Lasima Packett

Candidate Q&A

In your view, what was the most important issue to come out of this year’s legislative session, and how would you have approached legislating the issue?

The most important and concerning issue to come out of this legislative session was the passage of House Bill 1343, along with Senate Bill 76. I gave testimony against both bills while the session was still underway, because I believe they raise serious concerns about the direction we’re heading as a state.

Taken together, these bills point to a broader trend of expanding government authority in ways that impact civil liberties, accountability, and public trust. As a former member of the Indiana National Guard, I believe deeply in the Guard’s mission to support communities during emergencies and defend our Constitution. HB 1343 risks blurring that role by moving Guard members closer to civilian policing, which challenges long-standing principles meant to keep military and law enforcement functions separate.

At the same time, SB 76 places new requirements on local law enforcement and state agencies around immigration enforcement. While public safety is important, policies like this can create fear in communities, strain trust between residents and law enforcement, and raise questions about fairness and due process.

Individually, these bills are significant. But together, they signal a direction that should give us pause. If we continue down a path of expanding authority without strong safeguards, we risk eroding the very freedoms and democratic principles we’re meant to protect.

We are living in a time when many people already feel their rights and protections are under pressure. I would have approached both of these issues with greater caution ensuring clear guardrails, stronger oversight, and policies that protect both public safety and individual freedoms. Because at the end of the day, if we don’t protect our constitutional rights and build trust in our institutions, the rest of the policy debates we’re having won’t matter nearly as much.

Companies proposing data centers in Indianapolis had touted jobs and local tax revenue as benefits. Residents, many of whom have fiercely opposed the proposals, are concerned about pollution, energy bills and property values. What is your stance on the future of data centers in Indianapolis?

Data centers are part of our modern economy, we all rely on technology, and they’re not going away. But growth has to be responsible. I do not support placing data centers in residential neighborhoods where they can impact quality of life. These projects should be located in appropriate areas and only move forward with meaningful community engagement, involving not just city leaders but also residents. Companies must be prepared to address real concerns like energy demand, rising utility costs, and environmental impacts, including water use and waste. Economic development should benefit communities, not burden them.

Indianapolis residents are facing steep increases to the cost of living at the same time federal benefits are being pulled back. What is one policy you would pursue to ease the financial burden of your constituents?

To ease the cost of living, I would focus on stabilizing housing costs through a combination of targeted property tax relief and increased housing supply. Providing property tax caps for seniors, veterans, and fixed-income homeowners helps keep people in their homes. At the same time, we need to expand workforce and affordable housing by incentivizing responsible development and using tools like land banks to bring vacant properties back into use. I also support tenant protections that promote fair and stable rental practices. This balanced approach helps stabilize both homeownership and rent, while keeping our communities strong and accessible.

More than 1 in 10 Marion County residents were born outside the country. President Donald Trump’s administration is pursuing a immigration agenda that has led to mass detentions and at times resulted in the deaths of citizens and noncitizens. What is your role in maintaining the safety and due process rights of immigrants and other residents in Marion County?

My role is to ensure that our state laws and policies uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of everyone in our communities. Public safety and due process are not optional; they are fundamental. I believe we can support law enforcement while also ensuring that individuals are treated fairly, with transparency and accountability. We should not be creating fear that prevents people from reporting crimes, accessing services, or participating in their communities. I will work to ensure policies respect due process, protect civil liberties, and keep our communities safe by building trust between residents and government.

How should public tax dollars be spent on education? Do you support property tax funding for charter schools? Should Indiana fund students’ tuition to attend private schools?

Public tax dollars should first and foremost strengthen our traditional public schools, ensuring they are fully funded, well-staffed, and well-equipped to serve every student. I support revisiting voucher eligibility by lowering the income cap so these programs are targeted to families who truly need them, not high-income households. While families should have options, we must be responsible stewards of public dollars. Charter schools can be part of the landscape, but there should be reasonable limits within districts. All publicly funded schools, whether charter or traditional must meet the same standards for accountability, transparency, and performance. This is about fairness and ensuring every student has access to a quality education.