>>JON: ONE OF THE BILLS THAT PASSED IN THE FINAL HOURS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S 2022 SESSION SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE STATE'S TURN-SIGNAL REQUIREMENT - A FITTING FOOTNOTE, PERHAPS, TO A NINE-WEEK JOURNEY IN WHICH A NUMBER OF UNEXPECTED, AND OFTEN ERRATIC, TURNS SENT SOME HIGH-POWERED BILLS SPINNING INTO THE MEDIAN AND CLEARED THE WAY FOR OTHERS TO REACH THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THE TOP PRIORITY OF THE REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED HOUSE, LEGISLATION TO UP-END PRIVATE-SECTOR VACCINE MANDATES, WAS FORCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SLOW LANE AND EVENTUALLY STRIPPED OF ITS MOST CONTROVERSIAL PROVISIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTS TO MUZZLE TEACHERS AND PROMOTE LIBRARY CENSORSHIP WERE ULTIMATELY BLOCKED OUTRIGHT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, A PUSH TO CUT THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX SURPRISED MANY ONLOOKERS BY REACHING ITS DESTINATION, AS EARLY SKEPTICISM FROM THE GOVERNOR AND THE SENATE'S GOP MAJORITY - NOT TO MENTION OPPOSITION FROM DEMOCRATS IN BOTH CHAMBERS - GAVE WAY TO OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

AND THEN THERE'S THE MEASURE THAT WOULD LET MOST HOOSIERS CARRY LOADED HANDGUNS WITHOUT A PERMIT.

ITS TORTUOUS ROUTE TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK DOESN'T EVEN APPEAR ON MOST LEGISLATIVE MAPS.

HI, I'M JON SCHWANTES, AND ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW, WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO SORT IT ALL OUT WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S FOUR CAUCUS LEADERS.

DON'T GO AWAY INDIANA LAWMAKERS - FROM THE STATEHOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE.

♪♪ JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THE JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THE JUST-CONCLUDED 2022 SESSION ARE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM RODRIC BRAY, A MARTINSVILLE REPUBLICAN SENATE MINORITY LEADER GREG TAYLOR, AN INDIANAPOLIS DEMOCRAT HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON, A FISHERS REPUBLICAN AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER PHIL GIAQUINTA, A FORT WAYNE DEMOCRAT.

LET'S DO SOME ROLE REVERSAL.

YOU BE THE JOURNALIST FOR A MINUTE, AND GIVE ME A HEADLINE ON THE JUST COMPLETED SESSION.

AS YOU KNOW, HEADLINES ARE BY DEFINITIONS, SHORT.

RODRIC BRAY.

>> INDIANA MODIFIES ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLS, THE SENATE BILL DID A GREAT JOB TO HELP US BE MORE COMPETITIVE IN RECRUITING BUSINESSES HERE IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> GREG TAYLOR.

>> HEADLINE IS EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE A GUN AND BE ABLE TO WALK DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT A PERMIT.

>> DIFFERENT FROM THAT HEADLINE.

LET'S KEEP A GOOD THING COMING.

TODD HUSTON.

>> PRODUCTIVE SUCCESSFUL SESSION.

>> PHIL GiaQUINTA.

>> MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAD A -- WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO I THINK MAKE SOME REALLY IMPROVEMENTS WITH REGARDS TO EDUCATION, THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE CAN DISCUSS THAT AS WE GO ON WITH REGARDS TO THE SURPLUS THAT WE HAVE.

I WOULD SAY MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.

>> DO YOU THINK IN HINDSIGHT THIS SESSION WAS NECESSARILY.

IN THE OLD DAYS, SHORT SESSIONS WERE RESERVED FOR EMERGENCIES.

DID WE HAVE -- I MEAN, WAS THIS A VITAL SESSION?

>> WELL, I THINK WE DID SOME FANTASTIC THINGS, HONESTLY.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE JUST DEDICATED A SHORT SESSION TO EMERGENCIES.

NOT ALL OF THE BILLS LOOK LIKE EMERGENCIES.

>> I HAVE THE HAIR TO PROVE.

I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS.

WAY BACK.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETOOL OUR ECONOMICS DEVELOPMENT IS A NEAT THING.

TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PAY DOWN OUR OBLIGATIONS OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT FUND.

THE SINE DIE SAID IT WAS A WASTE OF TIME, IN PART BECAUSE SO MUCH TIME WAS DEVOTED TO WHAT YOU DESCRIBED AS CULTURAL WARS.

ELABORATE ON THAT.

>> WE PASSED A PIECE OF LEGISLATION, JON, THAT IS GOING TO, I BELIEVE ENDANGER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

WE ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION OUT OF ONE HOUSE ANYWAY THAT WAS GOING TO PUT TEACHERS -- COULD HAVE PUT TEACHERS IN JAIL.

I'M GLAD THAT DIDN'T CONTINUE.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THAT ISSUE, THOUGH.

WE STILL HAVE ISSUES.

OUR HOOSIERS ARE FILLING THE PRICE GOUGE AT THE PUMP.

WE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SENATE DEMOCRATS ALONG WITH HOUSE DEMOCRATS OFFERED SOME PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE CHANGED IMMEDIATELY THE PRICES THAT HOOSIERS WOULD SEE AT THE GAS PUMP AND WE DID NOT GET THAT DONE.

>> TODD HUSTON, IF WE LOOK BACK A FEW MONTHS AGO, TO ORGANIZATION DAY, IN FACT YOUR CAUCUS, NUMBER ONE BURNING PRIORITY WAS DEALING WITH COVID AND SPECIFICALLY PROTECTING EMPLOYEES WHO FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS DIDN'T WANT TO GET VACCINATED, AND THERE WERE OTHER THINGS ABOUT CURBING THE GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO MANDATE CERTAIN TYPES OF PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES.

YOU WANTED TO INITIALLY DO IT ON ORGANIZATION DAY, THERE WAS PUSHBACK, YOU STILL WANT IT TO BE DONE YESTERDAY.

IN HINDSIGHT, ARE YOU GLAD IS UNFOLDED MORE SLOWLY.

IN THE END THE BILL THAT ULTIMATELY WAS PASSED BASICALLY IS MIMICKING FEDERAL LAW IN TERMS OF EXCEPTIONS TO VACCINES.

>> I THINK, LOOK, WE STOOD UP WHEN WE NEEDED TO BE STANDING UP.

AND CONTINUED FEDERAL OVERREACH ON THAT ISSUE HAD TO BE STOPPED.

LUCKILY THE COURT STEPPED IN AND MADE THE DETERMINATION.

WE PUT IN STATE LAW THAT NATIONAL IMMUNITIES EXEMPTION, CLARIFIED OUR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

I THINK THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL.

I APPRECIATED THE WORK OFF OUR SENATE AND HOUSE COLLEAGUES TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE BILL, KNOWING THE EVOLUTION THAT TOOK PLACE.

JON, I THINK IT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION IN NOVEMBER AND PLEASED WE GOT IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN MARCH.

>> NO MULLIGAN.

>> NO MULLIGANS.

>> PHIL GiaQUINTA, YOU IN A STATEMENT AFTER THE SESSION SAID THAT YOU THINK MAYBE THE STATE WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF THIS SESSION DID NOT TAKE PLACE?

>> WE'RE TURNING SHORT SESSIONS INTO LONG SESSIONS.

LET'S REALLY -- FINISHED SIX DAYS EARLY.

>> THAT'S TRUE, SHORTER THAN NORMAL, WHICH IS KIND OF -- BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.

>> THAT COULD BE.

I THINK THE SENATE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT, GETTING OUT A LITTLE BIT EARLY.

BUT, NO, AGAIN, AS I SAID EARLIER ABOUT MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, IF WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE, LET'S ADDRESS THE RISING COST OF HEALTHCARE.

NOTHING ON THAT, HOW ABOUT CHILD -- CREDIT.

EMPLOYEES GOING BACK TO WORK, AND HELPING THOSE PARENTS THAT HAVE KIDS.

AND THE COST OF CHILDCARE.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WITH REGARDS TO -- WHEN WE SEE WHY INTEL MOVING TO COLUMBUS OHIO NOT CHOOSING INDIANA IS BECAUSE OF LACK OF INVESTMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

WHAT COULD WE HAVE DONE TO MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AGAIN, MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS WE COULD HAVE DONE INSTEAD OF MAYBE, AS YOU SAID, TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THESE SORT OF CULTURAL WAR ISSUES THAT WE SEEM TO BE GETTING INTO.

>> HOW ABOUT -- THE STATE WAS SITTING ON UNPRECEDENTED SURPLUS, UPWARDS OF FIVE BILLION DOLLARS, CERTAINLY WITH THE REVENUE FORECASTS THAT CAME OUT IN THE FINAL WEEK OR WEEK-AND-A-HALF OF THE SESSION, THE NUMBERS JUST GOT BETTER AND BETTER, AND BETTER.

WHY NOT ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THOSE -- THE STUDENT DEBT RELIEF, THE LOAN DEBT RELIEF, THE CHILD TAX -- THE CHILDCARE CREDITS.

THOSE THINGS THAT PHIL GiaQUINTA JUST MENTIONED.

>> WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR IS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TAXPAYER REFUND THAT ATLY KICKS IN WE'RE PAYING $545 MILLION BACK TO HOOSIERS, PUT TOGETHER WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SPEAKER, A BILLION DOLLARS OF TAX CUTS THAT ARE GOING TO COME IN BOTH IN THE FORM OF INCOME TAX CUTS PHASED IN A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS, ALONG WITH THE UTILITY CUTS.

UTILITY TAX RATE CUT.

ELIMINATION, EXCUSE ME.

THANK YOU.

$220 MILLION.

AND SO YOU COULD SAY WELL WE SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ON THE GAS TAX.

WE JUST PUT MILLIONS, OVER A BILLION DOLLARS BACK IN THE HANDS OF TAXPAYERS THAT THEY CAN USE FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

AND WE HAVE AN ALREADY SOLID INVESTMENT WITH REGARD TO EDUCATION, AND I THINK THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE HOUSE SAID THAT THE INTEL WENT TO OHIO BECAUSE OF OUR LACK OF INVESTMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION, WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS WHY THEY WENT THERE.

WE WERE A LITTLE LATE TO THE GAME IN TRYING TO GET THAT COMPETITION.

WE MADE SOME CHANGES NOW THAT WILL PUT INDIANA -- MAKE INDIANA MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE WHEN IT COMES TO ATTRACTING THOSE COMPANIES.

>> HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU BY THE END OF THAT TIME HOOSIERS WILL GET THIS BILLION DOLLAR PLUS RELIEF?

BECAUSE THERE ARE THESE YEAR-OVER-YEAR TRIGGERS, YOU HAVE TO HAVE 2% GROWTH IN INCOME, AND YOU CERTAINLY HAVE TO PAY OFF THE AFOREMENTIONED PENSION DEBT.

I MEAN, IS THAT A GIVEN?

>> IT'S CERTAINLY NOT A GIVEN, I THINK IT IS EXPECTED, THE FIRST ITERATION OF THE TAX CUT IS A GUARANTEE.

AND THE OTHERS, IF IT COMES, AND OUR ECONOMY CONTINUES TO CHURN ALONG LIKE I HOPE IT WILL, WE'LL HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THAT.

IF NOT, THEN WE HAVEN'T PUT INDIANA IN ANY JEOPARDY, WE TRY TO BE AS PRUDENT AS WE CAN WITH OUR FUNDS AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH REVENUE TO TAKE CARE OF THE OBLIGATIONS WE HAVE AND THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US.

>> JON, THE ELIMINATION OF THE TAX IS GUARANTEED, IT'S GONE.

AND THAT'S TO EVERY HOOSIER.

WE -- I JUST THINK THERE IS A PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE.

>> EVERY SEWER, WATER BILL.

>> RIGHT.

THERE IS A PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE WHO IS GOING TO SPEND PEOPLE'S MONEY.

WHAT WE HAVE SAID VERY CLEARLY, WE WANT HOOSIERS TO BE SPENDING THEIR MONEY, NOT THE GOVERNMENT, NOT THE GOVERNMENT PICKING WINNERS OR LOSER, OR PICKS SELECTED PROGRAMS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HOOSIERS SPEND THOSE DOLLARS IN COMMUNITIES, SUPPORTING THEIR BUSINESSES, MUCH MORE PRUDENT THAN SELECTING A BUNCH PROGRAMS OR CREDITS.

>> HOW ABOUT THE BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY INCOME TAX WHERE THERE WAS RIGHT DOWN ON EQUIPMENT, THAT ISN'T PART.

>> THAT ISN'T.

I THINK -- THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY PART OF OUR INITIAL PROPOSAL, SOMETHING THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE INTERESTED IN.

WE THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE INDIANA -- WHICH IS ALREADY THE BEST PLACE IN THE MIDWEST TO DO BUSINESS.

BUT MAKE IT ONE OF THE BEST PLACES IN THE COUNTRY TO DO BUSINESS.

AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ACROSS THE INTERIM AND LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS FOR -- AS PART OF THE 2023 BUDGET.

>> GREG TAYLOR, EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO ME.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TAX RELIEF, DIAL BACK THE CLOCK, TODD HUSTON WAS ALL ABOUT IT FROM DAY ONE, SENATE REPUBLICANS, NOT SO MUCH.

THEY WANTED TO WAIT AND SEE, AND THE GOVERNOR WAS IN THAT CAMP, AS WELL.

IF MY MEMORY SERVES, MOST DEMOCRATS IN BOTH CHAMBERS WERE SAYING, IRRESPONSIBLE, IRRESPONSIBLE.

BUT YET WHEN THE VOTES WERE COUNTED, OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM BOTH CHAMBERS, BOTH PARTIES, HOW DID YOU GET FROM A TO B?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL WHO WANTS TO BE ON RECORD VOTING AND GETS A TAX CUT FOR HOOSIERS, THAT'S ONE PART OF THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS ON OUR VOTES.

SENATE DEMOCRATS PROPOSED A LOT OF THINGS THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED HOOSIERS.

ESPECIALLY WHO WE SAW THAT WE KNOW THERE IS GOING TO BE AN INCREASE AT THE PUMP.

WE COULD HAVE SUSPENDED OUR GAS TAX, OR FUEL TAX, FOR JUST A LITTLE WHILE SO HOOSIERS COULD HAVE IMMEDIATE RELIEF WITH THE PUMP.

>> -- FOR THREE MONTHS AS LEAST.

ABOUT $0.32 PER GALLON WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATE SALES TAX AND GAS TAX.

>> RIGHT, 31 ON THE FUEL AND 7% SALES TAX.

WE COULD HAVE REALLY DONE SOMETHING TO HELP HOOSIERS RIGHT AT THE PUMP.

UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, WE DECIDED TO GIVE THEM THREE DOLLARS AND $0.81 A CHECK, AND $122 OVER A YEAR.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S ENOUGH.

>> STILL A LOT OF VOTES, PHIL GiaQUINTA, NOT ONLY DID YOU SEE A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THAT FINAL TAX RELIEF IN YOUR CAUCUS BUT YOU ACTUALLY SAID, HEY, INSTEAD OF 7-YEAR PHASE-IN, WHY WAIT?

LET'S GO FOUR YEARS.

THAT SEEMED LIKE A ABRUPT CHANGE IN TENOR AND TONE.

>> A FEW THINGS, ONE, THE SENATE DID A BETTER JOB ON -- IT CAME BACK IN BETTER SHAPE, I WOULD SAY WITH THE HOUSE, WITH REGARDS TO THE ELIMINATION OF THE PERSONAL BUSINESS PROPERTY -- THAT TAX.

SO WHICH THAT MONEY GOES TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AS AGAIN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE, QUALITY OF PLACE, WHICH IS ALSO ANOTHER BIG ISSUE AS TO WHY BUSINESSES LIKE INTEL ARE NOT COMING TO INDIANA.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

BY THE WAY, IT WAS A QUOTE FROM INTEL THAT I HAPPEN TO READ THEY'RE THE ONES THAT MENTIONED THE HIGHER EDUCATION, QUALITY OF HIGHER ED, AND OHIO PARTICULARLY THE COLUMBU AREA.

I DIDN'T MAKE THAT UP, I JUST READ WHAT THEY HAD SAID.

THE SPEAKER IS RIGHT, THE REPUBLICANS, AT LEAST WHAT I'VE SEEN AND ALL KIND OF SEEN OVER THE YEARS AND WE TALK ABOUT INVESTMENT, I THINK CHAIRMAN BROWN SAID NOT REALLY THAT INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN A LOT OF -- I JUST WATCHED HIS QUOTES AGAIN LAST NIGHT.

FRANKLY NOT THAT INTERESTED, I GUESS, IN INVESTING THESE TYPE OF DOLLARS WHEN YOU HAVE A SURPLUS LIKE WE DO IN INVESTING IN OPPORTUNITIES LIKE PRE-K, FULLY FUND PRE-K, K-12, MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE, THE RATE IS GOING DOWN.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF A LABOR FORCE THAT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THESE TYPE OF JOBS LIKE INTEL AND OTHERS THAT WE WANT THAT ARE GOING TO BE PAYING THOSE HIGHER WAGES.

THAT'S WHERE I THINK THE ISSUE OF THOSE FOLKS THAT VOTE AGAINST A TAX CUT LIKE THAT IS THAT WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH ON THE OTHER END WHICH IS THE INVESTMENTS, I THINK THE -- >> THE UPDATED REVENUE FORECAST PROBABLY CHANGED SOME MIND AS WELL SIMPLY BECAUSE THE PICTURE WAS EVEN ROSIER.

>> JON, NOT ONLY WERE WE ABLE TO CUT TAXES FOR HOOSIERS, BOTH INCOME TAXES AND UTILITY -- TAX, THE GAS PRICE PROBLEM, I WOULD ARGUE, THE FUNDAMENTAL FLAW OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATS, WHO HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO RESTRAIN SUPPLY.

BUT ALSO SAY THIS, WE'RE GOING TO PAY OFF UP TO TWO-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLARS MORE DEBT, WE'LL BE IN THE TOP THREE STATES IN LOWEST LEVEL OF STATE DEBT.

THAT GIVES US TREMENDOUS FLEXIBILITY IN THE FUTURE.

WHEN WE PAY OFF THE PRE-96, IT WILL GIVE US A BILLION DOLLARS OF FLEXIBILITY WITHIN EACH ANNUAL BUDGET.

NOT ONLY GIVING BACK MONEY TO HOOSIERS, WE'RE GIVING FLEXIBILITY IN THE FUTURE FOR HOW WE INVEST IN PROGRAMS AND IN THE THINGS THAT GiaQUINTA JUST MENTIONED.

>> FOR CLARITY, I LOOKED AT DATA YESTERDAY, EVEN THOUGH DOMESTIC OIL PRODUCTION MAY NOT BE WHERE YOU WANT IT TO BE, IT IS HIGHER UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION THAN DONALD TRUMP.

>> THEY CONTINUE TO RESTRAIN SUPPLY.

WE'VE HAD THIS CONTINUED FOCUS ON A THEORY OF TRYING TO -- CONTINUE TO ELIMINATE CARBON-BASED SUPPLIES.

LOOK, THIS IS THE CHALLENGE WE'VE HAD.

AND LOOK, I'M -- I REALLY -- I SINCERELY APPRECIATE LEADER GiaQUINTA AND SENATOR TALKING ABOUT TAX CUTS.

I HOPE WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION NEXT YEAR.

A PRUDENT DISCUSSION TO HAVE.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION NEXT YEAR.

I LOOK FORWARD -- >> LET ME ASK YOU.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

BUT IF WE WOULDN'T -- >> WE HAVE BEEN THROWING CURVE BALLS IN UKRAINE AND ELSEWHERE.

>> UNDER NATIONAL REPUBLICAN POLICY OUR DEPENDS ON RUSSIAN OIL WENT UP SIGNIFICANTLY THAN THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION, AND WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

IF WE WEREN'T DEPENDING ON RUSSIAN OIL AT THIS POINT WE WOULDN'T SEE THE INCREASE AT THE PUMP.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- YOU CAN LOOK THAT UP.

>> I KNOW WE COULD SPEND THIS SHOW AND THE NEXT IF WE HAD ONE TALKING ABOUT -- THINGS WE CAN CONTROL THAT ARE IN YOUR PURVIEW.

THIS WAS TECHNICALLY A BUDGET SESSION, THIS YEAR S. WE JUST HEARD TODD HUSTON SAID HOPE THERE IS MORE DISCUSSION.

ARE WE DONE WITH TAX CUTS OR NOT?

SOUND LIKE VERY MUCH NOT.

>> I HOPE NOT.

WE WILL SEE IF THE REVENUE COMES IN LIKE IT HAS BEEN.

IT GIVES US GREAT OPPORTUNITIES, WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON MAKING SURE WE'RE GIVING BACK TO HOOSIERS WHEN WE CAN.

FOCUS ON EXTREMELY IMPORTANT OBLIGATION, TAKING CARE OF THAT PUBLIC EMPLOYEE'S PENSION FUND, NOT FULLY FUNDED NOW, AND MAKING HUGE STRIDES ON THAT THIS YEAR, WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THAT AS A FOCUS.

BECAUSE THAT'S AN OBLIGATION THAT WE HAVE GOT TAKE CARE OF AND WE INTEND TO TAKE CARE OF BEEN DOING IT YEARS.

AS THE SPEAKER ALREADY SAID, WHEN THAT IS PAID UP AND CURRENT, THAT FREES UP A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR US AS A STATE AND GIVES US OPPORTUNITIES TO INVEST IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGRAMS, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, BUT ALSO MAYBE SOME SIGNIFICANT TAX RESTRUCTURING, AND WE CAN DO SOMETHING TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR THE STATE.

>> JON, I THINK ALL FOUR OF US AT THE TABLE AGREE THAT THE RED READI PROGRAM PUT $500 MILLION IN THE STATE.

>> GRANT -- >> ABSOLUTELY, WE'VE GIVEN OURSELVES FLEXIBILITY THROUGH THIS TAX PACKAGE, LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR COLLEAGUES.

WE WANT TO MAKE THAT INVESTMENT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

LOOK, WE WANT TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS, SENATOR BRAY MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, WE UPDATED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLS SO THAT WE CAN ATTRACT, AND I THINK YOU'LL SEE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT NEW BUSINESSES, SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN INDIANA.

THINGS LIKE THE READI PROGRAM, SUCCESSFUL, AND WE'VE GIVEN OURSELVES THE FLEXIBILITY NEXT YEAR TO MAKE THOSE TYPE, ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS THAT IMPACT ALL COMMUNITIES.

>> WATCH THIS SEGUE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD.

TALK ABOUT MONEY, THE STATE'S BIGGEST EXPENDITURE IS, OF COURSE, EDUCATION.

THOSE BILLS ARE HIGH PROFILE.

YOU ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT THIS SESSION WAS ABOUT NOT ONLY PASSING THINGS BUT KILLING OTHER BILLS.

ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, WHICH WAS MORE IMPORTANT?

GREG TAYLOR.

>> DEFINITELY ABOUT KILLING THAT DIVISIVE CULTURAL WAR THAT WE WERE GOING TO CREATE -- >> SO CALL -- CURRICULUM BILL... >> WHAT I'M SAYING TO SEE IS MY COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE DECIDED THAT WAS NOT AN ISSUE WE WERE GOING TO TAKE UP, WE WEREN'T GOING TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME HAVING HEARINGS AND DISCUSSING.

I HAVE TO COMMEND MY COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE FOR KEEPING THAT DIVISIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION OFF THE BOARD SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO VOTE ON IT.

>> THAT WAS ONE.

ANOTHER ONE THAT ARGUABLY MET THE SAME FATE IN THE SAME PLACE WAS THE NOTION THAT LIBRARIES IN SCHOOLS WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED FROM PROSECUTION IF THEY WERE DEEMED TO BE DISTRIBUTING MATERIALS HARMFUL TO MINOR.

THOSE BOTH ENDED THEIR RUN IN YOUR CAUCUS.

IS THAT AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN?

>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SENATE BILL 17, WHICH PASSED OUT OF OUR CAUCUS AND WENT OVER TO THE HOUSE, DIDN'T GET A HEARING THERE.

THE REASON IT FAILED WAS SENATE BILL 396 AT THE END.

LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS -- IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WHEN YOU DO THAT, BEGIN TO ADD, ESPECIALLY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, IT BECOMES HARD TO GET A BILL ACROSS THE FINISH LINE THERE.

BUT WITH THE IDEA -- >> WILL THAT BE BACK?

IS THAT GOING TO HAVE THE SAME SEAL BEHIND IT AS THE TAX DISCUSSIONS THAT YOU SAID WOULD BE BACK?

>> I DON'T KNOW, IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE.

>> PHIL GiaQUINTA, ARE YOU WORRIED THAT WILL BE BACK, AND WILL THAT BE JOB ONE KILLING THAT BILL AGAIN?

>> I WILL GIVE YOU ONE MORE, HAVING YOUR PARTY RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD.

I THINK THERE WERE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT CAME TO THE HEARING AND SAID WE DON'T WANT THIS, WE'RE A NON-PARTISAN BOARD, WORK WELL TOGETHER.

I WILL SAY ONE POSITIVE THING.

I THINK THERE WAS A SMALLER ISSUE, SMALLER BILL WITH REGARDS TO ALLOWING FOR PUBLIC INPUT AT MEETINGS.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING, I THINK WE ALL WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> THAT WAS VIRTUALLY UNANIMOUS.

>> YES.

>> THE ONE THING ABOUT THAT WHOLE CONVERSATION WITH REGARDS TO THE PARTY FOR THE SCHOOL BOARDS, THE PUBLIC MEETINGS, HAVING INPUT.

THE CONVERSATION THAT WENT AROUND, WHAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION IS ONE PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT, TWO TRANSPARENCY, THE PARENTS ARE ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS, ENGAGED WITH SCHOOL BOARDS, WITH THE PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET INFORMATION IF AND WHEN THEY NEED IT.

I THINK WE MADE REAL STRIDES AND SUCCESSES THERE.

JUST IN THAT CONVERSATION ALONE.

AND THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF AN AWFUL LOT OF CHALLENGES IN THE STATE.

>> FOR ONE THING I DID LEARN COMING INTO SESSION IS ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES CURRENTLY THAT PARENTS HAVE TO WEIGH IN.

THEY CAN LOG IN AND SEE WHAT THE AGENDA LOOKS LIKE.

SO -- >> OPPORTUNITIES FRANKLY ALREADY EXIST.

>> LOOK, OUR CAUCUS IS ALWAYS GOING TO STAND FOR PARENTS, AND GIVING -- WHETHER THAT IS PARENTAL CONTROL AND WHETHER KIDS GO TO SCHOOL.

WE'VE ALWAYS CHAMPIONED SCHOOL CHOICE.

WE'RE GOING TO ALWAYS CHAMPION PARENTS BEING EMPOWERED, CERTAINLY WHERE THEIR KIDS GO TO SCHOOL, WHAT TYPE OF CURRICULUM THEY SAY, AND TRANSPARENCY TO IT.

WE WILL STAND BEHIND THAT ALL DAY LONG.

>> ONE OTHER EDUCATION BILL THAT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION.

TRANSGENDER GIRLS WILL BE BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN K-12 IN ATHLETIC COMPETITION.

>> ASLU HAS ANOTHER -- >> THE FINAL WORD WILL COME FROM THE CORDS.

>> ACLU WILL TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

THEY'LL GET MORE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS LIKE THEY DO EVERY SESSION THAT WE PASS LEGISLATION THAT WE KNOW AS ATTORNEYS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> ONE TO GO TO THE MAT.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THE PREMISE OF YOUR QUESTION ISN'T RIGHT.

WE'RE NOT BARN -- BANNING.

IF YOU'RE A BIOLOGICAL MALE, OR FEMALE, YOU HAVE TO COMPETE IN -- >> YOU CAN COMPETE AS A GIRL IN MALE SPORTS.

>> I THINK THAT IS RIGHT.

>> LET'S GET IT RIGHT.

>> IT'S A MATTER OF [CROSS TALKING].

>> I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN DO THAT -- YOU KNOW, I'VE SEEN YOUNG LADIES WHO CAN PLAY WITH THE GUYS, AND I KNOW THAT EVERYBODY HERE WAS THINKING ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SPORT, BUT, MAN, THESE ARE CHILDREN, THIS IS NOT ADULTS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN, AND IT'S GOING TO BE BAD.

IT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER ACLU WIN.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE INTENDS TO SIGN THAT IF BY NOW HE HASN'T ALREADY.

WHERE THE QUESTION MARKS EXISTS WOULD HAVE COURSE BE THE TOPIC WE ALREADY MENTIONED HERE IN THE DISCUSSION, AS YOU BROUGHT IT UP FIRST THING, IS THE PERMITLESS CARRY, TOOK A RATHER UNUSUAL ROUTE IN THAT ESSENTIALLY DIED IN COMMITTEE, THEN SORT OF HAD IF NOT NINE LIVES AT LEAST A FEW LIVES.

SHOULD THE GOVERNOR VETO THAT AND HOW MUCH DAMAGE IF AT ALL WAS THIS -- I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN ANYBODY'S MOUTH.

THIS UNUSUAL ROUTE THAT THE BILL TOOK.

HOW PROBLEMATIC IS THAT FOR FUTURE LEGISLATIVE DEALS?

>> THE ANSWER SHOULD BE -- REMINDS ME OF A WHAC-A-MOLE.

SUPERINTENDENT CARTER OBVIOUSLY -- TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL, CAME OUT VERY STRONG AGAINST IT.

WE TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLS, THE IEDC COMES TO US, AND OTHERS, WE REALLY NEED THESE TOOLS TO BRING JOBS TO INDIANA.

WELL, PUBLIC SAFETY TOLD US WE REALLY NEED THIS TOOL WHICH IS CALLED A PERMIT.

WE REALLY NEED THIS TO MAKE -- FOR US TO DO OUR JOB, TO MAKE HOOSIERS MORE SAFE.

GET GUNS THAT SHOULDN'T BE ON THE STREET OFF THE STREET.

AND YOU'RE TAKING AWAY SOMETHING THAT HELPS US DO OUR JOBBER, HELPS US DO OUR JOB THE WAY IT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REFLECT THE HOOSIERS.

AND THAT'S A BAD THING.

AND THAT'S WHY I THINK VETO THE BILL.

>> YOU GUYS HAVE BARELY HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP ON SLEEP, I DON'T WANT TO ALARM WITH SPECIAL SESSION.

100 REPUBLICANS WITHIN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, I THINK BOTH OF YOU WERE SIGNATORIES TO A LETTER THAT CALLED ON THE GOVERNOR TO ENSURE HE DOES CALL A SPECIAL SESSION IF IN FACT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN ROE V WADE?

>> IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE LIFE FOR UNBORN CHILDREN.

AND IN THE EVENT THAT DOBS COMES BACK AND THE COURT OVERTURNS THAT AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING IN THE STATE OF INDIANA WE WANT TO DO SO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND YOU CAN'T CALL YOURSELVES BACK IN SESSION?

>> NOT -- UNLESS THERE'S AN EMERGENCY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JUST CHECKING.

THAT BATTLE IS YET TO COME.

THAT GETS BACK UNDER WAY NEXT MONTH.

EVERYBODY WILL BE WATCHING THAT.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR BEING BACK AT THE TABLE.

I COMMEND YOU ON YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING THE SESSION, HOOSIERS ARE WELL SERVED BY YOU.

AGAIN, MY GUESTS HAVE BEEN: SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM RODRIC BRAY OF MARTINSVILLE SENATE MINORITY LEADER GREG TAYLOR OF INDIANAPOLIS HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON OF FISHERS AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER PHIL GIAQUINTA OF FORT WAYNE.

TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY CONVERSATION WITH INDIANA LAWMAKERS ANALYST ED FEIGENBAUM, PUBLISHER OF INDIANA LEGISLATIVE INSIGHT, PART OF HANNAH NEWS SERVICE.

ED, LET ME PICK ON SOMETHING I ASKED THE PANELISTS, WE KNOW WHAT FAILED THIS SESSION, BUT WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY SURE WHAT IS GOING TO COME BACK NEXT SESSION, ELABORATE ON THAT, IF YOU WOULD.

>> WELL, I THINK WE MAY BE AT A TURNING POINT.

WE SAW A LOT OF THINGS HAPPEN THIS SESSION THAT MAY HAVE BEEN EXPECTED, MAY NOT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE PENDULUM MIGHT HAVE SWUNG AS FAR AS IT COULD.

WE HAVE AN INTERVENING ELECTION BEFORE THE NEXT SESSION, JON.

AND WE COULD END UP WITH A MORE SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE -- OF REPUBLICANS COMING IN.

THIS GROUP MAY HAVE NO CONCERN FOR NUANCE, AS THEY SEEM TO INDICATE IN SOME OF THEIR CAMPAIGN RHETORIC.

AND THINGS -- ISSUES LIKE THE FIREARMS BILL, THE VACCINES BILL, WHERE THEY SPENT THE ENTIRE SESSION WORKING ON LITTLE BITS AND PIECES TO TRY TO MAKE IT ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, AND EVEN WITHIN JUST THE MAJORITY CAUCUSES MAY GO OUT THE WINDOW.

IF YOU GET A NUMBER OF NEW PARTICULARLY SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS IN, EVEN MORE SO THAN YOU'VE GOT TODAY, THESE PEOPLE SEEM TO INDICATE THEY'VE GOT NO PATIENCE FOR LEADERS WAITING ON THINGS.

>> HOW ABOUT THE GOVERNOR?

>> I THINK PEOPLE WERE WONDERING WHERE HE WAS, HE WILL WAIT UNTIL THE END TO SEE WHAT LANGUAGE COMES OUT.

HE DIDN'T WEIGH IN PUBLICLY ON MUCH EXCEPT THE TAX BILL, AND THEN IN THE END HE CAME IN WITH SOME SPECIFICS, AND LITERALLY THE LAST FOUR DAYS, AND SAW THE NUMBERS HE WAS LOOKING AT AND THE PARTICULAR PROVISIONS THAT HE PREFERRED END UP IN THE FINAL PROVISIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT, ED, WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE, THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

WE'VE HEARD FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ... NOW WE'LL GET ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE FROM JOURNALISTS WHO COVERED THE SESSION DAY IN AND DAY OUT....ON THE NEXT INDIANA LAWMAKERS.