Gov. Eric Holcomb wants to free up $140 million for schools over the next two years as a way to potentially boost teacher pay.

A coalition of more than 700 advocates who want the legislature to pass a hate crimes bill say Indiana can't wait any longer.

Hate crimes bills of the last few sessions included the phrase "gender identity" on the list of protected characteristics.

Ahead of the legislative session, Senate Democrats say their initial priorities are teacher pay, medical marijuana, pre-existing condition coverage and hate crimes.

Indiana is one of five states without a hate crimes law. After a Carmel synagogue was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti this summer, the push to pass one was re-energized. But a hate crimes law may not help police or prosecutors.

A decades-long debate over whether Indiana should have an explicit hate crimes law is no closer to a resolution.

The college presidents said they wanted Indiana to be one of 46 states with hate crimes legislation, not one of five states without it.

Religious conservatives who've long opposed a hate crimes law say Holcomb's support won't make a difference. And they warned the Republican governor that he's not as popular as he thinks.

Hate crimes legislation has failed for years. But Gov. Eric Holcomb recently pledged to work next session to ensure it passes after vandals defaced a Carmel synagogue with anti-Semitic graffiti.

Legislation to increase penalties for crimes committed because of a victim's characteristics - such as race, religion, and gender identity - failed for years. But now Holcomb says he'll work to find consensus on the issue ahead of the 2019 session.