterans and active-duty service members. Their sacrifice and service are one of the reasons we have so many blessings to be grateful for.”

Pryor calls on Braun to waive property tax late fees in light of record-setting government shutdown

Monday, Nov. 10, was one of the biannual property tax due dates in Indiana. Approximately 24,000 federal workers in Indiana have missed several paychecks due to the record-setting government shutdown. The fate of over 570 million Hoosiers' SNAP benefits and close to 155,000 mothers, infants and toddlers WIC benefits are unclear.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement calling on Gov. Braun to pause property tax late fees:

“Hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers have been greatly impacted by this government shutdown. Federal workers who own homes may not have the capacity to pay their property taxes to the government because their paychecks were withheld. Even with the agreement to reopen the federal government, it may take some time for workers to get back pay. Because of that, families who have lost critical benefits may be forced to choose between paying their property taxes and putting food on the table for their children. 

“On Oct. 27, I sent a letter to Governor Braun proposing a list of solutions to help Hoosiers impacted by the government shutdown. One of those items was to issue an executive order to waive penalties for families who cannot make their property tax payments on time. We saw former Gov. Holcomb take this action via executive order during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic crisis. 

“Last year, Republicans finally recognized that property taxes had gotten out of hand and Hoosiers couldn’t keep up. However, their ‘solution’ failed to provide substantial relief for homeowners. Governor Braun campaigned on lowering property taxes. He even went so far as to propose a property tax freeze. 

“Since taking office less than a year ago, Governor Braun has issued 73 executive orders. The governor was willing to make bold declarations about lowering property taxes when he was courting people’s votes, but has failed to deliver. Waiving late fees for property taxes is the least we can do to help Hoosiers struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.”

DeLaney reacts to Braun announcing partial SNAP benefits

Today, Gov. Braun announced that Indiana will issue partial SNAP benefits for the remainder of November. Since Nov. 1, the fate of SNAP benefits has been unclear due to the ongoing federal shutdown and legal battle over the release of federal funds in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Contingency Fund. Unlike some other states, Indiana's governor and the state legislature failed to take action to supplement SNAP with state dollars.

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

“The governor has announced that partial SNAP payments will be made. He failed to note that these are not state dollars that will be distributed. He failed to note that the state has contributed nothing to the solutions of this problem. He failed to note that there will likely be delays and confusion.

"Partial payments will not be enough to prevent families from going hungry. This mess will not be as easy to clean up as the governor is implying. 

“A few township trustees have been funding local foodbanks in their efforts to prevent the half a million Hoosiers relying on SNAP from going hungry. The governor would be much more helpful if he were doing the same. Instead, he blames one party from among his former senate colleagues.

"This would be a good time to act like a statesman.”

OP-ED: Setting priorities straight for Hoosiers

I’ve spent most of my career at the local level working alongside first responders, small-town mayors, school officials and families who just want their roads paved and their neighborhoods safe. In local government, we don’t have the luxury of playing politics. We fix what’s broken, answer the phone when people call and make sure the lights stay on at the fire station.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1), passed by the General Assembly earlier this year and now being implemented by local governments. It’s being sold as major property tax relief for homeowners, but when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. SEA 1 promises property tax “relief,” but the fine print tells a different story - one that puts public safety and local services at risk.

While homeowners may eventually see a one-time property tax credit of up to $300, renters won’t see a dime while potentially having their income tax rate hiked. And because this law was rushed through the legislative process, the full extent of the financial impact remains unknown - and local governments need those numbers to plan for essential services and predictable funding.

As a past president of the LaPorte County Council and, as of October, your state representative for House District 9, I bring a perspective few lawmakers in Indianapolis share. This fall, the LaPorte County Council was asked to considered raising our local income tax to offset the funding cliff SEA 1 introduced. My conversations with state officials leading up to that decision did not inspire confidence that the law was well thought out. In public, they patted themselves on the back for providing “relief” to homeowners. In private, they told local officials we had the tools to offset shortfalls - by raising taxes elsewhere.

Let’s be clear: leadership is not passing the taxation buck to local officials so you can run victory laps on “cutting taxes.” It’s smoke and mirrors - making state lawmakers look good while forcing local governments to make unpopular decisions. Because at the end of the day, most Hoosiers agree that public safety, education and local government need to be funded.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Schools and libraries are warning of significant shortfalls. Some will delay maintenance, freeze hiring or cut programs altogether. Public safety departments across Indiana are already stretched thin. Recruitment is difficult, fuel and equipment costs are up and small towns are being asked to meet big-city challenges with less resources. SEA 1 will affect emergency response times, training and the ability to protect Hoosiers when it matters most.

Tax reform can be a good thing - but it must be done with care and transparency. Hoosiers deserve to know where their money is going, and local officials deserve stability so they can plan ahead. Too often, legislation like this is rushed through with talking points that sound nice but don’t match the reality on the ground. That’s not how we should be governing.

A few weeks ago, Gov. Braun called for a special session focused on redistricting, under the guise of tax issues. I’ll be honest. I don’t think that’s where Hoosiers’ heads are right now. Folks in our communities aren’t asking about district lines or Washington’s tax code. They’re asking if their kids are safe at school, if their police department has enough officers and if their township fire trucks will make it another year without breaking down.

I’m new to the legislature, but not new to serving Hoosiers. I’ve seen what happens when state decisions don’t line up with local needs. My promise is this: I’ll fight for common-sense priorities - for the firefighters, teachers, police officers, small-town leaders, farmers, unions and families who keep our communities strong.

It’s time Indiana stops chasing headlines and starts governing with purpose. Let’s make sure every dollar, every vote and every policy serves the people who call Indiana home. That’s what Hoosiers expect, and that’s what I came to the Statehouse to do.

Porter: ‘Don’t confuse frugality with morality’

Following two federal court orders, the federal government will release $4.65 billion to partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced that payments will be delayed by a week, and maximum benefits will be reduced by 50%. This reduction will be compounded by the benefits formula. 

SNAP benefits are calculated by subtracting 30 percent of a household’s monthly net income from the maximum benefit for their household size. A family of three making a net income of $900 per month typically receives $515. Under the current plan, they’ll only receive $122, a more-than-75% cut, from the reduced maximum and typical formula. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) issued a letter to the Chairman of the State Budget Committee (SBC) requesting immediate, emergency action without waiting for the next regular meeting. 

“Partial funding doesn’t change that this is a crisis,” Porter said. “Our families will receive little to no benefits. These payments won’t even cover a single trip to the grocery store. Pointing fingers about the government shutdown doesn’t keep our families fed.

“I’ll repeat what I said last week: This is an emergency that requires immediate action. Other states, like Virginia, are finding ways to supplement SNAP with state dollars. We could send $10 million to food banks this week. This isn’t ‘too complicated’ to solve. 

“Don’t confuse frugality with morality. We can do the right thing through simple actions from the Governor and SBC.” 

Smith to host Harvest Feast on Friday, Nov. 21

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) announced that the Harvest Feast will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, at the New Hope Church, 2307 Rhode Island St., in Gary. Dr. Smith organizes and hosts this event each year in memory of his mother, the Rev. Julia E. Smith, and his aunt Magnolia Allen. The late Julia E. Smith was a former pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. 

Each year, hundreds of residents attend the event to celebrate Thanksgiving with a meal and church service that features live music performances. The performers for the church service will be announced at a later date. The feast is free to attend and open to all residents of the Greater Gary Community. 

“This is the 29th year we have held the Harvest Feast,” said Dr. Smith. “It is a blessing to come together as a community and show our gratitude for the gifts God has given us. There’s something special that takes place when people gather around the table for a hot meal. Strangers turn into friends, and the bond between family members deepens.” 

The Harvest Feast is a traditional Thanksgiving meal, featuring turkey, dressing, beef roast, macaroni and cheese, green beans, greens, mashed potatoes, and a variety of desserts.

“This event is about more than a traditional meal,” explained Dr. Smith. “It’s about feeding the spirit through connection. We are living in a tumultuous, divisive time when many people feel disconnected from their neighbors. This feast is an opportunity to come together in communion and celebrate the holiday. The Harvest Feast embodies my belief that God’s greatest blessing is company with each other.”

DeLaney calls on township trustees to help fund food assistance in light of failure from state and federal government

As the federal government shutdown enters its second month, the distribution of food assistance benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) remains in jeopardy. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent a letter in October directing states to hold all SNAP benefit distribution for the month of November. On Friday, Oct. 31, a judge ruled that the USDA must use their contingency fund for SNAP. However, this contingency fund contains about $4.65 billion, which does not meet the full $8 billion that SNAP recipients receive each month.  

During the Oct. 29 meeting of the State Budget Committee, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) made a motion to help protect the health of Hoosiers. Rep. Porter recommended the allocation of $112 million to the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to cover SNAP for all recipients and to provide an additional $10 million to Indiana’s food banks for each month of the government shutdown. All Republican members voted no, and the motion was defeated.

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

“We all know that our federal government has failed us. But sadly, Republican state legislators and the governor’s representative on the State Budget Committee refused to even ask the governor to help these families. 

“Almost 600,000 Hoosiers depend on SNAP to be their reliable food source – one in eight of those people are children. The fact that 600,000 Hoosiers are unsure if they are going to be able to put food on the table is a cataclysmic failure of government. 

“Private citizens across the state have to take matters into their own hands by donating to food banks and volunteering their time. While this is commendable and I encourage more of it, it is still not enough to meet the need. 

“We are down to one last resort. Even if the USDA contingency fund is put to use, SNAP benefits will not be distributed in full or on time. I call on our one thousand township trustees to use their substantial reserve funds to provide food assistance for SNAP eligible households. According to a memo from the Indiana Township Association, there is a legal basis for township trustees to provide food assistance in emergency conditions, such as a disruption to federal benefits. 

“Some township trustees have millions of dollars in their rainy day funds. If hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers facing food insecurity doesn’t constitute a storm, I don’t know what does. It is up to the trustees to make up for the inaction of the national government and our governor and support our communities, both rural and urban.”

Indiana Black Legislative Caucus prepared to fight for fair maps, Hoosiers ahead of early session

Today, Indiana Republicans announced the Indiana General Assembly will convene early for its 2026 session, gaveling in on Dec. 1-12. In his announcement, Speaker of the House Todd Huston said lawmakers can discuss "any time sensitive issues," though he did not specifically mention redistricting. Mid-decade redistricting has gotten significant attention throughout the state following pressure from Washington, D.C.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement regarding next month's convening:

"This announcement came just moments after the IBLC finished our rally in the Statehouse to stand against redistricting. Today, we heard the same thing from Hoosiers that we've been hearing since earlier this summer: They don't want new maps. Even Republican Hoosiers have voiced their opposition to redistricting. With specific dates now nailed down, we in the IBLC urge Hoosiers to continue reaching out to their elected officials to urge them not to redraw Indiana's congressional maps.

"When we come back for session, I hope we can focus on the issues that really matter to Hoosiers. In a time where the cost of living continues to rise, Hoosiers need higher wages, lower utility bills, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and accessible, affordable child care. Too many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet, and redrawing our maps won't help them and their families. We have an opportunity here to truly help our constituents, and the IBLC will prioritize Hoosiers over political games. We hope our colleagues in the Republican Party will do the same in December. If they do move to redistrict, we will do everything we can to amplify the voices of the many Hoosiers we've heard from to advocate for fair maps."

Burton reacts to updated session timeline, calls for action on cost of living

Today, Nov. 3, Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) announced that the House of Representatives will meet during the first two weeks of December to address "time sensitive issues." This will be part of the 2026 regular session. Last week, Republican Gov. Mike Braun called a special session to start today, Nov. 3, to redraw Indiana's nine congressional seats to wholly represent Republicans instead of the 7-2 Republican-Democrat current map.

State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) released the following statement in response:

“As I have been saying since the possibility of a special session was brought up in August, the ‘time sensitive issue’ we should be focused on is making Indiana affordable for Hoosiers. No matter if we are called in for a special session or just called back early for a regular session, I remain ready to advocate for an economic agenda that will help my community thrive, not just survive. 

“People from across the state have made it crystal clear that they do not want new congressional maps. As my own constituents told me at my town hall last week, Hoosiers want their legislators working to bring down the cost of utilities, healthcare, housing, child care and groceries, as well as fixing the property tax disaster created by Senate Enrolled Act 1. 

“I hope my Republican colleagues can communicate less with D.C. and focus on the rising costs across rural, urban and suburban Indiana. Pockets and wallets are strained going into the holidays. A plan to reduce costs for Hoosiers should be the priority for Dec. 1. My Democratic colleagues and I are prepared to focus on issues that matter to Hoosiers statewide, and my hope is that at my colleagues across the aisle will join us." 

Hamilton reacts to updated session timeline, calls for action on cost of living

Today, Nov. 3, Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) announced that the House of Representatives will meet during the first two weeks of December to address "time sensitive issues." This will be part of the 2026 regular session. Last week, Republican Gov. Mike Braun called a special session to start today, Nov. 3, to redraw Indiana's nine congressional seats to wholly represent Republicans instead of the 7-2 Republican-Democrat current map.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement in response:

"Regardless of whether the General Assembly is convening for a special or regular session, I remain laser-focused on one priority: addressing the rising costs that are squeezing Indiana families. Whether it's soaring insurance premiums, escalating energy bills, or the burden of child care expenses and property taxes, Hoosiers are struggling to get by and deserve meaningful relief. Partisan redistricting does nothing to put money back in people's pockets or food on their tables. We're prepared to bring forward real solutions to these challenges, and I'm eager to see what concrete plans the majority party has to ease the financial strain on hard-working Hoosiers."

GiaQuinta reacts to special session timeline, calls for action on cost of living

Today, Nov. 3, Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) announced that the House of Representatives will meet during the first two weeks of December to address "time sensitive issues." This will be part of the 2026 regular session. Last week, Republican Gov. Mike Braun called a special session to start today, Nov. 3, to redraw Indiana's nine congressional seats to wholly represent Republicans instead of the 7-2 Republican-Democrat current map.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement in response:

"Whether the Statehouse comes back early for special session or regular session, House Democrats are going to be focused on the same thing: the skyrocketing cost of living here in Indiana. From health care premiums and utility bills to child care costs and property taxes, Hoosiers are struggling to stay afloat and need relief. Redrawing political maps won't solve any of these problems. House Democrats will be offering solutions, and I look forward to hearing from Statehouse Republicans about what their plans to make Indiana more affordable look like."