INDIANAPOLIS- As the Indiana State Senate adjourned for the year, Sen. Lonnie M. Randolph (D-East Chicago) gave his thoughts on the budget of the General Assembly and the proposed diversity, equity and inclusion bill in light of the trend developing across the country to cut services for voters and efforts to eliminate African American historical contributions to this country.

On the final day of the 2025 Legislative Session, Randolph was a vocal opponent of Senate Bill (SB) 289, which was the diversity, equity and inclusion bill, which restricted who can apply for scholarships honoring late Senate colleagues.

Randolph pointed out the contradictory nature of the bill.

Randolph argued that the bill discriminated against 87 counties in this state all under the pretense of ‘fighting discrimination.’ The bill only allowed for students in five designated counties to be eligible to apply for the scholarships.

“It just doesn’t make sense that the supermajority would pass a bill that discriminates against most of the counties in the state,” said Randolph.

On HB 1001 (the budget bill) Randolph criticized not only the lack of bipartisan collaboration throughout the budget process, but the priorities of the supermajority in the face of a $2.4 billion budget shortfall.

“I want voters to know that the supermajority was not working in their best interest,” said Randolph. “They have consistently put big-business and the ultra-wealthy ahead of property owners, public schools and working-class voters.

Randolph took issue with the expansion of school choice vouchers, cuts to essential senior citizen services and extra barriers to parents seeking child care.

“As we adjourn for the year, I hope voters remember this moment,” said Randolph. “Republicans shirk their responsibility, while we Democrats continue pushing forward tirelessly fighting for the people of Indiana.”