INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization advocating for the future of Indiana and its families and workers, criticized the Republican supermajority at the statehouse for pushing needless, partisan culture wars while statehouse Democrats are delivering for Hoosier families, students, and workers. This past month, the INGOP has progressed bills that attack LGBTQ Hoosiers, create divisive partisan school boards, and would reduce state pension returns by nearly $7 billion. 

Meanwhile, Democrats at the statehouse are committed to finding solutions to the challenges facing Indiana. Democratic legislators are moving bills that create common-sense solutions to improving educational attainment, increasing access to vital reproductive healthcare, and protecting first responders, especially Indiana’s bravest.

“Indiana Democrats are addressing the needs of Hoosiers by presenting real solutions at a time when Hoosiers are urging their leaders to tackle common sense issues,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl. “Meanwhile, the INGOP continues to present an agenda that promotes culture wars and favors special interests instead of solving the top issues facing families and workers across our state.”

Fact is: Indiana’s future has dimmed under the GOP’s nearly 20-year watch. Hoosiers have an F rated quality-of-life and the state has a D- rated workforce, a C- rated education system, the third worst maternal mortality rate in the nation, and the country’s most polluted waterways. Republicans have ignored the warning signs from Indiana’s top business leaders and their taxpayer-funded reports in order to push an out-of-the-mainstream agenda that creates problems instead of solving them.

Here are a few of the bills that Democrats are moving to improve the lives of Hoosiers:

HB 1219 authored by Rep. Maureen Bauer would start a pilot program to begin testing Indiana firefighters exposure to synthetic PFAS chemicals

WNDU: Firefighter safety bill advances out of Indiana House committee

WFYI: Indiana firefighters could get annual blood testing for PFAS under proposed pilot program

HB 1449 authored by Rep. Ed Harris would automatically enroll students into the 21st Century Scholars Program

NWI Times: Eligible Indiana students may get easier access to no-cost college degree

Statehouse Files: 21st Century Scholars bill sees enthusiastic support so far

SB 252 authored by Sen. Shelli Yoder would increase access to long acting reversible contraception

AP News: Indiana lawmakers look to broaden birth control access

Indiana Capital Chronicle: Public health infrastructure bill moves forward

INDems will continue to work towards creating a brighter future for all Hoosiers, regardless of their income, race, or background. By moving these bills through the statehouse, INDems are demonstrating their commitment to improving the lives of families across the state and building a better Indiana for all.

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