Hoosiers who attended the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus’s virtual town hall Thursday expressed concerns about racial justice and COVID-19.
The caucus spent much of the two-hour town hall reviewing legislation from the 2020 session and previewing its agenda for 2021 – including its justice reform plan. Some of the questions from the public included issues like reforming the cash bail system, raising teacher pay, and defunding the police.
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Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) says she thinks “defund” is the wrong word to use.
“Maybe a major surgery and a facelift is a much better use of the term as it relates to the police department and the funding of it,” Pryor says.
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Pryor and others suggested banning police use of military-grade equipment and shifting funds to social service providers.
Asked about the state’s COVID-19 reopening plan, several members – particularly those from northwest Indiana – said they thought the state is moving too fast.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
