Pryor votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers

Today, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, EMS and public school services by $1.4 billion over three years. While the bill was pushed through with very little time to review the possible fiscal impact, it's clear that SB 1 will provide minimal property tax relief to Hoosiers. Republican leadership told Hoosiers it's time to "tighten our belts" while discussing this legislation, despite House Democrats' concerns that SB 1 will choke the life out of vital services provided by local governments.

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“People in my community want a true decrease in their taxes, not a decrease in property taxes that is cancelled out by increased income taxes. Marion County stands to lose $75 million under the current version of SB 1. In order for our community to fund essential public services like police, fire and EMS, as well as public schools for our kids, they will be forced to find the funding elsewhere. 

“This proposal is nothing but smoke and mirrors. Republicans in the legislature can run around touting that they have saved Hoosiers $300 on property taxes and then turn around to the local governments and force them to play the villain by raising local income taxes by $300 to keep functioning. They have managed to save Hoosier taxpayers very little while passing off responsibility to local governments. 

“I know this is not the best we can do for Hoosiers. This proposal is not a collaborative solution to help taxpayers around the state. We need to help our seniors stay in their homes while not cutting their access to emergency medical services. We need to help working parents keep a roof over their children’s head while not reducing the quality of their children’s education. 

“I am disappointed in the lack of action on the part of the legislature in helping Hoosier taxpayers get real relief.” 

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During House session on Wednesday, April 9, Gov. Mike Braun signaled that this was the Indiana GOP's final property tax plan, despite House Democrats still working to make the bill better on the House floor via amendments which were all voted down by the majority.

Pryor co-sponsored bill to reform eviction filing passes the House

Yesterday, April 8, the Indiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 142 which reforms state policy for filing evictions and sealing eviction records. This bill requires courts to order an expungement in cases that qualify and allows that action to be taken without a full hearing. In many cases, prior evictions stay on someone’s record and can be used by landlords to deny housing applications, even if the case has been resolved. Without this bill, the eviction expungement process can require large amounts of time and resources. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), co-sponsor of SB 142, issued the following statement: 

“Housing has become an increasing challenge for far too many Hoosiers. Eviction rates have skyrocketed, with some courts dealing with hundreds of eviction cases every day. Even for those who settle all debts, these evictions stay on your record and act as a barrier to securing housing in the future. 

“Requiring courts to seal eviction records in cases that have been resolved without the process of a full hearing will eliminate large amounts of time and resources for both the state and Hoosiers in this situation. Not only will this save the state money and help relieve chronically backlogged courts, but it will have significant impacts on the lives of struggling Hoosiers. I have heard stories from my constituents of apartment buildings giving families only a few hours to move out because of a facility issue in the dead of winter. If someone is waiting for their case to move through backlogged courts, having this mark on their record could be the difference between a new place to live and being on the streets. 

“There is no need to continuously penalize those who have satisfied their debt. This bill will free those who have settled their debts from having a scarlet letter on their housing applications. 

“Having a roof over your head is an essential human need. Access to reliable, safe and affordable shelter is something the state should strive to help all Hoosiers reach. I am so proud to have been a co-sponsor on this bill to remove this critical barrier to housing.” 

Pryor opposes the disenfranchisement of college students

Today, Tuesday, April 1, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 10 by a vote of 66-25. This bill changes the requirements of what is needed so that college students cannot use their official government-issued university student identification to vote. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the Elections and Apportionment Committee, issued the following statement after speaking against the bill on the House floor: 

“Indiana has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the nation. Yet, year after year, Statehouse Republicans pass legislation to make it harder for Hoosiers to exercise their right to vote. 

“When this bill was heard in committee, I was inspired by the number of students who showed up to testify against this bill and stand up for their right to vote. The General Assembly needs to be doing everything we can to get more of our young people engaged in our democracy, not put additional hurdles in their way. 

“If the concern is that some of our state institutions don’t have an expiration date on these IDs, the fix is simple. Just require university IDs to have expiration dates. Don’t use this reason to make it harder to vote for thousands of college students. 

“Many college students live, work, spend money, pay taxes and participate in the community of their college towns. They deserve the right to have a say on the officials who pass policies that impact their everyday lives.”

Pryor receives Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Over the weekend, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) was presented with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the Top Ladies of Distinction Area V Leadership Conference. The award was issued by former President of the United States, Joe Biden. 

Pryor issued the following statement:

“I am beyond honored to have been presented with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden. My career has been spent advocating for my community and uplifting the voices that may otherwise not be heard. As a public official, my goal has always been not just to represent my constituents, but to truly listen to their needs and serve them to the best of my ability. I strive to be available, accessible, present and compassionate. 

“Receiving this award and being recognized for my dedication to service by former President Joe Biden is deeply humbling. No matter how exciting it was to be surprised with this award, the true reward is seeing the impact my work has on the lives of people in my community.

“I want to thank all of the wonderful people who have believed in me, encouraged me, mentored me and supported me over the years. I also want to thank my former legislative colleague and friend Dee Dawkins-Haigler for waiting for the right moment to present me with this award." 

Pryor opposes bill to make school board races partisan

Today, Monday, March 31, the House passed Senate Bill 287 by a vote of 54 to 40. The bill makes Indiana’s school board elections partisan, requiring candidates to run as Democrat, Republican, Independent or with a blank space next to their name. The bill now heads to the Senate to approve the changes made in the House. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement upon the passage of the bill: 

“During discussion of this bill on the House Floor, a colleague of mine from across the aisle made derogatory comments aimed at one political party. If things like that happen on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives, it just goes to show that we do not need to bring more partisan politics into our school boards. We do not need one more thing driving a wedge between people in our communities. 

“School boards need to focus on serving the needs of our kids. The decision to elect someone to the school board should be based on what they are going to do to improve literacy and math skills, recruit quality teachers to address the teacher shortage and prepare students for the workforce or higher education. 

“Across the state, this is an unpopular policy. There is enough politics everywhere else. We don’t need politics in our school boards.” 

House Democrats in Election Committee stand against disenfranchisement of college students, partisan school board races

Today, March 12, the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment heard two controversial bills. Senate Bill 10 eliminates the ability of college students to use their official student ID to register to vote in Indiana. Senate Bill 287 would require school board candidates to declare their political party as a Democrat or Republican to be on the ballot.

Ranking Minority Member Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City), Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) and Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), who serve on the House Election Committee, released the following statement on hearing testimony on Senate Bill 10:

“Today, people from across the state came to testify against Senate Bill 10 and the disenfranchisement of college students. Our institutions are trusted to determine if a student is an Indiana resident when they decide to charge them in-state or out-of-state tuition. Why are we suddenly deeming them an unreliable source for verifying residence? 

“Indiana is one of the worst states when it comes to voter turnout. On both sides of the aisle, we agree that is it important to get our young people engaged in our democracy. Adding an additional barrier will inherently discourage college students from participating in elections that will directly impact them.” 

Jackson, Boy, Errington and Pryor released the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 287 out of committee by a vote of 8 to 5:

“This bill takes the focus of school boards off of educating our students and onto politics. The fundamental purpose of a school board is to keep the schools running smoothly, oversee transportation, building maintenance and teacher retention. Those issues are not political. Forcing these positions to be affiliated with a party will only sow discourse and slow down the process of decision-making. 

“We want qualified, dedicated candidates to step up and run because they are called to serve the community. Making school board elections partisan would deter anyone working for the federal government or an agency that receives federal funding from running to avoid violating the Hatch Act. 

“There are many actions we can take to improve our schools. Inserting politics into school board elections is not one of them. Let’s focus on the real issues for our kids and bolster teacher retention, academic outcomes, and graduation rates."  

House Democrats in the Elections Committee stand against partisan school board race bill

Yesterday, March 5, Senate Bill 287 was heard in the House Elections and Apportionment Committee but did not receive a vote. The bill would require school board candidates to declare their party and run in partisan primaries in order to be on the ballot in the November general election as a Democrat or Republican.

Ranking Minority Member Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City), Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) and Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), who serve on the House Election Committee, released the following statement on the bill:

“We believe this piece of legislation will severely damage Indiana public schools, by making school boards about politics and not our students. If this bill passes, we will see the same partisan arguments so prevalent in Washington, D.C. trickle down to our children’s schools. Issues like transportation, building maintenance and teacher retention have nothing to do with party affiliations and will slow down decision-making on our school boards. 

“The bill as written would make it necessary to run in a primary election and general election, when people step up to run simply because they want to serve their communities and provide a good educational system for students. The bill will also prevent anyone who works for the government or any other agency that receives federal funds or grants from running in a partisan election because of the Hatch Act. This will discourage many highly qualified individuals from serving our schools, and it would force many qualified school board members to resign.

“If we want to improve our schools, we should create legislation to increase our teacher retention, strengthen our graduation rate and ensure young Hoosiers receive the same educational opportunities as students across the nation. SB 287 will not help us further these goals, but will distract from the real obstacles we face in our education system. Taxpayers should let their representatives know they oppose this legislation and show them Hoosiers do not want political wars in our schools.”

Pryor’s amendments struck down in Ways and Means Committee

Today, Feb. 17, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) offered several amendments to the state budget during the House Committee on Ways and Means. These amendments were focused on increasing the quality of life of working Hoosiers, first responders and new mothers. 

Three of the amendments Pryor offered focused on supporting working Hoosiers by expanding the allocation for mass public transportation from $45 million to $65 million, increasing the renter’s deduction by $1,000 and exempting breastfeeding items from state sales tax. 

“Indiana recently ranked as the 6th highest state in the nation for the percent of adults who experienced difficulty keeping up with everyday expenses,” Pryor said. “Part of this affordability crisis comes down to the high cost of renting and lack of access to public transportation. 

“Indiana is one of the worst states in the nation to be a renter. I offered an amendment to give Hoosier renters some relief with an increased renter’s deduction. In Indianapolis, a quarter of all renters are severely cost-burdened, meaning they are forced to spend half of their income on rent. When people are paying a majority of their income to keep a roof over their heads, they struggle to keep up with the increasing cost of living in terms of utilities and groceries. This amendment would have put money back into the pockets of Hoosier renters. 

“Additionally, I offered an amendment to increase the allocation for mass public transportation. With the increasing cost of living, many people simply cannot afford the cost of owning a car and paying for gas. This is why it is so important to make sure that we have adequate public transportation. Access to public transportation has been shown to significantly increase quality of life as people can reach employment opportunities, grocery stores, resources, doctor's appointments and more. 

“I also offered an amendment to make breastfeeding items exempt from the state sales tax. Charging a sales tax for necessary items such as breast pumps creates barriers for new mothers that increases the difficulty of an already challenging time. These items provide the basic need of food to our newborn babies.”  

Pryor also offered an amendment using the language from House Bill 1352, authored by State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), to establish the Indiana first responders mental health wellness fund and program. 

“The rate of suicide amongst first responders is significantly higher than the rest of the population. These brave individuals put themselves in harm's way to protect their communities. From running into a burning building, to resuscitating someone after a car accident, to showing up to a crime scene, first responders regularly experience traumatic situations. This amendment, which inserts language from HB 1352 authored by Rep. Carolyn Jackson, would establish a fund to help first responders access mental health resources that could save their lives.” 

All of Pryor’s amendments were struck down by the Republican supermajority. 

Pryor’s efforts to lower utility costs struck down by supermajority

Today, Feb. 13,  State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) offered two amendments to House Bill 1459 that aimed to cut costs for ratepayers. These amendments would have provided relief for those struggling to pay their utility bills by prohibiting utility companies from charging reconnection fees or raising their rates for one year. The amendments would have also ensured that utility companies could not disconnect services during the hottest and coldest times of the year and required them to offer reasonable payment plans. 

Another component of the amendments was the requirement for utility companies to submit data on the number of disconnections they have each month. Under a settlement agreement with the Office of the Utility Counselor and the IURC, the 5 largest utilities were required to report this same data until early 2024. That data showed that thousands of households are being disconnected from utility services every month due to non-payment.  Both amendments were voted down by House Republicans. 

“I proposed these amendments because Hoosiers are getting billed to their breaking point,” Pryor said. “Utility companies in our state continue to raise rates despite making record profits. It is unacceptable that 13% of Hoosier households experience at least one disconnection annually.” 

“Because utilities operate as a regulated monopoly in Indiana, our constituents rely on us to protect them from predatory pricing. The aggressive price hikes that utility companies are pushing are too much for people to keep up with. The amendments I proposed would have given Indiana residents some time to catch their breath from the rising cost of living in our state. Utilities in our state should be affordable for everyone, and I will keep fighting until that is a reality.” 

Pryor amendment to expand voting rights struck down by House Republicans

Today, Feb. 11, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to allow no excuse absentee vote by mail. This amendment would bring Indiana in line with 28 other states and make voting more accessible for Hoosiers who may not be able to make it to the polls. The amendment was struck down on procedural grounds.

“In a time where voter apathy is growing, this body needs to be taking every action possible to make it easier for Hoosiers to engage in our government and make their voice heard.

“In 2024, only 61% of registered voters cast their ballots, down 6% from the 2020 election. Indiana has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the nation. In order for government to truly serve the people, we need to ensure that all Hoosiers have access to vote in the way that meets their unique situation. 

“We continue to hear from Hoosiers that this body is not reacting to the needs of everyday working Hoosiers. Making it easier for Hoosiers to vote is the most basic and vital step we can take to end voter apathy and ensure responsiveness to the people that elect us to serve.”

Pryor reacts to Braun’s first State of the State

Yesterday evening, Indiana’s new governor, Mike Braun, gave his first State of the State address. Since his inauguration on Jan. 13, Braun has issued an array of harmful executive orders aimed at promoting Washington’s culture war agenda at the expense of Hoosiers. These actions include banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs. During the speech, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus held a Unity Rally with community leaders and advocates.  

“In the few short weeks since Mike Braun was inaugurated as governor, he has spread a message of division and hate through the rash executive orders he has issued. This State of the State address followed the same tune. 

“Unsurprisingly, he continued his crusade against diversity by implying that diversity, equity and inclusion are the opposite of merit, excellence and innovation. 

“His so-called ‘Freedom & Opportunity Agenda’ does nothing but restrict freedom and opportunities for minority communities, women and any Hoosier who relies on the state for services. The careless slashing of government programs will not increase efficiency as he claims, but will make government less accessible for those who are most in need. 

“While I am in disagreement with the governor’s attitude and assumptions about the need for diversity, there are some ideas that I am glad made it to his agenda. For too long, Hoosiers have been struggling to keep up with rising property taxes brought on by a broken system. I have been working for years on solutions to give Hoosiers property tax relief. We should all join together in focusing on the issues that matter for every day Hoosiers, not issues that seek to divide us. 

“I was proud to stand beside my fellow members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus as we held a Unity Rally yesterday evening. We joined together with community advocates, leaders and fellow legislators to demonstrate to our governor that we will not stand by while the principles of equality are condemned. 

“Every Hoosier deserves to be celebrated for their unique identity. I will always be committed to making Indiana a welcoming state for people from all walks of life to thrive." 

Pryor files 2025 legislation, continues commitment to Indiana homeowners

With the 2025 legislative session underway, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) has filed eight pieces of legislation that will improve the lives of residents across the state. Pryor’s legislative agenda includes bills targeted at housing and homeownership, safety and expanding health care access. Pryor’s legislative agenda directly addresses pressing issues deemed detrimental to state residents.

“In Indiana, 31% of residents rent their homes, and our state ranks 35th in overall health,” Pryor said. “These numbers show the urgent need for us to get back to work and provide legislation that will actually address the issues faced by many residents today. Although there will be a lot to digest in this session, we must remain steadfast in what is ahead of us, and that is improving the lives of residents in the great state of Indiana.”

Continuing her work from last year on breast cancer prevention, House Bill 1061 requires a state employee health plan to cover supplemental breast examinations. This provides additional early detection cancer resources to state employees. HB 1062 prohibits state insurance policies from requiring patients with advanced cancer to try and fail other prescription drugs before covering a prescribed treatment. 

HB 1176 will allow an identifying symbol for a medical condition on a driver's license, permit, or identification card to also be used to indicate an autism spectrum disorder. This bill is aimed at providing information vital to interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism to prevent miscommunications. 

Pryor’s legislation also includes protections for tenants as Indiana has some of the worst renter protection laws in the nation. HB 1175 requires a landlord to repair or replace an essential item within 24 hours after of being notified by a tenant that the rental unit is without certain essential services. It would allow the health authority to make the repairs, charge the landlord and impose a fine if the landlord does not make the essential repair. This will provide additional support for tenants that may already be facing an uphill climb. 

“These bills will improve lives across the state, whether it's expanding health care coverage, improving interactions with law enforcement, or fighting for tenants' rights,” Pryor said.

Here is a list of Pryor’s legislation this session:

1. HB 1060 Right to repair

2. HB 1061 Coverage for cancer screening

3. HB 1062 Coverage for certain cancer prescriptions

4. HB 1063 Discriminatory profiling and pretextual stops    

5. HB 1175 Repair of residential rental properties

6. HB 1176 Health information and BMV records

7. HB 1177 Home ownership           

8. HB 1664 Due-on-sale clauses