HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-11-13 News Release Whistleblower Suppression Date: Monday, February 11, 2013
Contact: (574) 210 - 9623 or VSchey @ South Bend IN.g
From: 3rd District Council Member,Valerie Schey
"3rd District Council Member Voices Opposition to SB 373 Addressing Whistleblower
Suppression"
SB 373 is pending in the Indiana General Assembly. The bill, also known as the Anti-
Whistleblower Bill, was written to prevent employees and undercover investigators from
documenting and reporting unsafe working conditions, environmental problems and
animal abuse taking place on industrial factory farms.
Over the years employees and investigators have taken great risks to come forward with
reports of horrific conditions and cruel mistreatment of animals on industrial factory
farms. In 2008, the work of an undercover investigator reveled how diseased, or "downer",
cows were being used for beef sold to consumers in grocery stores. That investigation led
to the country's largest ever meat recall and a state law banning the use of such downed
cattle.
As an elected South Bend City Council Member I believe that reputable businesses don't
need laws silencing whistleblowers. I question the constitutionality of whistleblower
suppression as infringing on our First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of the
press,
SB 373 is scheduled to be heard by the Corrections and Criminal Law Committee this
Tuesday, February 12th. I believe that creating a law making it illegal for an individual to
report unsafe working conditions, environmental issues or other abuses in the work place
is a violation of our American ideals. I am therefore contacting members of the Indiana
General Assembly and members of the Corrections and Criminal Law Committee and will
be urging them to vote "No" on SB 373. I encourage others to do the same so that this Bill is
defeated.