>> HOLCOMB DELIVERS HIS STATE OF THE STATE.

REPUBLICANS RELEASE THEIR AGENDAS.

PLUS, STATEWIDE OFFICEHOLDERS ARE SWORN IN AND MORE.

FROM THE TELEVISION STUDIOS AT WFYI, IT'S "INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW" FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 13, 2023.

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

>> THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB GAVE HIS BEST SALES PITCH AS HE USED HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO URGE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT HIS AMBITIOUS, EXPENSIVE AGENDA.

HOLCOMB PROPOSES SPENDING $5.5 BILLION NEW DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET ON PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT SPAN EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IN TRYING TO SELL THAT TO LAWMAKERS, HE REPEATEDLY EMPHASIZED THE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE AND BROUGHT A PERSONAL TOUCH, FOR INSTANCE HIGHLIGHTING A PARENT WHO PAID ABOUT 630 DOLLARS IN TEXTBOOK FEES THIS YEAR.

GOV.

ERIC HOLCOMB: LET'S COVER THE FULL COST OF CURRICULUM FEES PAID FOR BY PARENTS, SO THAT FOLKS LIKE MANDY DON'T HAVE TO PAY THIS DREADFUL BILL EVER AGAIN.

>> REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WERE HESITANT TO ENDORSE THE FREE TEXTBOOK PLAN.

SENATE GOP LEADER RODRIC BRAY WOULD ONLY SAY THAT K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING OVERALL WILL BE A TOP PRIORITY.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM RODRIC BRAY: WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN GET TO THAT WITH THE TEXTBOOKS IS SOMETHING WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN OUR CAUCUS - AND I'M SURE THE HOUSE WILL, AS WELL.

>> SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER GREG TAYLOR WAS STRUCK BY WHAT HE DIDN'T HEAR IN THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

SEN. GREG TAYLOR: WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD HOUSING AND WHO CAN'T AFFORD CHILD CARE COSTS IT'S TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT HOUSEHOLDS AND NOT JUST BUSINESSES.

>> IN A STATEMENT, HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER PHIL GIAQUINTA REJECTED WHAT HE CALLED HOLCOMB'S "ROSY ASSESSMENT" OF THE STATE.

HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS HOLCOMB'S SALES PITCH?

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, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE "INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE."

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

ANN DELANEY, DID HOLCOMB GET THE JOB DONE?

>> WELL, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD SPEECH.

I THOUGHT HIS DELIVERY WAS GOOD.

WHETHER HE GETS THE JOB DONE WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE OUTCOME OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS THAT STRUCK ME.

I THOUGHT HIS EMPHASIS OF CERTAIN THINGS WAS RIGHT ON POINT, BUT I WAS KIND OF CONFUSED WHEN YOU CREATE A COMMISSION TO STUDY PUBLIC HEALTH AND THEY COME ONE A RECOMMENDATION AND YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS HALF OF THAT.

IT STRUCK ME AS, DID HE LOSE CONTROL OF THE COMMISSION OR IS HE AFRIDAY OF WHAT THE COMMISSION IS DOING?

THE COMMISSION DETERMINED AFTER AN EXTENSIVE REVIEW THIS IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

THE OTHER THING THAT STRUCK ME ABOUT THE SPEECH, TWO OTHER THINGS.

THE APPLAUSE LINES WERE LED BY THE DEMOCRATS AND NOT THE REPUBLICANS, WHICH WILL TELL YOU WHETHER OR NOT THIS WILL TRANSLATE INTO VOTES AND PROGRAMS.

THE SECOND PART OF THAT IS HE SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TELLING LAWMAKERS UNDER THE LAST REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATIONS, FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES, WE'RE AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL OF THE CATEGORIES INVITING HEALTH.

>> HE DIDN'T QUITE FRAME IT THAT WAY.

>> HE DIDN'T, BUT HE HAD.

>> I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE APPLAUSE LINE THAT WAS LED BY DEMOCRATS, ABOUT THE FREE TEXTBOOKS.

THEY LEAPT TO THEIR FEET, LOUDLY CHEERED.

I WATCHED THE REPUBLICANS, AND THEY RELUCTANTLY, I WOULD DESCRIBE IT, RELUCTANTLY GOT TO THEIR FEET TO APPLAUD.

DOES THAT GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HOW LITTLE CHANCE DOES THE FREE TEXTBOOKS HAVE THIS SESSION?

>> THIS IS HARD POLITICALLY, BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE WANTED IT FOR SO LONG AND NOW THE GOVERNOR WANTS IT, BECAUSE WE CAN AFFORD TO DO IT IN PART.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE OTHER LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN FILED, THERE IS OTHER BILLS FOR FREE TEXTBOOKS, HATFIELD, TWO HAVE FREE TEXTBOOK LEGISLATION.

I THINK IT IS ONE THAT IS INCREDIBLY POPULAR.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL EVEN IF YOU MEANS TEST IT.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL FOR PARENTS AND WOULD BE NOTICEABLE.

I THINK THE SPEECH GENERALLY, LOOK, LIKE HE IS TRYING TO DO BIG THINGS.

IF THE KNOCK IS, HE CAME UP SHORT IN PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO PUT $500,000 IN PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING, BUT YOU AIM HIGH, BECAUSE PART OF THIS HAS TO GIVE WAY TO OTHER PRIORITIES WHEN THE 150150 LEGISLATORS SAY, HERE IS MY IDEA, TOO.

>> FREE TEXTBOOKS IS SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS DON'T SEEM TO BE WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTING THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO DO SO FAR.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR FREE TEXTBOOKS FOR A LONG TIME.

HIS FATHER, BEN USED TO PUSH FOR THAT, BUT THE GOVERNOR PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON IT.

IF THE REPUBLICANS DON'T DO IT NOW, ARE THEY GOING TO LOOK BAD NOT DOING IT?

>> MAYBE, BECAUSE INDIANA STANDS OUT IN A SOMEWHAT NEGATIVE WAY BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF SEVEN STATES IN THE COUNTRY THAT DON'T HAVE THIS.

WHEN YOU THINK OF THE WHOLE NOTION, LET'S GET AWAY FROM THE OPTICS OF THIS AND SAY, WHAT DOES A PUBLIC EDUCATION, K-12, THAT IS THE NOTION OF EVERY CHILD REGARDLESS WHERE HE OR SHE RESIDES IN THE STATE CAN GO TO SCHOOL AND GET A QUALITY SCHOOL AND GET A QUALITY EDUCATION WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

THIS IS SAYING, DO YOU GET TO READ A TEXTBOOK,.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A FIRST GRADER AND MY PARENTS HAD TO COME UP WITH, WHAT WAS THEN A HUGE SUM OF $15 AND NOW IT IS A LOT MORE THAN THAT.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR, I FOUND IT INTERESTING, OTHERS NOTED THIS AS WELL, HIS FRAMING OF THIS.

I THINK IT WAS A PRETTY BODY TACTICAL MOVE IN DWOIK IT IN THE -- DESCRIBING IT IN THE SPEECH AS A HIDDEN TAX.

AS I MENTIONED ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF "INDIANA LAWMAKERS" WHERE WE FOCUS ON THE SAME ISSUES AND IT AIR ON THE SAME PUBLIC STATIONS, I WILL PAY YOU LATER FOR THE UNDERWRITING CREDIT.

AS I MENTIONED IN THE SHOW, IT IS SHOWING RED TO A BULL IF YOU SAY THIS IS A HIDDEN TAX.

IF YOU CAN GET REPUBLICANS TO VIEW IT IN THAT WAY, GOOD LUCK, YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE.

>> WHY IS THIS SUCH A HARD SELL?

>> I DO NOT GET IT.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE 150 WOULD BE WHAT A WIN.

>> SO EASY.

IT IS NOT CHEAP.

IT IS $130 MILLION OR $160 MILLION.

>> IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, IT IS NOT THAT EXPENSIVE.

>> THERE IS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY THEY COULD GO AT IT.

WE HAVE AN EXISTING TAX IN LAW FOR HOME SCHOOL PARENTS OR PRIVATE SCHOOL PARENTS AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IT IS OPEN IT UP TO PUBLIC SCHOOL AND YOU CAN DO IT THAT WAY.

>> THAT WOULD REQUIRE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE BEEN ALL ABOUT CHOICE AND OPPORTUNITY AS IT RELATES TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOL AND PRO BROKIAL SCHOOLS.

>> EACH WEEK, WE PROVIDE A POLL QUESTION.

SHOULD INDIANA PROVIDE FREE MATERIALS FOR ALL K-12 PUBLIC AND CHARTER STUDENTS?

A, YES, B, NO?

NO.

LAST WEEK, WE ASKED YOU IF INDIANA SHOULD ELIMINATE THE TAX REFORM?

GO TO WFYI.ORG/IWIR AND LOOK FOR THE POLL.

HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES RELEASED THEIR 2023 AGENDAS THIS WEEK, SPANNING HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND MORE.

IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS A PRIORITY FOR BOTH CHAMBERS THIS YEAR.

SENATOR MIKE CRIDER SAYS HIS CAUCUS AIMS TO SPEND $30 MILLION ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS.

SEN. MICHAEL CRIDER: UNTIL WE GET THAT ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN THOSE CRISIS SITUATIONS, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS.

AND WE'RE GOING TO FLOOD OUR JAILS AND FLOOD OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS BASICALLY, BECAUSE THERE'S NO PLACE ELSE TO GO TO GET CARE.

>> HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE PROPOSING CHANGES TO HIGH SCHOOL THAT PUT A GREATER EMPHASIS ON WORK-BASED LEARNING - THINGS LIKE APPRENTICESHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS - STRESSING FLEXIBILITY.

SPEAKER TODD HUSTON SAYS HIS CAUCUS WILL ALSO CONTINUE A MORE THAN DECADE-LONG EFFORT TO CONTINUE PROVIDING MORE FAMILIES WITH PUBLIC DOLLARS TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THE CURRENT INCOME LIMIT IS ABOUT 83 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

HUSTON SAYS THAT COULD INCREASE.

HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON: WE BELIEVE - AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN, I THINK, CONSISTENT IN THAT, BRANDON - THAT PARENTS SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO A SCHOOL THAT BEST MEETS THEIR NEEDS.

>> SPENDING ON SCHOOL VOUCHERS HAS GROWN FROM $16 MILLION IN ITS FIRST YEAR TO MORE THAN $240 MILLION IN THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR.

MIKE O'BRIEN, THE SENATE HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO EXPAND THE VOUCHER PROGRAM?

>> IT COMES OUT OF THE HOUSE AT $360 MILLION EVEN THEY KNOCK IT DOWN TO $2 MILLION AND THEY END UP WITH SOMETHING HIGHER THAN THAT.

THE COMPANIONS TO EXPANDING VOUCHERS IS IN HOUSE BILL 202 THAT IS THE RECONCEPT THAT WE'RE GOING TO RETHINK HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

DO YOU TREAT IT LIKE COLLEGE, THE FIRST TWO YEARS IS YOUR ESSENTIALS THEN YOU HAVE A CAREER FOCUSED JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR ON THE BACK END, DOES THAT INCLUDE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE, TRAINING FOR WORKFORCE, SO YOU'RE READY FOR THE WORKFORCE WHEN YOU GRADUATE?

THAT IS A CONSIDERABLE SHIFT THAT HAS BEEN STUDIED THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN WORKING ON THAT.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS MADE THAT THEIR SECOND PRIORITY, BUT IT IS GOING TO REQUIRE AN EXPANSION OF VOUCHERS TO HELP SUPPORT IT.

I THINK EXPANDING VOUCHERS TO RETHINKING THE CURRICULUM PIECE IS A BIG DEAL.

ITIT IS A BIG DEAL IN THE WORKFORCE CHANGES THAT WE TRIED TO MAKE WITH MIXED SUCCESS OVER THE YEAR, SO I WOULD LOOK AT THAT.

>> THERE IS A LOT IN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN AGENDA.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEINGS OF THIS SHOW.

I WANT TO STAY ON EDUCATION FOR A SECOND.

IN CONTEXT OF OUR LAST DISCUSSION, AND I ASKED THIS TO THE SPEAKER, HOW DO YOU ON ONE HAND SAY PEOPLE MAKING NORTH OF $83,000 SHOULD GET TAX DOLLARS TO SPEND THEIR KIDS TO BRIEFT SCHOOL, BUT I DON'T DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE FREE TEXTBOOK THING?

>> THOUGH THAT IS NOT $83,000 FOR THE FULLMENT.

I BELIEVE IT GOES UP TO $150,000 THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR SOME OF THE VOUCHERS, SO WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE AVERAGE PERSON WHO IS STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE THE TEXTBOOKS FOR THE STUDENTS.

YOU CAN'T HAVE BOTH.

THEY ARE SO FOCUSED ON UNDERMINING TRADITIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION, 93% OF THE STUDENTS TAKE PART IN IT.

EVERY TIME YOU TURN AROUND THERE IS ANOTHER CHARTER SCHOOL THAT FAILED.

YOU HAVE THINGS GOING ON HERE AND WITH VOUCHERS, THOSE SCHOOLS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE EVERY STUDENT.

SO, YOU HAVE DISCRIMINATION IN THOSE THINGS THAT WE'RE FUNDING WITH STATE MONEY, AND THEN YOU HAVE CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT AREN'T SHOWING ANY RESULTS THAT ARE BETTER THAN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

REWARDING PEOPLE WHO COULD AFFORD TO SEND THEIR KID TO PRIVATE SCHOOL IF THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

YOU'RE ASKING SOMEONE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT TO PAY FOR TEXTBOOKS.

IT IS COMPLETELY INCONSISTENT.

>> I WANT TO MOVE OFF OF THE EDUCATION PART AND SAYING LOOKING AT BOTH CAUCUS REPUBLICAN AGENDAS, IS IT CLEAR THAT THERE ARE MAJOR DIVIDING LINES BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS YET?

>> NOT YET.

I THINK THEY AGREE ON HEALTH CARE CHANGES, MAYBE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT APPROACHES AND THEY ARE BOTH ON BOARD FOR A MAJOR MOVE IN MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS.

I THINK THEY ARE LOOK AT $30 MILLION AND THAT KIND OF STUFF.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF DISAGREEMENT, NOT DISAGREEMENT, BUT THE SENATE CONTINUES FOR THE OBSESSION-LIKE PUSH TO REDUCE THE PENSION STABILIZATION FUND, PENSION OBLIGATIONS SO, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO SAY PUT MORE TOWARDS THAT EVEN THOUGH WE PAID $4 BILLION IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO DO MORE.

EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE ON BOARD TO PAY OFF $11 BILLION THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE COLLECTING IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE A LOT MORE LEFTOVER THAN WHAT WE PLANNED FOR.

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT COMES UP THAT THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES HAVE TO HAGGLE OVER AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT THAT IS YET?

>> IT WILL HAPPEN, AND I THINK WE TOUCHED ON IT IN A MOMENT AGO.

TYPICALLY, IT IS THE SENATE BEING MORE CAUTIOUS TO TAKE DRAMATIC CHANGE OR TO SPEND RIGHT UP TO WHAT THE BUDGET ALLOWS.

WE ALREADY HEARD THE MORE RHETORIC COMING FROM THE REPUBLICANS ABOUT RECESSION LOOMING, DARK CLOUDS AHEAD.

LET'S BE CAREFUL.

AND SO, AND IT IS NOT JUST FISCAL POLICY.

IT IS ANY KIND OF DRAMATIC CHANGE.

YOU KNOW, LET'S WAIT A LITTLE BIT.

>> ANY CHANGE, IT IS NOT EVEN DRAMATIC.

>> THIS IS -- I THINK WE DO SEE NEW FAULT LINES ON ANY NUMBER OF ISSUES.

I WAS JOKING YESTERDAY, AND I'M STILL JOGGING, BUT IT IS GETTING MORE SERIOUS ALL OF THE TIME.

THIS IS LIKE A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, BECAUSE YOU DON'T JUST HAVE A REPUBLICAN PARTY AND DEMOCRATIC PART, YES IN NAME, BUT YOU HAVE THE SUB FACTIONS AND WHO HAS THE RULING COALITION TO PULL THIS TOGETHER?

AGAIN, I'M BEING SOMEWHAT FACETIOUS, BUT IT IS BEING COBBLED THIS WAY AND IT IS NOT THIS LOCK STEPSTEP NOTION ANYMORE.

I THINK OTHERS WILL APPEAR.

>> INDIANA'S NEWLY SWORN-IN REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS HE WANTS TO INCREASE ELECTION INTEGRITY IN THE STATE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S VIOLET COMBER-WILEN REPORTS DIEGO MORALES DIDN'T ELABORATE WHAT HE MEANS IN A STATE WITH ONE OF THE MOST RESTRICTIVE VOTER ID LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> AT HIS SWEARING-IN CEREMONY, MORALES EMPHASIZED HOOSIERS DESERVE TO HAVE ELECTION LAWS ENFORCED THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SECRETARY OF STATE DIEGO MORALES: MY PRIORITY IS TO MAKE INDIANA A NATIONAL MODEL FOR ELECTION CONFIDENCE AND INTEGRITY.

>> HE DIDN'T SPECIFY HOW HE WOULD ACCOMPLISH THAT.

MORALES PROPOSED SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN THE NUMBER OF EARLY VOTING DAYS IN INDIANA DURING HIS CAMPAIGN, BEFORE BACKTRACKING UNDER PRESSURE FROM HIS PARTY.

HE ALSO PREVIOUSLY CAST BASELESS DOUBTS ON THE 2020 ELECTION RESULTS, THOUGH MORE RECENTLY HAS SAID HE ACCEPTS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AS THE WINNER.

>> NIKI KELLY, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM DIEGO MORALES?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA.

I SAY THAT BECAUSE, DIEGO MORALES HAS NOT BEEN FORTH COMING TO THE PRESS IN THE PAST YEAR ON ANY IDEAS HE HAS.

HE TALKS IN VAGUE GENERALLITIES.

>> THE ONES HE DID, HE WALKED BACK.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SIT DOWN WITH NEW CANDIDATES AND THAT IS NOT A POSSIBILITY.

HE WILL NOT INTERACT WITH THE PRESS, THEREFORE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

THEY HAVEN'T POINTED TO ANY BILLS YET.

I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY BILLS AND THEY ARE STILL GETTING POSTED, SO THERE COULD BE BILLS, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY WITH MAJOR CHANGES, SO WHO KNOWS?

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK AHEAD OF THE 2022 ELECTION ABOUT SECRETARIES OF THE STATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO WERE ELECTION DENIERS, DIEGO MORALES WAS AT ONE TIME, IF HE IS NOT ANYMORE, AND THE IMPACT THEY COULD HAVE ON FUTURE ELECTIONS.

THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE.

HE TALKS ABOUT WANTING TO MAKE INDIANA THE STRONGEST STATES WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTION INTEGRITY, BY ALL MEASURES, IT APPEARS WE ALREADY ARE.

WHAT CAN HE DO OUTSIDE OF ADVOCATING FOR SOMETHING IN THAT REALM?

>> NOT MUCH.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF DENIERS EITHER CURRENT OR PAST OUT THERE, BUT THE FACT IS, HE IS ONE OF THE FEW THAT PREVAILED.

A LOT OF THE OTHERS DIDN'T.

>> HE DIDN'T TALK.

>> AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, SO MANY THINGS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SWEEPING REFORM, IT'S MORE RHETORIC.

SURE, WE ALL WANT SECURE ELECTIONS, WE WANT THAT TO BE THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR DEMOCRACY, BUT THE SYSTEM IS IN PLACE.

>> THERE IS ALWAYS LITTLE IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE TO COUNTERACT ANY THREATS PERCEIVED.

>> CONGRESS HAS SUGGESTED WITH FUNDING, IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND SOME FEDERAL MONEY, AND WE WON'T GET INTO THE BORING ASPECTS OF THE INTRICACIES WHEN A PAPER TRAIL FOLLOWS THE ELECTRONIC VOTING, BUT BY ALL INDICATIONS, IT IS PRETTY SOUND RIGHT NOW.

>> SECRETARIES OF STATE DID NOT HAVE BROAD AGENDAS TO ASK FOR.

WE DON'T KNOW IF DIEGO MORALES DOES OR NOT, BUT HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE WILL, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM LISTEN TO WHAT HE WANTS?

>> IT MIGHT LINE UP WITH WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS ALREADY STARTING TO THINK ABOUT, INCONSISTENCIES IN THE ELECTIONS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE RUN AND OPERATED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THERE ARE SOME COUNTIES THAT -- WHEN I WAS HENDERSON COUNTY CHAIR, WE SPENT HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN MODERNIZING VOTING MACHINES, YOU HAD PAPER TRAIL AND MACHINES, YOU DO A RECOUNT AND THE COUNTY NEXT DOOR AND YOU'RE DEALING WITH TWO TYPES OF MACHINES.

IT IS INCONSISTENT AND IT IS FOUR TO SIX YEARS, HOW DO WE HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO BRING MORE CONSISTENCY TO THAT PART OF THE SYSTEM?

WHICH DOES BRING SECURITY, BECAUSE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MODERN EQUIPMENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE LOOKS LIKE.

WHETHER OR NOT THAT ALIGNS WITH DIEGO MORALES MOORE IS TALKING ABOUT, I THINK.

>> REALISTICALLY, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM DIEGO MORALES MOORE?

>> I THINK IF HE HAD ANY POWER, HE WOULD RESTRICT VOTING.

HE WANTS TO MAKE EARLY VOTING MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND HE DOESN'T THINK EXTENDING THE HOURS OR AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION WHEN YOU GET YOUR CAR LICENSE, NONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE VOTING MORE ACCESSIBLE IS APPEALING TO HIM.

I THINK HE WOULD RESTRICT IT ANYWAY HE COULD.

I DON'T THINK HE WILL BE ADVOCATING FOR MODERNIZING THE SYSTEM.

I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE YEARS AGO, BECAUSE WHAT WE NEED IS ONE CONSISTENT WAY OF TABULATING THE VOTES WITH A PAPER TRAIL IN EACH COUNTY.

THERE IS NO ELECTION FRAUD IN INDIANA.

THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY ELECTION FRAUD IN INDIANA.

>> NOT WIDESPREAD.

>> INDIVIDUAL, TINY CASES.

>> AND PEOPLE CAN MAKE MISTAKES, TOO, BUT IN TERM OF THE TYPE VIDUOUS STUFF HE IS TALKING ABOUT, IT DOES NOT EXIST.

>> IT IS ABOUT GETTING NAMES ON THE PETITION TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

>> THAT ISN'T VOTER FRAUD.

>> THAT IS A DIFFERENT ANIMAL.

THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENS AT THE BALLOT BOX.

>> INDIANA HOUSE DEMOCRATS WILL PUSH FOR MANY OF THE SAME PRIORITIES REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB IS ADVOCATING FOR IN 2023, WHILE SENATE DEMOCRATS WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO FOCUS ON ISSUES THEY SAY HAVE BEEN IGNORED FOR TOO LONG BY REPUBLICANS.

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER PHIL GIAQUINTA SAYS INDIANA MUST INVEST IN ITS PEOPLE.

AND THE FIRST WAY TO DO THAT, HE ARGUES, IS "ADEQUATELY" FUNDING PUBLIC HEALTH.

REP. PHIL GIAQUINTA: GOOD HEALTH SHOULD BE A HOOSIER BASIC.

HEALTH OUTCOMES MUST RISE ABOVE PARTISAN FIGHTING.

>> THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS' AGENDA GOES A LITTLE FURTHER THAN THE GOVERNOR'S - THEY WANT TO FULLY FUND THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION AT $243 MILLION A YEAR.

SENATOR SHELLI YODER SAYS THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO FINALLY STEP UP TO ADDRESS A CRITICAL NEED - ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE.

SEN. SHELLI YODER: INDIANA BUSINESSES CITE LACK OF CHILD CARE AS THEIR BIGGEST EXTERNAL WORKFORCE BARRIER.

>> THE SENATE DEMOCRATS' PLAN WOULD PROVIDE TAX CREDITS FOR CHILD CARE.

JON SCHWANTES, WILL WE SEE A LOT FROM THE GOVERNOR, ARE WE GOING TO SEE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THE BIGGEST BILLS COMING OUT OF THIS SESSION?

>> I THINK WE WILL SEE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN THRUST INTO THE FOREFRONT BY BIGGEST NECESSITY.

I'M TALKING ABOUT HOUSING.

I'M TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

I'M TALKING ABOUT CHILDCARE.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> I'M TALKING ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A LOSS IN APPLICANTS TO STATE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THOSE WHO ACTUALLY ENROLL IN THE TRAINING ACADEMY, NOT AN ALL-TIME LOW, BUT THE LOWEST SINCE 1946 OR SOMETHING.

WILL THAT MEAN THAT EVERYBODY GREISS TO PUT THEIR NAME OR THEIR VOTE ALONGSIDE SOMETHING THAT HAS A LOT OF ZEROS BEHIND IT?

>> NO, BUT THEY NEED SOMETHING DONE.

>> IF DEMOCRATS ARE VOTING AGAINST THE BIG BILLS OF THE SESSION, WILL IT BE BECAUSE THEY DON'T THINK THEY ARE GOING FAR ENOUGH MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE?

>> PROBABLY, IF WE GET A BUDGET OF HALF OF WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS THAT WILL BE A HARD ONE FOR DEMOCRATS TO VOTE AGAINST, IF IT HAS EDUCATION INCREASE, FREE TEXTBOOKS AND MORE MONEY TO GO TO THEIR LOCAL UNITS THROUGH READI GRANTS, COULD WE DO MORE IN THEIR EYES, YES, AND WORK ON MORE ISSUES THAT IMPACT PEOPLE.

>> ALMOST ALL DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR THE BUDGET LAST TIME IN 2021, COULD WE SEE SOMETHING SIMILAR THIS TIME?

>> IF -- IF HIS PRIORITIES BECOME LAW.

IF THEY LET THOSE KINDS OF FUNDINGS FOR THOSE PROGRAMS THROUGH.

IS IT ENOUGH?

IT NEVER IS, BUT IF THEY MARKETEDLY INCREASE EDUCATION FUNDING WITHOUT TAKING SO MUCH AWAY FROM VOUCHERS, IF THEY DO SOMETHING WITH CHILDCARE OR PRESCHOOL, MAYBE WE COULD HAVE UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL.

>> THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT HAPPENING THIS SESSION.

>> ARE WE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF KUMBAYA?

>> FIVE PEOPLE VOTED AGAINST THE BUDGET IN 2021 AND TWO ARE REPUBLICANS.

I THINK WE'RE HITTING AND THE GOVERNOR HIT AND THAT IS WHY THE DEMOCRATS ARE ENDORSING IT IS HITTING SOMETHING IN THE BUDGET THAT EVERYONE LIKES.

>> IF THE CAUCUS LEADERS DECIDING IT, CALLING ALL OF THE SHOTS, YOU WILL HAVE KUMBAYA.

>> FINALLY, UPLAND BREWING COMPANY PARTNERED WITH INDIANA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS TO CREATE AN IU-BRANDED BEER AND THEY INVITED PUBLIC INPUT.

THE COMPANY GATHERED FEEDBACK ON THE BEER NAME, CAN DESIGN AND FLAVOR ELEMENTS.

ANN DELANEY, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL AN IU SPORTS BRANDED BEER?

>> I WOULD CALL IT FIVE BANNER IPA AND I THINK IT WON'T BE SOLD IN THE ARENA.

>> FIVE BANNER COULD BE IRRELEVANT.

>> III WOULD BE HAPPY TO RESIGN IT FOR SIX.

>> I WOULD LIKE BRUISER.

>> YOU HAVE OLD CRESCENT AND 1820.

THAT MIGHT BE THE PROOF.

>> 1820 WOULD BE OKAY.

>> NIKI, DO YOU HAVE ONE?

>> OH, GOSH.

I DIDN'T THINK THIS WOULD GET TO ME?

RED AND WHITE, I DON'T KNOW.

>> RED AND WHITE STRIPE.

>> THERE IS STRIPE.

>> YOU HAVE THE CAN IN RED AND WHITE STRIPE.

>> 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 "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.

>> THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE PANELISTS.

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