BLOOMINGTON – Attorney General Todd Rokita and State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla call on Indiana University to show proof of compliance with an unambiguous state law prohibiting the Kinsey Institute from using taxpayer funds.
“My office works tirelessly to protect Hoosiers’ hard-earned tax dollars, and Indiana law is clear – no state funds may be used to fund the Kinsey Institute,” Attorney General Rokita said. “More than a year has passed since IU assured the public and state officials that it would follow the law, yet we have seen no indication that any serious actions have been taken. IU is not above the law, and Hoosiers deserve answers.”
An Indiana law passed by the General Assembly prohibits state funding of the Kinsey Institute in any way. The 2023 law cites over a dozen potential funding loopholes, which must now operate using zero taxpayer dollars. A joint letter sent this week by Attorney General Rokita and Comptroller Nieshalla demands IU’s President and Trustees confirm compliance with the state law that went into effect on July 1 – of last year – more than ample time to provide such proof.
“As the state elected leader responsible for the accounting and reporting of state funds, I take seriously my responsibility to document and provide complete transparency for tax dollars spent within state government,” stated Comptroller Elise Nieshalla. “With the absence of evidence per state law that tax dollars are no longer supporting the Kinsey Institute, we are calling for necessary financial information to prove adherence to state statute.”
Indiana University issued a press release in April of 2023 promising a “thorough legal review to ensure the University follows state law.” However, rather than showing simple proof of compliance, the administrators of Indiana’s most extensive public university school system voted to table. They ultimately declined to separate the controversial sex research center from the University. Instead, IU proposed a plan to use accounting methods to ensure compliance. Yet, two quarterly meetings have passed since this proposal, with no public update on implementing an appropriate accounting plan. Now, another semester is set to begin, and Indiana taxpayers deserve answers.
The law passed by our General Assembly uses succinct language forbidding state funds from being used in the administration, operation, or any programs of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction.
The letter sent to Indiana University officials is attached.
