Klinker votes against HB 1343, believes policing should be left ot local law enforcement

Today, Jan. 28, Indiana Republicans passed House Bill 1343 with a vote of 67 to 29. This bill includes a provision further authorizing the establishment of a military police force within the Indiana National Guard. The governor will have the authority to send this police force into any part of the state whenever he or she deems necessary, without the consent of the community or its elected officials.

State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) issued the following statement after voting against the legislation:

“I will always wholeheartedly support the men and women who risk their lives to protect this country. I deeply respect our Indiana National Guardsmen and their dedication to service. 

“However, I do not believe our National Guardsmen should be used as military police officers. That’s a job that is best left to our local law enforcement. Our law enforcement in Tippecanoe County is well-trained, highly respected, and they have shown time and time again that they are able to maintain law and order in our neighborhoods.

“As a supporter of local control, I dislike the exclusive authority this bill gives the governor. A single person shouldn’t have the power to deploy troops into our communities without the request of the mayor, the city council or county officials. This sets a dangerous precedent for our communities.”

Dant Chesser votes no on HB 1343, stands against authorizing a military police force

Today, Jan. 28, State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville) voted no on House Bill 1343, which includes a provision further authorizing the establishment of a military police force within the Indiana National Guard. The governor will have the authority to send this police force into any part of the state whenever he deems necessary, without the consent of the community or its elected officials.

Dant Chesser released the following statement:

“Our local public safety efforts are best administered by our local public safety agencies. It should always be our community leaders' decision to ask for assistance from the governor before a military response is deployed. I trust in the ability of our local law enforcement agencies to keep us safe and to know when reinforcement is needed. 

“I fully support the provisions in HB 1343 that aim to provide transparency for veterans' services, and I have the utmost respect for our National Guardsmen. Their sacrifices for our country are deeply appreciated. But I can’t, in good conscience, vote for a bill that puts our communities at risk. 

“We’ve seen the worst of what can happen with absolute control. It’s dangerous to give Indiana’s governor, whoever it may be, the sole authority to deploy troops on our streets with no checks or balances.” 

Campbell votes no on House Bill 1343, stands against paramilitary police in Indiana’s communities

Today, Jan. 28, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) voted no on House Bill 1343, which includes a provision further authorizing the establishment of a military police force within the Indiana National Guard. The governor will have the authority to send this police force into any part of the state whenever he or she deems necessary, without the consent of the community or its elected officials.

“HB 1343 poses a serious risk to our local communities,” Campbell said. “I respect our National Guardsmen. I deeply appreciate the work they do for our country and our state. But they aren’t trained for local law enforcement. They’re here for our protection, not here for policing. 

“There are established protocols for the domestic deployment of the National Guard, and those protocols should be maintained. No governor, Republican or Democrat, should have the absolute power to deploy a quickly trained, paramilitary force in our neighborhoods.

“I don’t want soldiers conducting searches and seizures or pulling people over. That invites potential chaos and tragedy into our communities. We’re seeing that tragedy live on the national news in Minneapolis. That’s what happens when quickly trained, paramilitary officers enforce the law on civilians. 

“Under this bill, Indiana would have one of the most expansive state-level military policing laws in the United States. We're headed down a dangerous path. It is a slap in the face to Hoosiers’ personal freedoms and the promises our country was founded upon.”

Burton’s bill to protect children from abuse and neglect passes the House

Today, Jan. 28, the Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1307, authored by State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville). This bipartisan bill seeks to protect Indiana children by requiring the Department of Child Services (DCS) Ombudsman’s office to investigate complaints alleging that DCS failed to protect a child's physical or mental health and safety.

Burton released the following statement:

“DCS is meant to be a safe haven to protect our children, yet dozens of Hoosier children are still put in harm's way every year — many of whom are already in the DCS system. I authored HB 1307 to curb this issue by requiring DCS’ Ombudsman’s office to investigate and resolve complaints alleging DCS of failing to protect a child’s wellbeing. The Ombudsman’s office was created to serve as an independent watchdog office over DCS. This bill ensures they’re doing just that.

As a member of the House Family, Children, and Human Affairs Committee and a long-time children's advocate, I am very proud to have authored HB 1307. I’m even prouder that my first bill to pass the House is about protecting children. I’m eager to see it move to the Senate for further consideration, and with any luck, to Gov. Braun’s desk to be signed into law.

Pierce offers amendment to prevent the deployment of paramilitary forces in Indiana’s neighborhoods

Today, Jan. 27, State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) offered an amendment to House Bill 1343. HB 1343 includes a provision allowing the Indiana National Guard to create a military police unit that could be deployed to enforce laws against civilians in any community when the Governor thinks it's necessary. Local government officials would have no power to prevent the military force from invading their communities. Pierce’s amendment would have removed this language from the bill, but the amendment was voted down by the House Majority.

“This is the most dangerous thing I’ve ever seen moving through the legislature. It’s playing with fire. It allows the Governor to deploy a paramilitary force, with little training compared to civilian police, in our neighborhoods anytime the Governor considers it necessary. 

“What happens when you deploy a poorly trained paramilitary force in our communities? All you need to do is look at Minneapolis, Minnesota. You get a mother shot in the head after dropping her child off at school. You get a young ICU nurse shot in the back at point-blank range. You turn on the TV and see the videos, and you ask yourself,  ‘How can this happen in our country?’ We see the tragedies that occur when one person has unchecked power.

"We are living in a time when the federal government is deploying paramilitary forces to communities it doesn't like, and people are getting killed. Then, government officials lie to the American people about what happened.

“Why in God’s name would you give that kind of power to Indiana’s governor? The House should reject this dangerous bill. This is not who we are as Americans or Hoosiers.” 

Porter offers amendment increasing property tax savings for disabled veterans

Today, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter offered an amendment to House Bill 1177 in the House Committee on Ways and Means. The amendment would have increased the property tax deduction for disabled veterans to 100% of a property’s assessed value, an increase from the current maximum of $14,000. Veterans who rent would also have received a renter’s deduction of up to $20,000 of their adjusted gross income. The committee did not take a vote on the amendment.

Porter released the following statement: 

“This amendment is about giving back to our disabled veterans who gave everything for our country. They deserve the most relief possible from the state because of their sacrifices. Skyrocketing property taxes are threatening the security of older homeowners with fixed incomes. They need immediate relief. 

“We also need to help our veterans who rent. There are 10,000 veterans who are renters, and they received nothing in the majority’s current proposal. They deserve relief, too. 

“I don't want our disabled veterans to be in a precarious financial situation because of a lack of assistance from the state. We have a duty to care for them. We have a duty to help our veterans just like they helped our country. 

“A vote was not taken on my amendment today, but Republicans seemed open to collaboration. I will continue to push for this vital relief for our disabled veterans this session.”

House Democrats fight for immediate utility affordability

Today, Indiana House Democrats offered 12 amendments to House Bill 1002 to immediately lower utility bills for Hoosier residential customers. All were rejected or blocked by Indiana House Republicans.

See the list of amendments and descriptions: 

• Amendment #4: Allows Hoosiers to tap into low-cost energy through small-scale, community-based renewable energy projects.

• Amendment #5: Protects medically vulnerable Hoosiers by prohibiting disconnections for individuals who have a certified medical condition that could result in severe illness or death in the event of a power outage.

• Amendment #6: Requires utility companies to include con information about payment assistance programs in on the monthly bills of senior customers. 

• Amendment #7: Holds utilities accountable for reliable service by requiring they reimburse customers for any financial losses suffered as the result of an outage.

• Amendment #8: Protects Hoosiers from private equity firms acquiring Indiana utility companies that lead to rate hikes.

• Amendment #10: Creates a 1-year moratorium on the 7% sales tax on residential utility bills and prohibits IURC from issuing future tax breaks for data centers and quantum computing facilities.

• Amendment 11: Prohibits utilities from passing on the costs of lobbying and political activities to customers. This amendment was blocked on procedural grounds instead of outright rejected.

• Amendment #13: Prohibits utility companies from raising utility rates more than 3% and require utility companies to hold 3 public hearings in the affected utility service area before raising rates. 

• Amendment #14: Prohibits utility companies from disconnecting residential electric or natural gas service during the coldest time of year (beginning Dec. 1 and ending March 15).

• Amendment #15: Eliminates the 7% sales tax on residential utility bills. 

• Amendment #16: Prohibits the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) from approving a rate increase above 3% of the average monthly bill. 

• Amendment #19: Prohibits any increases on fixed rates and charges for utility bills for the next two years. (Effective June 30, 2026 to July 1, 2028).

Full vote counts for each of the amendments will be available here.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement on the rejection of all House Democrat amendments:

"House Bill 1002 is a step in the right direction, but Hoosiers have been clear: They need immediate relief on skyrocketing utility bills yesterday. Hoosiers have done everything right – they've kept their heat down and bundled up around the house, but their energy bill keeps going up. They cannot wait for levelized billing or performance-based ratemaking to kick in.

"That's why House Democrats offered amendments to take urgent action, from repealing the sales tax on residential bills and suspending all residential shutoffs during the cold weather months to prohibiting exorbitant rate hikes and stopping utilities from increasing their fixed rates and charges.

"All our utility affordability amendments were voted down by House Republicans. Hoosiers should take note that House Republicans are not interested in giving them immediate relief on their utility bills while preserving the ability for lawmakers to take lobbyist money without scrutiny and big data center tax breaks. House Democrats understand that working people are doing all they can to make ends meet, but they need the legislature to step in and get bills under control."

Smith supports amendments to cut Hoosiers’ utility bills

Today, House Democrats offered an array of amendments to give Hoosiers financial relief and expand protections for their utility services. The legislation aims to create a levelized billing plan for utility consumers. This year, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus’ agenda is focused on affordability. While House Bill 1002 is a step in the right direction in lowering costs, it is not enough to provide long-lasting relief. Further, members of the House Democratic Caucus offered over a dozen amendments to improve the bill, none of which were adopted by the Republican supermajority. 

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) issued the following statement upon the supermajority rejecting all 13 amendments offered by House Democrats: 

“By the year 2028, we will have a $5 billion surplus. It will not hurt the state to give some relief to the average citizen. Hoosiers struggling to afford their utility bills deserve the same privilege as major corporations. I am simply astounded that Republicans refused to remove the 7% sales tax on residential utility bills. What is the point of having a surplus if we aren’t going to use it to help our people get by? 

“Another amendment rejected would have helped notify seniors about payment assistance programs. The Republican argument against this amendment was that seniors can have a young family member help them navigate assistance programs online. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with young people in their families that can assist with this. This amendment would have been an easy way to help more people get financial relief, and the Republican supermajority blocked it. 

“My constituents are reaching out for help. They need relief, and they need relief now. The amendments offered by my colleagues today would have helped all Hoosiers, from our most vulnerable to the average working family just trying to make ends meet. I am glad that we are having the discussion about the importance of lowering utility bills. However, I am gravely disappointed that so many good ideas were rejected today.” 

See below for the list of amendments and descriptions: 

• Amendment #4 would have allowed for community energy facilities to generate or store energy from alternative, cheaper sources such as solar, wind or battery power to lower costs for all customers in the community.

• Amendment #5 protects vulnerable Hoosiers by requiring utility companies to implement a program that would prohibit disconnections for individuals who have a medical condition where they rely on life support devices like respirators, ventilators, dialysis machines, refrigerated medications or other medical treatment. 

• Amendment #6 would have required utility companies to include information about payment assistance programs in the monthly bills of senior customers. 

• Amendment #7 would have held utilities accountable for reliable service by requiring they reimburse customers for any financial losses suffered as the result of an outage, including spoiled food. 

• Amendment #8 would have added oversight by requiring public utilities to get approval from the Utility Regulatory Commission before making certain profit enhancing moves such as selling stock, entering certain contracts, reorganizing or acquiring another utility. 

• Amendment #10: would have suspended the 7% sales tax on residential utility bills and prohibited the IURC from issuing future sales tax breaks for data centers and quantum computing facilities.

• Amendment 11: Prohibits utilities from recovering the cost of lobbying and political activities through ratepayer bills. This amendment was blocked on procedural grounds instead of outright rejected.

• Amendment #13 would have required utility companies to hold three public hearings in the communities affected by a proposed rate hike. 

• Amendment #14 would have prohibited companies from disconnecting any resident for missing payments during the coldest months of the year. Currently, only residents who qualify for the energy assistance program are protected from disconnections during the coldest months. This amendment would have ensured that all Hoosiers are protected from disconnections in dangerous weather. 

• Amendment #15 would have eliminated the sales tax on residential utility bills as commercial utility bills are granted. 

• Amendment #16 would have prohibited the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) from approving a rate increase above 3% of the average monthly bill. 

• Amendment #19 would have established a 2-year moratorium on fixed rates and charges - effective June 30, 2026, to July 1, 2028.

DeLaney astonished by Republican refusal to take ratepayers’ side

Today, House Democrats offered an array of amendments to House Bill 1002 to give Hoosiers financial relief and expand protections for their utility services. One of those amendments would have prohibited utility companies from passing on the costs of lobbying and political activities to customers. House Republicans chose to block this amendment on procedural grounds instead of allowing it to be voted on.

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement after speaking out on the House Floor against a ruling to not allow a vote on the amendment:

“It seems straightforward to me that consumers should not be footing the bill for utility companies to lobby directly against the interest of consumers. However, when my colleague State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) offered an amendment to prohibit utilities from passing along the cost of lobbying to ratepayers, the Republicans chose to block the measure in order to duck a yes or no vote. This could have been an opportunity to prove to consumers that the general assembly is looking out for their best interest. However, the supermajority is unwilling to go on the record about whether they are on the side of the utility company or the ratepayers.” 

DeLaney amendment to protect communities from unwanted military presence rejected

Today, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to House Bill 1343 that would require local authorities to agree before military police from the National Guard be deployed to their city to enforce civil laws. Currently, this bill gives the governor authority to send a paramilitary police force into any part of the state whenever he deems necessary without the consent of the community or its elected officials. 

“Our citizens do not expect military police to come into our communities against their will to enforce the law,” DeLaney said. “Minnesota is a prime example of what happens when different law enforcement agencies are thrown together without being on the same page. In a scenario where National Guard members are sent into a city without the consent of the local officials, they are likely going to have differing directives and even be put directly at odds with each other. These crossed wires do nothing but sow chaos. As we saw in Minneapolis over the weekend, that chaos can have deadly consequences. 

“Giving the governor sole authority to send soldiers trained in combat, not as civilian law enforcement, into communities against the will of local leaders goes against everything I thought Indiana stood for. The people best equipped to police and protect their communities are the local law enforcement agencies and local officials. Full stop.”

Republicans strike down amendments funding child care and Pre-K vouchers

Today, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter offered two amendments to House Bill 1177 in the House Committee on Ways and Means. The amendments offered two different options to reverse the cuts and fully fund the Child Care Development Voucher Fund (CCDF) and the On My Way Pre-K program (OMWPK). 

The first amendment would have appropriated $300 million from the Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth Fund. The second amendment would have appropriated $256.7 million from the State General Fund. Both amendments were voted down. 

“Indiana has a child care crisis, not challenges, not difficulties,’ Porter said. “It’s a crisis. Child care centers can’t keep their doors open after the reimbursement rate cuts. Since September, close to 200 providers have already closed. 

“A properly funded child care system is an investment in our society. It’s about getting kids the care they need and ensuring our parents are able to work to support their families. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between their livelihoods and caring for their children. 

“These amendments were common-sense solutions that supported our families with existing revenue. But Republicans voted them down. They continue to prioritize a ballooning surplus over the real needs of Hoosier families.”  

Porter passes amendment creating transparency for Hoosier homeowners

Today, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter passed an amendment to House Bill 1406 in the House Committee on Ways and Means. Porter’s amendment requires the county treasurer to list if the homeowner saved money, and the amount, if applicable, on their 2027 property tax bill. 

“SEA 1 was a mess, “ Porter said. “Let the math do the talking. I want homeowners to see how little they actually save on their property taxes, if they save anything at all. 

“I keep hearing that homeowners will pay less on their bills in 2026 than in 2025. That’s not true. The average homeowner won’t save anything. Their bills will be lower than they would have been, but still higher than their payment in 2025. 

“Our neighbors who need the most financial relief will actually pay more. Homeowners with low-assessed-value homes will see a 35.4% property tax increase by 2031. SEA 1 isn’t tax relief; it’s a shift of the tax burden. I’m thankful this amendment passed so homeowners can see the facts and come to their own conclusions.”