Indiana
Ballot initiative amendment defeat expected but still disappointing – Indiana Capital Chronicle
I knew the amendment would fail before Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, even began speaking. That’s how it works with Democrat amendments in a chamber where Republicans have a supermajority.
But I was interested in the debate on whether Indiana should consider allowing citizens to initiate a statewide ballot question, whether for a law or constitutional change. In Indiana, only legislators can do so.
Errington’s proposed amendment to a House elections bill would have placed a non-binding public question on the November ballot: “Shall citizens be allowed to initiate a ballot referendum in Indiana?”
The amendment was easily defeated 27-66, with every Republican who voted opposing the measure.
Think about that. It was non-binding. Advisory. Guidance only. And House Republicans don’t want to hear what you have to say.
Errington said more and more citizens have asked her why Indiana doesn’t have the same rights as citizens in other states like Ohio to initiate change that lawmakers won’t do on their own.
It mostly comes up in the context of legalizing marijuana and protecting access to abortion.
Errington quoted public, well-respected polling showing Hoosiers want both by significant margins.
“Is it any wonder that the people in this state are losing confidence in us to make laws that reflect their views?” she asked. “Is it any wonder that they are losing interest in voting when their legislators don’t listen to them after they have been elected? And when their legislators actually do the opposite?”
Ohio is one of 19 states that allow direct ballot initiatives, either for laws or constitutional amendments. Voters in Michigan and Illinois also have that option.
GOP disapproval
But Republicans spoke against the amendment.
Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, said Indiana’s founders were smart enough to set up a representative government instead of putting every issue on the ballot and getting nothing done.
“(Voters) do weigh in. It’s called an election. And that is how we change things in this body, is through elections,” he said.
Rep. Tim Wesco, R-Osceola, said the statewide public question would be an unprecedented “waste of Hoosier’s time and attention.”
He also noted it should be hard to change the state constitution, and I have to agree. But you can create a direct ballot system that gives a path to citizen-led initiatives with a bar high enough to deter constant upheaval.
In Ohio, for instance, petitions for a constitutional change must be gathered from 44 of the state’s 88 counties. And the number of petitions is equal to 10% of votes cast for governor in previous election. That meant more than 413,000 signatures for a recent abortion initiative.
That is a ton of work to achieve and means it won’t be used on every little issue-of-the-day. For comparison, Indiana is considered to have a strong signature requirement to run for governor or Senate, in which a candidate must collect 500 signatures from all nine congressional districts. That’s only a total of 4,500.
Perhaps House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, said it best: “I am not scared of what the voters have to say. You shouldn’t be either.”
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INDIANAPOLIS (WNDU) – South Bend muralist Alex Ann Allen is one of three finalists to create a 40-foot mural for the new Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center in downtown Indianapolis.
Allen has worked on murals in places throughout Michiana, from South Bend to Benton Harbor, to Monticello, Indiana.
The community gets a say in the final design. A public survey is open through June 14 as organizers pick the final design.
The mural is expected to be painted in fall 2026, with the facility opening in spring 2027.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana State Fair is hiring hundreds of seasonal workers for its 2026 run.
The fair returns August 7 through August 23. It’s closed on Mondays.
Officials are looking to fill about 800 positions. They include parking attendants, gate staff, security personnel and operations team members.
The fair is also hiring tractor shuttle operators, information booth assistants and education exhibit guides.
The 18th Annual Indiana State Fair Job Fair happens Thursday, June 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The event takes place inside the Agriculture/Horticulture Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center at 1202 E. 38th Street in Indianapolis.
Job seekers can complete applications and participate in on-site interviews. The fair says people who attend the job fair will receive priority consideration during hiring.
“Every great Fair experience starts with great people,” said Mark Anderson, Director of Human Resources at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. “Our seasonal team helps create the energy, hospitality and memories that guests look forward to each summer.”
Anderson said the fair offers opportunities for people seeking their first job or extra income. It’s also good for those wanting to stay engaged with the community.
Applicants should bring a resume if they have one. They should also bring a positive attitude. Previous fair experience is not required.
People who can’t attend the job fair can apply in person starting June 8. The Employment Office is inside the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion.
Walk-in applications are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More information about employment opportunities and the 2026 Indiana State Fair is available at www.IndianaStateFair.com.
THORNTOWN, Ind. (WISH) — Residents of Thorntown were asked to evacuate Tuesday following an anhydrous ammonia spill.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office said the spill happened in the northwest part of rural Thorntown.
“If you are at the Old Mill Run trailer park, please evacuate,” the alert from the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said.
Anhydrous ammonia is widely used as a fertilizer and a refrigerant.
Thorntown Sugar Creek Fire Department posted to Facebook Tuesday night, saying that Thorntown Fire Department and Thorntown police are currently “on scene of an anhydrous tank leak Northwest of Thorntown.”
“It is currently settling in low areas and drifting towards town,” the post read.
TFD says if you notice “an ammonia odor,” leave the area.
“We expect a mild odor to extend to town however it is safest to leave if you start smelling it.
Anhydrous is attracted to water and low areas. If you observe a fog/cloud or strong odor immediately exit the area. If you begin experiencing any concerning health issues we have additional Witham Medics staged in town.”
TFD says that with any hazmat incident, it can evolve. Residents are asked to “be ready to leave if needed.”
Officials said if you or a loved one is experiencing breathing issues or any other symptoms, call 911 for treatment.
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