>> INDIANA CONGRESSWOMAN JACKIE WALORSKI IS KILLED IN A CRASH.

STATE LAWMAKERS AGREE ON AN INFLATION RELIEF PACKAGE.

>> PLUS, MIKE PENCE IN NORTHWEST INDIANA AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 5, 2022.

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

>> THIS WEEK, INDIANA CONGRESSWOMAN JACKIE WALORSKI AND TWO STAFFERS WERE KILLED IN A CAR CRASH IN ELKHART COUNTY.

WALORSKI'S CAR WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND AND CROSSED THE CENTERLINE AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY'S FATAL CRASH, COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY EDITH SCHMUCKER.

WALORSKI'S VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN BY ST. JOSEPH COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR ZACHERY POTTS.

HE AND WALORSKI COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR EMMA THOMSON, ALONG WITH THE CONGRESSWOMAN AND SCHMUCKER, WERE ALL KILLED IN THE CRASH.

WALORSKI WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN 2012.

SHE PREVIOUSLY SERVED SIX YEARS IN THE INDIANA HOUSE.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TIM WESCO, THE MAN WHO REPLACED HER AT THE STATEHOUSE, LED THE HOUSE IN PRAYER THURSDAY.

TIM WESCO: SHE FINISHED HER RACE EARLIER THAN ANY OF US WOULD HAVE DESIRED OR WANTED BUT IN YOUR PERFECT TIME.

AND LORD, I BELIEVE WILL SAND BEFORE YOU AND HEAR THE WORDS 'WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.

>> TRIBUTES AND CONDOLENCES FOR WALORSKI POURED IN WEDNESDAY, FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WHAT IS JACKIE WALORSKI'S LEGACY IN INDIANA?

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

I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING DIGITAL EDITOR LAUREN CHAPMAN BRANDON SMITH IS OVER AT THE STATEHOUSE, WHERE DEBATE CONTINUES ON THE PROPOSED ABORTION BAN.

WE'LL HAVE A FULL DISCUSSION OF THAT ISSUE ON NEXT WEEK'S SHOW.

ARIELLE BRANDY, WHAT DID JACKIE WALORSKI MEAN TO HOUSE DISTRICT 2?

>> WELL, THAT IS MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT BACK AT SHE WAS MY REPRESENTATIVE AND SHE FOUGHT HARD FOR INDIANA.

DEMOCRATS ARE EVEN FEELING THE LOSS OF WALORSKI.

OUR PARTY IS FEELING THE LOSS OF A PARTY CHAIRMAN.

A YOUNG MAN WAS WORKING HARD ON THE SAME ISSUES THAT I DO AS A YOUNG PERSON IN POLITICS, WANTING TO FIGHT FOR HOOSIERS AND WANTING TO BUILD A LEGACY WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE AND JACKIE DID THAT.

SHE WAS CO-CHAIR OF A HUNGER COUNCIL.

SHE DID A GREAT JOB OF DOING THAT WORK TO MAKE SURE WE HAD FOOD ADVOCACY AND ACCESSIBILITY HERE IN THIS STATE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT JACKIE, SHE FOUGHT HARD FOR THIS STATE AND SHE DID EVERYTHING SHE COULD TO REPRESENT OUR DISTRICT.

THIS IS A TRAGIC LOSS.

ME BEING A DEMOCRAT, I STILL FELT THAT BECAUSE SHE REPRESENTED ME.

>> MIKE O'BROIN, WHAT IS IT LIKE AS A REPUBLICAN?

>> HER HUSBAND SAID SHE FILLED EVERY ROOM THAT SHE WALKED IN, ALSO BECAUSE SHE WAS SIX FEET TALL.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL OF THEM.

SORRY.

ESPECIALLY, THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

I MEAN THIS IS NONPARTISAN, WHAT YOU SAID, THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU JUST IMMEDIATELY FEEL THAT.

AS A 27-YEAR-OLD COUNTY CHAIRMAN, YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND IT IS NOT HARD FOR US TO PUT OURSELVES IN THOSE SHOES.

>> IT IS ONE OF THE INSTANCES WHERE THE PARTY DOES NOT MATTER.

JON SCHWANTES, CAN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WALORSKI'S LEGACY IS?

SHE SPENT YEARS IN THE U.S. HOUSE BEFORE HE WAS A REPRESENTATIVE?

>> NO ONE CAN DOUBT WHAT SHE DID FOR HER CONSTITUENTS AND THE WILLINGNESS THAT SHE WOULD REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS.

SHE WOULD TAKE ON ANYBODY, SORT OF CHALLENGE ANYBODY.

I REMEMBER SHE WAS A GUEST ON "INDIANA LAWMAKERS" BACK WHEN SHE WAS IN A GENERAL ASSEMBLE, AND I MEAN THIS AS A COMPLIMENT, BUT ONE OF THE FIFIEST GUESTS.

IN THAT EXCHANGE, SHE WAS DEBATING A FELLOW REPUBLICAN.

IT DIDN'T MATTER, SHE DID NOT FALL INTO LINE, SO TO SPEAK.

THE REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS ARE THESE, IF SHE FELT HER DISTRICT AND HER CONSTITUENCY FELT THIS IS THE WAY TO GO, IT MAY OR MAY NOT ALIGN WITH THE OFFICIAL PLATFORM OF THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

IT DIDN'T MATTER.

SHE WAS FEROCIOUS, AGAIN, IN ALL OF THE RIGHT WAYS.

FOR SOMEONE REPRESENTING ME, YOU WANT SOMEONE LIKE THAT.

AND I THINK SHE WILL BE REMEMBERED CERTAINLY FOR HER WORK AT BOTH THE STATE LEVEL AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

WE HAVE SEEN, IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACCOLADES THAT ARE COMING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, FROM BOTH WASHINGTON AND CERTAINLY, BACK HOME.

SHE WILL BE MISSED.

>> NIKI KELLY, WHAT IS WALORSKI'S LEGACY REPRESENTING INDIANA?

>> SHE HAD THIS LARGER THAN LIFE PERSONALITY.

I REMEMBER COVERING HER A FEW YEARS WHEN SHE WAS IN THE INDIANA HOUSE.

SHE WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE, SHE GOT UP TO THE MIC.

NO ONE COULD IGNORE HER.

SHE WAS -- SOMEONE ASKED ME TO DESCRIBE HER AND I DESCRIBED HER AS A TOUGH OLD BROAD, EVEN WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, SHE WAS A TOUGH OLD BROAD.

NO ONE WAS GETTING ANYTHING PAST HER.

I HEARD GREAT STORIES ABOUT HER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

>> AS A FORMER TV NEWS ANCHOR, YOU'RE RIGHT.

SHE WAS THAT PRESENCE AND THAT WAS PROBABLY HONED DURING HER PRE-POLITICAL CAREER, A LOT OF SKILLS SHE HAD IN THOSE AREAS.

>> THE BEFORE DAYS.

OF COURSE, THINKING OF EMMA THOMSON, ZACHERY POTTS AND EDITH'S FAMILY AS WELL.

>> >> HOOSIER TAXPAYERS ARE SET TO RECEIVE 200-DOLLAR CHECKS AFTER STATE LAWMAKERS APPEAR TO HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON AN INFLATION RELIEF PACKAGE.

THE HOUSE AND GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB PROPOSED MORE MONEY.

SENATE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T WANT DIRECT PAYMENTS TO HOOSIERS AT ALL.

THE COMPROMISE, SAYS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TIM BROWN, IS THE $200 AMOUNT.

TIM BROWN: SO, THIS WILL STILL BE OVER $1 BILLION BACK TO OUR CITIZENS.

THE SENATE GOT SOME OF WHAT IT WANTS, TOO.

IF THE STATE COLLECTS MORE MONEY THAN IT NEEDS BY NEXT JULY, ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN SURPLUS REVENUE WOULD BE USED TO PAY DOWN STATE PENSION DEBT.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE GREG PORTER SAYS HE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT'S A PRIORITY.

GREG PORTER: SO, HERE WE GO AGAIN, TAKING ANOTHER $1 BILLION OFF THE TABLE VERSUS ADDRESSING THE STATE'S NEEDS, LIKE HEALTH DISPARITIES, LOW TEACHER PAY AND OTHER ISSUES THAT WE HAVE WITHIN OUR STATE.

>> IN A STATEMENT, HOLCOMB EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE DEAL.

MIKE O'BRIEN, ARE HOOSIERS GOING TO BE SATISFIED WITH THIS PACKAGE?

>> IT'S HELPFUL.

WE TALKED A WEEK AGO, IS IT GOING TO BE CHECKS OR A MIX OF THINGS.

IT IS A GOOD COMPROMISE BETWEEN WHAT THE SENATE WANTED AND WHAT THE HOUSE WANTED.

NONE OF THIS IS LIKE SAVING YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU ARE OPENING THE MAILBOX, RIGHT.

BUT YOU KNOW, THIS AND OTHER THINGS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE STATE GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO COMBAT INFLATION AND PROVIDE SOME RELIEF.

IF THERE ARE FUTURE MEASURES, HOPEFULLY IT WILL TARGET LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND THE FOLKS THAT ARE REALLY FEELING IT.

THIS IS A SCENARIO WHERE THE SENATE BILL ONE, NOBODY IS HAPPY.

SENATE BILL TWO, NOBODY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED.

>> A COMPROMISE IS MAKING SURE NO ONE IS REALLY HAPPEN WITH THE END RESULT.

>> ARIELLE, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE INFLATION BILL?

DO YOU THINK THE HOOSIERS ARE GOING TO WALK AWAY SATISFIED WITH THIS?

>> WE HAVE BEEN SO DRAWN OUT WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE ABORTION BILL RIGHT NOW.

HOOSIERS PROBABLY FORGOT THAT THIS BILL IS HAPPENING.

I THINK THE HARD PART RIGHT NOW IS WE COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN THIS IS THE ISSUE AND THE REASON WE WERE BROUGHT BACK TO SESSION IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO, I DO THINK THIS WILL PROVIDE SOME RELIEF.

WHAT WE DO WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE MONEY IS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT AS WELL.

WITH THE ABORTION BAN AND EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, IT HAS BEEN THE BIGGER THING THAT HITS THE HEADLINES.

I WANT HOOSIERS TO GET SOME RELIEF.

WE'RE FIGHTING FOR ALL OF THESE ISSUES, BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE HURTING, ESPECIALLY THE LOWER INCOME FAMILIES WHO ARE TRYING TO PULL THEMSELVES UP AND ARE WONDERING HOW THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE IT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THIS RELIEF IS GOING TO BE COMING.

>> NIKI KELLY, BRANDON AND I WERE DISCUSSING IT EARLIER THIS WEEK, IT LOOKED LIKE FORRAL SECOND THAT THE INFLATION RELIEF WAS NOT GOING TO END UP HAPPENING.

WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT LAWMAKERS COMING TO THIS DEAL ON THIS PACKAGE?

>> I THINK THEY WERE GOING TO COME TO A DEAL.

WHEN YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF MONEY TO PLAY WITH, YOU CAN FIND THE MIDDLE GROUND.

IN ADDITION TO THE $200 CHECK, JUST TO CLARIFY, THEY ARE NOT CHECKS, MOST WILL GET AN AUTOMATIC DEPOSIT IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNT.

>> >> AND FOR FOLKS WHO ARE ON DISABILITY OR OLDER HOOSIERS, WILL GET IT A CREDIT FOR NEXT YEAR'S TAXES THEY HAVE TO FILE.

THERE IS A FAR LONGER ONRAMP FOR FOLKS WHO ARE PART OF THE LOWER INCOME STRATA THAT NEED THIS ASSISTANCE THAT ARE NOT GOING TO GET IT MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> AT LEAST THEY ARE GOING TO GET SOMETHING.

THEY WERE NOT LEFT OUT TOTALLY FROM THE REFIND FROM EARLIER THIS YEAR.

I HAVE SEEN TWINLTER BANTER ABOUT HOW USELESS IT IS AND IT WILL BARELY BUY ME GROCERIES.

FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

ALSO, I'M NOT AT A POINT IN MY LIFE WHERE I CAN SNEEZE AT $200, IF IT IS THREE OR FOUR FILL UPS AT THE GAS STATION, THAT IS HELPFUL, IF IT IS A COUPLE OF GROCERY BILLS, THAT IS HELPFUL, TOO.

IT IS MONEY I GET TO USE.

>> JON SCHWANTES, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FINAL VERSION OF THE PACKAGE?

>> I THINK ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, IT MAKES SENSE.

THERE HAD TO BE SOME AGREEMENT.

YES, THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WOULD ULTIMATELY COME THROUGH THE PIPELINE, AND WOULD THEY DO SOMETHING OR BACK AWAY.

ONCE YOU DANGLED THE CARROT OF SOME SORT OF REFUND OR, WHETHER IT IS A CHECK, WHETHER IT IS ELECTRONIC, WHETHER IT IS A CREDIT, A PROMISSORY NOTE THAT ERIC HOLCOMB DELIVERS DOOR-TO-DOOR, YOU CAN'T BE SEEN AS BEING UNABLE TO COMING TO TERMS WITH SOMETHING.

THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS BEING A LEGISLATOR AND SAYING WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GIVE AWAY A HUGE POT OF MONEY THAT IS HOW DISFUNCTIONAL WE ARE.

SOMETHING HAD TO HAPPEN.

>> THIS IS MANAGER.

>> AND THE NOTION THAT WE DON'T NEED TO GET INTO THE WEEDS HERE, BUT THE MECHANISM AND IF OUR ECONOMIC CLIMATE STILL REMAINS HEALTHY AND ROBUST THAT THERE MIGHT BE A MECHANISM FOR PAYING DOWN PENSION LIABILITIES, AND STATE PENSION FUNDS.

AGAIN, THAT IS NOT SEXY, BUT IN STATES WHERE THERE IS UNFUNDED LIABILITY AND PEOPLE LOSE THEIR PENSIONS OR TAXPAYERS ARE HIT SQUARELY IN THE GUT FOR THE NEED TO DIG OUT OF A WHOLE, PEOPLE SHOULD APPRECIATE GOOD STEWARDSHIP IN TERMS OF THOSE LIABILITIES.

>> TIME NOW FOR VIEWER FEEDBACK.

EACH WEEK WE POSE AN UNSCIENTIFIC, ONLINE POLL QUESTION.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: WILL HOOSIERS BE HAPPY WITH THE $200 INFLATION RELIEF CHECKS?

A.

YES B.

NO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: IS THE COUNTRY IN A RECESSION?

26% SAID YES, 72% SAID NO.

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

>> FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE BLAMED DEMOCRATS FOR HIGH GAS PRICES DURING A VISIT TO NORTHWEST INDIANA THIS WEEK.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S GEMMA DICARLO REPORTS PENCE STOPPED AT A GAS STATION IN HOBART - WHICH IS IN A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPUBLICANS HOPE TO FLIP IN NOVEMBER.

U.S.

CONGRESSMAN FRANK MRVAN REPRESENTS THE DISTRICT, WHICH DEMOCRATS HAVE HELD FOR THE LAST 90 YEARS.

GOP CAMPAIGN ADS BLAME HIM AND OTHER DEMOCRATS FOR HIGH GAS PRICES.

PENCE ECHOED THAT MESSAGE, SAYING HIGH PRICES ARE THE RESULT OF BAD ENERGY POLICIES FROM THE CURRENT WHITE HOUSE.

VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE: FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, ONE POLICY AFTER ANOTHER SET INTO MOTION THE INEVITABLE RESULT OF SKYROCKETING GASOLINE PRICES IN A STATEMENT, THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CALLED PENCE'S VISIT A "POLITICAL STUNT" AND POINTED THE FINGER AT STATE GOP LEADERS FOR THE HIGH PRICES.

REPUBLICANS AT THE STATEHOUSE REFUSED TO SUSPEND THE STATE'S GAS TAX, DESPITE A MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET SURPLUS.

HOWEVER, ECONOMISTS SAY THE WAR IN UKRAINE AND CRUDE OIL INFRASTRUCTURE ARE WHAT'S MOSTLY TO BLAME FOR HIGH GAS PRICES.

NIKI KELLY, DOES MIKE PENCE PLAY IN THE FIRST DISTRICT?

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT FOR SURE.

THERE ARE CERTAINLY PARTS OF THE STATE THAT HE WOULD PLAY REALLY WELL IN, BUT I THINK THIS SHOWS REPUBLICANS ARE RAMPING UP THE PRESSURE UP THERE.

WE HAVE SEEN POLLING THAT LOOKS QUESTIONABLE AND WE HAVE SEEN SHIFTS IF THE DISTRICT WILL LEAN OR BE A TOSS UP.

THEY ARE TAKING THAT HEAD ON AND TRYING TO SEE IF IT CAN WORK, AND I THINK FRANK MR VAN BETTER WATCH OUT.

>> JON SCHWANTES GOING OVER TO YOU.

IT BEGS A LARGER QUESTION OF WHAT IS MIKE PENCE'S INFLUENCE IN EVEN INN'S NOVEMBER ELECTION?

>> IT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE INTEREST IN HIM TRANSCENDS JUST HIS POLITICAL AGENDA AND SO FORTH.

HE IS A NATIONAL, AN INTERNATIONAL FIGURE.

HE IS A CELEBRITY IN A CULTURE, IN A TIME IN OUR HISTORY THAT LOVES CELEBRITIES AND HE IS GOING TO GET ATTENTION, AND THAT IS A GOOD THING, I GUESS, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO UPSET THE ANOINTED DEMOCRAT IN A DISTRICT THAT HAS BEEN DEMOCRATIC FOREVER.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

ALL THE TOOLS YOU CAN BRING TO BEAR.

NOW, WITH THOSE SAME PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN SORT OF, HEY, DID YOU SEE MIKE PENCE IS THERE?

IS THAT GOING TO TRANSLATE INTO I WILL LISTEN TO WHATEVER HE TELLS ME IN TERMS OF HOW TO VOTE COME NOVEMBER?

I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THAT.

I ALSO DON'T KNOW THE SHELF LIFE OF THE GAS ISSUE.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT RESONATES NOW, BUT CERTAIN ISSUES HAVE A WAY OF DISSIPATING ALMOST AS QUICKLY AS THEY ERUPT ON TO THE SCENE.

AND HISTORICALLY, AND I KNOW I HAVE GIVEN UP TRYING TO USE HISTORY AS A GUIDE, BECAUSE IT BURNED ME SO MANY TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

IF HISTORY IS A GUIDE, IT MAY NOT BE AS MUCH OF AN ISSUE.

>> A MONTH AGO, IT WAS MORE OF AN ISSUE.

>> YOU CAN'T ASSUME THIS IS GOING TO HAVE THE SAME POTENCY IN NOVEMBER AS IT DOES NOW.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE ABORTION DEBATE AND I THINK GAS IS MUCH LIKE INFLATION RELIEF IS GETTING A LITTLE BIT LEFT BEHIND.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M ASKING YOU THIS QUESTION.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A SMART MOVE FOR REPUBLICANS TO HAVE MIKE PENCE IN THE REGION?

>> WE HAVE GOT TO, YOU KNOW, TELL EVERYBODY THAT, HEY, THIS DISTRICT HAS NEVER GONE REPUBLICAN,REPUBLICAN IT COULD GO TO REPUBLICAN AND WE NEED YOU TO PAY ATTENTION.

REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN SLEEPING ON THAT SEAT.

>> BE CAREFUL.

>> I THINK THEY SHOW UP IF MIKE PENCE IS DOING IT.

>> FREE MEDIA.

>> RIGHT.

AND HIGHLIGHT FROM A FEDERAL STANDPOINT, HE CAN SPEAK VERY WELL TO THE ENERGY POLICIES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY DEMOCRATS TO REDUCE OUR RELIANCE ON GASOLINE, FOSSIL FUELS AND THE SEQUENCE FOR -- CONSEQUENCE FOR THAT AND GAS PRICES WILL GO UP.

THAT IS PART OF IT AND IT IS UNREST, AND EUROPE, AND ALL OF THAT.

>> THERE IS A WAR GOING ON.

>> BUT THERE POLICY DECISIONS BEING MADE AND THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

>> WELL, THE AD, THERE IS AN AD THAT CAME WITH THIS, TOO.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE NOTICED IS THIS WAS DONE MRVAN WAS PUT INTO OFFICE AND I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN IN THIS PROCESS.

THEY ARE ATTACKING HIM FOR SOMETHING HE DIDN'T DO.

HE HAS VOTED AGAINST PRICE GOUGING, SO WE LOVE THAT YOU WANT TO PLAY IN THE REGION, BUT WE PLAN TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT FRANK MRVAN STAYS ELECTED.

WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN THE FIGHT WITH US.

>> I GREW UP THERE.

>> AND I'M RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

SO, I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD CHANCE RIGHT NOW, OBVIOUSLY FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO BE ABLE TO AMP UP WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND HOLD THAT SEAT.

REPRESENTATIVE MRVAN IS NOT THE REASON WHY THOSE GAS PRICES ARE THE WAY THEY ARE.

>> COMPETITION IN THE REGION, COMPETITION IS A GOOD THING ACCORDING TO MOST OF U.S. HISTORY.

>> MOVING ON.

INDIANA U.S.

SENATOR TODD YOUNG RECENTLY DEFENDED EFFORTS BY STATE LEGISLATORS TO BAN MOST ABORTIONS.

YOUNG HAS CONSISTENTLY VOTED TO RESTRICT ABORTION ACCESS, EARNING HIM AN A+ RATING ON THE SUSAN B. ANTHONY LIST'S NATIONAL PRO-LIFE SCORECARD.

U.S. SEN. TODD YOUNG: WHAT WE'VE SEEN AT THE STATEHOUSE DEMONSTRATES THAT OUR LEGISLATORS ARE EVERY BIT AS PASSIONATE ABOUT AND DETERMINED TO GET RIGHT LAWMAKING ON THIS ISSUE.

YOUNG REAFFIRMED HIS OPPOSITION TO ABORTION RIGHTS DURING A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE.

U.S. SEN. TODD YOUNG: MY LOADSTAR, AS A CITIZEN OF THIS STATE AND SOMEONE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHO DEALS WITH THESE ISSUES, IS TO MAKE SURE WE DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO PROTECT ALL LIFE AND SUPPORT WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

>> JON SCHWANTES, WE'VE TALKED , WELL, WE, BRANNEN HAS TALKED ON THE SHOW BEFORE ABOUT HOW THE ABORTION DEBATE IS A WILDCARD FOR THIS FALL'S ELECTIONS.

BUT WITH SO MUCH OF THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE STATEHOUSE, WILL IT BE AN ISSUE IN YOUNG'S RACE?

>> COULD BE.

I DON'T -- HE IS SITTING PRETTY FOR A LOT OF REASONS, AND THEY'RE PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, LOTS OF ZEROS BEHIND THE REASON, BECAUSE IT HAS TO DO WITH HOW WELL FUNDED HIS CANDIDACY.

YOU LOOK AT THE FUNDRAISING FOR THE FIRST QUARTER, FOUR TIMES THE WAR CHEST, CERTAINLY AT THIS POINT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO REDUCE A RACE TO MONEY, THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS.

CERTAINLY WHEN YOU'RE AN INCUMBENT AND YOU YOU HAVE THE MONEY, IT BODES WELL.

ABORTION, IF ANYONE THINKS ABORTION IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE, THEY NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN KANSAS, FOR INSTANCE.

VOTERS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE POLLS, AT A STATE LEVEL, THAT A CONSTITUTION PROTECTION FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHT WAS SOMETHING THEY WANTED TO MAINTAIN.

I THINK IT SURPRISED, WHAT WAS IT, 60 -- I MEAN THE MARGIN SUPPORT FOR THAT WAS SURPRISING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I SAW SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS.

- YOU CAN SAY THAT IS ONE STATE, BUT "NEW YORK TIMES" DID A FASCINATING -- THEY ARE SMARTER ABOUT USING DEMOGRAPHIC TOOLS AND PROJECTION TOOLS IN TERMS OF VOTING PATTERNS.

IT SAYS THAT, BASED ON THAT, IT IS LOOKING LIKE FOUR OUT OF FIVE STATES WILL FOLLOW IN KANSAS' FOOTSTEPS.

ACTUALLY, A MAP, IF I READ IT CORRECTLY, IT SHOWED INDIANA MORE OF A WILLINGNESS TO PER SERVE SOME SORT OF LATITUDES FOR WOMEN WHO FOUND THEMSELVES IN A DIFFICULT PREDICAMENT OR MENTAL HEALTH.

IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO WRITE THAT OFF AS A FACTOR, I THINK.

>> THAT MAKES A TON OF SENSE.

NIKI KELLY, WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS LIKE, I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST TODD YOUNG.

I'M WAKING UP THAT MORNING, BECAUSE HE DOESN'T LIKE ABORTION.

I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE IS A TURNOUT ISSUE, AND IF YOU TURN OUT A BUNCH MORE DEMOCRATS THAN YOU USUALLY WOULD, AND MOST LIKELY MANY OF THEM WILL VOTE STRAIGHT TICKET THEN THAT COULD HURT HIM.

BUT NOT SPECIFICALLY AGAINST HIM PER SE, BUT MORE OF A IF IT SPURS A BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN AT THE STATE HOUSE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, IT IS SPURRING A BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

IF THEY CAN KEEP THAT MOMENTUM AND ANGER GOING TO NOVEMBER.

IT MAY CUT INTO HIS MARGIN, BUT I DON'T THINK IT WILL COST HIM AN ELECTION.

>> SURE.

ARIELLE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATE FOR DEMOCRATS RUNS ON THE INDIANA DOESN'T HAVE -- ISN'T A RED STATE.

IT IS A PURPLE STATE WITH A VOTER TURNOUT PROBLEM.

DO YOU THINK THIS WILL SPARK DEMOCRATS TO THE POLLS?

>> YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT, WHAT HAPPENED IN KANSAS, IT WASN'T JUST SPECIFICALLY DRIVEN BY THE ISSUE.

BUT PEOPLE TURNED OUT SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN INDIANA IS PEOPLE ARE, LIKE NIKI SAID, SHOWING UP AT THE STATEHOUSE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS SPECIFICALLY ON THIS ISSUE.

THEY ARE GOING HARD, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HAVE BODILY AUTONOMY IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

REPRESENTATIVE YOUNG HAS AN A-PLUS RATING FOR BEING PRO-LIFE.

YOU'RE STILL A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE AND THE MAJORITY OF HOOSIERS DO NOT AGREE WITH THE TOTAL ABORTION BAN.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO REPRESENT US, YOU HAVE TO FALL IN LINE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU'RE REPRESENTING IN CONGRESS AND RIGHT NOW THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

HE IS FOR THIS BAN AND WANTS IT TO HAPPEN.

I THINK IT IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON WHETHER OR NOT WE SEE HIM GET RE-ELECTED.

REGARDS TO TURNOUT, WE HAVE TO TURN OUT.

WE ARE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTOM WHEN IT COMES TO VOTER TURNOUT IN THIS STATE.

THE ELECTION DENIERS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THAT ARE PUTTING IT OUT THERE, THAT WE WANT TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT IS GETTING PEOPLE REALLY, REALLY, NOT ONLY ANGRY, BUT EXCITED TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND CONTINUE COMING TO THE POLLS AND BRINGING EVERYONE THEY CAN ALONG IN THE PROCESS.

>> IN KANSAS AND OTHER STATES, PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO TAKE DENIERS AT FACE VALUE.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A DICHOTOMY VIEW IN ABORTION VERSUS -- YOU'RE RIGHT.

SMART VOTERS SHOULD TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY MIKE.

FOLKS WHO ARE ANTIABORTION SHOWING UP TO THE POLLS TO MAKE SURE?

>> IF THERE IS A GIGANTIC HISTORIC WAVE THEN TODD YOUNG MIGHT BE AT RISK, BUT HE IS NOT.

HE SAID PRIOR, HE HAS TAKEN A SUPPORTIVE, POSITIVE POSITION ON THIS.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN INDIANA TO THE KANSAS POINT, IN THE BIG FLASHPOINTS OF CULTURAL WARS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST DECADE, BAN OF GAY MARRIAGE, THAT THE SUPERMAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS REFUSED TO PUT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

WE WATCHED YESTERDAY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, A FULL ABORTION BAN WAS UP FOR AMENDMENT AND IT GOT SIX VOTES.

>> THAT IS IT FOR "INDIAN WEEK IN REVIEW."

OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT ARIELLE BRANDY REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN JON SCHWANTES OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS AND.

NIKI KELLY OF THE INDIANA CAPITOL CHRONICLE 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 LAUREN CHAPMAN OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

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

>> THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE PANELISTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH INDIANA'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIO