Indiana’s top two lawmakers, who are Republicans, kept quiet Thursday on which of six GOP candidates they’d back as the state’s next governor.
Leaders also expressed uncertainty about how they’d handle public retiree benefit bills, but indicated legislation on antisemitism could pass muster this year. However, a contentious effort to make higher education institutions friendlier to conservatives could face more skepticism in the House.
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said he was still “pending” on which gubernatorial candidate to support. But when he settles on someone, he said he’d keep that private.
House Speaker Todd Huston talks to reporters on Thursday, January 25, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
“Our chamber will have to work very closely with the governor and the governor’s administration,” Bray, R-Martinsville, told reporters Thursday. “I don’t really expect that I’m going to come out publicly and be supportive of somebody.”
House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, was even more firm.
“I am as neutral as neutral could be,” he said.
But asked what he was looking for in a candidate, Huston said it would be someone with a “vision for Indiana.”
“You know, building on the prosperity we have, the growth that’s taking place, and somebody that has a vision for … building on what we’re doing and making it even better,” he said. “I’m pleased with the quality of candidates we have and … I look forward to working with whoever our party selects.”
What’s next for bills on retiree benefits, antisemitism in the Senate
With the legislative session past the halfway point, leaders are looking over the bills from their colleagues – and coming up against bill-killing policy differences.
Bray said those bills might see success this session.
Lawmakers have traditionally given public retirees an additional benefit, like a 13th check or a cost-of-living adjustment, every budget year. That’s because pensions rarely keep up with how much it costs to live.
The House is advancing a one-time 13th check, while the Senate prefers a more long-term approach featuring guaranteed bonuses instead of the traditional ad hoc treatment. It’s unclear when retirees would get a first payout under that bill.
Bray noted that the House heard – and unanimously moved – his chamber’s approach in a committee Thursday. He said he was “optimistic” it would get passed, but signaled the House’s corresponding effort could face a more difficult path.
“I don’t have the ability to say whether that’ll pass right now or not,” Bray said.
Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, speaks at the Dentons Legislative Conference on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
The Senate also killed, last year, a bill specifying that antisemitism — bias against Jewish people — is religious discrimination and is not allowed within the public education system. However, Indiana law already bans discrimination on the basis of both race and “creed,” which means religion.
The House designated it a priority bill this session following the terrorist attack on Israel and subsequent, deadly war in Gaza. Bray said it would “probably” get through the Senate this time.
“We’re having some conversations now and making sure that people are comfortable with it,” he said. “I’m not going to say there might not be a change or two to it as well.”
Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, said he believed the bill would go through a “significant change” in the Senate. He added, “Hopefully, it’s a change we can agree upon.”
Taylor, who is Black, has been adamant about protecting more groups: “We have a lot of other -isms out there,” he said.
‘Viewpoint discrimination’ bill comes to the House
Huston, meanwhile, indicated a controversial Senate bill on higher education might not make it through his chamber. That’s after several hours of passionate testimony against the bill in a House committee Wednesday.
House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, speaks during a news conference on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
The sweeping legislation would tighten lawmaker oversight of Indiana’s public colleges and universities for “intellectual diversity.” It would alter boards of trustees, tenure and promotions, create complaint procedures and more. Supporters say it’s meant to make conservative students and faculty feel welcome but opponents say it could actually stifle freedom of expression.
Huston said university trustees are “incredibly important” and emphasized the “financial acumen” needed.
“We’ll see,” he said of the bill. “If we – if I – if it ever gets to that point, I’m sure it’ll be an interesting conversation about who (in the caucus) is interested and who isn’t.”
Democrat Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, said the bill is “obviously … not ready for prime time.”
He called it an “attack on educators” counter to the state’s efforts to retain and promote teachers.
