December 2025
What is Preemption?
Preemption occurs when a higher level of government restricts or eliminates the authority of a lower level of government to enact policies. In Indiana, state laws often override local ordinances, limiting community-driven solutions.
Why Does Preemption Matter for Media?
Preemption affects how communities respond to their most urgent and relevant issues, like housing, public health, and equity.
Preemption can:
- Block local innovation and policy experimentation
- Silence community voices and local democracy
- Benefit special interests (like low-wage employers, real estate developers and
landlords, or utilities) at the expense of local communities - Exacerbate disparities in health, housing, and economic opportunities
Preemption in Indiana can be particularly vicious, given its breadth, depth, and rigidity. It can show up in many domains and is often locked down in state law. Some laws don’t just invalidate local ordinances, they punish them. Indiana very rarely includes “home-rule” carveouts that allow cities to pilot their own solutions. Compared to other states, housing is particularly constrained.
Read these reports to learn more about Preemption in Indiana: