CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM BILL.

ADDRESSING A LOOPHOLE IN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.

PLUS PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX REFORM AND MORE.

FROM THE TELEVISION STUDIOS AT WFYI, IT'S INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL7, 2023.. INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS.

>>> THIS WEEK LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE A LONGER LIST OF CORE SERVICES THEY MUST PROVIDE TO GET INCREASED FUNDING AFTER CHANGES TO LEGISLATION MADE BY A HOUSE COMMITTEE.

>> THE LEGISLATION'S LIST OF ABOUT TWO DOZEN CORE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED FOOD AND SANITARY INSPECTIONS, ACCESS TO IMMUNIZATIONS, TOBACCO CESSATION AND MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE.

HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE CHAIR BRAD BARRETT'S AMENDMENT TO THE BILL ADDED THE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF CHRONIC ILLNESSES INCLUDING OBESITY, DIABETES AND CANCER AND BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> BOTTOM LINE OF THIS POLICY IS THAT AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.

>> THE AMENDMENT SAYS THAT LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS CAN SPEND NO MORE THAN 40 PERCENT OF THEIR FUNDING ON FOOD, SANITARY, WATER AND SUSPECTIC SYSTEM THIS HAPPENINGS, PERSIST SCROLL AND BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

IS THE BILL TOO PRE-SKIPTIVE ON LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS?

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

DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY, REPUBLICAN JENNIFER HALLOWELL, 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.

ANN DELANEY, SOMETHING WE'VE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SESSION ABOUT THIS BILL IS THIS -- WE DON'T WANT A STAKE TAKE OVER OF LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND OF COURSE REPEATEDLY IT IS BEEN SAID THIS IS NOT THAT, BUT OUCH THOSE DEPARTMENTS CAN SPEND ON WHICH PRIORITIES, CONTROLLING THAT, DOES THAT GO A LITTLE TOO FAR?

>> I DON'T KNOW, I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS BILL IS THE EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION.

THE IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH THE VERY SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS CITIZENS OF INDIANA HAVE.

IS 40 PERCENT THE MAGIC NUMBER?

I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THE EXPANSION OF HEALTH SERVICES IS FUNDED AND IF IT'S TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE, THE LEGISLATURE MEETS EVERY YEAR, THEY CAN ADJUST IT BUT THE IMPORTANT PART IS THAT WE'RE FAIL FACING UP TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THIS STATE AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP ALLEVIATE THAT PROBLEM.

>> SENATOR ED CHARBONNEAU TALKED ABOUT THE CHANGE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO MOVING AWAY FROM JUST REACTING AND TREATING ILLNESS TO THE PREVENTING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE AND IN FACT AMENDMENT GETS MORE TO THIS POINT.

SO IS AT LEAST THAT PART OF THE BILL -- THIS IS NOW A REALLY LONG LET'S OF CORE SERVICES.

ARE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS GOING TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT?

>> I THINK SO AND THE IMPETUS OF THIS IS WE HAVE SOME PRETTY BAD HEALTH OUTCOMES IN INDIANA, CHRONIC ILLNESSES, THINGS THAT OBESITY, ET CETERA SO I THINK THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO PUT THE EMPHASIS THERE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE KINDS OF NUMBERS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE.

NOT NUMBERS, THESE ARE PEOPLE, BUT THE OUTCOMES THEY'RE LOOKING FOR NOT JUST BEEFINGS UP THE SERVICES THEY ALREADY PROVIDE AND TUPPED, AND CHAIRMAN BARRETT IS A PHYSICIAN, SO I THINK HE'S DOING A GREAT JOB WITH THIS BILL AND AT THE END OF THE SESSION WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IS GOING TO BE A BIG HIGHLIGHT.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO UNDERPLAY WHAT THE MOVEMENT OF THIS BILL.

THEY'VE DONE WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO ALLAY A LOT OF FEARS ABOUT THIS BILL BUT AGAIN ONE OF THE FEARS OF THIS BILL WAS THIS IS THE STATE TAKING -- CONTROLLING WHAT LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING.

SHOULD WE BE MANDATING YOU CAN ONLY SPEND THIS MUCH AMOUNT THAN AND THIS MUCH ON THAT, DOESN'T THAT GET TO THE FEAR THEY WERE TRYING TO ALLAY?

>> SOME WILL SAY THAT AND LOOK AT IT AND SAY THIS -- WE KNEW THIS THAT WAS THE REAL MOTIVE, THIS MYSTERIOUS BIG BROTHER WAS TRYING TO CONTROL OUR DECISION MAKING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

BUT CLEARLY THAT'S NOT WHAT THE AT WORK HERE AND YOU'RE RIGHT THE BEHIND THE ESSENCE EFFORTSES HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT, AND NOT ONLY SINCE JANUARY WHEN THE SESSION BEGAN BUT TO YOUR POINT BACK WELL OVER A YEAR, BECAUSE SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU MENTIONED, CHRIS BOX, LUKE HENRY WERE PART OF A TASK FORCE COMMISSION THAT EXPERIMENT A LOT OF SOMETIME AND GATHERED A LOT OF INFORMATION AND LOOKED AT A LOT OF BEST PRACTICES THE OFFER SUGGESTIONS.

KEEP IN MIND THE SUGGESTIONS THEY OFFERED IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL -- SORT OF ALLOCATION THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO BRING INDIANA UP TO SPEED ARE STILL NOT GOING TO BE ACHIEVED IN ALL THE LIKELIHOOD BY THE BUDGET.

THE GOVERNOR ALREADY SCALED IT BACK ONCE AND WE SAW THE HOUSE SCALE IT BACK AGAIN SO YEAH IT PLAYS TO THOSE FIRES, BUT MY GOODNESS THERE'S A DIRE NATIONWIDE FOR IT.

IT'S BEEN DOCUMENTED TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND ONE WOULD THINK THAT LOCALS WOULD WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WITH WHATEVER STRINGS ARE ATTACHED AS LONG AS THE DOLLARS ARE BEHIND IT.

>> CAN I SEE ASK ABOUT THE THINGS THIS THEY ARE RESTRICTING, BUT THIS GETS TO SOMETHING WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER IN THE SESSION, IF WE'RE TRYING TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH IN INDIANA I'M NOT SURE INSPECTING THE LOCAL PUBLIC POOL IS THE WAY YOU DO IT BUT RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS, FOOT INSPECTIONS, POOLS, SANITARY INSPECTIONINGS OF ALL SORTS OF ESTABLISHMENTS, THAT'S IMPORTANT TOO THOUGH, ISN'T IT?

>> YEAH, I WANT TO KNOW THE RESTAURANTS I'M GOING TO ARE OKAY, AND WE'VE SEEN E. COLI BREAK OUTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO THOSE ARE IMPORTANT @THINGS TO DO.

I THINK ONE CAUTIONARY NOTE BEYOND THE FACT WE'RE WAITING TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'RE BE THE PUT BEHIND THE EFFORT, PART OF THE REASON BEHIND THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION IS TO SHOW THAT INDIANA IS WOEFULLY UNDERFUNDING PUBLIC HEALTH AND THEIR CORE SERVICES SO I DO THINK THERE'S A CAUTIONARY NOTED TO BE LIKE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE INCREASING THE FUNDING FOR EXISTING RESPONSIBILITIES BUT I'M CONCERNED WE'RE INCREASING THE FUNDING BUT GIVING ADDITIONAL -- SO I DO THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ON THAT IF WE'RE JUST GIVING THEM MORE MONEY TO DO MORE THINGS THAT'S NOT GOING TO HELP US IMPROVE OUR OVERALL -- -- >> I IMAGINE WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THIS ON THE SHOW BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IS THIS FUNDING WILL BE FOR TO YEARS AND THE THOUGHT IS NOT EVERY COUNTY IS GOING TO AGREE TOE TAKE THE MONEY RIGHT AWAY, THE HOPE IS SOME COUNTIES WILL AND THE COUNTIES WHO DON'T LOOK IT WOULD COUNTIES WHO DO GO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THESE METRICS -- BECAUSE IT IS METRIC DRIVEN BUT THESE THINGS MOVE SLOWLY, SO THE PUSH AND PULL OF WE NEED TO KEEP SUSPENDING THIS MONEY EVEN IF WE CAN'T SEE IMMEDIATELY RESULT IS GOING TO BE FASCINATE DOWN THE ROAD.

>> MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS SO MY SOMEWHAT FLIP PANT SUGGESTION, CALL IT PREVENTIVE HEALTH BECAUSE THAT SEMANTIC CHANGE WILL'S THE CONCERN THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE IF THE PUBLIC -- WORD PUBLIC IS ATTACHED TO IT IT'S SOMEHOW BAD, THAT'S ALL I NEED TO KNOW.

>> WOULD IT MADE IT HARDER FOR MILITARY STUDENTS TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL WAS SUBSTANTIALLY WEAKED THIS WEEK.

FROM WFYI ICE EDUCATION DESK DYLAN PEERS MCCOY REPORTS ON THE NEW PLAN TO NARROW A LOOPHOLE IN STATE DIPLOMA RULES.

>> NEARLY 20 PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES REPLIED ON A MILITARY TEST TO MEET STATE REQUIREMENT THIS IS 2021.

SOME POLICY MAKERS SAY THAT'S A ROB PROBLEM BECAUSE MANY OF THESE STUDENTS DIDN'T ENLIST.

THE LATEST PLAN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS IS TO REQUIRE THE STUDENT TO SUBMIT A FORM THAT AFFIRMS THEIR INTENT TO ENLIST.

THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

>> THIS CHARGES THE STATE BOARD TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND COME BACK AND MAKE SURE THAT WHAT RECOMMENDATION WE CAN MAKE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT BEING UTILIZED IN APPROPRIATELY.

>> THE BILL NOW MOVES ON TO THE FULL SENATE FOR APPROVAL.

>> DOES THE STATE NEED TO CLAMP DOWN ON MORE ON THESE MILITARY TESTS?

>> I THINK THE GOAL HERE FIRST IS TO COLLECT THE DATA SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE USING PATH WAYS AND TO WHAT EXTENT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S RIGHT SIZED FOR WHAT WE WANT TOSS.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS WE ARE PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE WORKFORCE AND THERE ARE VARIOUS PATHWAYS THAT YOU BE TAKE TO THAT BUT FIRST WE NEED TO COLLECT THE DATA TO SEE HOW IT'S BEING USED BY ALL THE VARIOUS SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WHO'S USING IT AND THEN GET TO THE INTENT OF IS THIS THE RIGHT APPROACH.

AND CERTAINLY I'M SURE THAT THERE ARE STUDENTS WHO TAKE IT AND FOR WHATEVER REASON DECIDE NOT TO ENLIST SO I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU CAN REQUIRE THE AFTER THE FACT, PROOF OF THAT BUT IT IS A BIG NUMBER AND I THINK WE NEED TO SEE IF THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE USE.

>> THAT PART OF THE TRICKER, ORIGINALLY THE BILL SAID YOU HAVE TO ENLIST IN ORDER TO TALK ABOUT THIS EXAM AND NOW THE BILL SAYS SIGN A PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAYS I PROMISE I'LL EPI ENLIST, BUT SUSPECT THIS A LITTLE -- WE SHOULD BE ABLE THE USE THIS TEST BAA THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT'S THE RIGHT AWAY TO GO BUT IS KEEPING IT AROUND MAKING IT HARD TO ENSURE IT'S ONLY FOR THE FOLKS WHO NEED TO USE IT?

>> IT'S A TEST THAT'S READILY AVAILABLE.

IF THE TEST DOESN'T PROPERLY JUDGE WHETHER A PERSON SHOULD BE QUALIFIED WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, THAT'S THE QUESTION BUT IF IT DOES QUALIFY THEM WHY NOT USE IT?

ONLY 25 PERCENT OF THE GRADUATES OF HIGH SCHOOLS IN INDIANA WOULD QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION TO THE MILITARY BETWEEN OBESITY, DRUGS, CRIMINAL -- ALL KINDS OF REASONS SO IF THEY'RE USING IT AND THE TEST DOES ADEQUATELY JUDGE WHETHER THEY'RE PROPERLY QUALIFIED AS A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND IT'S READILY AVAILABLE AND IT'S IN EXPENSIVE WHAT'S THE HARM?

>> I THINK THE CONCERN IS THAT IT'S AN EASIER TEST -- >> THAT'S THE QUESTION THEN.

>> THAN SOME OF THE OTHER TESTS SO IT'S EASIER -- I MEAN I GUESS IF IT'S EASIER THAN THEN A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST USING IT TO GET THROUGH INSTEAD OF TAKING THE S.A.T.

AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS THAT ARE MORE I GUESS COLLEGE DRIVEN T. SO I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT TO -- I WOULD HOPE THEY ALREADY HAVE SOME OF THAT DATA FRANKLY.

I MEAN WE KNOW THAT 20 PERCENT OF THEM ARE USING IT NOW.

>> I DON'T THINK 20 PERCENT OF OUR KIDS ARE GOING INTO THE MILITARY.

>> NO, I THINK IT'S A WORTH WHILE DISCUSSION.

>> AND THIS BILL IS PART OF A LARGER DISCUSSION ABOUT ALL OF THE PATHWAYS TO GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND HAS THIS -- THIS A LONG OVERDUE CONVERSATION?

I KNOW THIS STUFF CHANGES EVERY FIVE MINUTES IN INDIANA BUT IS THIS PARTICULAR CONVERSATION A LITTLE LONG OVER DUE?

>> IT PROBABLY IS.

EDUCATION IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS SORT OF LIKE INTERSTATE MAINTENANCE, IT'S NEVER DONE.

IT'S JUST -- WE'LL NEVER HAVE A SESSION WHERE LAWMAKERS SAY WOW, EDUCATION IS GREAT.

LET'S SIT BACK AND WATCH.

IF ANYTHING IN FACT WE PROBABLY HAVE HAD THE OPPOSITE, WE HAVE HAD A SITUATION THAT BORDERS MAYBE ON REFORM FATIGUE, WHERE THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH CHANGE AND AS THE EMPHASIS FOCUS IS FROM ACCOUNTABLE I TO CONVERSATION TO FUNDING IT WOULD SCHOOL LEVEL TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY, TO JENNIFER'S POINT I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE EVER HAD THE DATA CATCH UP WITH THE MOVES.

SO WHILE THIS HAS BEEN WELL INTENDED AND SINCERE TEAMS TO GOING TO AT THE ISSUE BUT UNLESS WE TAKE A BREATH AND LET THINGS CATCH UP -- >> THAT CREATES THE NEAR FEAR OF -- >> I REALLY THINK YOU HAVE TO GET BACK TO THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE TEST JUDGES WHETHER SOMEONE IS QUALIFIED TO BE A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE.

I DON'T THINK THE SAT -- THEY'RE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THIS TEST SO IF WE DON'T THINK THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH WE SHOULD DEVELOP OUR OWN AND MAKE IT READILY AVAILABLE AND IN EXPENSIVE.

>> TIME FOR VIEWER FEEDBACK.

EACH WEEK WE POSE AN ONLINE POLL QUESTION AND THIS WEEK'S QUESTION IS SHOULD STUDENTS WHO AREN'T GOING TO ENLIST IN THE MILITARY BE ALLOWED THE USE A MILITARY EXAM THE GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL?

A.

YES.

B.

NO.

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION WAS WILL THE INDICTMENT OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HELP HIS REELECTION BID?

25 PERCENT OF YOU SAY YES, 75 PERCENT SAY NO.

FUND LIKE TO TAKE PARKING LOT IN THE POLL GO TO WFYI.ORG/IWIR AND LOOK FOR THE POLL.

IS IT.

>>> HOOSIERS WILL BE GETTING THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILLS IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS AND MANY OF THOSE BILLS ARE GOING TO BE A LOT HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR AND THAT'S WHY ONE STATE LAWMAKER WITH A FAMILIAR LAST NAME SAYS THE PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM NEEDS REFORM.

>> INCREASED HOME PRICES ARE DRIVING UP HOME VALUES AND THAT IS RAISING MANY PROPERTY TACK BILLS.

THERE'S NOTHING STATE LAWMAKERS CAN DO TO DECREASE THE BILLS BUT DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ED DELANEY SAYS THERE ARE ISSUES THE PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM.

>> THE PROBLEM IS THIS UP AND DOWN AND ALSO THE FACT THAT IT'S TOO COMPLICATED.

>> DELANEY SAYS THE STATE NEEDS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL WHICH HE SAYS ARE TOO RELIANT ON PROPERTY TAXES.

>> IF WE DO REDUCE THE PRESSURE ON PROPERTY TAXES AND FREEZE UP PROPERTY TAX ROVE KNEW FOR THING THAT ARE LOCAL.

>> DELANEY SAYS A THAT INCLUDES LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND IT WILL PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> NIKI THERE'S GOING TO BE PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS RIGHT NOW AS PEOPLE GET THESE BILLS TO ADDRESS HOW HIGH THEY ARE BUT THAT SHIP HAS SAILED SO DOES THE PRESSURE FOR LARGER REFORM KIND OF DIE DOWN AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK OF THIS YEAR'S BILLS?

>> YEAH, I MEAN THEY OBVIOUSLY CAN'T AFFECT THIS YEAR'S BILLS.

THINGS A BILL BEING HEARD NEXT WEEK THAT IS A PROPERTY TAX REFORM -- NOT REFORM, JUST A PROPERTY TAX VEHICLE THAT COULD HELP OUT FOR A FEW YEARS BUT THE -- I'M NOT A GOOD PERSON FOR THIS BECAUSE I'M NOT A PERSON WHO HATES PROPERTY TAXES.

I THINK THEY'RE OPERATING THE WAY THEY SHOULD WHICH IS CYCLICAL.

THEY GO UP AND THEY GO DOWN, GUESS WHAT EVERYONE SAW THE VALUE OF THEIR HOMES GO UP AND NOW THAT'S GOING TO BE REFLECTED IN YOUR BILL SO THEY SHOULD FOCUS MORE ON THE ASSESSMENT SIDE OF IT AND MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING THAT RIGHT BUT I DON'T KNOW I'M THE TARGET AUDIENCE ON THIS.

>>> THAT WAS A QUESTION RAISED TO REPRESENTATIVE DELANEY WHO I THINK IS RELATED IN SOME WAY -- >> NOT BY BLOOD.

>> NO, THAT WOULD BE TROUBLINGMENT IT WAS ISN'T THIS JUST KIND OF THE WAY IT HAPPENS?

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL YEARS OF RISING HOME PRODUCE PRICES SO PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING TO GO UP, NOT NECESSARILY BY THE SAME AMOUNT.

MARION COUNTY WENT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, EVEN THOUGH PROPERTY TACK WOMENS WENT UP.

>> TO A CERTAIN EXTENT THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS JUSTLIKE SALES TACK IN INFLATIONARY TIMES, GUESS WHAT THE CASH REGISTER WAS RINGING AND THE STATE COFFERS WERE BULGING, SO YES THE WAY THESE MECHANISM ARE SET UP THEY'RE LARGELY DEPENDENT ON MARKET FORCES.

LET'S FACE IT PEOPLE DON'TING LIKE TAXES.

IF ANY TAX GOES UP THE 21 PERCENT AT ONE TIME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BALK, BUT IF THEY DO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE, WHICH IS ASKING A LOT BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE NEXT DAY FINANCIALLY BUT INDIANA IS STILL A MORE AFFORDABLE STATE THAN -- I WON'T SAY ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY BUT A LOT OF STATES, NEW YORK, ANYWHERE WEST OF THE MASON DIB DICKSON LINE, THEY WOULD KILL TO HAVE THE PROPERTY TAXES HERE.

TAX REVENUE IF YOU WANT TO HAVE GOVERNMENT SERVICE IT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE AND WE HAVE TO YET FIGURE OUT THE CONSTITUENCY TO TAX THAT IS A FLUSH WITH TAX AND DOESN'T OBJECT.

>> MAYBE IT'S NIKI.

IS THERE SOME POINT THOUGH TO TRYING TO -- THESE THINGS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE CYCLICAL.

IS THERE AN ARGUMENTS TO BE MADE THAT WE NEED TO CONTROL THE LEVEL OF VOLATILITY?

THIS YEAR BEING A BIT OF ON OUTLIER BUT IT'S A HUGE JUMP FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

DOES SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE TO REIN IN THAT VOLATILITY?

>> THAT'S CERTAINLY THE ARGUMENT THAT FOLKS ARE MAKING ESPECIALLY FOR WHAT'S TIED TO THE PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS, THE LOCAL BUDGETS THAT ARE RELYING ON THEM AND THE FLUCTUATION CAN BE A CHALLENGE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE PLANNING BUDGET YEARS AHEAD.

BUT NIKI MENTIONED ON TUESDAY THE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRMAN THOMPSON'S BILL IS BEING HEARD AND THAT WOULD REDUCE SLIGHTLY BUT WOULD HAVE AN IN PACT FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS THE ONE PERCENT.

SO YOU HAVE THAT HAPPENING AND THEN I THINK THIS IS REALLY ALL PART OF A MUCH BIGGER CONVERSATION, WHICH SENATE BILL THREE LOOKS AT TWO YEAR KIND OF COMMISSION FOR OVERALL REVIEW OF THE TAX STRUCTURE WHICH COULD IMPACT INCOME TAXES, PROPERTY TAXES AND WE'RE LOOKING AT A LONGER TERM APPROACH.

>> THE BIG PICTURE FROM.

A POLITICAL STANDPOINT IF YOU'RE A STATE LAWMAKER YOU HAVE A FEELING PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE UPSET BECAUSE THEY ASSUME THAT WE CONTROL EVERY MORNING AND TO A CERTAIN EXTENT THEY DO.

DO YOU JUST RIDE OUT THE STORM AND TRY AND TAKE THAT MORE MEASURED LONG-TERM LOOK AT DO WE NEED THE CHANGE THE SYSTEM IS THIS.

>> I THINK WE NEED A LONGER LOOK IN HOW THEY INTERACT BECAUSE WHEN WE WERE TOLD THE STATE WAS GOING TO PICK UP THE COST OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IT'S NOW 42 PERCENT OF THE COST.

THE PROBLEM IS I THINK PARTICULARLY WITH PROPERTY TAX IT'S A VERY VOLATILE POLITICAL ISSUE.

TALKED TO PARK PETERSON ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN 2018 WITH THAT.

I UNDERSTAND THEY'RE SITTING ON AN ASSET BUT THEY'VE LIVED IN IT ALL THEIR ADULT LIVES AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THEY HAVE A BILL THEY DIDN'T COUNT ON SO THE STRUCTURE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AND WE NEED TO TAKE MORE OF THE COST OF LOCAL EDUCATION OFF GOVERNMENT.

LOOK AT THE DISCREETS, THEY ARE IN TERRIBLE CONDITION BECAUSE THERE ISN'T MONEY TO FIX THEM.

I REMEMBER A SKIT FROM COLBERT AND IT LOOKED LIKE A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.

THERE ARE STREETS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT LOOK LIKE THEY'RE IN A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY AND WE NEED RESOURCES TO FIX THOSE.

IT'S CRAZY WE DON'T THINK THESE THINGS THROUGH WHEN WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY ON HAND STATEWIDE.

>> YOU RAISED PETERSON AND THIS YEAR -- LAST YEAR MARION COUNTY LOOKING AHEAD AND SEEING THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO GO UP, PASSED A PROPERTY TAX THAT EVERYBODY IS SEEING AND IT HELPED MY MOM WHO'S ON FIXED INCOME BUT NOT EVERYONE COMMUNITY HAS THE RESOURCE TO DO THAT.

>> THE RESOURCES WERE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> THEY WERE AND THEY HAD A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY -- >> AND THEY HAD THE SENSE TO DO IT BEFORE IT BUBBLED UP FROM BELOW.

>> THIS WERE LUCKY THEY WERE ABLE THE USE THOSE FUNDERS.

THE ACLU OF INDIANAED A FILED A LAWSUIT IN AN ATTEMPT TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY THE GENDER AIF I RECALLING BAN.

LAUREN CHAPMAN REPORTS THE LEGAL ARGUMENTS REST ON EQUAL PROTECTION.

>>> KEN FALK SAYS INDIANA'S GENDER AFFIRMING CARE BAN VIOLATES THE 14TH AMENDMENT BECAUSE IT DISCRIMINATES ON THE BASIS OF SEX, IT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST TRANSGENDER RESIDENTS AND VIOLATES THE EQUAL PROTECTIONS CLAUSE.

>> THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT BAN THE VARIOUS TREATMENTS THAT ARE OUTLINED, IT ONLY BANNED IT FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE.

>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT UP HELD EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER IN A 2020 DECISION.

THE ACLU IS RECOMMENDING CARE PROVIDERS, TRANSGENDER YOUTH IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

>> THIS IS A LAW THAT WE HOPE TO ENJOIN.

>> THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN FEDERAL COURT ON APRIL 5.

>> JON SCHWANTES WITH THE CURRENT U.S. SUPREME COURT IS THIS LAWSUIT NOTHING MORE THAN A HOPE AND A PRAYER IN THE LONG-TERM?

>> WELL, YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE COURT REGARDLESS OF ANY POLITICAL PERSUASION OR AFFILIATION WOULD LOOK AT THESE ISSUES AND THE EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE ARGUMENT DOES SEEM TO HAVE MERIT.

THERE ARE WAYS THEY COULD HAVE GOTTEN AROUND IT WITH A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE STATUTE THAT MIGHT HAVE ADDRESSED OR'SED OR ELIMINATED THE CONCERNS.

SO I GUESS THAT'S A LONG WINDED SAY OF SAYING LET'S HOP THE COURTS CAN LOOK AT THESE THINGS IN AN ISOLATED CASE BY CASE MANNER, FACTORING EVERYTHING IN RATHER THAN BEING SWEPT UP IN A TIDAL WAVE OF PRO-LEAF ZEAL.

>>> TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JAMES MADISON DIDN'T USE THE WORD TRANSGENDER SO -- >> OR ABORTION.

>> EXACTLY, SO AGAIN IS THIS NOTHING MORE THAN A HOPE AND A PRAYER?

>> I'M A LITTLE POLLYANNA, I'M GOING TO SAY NO.

I DO THINK THE EQUAL PROTECTION ARGUMENT IS GOING TO BE HARD TO GET AROUND BECAUSE THEY'RE TREATING WHO GETS IT DIFFERENTLY THAN THE TREATMENT.

>> FINALLY THE SENATE THIS WEEK SETTLEMENT A BILL TO THE GOVERNOR THAT WOULD FULLY LEGALIZE THROWING STARS IN INDIANA, RESCINDING A BAN THAT'S BEEN THIS PLACE SINCE THE 1980S.

ANN DELANEY ISN'T IT TRUE THAT ONLY A GOOD GUY WITH A THROWING STAR CAN STOP A BAD GUY WITH A THROWING STAR?

>> I THINK A GOOD GUY WITH A THROWING STAR LOSES TO A BAD GUY ARE A GUN.

>> THIS WAS SUPPOSED IS TO BE FOR THE AX THROW VENUES.

ARE YOU SURPRISED THE LEGISLATURE SAID EVERYBODY CAN HAVE THEM AGAIN?

>> I THINK THE HOUSE SAID TO THE SENATE WE'LL SEE YOU 2001 AND RAISE YOU ONE >>> I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED, ALSO HOW QUICKLY -- >> JULY 1.

>> DO YOU NEED A LICENSE?

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

OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY, REPUBLICAN JENNIFER HALLOWELL, JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS, AND NIKI KELLY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE.

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

I'M BRANDON SMITH OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

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

.

THE THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE PANELISTS.

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