Working Together

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Working Together

Hoosiers have elected Republicans up and down the ballot to lead. And today as we're facing a global coronavirus pandemic, our elected officials are busy working together to keep Hoosiers safe and healthy.

At the national level, Vice President Mike Pence is leading the federal government's response to the coronavirus, while President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency and placed travel restrictions on certain European counties where the virus now finds its epicenter.

Here in Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb is working around the clock with partners at all levels. Yesterday, he announced new measures to help reduce the spread of the virus, such as limiting non-essential gatherings of more than 250 people. You can check out the full list below.

To help with social distancing, Governor Holcomb's campaign and many other Republicans have postponed events through the end of the month. And while we're assessing potential contingencies for the Indiana Republican State Convention in June in case crowd control precautions are still in place (contingencies which would include input from our delegates), let me be very clear – there are no plans to cancel state convention at this time.

Through it all, it's important to remain calm, practice good hygiene, and stay home if you're sick. And if you feel like you're experiencing symptoms, call your doctor.

Our leaders are hard at work, and together, we'll make it through this.

- Chairman Kyle Hupfer

Governor Holcomb's Week That Was

Steps to Keep Hoosiers Safe

This week, Governor Holcomb announced additional steps the state will take to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indiana. Governor Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health are working hard to protect Hoosiers.

Below are the steps that Governor Holcomb is taking to protect Hoosiers from the coronavirus.

Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people.
Effective immediately, school corporations will be provided with a 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days for use as needed for the remainder of the academic year.
Child care and adult day care facilities should institute social distancing and minimize large gatherings.
Nursing facilities and hospitals should restrict and screen visitors.
The Indiana Department of Correction has suspended visitation at all facilities.
Individuals over 60 years of age or those with a known underlying health issue such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease should limit their public exposure.
Those who run senior centers and congregate meal services should consider suspending congregate meals services and arrange for home delivery.
Encourage businesses to utilize telework policies, if available.

“This is a time when we must do all we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our most vulnerable populations and reduce their potential to acquire or spread this virus. While some actions are drastic, now, not later, is the time to act.” - Governor Holcomb

Opening Absentee Voting This Primary

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Chairman Kyle Hupfer penned a joint letter with Indiana Democrat Party Chairman John Zody encouraging the Indiana Election Commission to allow all Hoosiers the option of voting absentee in the May 5 primary.

As they said in the letter, "Maintaining the integrity of our elections and preserving a citizen's right to vote, even under difficult circumstances, is the bedrock of our republic."

Read their full letter here.

Join Us at the 2020 Indiana Republican State Convention

This week, Chairman Kyle Hupfer set the record straight after a few internet rumors -- there are no plans to cancel the Indiana Republican State Convention.

Like most other large organizations that have upcoming events that will attract robust crowds, the Indiana Republican Party needs to be prepared with possible contingency plans if our planned state convention in June is impacted by the coronavirus.

We do not anticipate the same sort of crowd control precautions taking place today in relation to sporting events to still be necessary in June. However, the responsible course of action is to be prepared, just in case, with a plan that includes input from our delegates.

As we get closer to the convention we will ensure that we keep everyone well informed. You can read Chairman Hupfer’s full letter here.

And while you're preparing for state convention in June, here are a few items to consider:

Hotel Room Block: The room block for two downtown hotels is now open! If you plan to stay overnight in Indianapolis, reserve your room now! More info is available here.
Convention Schedule: Check out the official schedule of events for the two-day convention here.
Delegate Fees: If you're in a non-contested race for a delegate spot to this year's convention or if your county chair appoints you to an open delegate spot, you can now pay your delegate fees here.

2020 Legislative Session is a Win for Hoosiers

The 2020 legislative session concluded this week, and it was a session of wins for healthcare transparency, safer roads, public health and education. Check out some of these things you should know from the 2020 legislative session:

1.) Speaker Bosma concluded his tenure as Indiana’s longest-serving Speaker of the House
As Chairman Hupfer said this week, “This session will always be remembered as the one where Indiana’s most consequential House speaker, Brian Bosma, passed the gavel to new leadership.”

Under his 12 years as speaker, Speaker Bosma helped lead Indiana’s turnaround story of balanced budgets, record education and infrastructure investments, record job commitments and a continued focus on public health. Indiana’s new Speaker of the House, Speaker Todd Huston, is well-equipped to continue this progress.

2.) Indiana’s roads will soon be a safer place
The General Assembly passed Indiana’s hands-free device driving law, which will make the roads a safer place for everyone.

3.) Health care prices will be more transparent – and Hoosiers won’t need to worry about surprise billing
Indiana will soon launch an All-Payer Claims Database to bring transparency to Hoosiers’ health care costs (allowing Hoosiers to shop around) and will make sure that insured patients don’t receive an out-of-network bill that exceeds the in-network coverage rate.

4.) Indiana’s youngest Hoosiers will be better protected against tobacco and vaping
The age to purchase tobacco and e-cigarettes is going up to 21, along with increased enforcement, as youth vaping has increased more than 350 percent since 2012 across Indiana.

5.) Teachers have been heard – as teacher pay is going up and professional growth points are going from required to optional
Indiana is making sure teachers’ focus can remain on the classroom and students. That’s why certain career-training professional growth points will go from required to optional, and why schools and teachers will be held harmless for results from this year and last year’s ILEARN tests. That’s while 98% of school corporations are reporting increases in teacher pay.

And, of course, check out the quote in the graphic above with a quote honoring one of the key leaders who helped make this all possible – Speaker Brian Bosma. Thank you for your service!

News You Can Use

Governor Eric Holcomb talks about measures to keep Hoosiers safe from the coronavirus
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch approves grants to maintain areas honoring women’s history
Senator Todd Young explains new bill that will help Trump drain the swamp
Senator Mike Braun honors the reunion of Indiana's Company D of the National Guard
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski responds to COVID-19 cases in Indiana
Congressman Jim Baird honored the memory of Bryan Metzger
Congressman Jim Banks discusses steps being taken to protect lawmakers from coronavirus
Congresswoman Susan Brooks encourages students to compete in national art competition
Congressman Greg Pence hosted first meeting of the sixth district agriculture board
Congressman Larry Bucshon introduces bill expanding the nation's diagnostic testing
Congressman Trey Hollingsworth says Indiana receiving $10 million from CDC for COVID-19

Indiana Republican State Committee, Inc.

101 W. Ohio St., Suite 2200

Indianapolis, IN 46204

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