Sen. Taylor discusses Senate progress, hopes for compromise in House walkout

AUDIO RELEASE: Democrats protest immigration bill in State Senate

INDIANAPOLIS— On Tuesday, a bill dealing with immigration was approved in the State Senate despite Democrat protests that the legislation encourages racial profiling, will cost the state jobs, and carries a significant financial cost for state and local governments. Senate Bill 590 would establish a number of restrictive provisions such as enabling law officers to verify an individual’s U.S. citizenship with “probable cause” and requiring that only English be used in any public document, including government websites and forms.

Senate Democrats rose strongly in opposition to the bill, citing the chilling consequences it would have on economic development, particularly in the state’s corporate and academic recruitment of high-skilled professionals from around the world.

Senate Bill 590 was approved by a vote of 31-18. It will now go to the House for further consideration.

State Senator John Broden, a Democrat from South Bend, says the bill is a jobs killer that will hurt Indiana’s economy, as recognized by top employers Eli Lilly and Cummins. Sen. Broden also says the local governments will see an unmanageable cost in enforcing the bill.
SEN. BRODEN: “This bill is a jobs killer…”

(Length: 00:32:20)
SEN. BRODEN: “I think this bill does have a significant fiscal impact…”

(Length: 00:22:27)

State Senator Tim Lanane, a Democrat from Anderson, outlined a number of requests from Hoosier job-creators urging the legislature to refrain from passing the bill due to a negative impact on business.
SEN. LANANE: “A couple days ago I saw something…”

(Length: 02:05)

State Senator Lonnie Randolph, a Democrat from East Chicago, says the issue should be dealt with on the federal level. He says state legislators should be dealing with the state budget and job creation, not this.
SEN. RANDOLPH: “All of the problems that we’ve got and we want to solve the federal…”

(Length: 00:51)
SEN. RANDOLPH: “We should be ashamed…”

(Length: 00:44:09)

State Senator Karen Tallian, a Democrat from Portage, says she can’t be quiet while Indiana becomes one of a handful of states to adopt some of the most restrictive and racially controversial measures in the country.
SEN. TALLIAN: “Now we’ve been told that we need this bill…”

(Length: 01:23)

State Senator Greg Taylor, a Democrat from Indianapolis, says that he is concerned about the bill’s potential affect on the new Indianapolis Convention Center.
SEN. TAYLOR: “I care about my convention center…”

(Length: 00:21)

For more information on senate bills or the Senate Democrats visit http://www.senatedemocrats.in.gov.

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Martin Luther King statehouse celebration

On Thursday, a statehouse celebration was held in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Members of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission and the Indiana Civil Rights Commission sponsored the event. In attendance were African American and civil rights leaders from across Indiana.

The 20^th Annual King Holiday Celebration opened with a performance by the Golden Singers from Broad Ripple Magnet High School as an end to their participation in the Dr. King Educational Youth Summit.

The Golden Singers, Broad Ripple Magnet High School

Soon following, the Distinguished Hoosier Award was presented to commemorate the legacy of Attorney John O. Moss, who led the NAACP’s 1968 desegregation case against Indianapolis schools. Accepting the award in Moss’s honor were his wife, June Moss, and his son, Attorney Marc Moss.

Awards were also presented to the following individuals:

• Diane Clements, Executive Director of the Evansville Human Relations Commission, received the 2011 Freedom Award.
• Kendra King, Muncie Southside High School, Class of 2011, received the 2011 Passing the Torch Award.
• Heroes Camp, Inc. of Mishawaka, Indiana received the 2011 Chairman’s Award.
• Tanya Walton Pratt, Judge for the United States District Court in the Southern District of Indiana received the 2011 Spirit of Justice Award

The event was hosted by radio personality Abdul Hakim-Shabazz with the keynote address given by Tim King, founder, President and CEO of Urban Prep Academies.

To read about the history of the Martin Luther King state and federal holiday observances, read our post from 2010 >>

Senator Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) in attendance at the event

Senator Taylor sponsors resolution for observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day

State Senator Greg Taylor of Indianapolis sponsored House Concurrent Resolution 38 for the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Under the resolution,  Indiana would observe Juneteenth National Freedom Day on June 19 each year.

Sen. Taylor was joined on the Senate floor by Reverend Melvin Girton of Christ Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Fitzhugh Lyons of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, and Anthony Bridgeman, Director of Community Initiatives at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

Juneteenth Day commemorates African-Americans’ freedom from slavery and President Lincoln’s bold move by signing the Emancipation Proclamation. Although it was passed in 1863, the legislation did not take effect until two years later on June 19, 1865.

“It’s a part of African-American and U.S. history that needs to be observed and understood by everyone,” said Sen. Taylor.

The resolution was adopted by the Senate.

Senator Taylor introduces House Concurrent Resolution 38 for the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation today in the Senate.

Guests Reverend Melvin Girton,  Reverend Fitzhugh Lyons and Anthony Bridgeman are joined by State Senators Greg Taylor, Lonnie Randolph, Jean Breaux and Earline Rogers