URGENT -- LEGISLATIVE CALLS TO ACTION -- Monday April 7 -- Indiana General Assembly

We're in the final weeks of the Indiana General Assembly, and important bills are getting scheduled for Monday final hearing and votes at the last minute, after our Friday PM newsletter deadline. These bills need our attention immediately!  

SB 289

Title: Nondiscrimination in employment and education. HIGH ALERT!

4/7: committee hearing @ 9:30am, room 156b

Prohibits the funding of DEI programs, officers, and initiatives at state agencies, state universities, and health professional licensing boards. Requires Indiana's school corporations, charter schools, state agencies, and political subdivisions to publicly post all training and curricular materials related to topics such as diversity, equity, inclusion, race, ethnicity, sex, and bias on their websites, with specific details about the materials' origins and accessibility. This would restrict or even eliminate training, activities, policies, and curriculum that explore allyship, antiracism, intersectionality, social justice, privilege, bias, race, diversity, and gender. This essentially whitewashes our schools and government agencies, revises and rewrites history, and silences the voices and contributions of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, and any other voice that does not preserve the status quo.

Call to Action:

Call Chairman Jeter. 317-232-9769 h88@iga.in.gov

Sample message:

“My name is [name]. I’m a resident of [town/zip code]. I'm contacting you today to ask you to oppose SB289. I am against this bill because this bill would restrict or even eliminate training, activities, policies, and curriculum that explore allyship, antiracism, intersectionality, social justice, privilege, bias, race, diversity, and gender. This essentially whitewashes our schools and government agencies, revises and rewrites history, and silences the voices and contributions of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, and any other voice that does not preserve the status quo. Thank you”

SB 001

Title: Property tax relief.

4/7: Committee hearing at 10:30am, room 404 (amend and vote only no testimony)

The latest version of SB 1 creates a new 7.5% property tax credit for all homestead owners. To offset the revenue loss, the bill will allow local governments to raise their local income tax rate, essentially shifting the tax burden on Hoosiers, rather than providing any real deductions. This version also incorporates SB 518, which would force public schools to share property tax revenue with charter schools. This means property taxpayers would go from paying for 290 school districts to paying for 432 school entities - taking on their debt and operational costs - and ultimately reducing funds for public schools. Unlike traditional public schools, which are governed by locally-elected boards, charter schools are managed by charter companies, which can be out of state, and governed by an appointed, private board. This makes them less accountable to local taxpayers. Charter schools are also not held to the same staffing, training, or transportation requirements of public schools, making them inaccessible to some students.

Call to Action:

Contact House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jeff Thompson h28@iga.in.gov 317-232-9769

Sample message: 

“My name is [name]. I’m a resident of [town/zip code]. I'm contacting you today to ask you to oppose SB001. I am against this bill because property taxpayers would go from paying for 290 school districts to paying for 432 school entities - taking on their debt and operational costs - and ultimately reducing funds for public schools. Unlike traditional public schools, which are governed by locally-elected boards, charter schools are managed by charter companies, which can be out of state, and governed by an appointed, private board. This makes them less accountable to local taxpayers. Charter schools are also not held to the same staffing, training, or transportation requirements of public schools, making them inaccessible to some students.”

HB 1515

Title: Education and higher education matters.

4/7: Senate 2nd reading (amendments) at 1:30

"“HB 1515 strips away local control over zoning decisions for charter schools in 92 counties, allowing them to open without regulation on how many can cluster near traditional public schools. A charter authorizer hours away from Indianapolis could approve unlimited charters in the city—without any supply and demand analysis" - Sen. Fady Qaddoura

Call to Action: Contact Chairman Raatz s27@iga.in.gov 317-233-0930

“My name is [name]. I’m a resident of [town/zip code]. I'm contacting you today to ask you to oppose HB 1515 because it strips away local control over zoning decisions for charter schools in 92 counties, allowing them to open without regulation on how many can cluster near traditional public schools. Thank you.”

SB 010

Title: Voter registration.

4/7: Senate Concurrence at 1:30

Makes changes to voting process: School IDs will no longer be accepted for voting ID purposes - even when they meet all requirements. This unduly burdens college students’ ability to vote.

Call to Action:

Contact your State Senator: CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR | MADVoters

Sample message:

“My name is [name]. I’m a resident of [town/zip code]. I'm contacting you today to ask you to oppose SB10 because it makes changes to voting process: School IDs will no longer be accepted for voting ID purposes - even when they meet all requirements. This unduly burdens college students’ ability to vote. Thank you.”

HB 1002

Title: Educational matters.

4/7: Senate 2nd reading (amendments) at 1:30

The bill is over 130 pages long! In sum, it provides a pathway to eliminate many public school programs, services, and requirements: Removes requirement that IN Secretary of Education have educational experience, live in Indiana, or have a college degree. Removes social, emotional, and behavioral supports and training. Guts rights and responsibilities delegated to both State Board of Education and local elected school boards, and removes required offices on the board. Allows a public school district to be completely “charterized” - that is, public school districts governed by locally-controlled, elected school boards could be completely dissolved and replaced with charter schools governed by non-elected, appointed boards instead. Exempts charter school board members from submitting a statement of economic interest, reduces oversight of charters, and repeals language prohibiting discrimination. Removes consideration of cultural competency in developing school environment. Allows students to drop out at 16 without a qualifying reason. Allows schools to cut transportation services with just one year’s notice.

Call to Action: Contact your State Senator: CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR | MADVoters

Sample message: “My name is [name]. I’m a resident of [town/zip code]. I'm contacting you today to ask you to oppose HB 1002 because it provides a pathway to eliminate many public school programs, services, and requirements. It removes social, emotional, and behavioral supports and training. It Allows a public school district to be completely “charterized” - that is, public school districts governed by locally-controlled, elected school boards could be completely dissolved and replaced with charter schools governed by non-elected, appointed boards instead. This bill exempts charter school board members from submitting a statement of economic interest, reduces oversight of charters, and repeals language prohibiting discrimination. It removes consideration of cultural competency in developing school environment. It allows students to drop out at 16 without a qualifying reason. I allows schools to cut transportation services with just one year’s notice. Thank you.”