[MUSIC].

>> CONTENTIOUS AND CONGRESSIONAL PUBLIC AND LEADERSHIP RATIOS.

A PROSECUTOR OVERSIGHT TASK FORCE.

BUT, AN AD IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND MORE.

FROM THE TELEVISION STUDIOS AT WFYI, IT IS INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW , FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 18, 2022.

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

>> Brandon: THIS WEEK, INDIANA CONGRESSMAN JIM BANKS NARROWLY LOST A RACE TO BE THE MAJORITY WHIP, THE THIRD RANKING POSITION IN THE HOUSE.

>> BANKS WAS IN A THREE-WAY RACE FOR WITH WITH MINNESOTA'S TOM EMMER AND GEORGES DREW FERGUSON.

THANKS LED AFTER THE FIRST BALLOT AND FELL SHORT ON THE SECOND BALLOT TO EMMER WHO WAS ELECTED WITH VIABLE OF 115 TO 106.

THANKS PLEDGED TO REMAIN A CONSERVATIVE FIGHTER IN CONGRESS.

MEANWHILE IN THE SENATE, KENTUCKY'S MITCH MCCONNELL STAVED OFF A LONG SHOT DEAD BY FLORIDA'S RICK SCOTT STATED GOP LEADER.

IN A STATEMENT, BRAUN SAID PUBLICANS ARE TIRED OF THE STATUS QUO AND HE BACKED SCOTT BECAUSE HE, LIKE BRAUN IS AN OUTSIDER.

SCOTT AND BRAUN WERE BOTH LIKE TO THE U.S. SENATE IN 2019.

PRIOR TO THAT, SCOTT WAS GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA FOR EIGHT YEARS.

BRAUN SERVED THREE YEARS IN THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND SPENT A DECADE BEFORE THAT AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL ON HIS LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD.

WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR BANKS AND BRAUN?

IT IS THE FIRST .

>> AND FOR OUR JIM BANKS PANEL.

DEMOCRAT ANN DE LANEY, 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 STATUS BUREAU CHIEF BRANDON SMITH.

MIKE O'BRIEN, THERE'S A LOT OF SPECULATION THAT BRAUN IS NOT GOING TO RUN FOR REELECTION IN 2024 AND WILL INSTEAD RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

DOES THIS MAKE THE LEADERSHIP MORE LIKELY?

>> Mike: I THINK IT WAS LIKELY HE WAS GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR ANYWAY BUT DURING HIS TIME IN D.C., HE HAS NOT BEEN A CLIMB THE LADDER D.C.

GUY TO WORK THE SYSTEM.OMETIMES THAT HAS BEEN GREAT AND SOMETIMES HE IS HAD TO NAVIGATE AROUND THE HIERARCHY OF THE SENATE , NOT BEING A GUY IN SENIORITY.

I DO NOT THINK IT IS COMPLETELY SET IN STONE, BUT CERTAINLY IN EDUCATION , WHETHER HE'S GOING TO BE GOVERNOR OR A U.S.

SENATOR AGAIN, HE IS GOING TO BE HIS OWN GUY .

I AM NOT SURE THAT , IF IT'S FRUSTRATION WITH THE INSTITUTION, YOU HAVE JUST RAN, I DON'T THINK THE BLAME GAME IN D.C. , WHETHER YOU WENT BY A LITTLE BIT OR WHEN BILATERAL LOSE, DOESN'T MATTER .

THAT HAS BEEN THE FINGER-POINTING ALL WEEK BETWEEN McCONNELL AND RICK SCOTT.

>> Brandon: I WAS GOING TO SAY, MIKE BRAUN IS POINT THAT CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS WANTED OUTSIDER IS PROBABLY TRUE AND MITCH McCONNELL IS DEFINITELY NOT AN OUTSIDER.

THE LONGEST-SERVING SENATE REPUBLIC A LEADER IN HISTORY ALREADY AND HE WILL CONTINUE THAT RECORD.

BUT RICK SCOTT IS THE GUY?

OR WAS IT IF YOU ARE MIKE BRAUN THAT YOU WANT TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT IS THE GUY WHO WILL STAND IN YOUR WAY .

>> Ann: I DON'T THINK HE IS RUNNING FOR SENATE OR GOVERNOR EITHER.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO CHOOSE SOMEBODY , HE IS AN ELECTION DENIER, HE IS AGAINST GAY RIGHTS , AGAINST THE CHIP PROJECT THAT SENATOR YOUNG WAS PROPOSING AN IS GREAT FOR INDIANA.

THEN HE COMES AND SUPPORTS THE GUY THAT WOULD HELP LOOSEN THE SENATE AND LOST THE ELECTION FOR MAJORITY LEADER , OR MINORITY LEADER, EXCUSE ME.

ON TOP OF THAT, HE SUPPORTING A GUY HE WANTS TO PUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE AND ALL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ON AN OPERATING TABLE.

HE IS COMING IN YOU AND SAID THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE THAT I DON'T LIKE WHERE IN INDIANA, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE ON BOTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

TALK ABOUT TOUCHING ONE THIRD RAIL OF POLITICS, HE IS PUT BOTH HANDS AND FEET ON IT.

I'LL SEE MONEY FOR ANYTHING .

>> Brandon: I THINK HE RUNS FOR GOVERNOR, BUT WITH THE F MIKE BRAUN DOES NOT RUN FOR THE SAME ACTION AGAIN, JIM BANKS WAS TALKED ABOUT AS ONE OF THOSE NAMES RUNNING FOR THE U.S. SENATE.

DOES LOSING A LEADERSHIP RACE, ALTHOUGH OLD CLOSE ONE, DOES LOSING LOSING A LEADERSHIP RACE MAKE IT MORE LIKELY THAT JIM BANKS JUMPS TO SENATE?

>> Niki: I THOUGHT IF HE WAS THE THIRD RANKING, HE WOULD DEFINITELY STAY.

I DON'T KNOW THOUGH, ON ONE HAND YOU GET A BIGGER PLATFORM IN THE SENATE , BUT NOW THAT HE IS NOT IN ANY LEADERSHIP, HE IS NO LONGER THE REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE CHAIR BECAUSE IT IS TERM LIMITED , HE HAS GOT TO FIND A NEW WAY TO WORK HIMSELF INTO THE PARTY.

>> Brandon: WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT JIM BANKS WAS A RISING STAR IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

KITTY GOT TO CONGRESS, HE HAS BEEN ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE.

HE MAKES MOST MEDIA APPEARANCES AND THAT SORT OF THINGTHE PATH OF THE HOUSE, WE SAW THIS WITH MIKE PENCE.

pHE GOT A LITTLE FURTHER THAN BANKS DID , BUT YOU CLEARLY SAW CEILING FOR HIM THERE AND HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR.

I DON'T HEAR BANKS FOR GOVERNOR BEING MENTIONED AND NOT, WHAT IS BANKS FOR SENATE LOOKING MORE LIKELY?

>> Mike: IT IS POSSIBLE.

I THINK WAGING A VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN TO BE WITH OF THE PARTY IS AS PRECARIOUS OR CARRY THE POTENTIAL RISK OR BACKLASH AS SQUARING OFF AGAINST THE LEADER .

ONE IS SORT OF IN YOUR FACE, THE OTHER ONE ALMOST COULD BE CHALKED UP TO HEY, HERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY .

IN SOME WAYS YOU COULD ARGUE , AS THERE IS A RICH TRADITION OF INDIVIDUALS ELECTED FROM INDIANA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO YOU KIND OF HAVE TO WAGE THOSE CONTESTS AND A LOT OF TIMES, IT IS THOSE THINGS WERE HE HAS TRIED THIS, HE HAS TRIED THAT .SO NOW HE IS TURNED HIS RIGHT.

I WOULD THINK THAT IS IN ANY WAY A DEATH WISH THE WAY THE OTHER ONE IS .

>> Brandon: I SUPPOSE YOU WILL SEE COMMITTEES WHICH CAN PLAY A ROLE .

>> Ann: HE MIGHT EVEN PROPOSING BUT LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT BENEFIT INDIANA.

>> Brandon: I THINK HE WILL PROPOSE LEGISLATION, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU WILL LIKE MUCH OF IT.

[LAUGHTER].

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION, SHOULD U.S.

SENATOR MIKE BRAUN FOR GOVERNOR OR SENATOR IN 24?

A GOVERNOR, OR B, SENATOR LAST WEEK WE ASKED YOU WHEN WILL INDIANA STATE DEMOCRATS WIN A STATEWIDE SEAT?

- - 22% SAID MORE THAN 10 YEARS.IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART IN THE POLL, THE WFYI.org/IWIR AND LOOK FOR THE POLL.

A STATE TASK FORCE CHARGED WITH EXPLORING WHAT TO DO FOR LOCAL PROSECUTOR REFUSES TO ENFORCE CERTAIN LAWS HELD ITS FIRST AND ONLY MEETING RECENTLY.

THE PANEL TALKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR , HEARD NO TESTIMONY AN ISSUE NO RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> TASK FORCE COCHAIR REPUBLICAN SENATOR AARON FREEMAN CALLED THE MEETING A NECESSARY FIRST STEP TO STARTING A CONVERSATION.

THE OTHER COCHAIR, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS JETER SAID THE ISSUE WILL COME UP DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION .

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE LEGISLATION MAKES LAWS AND THOSE LAWS HAVE TO BE ENFORCED.

IF THEY ARE NOT, THAT PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE REDRESS AND THAT IS AN ISSUE .

>> THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW YEARS.

PRIMARILY AIMED AT MARION COUNTY PROSECUTOR RYAN MEARES.

WE DID NOT - - THE SUMMER, SAID HE WOULD NOT PROSECUTE HOW PROVIDERS WHO PERFORM ABORTIONS.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE TASK FORCE SAYS THE TASK FORCE IS FURTHERING A POLITICAL AGENDA .

>> RIGHT NOW THERE IS A POLITICAL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THIS NARRATIVE THAT CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL AND IT IS AS A RESULT OF DEMOCRATIC POLICIES .

>> CONSIDERING SO MUCH ATTENTION IS ON MARION COUNTY, FBI DATA SHOWS TOTAL PROPERTY CRIMES AND TOTAL VIOLENT CRIMES REPORTED BY THE INDIANA POLICE FORCE HAVE DECREASED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS .

>> Brandon: ANN DE LANEY, WAS THERE ANY POINT TO THIS TASK FORCE?

>> Ann: NOT MUCH.

IF YOU HAVE HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF TRADITION OF LOCAL PROSECUTORS AND CROSS-CULTURAL DISCRETION , THEN HE GOES AFTER RYAN MEARS, AND THEY SPEND A FORTUNE TRYING TO THE CANDIDATE AGAINST RYAN MEARS AND IT PUT THE 3% DIFFERENCE IN - -.

THEY DON'T WANT MARIJUANA PROSECUTION FOR SIMPLE POSSESSION AND ARE NOT INTERESTED IN GOING AFTER DOCTORS WHO PERFORM ABORTIONS .

THERE ARE 91 OF THE COUNTIES WYTHE COUNTY PROSECUTORS THAT WANT THEIR OWN DISCRETION .

THE POINT OF THIS WAS , HE WANTED THE POWER AND THE LEGISLATORS SAID NO.

THEY GAVE HIM A FIG LEAF WHICH IS THIS COMMITTEE HEARING AND THE FIG LEAF HAS BLOWN AWAY .

>> Brandon: THE SENATE HAS BEEN PURSUING THIS FOR A WHILE AND HAS GOTTEN IT PASSED .

THE HOUSE KEEPS , I DON'T THINK IT EVEN GETS A HEARING IN THE HOUSE IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY AARON FREEMAN, CHRIS JETER BOTH SAID THE SAME THING.

IT IS A MATTER WHAT THE TASK FORCE SAID OR WHAT THE TASK FORCE DID.

THERE'S GOING TO BE LEGISLATION, IT WILL MOVE A LITTLE BIT IN AT LEAST ONE CHAMBER .

IS THERE ANY POINT TO THIS TASK FORCE?>> Mike: THEY CAN BE A POINT TO ANY COMMISSION BUT THERE ARE MIXED RESULTS FOR ALL OF THESE.

ULTIMATELY, IT IS AN INDICATOR THAT WANT TO GET A LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN THE ROOM IN THE SUMMER ARE GOING TO BE IN THE ROOM IN THE WINTER WHEN THEY ARE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION INSTEAD OF A NONBINDING TASK FORCE REPORT.

IF YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION, IT IS AN INDICATOR THAT THIS IS REALLY HARD.

THERE HAS TO BE DISCRETION SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM.

I PREFER IT BE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WHERE YOU HAVE THE FACTS AND CONTEXT MOST IMPORTANTLY AND NOT STATEWIDE POLICIES WHICH ARE SOME SEPARATE BODY THAT COMES IN OUTSIDE OF THE LATTER PART PROSECUTOR AND MAKE THESE DECISIONS.

FIRST OF ALL, NOBODY'S POSSIBLY MARIJUANA, IT IS NOT JUST RYAN MEARS.

THERE IS A LAUNDRY LIST OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT BEING PROSECUTED THAT A SIMPLE MISDEMEANORS .

MY COUNTY HAD OVERBILLED THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO TO ANALYZE ALL THE MISDEMEANORS THAT ARE NOT BEEN CHARGED IN YEARS AND KNOCK THEM ALL DOWN TO CIVIL INFRACTIONS.

IT REQUIRES BALANCE, YOU WOULD OVERLOAD THE SYSTEM AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS WITH THE PERSON SITTING IN THE HOUSE .

>> Brandon: AND LISTEN TO THIS TASK FORCE MOTHER WAS ONE THING THEY DID SEEM TO AGREE ON.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IF ANYTHING THEY CAN RECOMMEND.

THEY ALL SEEM TO AGREE THAT THEY DO NOT WANT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TAKING OVER PROSECUTION FROM LOCAL PROSECUTORS .

>> Jon: THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO FORMAL RECOMMENDATIONS, THERE WERE TAKEAWAYS AND THAT IS THE BIG TAKE AWAY.

BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS ON THE TABLE THEORETICALLY , IF THERE IS A CONCLUSION THAT THE PROSECUTOR IS IN SOME WHOLESALE FASHION NOT PROSECUTING A TYPE OF CRIME , THAT MAY BE A TRIGGER , BUT WHAT IS THE ANSWER OF THE RESOLUTION?

>> Ann: IT IS THE ELECTION, THAT IS THE ANSWER .

>> Jon: ONE WILL BE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL STEPS IN AND THE OTHER IS THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR AND THERE IS ALREADY AN EXISTING STATUTE FOR THAT.

YOU ARE RIGHT, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY GREAT ENTHUSIASM FOR DOING ANYTHING AT THIS POINT OTHER THAN THERE IS MUCH MORE ENTHUSIASM NOT TO DO AT THIS POINT.

THAT IS IMPORTANT AND TELLING .

>> Brandon: TO THE END, THEY pTALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE OPTIONS.

THEY SAID WHAT ABOUT PROSECUTORS?

THERE IS ALREADY A SYSTEM IN PLACE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

MAYBE YOU COULD APPEAL TO THE SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION.

>> PROSECUTOR FROM AN ADJOINING COUNTY TOOK OVER?

TO MIKE'S POINT, IS IT EMPHASIZING THAT THIS IS REALLY HARD TO GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE?

>> Niki: ABSOLUTELY.

THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR THREE OR FOUR YEARS NOW AND I CAN COUNT ON ONE HAND THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY CARE ABOUT IT.

IT IS FIVE OR SIX PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY ENTRENCHED ON IT AND THE REST OF THE PEOPLE DON'T CARE.

IF THERE'S ANY LESSON WE CAN ALL LEARN, IF THE PROSECUTOR DOES NOT WANT TO PROSECUTE SOMETHING , DON'T TALK ABOUT IT .

IF RYAN MEARS WOULD NOT TALK ABOUT IT , THEN YOU CANNOT PROVE THAT HE IS ALSO NOT PROSECUTING .

>> Brandon: RIGHT, THEY ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT INDIVIDUAL PROSECUTOR'S, ONLY IN THE CASES OF BLANKET REFUSALS FOR CERTAIN LAWS WHICH GOES ON ANYWHERE , WE JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT .

>> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT COULD GO BACK TO BITE YOU.

YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT OF REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS SAY HATE CRIMES, WE ARE SO SENSITIVE, ALL THE SNOWFLAKES ARE CONCERNED .

I BROUGHT UP IN THE COMMITTEE MEETING THAT THERE WERE SHERIFF THAT REFUSED TO ARREST ON GUNSHOTS.

IT SEEMS THAT ABORTION AND MARIJUANA MIGHT FIT NICELY INTO ONE COMPARTMENT, BUT THE OTHERS HAD TO BE DEALT WITH TOO .

>> WITH THE 2022 ELECTION LARGELY IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR , WE SPENT AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS - - ONE PERSON IS IN RUNNING THAT RACE FOR A WHILE.

REPUBLICAN ERIC DODEN.

THIS WEEK, HE TRIED TO GET AHEAD OF THE PACK A BIT MORE.

>> DODEN LAUNCHES GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN MORE THAN A YEAR AGO IN MAY, 2021.

SINCE THEN HE HAS RAISED MORE THAN $2 MILLION.

>> ARE LOOKING SOMETHING CAN'T BE DONE, BECAUSE I GET TO WORK PROVING THAT IT CAN BE DONE.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES AND DELIVERING REAL RESULTS .

>> THERE ARE MORE THAN 530 DAYS UNTIL INDIANA'S 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION .

>> Brandon: NIKI KELLY, TO BE QUITE FRANK, WE TALKED ABOUT MIKE NIKI KELLY AND OTHER FOLKS, SUZANNE CROUCHES ABSOLUTELY HIGH ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE .

WHEN YOU MENTION ERIC DODEN, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY OH YEAH, THAT GUY.

HOW SERIOUS SHOULD WE TAKE ERIC DODEN'S CANDIDACY?

>> Niki: NO ONE KNOWS HIM.

THAT IS WHAT HE IS FIGHTING, THESE HEADWINDS OF MUCH LARGER NAMES .

I DON'T BLAME HIM, HE IS SITTING AT $2.5 MILLION AND ABOUT PEOPLE ARE ABOUT TO JUMP INTO THE RACE.

HE IS TRYING TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT HE IS IN IT AND HE WILL BE A FORCE.

IT IS ONE THING TO RAISE MONEY BEFORE THESE OTHER PEOPLE ARE IN THE RACE, BUT I THINK THAT MY TRYOUT WENT TO GET A COUPLE OF BIG NAMES .

>> Brandon: AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU ARE GENERATING ATTENTION BECAUSE YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE RUNNING IT, EVEN IF IT IS FAR AHEAD OF TIME , MAYBE IT DRIES UP A LITTLE LATE LESS .

>> TO MAKE SENSE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU NOT HAVE THE NAME STATEWIDE THAT SOME OF THE OTHER POTENTIAL CANDIDATES DO.

I GET THAT SHE WOULD BOOST THOSE SIGNIFICANTLY.

NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT, THIS IS NOT FIVE RELIC ATTRIBUTIONS FROM JOE AND JOANNE HOOSIER.

THIS IS PARENTS, BUSINESS ASSOCIATES, 10,000 YEARS, ETC.

MONEY IS MONEY.

THE OTHER THING THOUGH, THERE ARE THOSE DIEHARD TRADITIONALISTS WHO THINK IT IS BAD FORM FOR A GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE TO BE ACTIVE BEFORE THE INTERVENING SETS OF STATEWIDE ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE OR THE DECKS HAVE BEEN CLEARED SO TO SPEAK.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS A REAL ISSUE IN THIS DAY AND AGE .

>> Brandon: I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS.

MAYBE SOME TRADITIONAL SAY THAT IS NOT THE WAY YOU DO THINGS, BUT FOR THE AVERAGE VOTER, THE AVERAGE HOOSIER, YOU JUST GOT DONE SEEING ALL OF THESE ELECTION ADS AND NOW YOU SEE ANOTHER ONE.

DOES THAT ACTUALLY RUN THE RISK OF TURNING PEOPLE OFF>> Mike: NO, WE HAVE DONE AN ENDLESS CYCLE FOR TWO DECADES.

WE ARE NOT IN AN OFF-SEASON ENVIRONMENT ANYMORE, AND WE WOULD NEVER WILL BE, I HAVE BAD NEWS FOR EVERYBODY.

BUT THE FORM IN THE PROTOCOL, GET ALL THAT.

IF YOU WOULD'VE ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER, THAT WAS REACTION WHEN TROUBLES GOING TO ANNOUNCE IN OCTOBER.

THERE WAS EVEN A REACTION WHEN HE WAS GOING TO ANNOUNCE ON TUESDAY LIKE PLEASE DON'T HE DID ANNOUNCE TWO WEEKS AND TRY TO STEAL PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE BALLOT, HE DID IT IN MAY 2021 .

THAT IS WHAT YOU DO, RIGHT?

MIKE DODEN CAN TURN ON A GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN TOMORROW AND YOU DON'T THE WORRY ABOUT THE MONEY SIDE, RIGHT?

>> Brandon: SUZANNE CROUCH HAS A LITTLE BIT OF THAT .

>> Mike: SHE ALSO HAS A HISTORY OF BEING - - >> Ann: WE HAD NOMINATED A WOMAN FOR GOVERNORSHE DID NOT WIN, BUT WE DID NOMINATE HER .

>> Brandon: JOHN RAISED THE IDEA THAT IF YOU GET OUT THERE EARLY , YOU CAN GET THOSE PEOPLE THE MATTER GIVEN MONEY TO GIVE TO SOMEBODY ELSE TO GIVE TO YOU.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE IS LIKELY.

ANYONE OUT OF THIS SPACE.

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT RUNNING, WHAT ERIC DODEN IS DOING NOW WILL NOT CHANGE YOUR MIND .

>> Ann: THAT IS ONLY SHOT WANT TO GET OUT THERE AND PROVE TO PEOPLE THAT HE IS A SERIOUS CANDIDATE.

ONCE THE BIG NAMES GET INTO MY NOBODY WILL THINK OF HIM.

YOU HAVE TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR GETTING OUT THERE AND TRYING .

>> Brandon: FOUR OF THE EIGHT INDIANA'S POLITICS THAT ASKED VOTERS TO IMPROVE INCREASE TAXES TO GET FUNDING FAILED FYI ERIC WELL HAS MORE .

>> IN SCHOOLS ACROSS INDIANA ASKED VOTERS TO IMPROVE APPROVE A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE OR CONTINUE THE CURRENT LEVY BUT THREE WERE REJECTED BY RULES AND VOTERS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

SCHOOL LEADERS SAID REVENUE WOULD'VE BEEN USED TO FIND A TEACHER PAY AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS.

SOME STAFF COULD FACE LAYOFFS pIN THE FUTURE.

ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT , THE MSD OF WABASH COUNTY, SOUGHT A CAPITAL REFERENDUM TO PAY FOR A NEW HIGH SCHOOL AND OTHER FACILITY RENOVATIONS.

ALMOST 80% OF VOTERS SAID NO.

>> Brandon: WE TALKED A FEW WEEKS AGO ABOUT THINGS IN YOUR LAWMAKERS HAD DONE TO MAKE THESE REFERENDUMS MORE DIFFICULT.

WITH THESE SORTS OF RESULTS, JUST A 50% BATTING AVERAGE, ARE THOSE EFFORTS AT THE STATEHOUSE COULD DIE DOWN FOR A WHILE OR DOES NOT MAKE AN IMPACT?

>> THAT SUGGEST THERE WAS A CLEAR-CUT OPINION OF THIS IS A GOOD OR BAD THING BUT THERE ARE PROBABLY TWO SIDES THAT OPINION.

CLEARLY THE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION ALREADY SAID THEY WILL PUSH TO CHANGE THE WAY THE FITTINGS ARE ADVERTISED AND SOLD SO THAT IS BASED ON THE ACTUAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD IN THE COUNTY .

THIS WAS HARD TO DECIPHER IT.

YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT SAYS AT ONE CASE IT'S 45%, , TAXES GOING UP 145%?

IN WASHINGTON HE SAW SITUATION WHERE YOU WOULD BE PAYING LESS BECAUSE THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN THE LEVY FROM WHAT IT WAS OF $0.65 TO 63 , BUT YOU DON'T SEE THAT WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

I THINK THERE WILL BE SOME SORT OF ENTHUSIASM , BUT REMEMBER , THE SAME PEOPLE WHO PUT THESE HURDLES IN PLACE PROBABLY DO NOT WANT TO SEE TAXPAYERS COUGHING UP THE MONEY TO BEGIN WITH.

IT IS NOT A MONOLITHIC OPINION AMONGST LAWMAKERS .

>> Brandon: MIKE, YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

THESE REFERENDUMS ARE HARD TO DO IN TERMS OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON WHAT IS NECESSARY AND GETTING PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR THAT.

CONSIDERING THE AND THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT THAT IS VOTERS WOULD ON THESE THINGS, CAN YOU REALLY READ THAT MUCH TO THESE RESULTS?

>> Mike: AGAIN, THEIR HYPER LOCAL IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL PROJECTS HAVE A CLEAR NEED IN THE VOTERS TEND TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FIRST OR SECOND TRY.

THAT IS NOT TO SAY THE OTHER SCHOOLS ARE NOT GOOD CAMPAIGNS , BUT YOUREALLY ARE RUNNING LOCAL CAMPAIGNS AROUND THE TAX INCREASE.

I FIGURE WHICH LATER LEAVE THIS ALONE THIS YEAR.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHANGE AND WHAT IS HANGING IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS MARCH PROPERTY TAX BILLS COMING OUT WITH ASSESSMENTS THAT ARE REFLECTIVE OF AN ENORMOUS GROWTH IN HOMEOWNERS ASSESSMENTS AND PROPERTY VALUES THOSE WILL AFFECT THE TAX RATES .

>> Brandon: WE HAVE SEEN NOW THEY'RE PUTTING A BUNCH OF CHANGES OVER THE LAST TWO CYCLE AND HAVE SEEN THESE RESULTS.

LAWMAKERS SAY LET'S SEE HOW THIS SHAPES OUT FOR THE NEXT COUPLE CYCLES OR A LEAST ONE?

>> Ann: THAT WOULD BE A SENSIBLE APPROACH TO TAKE.

WILL THEY TAKE THAT APPROACH?

I HOPE SO.

THAT MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT AND AT THE SAME TIME HAVE NOT FUNDED THEM ADEQUATELY.

THESE ARE LOCAL DECISIONS AS MIKE POINTS OUT.

THE LOCALS WANTS TO DO IT, IT SEEMS THE LEGISLATOR OUGHT TO pBACK OFF AND LET THEM DO IT .

>> Brandon: FINALLY, SAD NEWS THIS WEEK.

INDIANA LAW AND ICON WHILE INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW LOST A FRIEND.

FORMER STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR AND FORMER GOP PANELIST REX EARLY PASSED AWAY.

REX WAS A COLORFUL CHARACTER, THE MOST FAMOUS OF WHICH WAS "IT'S A MIGHTY THIN PANCAKE THAT WILL HAVE TWO SIDES."

ANN DE LANEY, WAS YOUR FAVORITE REX MEMORY THAT YOU CAN SHARE ON BROADCAST?

BETTER QUESTION, IS THERE A REX EARLY MEMBER YOU CAN SHARE ON BROADCAST TELEVISION?

[LAUGHTER].

>> Ann: I THOUGHT OF ONE.

WE HAD A NO PROPER RULE AND WHEN REX WAS STATE CHAIRMAN - - CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAMES.

THERE IS NO PROPER RULE SO HE WROTE THE NAMES ON HIS HAND.

THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE LIGHTS WERE VERY HARD OR HOT .

IT STARTED TO RUN.

SO THE INK CAME DOWN THE HAND.

I THINK YOU GET THE FIRST TWO NAMES OUT AND NO MORE THAN THAT .

YOU ARE RIGHT, HE WAS AN ICON AND ONE-OF-A-KIND.

HE LOVED LIFE, LOVE POLITICS, HE LOVED HIS FRIENDS.

HE REMEMBERED HIS ENEMIES AND HE WILL BE MISSED.

>> Jon: HE WAS ONE-OF-A-KIND.

I DO REMEMBER THAT HE AND USED TO SPAR .

- - I GET ANEURYSMS.

[LAUGHTER].

AS FAR AS I KNOW, THAT WAS UNSCRIPTED.

A LOT OF THE STUFF FOR THE NUGGETS PULLED OUT OF THE MEMORY TEST, THAT MIGHT'VE BEEN SPONTANEOUS.

I LOOKED AT THE FUNERAL AND LOOK OVER AND HIS ALLIES , BUT ALSO THOSE FORMER OPPONENTS .

PEOPLE ACTIVELY AND LITERALLY RUN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BALLOT FROM HIM BUT APPRECIATED HOW GENUINE HE WASAS A REPORTER, I ALWAYS SAID THAT MY TARGET WAS HYPOCRISY .

BUT WHEN YOU ARE WHAT YOU SAY YOU ARE, YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH A LOT .

HE WAS ONE-OF-A-KIND AND WILL BE MISSED .

>> Brandon: THAT IS INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THIS WEEK.

OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT ANN DE LANEY, 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 VIDEO APP.

I'M BRANDON SMITH OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

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

[MUSIC].