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Date: 3/26/2025
Subject: April 2025 Voter
From: LWVGL

April 2025

League Friends,

Spring is a season of renewal, and this month the League is embracing fresh ideas, thoughtful discussions and continued action in support of our democracy.

April brings a unique opportunity to help shape the direction of our local League for the coming year. Our annual program planning meeting will be April 1st and we value every voice as we prioritize our goals for the year. Also, our Environmental Services committee has an exciting event planned for Earth Day -- April 22nd!

Get involved! Our mission of civic engagement and democracy defense is more important every day! I challenge you to attend at least one meeting or event this month with your League friends!

Barb Clark

Executive President, Business

League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette

April Dates To Remember

01 Program Planning: 6:00-7:30p, Wells Community Center

02 Policy at the Pub: 5:30-6:30p, The Black Sparrow

07 World Health Day

09 Voter Services Committee: 6:00p, WLPL Walnut Room

10 League Lunch: Noon, Lafayette Brewing Company

22 League Board Meeting: 5:00-6:00p, WLPL

22 Earth Day 🌎

22 Earth Day Presentation from Wabash River Enhancement Corp: 6:00-7:45p, WLPL

25 Arbor Day 🌳🌲🌴

28 Remembrance for Betty Doversberger: 1:00p, Ivy Tech Quad - Reception following; RSVP to msaxon5@ivytech.edu

Every event is open to all LWVGL members! Join Us!

Bill requiring jails to report potential immigration violations has passed both chambers

By Caleb Crockett, TheStatehouseFile.com March 24, 2025

The Indiana Senate covered a total of 49 bills and 12 amendments on Monday. Eighteen bills passed their third reading, and 17 bills on their second reading were engrossed. All other bills were passed upon.

House Bill 1393

The most controversial bill was House Bill 1393 regarding state immigration policy. HB 1393 states that after an arrest has been made, if there is probable cause, a jail or detention facility must reach out to the county sheriff to notify immigration customs enforcement or any other proper authority.

The bill passed 37-10 after a lengthy discussion among Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, and Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis.

Taylor debated with Freeman about the specific language “probable cause” found in the bill and claimed that law enforcement does not want this bill to pass.

“This bill is not even supported by the people who will have to implement it,” Taylor said. “Why would you pursue a piece of legislation that the people you are asking to implement the policy don’t want to enforce?”

Taylor also expressed concerns about racial profiling within the 30-40 minute discourse.

“You don’t think as a result of this legislation that certain people will be turned in as probably here illegally?” Taylor said.

Taylor and Qaddoura said the bill could have unintended effects on minorities.

“There is a fear that a victim of a crime might not even call IMPD because they are afraid that some family members, or themselves, will go down the path of being questioned about their immigration status,” Qaddoura said.

Freeman responded by stating the bill only affects those who cannot present any sort of legal documentation identifying themselves as American citizens. He also said he amended the bill specifically to avoid people being pulled over on the suspicion of being an illegal immigrant.

HB 1393 was amended on March 20 to delete language that would empower an officer to pull someone over on the basis of citizenship status.

Caleb Crockett is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Get Involved – Use Your Skills for a Stronger Lafayette Community!

Feeling concerned about the world but not sure how to help? Taking action is one of the best ways to channel that energy into something positive! The League has many opportunities for you to share your time and talents, whether it’s through our Event Planning, Observer Corps, Administrative Support, Budget/Finance, Reproductive Rights, Communications, Environmental Sustainability or Voter Services.

A large time commitment is not necessary and volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends while working towards the greater good for your community!

If you have an interest or skill that doesn’t fall under these categories, let us know—we’ll find a way to put your gifts to good use!

To learn more or sign up, contact Eileen Drennen at eileen527@yahoo.com or Lisa Dullum at lmdullum@hotmail.com.

Why should you attend the Program Planning Meeting?

Attending our annual program planning meeting is a unique opportunity to actively shape the direction of our League's initiatives for the coming year. This gathering embodies our grassroots approach, where members collaboratively decide on key issues to address, guiding our advocacy and educational efforts.

By joining the discussion, you help determine our focus areas, budget allocations and event planning, directly impacting our effectiveness in promoting civic engagement and informed voting.

Together, we can set meaningful goals and strategies that address the issues most pertinent to our community.

Talking Green on Earth Day

Join the League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette on April 22 (Earth Day) for an engaging discussion on the development of the Wabash River Greenway. The event will take place at the West Lafayette Public Library (2nd floor meeting room), beginning with snacks at 6:00 p.m., followed by the presentation at 6:30 p.m. After the presentation, a question and answer time will be allowed until 7:45pm.

Lafayette Mayor, Tony Roswarski will provide a welcome and introduction, leading into a talk by Stanton Lambert, Executive Director of the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation. The presentation will highlight the five-county Wabash River Greenway project, with a focus on the exciting trail developments currently underway. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about local conservation and recreation efforts!

Celebrate National Library Week

"I’m reminded that, in many communities, the public library is one of the few places that remains truly inclusive, accessible—and free. This makes libraries uniquely positioned to serve as conveners and facilitators of civic engagement and civil discourse, where all voices are heard, and diverse opinions, histories, and cultural heritages are respected. Beyond the physical space, libraries can leverage their programming, collections, and resources—both physical and digital—to uphold human dignity, foster open dialogue, and promote respect for diverse viewpoints and civil rights. These values are fundamental to any thriving democracy". -Shamichael Hallman, Urban Libraries Council

Enjoy these thoughtful pieces about the deep connection between libraries and democracy:

Why Democracy Needs Libraries

The Library, Democracy and You

Reintroducing: Your Local Library, a Critical Tool for Democracy

What's going on at your local library?

West Lafayette Public Library

Tippecanoe County Public Library

Join the Fight for Democracy in Tippecanoe County

Be part of the final push! Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we’ve raised $4,580 toward our $6,000 goal! Every dollar you give stays local, directly funding our voter education programs, candidate forums and civic engagement initiatives in Tippecanoe County. Join LWVGL as we work locally to:

🇺🇸Defend Democracy at Home

🇺🇸Counter Misinformation

🇺🇸Protect Voting Rights

🇺🇸Support Local Action

🇺🇸Invest in Future Voters

🇺🇸Strengthen Civic Engagement

🇺🇸Push Back Against Voter Apathy

Donate today at leaguelafayette.org or by mail:

LWVGL

P.O. Box 2085

West Lafayette, IN 47996.

LWV of Greater Lafayette @ The Community Action Fair

The League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette was pleased to be a part of the Community Action Fair on March 8th. The League was one of 30 civic action oriented organizations that staffed tables for more than 250 participants to visit. Rachel K. and Taylor F. handed out more than 60 membership brochures and shared the League's motto of empowering voters and defending democracy. They offered the Observer Corps program as a way to be immediately involved and learn more about local government at the same time.

Rachel & Taylor staff the LWVGL table at the Community Action Fair.

Two-hundred and fifty participants learned about 30 organizations at the Community Action Fair.

LWVGL Executive President, Barb, helped organize the Community Action Fair.

For more information about this event and to learn how our League is involved, contact Sallie Fahey, Chair of the Environmental & Sustainability Committee @ envt_sustain@leaguelafayette.org.

Welcome to our newest LWVGL members: Kay Nannet, Nicholas Schenkel, Cindy Mitchell, Cora Wood, Leslie Ainley, Jan Pearlman Cortner and Amanda Thompson. Thanks for joining us in the mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy!

If you know someone who is interested in helping equip citizens to shape better communities, please encourage them to check us out online at League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette

CLICK HERE TO SHOP TODAY

Shop with Purpose

Visit the League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette online store

and grab your pro-democracy merch! Every purchase helps fund our

outreach right here in Tippecanoe County! Wear your support, spread

the word and make a difference.

Click Here to Register

"If we want to make a change beyond the ballot box and find meaning in these challenging times, we need to engage with the people around us. Look at the social movements of the past that created lasting impact, like the civil rights movement securing legislation to outlaw segregation and discrimination, or the labor movement establishing weekends and the eight-hour workday. Powering these campaigns were longstanding relationships between different people with different skills and roles, forged together into a collective by their shared values and a desire for a better world. They built communities that were able to create sustained public pressure for change outside of the presidential election cycle." - Samantha Delgado In Times of Defeat, Turn Towards Each Other, Future Perfect fellow at Vox

Click Here for More Info on 50501

Click Here For Information & Registration

Local Government Meeting Schedules

County Council Meeting: 2nd Tuesday of every month at 8:30AM, Tippecanoe County Building
County Commissioners Meeting: 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 10AM, Tippecanoe County Building
West Lafayette City Council: 1st Monday of every month at 6:30PM, Margerum City Hall.
Lafayette City Council: 1st Monday of every month at 6:00PM, Lafayette City Hall

NOTE: All meetings are subject to change or cancellation, so check before attending.

How a Bill Becomes a Law: Indiana Edition

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

State Senator Ron Alting, District 22

Website: https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/alting

Email: Senator.Alting@iga.in.gov

Phone: 800-382-9467; 317-232-9400

Address: Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204

State Senator Spencer Deery, District 23

Website: https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/deery

Email: Senator.Deery@iga.in.gov

Phone: 800-382-9467; 317-232-9400

Address: Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204

State Representative Chris Campbell, District 26

Website: https://indianahousedemocrats.org/members/chris-campbell

Email: h26@iga.in.gov

Phone: 800-382-9841; 317-234-3101

Address: Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204

State Representative Shelia Klinker, District 27

Website: https://indianahousedemocrats.org/members/sheila-klinker/full

Email: h27@in.gov

Phone: 800-382-9841; 317-234-3101

Address: Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204

State Representative Matt Commons, District 13

Website: https://indianahouserepublicans.com/members/general/matt-commons/

Email: h13@iga.in.gov

Phone: 800-382-9841; 317-232-9600

Address: Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204 State

State Representative Mark Genda, District 41

Website: https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/members/general/mark-genda/

Email: h41@in.gov

Phone: 800-382-9841; 317-232-9643

Address: Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204

State Representative Heath Vannatter, District 38

Website: https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/members/general/heath-vannatter

Email: h38@in.gov

Phone: 800-382-9841; 317-234-9450

Address: Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204

Governor Mike Braun

Website: https://www.in.gov/gov/

Phone: 317-232-4567

Address: Office of the Governor, Statehouse, Indianapolis IN 46204-2797

4th Congressional District U.S. Representative Jim Baird

Website: https://baird.house.gov

Phone: 202-225-5037

Address: 1314 Longworth, Washington DC 20515

U.S. Senator Jim Banks

Website: https://www.braun.senate.gov

Phone: 202-224-4814

Address: 374 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510

U.S. Senator Todd Young

Website: www.young.senate.gov

Phone: 202-224-5623

Address: 185 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510

LWVGL Board of Directors & Officers

2024 - 2025

Barb Clark, Exec-Business organization@leaguelafayette.org

Lori Miller, Exec-Advocacy/Outreach advocacy@leaguelafayette.org

Beth Jones, Exec-Events/Public Educ events@leaguelafayette.org

Denise Ottinger, Treasurer treasurer@leaguelafayette.org

Susanne Mort, Asst. Treasurer treasurer@leaguelafayette.org

Amy Bolman French, Secretary secretary@leaguelafayette.org

Angie Delworth, Comms Dir communications@leaguelafayette.org

Sallie Fahey, Chair Enviro & Sustain envt_sustain@leaguelafayette.org

Rachel Kizer, Membership membership@leaguelafayette.org

Lynn Wood, Editor, The Voter editor@leaguelafayette.org

Taylor Flanery, Voter Services voterservices@leaguelafayette.org

Anything to add?? If you would like to submit an article or have an idea for a topic, please feel free to contact the editor at editor@leaguelafayette.org. Information for the upcoming month is due by the 25th of the month prior.

Lynn Wood

Editor, The Voter

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