Eddie Melton in 2020 IN Gubernatorial race
On Drugs:
Allow some level of marijuana use, and recreational sales
Marijuana legalization looms as a likely campaign issue for the 2020 statewide elections. The three Democrats seeking to challenge Holcomb's reelection bid--state
Sen. Eddie Melton of Gary, former state health commissioner Woody Myers and tech business executive Josh Owens--all support allowing some level of marijuana use, although Myers opposes recreational sales.
Source: Associated Press on WGN-TV on 2020 Indiana governor race
Dec 14, 2019
On Budget & Economy:
Gaming licenses issued to support new jobs & revenue
By providing gaming licenses to the communities that would yield the best use for the state as well as laying the groundwork for thousands of new jobs, tax revenue and infrastructure improvement, Senator Melton has proven to represent the kind of
comprehensive vision needed to take Indiana to the forefront of a new global economy.
Source: 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial campaign website EddieMelton.com
Dec 5, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Will fight to enact state hate crimes law
When Republicans gutted the first chance at passing meaningful hate crimes legislation, they told Indiana and the rest of the country that our state does not protect its citizens. Eddie will continue to fight to ensure that every Hoosier no matter
their race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, gender or age, are protected and that crimes against someone due to their immutable characteristics are unacceptable and unwelcome in this state.
Source: 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial campaign website EddieMelton.com
Dec 5, 2019
On Civil Rights:
Endorsed by the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus PAC
"The Indiana Black Caucus PAC's mission is to work towards greater economic, educational and social opportunities for all residents of Indiana. Senator Melton is the embodiment of that effort. From his time as a social worker, serving the most
vulnerable amongst us, to his legislative accomplishments of incentivizing job creation, and increasing educational funding, his thoughtful approach to bring all parties to the table to progress our shared goals, is a testament to his leadership."
Source: 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial campaign website EddieMelton.com
Dec 5, 2019
On Education:
Worked for Obama on mentoring boys and young men of color
Senator Melton has been instrumental in establishing mentoring organizations around the country and in 2015 was asked to work with Obama's administration in implementing
My Brother's Keeper, a national initiative designed to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color.
Source: 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial campaign website EddieMelton.com
Dec 5, 2019
On Education:
Increasing pay will address state teacher shortage
Eddie Melton introduced a bill that would address the startling lack of compensation teachers receive in the State of Indiana. Melton proposed raising teacher salaries by appropriating additional funds to the school funding formula in the 2019 budget
session, showing our teachers that we value the hard work they do for all of our state's children. Improving teachers' compensation will also address the prevalent teacher shortage our state has increasingly faced over the years.
Source: 2020 Indiana Gubernatorial campaign website EddieMelton.com
Dec 5, 2019
On Education:
Criticizes current budget that favors online/charter schools
Melton, 38, who represents Gary in the General Assembly, criticized Holcomb for signing a budget that he said provides more dollars to virtual and charter schools than public classrooms, which he said saw a smaller funding increase.
Melton said Holcomb's administration has also failed to adequately respond to demands for reforming the Department of Child Resources.
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review on 2020 Indiana Governor race
Oct 13, 2019
On Education:
No investment is more important than our students
I firmly believe that our budget is a reflection of our values. For example, Indiana is ranked dead last in teachers' salaries and 49th in student spending, yet we have a $2 billion surplus. No investment is more important than our students.
Education is the bedrock of our community and the future of our economy. In order for us to advance the goals and dreams of our children that we all have shared, we must come together as Hoosiers from across the entire state.
Source: Chicago Crusader on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jun 7, 2019
On Education:
Reduce private school vouchers; increase teacher pay
Melton has become the point person for Senate Democrats on education issues, pushing a plan during this year's legislative session that aimed at guaranteeing a minimum 5% raise for teachers by reducing
state funding of vouchers for students attending private schools, eliminating proposed increases for charter schools and stretching out state payments toward a teacher pension fund.
Source: Chicago Tribune on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jun 4, 2019
On Environment:
Clean car standards create jobs
State Sen. Eddie Melton [appeared] at Genesis Center's Fusion Sculpture for a "Clean Car Standards" campaign news conference. Melton said, "These standards have been a huge job booster for Indiana. These standards have spurred innovation and job
creation in the auto industry. As a leading manufacturing state, Indiana has many workers in the steel/aluminum, transmission and engine industries, making components that are going into making cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars."
Source: Times of Northwest Indiana on 2020 Indiana governor race
Jun 4, 2019
On Gun Control:
Opposes funding NRA gun training for teachers
It seems counterproductive to pass legislation that puts more guns into schools rather than working to keep guns out of schools. This bill requires teachers to go through a National Rifle Association (NRA) training, instead of being trained by local
law enforcement. Our state shouldn't be in the business of funneling money into organizations like the NRA, at the expense of our children's safety. Why isn't our law enforcement academy asked to conduct the school firearm training for teachers?
Source: IN Senate Dems press release for 2020 Indiana governor race
Apr 10, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Authored property tax amnesty program
Melton authored an amendment to establish a property tax amnesty program that will give taxpayers the opportunity to pay back late taxes without the added burden of high interest rates and penalty fees. "This tax amnesty program will be
life-changing to so many Hoosier taxpayers. It will provide a relief to individuals by forgiving property tax penalties and interest to help them get back on track and back in good standing on their taxes."
Source: IN Senate Dems press release for 2020 Indiana governor race
Apr 10, 2019
On Drugs:
Legalize and regulate medical & recreational cannabis
Legalizing medical cannabis is a part of the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus' 2019 legislative agenda. Last month, Indiana Senate Democrats--led by Sen. Eddie Melton--unveiled their priorities for the new year, which included proposing legislation to
legalize medical cannabis.One bill would establish a Cannabis Compliance Commission, [to] oversee state regulation of the sale, use, or consumption of cannabis. The other bill would legalize recreational marijuana possession of less than 2 ounces
Source: Indianapolis NUVO on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Dec 19, 2018
On Immigration:
Protecting DACA is essential; DREAMers are contributors
Melton filed a resolution to protect DACA recipients. Sen. Melton [said], "Many undocumented immigrants are brought here by their parents at a very young age and Indiana quickly becomes the only home they've ever known. We need to show the nearly
10,000 of those DREAMers living in Indiana that we support them. The individuals who have immigrated to our state have greatly contributed to the overall cultural and economic vitality of Indiana and we can't risk losing those positive contributions."
Source: Indiana Senate Democrats on 2020 Indiana gubernatorial race
Jan 11, 2018
On Education:
Every child deserves a quality public education
Melton's website highlighted the following campaign themes:- Every Child Deserves the Right to a Quality Education
- He will continue to work with local leaders on what's best for our children today, so they will be prepared for tomorrow.
-
Every Educator Deserves to be Valued and Supported
- Ultimately, Eddie deeply believes in the power of listening and elevating the voices of educators in the creation and execution of policies that impact their work every day.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 Indiana Governor race
Nov 1, 2016
On Homeland Security:
Ensure access to veterans' resources and benefits
Melton's website highlighted the following campaign themes:- Every Veteran Deserves Access to their Earned Resources
- Eddie believes that we must honor the brave men and women who have served in our
Armed Forces by ensuring that they have access to the resources and benefits they've so rightly earned.
- Fulfilling this commitment to our valiant veterans and their families is one of the most important obligations of our government.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 Indiana Governor race
Nov 1, 2016
On Jobs:
Support organized labor and good-paying jobs
Melton's website highlighted the following campaign themes:- Every Resident Deserves Access to Good Paying Jobs
- As an integral part of a thriving economy, Eddie will continue to be an advocate for organized labor,
as he deeply believes in its value as a product of a household where both his mother and step-father were active members of their local unions.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 Indiana Governor race
Nov 1, 2016
On Technology:
Increase reliable public transportation options
Melton's website highlighted the following campaign themes:- Every Community Deserves to have an Effective Infrastructure and a Robust Transportation Network
-
Eddie is committed to increasing the interconnectivity of our communities by providing our residents with reliable public transportation options that would be advantageous to our workforce and area employers.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 Indiana Governor race
Nov 1, 2016
Page last updated: Apr 19, 2020