Jennifer McCormick spoke to Democrats Tuesday night, March 15, in Warsaw. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A former superintendent of public education said the permitless carry bill headed to the governor’s desk is the latest example of overreach by Republicans who enjoy supermajorities in the General Assembly and throughout state government.

Jennifer McCormick, who will be remembered as the final superintendent to be elected before Republicans turned it into an appointed position in 2021, spoke to Democrats meeting at Mad Anthony’s in Warsaw earlier this week.

She was joined by Democrat State Rep. Maureen Bauer, from South Bend, during an event billed as another stop on the Jobs Tour that highlights the local benefits of the recent COVID-19 relief money from the federal government.

Maureen Bauer

Legislation that would allow people 21 and older to carry handguns without the need for a permit gained momentum late in the session. All area lawmakers – state representatives and state senators – supported the measure.

The legislation is waiting for action by Gov. Eric Holcomb. If approved, Indiana would join nearly half of the other states in shifting to that policy.

State Rep. Curt Nisly, a big supporter of the bill, celebrated on Facebook and urged the governor to sign HB 1296.

But Bauer echoed concerns by others that Republicans “rushed through” and “skirted the process” late in the session and avoided an open debate.

“We’re hoping the governor will veto that bill,” Bauer said, noting that a large majority of her constituents oppose the idea and that the superintendent of Indiana State Police testified against it.

The gun legislation is one of several examples that Bauer and McCormick say that is happening increasingly as Republicans operate without any need for support from Democrats.

McCormick who ran for state office before switching her political affiliation to the Democrat Party, said repeatedly that Democrats care about people while Republicans “create noise.”

She accused Republicans of highlighting critical race theory concerns and attacks on trans youth while ignoring more important issues.

“It’s not about change, it’s about creating noise, and boy did they create it,” McCormick said.

At the same time, she said Republicans are finding ways to eliminate local voter voice, such as her own former position being taken off the ballot, McCormick said.

Bauer added, “The party of local control is now overstepping and overreaching many, many times again.”

Supermajorities are bad for governance because it leads to less open discussion, McCormick said.

Democrats, she said, need to chip away at the supermajority so they are in a position to negotiate.

McCormick spoke a lot about the declining number of teachers.

“Public education is under attack and it is purposeful. It’s not by chance. It’s not uncalculated and it’s not without a plan. It is under attack,” she said.

Bauer and McCormick also outlined the benefits coming to local communities as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act.

They pointed to increased teacher pay and $500 million in local projects through Indiana’s READI program, as some of the many proposals coming to life.

“Relief money has helped us recover from the worst pandemic in a century,” Bauer said.

The state Democratic party has hosted public meetings in recent months touting the newfound spending that is leading to new job opportunities.

The meeting in Warsaw marks the end of the publicity tour, said Drew Anderson, director of communications for the Indiana Democratic Party.

He said they will continue to let the public know that the only two members of the Indiana congressional delegation to support the American Rescue Plan Act were U.S. Reps. Frank Mrvan and Andre Carson. 

“A large majority of programs and projects that are being announced in this state is because Democrats delivered it through the Rescue Plan and the Jobs Act,” Anderson said.