 | League Friends,
As we begin another election year, I find myself coming back to a simple truth: democracy works best when people show up. Not just in November, not just at the ballot box, but year-round in the ways we learn, listen, and engage with one another.
That spirit is exactly what’s behind our upcoming Democracy in a Cup event. On Saturday, February 21, we will gather with local and state elected officials for conversation over coffee. No speeches. No rallies. Just the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and remember that democracy is strongest when it is accessible and human.
In an election year, it can be tempting to tune out. The noise gets louder, the headlines get heavier, and civic engagement can start to feel overwhelming. The League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette exists to counter that instinct. We provide calm, credible information. We create spaces for respectful dialogue. We remind our community that informed participation still matters, especially when it feels difficult.
I hope you will join us for Democracy in a Cup and consider how you might engage with the League in the months ahead. Democracy does not sustain itself. It requires people who are willing to show up, stay informed, and keep going.
Thank you for being part of that effort.
Executive President, Business
League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette | February Dates to Remember
11 Voter Services Committee Meeting: 6p, West Lafayette Public Library
21 Democracy in a Cup: 9:30a Social Hour / 10:30 Forum, First United Methodist Church, W. Laf
24 LWVGL Board Meeting: 5:30p, Wells Community Cultural Center
28 2026 Hoosiers Vote Summit: 8:30a, West 16th Street, Indianapolis
Every event is open to all LWVGL members! Join Us! |
Are We Really in a Constitutional Crisis?
The League defines a Constitutional Crisis as:
When the executive, the legislative, or judiciary branches cannot or will not adequately protect the US Constitution, when there are explicit attempts to dismantle a functional democracy within any of the three branches, or when any level of federal government takes action to destroy democratic institutions in a manner that intentionally or purposefully jeopardizes the US Constitution.
When these events occur, the constitution is deemed at the highest serious risk and warrants full-scale action to preserve and protect democratic institutions and civil society.”
Since the Trump administration took office in January 2025, we’ve seen increased attacks on our democratic systems and a failure by Congress to intervene. This came to a head in early April, when the president defied a Supreme Court order to return the wrongfully deported Marylander, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia.
On April 16, 2025, a US District Court Judge, James Boasberg, ruled that there is “probable cause” to find the Trump Administration in criminal contempt of court for violating his order to immediately pause deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.
The executive branch’s blatant disregard for an order by the judicial branch constitutes an attack on our democratic system. Therefore, we consider our country to be in a Constitutional Crisis.
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Help Us Bring Back the Conversations That Matter
Some of our most meaningful League moments do not happen in meeting rooms or at podiums. They happen over coffee, over appetizers, and in conversations that remind us we are not doing this work alone.
Over the years, two of those informal gathering spaces have meant a great deal to our members and to the wider community: Discourse & Donuts and Policy at the Pub. Both have recently lost their organizers, and we are now looking for new leaders willing to take up the mantle and help re-imagine what these gatherings could be next.
Discourse & Donuts was a monthly meet-up at the West Lafayette Public Library where community members came together to talk through current issues in a welcoming, low-pressure setting. Policy at the Pub offered a similar opportunity in a more social environment, inviting members and guests to enjoy good conversation and good company over shared appetizers.
Here is the important part: these events do not need to look exactly like they did in the past. In fact, we welcome fresh ideas. A new location, a new format, a new cadence, or a new spin are all on the table. What matters most is preserving the spirit of these gatherings: creating accessible spaces where people can connect, listen, ask questions, and engage with civic issues in a human way.
If you have ever thought, “I wish there were more places to talk about this without shouting,” this is your invitation. Stepping into a role like this is a real service to the League and to our community, and it is also deeply rewarding. You would not be doing it alone. Support, guidance, and flexibility are built in.
If you are interested in organizing one of these events, or simply want to talk through what it might look like, please reach out to Barb at bclark3@purdue.edu. A small commitment like this can have a meaningful impact, and it is one more way to help strengthen civic connection right here at home. | Member Spotlight: Ken Jones Brings Voter Registration Expertise to the No Kings Workshop
LWVGL member Ken Jones represented our League at the No Kings Workshop: Skills for Fighting Fascism on Saturday, January 10, held at the First United Methodist Church in West Lafayette. The afternoon event drew a strong turnout of approximately 150 participants eager to build practical skills for civic engagement.
Ken led a breakout session titled The Key to the Election: Becoming a Voter Registration Guru, where he shared hands-on guidance and real-world insights into voter registration work. His session focused on demystifying the process, answering common questions, and empowering attendees to confidently register voters in their own communities.
By stepping into this role, Ken helped advance the League’s mission of strengthening democracy through informed and active participation. His leadership ensured that voter registration remained front and center in conversations about protecting democratic institutions.
We’re grateful to Ken for representing LWVGL and for sharing his expertise with a wider audience committed to civic action.
|  | | HAPA (Health Access and Privacy Advocates) is a coalition of civic, educational, religious, professional, and health organizations from across the state working in cooperation to improve access to healthcare and protect personal and private reproductive decisions in Indiana. Learn More at https://www.hapaindiana.org/.
The first half of the 2026 General Assembly has come to an end, and bills are moving onto the second chamber for review and votes. The schedule for the remaining of the session follows:
Thursday, February 5, 2026 – Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in the Senate and last day for 3rd reading of House bills in the House.
Monday, March 2, 2026 – Last day for House adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval.
March 5, 2026 – Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in the Senate and last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in the House. Last day for Senate adoption of conference committee reports without Rules committee approval.
Saturday, March 14, 2026, - Last day for adjournment for both houses. (IC 2-2.1-1-3)
Here are the bills HAPA and the LWVIN Women’s Health Advocates are following:
SUPPORT
SB 85: Health care debt and costs. Reps Charbonneau, Becker; Dems Qaddoura, Yoder. Requires hospitals to offer a person who meets certain income guidelines and has received health services the opportunity to pay the charges through a payment plan that satisfies certain requirements, etc. Health and Provider Services heard the bill on January 21. DO PASS amended Yeas: 10, Nays: 0 On full Senate schedule 1/26 for second reading. Passed third reading 1/29
SB 90: Consent for pelvic, prostate, and rectal exams. Reps Crider, Charbonneau, Johnson, Becker, Bohacek, Deery, and McNamara; Dems Randolph, Yoder, Ford, and Jackson. Prohibits health practitioners and other specified individuals from performing pelvic, prostate, or rectal examinations on an anesthetized or unconscious patient except in specified circumstances. Third reading by Public Health Committee: passed; Senate Roll Call 21: yeas 44, nays 5 Referred to House. Public Health Committee. Passed first reading in House 1/19.
SB 139: Jury duty exemption for women breastfeeding. Reps Donato, Doriot, Rogers, Young, Buck, Olthoff; Dem Randolph. Exempts a woman who is breastfeeding from jury duty. Third reading in Courts and Criminal Codes on Jan 17: passed; Senate Roll Call 22: yeas 49, nays 0 Referred to House, Courts and Criminal Code Committee.
OPPOSE
SB 1: Human services matters. 27 Republicans; No Dems. Federal Medicaid cuts which go into effect in 2027 will rip healthcare away from an estimated 267,996 Hoosiers, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities, by gutting Medicaid. SB 1 will make these cuts even worse. Indiana’s Medicaid programs include the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), Hoosier Healthwise, CHIP, and Hoosier Care Connect. Heard by Appropriations Committee. 1/22 Third reading: Passed Senate Roll Call 44: yeas 38, nays 8. Referred to House Ways and Means Committee. We are working on an ACTION ALERT for this bill.
SB 182: Gender issues. Reps Liz Brown and Tyler Johnson. Defines "female", "male", "gender", and "sex" for all Indiana statutes. Provides that the department of correction shall assign an offender, including a delinquent offender, to a facility or program that is based on the offender's biological sex at birth. Provides the circumstances for when the sex designation on a birth certificate can be amended. Health & Provider Services heard the bill on Jan 21. It passed 9-3 and moves to the floor. Passed Seante third reading 1/27 yeas 37, nays 8. ACTION ALERT: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/oppose-sb-182-gender-issues
SB 236: Abortion inducing drugs and abortion reports. Rep Tyler Johnson. Indiana doctors, patients and others lined up Wednesday to testify on this bill allowing anyone to file potentially lucrative lawsuits related to the illegal use of abortion-inducing drugs, letting Todd Rokita’s office sue in some cases, and changing reporting requirements for abortion-related filings, and redefines what abortion is. It advanced from the Judiciary Committee on January 21 on a 9-4 vote and now goes to the Floor. Republican Sen. Sue Glick, who authored the near-total abortion ban, joined Democrats in opposition, saying she feared women would be identified by details in the reports. Go HERE to read a detailed Capital Chronicle article on the hearing. On Senate Calendar 1/26 for second reading. Passed third reading, yeas 35, nays 10 Referred to House 1/28. ACTION ALERT: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/oppose-sb236-abortioninducingdrugsandabortionreports
Compiled by Women’s Health Advocates Pam Locker, Joanne Evers, Betsy Katchmar, Cathy Rountree
Email lwvin.womenshealthadvocates@gmail.com to get on our email update list.
All Action Alerts prepared by the LWVIN Advocates can be located HERE. This is an easy way to contact your representatives at the State House, the Committees, and the full House and Senate.
Also check out MADVoters and the Indiana Reproductive Health and Access Coalition for further information. You can also follow the bills at iga.in.gov.
Joanne Evers & Amy Mickschl |  |  |
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| | Welcome to our newest LWVGL members: Tracy Rogers-Tryba and Kay Pechin. Thanks for joining us in the mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy!
| | | Local Government Meeting Schedules
- County Council Meeting: 2nd Tuesday of every month at 8:30a, Tippecanoe County Building
- County Commissioners Meeting: 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 10a, Tippecanoe County Building
- West Lafayette City Council: 1st Monday of every month at 6:30p, Margerum City Hall
- Lafayette City Council: 1st Monday of every month at 6:00p, Lafayette City Hall
NOTE: All meetings are subject to change or cancellation, so check before attending. | 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 Sheila 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 Representative Mark Genda, District 41
Website: https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/members/general/mark-genda/
Email: h41@in.gov
Phone: 800-382-9841; 317-232-9767
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, 200 W Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204-2797
4th Congressional District U.S. Representative Jim Baird
Website: https://baird.house.gov
Phone: 202-225-5037
Address: 2303 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515
U.S. Senator Jim Banks
Website: https://www.banks.senate.gov
Phone: 202-224-4814
Address: 303 Hart 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
2025 - 2027
Denise Ottinger, Assistant Treasurer
Rachel Kizer, Membership Assistant
| 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
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