Attorney General Todd Rokita sues Biden administration over mask and vaccine mandates in preschools
Attorney General Todd Rokita is helping to lead a lawsuit with 23 other states against the Biden administration over unlawful mask and vaccine mandates applying to all preschool programs funded by the federal Head Start program. The mask requirement applies to children as young as 2 years old. The COVID-19 vaccine requirement applies to staff and volunteers.
“This mandate is absolute lunacy,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Forcing masks on 2-year-olds and expecting them to be capable of complying with such an order is absurd. Unfortunately, it’s also exactly the sort of edict we’ve come to expect from leftist demagogues in places of power.”
Enacting it as a rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Biden administration bypassed standard notice-and-comment procedures in order to foist its preschool mandate onto the nation. Not only is this latest mandate unlawful and draconian, Attorney General Rokita said, but it’s also completely impracticable.
“Neither the leftist leaders nor their bureaucrats seem to notice nor care that their administration’s first three vaccine mandates drew sharp rebukes from Americans nationwide and even federal court orders to halt their enforcement,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Rather than learn any lessons, they have now issued this fourth mandate, which might be the most ridiculous yet.”
As stated in the lawsuit, even the World Health Organization has concluded that “based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask,” “children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks.”
Earlier this fall, Attorney General Rokita also filed lawsuits against the Biden administration’s first three mandates — an executive order applying to federal contractors; an OSHA rule applying to private employers with 100 or more employees; and a U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule applying to health care facilities receiving federal funds.
“Hoosiers, in particular, will not passively accept the trampling of our liberties,” Attorney General Rokita said. “That’s just not how we are wired. So just as with the first three mandates, we are fighting tooth and nail to protect Hoosiers’ individual rights.”
Head Start is a federal grant program geared to helping infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children from low-income families prepare for the K-12 school experience. Head Start programs are available at no cost to children ages birth to 5. By forcing vaccinations on staff members (including volunteers) and masks on everyone age 2 and up, with few exceptions, this mandate undoubtedly would prompt many staff members to leave their jobs and result in program closures or shrinkage. Such effects would inflict direct harms on states such as Indiana and run counter to the expressed goals of the Head Start program. The 24-state complaint against the Biden administration, which is led by Louisiana, is attached, along with a memorandum in support of a preliminary injunction.
Take a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day
Welcome 2022 with an Indiana DNR tradition — a First Day Hike on January 1st. First Day Hikes are a healthy way to start the new year and provide a chance to get outside, exercise, and enjoy nature. These hikes have become a tradition for thousands of Hoosiers.
2022 state park passes and permits now available
The 2022 Indiana state park passes, lake permits, off-road cycling permits, and horse tags are now available at property offices and front gates, and online. A resident annual entrance pass costs $50. A nonresident annual entrance pass for visitors who live outside the state costs $70. Golden Hoosier Passports cost $25 and are available to all Hoosier residents 65 and older.
Upcoming winter eagle watch program
Mark your calendars for Eagle Watch season at Indiana State Parks. January and February bring concentrations of bald eagles to areas of open water, and several of our properties host guided car caravans and talks where you can see these majestic birds. Advance registration is generally required for these events, and some may have associated program fees.
Jan. 8 – Patoka Lake
Jan. 15, 22 – Mississinewa Lake
Jan. 22-30 – Monroe Lake Eagles over Monroe
Jan. 28-30 – Eagles in Flight Weekend at Turkey Run State Park
Feb. 5, 12, 19 – Salamonie Lake
Celebrating the Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund’s 40th birthday
The Indiana Nongame Wildlife Fund turns 40 in 2022, and in celebration DNR will be sharing 40 stories that highlight the accomplishments that were made possible through the generosity of donors, partners, and volunteers. Established in 1982, the dedicated fund supports nongame and endangered species conservation in Indiana. These wildlife species and their habitats are essential to our quality of life from improving environmental health to providing opportunities to see beautiful and unique animals across the state. Don’t miss upcoming stories – sign up to receive Nongame Wildlife Fund News for more information.
| Need a last-minute gift? Don’t know what to buy for the person who has everything? Giving a holiday gift pack from the DNR may be your solution. Whether that person enjoys camping outdoors or sleeping in the comfort of one of seven Indiana State Park Inns, the gift pack is sure to please. The $99 gift pack includes a 2022 resident annual entrance permit, a one-year subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine, and one of two $65 gift card options. There’s a $65 gift card that can be used at the campgrounds — or for those who like to enjoy nature from the comfort of the indoors, a $65 State Park Inns gift card. There’s also an option to upgrade the gift card to $100 for $35 more. Buy now |
Winter Special: 2 nights for 1 at State Park Inns
Winter is a great time to visit the beauty of the parks and enjoy savings at the inns. From lodge rooms to cabins, inns offer accommodations located in the most beautiful places in Indiana. Turkey Run Inn, Abe Martin Lodge, and Potawatomi Inn offer cabins as well as lodge rooms. Stay two nights for the price of one, Sunday–Thursday only, through Feb. 24, 2022. Blackout period Dec. 19-30, 2021.
Call and reserve at 1.877.LODGES1.
Deer hunting seasons continue through January
Deer hunting season isn’t over just yet. Archery season ends Jan. 2. The deer reduction zone season will remain open until Jan. 31. Find hunting and trapping season dates online.
Celebrate MLK Day of Service, Jan. 17, by volunteering
Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by becoming a volunteer at one of Indiana’s DNR properties this year. DNR provides a variety of ways to make a difference in maintaining, improving, and restoring Indiana’s natural and cultural heritage. Several opportunities are available, including maintaining trails, helping in nature centers, and sharing photography or artwork. DNR also welcomes citizens to bring their own unique talents to a volunteer opportunity.
On Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, some properties will have self-directed service opportunities, such as litter pickup along trails. Check the DNR calendar for lists of activities on Jan. 17 or for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Hunting, fishing, trapping license fees increase in 2022
For the first time since 2006, Indiana DNR has increased fees for hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Commercial license fees also increased, some for the first time since the 1980s. The increases will be applied to personal licenses starting with the 2022-23 license year (April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023) that will go on sale in January. The new fees allow DNR to maintain core programs, including habitat restoration, maintenance of public lands, scientific research and education, and expansion of other services to manage Indiana’s fish and wildlife for everyone to enjoy. Funds will also go to the DNR Division of Law Enforcement to ensure it is equipped to provide public safety and enforce the laws governing natural resources.
This Week in Hoosier History
1957 – Singer Bobby Helms from Martinsville ended a highly successful year in his career with the release of “Jingle Bell Rock.” The song was an instant hit, along with “My Special Angel,” another big record for Helms in a year he also appeared on the Ed Sullivan network television show.
For more local news . . .
Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson here