Black Lawmakers Discuss Priorities, Challenges At State Legislatures

Lawmakers from across the country are gathering in Indianapolis this week for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) says many lawmakers in the organization face a similar challenge to her colleagues in Indiana – they’re the minority party in their statehouses and often struggle to prioritize legislation to help black and minority communities.

Shackleford says this conference is a way to address that challenge.

“We get to share those ideas on how do we work across the aisle, and share some of what are those best practices and share some of those success stories,” Shackleford says.

Shackelford says this kind of collaboration doesn’t happen often, and the opportunity helps develop strategies for compromise.

Former Indiana State Health Commissioner and current U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams will address the conference this week.