Porter: ‘What’s going on with Dolly’s Library”

Today, Jan. 21, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter offered two amendments to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in the House Ways and Means Committee. The first amendment would have created a state tax credit for individuals who donate to the literacy program, and the second amendment would have appropriated $6 million from the general fund. Both amendments were rejected by the majority.

The Braun administration has yet to release a fundraising total for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library since it changed to private donations. 

“What’s going on with Dolly’s Imagination Library?” Porter said. “We heard about a single donation last July, but that’s it. We have no clue how much has been raised, no clue if it’s enough. It’s crickets. It’s a quiet phase-out of the program. 

“The Braun administration dropped the ball on the SUN Bucks program, and it appears they’re dropping the ball on this. Indiana isn’t feeding kids this summer, and now we can’t give toddlers free books. The argument that we don’t have the money isn’t valid since we’ll have a $5 billion surplus.  

“Indiana being a pro-family state means properly funding programs that benefit Hoosier families.” 

Bauer’s HB 1269 passes unanimously out of committee

Today, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee unanimously passed House Bill 1269, authored by State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend).

HB 1269 strengthens Indiana’s criminal justice framework by providing courts with an additional, structured sentencing option through the creation of a court-ordered prostitution offender education program in statute. Indiana currently has no statewide framework for such a program.

Under the bill, a judge may offer the program as part of sentencing following an unlawful proposition conviction. Participation is required only if the court elects to offer the option. Participants would pay a $500 program fee, which would help sustain local and state resources focused on offender rehabilitation and victim assistance. The bill also creates a modest funding source for the Human Trafficking Prevention and Victim Assistance Fund, which currently exists in statute but has no dedicated funding.

A portion of the collected fees would be distributed to local law enforcement agencies and county general funds, strengthening community resources and partnerships across jurisdictions.

“This legislation reflects a balanced, evidence-based approach to public safety that promotes accountability while supporting interventions shown to reduce recidivism,” Bauer said. “HB 1269 is about changing behavior, reducing exploitation and improving long-term outcomes for individuals and communities.”

The bill was developed with input from survivor-led organizations and stakeholders focused on reducing exploitation and improving victim support.

“HB 1269’s passage out of committee is an important step toward advancing commonsense criminal justice reform that protects Hoosiers and supports meaningful accountability,” Bauer added. “I am grateful for the bipartisan conversations with my colleagues and the shared commitment to making Indiana safer and fairer for everyone.”

House Bill 1269 now advances to the full House for further consideration.

DeLaney offers amendments to protect retirees, taxpayers from risky state investments

Today, Jan. 20, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered several amendments to House Bill 1042 in an effort to prohibit state pension funds from being invested in cryptocurrency. The amendments were defeated. 

“Interfering in the decision of our pension trustees and advisors is not the responsibility of the legislature and may well be beyond our competence,” DeLaney said. “I offered these amendments to protect the pension funds of state employees from high-risk investment decisions. 

“It is fiscally irresponsible to allow state pension funds to be opened up to such risk simply because we want to send a message that the Indiana House of Representatives is supportive of the crypto industry. If state funds are invested in cryptocurrency and that investment goes bad, the state still has an obligation to pay for those pensions. The taxpayers of Indiana could be on the hook because the legislature wants to jump headfirst into something new and risky. 

“Our retirees deserve to be helped by the state, not given hasty investment advice that resembles a technocratic pyramid scheme.” 

House Committee on Insurance passes Pryor bill to obtain quicker access to lifesaving prescriptions for advanced cancer patients

Today, Jan. 20, the House Committee on Insurance passed House Bill 1114. The bill, authored by State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), prohibits state employee health plans, the healthcare marketplace and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) from requiring step therapy or "fail first." "Fail first" requires patients to try a drug preferred by their insurance company and fail to respond before they receive coverage for the prescription originally recommended by their doctor.

“I am very proud to have authored this bill to help ensure that cancer patients get the care that works best for them immediately,” Pryor said. “People battling advanced cancer do not have time to go through the trial-and-error process that the 'fail first' system requires. Patients deserve access to the care their doctor prescribed without dangerous delays from their insurance company. According to the CDC, Indiana is among the states with the highest cancer death rates. This bill will help combat that unfortunate reality by getting people the care they need quickly instead of the care that is cheapest for insurance companies.”

Pryor was joined in committee by advocates on behalf of Susan G. Komen and the Indiana Oncology Society who voiced strong support for the bill.

“As House Bill 1114 moves out of committee, I look forward to continuing to advocate for access to potentially lifesaving care for metastatic cancer patients,” Pryor said. “I’d like to thank my co-authors Rep. Martin Carbaugh, Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves and Rep. Robin Shackleford, as well as Susan G. Komen and the Indiana Oncology Society for their support. I urge my constituents and all Hoosiers to do their part in protecting cancer patients by voicing their support for HB 1114.”

Porter bill increasing awareness for Alzheimer’s and dementia heads to the Senate

Today, Jan. 20, the Indiana House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 1029. The bill increases public awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia through educational outreach. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) would need to add information to its website, include the two diseases in its existing public health campaigns and develop training opportunities for health care providers. 

“I’m thankful that this bill is headed to the Senate,” State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) said. “The House passage of this bill represents the tireless work of the Alzheimer’s Association, Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging and so many others. HB 1029 is about ensuring our seniors are able to age with comfort and dignity.

“In 2021, Indiana had 276 million hours of unpaid care. A huge percentage of our seniors are cared for by their family members. By increasing public education, we ensure the general population has the information they need to care for their loved ones. This is a disease that is affecting all of us.

“This bill is in honor of my late mother and other families who have lived with this life-changing illness. I’m proud to have authored this legislation for our seniors, and I’ll continue my work as it heads to the Senate.” 

Burton on passage of HB 1002 out of committee

Today, the House Utilities and Telecommunications Committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 1002 to the House floor.

State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) released the following statement on the bill’s passage out of committee:

“Last week, my remarks regarding ‘budget billing’ were heard and resulted in a legislative change that updates the term to ‘levelized billing,’ providing consumers with a more stable energy rate based on their historical energy usage.

“I remain optimistic that we can continue working toward stronger protections for consumers’ energy costs, including improved transparency and notification systems that keep Hoosiers informed about their energy usage.”

Klinker praying for Judge Meyer and his wife’s recovery, thankful for local law enforcement

Yesterday, Jan. 19, Tippecanoe County Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim Meyer, were victims of a shooting at their Lafayette home. Both are in stable condition after receiving medical attention.

State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) released the following statement:

“I’m saddened by this senseless act of violence that has wounded two pillars of the Lafayette community. Judge Meyer is a longtime friend who has served our area for decades. I am deeply grateful that Steve and his wife, Kim, are in stable condition, and I am praying for their recovery.

“Thank you to the Lafayette Police Department and our local paramedics for their quick response. I believe that they will find and apprehend the individual responsible. Violence against our judges who serve selflessly and generously is unacceptable.”

Smith gives annual MLK address to the House: ‘Precious Lord Take My Hand’

Today, Jan. 15, State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) gave his annual address to the Indiana House of Representatives in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As his day of remembrance nears, Smith reminds his fellow Hoosiers of MLK’s lasting legacy of humble service, determination and peaceful resistance.

“Even before he established himself in history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. suffered a great deal of adversity,” Smith said. “He suffered from childhood depression. He endured regular whippings from his father until he was a teen. At 12, when his grandmother passed, he jumped from a second-story window.

“He continued to face adversity as a grown man. His home in Montgomery, Alabama, was bombed in 1956. He was stabbed at a book signing and almost lost his life in 1958. His plane was evacuated for a bomb threat in 1968.

“In the throes of adversity, I imagine Dr. King whispered softly to God, ‘Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, let me stand.’ He often requested that soloists and choirs sing this hymn when he spoke in churches. As a child, I watched him request the hymn when he spoke in Gary.

“His dark times continued on his walk for equality. By the late 1960s, Dr. King had been abandoned by politicians, the media, the public and even his fellow clergyman. Abandoned and alone, he penned his famous Letter from the Birmingham Jail. 

“Like the Son of God who cried out on the cross, I’m certain Dr. King felt forsaken. But he continued to sing, ‘At the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand. Take my hand, precious Lord.’ He did not quit. He did not give up. Amidst challenges and obstacles, he kept his eyes on his goal of freedom and justice for all. 

“They thought killing the dreamer would kill the dream. However, I can firmly say that the dream lives. Dr. King’s tragic assassination ended his season of suffering but ushered in an era of freedom and elevation. His journey is a reminder that rejection is redirection. As we commemorate Dr. King on Monday, we must remember that it’s where we stand in challenges, not in comfort and security, that is most important.” 

Moed: ‘Hoosiers need utility relief now’

This session, State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) authored House Bill 1213 to eliminate the 7% sales tax on household utility bills.

“People can’t afford their utility bills, yet the rates keep going up,” Moed said. “You can’t opt out of electricity or water. You need them. But people have been hit with increase after increase; meanwhile, the government is profiting off these increases through the sales tax.”

Hoosiers’ annual spending on utilities increased by 16%, the highest out of all 50 states. The average Indiana household pays $406 per month for utilities, providing nearly $350 in savings each year by cutting the sales tax. 

“The state decides whether utility companies can raise their rates,” Moed said. “They shouldn’t get windfall profits in the state sales tax revenue when these increases take place. We don’t tax food and medicine because they’re essential, just like keeping your water running and lights on. 

“We should be more concerned that people cannot afford their utility bill than whether the government can afford to give up this double taxation.”

Hatcher to give speech at Valparaiso University’s MLK Day Celebration

On Monday, Jan. 19, State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary) will be the featured speaker at Valparaiso University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. The university hosts this event each year to commemorate Dr. King’s service and teachings. Hatcher is a Valparaiso University alumnus who earned her bachelor’s degree in 2000, Juris Doctor (JD) in 2003, and Master's in Business Administration (MBA) in 2005.

“Valparaiso has honored Dr. King for the past 30 years, but his teachings hold extra weight today,” Hatcher said. “The progress he boycotted for, marched for and died for is under attack.

“A few months ago, Republicans tried to pass a gerrymandered map, silencing minority voters. The Supreme Court is considering striking down the Voting Rights Act. The Supermajority continues to hinder the City of Gary as we recover from decades of white flight and corporate disinvestment.

“Seventy years ago, Martin Luther King challenged us to be a good neighbor. And a great way to love and serve others is by standing up to injustice. 

“I’m honored to be the featured speaker at my alma mater. I look forward to commemorating Dr. King with Valpo’s faculty, students and the surrounding community.”

GiaQuinta reacts to 2026 State of the State

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement reacting to Gov. Mike Braun's 2026 State of the State address:

"House Democrats agree with Gov. Braun that Hoosiers are no better off than they were a year ago – and that’s thanks to him and the Braun supermajority. 

"If Statehouse Republicans wanted to lower costs, they would have already done that. They've been in charge for the past 20 years.

"Now that Gov. Braun is catching up to the fact that Hoosiers are struggling, he's talking about affordable utilities and child care. But his actions over the past year speak differently. Under Gov. Braun's watch, Indiana has seen the highest utility rate hikes in 20 years, doubled health insurance premiums for 300,000 Hoosiers, and dozens of child care centers close because of his voucher cuts.   

"Gov. Braun has failed at making life more affordable for Hoosiers while gutting the programs that help them get by, like health care, food assistance, child care, and public safety. The proof is in Hoosiers' wallets – they need real relief, not lip service without action."

Burton on Gov. Braun’s State of the State

This evening, Jan. 14, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) attended Gov. Braun’s State of the State address held in the House Chamber.

Burton released the following statement in response:

“I appreciate the governor’s directness to address housing, child care and energy costs. These are unavoidable expenses, and for too many Hoosier families, they have become overwhelming, forcing difficult choices between necessities like groceries, children’s activities or handling an unexpected expense such as a flat tire.

“There is real work ahead to make life more affordable while expanding opportunity for all Hoosiers. As the legislative session continues, I will keep working on behalf of my constituents by legislating, advocating and advancing meaningful policies that help families get ahead.”