Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is co-leading a 25-state lawsuit that seeks to overturn an invasive new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that threatens the reliability of our power grid and will once again jack up utility costs for regular, everyday Hoosiers.

Attorney General Rokita’s latest fight against continued EPA overreach into Hoosiers’ wallets takes aim at the agency’s inefficient new rule that oversteps the federal government’s authority and imposes unrealistic mandates on power plants -- all so the Biden administration can appease the powerful political forces behind the climate agenda.

“Hardworking Hoosiers and businesses depend on reliable energy at affordable prices,” Attorney General Rokita said. “They understand these draconian measures are chasing unrealistic goals and will do nothing to actually improve our already good air quality. They also know the importance of protecting the authority of state and local government against power-hungry unelected federal bureaucrats. This lawsuit is all about standing up for Hoosiers on all these counts.”

The wildly inefficient new rule imposes significant restrictions on coal-fired plants, requiring them to capture 90% of carbon emissions using expensive, unproven technology. The rule exceeds the agency’s statutory authority and gives insufficient consideration to important facts, such as cost and grid reliability. 

In squaring off against the EPA’s newest  confusing and radically inefficient rule, Attorney General Rokita is co-leading this lawsuit with West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. 

After state Rep. Mike Speedy raised the issue, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita this week produced an advisory opinion clarifying that neither state nor federal law requires a coworker to use the preferred pronouns and names of fellow employees. 

An employer therefore is likely not liable in cases where staff members choose not to use new names and pronouns that are gender-nonconforming, the opinion states — provided that a reasonable person would not find the work environment to be objectively hostile. 

“Hoosier businesses should not be burdened with policing employees’ words to make sure their attitudes align with the latest, wokest fads,” Rep. Speedy said. “They face enough needless government regulations without being on the hook for enforcing politically correct views of transgenderism.” 

No federal court, Attorney General Rokita said, has found occasional use of non-preferred pronouns alone, even if intentional, to be actionable discrimination or create a hostile work environment. 

“Most Hoosiers agree that we all should extend love and compassion toward individuals beset with gender dysphoria,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Treating these individuals with respect, however, does not require us to deny basic truths, as we see them.” 

The times call for common sense, Attorney General Rokita added. 

“We must oppose the radical agendas of extremists,” Attorney General Rokita said, “who would force us all to march in lockstep with the transanity that dominates so many facets of society, from Hollywood to corporate boardrooms.” 

The advisory opinion notes that courts have left unsettled the question of how a pattern of pronoun usage in referring to another person might create a hostile working environment that potentially could give rise to an action under Title VII — which is part of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. 

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

County officials heard about an incident involving law enforcement at the Hardinsburg ballpark last week. The discussion was held during the Tuesday, May 7, meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

Kristy Pavey, a parent of a ballplayer, said the scheduled game was cancelled shortly before its start due to predicted inclement weather and the gate to the field was locked. The opposing team had already arrived when the decision was made to cancel the game. Since the players were present, they held a practice. Pavey said at some point, the gate was unlocked, but she didn’t know who unlocked it. The practice ended when deputies arrived to remove the players and parents from the ballpark.

Commissioner Todd Ewen told Pavey the locks are needed to prevent vandals on four-wheelers from accessing and damaging the field. Pavey said she understands the need to lock the gate used for vehicle access; however, she believes the ballpark’s pedestrian access should remain open.

Pavey said parents of the players have been “shut out” from interacting with the board responsible for the ballpark. When parents express interest in participating with the appointed board, they are ignored.

Commission President Phillip Marshall said the commissioners have been advised by their attorney to develop rules concerning access to the ballpark. He said the county is responsible for the park – as well as for paying to repair any damage from vandals. He assured Pavey that commissioners are working on a solution.

Other matters discussed during the meeting included:
*Anthony Green, of Livonia, complained that the town’s Council refused to allow him to establish a medical taxi business out of his house. He said the Council overlooks the business conducted at his neighbor’s house. Commissioners said they have no jurisdiction over the town and advised him to hire an attorney.
*County Highway Superintendent Jason Clodfelter said his department has started mowing and expects to begin paving in early June.
*Commissioners approved a payment of up to $5,100 to have a company update the county’s ordinance book.
*Commissioners approved amending the county’s budget to accept a $97,958 Community Development Block Grant.