Indiana Democratic Party 4-1-17 Podcast

Chair John Zody and the 4-1-17 Indiana Democratic party weekly radio address podcast.

Gov. Holcomb and Statehouse Republicans have failed to address Hoosiers’ slow-growing wages during the legislative session, and in fact, during the last several years. In fact, they’ve spent more time debating how to raise their own pay than they have Hoosiers’.

TRANSCRIPT:

This is Chairman John Zody, bringing you the weekly podcast for the Indiana Democratic Party.

In the same week that the first round of layoffs were announced at Indianapolis manufacturer Rexnord, The Indiana Economic Development Corporation awarded $7 million in incentives to Carrier Corporation even as the company still plans to move 550 good-paying jobs to Mexico.

Carrier Corporation and its highly-profitable parent company United Technologies, announced last year that they’d be outsourcing 700 jobs in Huntington, Indiana in addition to the 550 jobs in Indianapolis scheduled to depart for Mexico.

On average, jobs at the Indianapolis Carrier facility paid $22/hour – above Indiana’s median wage. I discussed this, noting that Gov. Holcomb and Statehouse Republicans have failed to address Hoosiers’ slow-growing wages during the legislative session, and in fact, during the last several years. In fact, they’ve spent more time debating how to raise their own pay than they have Hoosiers’. It’s disappointing, and not the way to approach a positive future for Hoosiers across Indiana.

United States Senator Joe Donnelly also rebuked Carrier this week and other profitable corporations that ship Hoosier jobs overseas. Senator Donnelly has authored legislation – the End Outsourcing Act – that would penalize corporations that outsource American jobs.

In Washington, Senator Donnelly called on President Trump to veto a resolution that would allow internet service providers to sell Hoosiers’ browsing data without their consent. Donnelly voted against the resolution.

In contrast, the entire Indiana Republican Congressional delegation voted for the resolution, effectively signaling their support for Hoosiers’ private browsing data to be bought and sold without their consent.

Back in Indianapolis, Statehouse Republicans bent Senate rules to the breaking point this week by reviving and advancing a measure to eliminating Hoosiers’ right to elect the State’s Chief Education Officer. Senate rules forbid a bill to be heard again if it’s been decisively defeated. The measure in question was voted down earlier this session.

Amendments offered by Indiana House Democrats to bolster Indiana’s steel industry – an industry that supports thousands of good-paying jobs in Indiana – were rejected this week by Statehouse Republicans on party-line votes.

Both the Indiana Senate and House are up against key deadlines next week during the legislative session. Expect Republicans to double down on divisive issues.

Please follow the IDP on Facebook and Twitter. Simply search INDems – that’s I-N-D-E-M-S on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us to get the latest news about our candidates and what we’re doing to hold our counterparts at the Statehouse and in Washington accountable.

Only together can we fight for fairness, the future and work towards a brighter and better state for Hoosiers of all walks of life to succeed in working and raising a family.

Thank you for listening.