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Rep. Vernon Smith Anna Groover Rep. Vernon Smith Anna Groover

Smith decries bill giving the governor broader authority to deploy a paramilitary police force

Yesterday, Jan. 28, State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) 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.

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Rep. Gregory W. Porter Anna Groover Rep. Gregory W. Porter Anna Groover

Republicans cancel financial lifeline to public schools

Indiana House Republicans will not move forward with House Bill 1259, a cleanup of Senate Enrolled Act 1 (2025), their property tax system overhaul bill. The bill would have allowed counties to adopt an additional local income tax to generate revenue for Indiana’s public schools, recouping some of their losses from SEA 1. In 2028, public schools would have $340 million in potential revenue if each county adopted the optional tax.

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Rep. Robin Shackleford Anna Groover Rep. Robin Shackleford Anna Groover

Shackleford votes no on HB 1002, Calls on legislature to deliver real utility relief for Hoosiers

Today, State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) voted no on House Bill 1002, legislation that makes changes to utility rate-making in Indiana.

 

Shackleford issued the following statement explaining her vote:

 

“Yesterday, Jan. 27, House Democrats offered 13 amendments to HB 1002 to guarantee savings for Hoosiers – all of which were defeated. I could not vote yes on legislation that does the bare minimum for Hoosier ratepayers. Year after year, the General Assembly advances half-measures that offer short-term fixes while failing to address the deeper, systemic issues driving rising utility costs in Indiana.

 

“Hoosiers deserve real relief – not surface-level solutions. If we were serious about affordability, we would hold utility companies accountable, lower utility bills, increase transparency and oversight at the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and expand meaningful relief for families who are struggling to keep up as utility bills rise faster than wages.

 

“For those reasons, I voted no on HB 1002, and I will continue pushing for stronger, more effective action to ensure utility costs are truly affordable for Hoosiers.”

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