Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Monthly Newsletter: August 2024 Edition
Welcome to the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus’ newsletter, where we will provide legislative and community updates for you from around the state. Please reach out to our office by contacting IBLC@iga.in.gov if you have any questions, concerns or thoughts on what you’d like to see in this newsletter.
IBLC WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
We want to welcome our newest IBLC Executive Director, Alexis Watts!
Alexis is a graduate of Ball State University and a current MPA Candidate at Indiana University Indianapolis. She has over ten years of experience in education and healthcare and volunteers in the nonprofit sector in programming and facilitating for women and girls.
Alexis is passionate about mental health, housing insecurity and special education.
"I am excited to serve as Executive Director and contribute to the amazing work being done by the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus."
FINAL IBLC SUMMER TOWN HALL TO BE HOSTED IN TERRE HAUTE
Each year, the IBLC hosts a series of town halls across the state to share information about the laws passed during the 2024 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
The final IBLC town hall of the summer will take place at:
Terre Haute:
Sept. 7 from 12 - 2 p.m. (ET) at the City Hall Courtroom
This month, the IBLC held a town hall in Gary on Aug. 17. We want to thank everyone who came out and shared their perspectives on this year’s legislative efforts and voiced their concerns on the issues affecting their communities.
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA UPDATES
On Aug. 14, the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) revealed the second draft proposal for Indiana's new high school diploma. The official proposal has yet to be published, but the preliminary updates include eliminating the GPS Diploma and GPS Diploma Plus. While we are optimistic, we are still waiting for the full details of the proposal to be released and hope the SBOE addresses additional public concerns.
Chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and State Rep. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) released the following statement regarding the updated draft proposals:
"This summer, the IBLC hosted town halls across the state, and in doing so, we heard various constituent concerns from folks across the state. I want to thank the Hoosiers who spoke at our town halls in Lawrence, Evansville, Elkhart, Michigan City and Fort Wayne and provided feedback directly to the State Board of Education.
"A high school diploma reflects the values and skills our students have gained throughout their educational journey. Instead, the initial proposal would have devalued our students' education and achievements, leaving students wishing to pursue college or university unprepared or ineligible to attend most colleges. I am optimistic that the changes made in this second draft will allow our students to pursue various pathways based on their individualized goals.
"However, we still have concerns about the feasibility of implementing these diplomas, specifically regarding the work-based learning requirements for the Honors and Honors Plus Diploma. We have yet to receive any updates on how students, especially those in rural areas, can secure these work-based opportunities. We also need insight into how students will be transported to their job sites or any measures to ensure student safety."
The IBLC would like to thank the public for their response and engagement on this issue. Through advocacy, the public was able to positively influence the diploma updates. We will continue to keep you informed on the next update and public comment section.
To read Rep. Harris’ full statement, click here.
FSSA ADMINISTERS COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR OLDER ADULTS
The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is launching a comprehensive needs assessment survey of older adults. The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults is a collaborative effort between Area Agencies on Aging throughout the state and the research firm Polco.
According to a release from the FSSA, the questionnaire covers various factors impacting older adults’ quality of life, such as local employment and volunteer opportunities, housing, accessibility, mobility and physical and mental health.
Randomly selected households across the state have received mailers inviting residents aged 60 and older to participate in the survey. These households will receive a follow-up packet, including a survey to complete and return.
This July, The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA)’s transferred to the new Indiana Pathways for Aging program for Hoosiers 60 and over. However, this transition, which aims to improve the health and well-being of Hoosiers, has not been seamless. The Medicaid waitlist has left many Hoosiers high and dry as they wait to receive necessary care or accommodations. Additionally, services previously covered under Medicaid, such as transit to and from adult day centers, have forced many programs to close their doors.
This survey offers Hoosiers an opportunity to provide direct feedback to the FSSA about the loss of programs and opportunities resulting from this transition. The IBLC encourages eligible Hoosiers to fill out the survey to give valuable information to the FSSA as they continue to navigate this transition.
All eligible residents will be able to complete the survey beginning on Sept. 4, 2024. For updates on when the survey will go live, click this link to receive an email notification when the survey is available.
For more information on this survey, please get in touch with your local Area Agency on Aging at 800-713-9023 or the Division of Aging at 888-673-0002.
MOTION TO DISMISS GARY GUN LAWSUIT DENIED
On Aug. 12, a civil division of the Lake Superior Court denied the motion to dismiss the 25-year lawsuit Gary v. Glock Corp (1999). This case aims to hold gun manufacturers responsible for illegal gun sales in Gary communities. Several similar cases against gunmakers were filed in major cities. However, these cases were all ultimately thwarted by gun manufacturers.
The motion followed the State's attempted intervention in the suit through the passage of House Enrolled Act 1235, which prohibits any entity but the state of Indiana from pursuing legal action against firearms manufacturers. HEA 1235 retroactively went into effect on Aug. 27, 1999 – three days before the City of Gary filed their nuisance suit. The motion to dismiss was denied to avoid violating Gary's Memorandum of Law.
State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary) made the following comments regarding the case:
"The state attempted to intervene in this 25-year lawsuit on behalf of the gun lobby. When the legislature passed this law, they breached the separation of powers of Indiana's three branches of government…I became an attorney because I believe in the power of justice and the rule of law.
"I was in school in 1999, and at that time, Gary was the murder capital of the world. I remember this lawsuit being filed, and it felt like we were taking action…Gary has improved immensely since then in part due to this lawsuit. This lawsuit warns firearm manufacturers that we noticed their predatory practices. We noticed that they were pumping guns to retailers even though our community was suffering.
"This is a major win that our community deserves. My father, the late Mayor Richard Gordon Hatcher, once said 'No one will save us but us.' This lawsuit is a piece of the change we, as a community, want to see. I am thankful this lawsuit lives."
To read Rep. Hatcher’s full statement, click here.
RECORDER MEDIA 2025 CHAMPIONS OF DIVERSITY AWARD NOMINATIONS OPEN
The Minority Business Review and Indiana Minority Business Magazine are currently accepting nominations for the 2025 Champions of Diversity Award. The annual awards dinner recognizes individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations who embody the values of diversity and equity. The 18th annual awards dinner will take place Jan. 17, 2025.
Nomination submissions for the 2025 Champions of Diversity Award will be accepted through Sept. 16. The awards are open to anyone regardless of race, discipline, industry or background.
To learn more about the award or to submit a nomination, click here.
IBLC in the News:
Historic gun suit survives serious legal threat engineered by Indiana Republicans - ft. Rep. Hatcher
https://www.propublica.org/article/gary-indiana-lawsuit-guns-gunmakers-gop-glock-smith-wesson
Pryor celebrates ceremonial signing of bill to expand breast cancer screening and survivor resources - ft. Rep. Pryor
https://indianahousedemocrats.org/news-media/pryor-celebrates-ceremonial-signing-of-bill-to-expand-breast-cancer-screening-and-survivor-resources
Indiana schools report 41% increase in bullying incidents during 2023-24 school year- ft. Rep. Smith
https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-investigates/indiana-schools-report-41-increase-in-bullying-incidents-during-2023-24-school-year
Indiana finances remain enviable despite looming challenges- ft. Rep. Porter
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/indiana-finances-fiscal-year-closeout/article_7953854e-54c9-11ef-88d5-e7f85afde3b5.html
Officials talk challenges, importance of tackling human trafficking - ft. Rep. Harris
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/01/officials-talk-challenges-importance-of-tackling-human-trafficking/
Medicaid advisory panel weighs in on HIP lawsuit, PathWays transition- ft. Rep. Shackleford
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2024/08/22/medicaid-advisory-panel-weighs-in-on-hip-lawsuit-pathways-transition/
Indy’s Black community combats opioid crisis (Part 2)- ft. Rep. Shackleford
https://indianapolisrecorder.com/indys-black-community-combats-opioid-crisis-part-2/
In Other News:
Understanding Indiana's new truancy law as classes resume
https://fox59.com/video/understanding-indianas-new-truancy-law-as-classes-resume/9969508/
How Indiana government uses AI for some services
https://www.wishtv.com/news/politics/how-indiana-government-uses-ai-for-some-services/
Students’ IREAD scores inch up. Indiana’s efforts to combat literacy decline start to show progress
https://indianapolisrecorder.com/students-iread-scores-inch-up-indianas-efforts-to-combat-literacy-decline-start-to-show-progress/
Get ready for BUTTER: 2024 lineup revealed
https://indianapolisrecorder.com/lineup-for-butter-2024/
CenterPoint Energy fined $2 million by state of Indiana for violations
https://www.courierpress.com/story/news/local/2024/08/21/centerpoint-energy-fined-2-million-by-state-of-indiana-for-violations-federal-pipeline-law/74856910007/
In service,
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus
Contact:
Alexis Watts, Executive Director of IBLC
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-234-3101
1-800-382-9842
IBLC@iga.in.gov
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