Porter proposes five amendments to SB 2 to protect Hoosiers on Medicaid

Today, April 2, House Ways and Means Ranking Democrat State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) is proposing five amendments to Senate Bill 2 in committee. 

“Frankly, I’m sick and tired of the myth that Hoosiers on Medicaid abuse the system or are too lazy to work,” Porter said. “There are always a few bad actors, but the majority are hardworking people who are simply trying to get by. These are Hoosiers in need of health care, not deadbeats intent on stealing from the state.
“I’m proposing these amendments to protect Hoosiers on Medicaid. We don’t need work requirements or restrictions on advertising, especially in the free market. I’m also interested in looking into additional revenue sources and strengthening safeguards to put this notion of Medicaid misuse to bed.” 

The five amendments are below: 

• Amendment 18: Removes the work requirements for the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). 

• Amendment 20: Eliminates all restrictions prohibiting the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) from advertising Medicaid and its programs. 

• Amendment 21: Creates the Medicaid Eligibility Validation and Verification Integrity Unit that oversees eligibility determinations for Medicaid benefits.  

• Amendment 24: Urges the study of an excise tax on sugary drinks from one to three cents per ounce. The amount of revenue raised would be directed to Medicaid, HIP or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).   

• Amendment 25: Allows a taxpayer to choose to contribute all or a part of their tax refund to the Medicaid account of the state general fund. 

“If the majority is worried about Medicaid spending, they should address the causes of rising enrollment. Indiana has comparatively low wages, and high health care costs mean people need affordable insurance. Instead of putting more restrictions on life-saving health care, let’s improve Hoosiers' quality of life so they have a variety of options. The Medicaid program is a lifeline to many–our babies, our seniors and our medically complex. It’s important that this program is available and that its benefits are advertised.”

DeLaney comments on two-step strategy to bring divisive ideology into our classrooms

Wednesday, April 2, the House Committee on Education discussed Senate Bill 442 regarding sex education in schools. The bill shifts certain responsibilities from school administrators to the elected school boards. This comes on the heels of the passage of SB 287 out of the House to make school board races partisan. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement: 

“For years, our school administrators have successfully provided information to parents about sex education. Now that the supermajority is hoping to impose partisan school board elections, they want to shift this responsibility to the school board members in both public school corporations and charter schools. This is a transparent two-step strategy to bring divisive ideology to our classrooms and our voting bodies.

“Each board will have to annually review all materials to be used in sex education and decide such issues as whether a male or female instructor will provide the education. The author of the bill, Sen. Byrne, stated the need for this provision is the growth of ‘gender confusion.’ He did not identify anyone who is so confused. 

“The author also testified that in his eight years on a school board, he had never had to review sex education materials in detail and that there had been no problem. As is a favorite pastime of the General Assembly, this bill will create a problem, not solve one.” 

DeLaney reacts to state replacing the firm responsible for the $1 billion ‘error’

Tuesday, April 1, the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) issued a preliminary notice that the state may well be contracting with Deloitte Consulting LLP, not with the Milliman actuarial firm, for projecting Medicaid expenses. This comes after the $1 billion "error" that led to the Medicaid shortfall announced in December of 2023. State officials have left the impression that the miscalculation was made by the present actuary, Milliman. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement in response: 

“While I am still coming to terms with the fact that the public may never know what exactly happened to allow this egregious error, this is a good first step in correcting course. Someone may be held accountable at last. 

“If $1 billion was miscalculated in a private sector firm, heads would roll. If the story is that the actuary messed up, the only responsible reaction seems to be to fire the actuary.

“I passed an amendment last session to require FSSA to report on exactly what happened to lead to this shortfall and what they would do to ensure it wouldn’t happen again. The report that was given to the General Assembly gave no answer to either question. 

“If the state won’t give answers, at least they gave action. I applaud this step to prevent forecasts that taxpayers and legislators rely on from being erroneous in the future.”  

Pryor opposes the disenfranchisement of college students

Today, Tuesday, April 1, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 10 by a vote of 66-25. This bill changes the requirements of what is needed so that college students cannot use their official government-issued university student identification to vote. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Elections and Apportionment Committee, issued the following statement after speaking against the bill on the House floor: 

“Indiana has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the nation. Yet, year after year, Statehouse Republicans pass legislation to make it harder for Hoosiers to exercise their right to vote. 

“When this bill was heard in committee, I was inspired by the number of students who showed up to testify against this bill and stand up for their right to vote. The General Assembly needs to be doing everything we can to get more of our young people engaged in our democracy, not put additional hurdles in their way. 

“If the concern is that some of our state institutions don’t have an expiration date on these IDs, the fix is simple. Just require university IDs to have expiration dates. Don’t use this reason to make it harder to vote for thousands of college students. 

“Many college students live, work, spend money, pay taxes and participate in the community of their college towns. They deserve the right to have a say on the officials who pass policies that impact their everyday lives.”

Pryor receives Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Over the weekend, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) was presented with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the Top Ladies of Distinction Area V Leadership Conference. The award was issued by former President of the United States, Joe Biden. 

Pryor issued the following statement:

“I am beyond honored to have been presented with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden. My career has been spent advocating for my community and uplifting the voices that may otherwise not be heard. As a public official, my goal has always been not just to represent my constituents, but to truly listen to their needs and serve them to the best of my ability. I strive to be available, accessible, present and compassionate. 

“Receiving this award and being recognized for my dedication to service by former President Joe Biden is deeply humbling. No matter how exciting it was to be surprised with this award, the true reward is seeing the impact my work has on the lives of people in my community.

“I want to thank all of the wonderful people who have believed in me, encouraged me, mentored me and supported me over the years. I also want to thank my former legislative colleague and friend Dee Dawkins-Haigler for waiting for the right moment to present me with this award." 

Smith: ‘Majority puts partisan school boards before our children’s futures’

Today, March 31, the House passed Senate Bill 287 with a vote of 54 to 40. The bill makes Indiana’s school board elections partisan, requiring candidates to run as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a blank space next to their name. Since the bill changed to the House, it heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. 

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary), the ranking minority member of the House Education Committee,  released the following statement

“Our school boards exist to oversee the education, future and well-being of our children. Their job is not to ban books or to address the topics of race, gender or sexuality. Republicans want partisan school boards because they believe it will help them win elections. They lost some key races in some districts, and now they want to change the process to be in their favor.  

“Research shows that districts that switch to partisan elections see an increase in teacher turnover, an increase in the share of less experienced teachers and a negative impact on non-white school board candidates. Nobody wins if this legislation is passed except for the Republican Party. Our children, our teachers, our parents and our communities lose. 

“Partisan school boards insert more division into our community. Voters will be encouraged to choose a candidate based on a letter next to their name instead of their platform. I want my local school board to be focused on our children, not on a party agenda. 

“Injecting partisan politics into our schools will bring about more strife to our communities. This is far from what is best for our students and their futures.“ 

Pryor opposes bill to make school board races partisan

Today, Monday, March 31, the House passed Senate Bill 287 by a vote of 54 to 40. The bill makes Indiana’s school board elections partisan, requiring candidates to run as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a blank space next to their name. The bill now heads to the Senate to approve the changes made in the House. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement upon the passage of the bill: 

“During discussion of this bill on the House Floor, a colleague of mine from across the aisle made derogatory comments aimed at one political party. If things like that happen on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives, it just goes to show that we do not need to bring more partisan politics into our school boards. We do not need one more thing driving a wedge between people in our communities. 

“School boards need to focus on serving the needs of our kids. The decision to elect someone to the school board should be based on what they are going to do to improve literacy and math skills, recruit quality teachers to address the teacher shortage and prepare students for the workforce or higher education. 

“Across the state, this is an unpopular policy. There is enough politics everywhere else. We don’t need politics in our school boards.” 

Boy opposes SB 287: ‘Keep politics out of education’

Today, March 31, State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) voted in opposition on Senate Bill (SB) 287 during its final hearing in the House. This bill passed with a vote of 54-40. SB 287, which proposes to make Indiana’s school board elections partisan, mandates that candidates run under party labels such as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a "blank space" next to their name.

Boy issued the following statement expressing her concerns about introducing partisan politics into the education system:

"At a time when our country is already deeply divided, it is baffling to think that we would intentionally introduce more partisanship into something as sacred as education. Our school boards should not be a battleground for political agendas; they should be dedicated to nurturing the minds and futures of our children. Education is about preparing the next generation for success, not about pushing party lines. 

“School board members should be chosen for their expertise, principles, and commitment to building up our students, regardless of political affiliation.

“Partisan politics have no place in our schools and only serve to deepen division, not solve the challenges we face. Keep politics out of education.”

Moseley comments on SB 287: ‘Inserting politics into our education system is foolish’

Today, March 31, State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage) voted in opposition on Senate Bill (SB) 287 during its final hearing in the House. The bill passed with a vote of 54-40. SB 287, which proposes to make Indiana’s school board elections partisan, mandates that candidates run under party labels such as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a "blank space" next to their name.

Moseley released the following statement on SB 287:

“This bill directly inserts politics into our education system. In no way, shape, or form should it matter if someone’s a Democrat or Republican, or anything in between, when it comes to the integrity of educating our students of our state. School board members should be elected on merit, expertise and their commitment to our students - not their allegiance to a political party.

“Inserting politics into our education system is simply foolish. We must protect future generations of Hoosiers from this kind of foolishness.”

Pfaff comments on bill to make school board races partisan

Today, Monday, March 31, the House passed Senate Bill 287 by a vote of 54 to 40. The bill makes Indiana’s school board elections partisan, requiring candidates to run as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a blank space next to their name. The bill now heads back to the Senate to approve the changes made in the House. 

Under the federal Hatch Act, employees of the U.S. government or organizations that receive federal funding are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity. Turning school board races into partisan elections would effectively bar thousands of qualified, community-minded Hoosiers from serving in these vital roles.

“During a recent visit to Crane Naval Base—one of Indiana’s largest high-tech employers—I was reminded just how many Hoosiers would be impacted by this change,” State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) said. “With over 3,800 employees, many of whom are deeply invested in their local schools, this bill would strip away their ability to serve on school boards simply because of where they work.”

“Our school boards should be focused on student success—not party politics,” Pfaff added. “Injecting partisanship into these races opens the door to national political agendas creeping into our classrooms. Instead of picking political fights, let’s tackle the real challenges: improving literacy, strengthening math skills, addressing the teacher shortage, and getting more students into college or prepared for the workforce. These aren’t partisan goals—they’re Hoosier priorities.”

Miller condemns passage of partisan school board bill

Senate Bill 287 passed through the House of Representatives today by a vote of 54-40. The bill makes Indiana’s school board elections partisan, requiring candidates to run as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a blank space next to their name. 

 State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement regarding the bill, which now heads to the governor's desk:

"The only thing this bill will accomplish is making our voters lazier and weakening our schools. With an 'R' or a 'D' next to a candidate's name, voters will have little incentive to research their backgrounds and viewpoints. As a parent, I'm more interested in knowing the people leading my children's school board have the expertise to do the job than I am knowing how they vote.

"Partisan politics have no place in our children's schools. Our focus should be on preparing kids for higher education or the workforce and setting them up for a lifetime of success by developing their critical thinking skills and ability to think for themselves."

GiaQuinta decries passage of bill to further insert politics in Hoosier schools

Today, Senate Bill 287 passed the Indiana House of Representatives. The legislation still needs approval from the Indiana Senate on changes made to it in the House, but the House-passed version of the bill turns nonpartisan school board elections into partisan races by allowing candidates to list their party next to their name on the November ballot.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 287:

"I may be an elected official, but I know that Hoosiers want less politics in their lives, not more. Senate Bill 287 further injects politics into Hoosiers' lives by politicizing our school boards. What about teacher and staff retention, building maintenance and school buses requires a partisan viewpoint?

"Hoosiers overwhelmingly took time out of their busy schedules to come to the Statehouse to oppose this bill, and House Democrats have received lots of constituent correspondence asking us to vote 'no.' This bill reduces the pool of potential school board candidates by limiting federal employees' ability to run because of the federal Hatch Act. Community leaders want to serve local families and students, not get mixed up in the politics of declaring a party. This bill will make it more difficult and expensive to run for local school board and will open local school board races to big DC politics and dark money associated with campaign finance.

"Nothing about SB 287 solves our teacher retention or student literacy crisis – which is what the General Assembly should be focusing on instead of finding new ways to make our lives more exhausting and divisive."