Editorial Roundup: Indiana

Terre Haute Tribune-Star. May 29, 2022.

Editorial: GOP's codified strategy: Attack the vulnerable

Indiana's supermajority of lawmakers should never be confused with a group that has its fingers on the pulse of most Hoosiers.

This week, with gas prices soaring, inflation raging and citizens hurting over real issues facing the state, these lawmakers gallantly galloped into the Statehouse to do nothing more than ban transgender females from competing in girls school sports. Rather than leaning into real solutions to actual issues, they attacked those who are already powerless and marginalized over a sports 'œproblem'ť that does not even exist.

What a courageous crew this is.

The Republican leadership of the General Assembly saw fit to meet in special session this month to override the veto by Gov. Eric Holcomb of its transgender sports bill. The governor, who is never to be confused with a bleeding heart liberal, vetoed the bill at the end of the last legislative session because he said it did not provide a consistent policy for what he called 'œfairness in K-12 sports.'ť

While Holcomb was right to veto the measure, his explanation at the time would have been stronger and more accurate if he had labeled the act for what it was - an unnecessary incursion into the business of athletic competition that is more than capable of handling the challenges presented by transgender athletes on its own.

Republicans pushing the bill claim it is needed to protect the integrity of female sports and opportunities for girls to gain college athletic scholarships. It is striking that proponents have pointed out no instances in the state of girls being outperformed by transgender athletes.

To his credit, the governor stood by his veto after the override vote and elaborated on his position, emphasizing the lack of compelling need for such legislation.

'œThere remains zero cases and the process, which is managed by the (Indiana High School Athletic Association), is working. I stand behind my decision to veto HB 1041,'ť Holcomb said.

The measure is one of more than a dozen that have been adopted across the country by Republican state legislatures. This spate of new laws represents a movement hatched in conservative think tanks to promote cultural 'œwedge issues'ť as a way to raise money and motivate its small but powerful voting base.

Sadly, this represents another example of what Indiana gets with a politically unbalanced government ruled by a supermajority that listens only to Hoosiers with conservative leanings.

To no one's surprise, the state was immediately sued by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, which claims the law violates the constitutional rights of transgender athletes under Title IX. Once again, a foolish act by lawmakers will cost the state money while accomplishing nothing.

Targeting the vulnerable is an unwise and unwelcome legislative strategy. An appropriate response is for Hoosiers to take note and take action.

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South Bend Tribune. May 29, 2022.

Editorial: Making a difference to help feed the hungry

In a January 2021 comment, we wrote of a bright spot in the middle of the pandemic darkness. It was a reference to a number of Tribune stories write about people - from nonprofits to area schools - who stepped up to fill a growing need to feed the hungry in this community.

Today, with inflation hitting grocery stores and the cost of gasoline soaring to record highs, that need remains strong. Factor in the reality that the food bank is receiving less, and you have a problem: Inflation affects each of us, but those already struggling are hit hardest.

A recent Tribune story by Joseph Dits outlined the recent surge in demand at food pantries - and put human faces on the need.

According to Marijo Martinec, CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, demand was up 18% in St. Joseph County for the first four months of 2022 compared with a year earlier among the pantries and charities that seek food from the Food Bank to help needy households.

The Food Bank's drive-thru pantry in South Bend served 50% more households in 2022's first four months, compared with last year.

The bonus food aid from the government and increased donations that came early in the pandemic have ended, leaving the agency having to consider cutting back on how much food a client receives per visit.

All of this affects people such as Christina Smith of South Bend, who depends on the food bank to help feed herself and the two grandsons she's raising. The retiree said rising grocery costs have led the family to forgo meat at times, getting protein from less expensive alternatives.

As inflation persists, it furthers food insecurity in the community. It all may seem like an overwhelming problem, an issue too big for one person to help solve, to make a difference.

But in last year's comment, Martinec noted that 'œwe were really lucky'ť to receive increased donations from the public early in the pandemic. She talked about 'œbeing buoyed'ť by the individual stories of giving - like the 10-year-old girl who, along with her younger brother, made a $30 donation, then recruited her parents and grandparents to make their own donations.

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