From DeLaney's Desk: Blocked Votes and Dolly Parton
Welcome to "From DeLaney's Desk," a newsletter where I can provide state and community updates as your State Representative. Please reach out to my office at h86@iga.in.gov if you have any questions, concerns or thoughts on what you see or would like to see in this newsletter.
February is Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect upon the contributions and enduring legacy of Black and African Americans throughout our nation’s history. This month serves as a reminder of the resilience, creativity and strength that have been pivotal in shaping the nation. The importance of uplifting the voices and legacies of those that have been lost along the way, serves as true now as it did then.
Statehouse Republicans refuse to hear concerns of the voters
This week, House Democrats offered several amendments aimed at expanding voting rights for Hoosiers. Instead of allowing a full discussion and vote about strengthening our democracy by making absentee ballots more accessible and allowing citizen-led ballot initiatives, the supermajority struck the amendments down on procedural grounds, stifling discussion.
The Republican supermajority in the House has made it more than clear that they are reluctant to hear what concerns the public. They reject non-binding referenda. They seem to not want to hear how Hoosiers feel on controversial issues such as cannabis legalization or abortion rights. Could this be because they are afraid that their unpopular policies would be rejected by the majority of the voting public?
We are falling into a practice of using House procedures to dodge difficult votes. As an example, my colleagues in the House filed amendments on House Bill 1679 to make absentee ballots more accessible for Hoosiers, only to be told they didn’t belong in a bill quite literally entitled ‘Various election matters.’ Indiana has historically had one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the nation. The House should be disturbed by that fact. Instead of taking action to make voting more accessible, House Republicans chose to shut down any vote on the House floor.
My takeaway from this week’s events on the floor is that House Republicans want to avoid any vote that is difficult for their members.
Protecting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee heard public testimony on Gov. Braun’s “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal. The proposal does not renew funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Dolly is arguably one of America’s biggest superstars. She has a cherished place in our country’s cultural history not only as a musician but also as a philanthropist. Many families' lives have been changed through her early literacy program.
Her Imagination Library mails free, age-appropriate books to our children from infancy to five. Our kids can join this program regardless of their family’s income, zip code or other factors. By growing up in a home full of books, our young children practice their reading skills and foster a love of learning.
Indiana was blessed to become one of her partners in 2023 through a $6 million matching grant. Now, without explanation, Gov. Braun chose not to renew the Library’s funding in the state budget. With no funding, this great program truly could be one-and-done. Our children will be left with their imagination but no library.
Rest assured, House Dems will work ‘9 to 5’ to reinstate Dolly Parton’s library in our state budget.
Local students remind me of the need for gun reform
This week, I had the honor of meeting with a group of local students from North Central High School at the Statehouse for Moms Demand Action advocacy day to discuss common-sense gun reforms.
As I was reminded by the passionate group of students from North Central High School that spoke with me, Indiana has a long way to go to protect Hoosiers from gun violence. In 2024, Indiana ranked 7th highest in the nation for incidents of gunfire on school grounds. The legislature passed a bill in 2022 to allow permitless carry. We have yet to close the loophole that allows the purchase of firearms at gun shows without a background check. In 2023, we had the third highest rate of accidental child shootings behind only Florida and Texas, states with much larger populations.
The need to enact common-sense gun safety policies remains as strong as ever, even if it isn’t making headlines this session. I wanted to thank Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action for the work they do to shed light on the pressing issue of gun reform.
Make Your Voice Heard: Take My 2025 Legislative Survey!
Each session, I base my legislative priorities on the concerns of my constituents. Your input is essential to my work as a representative, and I want your voice to be heard. One of the easiest ways to share your thoughts and concerns is through my legislative survey.
Our community is facing some difficult issues this budget session. Whether it is fully funding public schools, addressing rising property taxes or making sure Marion County gets our fair share of road funding, I am ready to fight for the needs of House District 86. Your survey responses help me gauge how our district feels about the various topics we discuss at the Statehouse and what other issues are important to you.
My survey is available online at IN.gov/H86 by clicking the button at the top of the page. Please do not complete the online survey if you have returned the survey by mail or if you do not reside in House District 86. To find your state legislator, you can visit https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators. Please know that a question on my survey does not indicate my support for or opposition to an issue.
Session began on Jan. 8, and we will be at the Statehouse through April. I hope you’ll be a part of the process by completing my survey. Please contact my office at h86@iga.in.gov if you have any questions, thoughts or concerns.
Check out this article about Indiana’s sticky Medicaid situation
Economist Michael J. Hicks had a column this week in the Indianapolis Star about the contentious state of Indiana’s Medicaid system. As our economy transitions to accommodate for technological innovation, many of the jobs we are creating are lower-wage jobs. This means that the share of Hoosier residents eligible for Medicaid will grow as automation takes over factory jobs.
The natural way to combat this trend would be to spend more on education so people have more flexibility to transition sectors. However, with our declining college-going rates and decreased state funding for K-12 and higher education, it is safe to say that is not the route my colleagues in the legislature are choosing to pursue.
As Hicks puts it:
“Public policy is about weighing choices, and those choices are often unpleasant. Indiana can choose to continue spending more tax dollars to mitigate the effects of poverty (Medicaid) or spend more money to prevent poverty (education). Or, we can continue to cut taxes and spend less on both; or raise taxes and spend more on one or the other, or both.
“Only one of these choices will result in less poverty and more economic growth. It isn’t tax cuts.”
See the full article here: Indiana's startling Medicaid math forces unpleasant choices | Opinion
My viral exchange with the Indiana Secretary of State
In January, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales testified before the House Ways and Means Committee to fund his budget. I had some questions on his practice of hiring relatives. Notably, he chose not to answer. His refusal to disclose these details during this tense exchange now has over 2 million views on Tik Tok. See the video above from the Indiana House Democrats Instagram page.
Statehouse Conversation with Jon Schwantes
First draft: Hoosiers react to 2025 budget proposal
Superintendent: IPS would close 20 schools, cut jobs
Indiana high-schoolers tell lawmakers how gun violence has affected them
FSSA establishes new deadlines for Hoosiers invited off Medicaid waiver waitlists
Thank you Ed. I read your letter with interest. I know you are very busy now following lots of bills. I called your office yesterday to let you know about the environmental bills I support and oppose. Your staff person was extremely helpful. Several times she asked if I had any further comments.
Ed,
Thank you for the Newsletter and excellent words and observance of Black History month!
I commend you and your efforts to support housing, work for property tax relief, protect homeowners from special assessments and support economic development and increased funding for home renovation and repairs. Finally, defend Realtors and promote high standards for
professional licensing and increase enforcement against unlicensed real estate practices that violate agency duties toward homebuyers and sellers.
Respectfully,
Robbie Williams, CRS, GRI, SRES
Realtor Broker Consultant