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Can RFRA take down Indiana’s new abortion law?
It is the height of irony that the new GOP-backed abortion restrictions could be undone by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. RFRA caused massive controversy in 2015 because conservative groups and some Hoosiers wanted to use it to justify discrimination, specifically against gay and lesbian Hoosiers who they disagreed with based on religious beliefs. Think […]
Is Young in trouble? Probably not, but one poll is making waves
Could U.S. Sen. Todd Young be in trouble in his re-election bid? If so, it would be one of the biggest political upsets Indiana has ever seen. Two major political prognosticators – Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball – have called the seat uncompetitive and labeled it either a solid or safe Republican win. […]
Should Indiana move on from the death penalty?
Indiana is at a crossroads with the death penalty. No one has been executed in 13 years – with at least four men on death row having exhausted all appeals years ago. The problem is the Indiana Department of Correction doesn’t have the medications needed to carry out an execution. And it’s unclear if they […]
Accessibility is missing in today’s election battles
When a new Frugal Hoosiers political action committee was recently formed, it brought back a flood of memories covering Mitch Daniels’ first campaign in 2003 and 2004. And with it came the realization that candidate accessibility is long gone. And not only for reporters but also for voters. Candidates nowadays regularly refuse to participate in […]
Punishing abortion doctors in new law
Imagine you commit a crime. But you have no criminal history; you fess up immediately and show remorse. The judge would like to give you probation. But Indiana legislators stepped in and said you “shall” receive a sentence of three years in prison. That’s kind of what lawmakers did in a small section of the […]
Textbook fees, complexity need state investment
There was lots of talk during special session on how to get money in Hoosiers’ hands from the state’s unprecedented $6.1 billion surplus. Cutting gas taxes, suspending utility taxes and sending refund checks were just a few. Ultimately lawmakers settled for a $1 billion rebate. The problem is millions of Hoosiers are still waiting for […]
Holcomb doesn’t seem to care about enormous policy debate on abortion
Indiana is in the throes of one of the most important policy debates the state has ever seen —do women control their bodies or do lawmakers? And depending on the answer, where is the line drawn? Republican legislators are fractured – a more moderate group clashing with ultra-conservatives who want nothing but a full ban […]
State’s largest employers sitting out the abortion debate
The furor that enveloped Indiana in 2015 after passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was swift and effective. And that’s because the state’s major employers stepped in to demand action. Their silence during the ongoing abortion debate is deafening. While hundreds of smaller businesses have signed onto letters, attended press conferences and testified in […]
Federal judge rules in favor of transgender girl
A federal judge on Tuesday issued a preliminary injunction in favor of a transgender girl who would be blocked from playing girls’ sports under the state’s new ban. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana sued Indianapolis Public Schools on behalf of a 10-year-old girl who will no longer be able to play softball on […]
Vice President Kamala Harris coming to Indiana Monday
Vice President Kamala Harris is coming to the Indiana Statehouse Monday to oppose legislation banning most abortions in Indiana. It’s the same day a special legislative session kicks off addressing both abortion and a possible taxpayer refund. A Republican proposal would ban abortion starting at conception – with the only exceptions being in cases of […]
Senate plan latest round in surplus talks
Most of the talk surrounding the special session that starts Monday is about abortion, but that issue isn’t even the primary reason Gov. Eric Holcomb called lawmakers back to duty. Instead it’s about rebates or refunds or inflation relief – whatever they choose to call it. And it’s because Indiana is sitting on $6.1 billion […]
Buttigieg move a blow for Indiana Democrats
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg recently moved to Michigan and likely took with him any chance of a statewide Democrat electoral win in Indiana. Ever since “Mayor Pete” showed his national prowess in an unexpected run for President in 2020, Hoosier Democrats have wanted more. His name is regularly floated for offices from governor […]