>> ANOTHER DISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION INTO ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA.

ROKITA DRAWS A DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER.

PLUS, PREDICTIONS OF A QUIETER SESSION AND MORE.

FROM THE TELEVISION STUDIOS AT WFYI, IT'S INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 1, 2023.

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

>> THIS WEEK, ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AGAIN BY THE INDIANA ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION, WEEKS AFTER THE STATE SUPREME COURT PUBLICLY REPRIMANDED HIM.

THE NEW INQUIRY, FIRST REPORTED BY THE INDIANA CITIZEN, IS OVER ROKITA'S REACTION TO THAT PUBLIC REPRIMAND.

A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE STATE SUPREME COURT SAID ROKITA VIOLATED PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT RULES IN HIS REMARKS ABOUT DOCTOR CAITLIN BERNARD AFTER SHE PROVIDED ABORTION CARE TO A 10-YEAR-OLD OHIO RAPE VICTIM.

IN A STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE REPRIMAND, ROKITA SAID HE ADMITTED TO THE MISCONDUCT TO "SAVE A LOT OF TAXPAYER MONEY AND DISTRACTION," WHILE MAINTAINING HE DID NOTHING WRONG.

NEW COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE STATE DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION ARGUE THAT RESPONSE CONTRADICTED THE AFFIDAVIT ROKITA AGREED TO, IN WHICH HE ADMITTED TO THE MISCONDUCT.

IN A STATEMENT, THE AG'S OFFICE SAYS ROKITA COOPERATED WITH THE ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION INTO HIS REMARKS ABOUT BERNARD AND THAT HE SAID PUBLICLY THAT HE'S LEARNED FROM THE SITUATION AND, "LIKE EVERYONE- CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER."

THE COMMISSION CAN ULTIMATELY DISMISS THE NEW COMPLAINTS OR ADVANCE THEM FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

>> WILL THIS LATEST INVESTIGATION PRODUCE A DIFFERENT OUTCOME?

IT'S THE FIRST QUESTION FOR OUR INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL DEMOCRAT LINDSAY HAAKE, REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN, JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS AND NIKI KELLY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE.

I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATEHOUSE BUREAU CHIEF BRANDON SMITH.

FIRST, LINDSAY HAA #K * E, THE DISCLAIMER IS YOU ARE WORKING FOR THE NEW CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL SO, WITH THAT IN MIND, THE SUPREME COURT AGREED TO THE PREVIOUS REPRIMAND BY A 3-2 VOTE, WITH TWO JUSTICES WANTING A HARSHER PUNISHMENT.

WAS ROKITA'S REACTION ENOUGH TO CHANGE AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE THREE MINDS?

>> I THINK IT IS.

FRANKLY, I DON'T KNOW HOW HE IS NOT CONSIDERED A PERJURIER AFTER THIS.

THAT IS MY TAKE ON THIS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL PLACED THE SUPREME COURT IN A TERRIBLE POSITION.

IT REALLY HAS, FREARCHGLY, I -- FRANKLY, I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS AND TODD ROKITA KNOWS HE CAN DO BETTER AND HE SHOULD.

>> IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THEM TO GO BACK AND PUNISH ATTORNEYS A SECOND TIME OR REVISE THEIR PREVIOUS DECISION, BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY HAD A NEGATIVE REACTION TO THEIR ORIGINAL DECISION IN A DISCIPLINARY CASE.

WAS TODD ROKITA ASKING FOR TROUBLE WITH THAT STATEMENT?

>> HE IS ALWAYS ASKING FOR TROUBLE.

HE TRIES TO POSITION HIMSELF AS THE VICTIM OF THE ELITE.

THE REALITY IS ALL OF HIS WOUNDS ARE SELF-INFLICTED.

THE ESTABLISHMENT ISN'T SHOOTING AT HIM.

LET ME SPOIL IT FOR THE HARD RIGHT.

HE IS SHOOTING HIMSELF ALL OF THE TIME.

STOP, GET OUT OF YOUR NEWS CYCLE.

TAKE THE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND QUIETLY MOVE ON.

NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION UNTIL YOU DO THIS.

>> THAT IS THE OTHER THING THAT STRUCK ME, YOU JUST POINTED OUT, HE IS SIGHING HE IS FIGHTING AGAINST THE ELITE AND THAT IS -- >> IT IS THE TOP GUY.

>> FOR A GUY WHO HAS BEEN IN PUBLIC ELECTED OFFICE FOR MULTIPLE DECADES NOW, WHO ONLY SPENT A COUPLE OF YEARS NOT IN ELECTED OFFICE OVER THE PAST 20-PLUS YEARS OR 20 OR SO YEAR, AT WHAT POINT ARE YOU THE POLITICAL ELITE, TODD ROKITA AND NOW CANDIDATE FOR U.S.

SENATOR, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, NOW ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE SERVING UP A HEFTY DOSE OF FAKE NEWS, MY FRIEND.

OF COURSE, HE WOULD IN TERMS OF ELECTED OFFICE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF PEOPLE SAYING I'M THE OUTSIDER AND I DON'T LIKE THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD BUT HE IS THE SAME OLD BY DEFINITION.

MIKE HIT IT ON THE HEAD, BUT FOR THIS, NOBODY WOULD BE PAYING ATTENTION.

WOULD HE BE SATISFIED WITH NOBODY PAYING ATTENTION?

IN A REAL SENSE, I THINK HE THRIVES ON THIS AND WE SEE IT WITH VARIOUS BILLS OF RIGHT AND PRO-RELIGION, ANTISTATE, I MEAN ABORTION HAS BEEN FRONT AND CENTER, BUT ANY NUMBER OF ISSUES.

AND YOU COULD SAY WITH EMPIRICAL DATA AND OBJECTIVELY HE IS WRONG OR OUTSIDE OF THE NORMS AT LEAST TRADITION AND THE LAW IN A LOT OF THESE THINGS.

BUT, SO WHAT?

AS LONG AS HE CAN GENERATE THE ELITES IF HE MAY BE ONE OR NOT, IN TERMS OF ELECTED OFFICE, HE IS, HE CAN TURN THAT INTO SOMEHOW BEING THE PERSECUTED ONE.

II GUESS, WE'VE SEEN IN ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT THAT PEOPLE DON'T DO THEIR HOMEWORK ENOUGH TO DECIPHER WHAT IS TRUE AND WHAT IS NOT TRUE WHEN THEY TAKE THAT MESSAGING TO HEART AND BELIEVE IT AT FACE VALUE.

>> LET'S SAY THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT TAKES A LOOK AT THIS.

IT MAY NOT RISE TO THAT LEVEL, BUT LET'S SAY THEY TAKE A TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND THEY DECIDE TO PUNISH HIM MORE HARSHLY, MAYBE SUSPEND HIS LICENSE THAT WOULD BE THE SECOND ATTORNEY GENERAL IN A ROW.

THE LAST ONE WAS MORE SERIOUS WITH BATTERING WOMEN, THAT IS MORE THAN ATTACKING SOMEONE WITH WORDS BUT THAT GOT THAT PERSON OUT OF OFFICE.

IF HE IS REPRIMANDED BY THE SUPREME COURT ANY MORE HARSHLY, DOES IT MATTER TO HIS ELECTORAL PROSPECT?

>> I THINK IT WOULD MATTER SOME IF HIS OPPONENT CAN USE IT AGAINST HIM AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER.

I THINK HE WAS SURPRISED ABOUT THE REACTION THAT PUBLIC STATEMENT GOT THAT HE GAVE.

UP UNTIL NOW, HE IS SAYING HE LEARNED, THAT HAD NEVER CAME OUT OF HIS MOUTH.

HE NEVER ADMITTED PUBLICLY THAT HE DID ANYTHING WRONG.

HE MAY HAVE SIGNED A SECRET AFFIDAVIT THAT WE CAN'T SEE BUT WE ACCOUNTANT SEE IT.

HE HAD NEVER SHOWN REMORSE.

SUDDENLY NOW THAT MORE THINGS ARE COMING DOWN THE PIKE, HE IS SAYING, I CAN DO BETTER.

MAYBE HE LEARNED A LITTLE LESSON, I DON'T KNOW.

>> SPEAKING OF CHALLENGES, DEMOCRAT DESTINY WELLS ANNOUNCED RECENTLY SHE IS RUNNING FOR INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL NEXT YEAR.

MEDICAL PRIVACY, WORKERS' RIGHTS AND ETHICS ARE THE THREE AREAS WELLS FOCUSED ON IN HER CAMPAIGN LAUNCH.

CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA HAS AGGRESSIVELY PURSUED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OVER ABORTION AND GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE, AND ROKITA RECENTLY BECAME THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE AG TO BE SANCTIONED BY THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT.

WELLS, A FORMER DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MILITARY VETERAN, SAYS THE OFFICE HAS FALLEN SHORT OF WHAT HOOSIERS NEED.

DESTINY WELLS: AND THAT WE ARE NOT USING THE OFFICE SIMPLY AS A PLATFORM FOR NATIONAL TALKING POINTS.

WE WANT TO GET BACK TO SERVING HOOSIERS.

>> WELLS SAYS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN, SHE WILL BUILD ON THE STATEWIDE NETWORK SHE ESTABLISHED LAST YEAR IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL BID FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

SHE SAYS SHE'LL FOCUS ON REACHING VOTERS WHO CAST REPUBLICAN STRAIGHT TICKET BALLOTS AND HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME FUNDRAISING.

DESTINY WELLS: I HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO MEET PEOPLE AT THEIR NOSE, BASICALLY.

THAT IS JUST THE REALITY OF WHERE OUR ELECTORATE IS AND HOW ENGAGED THEY ARE.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T WON A RACE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL SINCE 1996.

MIKE O'BRIEN INFORMED HEAVILY BY WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE FIRST SEGMENT, BUT DOES DESTINY WELLS HAVE A SHOT AT THIS?

>> I NEVER LIKED TRYING TO ASSUME WE'RE GOING TO KEEP DOING WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THE LAST 20 YEARS.

BUT FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, ESPECIALLY THE LAST FOUR OR SIX, WE TWIST OURSELVES IN KNOTS TRYING TO CONVINCE ME AND OTHERS THAT THE STATE IS CHANGING, THE SUBURBS AREN'T LIKE THEY USED TO BE AND WHAT HAPPENS?

WE WIN BY 15 POINTS, WE WIN BY 20 POINTS.

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS OFFICE, IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN VOTER, YOU VOTE MOSTLY REPUBLICAN.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO SCRATCH ON PRESIDENT, THIS IS AN EASY ONE FOR YOU TO COME DOWN ON AS YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOUR BALLOT AND PUTTING TOGETHER MOSTLY A REPUBLICAN EXPERIENCE.

IF THE ENVIRONMENT GOES COMPLETELY HAYWIRE, I DON'T SEE A MONUMENTAL SHIFT IN HOW INDIANA IS GOING TO VOTE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND WE DID THIS WITH DEYAY DEYAY GO AND THAT IS NOT THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT IS REALLY CROWDED.

>> THAT IS THE QUESTION FOR YOU, WHICH IS DIEGO MORALES WAS A WEAKER CANDIDATE THAN TODD ROKITA WILL BE NEXT YEAR AND 15 POINTS WAS THE MARGIN, I THINK IT WAS.

>> YES, AND DESTINY TOOK HAMILTON COUNTY.

WE HAD SOME GREAT INROADS ON THAT RACE.

AT THE SAME TIME THOUGH, WHILE WORKING ON THAT RACE, WE SAW THE DRAMA THAT TODD ROKITA BROUGHT IN THE NATIONAL PRESS AND THE GLOBAL PRESS OVER DR. BERNARD.

WHEN I WAS DRYING TO BREAK THROUGH WORKING FOR DESTINY IN THAT ACE, IT WAS TREMENDOUSLY HARD TO MOVE PAST IN MIDDLE OF JULY WHEN YOU HAVE THE "DAILY MAIL" AND OTHER YOUTH LETS -- OUTLETS TAKING ON THIS STANCE ON DR. BERNARD.

I DISAGREE COMPLETELY THERE IS NOT A RADICAL MOVEMENT TO REMOVE TODD ROKITA OUT OF HIS SEAT.

I HAVE HEARD ANYTHING BUT THAT.

>> IT IS AN ENVIRONMENT THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE GOING TO THE POLLS THAN AN OFF YEAR, IN A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, BUT IN INDIANA, PARTICULARLY, YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT AND U.S.

SENATOR AND GOVERNOR'S RACE AHEAD OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE BALLOT.

WILL THAT MAKE IT HARDER FOR DESTINY WELLS TO BREAK THROUGH?

>> ABSOLUTELY, BUT I'M NOT CONCERNED IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET HIM OUT OF THE CONVENTION.

I THINK WE'RE LOOKING PAST THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION AND IF A SOLID, REPUTABLE ATTORNEY STEPS UP, I THINK HE CAN BE TAKEN OUT BY FELLOW GOP VOTERS, WHICH WOULD HURT DESTINY BECAUSE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO RUN ON.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN TO A REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

>> I SAID POSSIBLE IF THERE IS A GOOD, REPUTABLE.

>> THAT IS HOW CURTIS HILL WAS NOT THE NOMINEE.

>> THAT IS HOW HE WAS.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.

IF SHE HAS A LOT OF MONEY, IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO GET THIS MORE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE'S FACES, WHICH SHE TALKED ABOUT IN HER ANNOUNCEMENT.

I JUST TALKED ABOUT HOW HARD IT IS TO GET ATTENTION WHEN YOU HAVE SO MANY OTHER RACES ABOVE YOU.

IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT DONOR IN THE STATE OF EVEN INN AND LOOKING AT 2024.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE SENATOR'S RACE, THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, DEPENDING ON WHAT REPUBLICAN IS THERE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE ASSUMING TODD ROKITA IS THERE, WHERE WOULD YOU SIT?

I WOULD WANT TO PUT WHERE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY IS.

NORMALLY, YOU SAY YOUR GET THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK, BUT IN FACT, IF THERE APPEARS TO BE A CRACK IN TODD ROKITA'S INCUMBENCY AND BID FOR RE-ELECTION, MAYBE THAT IS A PLACE.

THIS IS MORE THAN A CEREMONIAL OFFICE.

THIS IS AN OFFICE THAT IS "THE OTHER STATE OFFICES" GO, THIS IS A DIFFERENT CATEGORY.

>> AS WE HAVE SEEN UNDER TODD ROKITA, HE HAS A LOT OF INFLUENCE ON LEGITIMATE POLICY.

>> THAT MAY HAVE RUBBED SOME REPUBLICANS WRONG TO NIKI'S POINT.

>> AS LONG AS INDIANA ENABLES VOTERS TO GO INTO THE POLLING PLACE AND STRAIGHT -- IF THEY HAVE A BAD DAY AND THEY CAN'T EXPAND THE ENERGY TO USE THEIR FINGER MULTIPLE TIMES OR PRESS THE BUTTON ONCE, BUT HOOSIERS, HISTORICALLY, WELL, NOT RECENTLY, BACK IN MEMORY ALWAYS HAD THIS INHERPT SENSE OF CHECK AND BALANCE.

WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN, DEMOCRATIC AND THAT IS GOING BACK, CONTROLLED STATE OFFICES THERE WOULD SOMETIMES BE A REPUBLICAN ONE STRAY AND THEN THE OPPOSITE.

WHO KNOWS?

I WOULDN'T SAY IT IS AN IMPOSSIBLE.

>> TIME FOR FEWER FEEDBACK.

EACH WEEK WE POSE AN UNSCIENTIFIC, ONLINE POLL QUESTION.

CAN DEMOCRAT DESTINY WELLS DEFEAT ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA IN NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION?

A.

YES B.

NO LAST WEEK, WE ASKED YOU IS THE LATEST STOPGAP SPENDING BILL TO AVERT A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN A WIN FOR NEW HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON?

51% OF YOU SAID YES, 49% SAID NO.

THAT IS ONE OF THE CLOSEST POLLS WE HAVE EVER HAD.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART IN THE POLL GO TO WFYI.ORG/IWIR AND LOOK FOR THE POLL.

INDIANA LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE TEMPERING EXPECTATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, EYEING SMALL CHANGES TO EXISTING POLICIES AS THEIR SESSION PRIORITIES.

BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS MENTIONED READING PROFICIENCY, TRUANCY AND HEALTH CARE COSTS AS AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE 2024 SESSION.

AND HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON NOTED THAT LAST SESSION FEATURED SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATION ON MANY OF THOSE ISSUES.

TODD HUSTON: WE NEED TO ALLOW THINGS TO BE ABLE TO BE IMPLEMENTED.

MAYBE FINE TUNE SOME THINGS.

DEMOCRATS WANT TO PUSH FURTHER, PARTICULARLY ON ISSUES LIKE CHILD CARE.

AND SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER GREG TAYLOR CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR CANNABIS LEGALIZATION, ESPECIALLY AS THREE OF FOUR SURROUNDING STATES NOW HAVE LEGALIZATION IN SOME FORM.

GREG TAYLOR: IF WE DON'T WE'RE GOING TO FIND OURSELVES BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL AND THE OTHER STATES ARE GONNA - I THINK I READ SOMETHING THAT INDIANA'S ON A CONTACT HIGH NOW.

>> REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAID CANNABIS LEGALIZATION IN 2024 IS UNLIKELY.

>> NIKI KELLY, DO YOU EXPECT 2024 TO BE A RETURN TO A MORE -- AT LEAST WHAT THE THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS THINK OF AS A MORE NORMAL SHORT SESSION?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS NORMAL ANYMORE.

HERE IS WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE SHORT SESSION IS, I DON'T UNDERSTAND TOSSING IT AWAY AND NOT USING THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD FOR THE STATE.

MITCH DANIELS WOULD SAY THAT A LOT.

HE WASN'T GOING TO SIT ON ANY SHORT SESSION.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE DID IN SHORT SESSIONS?

THEY RELEASED THE TOLL ROAD, RIGHT TO WORK, YOU CAN STILL DO BIG THINGS IN SHORT SESSION.

I DON'T LIKE GOING IN, WE'RE GOING TO START A FEW MINUTES LATE, WE'RE GOING TO GET OUT EARLY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO RUN FOR ELECTION.

IT MAKES IT KIND OF ICKY.

>> IT IS A BIG ELECTION YEAR, NOT THAT MANY LAWMAKERS FACE SIGNIFICANT CHANCES TO LOSE ON EITHER PARTY IN GENERAL ELECTIONS THE WAY THE MAPS ARE DRAWN.

AN SEASON NOT HERE, I HAD TO GET IN THE GERRYMANDERING STATEMENT.

WHETHER YOU THINK IT IS GERRYMANDERING OR YOU THINK IT IS FAIR.

FAIR, GIVEN THAT, CAN YOU AFFORD TO GO?

>> NOBODY IS GOING TO DO THAT.

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME AN AN ORGANIZATIONAL DAY, YOU HEARD SOMEONE SAY, THIS IS GOING TO BE A WATERSHED SESSION.

WE'RE GOING TO DO ALL OF THIS.

NO, YOU SAY, WE HAVE MODEST EXPECTATIONS, NOT MUCH IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> LOWERING EXPECTATIONS.

>> EVEN IN A BUDGET YEAR, YOU DON'T HEAR, WE'RE GOING TO TURN THE STATE'S FINANCES ON ITS HEAD.

WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN A BALANCED, HONEST BUDGET THAT IS WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS, I HOPE YOU WILL.

SO, THIS IS JUST PART OF THE SHTICK.

IEVERI NEVER HEARD ANYONE SAY THIS IS GOING TO BE A BLOCKBUSTER.

BECAUSE OF THE ELECTION, I WOULD SAY IT FUELS THE LIKELIHOOD AND ADVANCES THE LIKELIHOOD THERE WILL BE RANK OR, IF NOT, THERE WILL BE SPARKS IF NOT ACTUAL OUTCOME OR ACTION BECAUSE VOTERS WANT TO KNOW I WAS NOT A SHRINKING VIOLATE.

-- VIOLET.

I WAS FIGHTING FOR YOU IF.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT MAKING BIG SWINGS AT THINGS, I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE READING PROFICIENCY MIGHT GET SPICY AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

IF IT IS A MORE ABBREVIATED AGENDA, WHICH IS WHAT TODD% HUSTON HAS PROMISED, AREN'T YOU OPENING THE DOOR FOR MORE NONSENSE TO FILL THAT VACUUM?

>> 24-SESSION WORK AROUND THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS IS A CONSTANT NARRATIVE IN THE SHORT SESSION.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO A LOT.

WHATEVER TIME THEY HAVE, THEY ARE FILLING AND SO WHAT WE OBSERVE IS THAT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE PROCEDURALLY, WE SHAVED A WEEK OFF OF THE FRONT END, TRIED TO SHORTEN THE FIELD PROCEDURALLY, SO YOU ONLY GIVE PEOPLE TWO WEEKS OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

NOW, YOU'RE GOING MORE AMENDMENTS, A LOT MORE OMNIBUS LEGISLATURE, AND NOW WE HAVE FIVE BILL LIMITS IN THE SHORT SEGS AND NOW THE BILLS ARE 100-PAGES LONG OR THERE ARE GOING TO BE FLOOR AMENDMENTS THAT ARE NOT VETTED THE WAY THEY WERE IN THE LONG SESSION.

WE ARE ALSO IN THE PSYCH WHERE WE HAVE HUGE, LONG SESSIONS FOLLOWED BY MODERATE SHORT SESSIONS.

WE DID IT IN 2019, WE DID IT IN 2021 REIN WE DID IT IN 2023.

IF YOU LOOK AT HOW THE INTERIM STUDY PROCESS THIS YEAR, IT WAS THE LIGHTEST I HAVE EVER SEEN.

ALL OF THAT POINTS TO, MAYBE IT WILL BE A LITTLE LIGHTER BUT THEY ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING WHILE THEY ARE THERE.

>> TO THAT END, IS THERE SOMETHING COMMENDABLE TO THE REPUBLICANS GOING, WE JUST DID, WE SPENT ALL OF THIS MONTH ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WE'RE DOING -- WE JUST DID ALL OF THESE BIG THINGS.

WE HAVE TO ALLOW THEM A LITTLE TIME, A LITTLE BREATHING SPACE TO START TO WORK.

>> I'M WITH NIKI.

I THINK IT IS CHINSY TO DOWNPLAY ANY LEGISLATIVE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CHANGE FOR HOOSIERS.

HOWEVER, TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO SIGNIFICANT -- NOT TO POOH-POOHED THE CONVERSATION BUT TO COME BACK TO, WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING THIS SUMMER, WHICH IS AN OUTCRY OVER THE LEAP DISTRICT.

YOU HAVE SEEN OUTCRY IN VIGGO COUNTY FROM THE BILLS THIS PAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF PHONE CALLS COMING INTO THE STATE HOUSE GOING OVER AND OVER AND OVER THE ABUSE OF POWER THAT THEY HAVE HAD ON THESE TWO ISSUES, EVEN THOUGH THE LEAP CONVERSATION INVOLVES MORE THAN JUST WATER.

THAT IS STUCK IN YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND IF YOU THINK YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THIS YEAR.

>> AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT LEADERSHIP SPEAKS FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE CAUCUS, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN TIME AND AGAIN IT DOES NOT.- THE SPEAKER HAS THE ABILITY, MORE THAN ANY OTHER MEMBER TO DEEP SIX THINGS ON WHETHER THINGS ARE CALLED UP.

EVEN WITH THOSE PARAMETERS, A VOCAL FACTION OF THE CAUCUS CAN MAKE NOISE AND SOMETIMES GET ITS WAY OVER THE PROJECTION OF THE SPEAKER.

>> WE HAD SINGLE COMMITTEE DAYS THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN UNUSUAL TO KICK OUT 75 OR 80 BILLS OR HEAR 75 OR 80 BILLS IN ONE DAY.

THE FACT THEY HAVE SIX DAYS IS A LOT.

>> IT IS SAYING ARE WE GOING TO DO TO HELP HOOSIERS OR FINE TUNE?

I MEAN THEY CAN'T FINE FIND BILLS TO PRIORITIZE.

>> ELISE NIESHALLA IS INDIANA'S NEW STATE COMPTROLLER, AND YES, IT IS PRONOUNCED, COMPTROLLER.

GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB APPOINTED HER TO THE POSITION THIS WEEK, REPLACING TERA KLUTZ.

>> THE STATE COMPTROLLER PAYS INDIANA'S BILLS AND WORKS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DISTRIBUTE LOCAL TAX REVENUE.

HOLCOMB SAYS NIESHALLA'S EXPERIENCE AS PRESIDENT OF THE BOONE COUNTY COUNCIL AND LEADER OF THE INDIANA COUNTY COUNCILS ASSOCIATION POSITIONS HER PERFECTLY TO STEP INTO THE ROLE.

GOV.

ERIC HOLCOMB: SHE'S WORKED WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

SHE'S WORKED WITH COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS.

SHE'S BEEN ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

NIESHALLA PRAISED THE "FISCAL STEWARDSHIP" OF INDIANA LEADERS AND HER PREDECESSOR TERA KLUTZ AS SHE BEGINS THE JOB THIS WEEK.

ELISE NIESHALLA: I AM FULLY ON BOARD TO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTERS FOR OUR STATE IN FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON BEHALF OF HOOSIERS.

>> NIESHALLA CAN SERVE OUT THE REMAINDER OF KLUTZ'S TERM, WHICH EXPIRES IN 2026.

>> JON SCHWANTES, THE LAST STATEWIDE APPOINTEE HOLCOMB NAMED LOST HER BID TO KEEP THE OFFICE AT THE GOP CONVENTION.

SPEAKING OF HAVE YOU BEEN TO A GOP CONVENTION.

>> IT CAN HAPPEN.

>> I HAVE BEEN TO ALL OF THEM.

DOES NIESHALLA HAVE A BETTER CHANCE A FEW YEARS FROM NOW?

>> YOU'RE SAYING DOES ERIC HOLCOMB COMP TROLL HIS OWN PARTY?

SORRY.

YEAH, SHE HAS A GOOD CHANCE, NOTHING IS JUST WHAT IT SEEMS.

IT IS ALWAYS BIGGER ISSUES, THERE IS ALWAYS BIGGER ISSUES AND KEEP IN MIND THIS WAS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE CONCERN OF THE GOVERNOR'S "OVERREACH" AMID THE PANDEMIC WHEN SOME REPUBLICANS THOUGHT HE WAS EXPLOITING HIS EMERGENCY POWERS, AND BEING TOO, WHATEVER THE WORD IS, SNOWFLAKE AS IT RELATES TO THE PANDEMIC, I GUESS.

SO, I THINK THERE WERE WERE PEOPLE TRYING TO SEND AWFUL SHOT ACROSS THE BOW OR PENALIZE HIM IN SOME FASHION.

THE DYNAMIC, HE IS A LAME DUCK.

HE IS NOT RUNNING AGAIN.

THERE IS NO REASON TO PENALIZE HIM, SO I DON'T THINK SHE FACES THAT CROSS WIND.

>> SHE CAME WITHIN THREE VOTES OF BEING THE STATE TREASURER, SO CERTAINLY GETTING THE GOP NOMINEE FOR STATE TREASURER AGAINST ELLIOTT, ONE OF THE CLOSEST RACES.

YOU WERE AT THIS EVENT.

WE NOTE HAD THE THE TERA KLUTZ WAS THE THIRD STATE TREASURER/COMPTROLLER TO REDESIGN EARLY.

I ASKED ARE YOU GOING TO STICK IT OUT?

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR DO YOU PLAN TO STICK IT OUT?

>> HOW DID SHE ANSWER IT?

>> SHE LEAPED RIGHT OVER THAT.

SHE SAID, I'M HERE TO SERVE NOW.

SHE MADE NO COMMENT ON THE FUTURE.

>> IS THAT A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE THE OFFICE HOLDERS NOT FULFILLING ALL OF THEIR TERMS?

>> I THINK SO.

YOU HAVE GOOD GOVERNANCE ISSUES ANYWAY DUE TO ETHICAL CONCERNS AND CONTROVERSY AFTER CONTROVERSY.

THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS STAY IN OUR OFFICES FOR AS LONG AS WE'RE ELECTED.

WE NEED TO COMMIT.

>> GOING BACK TO MY FIRST QUESTION, IF ELISE NIESHALLA WANTS ANOTHER TERM, DO YOU FEEL CONFIDENT SHE CAN DO IT WOIT MUCH CONTROVERSY AT THE CONVENTION?

>> THERE IS A LOT BETWEEN HERE AND THERE, INCLUDING FIGURING OUT WHICH FIVE MAKES GOVERNOR AND IF THEY SUPPORT HER.

SHE WAS STRONG IN THE CONVENTION HALL, SO IT WASN'T LIKE, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM.

>> SHE WOULDN'T BE A NEW FACE.

>> OKAY, FINALLY, THE INDIANA HISTORICAL BUREAU POSTED THIS WEEK A STORY FROM 45 YEARS AGO OF A 27-YEAR-OLD POLITICAL UNKNOWN, BILL MONTGOMERY, WHO ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR A STATE HOUSE SEAT BY DRIVING A TEAM OF SLED DOGS TO THE STATEHOUSE AFTER A BLIZZARD.

MIKE O'BRIEN, AS CAMPAIGN STUNTS GO, WHERE DOES THAT ONE RANK?

>> WE NEED MORE INFORMATION.

ON DEADLINE DAY?

>> NO, HE DECIDED IT WAS A BLIZZARD AND A BUDDY WAS LIKE, WHY DON'T YOU DRIVE.

>> DOES HE NORMALLY RIDE A SLED?

>> THE CLIMATE ISSUES CHANGE THE PERSPECTIVE.

>> WE NEED STUFF LIKE THAT.

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

OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT LINDSAY HAAKE, REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN, JON SCHWANTES OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS AND NIKI KELLY OF THE INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE.

YOU CAN FIND INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW'S PODCAST AND EPISODES AT WFYI.ORG/IWIR OR ON THE PBS APP.

I'M BRANDON SMITH OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

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

>> OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE PANELISTS.

INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS AN WFYI PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH INDIANA'S PUBLIC BOADCASTING