♪♪ >> A JUDGE DEALS TODD ROKITA A LOSS IN THE EMERGENCY POWERS LAWSUIT.

HOOSIERS RALLY FOR FEDERAL ELECTION REFORM.

PLUS, DEMOCRATS' AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TOUR AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 9TH, 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, A COUNTY JUDGE RULED THAT GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB'S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVER EMERGENCY POWER LEGISLATION CAN MOVE FORWARD - DESPITE ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA'S BEST EFFORTS TO BLOCK IT.

THE CASE STEMS FROM A NEW LAW THIS YEAR THAT ALLOWS LEGISLATORS TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SPECIAL SESSION DURING A PUBLIC EMERGENCY.

HOLCOMB'S LAWSUIT CONTENDS THAT POWER BELONGS, VIA THE INDIANA CONSTITUTION, SOLELY TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL ROKITA WANTED TO STOP THE CASE FROM MOVING FORWARD.

HE ARGUES THE GOVERNOR CAN ONLY BRING A LAWSUIT, USING OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS, IF THE AG GIVES THE OKAY WHICH HE DID NOT, SINCE HE AGREES WITH LAWMAKERS ON THE ISSUE.

MARION COUNTY JUDGE P.J.

DIETRICK SAYS ROKITA "“OVERSTATES"” HIS AUTHORITY.

HE WRITES THAT HOLCOMB HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO DEFEND HIS OFFICE IN A SEPARATION OF POWERS CASE.

AND HE SAYS THAT ROKITA'S ARGUMENT WOULD ELEVATE THE AG'S AUTHORITY OVER THE GOVERNOR'S, WHICH HE CALLS "“AN ABSURD RESULT.

"” ROKITA IS APPEALING THE RULING.

>> WILL HOOSIERS GET FRUSTRATED AT ROKITA FOR DRAGGING THE CASE OUT?

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, THERE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY HOOSIER REPUBLICANS WHO SIDE WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ROKITA ON THIS FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE.

BUT WILL THIS IS THE FIRST STAGE BEFORE WE GET TO THAT.

WILL ROKITA DRAGGING OUT THE INITIAL PHASE OF THIS LAWSUIT START TO RANKLE THE PEOPLE HE WANTS SUPPORTING HIM?

>> I THINK THE PEOPLE HE WANTS SUPPORTING THEM ARE SUPPORTING HIM.

NOT JUST IN THIS CASE, THE BILL OF RIGHTS -- HE'S PICKING BASE FRIENDLY, REPUBLICAN BASE FRIENDLY ISSUES TO CHAMPIONSHIP AND TO ADVOCATE FOR.

SO I DON'T THINK -- IF -- THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY SUPPORT THE LEGISLATURE ON THIS, MASKS, AND THIS PERCEPTION THAT THE GOVERNOR OVERSTEPPED, OR LOCKED DOWN TO LONG.

THINK COVID IS FAKE, IF YOU'RE IN THAT CAMP, YOU THINK THIS IS JUST AN ACTIVIST JUDGE WHO MAYBE OVERSTEPPED HIS POWER.

I THINK PERSONALLY THIS IS WHERE I STARTED, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN WEEKS AGO, I'M WHERE I WAS THEN.

IF BETWEEN THE THREE CONSTITUTIONAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, THIS ELECTED KIND OF BUREAUCRAT OFFICE, IF THAT'S THE MOST POWERFUL ONE IN THE STATE THAT SHOULD HORRIFY CONSERVATIVES.

IF WE'RE GOING TO CLARIFY ANY LAW, THIS IS A WIN FOR A SMALL GOVERNMENT, I THINK, AND CONSTITUTIONAL PURISM.

>> ROKITA CONTINUES TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT THIS RULING, THIS INITIAL PHASE RULING THAT SAYS THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN SUE THE LEGISLATURE WITHOUT THE AG'S CONSENT GIVES THE GOVERNOR TOO MUCH POWER.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S TRUE?

>> I THINK ROKITA IS A FOOL.

THIS IS NOT THE ONLY EXAMPLE THE KIND OF ABSURD AS THE JUDGE SAID, LITIGATION THAT HE PURSUES, HE'S BEEN TILTING AT WINDMILLS AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE LEFT AND RIEPT SINCE ELECTED TO OFFICE.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HIM APPEALING TO THE RIGHT WING ARCH CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN PARTY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE STATE AND DOING WHAT HE'S ELECTED TO DO.

FRANKLY I THINK IT'S TIME FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO TALK ABOUT MAKING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AN APPOINTED POSITION AND NOT ELECTED.

BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE OUR RESOURCES -- WE SHOULD BE DEBATING WHETHER OR NOT IT IS CONSTITUTIONAL FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO CALL ITSELF INTO SESSION, NOT WHETHER TODD ROKITA IS THE GOD OF INDIANA AND CAN PICK AND CHOOSE WHO IS ALLOWED TO GO TO COURT WITH A CONSTITUTIONAL GRIEVANCE THAT HAS TO BE DECIDED BY THE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

HIS POSITION FROM THIS AT THE BEGINNING WE'VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR WEEKS IS AS ABSURD AS THE JUDGE INDICATE AND HE SHOULD -- PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK BACK AT HIM AND SAY WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

WE THOUGHT THE PREVIOUS ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS THE WORST EXAMPLE WE COULD HAVE AS AN ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE WHO IS HAVING A MORE LASTING IMPACT ON THE STATE >> I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT FRUSTRATION OVER THE APPEALS, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL -- WHEN WE GET TO PRESUMABLY THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION HERE, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT WILL BE APPEALED, EVERYONE WANTS IT APPEALED, WE WANT THE INDIANA SUPREME COURT TO BE THE FINAL WORD ON IS THIS LAW CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT, YES OR NO, BUT THIS IS REALLY PRELIMINARY, ISN'T IT?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, TODD ROKITA HAS MADE THIS CASE ABOUT THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE INSTEAD OF THE ACTUAL QUESTION OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE LEGISLATURE CALLING THEM INTO SESSION OR NOT.

AND HE'S JUST PROLONGING US GETTING TO THAT.

I MEAN, YOU CAN MAKE AN ARGUMENT THAT SINCE THE LEGISLATURE IS HIS CLIENT, THAT HE'S DOING WHAT A LAWYER SHOULD, WHICH IS PROVIDING THE BEST DEFENSE TO YOUR CLIENTS.

>> AWE, AWE, YOU DON'T TAKE POSITIONS THAT YOU KNOW ARE WRONG.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT -- >> I THINK LAWYERS DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

>> DOES HE KNOW THAT IT'S WRONG?

>> HALF OF THEIR CLIENTS, ON ADVERSE.

>> IF HIS CLIENT IS THE LEGISLATURE.

>> HIS CLIENT IS THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> THEY WANT THE CASE OUT AND HE'S TRYING TO GET THE CASES TO -- CASES TOED OUT.

>> THE LEGISLATIVE -- REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE LEADERS IN THIS LAWSUIT SAID DURING SESSION THEY WANTED THE COURTS TO SORT THIS OUT.

>> THEY D. AND I ASKED SPEAKER HUSTON ABOUT THAT BACK WHEN THEY CAME IN THAT ONE DAY SESSION, AND I SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU SAID THIS SHOULD BE ANSWERED, ARE YOU ONBOARD WITH THE STRATEGY THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS TAKING?

HE SAID HE WAS FINE WITH IT.

>> [LAUGHTER].

>> THAT WAS AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE SMARTLY GOING I DON'T WANT ANY PART OF THAT.

>> EXACTLY.

>> A NON-LAWYER ON TOP OF IT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOMETHING SHE JUST BROUGHT OUT.

IT RAISES THIS QUESTION OF -- EVERYTHING THAT ROKITA IS ARGUING, THE POWERS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND WHAT STATE DOES NOT OR DOES PROVIDE FOR.

SUBSEQUENT RULINGS GO THAT WAY THE SAME SO FAR WHICH IS TO SAY THE GOVERNOR HAS THIS POWER, THE AG THIS, AND THE LEGISLATURE THIS, DOES THAT PUT TO REST ANY CHANGING THOSE POWERS OR HAS THIS KICKED SOMETHING UP?

>> BOY, THERE ARE THOSE WHO CERTAINLY WOULD WANT TO CHANGE THE POWERS.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO SEE CLARITY BROUGHT TO THE ISSUE.

BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THE ARGUMENT THAT TODD ROKITA HAS PUT FORWARD, I LOOK TO HISTORY FOR GUIDANCE, AND THERE WAS A FELLOW NAMED EVAN BAYH THAT ANN MAY REMEMBER, SINCE YOU RAN HIS CAMPAIGN, HE SERVED, OF COURSE, FROM JANUARY OF '89, HE HAD TWO TERMS, DURING HIS FIRST, THE TIRNL WAS A REPUBLICAN NAMED PEARSON, ALSO KNOWN AS THE GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE WHO TRIED TO UNSEAT EVAN BAYH WHEN EVAN BAYH WAS SEEKING A SECOND TERM.

IF YOU USE THE ROKITA ARGUMENT, YOU COULD SAY THAT THE PERSON WHO WAS TRYING TO UNSEAT THE REPUBLICAN TRIED TO UNSEAT THE INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT EVAN BAYH COULD HAVE CARTE BLANCHE TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTED TO DO IN TERMS OF SERVING -- FOILING AND FRUSTRATING THE INCUMBENT, OR MAKING A BIG DEAL ABOUT THESE THINGS.

AND IN FACT AS SOME HAVE ARGUED AND THE JUDGE IN THIS CASE POINTED OUT, IF THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE GOVERNOR, I'M SURPRISED THAT LEMLY PEARSON WAS NOT WANTING TO STAY ANOTHER TERM IN THAT OFFICE AND INSTEAD TAKE THIS STEP DOWN TO THE GOVERNOR OFFICE.

IN TERMS OF THE PEOPLE STAYING ONBOARD WITH THIS, I THINK THE PARTY LOVES IT, THE PART THAT ROKITA'S APPEALING TO, THIS WEEK HE WAS UP IN WINONA LAKE, THEY HAD TO MOVE FROM THE LOCATION, SOMETHING TEN TIMES BIGGER TO ACCOMMODATE THE CROWD AND HE WOWED THEM TALKING ABOUT THE APPARENT BILL OF RIGHTS.

I GUESS THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION, ARE PEOPLE GETTING FRUSTRATED WHEN HE GOES OFF THE TEMPLATE OF HIS OFFICE, I WOULD SAY NO.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS BEFORE I MOVE ON.

MUCH WAS MADE OF THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE WHEN IT WAS ERIC HOLCOMB AND CURTIS HILL EVEN BEFORE CURTIS HILL'S SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.

IS IT WORSE RIGHT NOW?

>> OH, YEAH.

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS.

THE UNFORTUNATE THING IN THIS, I WISH WE COULD DIAL, KNOWING WHERE WE ARE, ESPECIALLY IN SMALLER CIRCLES, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MORE COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATION.

I DO NOT THINK IT WAS UNFAIR AT ALL FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO LOOK AT THESE EMERGENCY POWERS AND SAY WE NEVER MEANT THIS, WE NEVER MEANT FOR THEM TO BE IN EFFECT FOR 16, 18 MONTHS, THIS IS FOR TORNADOES AND FLOODS AND FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, THAT'S WHAT WE THOUGHT 15 YEARS AGO.

THEY NEED TO BE REVISITED AND EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PART OF THAT DISCUSSION TO REFRAME THAT.

IT'S BEEN COMBATIVE FROM THE START, IT DIDN'T NEED TO BE.

>> HOOSIER CITIZEN ADVOCACY GROUPS WANT INDIANA U-S SENATORS TODD YOUNG AND MIKE BRAUN TO VOTE FOR THE FEDERAL VOTING REFORM BILL KNOWN AS THE "“FOR THE PEOPLE ACT.

"” AND THEY RALLIED OUTSIDE YOUNG AND BRAUN'S INDIANAPOLIS OFFICES THIS WEEK IN A BID TO GET ATTENTION FOR THEIR CAUSE.

>> SENATE BILL 1 WOULD NATIONALIZE MANY ELECTION STANDARDS.

IT WOULD, FOR INSTANCE, ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS FOR ALL STATES, IMPOSE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION NATIONWIDE AND SET ELECTION DAY AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

COMMON CAUSE INDIANA'S JULIA VAUGHN, WHO ORGANIZED THE RALLY, SAYS SHE'S SAD TO SEE THE LEGISLATION BECOME A DEMOCRATS VERSUS REPUBLICANS ISSUE.

>> JULIA VAUGHN: VOTING RIGHTS, IMPROVING ETHICS, REDUCING THE INFLUENCE OF BIG MONEY ON POLITICS - THOSE SHOULD NEVER BE PARTISAN ISSUES) IT WASN'T JUST VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCACY GROUPS AT THE RALLY.

SO TOO WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SIERRA CLUB, INCLUDING ITS HOOSIER CHAPTER DIRECTOR, AMANDA SHEPHERD.

>> AMANDA SHEPHERD: ALL TOO OFTEN, THE VOICE OF US, THE PEOPLE, ARE CURTAILED BY VOTER SUPPRESSION, BIG MONEY IN POLITICS, CORRUPTION AND GERRYMANDERED DISTRICTS.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE USED THE FILIBUSTER TO HALT THE BILL, DECRYING IT AS A FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF ELECTIONS.

>> ANN DELANEY, IS IT REALISTIC TO EXPECT THE U.S. SENATE TO PASS ANY SIGNIFICANT ELECTION REFORM MEASURE?

>> GIVEN THE APPEARANCE OF THE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC APPEARANCE OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE, PROBABLY NOT.

AND THAT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PLAYBOOK NOW IS WE CAN'T WIN A FAIR ELECTION WHEN EVERYBODY HAS A FAIR CHANCE TO VOTE.

SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS RESTRICT THE VOTING POOL AS MUCH AS WE CAN GET AWAY WITH TO TRY TO CONTROL THE AGENDA, OR CONTROL THE NUMBER OF VOTES SO THAT WE CAN WIN.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON IN STATES LIKE TEXAS, AND GEORGIA.

THEY'RE TRYING TO DO THINGS LIKE PREVENT PEOPLE FROM HANDING OUT WATER WHEN YOU'RE WAITING IN LINE FOR HOURS MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO VTE.

OUR VOTING TURNOUT AS A COUNTRY, AND PARTICULARLY IN INDIANA, IS ABYSMAL.

AND IT WOULD BE GOOD IF SOMEBODY LIKE TODD YOUNG AND OR MIKE BRAUN WOULD STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY AND SAY THAT WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE, WE WANT -- IT'S A SERVICE, WE WANT TO PROVIDE SO THAT YOU COULD EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS IN A SENSIBLE AND SAFE WAY, BUT THEY WON'T DO IT.

AND THEY WON'T BECAUSE OF PARTISANSHIP, BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL APPEALING TO THOSE CRAZY PEOPLE IN THEIR PARTY WHO THINK THAT THEY ACTUALLY WON THE ELECTION AND IT WAS STOLEN FROM DONALD TRUMP.

>> WHY IS THIS BILL IN THE SENATE NOT A GOOD THING FOR THE COUNTRY?

>> I THINK THERE ARE ELEMENTS THAT ARE.

I THINK THERE IS A GENERAL CONCERN ABOUT NATIONALIZING ELECTION LAW.

PEOPLE SAY IT IS STILL GOING TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE SAME PEOPLE, BUT THEY'RE BEING HANDED A FEDERAL RULE BOOK THAT IS GOING TO BE THIS THICK BY THE TIME YOU'RE DONE WITH IT.

WE HAVE POOR VOTER TURNOUT IN INDIANA, ALL THE FACTS BEAR THAT OUT IN PART BECAUSE DEMOCRATS DON'T RUN FOR OFFICE IN PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> GERRYMANDERING.

>> WE CANCELLED ELECTIONS YEAR AFTER YEAR.

I GUESS WE GERRYMANDERED THE COUNTY BORDERS.

>> I THINK YOU DID.

I ACTUALLY THINK YOU DID.

>> THAT'S PRETTY GOOD THERE.

>> THAT IS FORESIGHT.

>> THAT'S WHAT OUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> I THINK THAT IS THE OVERARCHING -- I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE DEMOCRATS COME FROM WHO ARE ELECTED FROM URBAN CORE CENTERS, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRAW A MAP IN HENDRICKS COUNTY THAT ELECTS A DEMOCRAT.

THE PEOPLE ARE CHANGING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, PROGRESSIVE INFLUENCE IN HAMILTON COUNTY, BLUE COLLAR LOWER MIDDLE CLASS IN HENDRICKS -- EASTERN.

THE PLACES ARE CHANGING, IF YOU WANT TO CREATE A COMPETITIVE, 55/45 COMPETITIVE HOUSE, YOU GOT TO GERRYMANDER THE HELL OUT OF THESE SEATS BECAUSE YOU GOT TO GO IN TO POCKETS OF URBAN CENTERS AND PULL THEM OUT OF THE SUBURBANS.

>> THAT IS -- FIRST OF ALL, YOU DO THAT ALREADY, AND SECONDLY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE -- [CROSS TALKING].

>> NO LAWSUITS.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE -- YOU CAN'T HAVE THEM.

>> HUNDREDS OF THEM.

>> THIS MEASURE ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE FILIBUSTER, THIS OPENS THE DOOR TO OTHER THINGS, JOE MANCHIN, WEST VIRGINIA TALKED ABOUT HIS GRAND COMPROMISE, THINGS THAT REPUBLICANS LIKE INCLUDING A NATIONAL ID, SOMETHING DEMOCRATS WOULDN'T LIKE, THAT THEORETICALLY COULD -- >> THAT HASN'T SEEMED TO GAIN MUCH TRACTION.

>> THE OTHER IS THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT IN THE HOUSE WHICH HAS -- IT WOULDN'T DO ALL OF THESE THINGS BUT IT WOULD DO SOME THINGS, AND IT WOULD RESTORE ELECTION OVERSIGHT TO SOUTHERN STATES FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH WAS GUTTED, I THINK AT 20-13 US SUPREME COURT DECISION, THAT HAS -- LISA MURKOWSKI FROM ALASKA, AND MANCHIN'S BACKING.

SO THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN, AGAIN, NOT AS DRAMATIC AS THIS WHICH HAS OF COURSE PUBLIC FINANCING, BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT THE FRUSTRATION, I THINK, OVER THE INABILITY TO MOVE THIS COULD ACTUALLY GIVE RISE TO SOME OF THESE OTHER ISSUES.

>> TO THEM, GIVEN THE RHETORIC AROUND ANY ELECTION REFORM ON BOTH SIDES BECAUSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING STATE LEVELS AND FEDERAL LEVEL COMING OUT OF THE 2020 ELECTIONS, IS ANY MEANINGFUL ELECTION REFORM BILL QUITE SIMPLY DEAD IN CONGRESS?

>> THAT'S JUST THE WAY THAT THE SIDES ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND SO -- I WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO STEP BACK A LITTLE, AND SAY, YOU KNOW, OVERALL, LIKE REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN CONTROL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WHO IS IN CONTROL AT STATE LEVEL, WOULD YOU RATHER ELECTION LAWS BE GOVERNED BY LOCAL STATE OR NATIONAL CONGRESS?

I THINK GENERALLY PEOPLE WANT THEM CONTROLLED BY THEIR MORE LOCAL.

>> SECURITY ISSUES WITH A NATIONALLY RUN RULES ON HOW WE RUN ELECTIONS.

>> NEVER HAS SYSTEMIC -- >> I SAID THERE IS MORE RISK OF IT.

I AGREE WITH YOU.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE IT ALL DONE THAT WAY.

IF WE HAD COMMISSIONS TO DRAW THESE DISTRICTS IN A FAIR METHOD FOR STATE OFFICES AS WELL AS FEDERAL, THAT'S NOT BAD, THAT'S NOT FEDERAL CONTROL.

>> A LOT OF THE SAME DEMOCRATS IN THAT ROOM.

>> IF YOU'RE FROM INDIANA, DREW THE MAPS IN 2000.

>> USED THE SAME ARGUMENT.

>> WHEN THE SPLIT WAS 52-48.

>> AND THE VOTE WAS 65-35.

WE MADE THE SAME ARGUMENTS AFTER YOU DREW THE MAPS.

>> I WAS FOR COMMISSION -- WELL BEFORE THAT.

>> NOT THIS YEAR.

>> NOT THAT OLD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TIME NOW FOR VIEWER FEEDBACK.

EACH WEEK WE POSE AN UNSCIENTIFIC, ONLINE POLL QUESTION IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR ICEMILLER E-MAIL AND TEXT ALERTS.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: WILL THE U.S. SENATE APPROVE A SIGNIFICANT ELECTION REFORM BILL?

A YES, OR B, NO.

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: WILL THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURN LEGALIZED ABORTION?

JUST 22% OF YOU SAY YES, 78% SAY NO.

I AM NOT ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THAT CONFIDENT.

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

THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY SPENT THE LAST MONTH "“ON OFFENSE,"” TOURING THE STATE TO PROMOTE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE, THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

THE EVENTS SIGNAL A SHIFT IN STRATEGY FROM A PARTY STRUGGLING TO GAIN STATEWIDE RELEVANCE.

>> DEMOCRATS HELD MORE THAN TWO DOZEN EVENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

SOME WERE IN TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLDS, WHILE OTHERS WERE IN RURAL INDIANA, WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE DOMINATED.

INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR MIKE SCHMUHL SAYS THAT WAS INTENTIONAL.

MIKE SCHMUHL: WE WERE ABLE TO ORGANIZE WITH COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE, COUNTIES THAT WANTED TO KIND OF GET OUT, KNOCK THE RUST OFF AND START TO ORGANIZE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND REACH OUT TO VOLUNTEERS AND STRONG DEMOCRATS.

>> SCHMUHL SAYS THE MESSAGE HE HEARD MOST OFTEN: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HELP REBUILD THE PARTY?

>> MIKE SCHMUHL: WHAT RESOURCES, WHAT TOOLS, WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE, WHAT VISION, WHAT MESSAGE - YOU >> DEMOCRATS ARE ALSO STARTING ANOTHER STATEWIDE TOUR, THIS TIME FOCUSED ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

NIKI KELLY, DOES THIS FEEL LIKE A MORE ENERGETIC STRATEGY FROM THE STATE PARTY?

>> ABSOLUTELY, GOOD COVERAGE IN RECENT WEEKS.

GOD KNOWS MY INBOX IS FULL OF RELEASES FROM THEM.

NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF MAYBE A BACK-TO-BACK TOUR WITH NO BREATHER IN BETWEEN IS THE BEST IDEA.

BUT WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PLACES THAT AREN'T DEMOCRATIC.

NOT THAT THERE IS A LONG LIST, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT THEY'RE GETTING OUT TO PLACES WHERE THERE HASN'T BEEN A DEMOCRATIC PRESENCE IN QUITE SOME TIME.

>> THE TRIP WOULD BE A VERY SHORT TRIP, YOU COULD WALK IT, I THINK.

IT'S IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IT SENDS A SIGNAL THAT THIS IS A COMPETITIVE STATE.

IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO THAT THERE WERE LARGE PORTIONS OF INDIANA EVEN SOUTH OF US-40 THE DIVIDING LINE, WHERE YOU DID FIND DEMOCRATS, MAYBE THEY WERE MORE OF THE BLUE DOG DEMOCRAT.

THEY WEREN'T NECESSARILY THE SAME TYPE OF DEMOCRATIC.

BUT I THINK THAT THE HOPE IS THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE ALLEGIANCES CAN BE TAPPED ONCE AGAIN, AND PUT BACK IN PLAY.

AND I GUESS YOU GAIN NOTHING FROM SENDING BACK AND SEATING LARGE SWATCHES OF THE STATE, SO AT LEAST THIS WAY YOU'RE SIGNALING THAT YOU'RE COMPETITIVE AND YOU WANT THEIR VOTES.

>> FROM A PARTY PERSPECTIVE, IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, HOW DO YOU MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> THE ONLY MEASURE FOR SUCCESS IS WHETHER -- YOU ELECT MORE DEMOCRATS.

>> IN THE PREVIOUS SEGMENT, THERE ARE A LOT OF PARTS OF THE STATE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN COMPETITIVE, DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T RUN IN THOSE PLACES, IF YOU ZOOM OUT, THE ONE THING I TRY TO KEEP IN MIND, WE HAVE SEEN WILD SHIFT NS PARTY IDENTIFICATION FROM PEOPLE, SOUTHERN INDIANA DEMOCRATS, FOR EXAMPLE, RIGHT, THE PROLIFE, PRO GUN, NEVER GOING BACK.

STEEL WORKERS, BLUE COLLAR LABORERS, PRO TRUMP.

WE'RE SEEING HUGE GROUPS OF PEOPLES CHANGE THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION, AS THE COUNTRY CHANGES, THE COUNTRY IS MORE POLARIZED.

YOU HAVE VERY LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, LOOK AT THE INDIANAPOLIS CITY COUNTY COUNCIL, CRIME IN THE STREETS, CLIMATE CHANGE, RIGHT, THIS MONTH.

AND THERE ARE LARGE PARTS OF THE STATE THAT ARE JUST -- DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY'RE MAYBE REPRESENTED, AND THE EXTREMES BOTH SIDES.

IF YOU'RE AN INDIANA DEMOCRAT, THIS IS A STRATEGY THAT PETE BUTTIGIEG USED IN IOWA, HE DIDN'T GO TO DES MOINES, HE WENT TO LITTLE RURAL AREAS AND HIT ALL THESE LITTLE SHOPS AND COUNTY SEATS, AND BUILT A GREAT CAMPAIGN OFF OF THAT.

SO HE'S USING THE SAME STRATEGY HERE.

I WAS ENCOURAGED, WE CAN'T -- JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN IN POWER 16 YEARS, I'M A FEW MIDDLE AGE REPUBLICANS, BACK WHEN DEMOCRATS CONTROLLED EVERYTHING, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, YOU'RE KIND OF OUT OF BUSINESS AS A PARTY.

IT IS HARD TO GET IT BACK WHEN YOU DO.

SO I HOPE REPUBLICANS ARE MINDFUL OF THIS AND DON'T JUST SLEEP ON THIS.

THIS STRATEGY AND THIS ENGAGEMENT BECAUSE -- >> SINCE MIKE -- TOOK OVER, WHAT HE NEEDS TO REBUILD THE PARTY, IS THIS A POSITIVE SIGN THAT AT LEAST RIGHT NOW WE'RE SEEING ACTION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND TO MIKE'S POINT, IT IS NOT JUST THAT THE AREAS -- THE RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE DON'T ELECT DEMOCRATS, AND PART OF THE NATIONAL PARTY, THEY'RE NOT PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THERE IS NOTHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE FOR THESE RURAL AREAS, NOTHING.

WE INCREMENTALLY INCREASED BROADBAND, WE INCREMENTALLY DO LITTLE TINY THINGS FOR THEM.

SOME OF THESE CITIES, SMALLER CITIES, AND TOWNS ARE DYING.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT JOE BIDEN HAS SOME PROPOSALS OUT THERE THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TREMENDOUS APPEAL TO RURAL AREAS IN THE STATE, AND THERE ARE DEMOCRATS ADVOCATING AND EDUCATING ABOUT THEM, AND I THINK THAT IS A VERY POSITIVE THING.

REPUBLICANS, TO USE -- ALL THEY CAN SAY IS NO TO EVERYTHING.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET TIRED OF THAT, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY HAVE PUT BEFORE THEM PROPOSALS THAT WILL ASSIST RURAL AREAS IN KEEPING WHAT THEY THINK IS IMPORTANT.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY NOT EVERY DAY SPIRO AGNEW... INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS DEVELOPING FREE VIRTUAL K-12 COURSES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO USE ACROSS THE STATE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JEANIE LINDSAY EXPLAINS, T'S PART OF AN EFFORT BY EDUCATION EXPERTS TO BUILD UP THE QUALITY AND UNDERSTANDING OF VIRTUAL EDUCATION FOR HOOSIERS.

>> IU HIGH SCHOOL IS AN ONLINE SCHOOL AND SHARED ITS COURSES PUBLICLY WHEN STUDENTS EVERYWHERE WERE FORCED TO LEARN REMOTELY.

NOW, THE SCHOOL IS HELPING DEVELOP MORE THAN 60 VIRTUAL, FREE K-12 COURSES FOR ANY HOOSIER TEACHER TO USE.

IU HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL REBECCA ITOW SAYS THEY COULD BE USED IN CASE OF ANOTHER WIDESPREAD SHUTDOWN, OR TO SUPPLEMENT LEARNING ALREADY BEING DONE IN-PERSON.

>> REBECCA ITOW: I WANT THEM TO BE USEFUL AND USABLE FOR TEACHERS, AND VALUABLE AND VALUED BY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

>> ITOW SAYS EDUCATORS CAN CUSTOMIZE THEM BASED ON STUDENTS' NEEDS.

>> JON SCHWANTES, WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF COVID, BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE.

WILL IT CAUSE A MAJOR SHIFT IN THE WAY PEOPLE THINK ABOUT VIRTUAL EDUCATION?

>> WELL, I THINK IT FORCED PEOPLE TO HAVE A NEW REALITY.

IT MIGHT HAVE -- WHAT WE SAW HAPPEN HERE MIGHT HAVE UNFOLDED OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE, TEN, 15 YEARS, IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT ALL.

THIS WAS -- THIS FORCED THE ISSUE, THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT EVERYBODY LOVES IT, SOME PEOPLE PROBABLY HATE IT NOW MORE THAN THEY DID BEFORE.

OTHERS EMBRACE IT, TO HAVE I.U.

COMING FORWARD AND OFFERING THIS SERVICE, IT IS A REAL VALUE FOR THOSE IN THE LEGISLATURE WHO LOOK AT THE RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN OUR STATE AND SAY WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY.

THIS IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE WHERE IT'S NOT -- IT REALLY IS AT THE CORE OF WHAT THE STATE IS ALL ABOUT, EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE YOUNGEST LEVELS OF THE K-12, AND FOR I.U.

TO STEP FORWARD AND DO THIS SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE AND I HOPE IT'S WELL RECEIVED.

>> THE QUESTION WILL BE HOW IT IS USED AROUND THE STATE.

>> THEY ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION.

>> NO.

THE TRICK TO ME, A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKED HOW THEY USED VIRTUAL EDUCATION, THERE IS SOME WHO SAID THIS IS TERRIBLE.

>> I THINK OVERALL, THE VAST MAJORITY OF STUDENTS ARE STILL GOING TO BE SERVED IN PERSON.

WE'VE SEEN THAT WORK.

BUT THIS STANDARDIZED SOME COURSES, TEACHERS WERE PUT SUCH ON THE SPOT LAST YEAR.

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.

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

MORE AT ICEMILLER.COM.

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE PANELISTS.

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