Officials urge focus on Hoosier needs, not redrawing congressional districts mid-decade
The previously announced legislative session will begin in early December.
In a statement released on Nov. 3, House Speaker Todd Huston said, “In working with our House Republican caucus members and our counterparts in the Senate, we have determined that the General Assembly will address any time sensitive issues during the first two weeks of December (Dec. 1 through Dec. 12).”
On Oct. 27, Gov. Mike Braun stated that a special legislative session for the General Assembly would begin on Nov. 3 to “consider altering the boundaries of Indiana’s congressional districts” and conforming Indiana’s tax code with new federal provisions. Huston’s statement did not specify whether mid-decade redistricting would be a part of the legislative priorities next month.
House Minority Floor Leader Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), questioned the timing of the delay and its announcement.
“While the IBLC was holding a rally against redistricting, legislative leadership made their announcement that the General Assembly will be convening Dec. 1 through Dec. 12 after Gov. Braun called a special session last week,” said Pryor.
Pryor said she will cancel her plans to attend the National Black Caucus of State Legislators’ annual conference to be present for the December session to oppose the “partisan power grab.”
“They didn’t cancel the power grab. They just delayed it.”
Sen. Shelli Yoder
“They didn’t cancel the power grab,” said Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder in a statement. “They just delayed it. And we all know why.”
Yoder said the way to serve voters is, “by listening to them,” not bending the knee to Trump.
“The two districts that Republicans seek to annihilate with these new maps are also the two most diverse areas of the state,” Pryor said. “Getting rid of congressional representation for Marion County and Lake County is an explicit attempt to silence minority voices.”
The Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) said mid-decade redistricting goes against Hoosier values of fairness and decency, emphasizing that the people should elect their representatives, and not have the elected officials picking their voters.
“This isn’t what democracy looks like – it also isn’t what merit, excellence or innovation should mean.”
Indianapolis Urban League
“This is not what democracy looks like – it also isn’t what merit, excellence or innovation should mean,” the IUL said.
Despite the focus on mid-decade redistricting, many elected officials continue to press for keeping Hoosiers’ needs at the forefront of the legislative agenda.
“Whether the Statehouse comes back early for special session or regular session, House Democrats are going to be focused on the same thing: the skyrocketing cost of living here in Indiana,” said House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne). “From health care premiums and utility bills to child care costs and property taxes, Hoosiers are struggling to stay afloat and need relief. Redrawing political maps won’t solve any of these problems.”
Rising insurance premiums, energy bills and property taxes are among the priorities for House Democratic Caucus Chair Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis).
“Regardless of whether the General Assembly is convening for a special or regular session, I remain laser-focused on one priority: addressing the rising costs that are squeezing Indiana families,” Hamilton said in a statement.
Hamilton, who said partisan redistricting won’t help put food on the table, was “eager” to see what plans the majority party had for the financial hardships Hoosiers are facing.
Yoder said Senate Democrats will come prepared in December with bills to address increasing the availability of affordable housing, lowering health care costs, expanding child care and bringing down utility rates because, “that’s what the people of Indiana actually need.”
Contact Editor-in-Chief Camike Jones at camikej@indyrecorder.com.
Camike Jones is the Editor-in-Chief of the Indianapolis Recorder. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Jones has a lifelong commitment to advocacy and telling stories that represent the community.
