Blue 812 News Issue 56 - February 15

What’s the latest? Well, last week the White House (not House Republicans, the legislators who do no legislating) finally sent text of their funding plan, but Dems weren't into it. In the words of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, “Either they’re going to agree to dramatically reform the way in which ICE and other immigration enforcement agencies are conducting themselves … or they’re making the explicit decision to shut down the Coast Guard, shut down FEMA, and shut down TSA.” Yesss.

Dems may feel the wind at their back in these negotiations in light of new data. According to a recent poll, 58% of voters have a negative view of ICE, including 64% of independents. And 52% want ICE reforms before DHS funding, so Dems may have some leeway in shutting down the government again. Republicans’ lead on immigration has fallen to just 4 percentage points, down from 13 points last October. Trump’s handling of this issue now earns strong disapproval from 49 percent of adults, up from 34 percent last April. Plus, CBS News reports less than 14 percent of people arrested by ICE since last January had violent criminal records, and 40 percent didn’t have any criminal record!

Trump officials pass around the label of “Worst Member of the Administration” like it’s a baton in the relay from hell. Last week it was AG Pam Bondi’s turn. Her House Judiciary Committee hearing wasn’t specifically about the Epstein files, but, uhhhh….what would you have asked Pam Bondi about? Some lowlights:

Another concerning twist has come to light as a result of the hearing: Photos from Reuters captured a document in the AG’s binder labeled "Jayapal Pramila Search History," listing exactly which Epstein files the Democratic congresswoman had searched during her investigation. Jayapal confirmed it matched. Turns out DOJ staffers sit behind lawmakers reviewing unredacted Epstein documents and log everything they open. Even Speaker Mike Johnson, usually in lockstep with Trump, called it "inappropriate." Rep. Massie put it more bluntly: "I think it's kind of creepy that they were hoping to divine some line of attack based on our search histories." The DOJ claims they're logging searches "to protect victim information," which is a strange defense for the same department that published nude photos and Social Security numbers of nearly 100 survivors. Raskin is calling for an Inspector General inquiry. The system was supposed to expose predators, and instead it's surveilling the people asking questions.

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So, in 2009, we learned that greenhouse gases were bad for us. In 2026, we unlearned it. Yes, it’s true: the Trump administration has repealed the EPA’s endangerment finding, which determined that carbon dioxide and methane are warming the planet and threatening our health. Apparently, that was just, like, an opinion.

What does this mean? Well, the endangerment finding was basically the legal foundation for every federal climate regulation: emissions standards for cars, rules for power plants, pollution disclosure requirements for companies, you name it. And now that it’s rolled back, the government has stripped itself of its regulatory power. Like, it’s taken away its own power. It follows a series of anti-environmental actions, including leaving the Paris Agreement, cancelling $8 billion in funding for clean energy projects, spending $175 million to prop up coal plants, and removing greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars.

Why are they doing this? Because Trump loves coal and hates green energy, and of course, he wants to roll back as much stuff from 2009 as he possibly can, since in 2009, well, we remember who the president was. In Trump’s words, the endangerment finding is “one of the greatest scams in history,” which is bold coming from someone who literally made his own cryptocurrency. He also said fossil fuels have “lifted billions of people out of poverty.” Okay, but they’ve also increased global temperatures; the last eleven years have been the hottest on record. But who’s counting? Besides scientists. All of the scientists are counting.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called the repeal “the single largest deregulatory action in American history,” because we live in the era of saying the quiet part out loud. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum added that the repeal would help revive “clean, beautiful American coal.” Clean coal! Duh! Why didn’t I think of just cleaning the coal? The administration also said the move would save $1 trillion, but, as usual, it provided no details. I’m still waiting on the tariff revenue to make me rich. Any minute now…

But of course, they’re not the only ones who had something to say about this. Environmental groups, the American Lung Association, and many doctors are already suing because, thankfully, some people still think breathing matters. These fights will likely play out in the courts for years to come. The Environmental Defense Fund warned that rolling back the ruling could lead to up to 58,000 premature deaths. Obama called the move something that makes Americans “less safe, less healthy, and less able to fight climate change – all so the fossil fuel industry can make even more money.”

There are less than two weeks left in this legislative session, with lawmakers expected to adjourn no later than Feb. 27. The Indiana General Assembly has hit its halfway point, and the third‑reading deadline in the House and Senate served as a purge. More than 300 bills died in the House from not being called for a vote - among them Rep. Mitch Gore’s bipartisan proposal to ban local governments from buying luxury vehicles with taxpayer dollars; despite unanimous committee approval, House leaders removed it from the final calendar, preventing a vote. Seems sus!

Next week (February 16-19) is the last week for crossover committee hearings, when Senate bills can receive a hearing in the House, and House bills can receive a Senate hearing. While many bills have passed this step, those that have not by 2/19 will be considered “dead.” The Sessions Sessions podcast did a recent episode on all the ways bills have died in our General Assembly.

What happened last week:

SB 76, the major immigration bill, was passed by the House 61-28. Republican reps Clere (he actually just left the GOP), Genda, and Lopez joined the Democrats in opposition. The bill mandates that Indiana law enforcement, public schools, universities, and local governments must cooperate with federal immigration authorities and agencies, including ICE, or be sued for $10,000 per violation, plus prohibits employers from hiring undocumented people. SB 76 goes back to the Senate for concurrence, where they will vote to accept the amended bill before it is eligible to be signed into law. Indy Rep. Blake Johnson did a great breakdown of what this bill means. If you would like a script to follow when contacting legislators over the phone about this bill, you can use this document from Hoosier Asian American Power. If you would prefer to connect over email, use this form from Indiana Task Force.

HB 1343 grants police powers to the National Guard. These expanded police powers raise concerns about the militarization of police and encroachment on civil liberties. It was passed by the Homeland Security committee, and reassigned to Appropriations.

HB 1176 creates additional pathways for converting existing public schools into charter schools. It has passed committee, and is now eligible for consideration and vote by the full Senate.

HB 1002, the large electric utility omnibus bill, seeks to enhance customer financial stability, improve utility accountability, and restructure utilities’ rate-making process. HB 1002 passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday and is on the second reading calendar on Monday for amendments. There could be a full Senate vote next week. Contact Sen. Goode to support this bill.

Senate Bill 277 has gone from bad to worse. This week, lawmakers added in an amendment that would make it harder for state experts to research, test for and prevent dangerous “forever chemicals” that are known to cause cancer and other harmful health conditions. It passed out of the House Environmental Affairs Committee by just one vote. Contact lawmakers here through Indiana Conservation Voters.

Here are a few of the bills scheduled for action this week:

The set of bail bills (SB 2, SJR 1) are heading for House amendments and potential House vote. These bills will expand a judge’s authority to deny bail to “substantial risk” suspects who were previously guaranteed the right to release. It could lead to higher pretrial detention rates and further overcrowd county jails without providing additional funding. Plus, it risks turning pretrial detention into a form of punishment before a person has been convicted of a crime. Contact your State Rep!

SB 12, which preemptively bans ranked choice voting, is up for House amendments and potential House vote next week. SB 12 passed out of committee and will be eligible for second reading in the House on Monday. Contact your State Rep!

SB 91 extends Indiana’s syringe exchange program (originally another 10 years, amended to just 2), which has helped reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis. Without this extension, the program will expire. It is up for House amendments and potential House vote next week. Contact your State Rep!

SB 1 imposes harsh administrative burdens on Medicaid and SNAP recipients, and will expand on the harms of the One Big Beautiful Bill. It will cost the state significant money and cover fewer people’s healthcare and food access, especially for those who are pursuing an education, low-income parents, seniors, disabled people, and immigrants. SB 1 is scheduled for a Committee Vote on Monday afternoon.

Each Sunday, MadVoters and Progressive Indiana Network host a weekly legislative update. The session is also be streamed on YouTube and Facebook Live. Click here to register.

Billtrackers:

Gibraltar Design presented new high school feasibility study options and considerations to the Vigo County Oversight Board Thursday, which continues to study whether the county could assist with financing a new high school. The preliminary bond budget estimate for a new high school includes $177.7 million for construction/contingency costs and $44.4 million in soft costs (things as professional fees, project management fees, cost of bidding, furniture, permits and land survey), for a total of $222 million dollars, according to Jim Thompson, president of Gibraltar Design, but does not include site acquisition. No site has been selected, and no design work has occurred.

A preliminary timetable for a new high school would be to begin site preparation this fall and start construction in spring 2027. The earliest opening would be August 2029, and the timetable is contingent on site selection; preliminary planning and funding finalization. The district’s goal is to build the new high school, and modernize/renovate West Vigo High School, at the same time, which would ultimately benefit all VCSC students, Superintendent Chris Himsel has previously stated.

EXTRA CREDIT: The Progressive Indiana Network is doing interviews with candidates around the state. This week, they interviewed local challenger for Senate district 38, Kacey Bundell.

Remember Tesla Takedown? Amazing regular people adopted local Tesla stores and started regular actions. It’s time to do the same thing with Enterprise, who holds a contract with ICE. This campaign is kicking off in earnest February 16th and the call is for you to join in and host an action at an Enterprise near you anywhere in the world.

EXTRA CREDIT: The bill to overturn the 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters is heading to the Senate floor. Urge Sens Banks & Young to vote NO on HJ Res. 140! Click here send a letter about the Boundary Water bill.

Worried about climate now that Trump has repealed the endangerment finding? Download the Climate Action Now app. The five minutes a day you spend taking the actions it recommends will a) make you feel so much better and b) really make a difference! Trump’s attacks on science suck, but we can fight back. Download it here.

EXTRA CREDIT: The latest HoosiersRise Activist Almanac has been released - find it here.

visit the Blue812News Local Events calendar to see all upcoming events

Tuesday, February 17th at 5:30pm: Vigo Dems ‘event’ at 1111 Veterans Square More info here.

Tuesday, February 17th at 6pm: Indivisible Wabash Valley Birthday Celebration. Come have some birthday cake, good conversations and help us fulfill our birthday wish by bringing baby supplies for Covered with Love! Tues. Feb 17th from 6-7:30pm at the UU Church of Terre Haute, 1875 S Fruitridge Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47803 Please RSVP

Thursday, February 19 at 11am: Indiana Reproductive Health Lobby Day from 11-1pm at the Indiana Statehouse, 2nd Floor South Atrium. Let’s show up strong to advocate for reproductive freedom, patient privacy, and health equity. Together, we can protect access and push back against harmful legislation.

Sunday, February 22nd at 11am: "Forgiveness in the World of Outrage" - Marina Cantacuzino. Marina Cantacuzino, acclaimed author, broadcaster, and founder of The Forgiveness Project, will join us for an inspiring online talk: “Forgiveness in the World of Outrage.” As the leader of a UK-based organization that uses personal stories to break cycles of harm and build compassion, Marina offers a powerful perspective on what forgiveness can - and cannot - do in a world increasingly defined by binary thinking, rigid beliefs, and toxic division. From 11-12pm at the CANDLES Holocaust Museum. Register here.

Tuesday, February 24th at 11:30 am: Nasty Women Lunch with Mary. 11:30-1:30pm at the VCPL. Hosted by Democratic congressional candidate Mary Allen. From the organizers: "Come ask questions, share your concerns, and be part of the future we’re building — together." More info here.

Wednesday, February 25th at 8:30am: 2026 County Update, hosted by the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. Held at the Sycamore Banquet Center at Indiana State University, attendees will hear directly from Vigo County Commissioners Mark Clinkenbeard, Mike Morris and Chris Switzer on updates and perspectives on issues shaping Vigo County and our region’s future. Tickets are $40 - where does this money go? Click here for more information or to register

mark your calendars:

Next No Kings rally - Saturday, March 28th:

Hoosier Democrats are entering this election cycle with all the momentum. For the first time since the aftermath of the Watergate scandal in 1974, we have Democratic candidates running for every Indiana State Senate seat up for election this November. and State House candidates running in 91 of 100 districts, the most since Indiana instituted single-member districts in 1992.

A Trump-appointed federal judge bashed the Trump administration for throwing detainees in overcrowded facilities and denying them access to lawyers. “The Constitution does not permit the government to arrest thousands of individuals and then disregard their constitutional rights because it would be too challenging to honor those rights,” U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel wrote.

Border Czar Tom Homan announced that the immigration surge in Minnesota is winding down. Homan said of the operation, “We’re leaving Minnesota safer,” which is technically true, since Minnesota is safer now that they’re leaving.

The Ford worker who heckled Donald Trump during a visit to an auto factory last month is back in his job and “has no discipline on his record,” according to a union official.

The politicized attempt to indict six sitting Democratic members of Congress was not only rejected by a D.C. federal grand jury, but U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s case was unanimously rejected by grand jurors. To secure an indictment, Pirro needed the votes of 12 grand jurors out of the 16-23 that typically make up a grand jury. She got zero. Relatedly, a federal judge ruled that Sen. Mark Kelly is “likely to succeed on the merits” of his case against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and temporarily barred the Pentagon from moving forward with actions to punish Kelly.

Four Republican New Mexico candidates were disqualified after failing to meet ballot requirements. As a result, the Democrat candidate will be running unopposed!

New York City officials re-raised a Pride flag at Stonewall National Monument after it was taken down by the federal government earlier this week.

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