♪♪ >> WE LOOK BACK AT 2021.

>> WE LOOK BACK AT 2021.

YEAR 2 OF COVID.

YEAR 1 OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

PLUS, REDISTRICTING AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 24TH, 2021.

>> INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS, AND BY ICE MILLER, A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM, COMMITTED TO HELPING CLIENTS BUILD, GROW, AND PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS.

MORE AT ICEMILLER.COM.

>> THIS WEEK, WE LOOK BACK AT THE SECOND YEAR OF DEALING WITH THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> THE GOOD NEWS OF 2021: COVID-19 VACCINES BECAME WIDELY AVAILABLE, ROLLED OUT FOR ADULTS OVER THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF THE YEAR AND LATER FOR CHILDREN, NOW AS YOUNG AS FIVE YEARS OLD.

THE BAD NEWS: ABOUT HALF OF THE HOOSIER POPULATION HASN'T GOTTEN THE VACCINE, WHICH HAS HELPED LEAD TO SURGES OF THE VIRUS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE GOP-LED INDIANA LEGISLATURE'S RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS THIS YEAR HAS FOCUSED LARGELY ON RESTRICTING PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS' FUTURE ABILITY TO RESPOND TO HEALTH EMERGENCIES VIA RESTRICTIONS AND, NOW, TRYING TO ENSURE PRIVATE COMPANIES EFFECTIVELY CAN'T FORCE THEIR WORKERS TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> HOW HAS INDIANA HANDLED YEAR TWO OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

IT'S THE FIRST QUESTION FOR OUR INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL.

DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY.

REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN.

JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS.

AND NIKI KELLY, STATEHOUSE REPORTER FOR THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE.

I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATEHOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH.

MIKE O'BRIEN, INDIANA IS ONE OF THE WORST STATES IN THE COUNTRY FOR GETTING ITS POPULATION VACCINATED.

WILL THAT HURT THE STATE IN THE LONG RUN?

ECONOMICALLY AND SO ON?

>> WELL, I THINK WE'VE BEEN IN THIS FOR THE LONG RUN, WE'RE CLOSING IN ON TWO YEARS, THE SECOND VARIANT INTO THIS, WE'RE A YEAR INTO, OR MORE, INTO HAVING A VACCINE AVAILABLE.

I THINK THE TIME TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS ON THIS IS, IF NOT HERE, IT'S GETTING CLOSE.

WE'LL LOOK BACK A DECADE TO SEE HOW THE STATE WAS HURT, HURT HOW, THE STRAIN ON THE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, THE NATIONAL GUARD HAVING TO GO TO I.U.

HEALTH TO ASSIST IN MASSIVE SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS, NURSES, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

PEOPLE HAVE LEFT THE PROFESSION FOR UNDERSTANDABLE REASONS, THE STRAIN THAT'S CAUSED.

IF YOU LOOK BROADER, WHETHER IT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S REACTION IN PUMPING TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS NATIONWIDE AND CERTAINLY BILLIONS INTO INDIANA, HAS BENEFITTED BUSINESSES HERE, IT'S BENEFITTED THE GOVERNMENT, AND TAX REVENUE.

NATIONALLY, WE'RE ALL SUFFERING UNDER INFLATION, THERE IS CONSEQUENCES OF COVID THAT AREN'T JUST -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE MICRO LEVEL, WHAT'S THE VACCINATION RATE IN CASS COUNTY, ISN'T THIS HORRIBLE?

WE'RE AT THE TIME WHERE WE CAN DRAW CONCLUSIONS ON VACCINES AVAILABLE LIKE THE GOVERNOR SAID, VACCINES AVAILABLE, IT IS RELIABLE, ALL OF THE DATA POINTS TO YOU'RE GOING TO BE HEALTHIER IF YOU GET IT.

YOU'RE OVERWHELMINGLY UNLIKELY TO BE HOSPITALIZED OR SERIOUSLY -- IF YOU'RE HEALTHY TO BE SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED, GO GET THE VACCINE.

AT SOME POINT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TRIED TO SAY, IF WE'RE SAYING WHAT IS THE HURT TO INDIANA?

IT'S NOT FOR LACK OF FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS COORDINATING, BRINGING THE VACCINE TO MARKET AND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET THAT.

WE'RE AT THE END OF THAT ROAD.

WE CAN'T SHUT THE ECONOMY DOWN AGAIN, THERE IS DRASTIC CONSEQUENCES FOR THAT.

THE STATE WAS HURT EARLY ON.

BUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE EARLY ONES TO OPEN AND THE ECONOMY IS DOING WELL, THINGS HAVE SEEMED TO RECOVER, WE'RE AHEAD ON JOB CREATION, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES, REVENUE, ALL THESE OTHER FACTORS, EXCEPT PEOPLE GOING TO GET VACCINATED.

THAT'S GOT TO HAPPEN OR NOT.

AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT.

>> ANN DeLANEY, REALISTICALLY, COVID IS HERE, IT'S GOING TO BE HERE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, WE WERE DR. ADAMS, THE GOVERNMENT, HAS THE INDIANA STATE GOVERNMET DONE ALL THAT IT CAN DO TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED?

>> I THINK -- YOU HAVE MIXED MESSAGES COMING OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

MAYBE NOT NECESSARILY FROM GOVERNOR HOLCOMB, BUT CERTAINLY FROM THE LEGISLATURE WHERE THEY'RE WADING IN SAYING BUSINESSES CAN'T REQUIRE VACCINATIONS, AND CAN'T REQUIRE WEEKLY TESTING, AND THESE KINDS OF THINGS.

I THINK THAT THAT ENABLES PEOPLE TO DO THINGS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD, ONLY 63% VACCINATED, THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN A NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCE.

THE MILITARY ARE SUPPOSED TO OBEY ORDERS.

IF THEY'RE TOLD TO GET VACCINATED, THEY NEED TO BE VACCINATED.

BUT WHEN YOU HEAR REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS SAYING THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY MANDATES, AND IT'S UP TO ANY INDIVIDUAL, THAT'S WHAT SPARKS THAT KIND OF BASICALLY DISOBEYING OF ORDERS.

AND DOES IT HURT INDIANA IN THE LONG RUN?

THE ECONOMICS OF IT ASIDE, I THINK IT HURTS THE REPUTATION OF THE STATE.

I THINK PEOPLE LOOK AT INDIANA AND SAY WE'RE REALLY THE DEEP SOUTH INSTEAD OF THE MIDWEST.

AND I THINK THAT HURTS US.

IT HURTS US IN TERMS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT ARE TECHNOLOGICALLY SAVVY, WANT TO COME AND DO STARTUPS HERE, COME AND LIVE HERE.

WE DON'T HAVE THE OCEANS, AND WE DON'T HAVE THE MOUNTAINS.

SO WHAT WE HAVE, OR SHOULD HAVE IS A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE, AN EASY PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY, AND AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY, AND YET WE PROJECT THIS IMAGE OF BEING LIKE FLAT EARTH.

WE DON'T BELIEVE IN SCIENCE, WE DON'T BELIEVE IN THE COMMON GOOD.

WE THINK THAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO BE CARRYING A GUN EVERYWHERE.

I THINK THAT HURTS OUR REPUTATION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WANTING TO COME HERE AND SETTLE.

I THINK THAT HAS A LONG-TERM, UNFORTUNATELY, NEGATIVE IMPACT.

THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE STATE >> NIKI, A LOT OF THE YEAR, PARTICULARLY AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL IN INDIANA WAS SPENT TALKING ABOUT GOVERNMENT POWERS AS IT RELATED TO WHAT AWAY SAW IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE PLACE THAT THEY SORT OF SETTLED ON, TO BE FAIR, WE DON'T KNOW ALL OF IT, THERE IS STILL A LAWSUIT TO BE SETTLED NEXT YEAR.

BUT DO YOU THINK INDIANA HAS SET ITSELF UP WELL FOR THE FUTURE WHEN THE NEXT PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT ARISES?

>> I MEAN, I GUESS IT DEPENDS WHAT SIDE YOU'RE ON, RIGHT?

THEY DIDN'T CHANGE ANY OF THE POWERS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID A GOVERNOR SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO A, B, C, EVERYTHING WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

IT WASN'T.

HE WAS ACTING UNDER A STATE LAW THAT LEGISLATORS GAVE HIM POWERS ON, THEY DIDN'T CURB THOSE AT ALL.

THEY SAID WHEN HE'S USING THOSE POWERS, WOULD HE GET TO COME IN AND TRUMP HIM.

AND WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE IF THAT'S GOING TO WITH STAND, IT'S OBVIOUSLY BEFORE THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW >> JON SCHWANTES, SPEAKING OF GOVERNOR HOLCOMB ON THIS ISSUE, HE'S OBVIOUSLY ANGERED SOME IN THE FAR RIGHT WING OF HIS PARTY WITH HIS STANCE ON, WELL, NOT WANTING TO TELL BUSINESSES THEY CAN'T MANDATE THE VACCINE, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

BUT DO YOU THINK THE BULK OF HOOSIER VOTERS ARE HAPPY WITH GOVERNOR HOLCOMB'S JOB PERFORMANCE NOW IN YEAR TWO OF COVID?

>> I THINK GENERALLY THEY PROBABLY ARE SUPPORTIVE.

PART OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ECONOMY.

THE OLD EXPRESSION, THE KISS METHOD, KEEP IT SIMPLE IN POLITICS.

WITH THE ECONOMY BEING FRONT AND CENTER.

YOU LOOK ABOUT IT, MEMORIES ARE SHORT.

THE ELECTORATE CERTAINLY IS SHORT.

THE STATE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING IN JUNE OF 2020.

COVID HAD ALREADY STARTED AT THAT POINT, BUT THEY HAD A SOCIALLY DISTANT STATE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING.

AT THAT POINT THE PROJECTION FOR THE -- WAS A $3 BILLION SHORTFALL.

BY THE END, WE WERE IN A SITUATION WHERE BUDGET ARCHITECTS COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GIVE AWAY ALL THE MONEY, ALSO BECAUSE OF ENHANCED REVENUES WITH STATE TAX COLLECTION.

SO THAT HAS BEEN GENERALLY SPEAKING A BOON TO THE AVERAGE HOOSIER, IT SEEMS TO ME, IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, IN TERMS OF INCOME.

NOT EVERYBODY, CERTAINLY NOT EVERYBODY, SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL HURTING, AND WE NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT.

BUT GENERALLY, PEOPLE VOTE WITH THEIR WALLETS AND THEIR POCKETBOOKS, I THINK THAT DOES BODE WELL FOR THE GOVERNOR.

BUT IN TERMS OF THE QUESTION ARE WE SET UP FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC?

I WOULD SAY FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT, NO, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE QUESTION OVER THE GUBERNATORIAL POWERS, IT WENT BEYOND THAT IN 2021 WHERE YOU HAD AT THE LOCAL, AT THE CITY, MUNICIPAL, AND COUNTY LEVEL, THAT NOW YOU HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHETHER THAT'S A TOWN COUNCIL OR BOARD OR COMMISSIONERS, CAN OVERRULE THE PROFESSIONALS, THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS, IF YOU KNOW THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS WE NEED TO SHUT DOWN, THE COMMISSIONERS CAN COME IN AND SAY NOT SO FAST.

IT GOES -- THIS IS MORE THAN JUST -- THAT'S PLAYED OUT ON THE STATE LEVEL.

THIS HAS IMPLICATIONS CERTAINLY AT THE CITY AND COUNTY LEVEL >> ALL RIGHT.

2021 WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF NEW PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION, AFTER HE DEFEATED FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

BIDEN HAS ALSO HAD A CONGRESS FULLY RUN BY DEMOCRATS, WHO EKED OUT THE SLIMMEST OF MARGINS TO CONTROL THE SENATE AFTER RUNOFF ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA.

>> BIDEN AND THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS DELIVERED ANOTHER COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE EARLY IN THE YEAR, SENDING BILLIONS OUT TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND MORE STIMULUS PAYMENTS TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.

THEY ALSO RECENTLY APPROVED A MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT WILL SEND NINE BILLION DOLLARS TO INDIANA ALONE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

BUT DESPITE ELECTION PROMISES FROM BIDEN AND DEMOCRATS, THEY'VE FAILED TO DELIVER A VOTING RIGHTS BILL, IMMIGRATION REFORM AND ARE NOW STRUGGLING TO PASS A LARGER SPENDING BILL, THE BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN.

>> ANN DELANEY, DID PRESIDENT BIDEN OVERPROMISE?

IN THE CAMPAIGN?

>> OH, I DON'T THINK SO.

I MEAN HE'S PROPOSED EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD PROPOSE.

THE PROBLEM IS, OF COURSE, THAT YOU HAVE A SENATE WHERE THE FILIBUSTER IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL.

AND YOU CAN'T -- REPUBLICANS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THEY'RE INTERESTED IN SUPPRESSING THE VOTE, FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO RESTRICT THE RIGHT TO VOTE, AND TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.

SO, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO VOTE -- THEY'RE NOT GOING TO -- UNLESS WE SCRAP THE FILIBUSTER, WHICH FRANKLY I THINK IS LONG OVERDUE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PASS ANYTHING MEANINGFUL THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE VOTE AND HELP PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMOCRACY.

THEY'RE JUST NOT INTERESTED IN T. WE NEED A LARGER MARGIN OR GETTING RID OF THE FILIBUSTER TO COME THROUGH WITH THAT.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS DONE EXACTLY WHAT HE PROPOSED TO THE VOTERS THAT HE WOULD DO.

THE PROBLEM IS THE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING.

AND BEING PART OF A BIPARTISAN GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT IT'S REALITY.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, ARE YOU BUYING THAT?

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH PART OF IT.

MITCH DANIELS SAID BIG CHANGE REQUIRES BIG MAJORITIES.

THEY HAVE MEMBERS WHO ARE FROM MARGINAL DISTRICTS WHO KNOW IF THEY GO ALONG WITH THAT PROGRAM THEY'RE PUTTING REELECTION AT RISK, AND WHAT IS CONSTITUENCY THAT ISN'T FOR IT AREN'T GO ALONG WITH IT, DEMOCRATS THEMSELVES ARE FORCING THAT PACKAGE TO BE SMALLER AND SMALLER WITHOUT REPUBLICAN'S HELP >> JON SCHWANTES.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE WELL ON THAT, MICHAEL.

>> JON SCHWANTES, WHEN IT COMES TO EVALUATING BIDEN'S FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, HOW MUCH IS GOING TO REST ON WHETHER OR NOT THAT LARGER SPENDING BILL, WHETHER BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, WE'RE TAPING THIS AHEAD OF THE END OF THE YEAR, OR JUST AFTER IT, HOW MUCH WILL REST ON WHETHER OR NOT THAT LARGER SPENDING BILL GETS PASSED?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT NOT BECAUSE OF THE SUBSTANCE ON THE LEGISLATION IN TERMS OF THE DOLLARS THAT WOULD BE ALLOCATED, BUT IT ALSO HAS TO DO WITH THE PERCEPTION OF THE ABILITY OF THE OCCUPANT OF THE OVAL OFFICE, IS THIS SOMEBODY WHO CAN DELIVER?

SOMEBODY WHO CAN WORK WITH CONGRESS?

THAT WAS JOE BIDEN'S BIGGEST SELLING CARD PERHAPS WAS HIS FAMILIARITY WITH THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND HIS ABILITY THROUGH HIS PERSONAL CONNECTIONS AND HIS DEDICATION TO CONSENSUS BUILDING AND COMPROMISE TO GET PEOPLE TO COALESCE AROUND AN AGENDA.

THE FAILURE TO DO THAT CERTAINLY HURTS HIM IN A REAL TANGIBLE SENSE IN TERMS OF THE ALLOCATION OF DOLLARS AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION, BUT ALSO THAT SENSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THINGS DONE SEEMS TO ME WOULD HAUNT HIM AS WELL.

SO, YEAH, THAT WOULD BE DAMAGING, I THINK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THIS YEAR ALSO MARKED A ONCE-IN-A-DECADE POLITICAL EVENT - THE REDRAWING OF CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT LINES FOLLOWING THE DECENNIAL CENSUS.

THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITIES AT THE STATEHOUSE USED THE LATEST ROUND OF REDISTRICTING TO HELP ENSURE THEY WILL LIKELY REMAIN IN THE SUPERMAJORITY FOR THE COMING DECADE.

>> THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP WASN'T DRAMATICALLY CHANGED FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT - THE CURRENT SEVEN GOP DISTRICTS AND TWO DEMOCRATIC ONES SHOULD REMAIN THAT WAY, THOUGH THE STATE'S ONLY REALLY COMPETITIVE DISTRICT IS MUCH LESS SO.

THE INDIANA HOUSE MAPS ARE SIMILAR, LARGELY MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO, THOUGH REPUBLICANS COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE A COUPLE SEATS.

SENATE REPUBLICANS, HOWEVER, SOUGHT TO TIGHTEN THEIR GRIP ON THE SUPERMAJORITY, LIKELY GAINING A COUPLE SEATS.

OVERALL, INDEPENDENT ANALYSES OF THE MAPS PROJECT THAT OUT OF 159 TOTAL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE THREE MAPS, ONLY 11 WILL LIKELY BE COMPETITIVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

JON SCHWANTES, OTHER THAN THE PROCESS ITSELF GETTING DELAYED, DESPITE ALL THE EXTRA ATTENTION ON REDISTRICTING THIS YEAR, DID IT PLAY OUT EXACTLY THE WAY YOU WOULD'VE EXPECTED?

>> I WOULD SAY SO.

AND I THINK -- I WON'T SAY ALL SAID AS MUCH, BUT I CERTAINLY FELT THAT WOULD BE THE OUTCOME.

IT IS NOT AS IF SOMEBODY IS BREAKING THE RULES OR EVEN BENDING THE RULES.

THE RULES MAY BE THE PROBLEM FOR THOSE WHO FIND THIS KIND OF GERRYMANDERING TO BE UPSETTING.

BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY PUSHING THOSE RULES AS FAR AS THEY CAN WITHOUT INCURRING THE KIND OF SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE, SEVERAL STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE SEEING THAT NOW UNFOLD.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, COURTS HAVE NOT BEEN REEL AMENABLE LATELY TO STEPPING ON THE TOES OF LAWMAKERS WHO IN MOST STATES HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND THE ABILITY ENSHRINED IN THEIR CONSTITUTIONS TO DETERMINE THEIR BOUNDARIES.

LAWMAKERS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, EVEN HIRED, WE TALKED ON THE SHOW A FEW MONTHS BACK, I FORGET THE BILLABLE HOURS, IT WAS ANN DeLANEY KIND OF MONEY ON AN HOURLY RATE TO HIRE SOME D.C. FIRMS TO MAKE SURE NOBODY CROSSED THAT LINE.

BUT TO PUSH RIGHT UP AGAINST IT.

IT'S NOT A SURPRISING OUTCOME.

IT MAY BE A DISAPPOINTING OUTCOME.

BUT THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS >> NIKI KELLY, TO THAT END, DID ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROCESS OTHER THAN THE TIMING OF IT, DID ANYTHING STAND OUT AS SURPRISING TO YOU?

>> NO.

I MEAN, IT SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT I SAW THE LAST TWO I'VE COVERED.

I DO THINK MAYBE THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS WERE A LITTLE MORE AMENABLE TO TAKING SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AND ACTUALLY INCORPORATING THEM.

THE SENATE SORT OF WAS KIND OF GOING FOR THE THROAT, I THINK I'VE SAID BEFORE.

IN THE END, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO SEE STATUS QUOS BOTH SIDES WILL LIKELY KEEP THEIR SUPERMAJORITIES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

AND THERE IS, YOU KNOW, BUT THAT SUPERMAJORITY LEVEL DOESN'T MATCH ELECTION RESULTS THAT WE'VE SEEN IN LIKE GOVERNOR'S RACES.

AND U.S. SENATE RACES, WHICH ARE MORE IN THE 56, 58% RANGE FOR REPUBLICAN VOTES.

SO DEFINITELY USE IT TO THEIR FULL ADVANTAGE, SO FAR WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYONE CHALLENGE THEM >> ANN DeLANEY, GIVEN THE DATA I CITED IN THE PIECE, SOME INDEPENDENT ANALYSES SAID 11 OUT OF 159 ACROSS THE THREE MAPS ARE LIKELY TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, IS IT GOING TO BE HARD TO GET EXCITED FOR THE SENATE RACES FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS AT LEAST?

>> THAT'S BY DESIGN, BRANDON.

WHEN I TALKED ABOUT SUPPRESSING THE VOTE.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS, YOU DON'T HAVE DID DEMOCRACY AT WORK, AND THE REPUBLICANS CRACKED AND PACKED THOSE DISTRICTS TO THE BEST -- WHEN YOU SAY PUSHING UP AGAINST, THE SUPREME COURT HAS BASICALLY SAID THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH GERRYMANDERING, SO THEY DID WHATEVER THEY COULD DO.

I MEAN, FORT WAYNE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT THEY DID.

SPLITTING THAT UP INTO FOUR DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, THEY'VE DONE IS DELIBERATELY.

AND DOES IT DEPRESS DEMOCRACY?

IT ABSOLUTELY DOES.

IT'S DESIGNED TO DO THAT.

REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO VOTE AND THEY WANT TO MAKE IT AS DIFFICULT AS POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO DO THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY AND VOTE.

I THINK THAT IS A REALLY -- IT'S NOT ONLY SELFISH, IT IS UNDERMINING GOVERNMENT AND UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY, AND I THINK IT IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE >> MIKE O'BRIEN, WE'RE SEEN THIS PLAY OUT OVER THE LAST DECADE AS REPUBLICANS GAINED SUPERMAJORITIES AT THE STATEHOUSE.

HOW MUCH MORE ARE WE GOING TO SEE POLICY-MAKING SHIFT AS THE COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS ARE IN PRIMARIES AND NOT GENERAL ELECTIONS?

>> CONTINUE TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING, YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT, COUNT ME IN ON THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE IT.

INDIANA DEMOCRATS ARE NOT COMPETITIVE IN INDIANA.

TO IGNORE THAT AND CONCLUDE THAT REDISTRICTING PROCESS, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T RESULT IN A COMPETITIVE -- IN A COMPETITIVE ELECTORATE IS A FAILURE, IT IGNORES BASIC MATH.

>> NOT TRUE.

>> IN LARGE PARTS OF THE STATE -- >> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ONE ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR.

>> THEY'RE A THIRD PLACE PARTY.

THAT IS A -- >> IN ONE ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR, MIKE.

IT DOES NOT A SUMMER MAKE.

>>...SO CONSERVATIVE, THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN PARTY ISN'T CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH FOR SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS STATE ANYMORE.

THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT MICHAEL SMOOL IS OUT, GETTING OUT OF THE URBAN CORES, REENGAGING VOTERS THEY HAVEN'T TALKED TO IN A CENTURY.

I DO -- >> YOU GUYS DON'T TALK TO HIM EITHER.

>> WE REPRESENT 88% OF THEM.

88% OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE REPUBLICANS, YOU'RE LOSING STATE-WIDE ELECTIONS BY 20 OR 30 POINTS.

THIS IS A MATH PROBLEM YOU CAN'T WIN WITHOUT CHANGING YOUR POLICIES.

>> OH, NO.

>> THAT'S IT.

YOU'RE WRONG >> ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

>> A MATH PROBLEM, AND YOU GUYS SUCK AT IT.

>> LET'S MOVE ON.

THE BEGINNING OF 2021 WAS MARRED BY AN ATTEMPTED INSURRECTION AT THE U-S CAPITOL AS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SOUGHT TO STOP CONGRESS FROM CERTIFYING THE ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

>> MORE THAN 600 PEOPLE ARE FACING CHARGES RELATED TO THE JAN. 6 RIOT INVESTIGATION, WITH SEVERAL DOZEN HAVING PLEADED GUILTY.

MOST ARE FACING LOW-LEVEL MISDEMEANOR CHARGES.

THERE'S ALSO ON ONGOING INVESTIGATION BY THE U-S HOUSE, WHICH IS TRYING TO GET TO THE HEART OF THE INSURRECTION AND ITS CAUSES.

MEANWHILE, REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE SPENT THE YEAR PERPETUATING THE LIE THAT AT LEAST IN PART CONTRIBUTED TO THE RIOT - THAT DONALD TRUMP WON THE ELECTION.

>> NIKI KELLY, HAS THE COUNTRY LEARNED ANY LESSONS FROM JANUARY 6?

>> OH, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

THE DAY IT HAPPENED, I THINK EVERYONE SORT OF KIND OF CAME TOGETHER AND WAS APPROPRIATELY OUTRAGED AND REALIZED HOW SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS IT WAS.

BUT SINCE THEN, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE'VE MOVED INTO SORT OF SPIN AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES, AND THAT KIND OF THING.

THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED ARE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

I THINK IT IS A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED PICTURE WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHO INCITED THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE >> JON SCHWANTES, SAME QUESTION, HAVE WE LEARNED ANY LESSONS?

>> I THINK IT WAS A REMINDER HOW FRAGILE DEMOCRACY CAN BE.

IT IS A PARTICIPATION SPORT.

AND IF REASONABLE PEOPLE DISENGAGE IT CREATES A VACUUM AND CRAZY PEOPLE STEP INTO THE VOID.

IT ALSO SHOWS HOW WILLING PEOPLE ARE TO BE MISLED.

WE LIVE IN THE AGE OF THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE INFORMATION AGE, THE 21st CENTURY, THANKS TO THE INTERNET, AND THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF INFORMATION AND NEWS, WHAT IT'S CREATED IS A BASICALLY PEOPLE ABLE TO FIND SUPPORT ONLINE OR ON AIR FOR ANY IDEA HOWEVER CRAZY IT MIGHT BE.

AND SO THESE DAYS THERE IS NO DEBATE -- WELL, THERE IS TOO LITTLE DEBATE ABOUT HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND THE POLICY DIFFERENCES ABOUT HOW TO SOLVE THEM.

NOW THERE IS DISAGREEMENT BECAUSE OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT EVEN WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, OR WHETHER THERE IS A PROBLEM AT ALL.

SO THE LESSON LEARNED I THINK IS WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO BECOME A MORE SAVVIER CONSUMER OF NEWS AND INFORMATION AS A COUNTRY OR WE'RE IN TROUBLE >> SEEMS TO ME THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT IF WE'VE LEARNED ANY LESSONS IN A COUPLE YEARS WHEN WE HAVE ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

FINALLY, AS YOU LOOK BACK AT 2021, WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST WINNER IN THE HOOSIER POLITICAL SCENE?

WE'LL START WITH MIKE O'BRIEN.

WHO AND WHY?

>> LET ME GIVE IT THE MOST UNPOPULAR ANSWER ON THE PANEL.

TODD ROKITA, TURNED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE MUNDANE LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE WITH A PRETTY NARROW STATUTORY CHARGE INTO CLEARLY AN EFFECTIVE POLITICAL WEAPON ON SOME OF THE CULTURAL ISSUES OF THE DAY ANN DeLANEY.

>> I THINK BRIAN BOSMA, HE GOT OUT BEFORE HIS PARTY WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE PEOPLE WHO THINK JANUARY 6 WAS A BUNCH OF TOURISTS GOING TO TOUR THE CAPITAL.

NIKI KELLY, BIGGEST WINNER.

>> I'LL GO WITH NORTHEAST INDIANA, REPRESENTATIVE JOURNALISM BANKS RAISED HIS PROFILE NATIONALLY, AND PROBABLY WILL SEE SOME ADDED SENIORITY AND CLOUT WITH THAT.

>> BOY, THE REPORTER FROM FORT WAYNE SAYING NORTHEAST INDIANA.

JON SCHWANTES, QUICKLY, BIGGEST WINNER.

>> TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING DIFFERENT, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THE VOUCHER PROGRAM CONTINUED TO EXPAND GREAT PACE.

MOST HOOSIER FAMILIES CAN GO, GREAT EXPANSION OVER WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO BE IN 2011 >> BIGGEST LOSER OF 2021.

ANN DeLANEY.

>> I THINK I'D GO WITH GOVERNOR HOLCOMB.

HE'S DEMONSTRATED NO ABILITY TO LEAD.

CAN'T EVEN LEAD HIS OWN PARTY.

I MEAN HOW MANY TIMES HAVE THESE VETOES BEEN OVERWRITTEN.

HE DOES NOT RISE TO THE TASK OF BEING GOVERNOR OF INDIANA IN AN ERA WHERE THERE IS SO MANY PROBLEMS.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN.

>> I THINK MARIAN COUNTY PROSECUTOR RYAN MEARS TURNED NOT PROSECUTING INDIANA CRIMINALS INTO A PROFESSIONAL SPORT.

>> JON SCHWANTES.

>> EXECUTIVE BRANCH, WHETHER THAT IS A GOVERNOR OR NOT, A PARTICULAR GOVERNOR, BUT GOVERNOR OR THE PEOPLE WHO HOLD AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH POSITION FURTHER DOWN IN THE STATE FOR REASONS I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE SHOW, THEY ARE HAMSTRUNG IN MANY CASES BY ELECTED OFFICIALS, SEEMS TO BE A TIPPING OF THE SCALE.

>> NIKI KELLY.

>> I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH JON SCHWANTES ON THAT ONE.

I THINK THAT'S ONE I HAVEN'T THOUGHT THROUGH AND I THINK IT IS A GOOD CHOICE.

>> NIKI, NIKI.

>> THAT'S INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THIS WEEK.

OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY.

REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN.

JON SCHWANTES OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS.

AND NIKI KELLY OF THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE.

IF YOU'D LIKE A PODCAST OF THIS PROGRAM YOU CAN FIND IT AT WFYI.ORG/IWIR OR STARTING MONDAY YOU CAN STREAM IT OR GET IT ON DEMAND FROM XFINITY AND ON THE WFYI APP.

I'M BRANDON SMITH OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, PLEASE GET VACCINATED IF YOU CAN, HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY.

JOIN US NEXT TIME BECAUSE A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN AN INDIANA YEAR OR WEEK.

>> INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS, AND BY ICE MILLER.

ICE MILLER IS A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM COMMITTED TO HELPING CLIENTS BUILD, GROW AND PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS.

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THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE PANELISTS.

"INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW" IS A WFYI PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING