The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus says its 2022 agenda is focused on “economic empowerment.”

Caucus Chair Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) said that means more than just jobs and wealth.

“Much of it includes looking at how our students are educated and the resources that go into educating Black and Brown students,” Shackleford said.

Legislation the caucus will push includes scholarships for students of color pursuing health care careers, measures to help reduce the cost of child care and a pilot program aimed at helping parents attain an education.

Along with those priorities, Rep. Earl Harris (D-East Chicago) is authoring legislation that would freeze tuition and fee rates at public higher education institutions for each class of students. Essentially, incoming freshman would pay the same rate throughout their time at the school.

“We know that economics is a big part of what either keeps people from going and continuing their education post-high school or actually finishing it, so this is about making that a little bit easier challenge,” Harris said.

Sen. Jean Breaux (D-Indianapolis) said economic empowerment is also about promoting what she calls “thrive-ability.”

“Tools such as tax policy, removal of burdensome fees and protecting families against unfair lending and appraisals,” Breaux said.

Those measures include a proposed child tax credit, required implicit bias training for appraisers and creating a fund to provide housing down payment assistance and grants.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.