Indiana GOP Should Call Special Session for Gas Tax, Not Banning All Abortions

Fox 59: "Indiana Republicans show no signs of moving for gas tax cut"

ICYMI: State Rep. Jim Lucas admits the Indiana GOP could pause the state's gas tax, provide Hoosiers relief at the pump

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today called out Indiana Republicans for their hypocrisy in calling a future special session. On one hand, the Indiana GOP plans to waste taxpayer dollars and ban legal and safe abortions in Indiana - even in possible cases of rape, incest, and saving the mother's life. On the other hand, Governor Eric Holcomb and most in the GOP ignored calls by Indiana Democrats to call a special session aimed at lowering the price at the pump - a kitchen-table issue that would help all Hoosiers struggling during global inflation.

It's worth noting: State Representative Jim Lucas admitted last week the state could temporarily pause the state's gas tax - making their "NO" on the special session look even more craven and partisan.

"The Indiana Republican Party would rather call a special session to designate women as second-class citizens than roll back their tax increases on Hoosiers at the pump," said Mike Schmuhl, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. "Saving money for people during a period of global inflation should be a no-brainer for any public servant, but it's clear the Indiana GOP gets their orders from Washington, D.C. - not Indiana. Rather than wasting even more taxpayer dollars on a total abortion ban (something only 17 percent of Hoosiers want), we should be focusing on saving money for everyone by rolling back some of the Indiana GOP's tax hikes on everyday Hoosiers."

Since March, Indiana Democrats have proposed a pause to the state's gas tax. This idea would help lower the price at the pump and could already be paid for by the $6 billion state surplus or even the $900 million allotted in the 2021 state budget, thanks to the American Rescue Plan. But, the Indiana GOP refused. Indiana Republicans are showing (again) they have no plans to create a better future for Indiana - just prioritizing national partisanship.

Instead of addressing the gas tax, a majority of Republican Statehouse Representatives have called for a special session to pursue anti-abortion legislation - even a possible total ban on abortions - should Roe v. Wade be overturned. Just last week, Jeff Raatz said he'd support "any" additional ban on abortions in the state. In a 2016 questionnaire, Todd Young told Indiana's Right to Life that he unequivocally supports criminalizing all forms of abortion - including in cases of rape, incest, and life of the mother. Only about 17% of Hoosiers support a total ban on abortions.

The Indiana GOP: putting their partisanship ahead of the state's future.

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