Pryor: ‘This map silences minority voices’

Today, Dec. 2, Indiana House Republicans passed House Bill 1032 out of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionments by a vote of 8 to 5. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), House Minority Floor Leader and a member of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment, issued the following statement: 

“House Republicans openly stated today that these maps took nothing into consideration besides boosting the political performance of their party. There was absolutely no consideration of the Voting Rights Act, the State Constitution, or the United States Constitution. This blatant power grab violates every principle of fairness in our democracy, and my colleagues across the aisle aren’t even trying to hide it. 

“Hoosiers do not want this. In the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment, we heard almost five hours of testimony from the public, and the sentiment was overwhelmingly in opposition. While I was glad to hear from the many people who came to testify today, the reality is that the vast majority of Hoosiers will be given no opportunity to weigh in. When the stakes are this high, people deserve the opportunity to make their voices heard, but this whole process has been shrouded in secrecy. 

“Let’s be very clear: these maps are racially gerrymandered. Dividing up the two most diverse communities in the state is a deliberate attempt to silence minority voices. Marion County is split into four different districts. Two of those span to Southern Indiana. It doesn’t just hurt Indianapolis to be divided in this way, but almost half of Indiana’s 92 counties will now be represented by people who also have to consider Indianapolis when advocating for their district. The necessary solutions to the unique challenges faced by communities across the state cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach.” 

House Democrats fight for an affordable Indiana, House Republicans choose partisan politics over family budgets

Today, the House Elections and Apportionment Committee passed House Bill 1032, the mid-decade redistricting bill, out of committee. House Democrats offered a minority report, an alternative to HB 1032 as passed out of committee, for the full House to vote on. House Republicans chose to block it by a 64-24 vote.  

The legislation House Democrats offered contained several provisions to lower the cost of living for Hoosiers and eliminated the redistricting provisions from the bill.

The report:

• Saves Hoosiers money on their utility bills by eliminating the sales tax on residential utility use;

• Protects Hoosiers from rising health care costs by creating a state tax credit for insurance premiums if the Affordable Care Act credits end;

• Lowers Hoosiers' grocery bills by eliminating the sales tax on prepared food sold in grocery stores, toothpaste, soap, adult diapers and feminine hygiene products; and

• Keeps Hoosier kids in early childhood education classrooms by eliminating the waitlists for Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K vouchers and fully funding both programs for one year.

"The legislation I offered to the House today would have eased up on Hoosiers' wallets as we enter the holiday season," State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), ranking Democrat on the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, said. "I keep hearing from my constituents about the rising cost of child care and utility bills. We offered House Republican legislators an opportunity to reverse course and pass something this December that would actually make a difference on pocketbooks, and they said 'no' to lowering costs for Hoosiers."  

"House Democrats have held town halls all over the state for the past four months, and Hoosiers told us that they want relief from the rising cost of living, not map rigging and political games," House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) said. "Today, we offered legislation to save Hoosiers money on their rising utility bills, health care costs, grocery bills, and pre-K and child care costs as an alternative to redistricting. House Republicans chose partisan map rigging instead.

"New political maps don't pay bills or put food on the table. House Democrats know your family budget is the real emergency. It's too bad House Republicans can only think of themselves – their only emergency is trying to protect their own political power."

Smith to host 37th annual Spirit of Christmas

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) is hosting the 37th annual Spirit of Christmas food and gift giveaway. Co-hosted by 6th District Councilman of the City of Gary, Dwight A. Williams, the Spirit of Christmas is held in honor of Reverend Julia E. Smith, who served as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and Patricia Tillotson, a former educator in the Gary School Corporation. 

The free event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. CT at the Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center (1900 W. 41st Avenue, Gary, Indiana, 46408). All are welcome to attend, and gifts are for all ages. 

“I started this tradition in honor of two women who dedicated their lives to service, my late mother and Patricia Tillotson,” Smith said. “They served in different ways, one was a reverend and the other an educator, but they each understood the importance of generosity. Selfless acts can transform a community. 

“Christmas is a wonderful reminder to put others before ourselves. That’s what the Spirit of Christmas is even about: generosity, service and togetherness. It’s an opportunity to gather as a community and celebrate the Savior’s birth. 

“The event is open to all, but I want to personally invite those in need of good company or gifts for their family this Christmas. I understand how stressful the holiday season can be with rising costs; therefore, gifts are available for all ages. I hope you join us to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.”  

Any who wishes to volunteer for this event will be deeply appreciated. For more information about the event or volunteering, you can call Dr. Smith at (219)887-2046. 

Pryor comments on proposed maps

Today, Dec. 1, Indiana House Republicans released their proposed new congressional map hours before the House is set to convene for an extra session. After months of pressure from Washington D.C., the new map draws Indiana’s two congressional Democrats out of their seats. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), House Minority Floor Leader and a member of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment, issued the following statement: 

“After months of having to guess what the newly gerrymandered map proposal would look like, we finally have it. Let me tell you, it’s even worse than I imagined.

“Marion County has been split into four separate districts. Part of my district has been lumped in with Newton and Jasper counties in Northwest Indiana. Slivers of Indianapolis are attached to districts that reach all the way down to the Kentucky border, right across the river from Louisville. 

“Make no mistake: this map seeks to silence Black voices. Marion County, the most diverse area of the state, has been split up so that we have no representation. The last I checked, we are still expected to pay taxes. This nation fought a war to end taxation without representation only to turn around 250 years later and oppress their own citizens in the same way. 

“In no way do Hoosiers benefit from this cracked map. How can congresspeople be expected to advocate for the needs of their district when the communities they represent are so far apart? House Republicans are focused on pleasing Washington and maintaining control, because they have failed policies and are clueless about how to help Hoosiers with the high cost of living they have created.   

“While minority communities have been deliberately targeted, all Hoosiers will suffer from this gerrymandered mess.” 

IBLC calls on General Assembly to reject new maps, prioritize needs of Hoosiers

Today, State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), led a press conference following the first meeting of the Indiana House of Representatives to discuss mid-decade redistricting. House Republicans did not release their map proposal until the morning of Dec. 1.

Harris issued the following statement on behalf of the IBLC:

"For months now, we in the IBLC have been speaking out about the dangers of mid-decade redistricting. If passed, these new maps will weaken our democracy and silence the voices of countless Hoosiers. We've also been calling on the Republican supermajority to address the issues that are facing Hoosiers: an egregious cost of living, rising utility rates and a lack of access to child care, just to name a few.

"Instead of using this time to help Hoosiers, Indiana Republicans have called us back here early to vote on new congressional maps. Will these new maps help Hoosiers put food on the table? Will they help the Hoosiers who are forced to decide between rationing their medication or growing to the grocery store? The answer, of course, is no. This new map proposal is nothing more than a political game meant to appease the fringes of their base. Hoosiers don't want new maps. They want help making ends meet.

"It's worth noting that being back at the Statehouse in December will limit the amount of time during the regularly-scheduled session to address the real issues impacting our state. If Republicans aren't going to use this time to help improve our state, they're wasting our time, and, more importantly, Hoosiers' time."

Dant Chesser reacts to House Republicans’ proposed congressional map

Today, Indiana House Republicans released their proposed congressional map. Congressional District 9 stretches from Jeffersonville to the west side of Indianapolis. 

State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D–Jeffersonville) released the following statement: 

“The changes to our congressional district are completely unfair to residents of Southern Indiana. We’re a border community. We’re impacted more by Louisville than by Indianapolis. It’s not the same for Central Indiana. Our representative in Congress will have split loyalties between two major metropolitan areas with two very different needs. 

“How does this represent us? It doesn’t. It doesn’t lower the cost of living, health care or child care. We have a unique set of needs, and I fear they’ll go unheard. It puts Washington D.C.’s wants above Hoosiers' needs. 

"We deserve an elected official in Congress who understands us. This proposed map puts that at risk.” 

House Democrats react to congressional maps proposed by House Republicans

Today, Indiana House Republicans released their proposed congressional map. House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement reacting to the maps:

"These new congressional districts wind and twist, breaking up communities and putting them in the same district as counties over 100 miles away.

"House Democrats have been saying this for months, and the maps reflect it: This won't lower the cost of living. This won't make life more affordable for Hoosiers. In fact, these maps will make it harder to get by. Most Hoosiers will already tell you that government does very little for them. How does being lumped in a district with Hoosiers in vastly different regions with vastly different concerns make government work better for constituents? It doesn't.

"Hoosiers will be worse off for these maps. There is still time to share your thoughts on the actual proposed map with your state representative and state senator, and I urge Hoosiers to make their voices heard."

Constituents can find their state representative and state senator by visiting the IGA website's Find Your Legislator tool.

Pryor reacts to announcement of House convening on Dec. 1 to consider redistricting

Today, Speaker of the House Todd Huston and Senate Pro Tem. Rodric Bray announced the Indiana General Assembly will reconvene early for the 2026 session to discuss redistricting, starting Dec. 1.  

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), House Minority Floor Leader and member of the House Committee on Elections, issued the following statement in response: 

“After months of intense pressure from Washington, my Republican colleagues in the Statehouse have officially caved and the House has been called into session starting on Monday. This extra session is a performance to show that loyalty to the party matters more than the needs of Hoosiers.

“As a legislator expected to vote on these maps in a matter of days, I have yet to see a confirmed proposal. The public will have no chance to weigh in on an issue that directly impacts them. 

“Hoosiers have made it very clear that they did not ask for new maps. The General Assembly needs to redirect our focus from silencing our own voters to helping working families keep more of their hard-earned money. Gerrymandering does nothing to solve the real problems Hoosiers face like the affordability crisis.”  

Hamilton responds to continued redistricting push

Today, Speaker of the House Todd Huston and Senate Pro Tem. Rodric Bray announced the Indiana General Assembly will reconvene early for the 2026 session to discuss redistricting, starting Dec. 1.  

State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), House Minority Caucus Chair, issued the following statement in response: 

“Hoosiers have made their voices loud and clear over the past few months that they do not want or need new congressional maps. New congressional maps don’t help families keep more of their hard-earned money. New congressional maps don’t bring down the cost of utilities, groceries, child care, health care or housing. New congressional maps serve only the political elites in Washington who want to maintain power at the expense of working Hoosiers. 

“Republicans have had 20 years to create an Indiana where Hoosiers can thrive. And yet, working families can barely survive. Let’s get serious about meeting the needs of our voters – not silencing them.”

House Democrats prioritize needs of Hoosiers over politics

Today, Speaker of the House Todd Huston announced the Indiana House of Representatives will be back in session Dec. 1 to discuss redistricting and other items.  

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement:

"Hoosiers have already said loud and clear that they don't want redistricting. Why are we wasting valuable time and resources on this when we could be lowering costs for Hoosiers? Under the Republican supermajority in the House, Hoosiers have been faced with decades of decay. They deserve better, and House Democrats plan to prioritize their needs this session.”

IBLC condemns Indiana Republicans’ continued redistricting push

Today, Speaker of the House Todd Huston and Senate Pro Tem. Rodric Bray announced the Indiana General Assembly will reconvene early for the 2026 session to discuss redistricting, starting December 1.  

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

"Every day, we hear from constituents who are struggling to keep their lights on and put food on the table. Many of them are straddled with health care debt and rising utility costs. None of our constituents have called or emailed to tell them how excited they are about new congressional maps. Hoosiers don't want redistricting; they want a better quality of life. Instead of working to make life more affordable for Hoosiers, Indiana Republicans are focusing their efforts on appeasing Washington, D.C.

"The only thing they're doing by convening early is cutting into valuable time we could have come January to address the cost of living, health care costs and other issues impacting Indiana. If the state were to pass new congressional maps, the move would cause chaos for county clerks and local governments and unnecessary confusion for voters. Come Dec. 1,  I hope House Republicans take the time to consider the potential ramifications of mid-decade redistricting on Hoosiers and not move forward with any new maps."

Speaker Huston, Leader GiaQuinta issue joint statement condemning recent swatting, threats of violence against Senators

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) and Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following joint statement today condemning the recent swatting and threats of violence against Senators:

"The threats, swatting attempts and other criminal activity being directed at our colleagues in the Senate are abhorrent and completely unacceptable. This is no way to express political disagreement, and it must stop. We thank our local, state and federal law enforcement for responding to and investigating these crimes, and for keeping our elected officials and their families safe. This is incredibly harmful to those being directly impacted and to our entire state. We're praying for our colleagues, their families and neighbors, and our law enforcement partners. We hope to see swift justice for anyone responsible for these crimes."