Indiana legislators got together Tuesday for the first time since the Nov. 8 election. It was the annual Organization Day in Indianapolis.
We’ll have plenty more opportunities to write about the lawmakers after the session begins in earnest in January. But it’s never too early to suggest that the folks elected to represent us in Indianapolis should work hard to unite Hoosiers at a time of great division in the state and nation.
Republicans dominate both chambers, the House and Senate. They have the power to run over those in the minority party if they want to use it. We hope they work toward solutions rather than domination.
Here are a couple things to note.
Men make up about 80 percent of the Legislature. They should be aware that the majority of Hoosiers are women — 50.7 percent in 2015. That should be a strong consideration when pushing for laws that would affect the majority of Hoosiers, but not affect a vast majority of legislators.
Also, there are minority groups in the state that need to be considered and protected by those with the power. Many of them have felt marginalized during the past two sessions.
Hopefully, this legislative session will be focused on issues that affect everyone — jobs and the economy, education, public safety, the environment, infrastructure and the like instead of social issues that raise emotions and tear Hoosiers apart.