Hatcher stands up for Indiana’s underrepresented communities in response to HB 1008

Last week, State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary), voiced her opinion on House Bill 1008 and said Indiana should prioritize Hoosier before trying to help other counties in other states. The bill would establish the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission, a commission with five members appointed by the governor and five appointed under Illinois law, to discuss adjustments to the boundaries between the two states. 

Hatcher initially supported the bill in committee to draw attention to the similarities between Indiana's underrepresented communities and the 33 Illinois counties attempting to secede. The City of Gary has been historically disenfranchised by the state legislature. The most recent example of the legislature's overreach is last year's HB 1235, which attempts to kill a lawsuit, Gary v. Smith & Wesson, that would hold firearm manufacturers accountable for predatory marketing. Hatcher voted against HB 1008 on the House floor, echoing the belief that Indiana should care for its own before expanding its boundaries.

Hatcher said the following on the House floor:

“In committee, I supported the core idea behind this bill because as a representative from Gary and as a Democrat in Indiana, I deeply understand what it feels like to be underrepresented in the Statehouse. I understand what it means to be overlooked time and time again. Legislation directly affecting Gary has been introduced and advanced by lawmakers from other areas without input from those of us who represent the communities of Northwest Indiana. 

“Just last session, this body once again inserted itself into a 25-year lawsuit, by blocking our city's attempt to hold gun manufacturers accountable for the violence plaguing our streets. This body has enacted tax policies that have left our public schools and infrastructure underfunded. Education policies passed here have led to an increase in charter and voucher schools in our community, which operate with far less oversight and accountability to the students they serve. We can't even vote for our own judges. Now, even this year, even in this session, Gary remains under the scrutiny of this legislature. Decisions regarding the Gary Airport Board and casino funds are being made without any meaningful consideration of the plans, vision or input from our city's elected leadership, leaders chosen by the very people who call Gary home.

“During the hearing on this secession bill, I listened to the testimonies of the people from Illinois, and I related to their concerns. I understood their frustration. They live in an area where they feel politically underrepresented. Where they struggle to have their voices heard. But their challenge stems from living in a state dominated by a Democratic majority. We in Indiana face the opposite reality. Here, urban areas are underrepresented in this chamber, even though the majority of Indiana's tax base comes from the Democratic side of the aisle. Yet, as a superminority, we have little say on critical issues like the state budget or education policy.

“I urge this body to listen, not just to those from another state who are seeking a place in Indiana, but also to the voices of communities that are already here. Let's give the same attention and consideration to the concerns of Indiana's own underrepresented regions as we're giving to those from outside our state border.”