Pelath Calls For State to Adopt Referenda

Pelath says it's time to plan for the "demise of ISTEP."

The Indiana House Minority Leader has laid out his party’s vision for the 2017 General Assembly. Representative Scott Pelath (D-9) is calling for non-partisan redistricting and campaign finance reform. Pelath has also introduced a proposed amendment to the state constitution "that will allow the General Assembly to permit binding, statewide referenda on the functions of government."

He also touched on what he says are growing inequities felt throughout the state. "Increasingly, we’re collecting money from all communities and workers in Indiana and showering their dollars on the most influential, who are already doing well on their own," he said, citing examples such as performance bonuses for teachers in communities with higher incomes. He added some $1.3 billion in corporate and individual tax cuts that "disproportionately benefit folks at the top" are coming.

Pelath also discussed proposals to improve the state’s road and bridge infrastructure and work force development strategies, which he says are leading to "too many job openings and too few skilled workers to fill them."

You can connect to a full copy of Pelath’s remarks by clicking here.