Standing for Every Hoosier
DemandEquality
DemandJustice
DemandProgress
Senate Democrats’
2021 Legislative Priorities
Raise the minimum wage
Boost workers’ compensation benefits
Support the IBLC justice reform agenda
Expand access to voting
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TAKE SURVEYShare your thoughts with our Legislative Survey
TAKE SURVEYEnsuring all Hoosiers have access to their vote
We should be making sure all Hoosiers have full and easy access to their constitutional right to vote. The pandemic brought to light once again how hard it is (and sometimes unsafe it is) to vote in our state. Barriers to voting need to be struck down. This is why our caucus will fight for no-excuse absentee voting and secure ballot drop boxes across the state. Indiana was only one of 5 states who didn’t allow our residents to request a mailed ballot for any reason even though we were experiencing a worldwide pandemic. Even before the pandemic, at least 34 other states allowed their voters to request a ballot in the mail without having to provide a reason or excuse. In addition, Indiana is one of only 10 states that do not offer safe and secure ballot drop boxes for voters. These two voting methods together would only bolster our ability to make sure that all eligible Hoosiers can exercise their Constitutional right to share their voice and cast their vote.
Supporting the IBLC in its criminal justice and policing reform
As our state has battled the coronavirus pandemic, another battle, for racial equality and justice, has raged in the streets. Over the last year, people from all across the world have joined together in the call for an end to police brutality and racial injustice. In our state, Hoosiers have been active in calling for an end to systemic racism, and our caucus agrees that the time for police reform is long past due. With unrest continuing to persist throughout our country, it’s imperative that our state steps up next session to approve meaningful legislation that will address and begin uprooting the racism and injustice that exists in our criminal justice system. Specifically, our caucus will support the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Agenda, with the biggest priorities being banning no-knock warrants and chokehold maneuvers.
Guarantee a living wage for all Hoosiers
Indiana has not increased the minimum wage since 2008. The current minimum wage is not enough to live in any of Indiana’s 92 counties. State legislators and judges have their salaries automatically adjusted every year to keep up with inflation, Hoosier workers deserve the same. No one who goes to work 40 hours a week should be unable to make ends meet. In addition, cities across the state are barred from determining the best minimum wage for their own communities. Our proposal would allow local governments to do what is best about the wages of their own cities.
Boost workers’ compensation benefits for those hurt on the job
Workers’ compensation benefits aren’t increased automatically, so we have to vote to increase them to make sure they keep up with inflation and cost of living. We need these benefits to make sure Hoosier families aren’t going bankrupt because of an injury on the job. At the end of the day, working Hoosiers and their families must be a priority for our state government. State Senator Karen Tallian will lead this bill that increases benefits for injuries and disablements by: 10 percent after July 1, 2021, 6 percent after July 1, 2022 and 4 percent each year after that until 2026. If signed into law, this will be the first time the state has increased workers’ compensation benefits since 2016.