The grass is not greener in Ohio
By State Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne)
It must be tough being an elected Democrat in the Indiana Statehouse. After reading Rep. Phil GiaQuinta’s latest column bemoaning the Indiana Constitution, it’s easy to see Democrats have no positive legislative proposals or electoral victories to celebrate of their own.
This newspaper shared GiaQuinta’s thoughts on Ohio’s new constitutional amendments, which were ballot initiatives, and his wish for Indiana to do the same. Of course, the most well-known amendment to the Ohio Constitution was Issue 1, making abortion on demand, through the moment of birth, legal.
In the column, GiaQuinta pledges, “In this coming legislative session, [the Indiana House Democratic Caucus] will propose language to give you a voice at the polls on individual policy issues.”
Roughly only a third of U.S. states have a grassroots constitutional amendment process like Ohio. Here in Indiana, we have a thoughtful process for changing our constitution, which Hoosiers take advantage of to enact change. In fact, it’s been amended more than 20 times since 1970. Many may remember voting on the most recent amendment in 2018, where voters approved a balanced budget amendment to the Indiana Constitution by a whopping 71%. While the amendment was being considered by the legislature, the only 'no' votes were from a few Democrats, including GiaQuinta. Talk about not listening to the voice of the people!
Last summer, the legislature met in special session and ended abortion in our state except in rare circumstances. Passions were at an all-high time. The halls of the Statehouse were packed. Media provided around-the-clock coverage, and trust me, it wasn’t in favor of the pro-life position.
The 2022 election should have been the ultimate referendum on abortion, but election night gave Republicans another supermajority in the Statehouse. Seven GOP U.S. Congressional seats stayed Republican, with 60 % or more of the vote. Four statewide races on the ballot – Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, Auditor of State and U.S. Senate – stayed in Republican hands. I’ve been anything but timid about abortion during my time in the Indiana Senate, and I didn’t even have a challenger in 2022.
It's easy for GiaQuinta to complain about the Indiana Constitution and believe Republicans aren’t listening to their constituents, but aren’t these decisive election victories pretty clear?
Hoosiers voice their opinions every time they go to the ballot box. GiaQuinta must face the hard truth that maybe voters like the policy landscape in Indiana, especially our economic landscape.
According to Forbes, Indiana is the top state for starting a business. It’s listed as the best because of our state's low taxes, low cost of living and low unemployment rate.
When it comes to education, Republicans have listened to voters and heard the pleas for expanded school choice. A record number of Indiana parents are using vouchers this year to select the best educational environment for their children.
Hoosiers are fed up with bureaucrats telling them what’s best. My colleagues on the left are constantly supporting woke ideologies, advocating for parents to have fewer rights and even less say over their children’s education. My Republican colleagues listen to our constituents.
National polls show only 10% of voters support the Democrat position of abortion on demand up to birth. That’s now Ohio’s law. Hoosiers do not support the radical idea of ending a child’s life moments before birth. When I talk to voters, they thank me not just for protecting all life, but for also reaching out to women in crisis, funding positive alternatives to abortion like our My Healthy Baby program, and walking alongside our moms in need.
I urge GiaQuinta and his colleagues to join Republicans as we continue making Indiana the best place to live, work and raise a family. But to those lawmakers who would rather keep complaining about the Indiana Constitution, I’m sure Ohio would welcome new residents who find the grass so much greener there.
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State Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) represents Senate District 15,
which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
