@HicksCBER Oh yeah, just what we need. More years of Republican "drag Indiana back to the past" rule. Nothing is ever going to change in Indiana until we change the politics. More of the same old same old.
Disappointed but unsurprised that Republicans shoved their widely unpopular abortion ban through committee. 61 people testified on SB 1, and NONE were in favor. This is a clearly a majority that doesn't listen to its citizens or the opinions of experts.
My last session in the Indiana General Assembly wrapped up last night in the wee hours of the morning. Most of all, I want to thank all of my constituents. I have tried to help improve Indiana every session, and it has been such an amazing experience to serve you all.
If we're able to consider tax cuts for large corporations, we should be open to doing the same to help Hoosiers. One way to immediately aid our residents is to relieve the pain at the pump for Hoosiers by removing the excise tax on gas
Gas prices are becoming burdensome for families in Indiana and across the nation. I suggested that House Bill 1002 be amended to allow the state to temporarily halt the gas tax, but the GOP shut down this idea. https://t.co/EsxOjwH04c
Our caucus is calling on all Hoosiers who are concerned about the harm this bill will cause in Indiana to call their state senators and representatives today and tomorrow to tell them to vote NO on SB 209.
The permitless carry bill (SB 209) will likely be on the calendar for conference committee tomorrow. Our caucus opposes this harmful bill along with the majority of Hoosiers and law enforcement who know this bill will only exacerbate violence in our communities.
They then decided not to hear testimony from the constituents. Hoosiers' concerns on this dangerous issue deserve to be heard, and I was firmly against this.
I have lots of issues with what happened during our conference committee yesterday for SB 209. This bill was meant to discuss drug schedules, but Republicans added in language from a dangerous bill, HB 1077, which allows someone to carry a handgun without a permit.
HB 1041 is an attack on trans students across our state, and I'm disappointed that it passed. Passing legislation out of fear and lack of understanding is never the right thing to do, and I urge the majority to reconsider this bill and think about the children it will hurt.
Today in Tax and Fiscal Policy, we made a few changes to HB 1002, which handles our various tax matters in our state. One amendment made to HB 1002 was to broaden eligibility for the taxpayer refund, which will help Indiana.
Yesterday and today were busy with committees. Yesterday I was in the Natural Resources Committee participating in a discussion about the Department of Natural Resources, carbon sequestration projects and other dealings of natural resources.
I'm happy to see Muncie Animal Shelter's initiative to home their sweet animals. This Valentine’s Day until February 18, they are offering a $14 adoption fee! Please stop by to find a new furry friend to add to your family. https://t.co/5l8ye49lZs
We are officially in the 2nd half of the session, and there have been a lot of positive and negative bills passed. Below is a guide to some of the good, bad and ugly bills that have been passed or killed. https://t.co/xt4UpSaUGe
Tobacco products cause 16,000 cancer cases a year, and we should be working to bring down that number. The health of Hoosiers matters more than lowering taxes, and I will continue supporting bills that actually benefit our residents and improve lives. #DemandJustice
The Legislature is halfway through session, and a mix of bills has passed. I'm particularly proud that my Land Banks bill, SB 292, passed with overwhelming support. Another bill that passed yesterday, which I opposed, was SB 382 which would lower taxes on tobacco products.