>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," COVID VACCINATION EFFORTS HATEEFFORTS HIT A SNAG, FOLLOWING FEDERAL GUIDANCE, INDIANA PAUSED THE USE OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

THE POTENTIAL BLOW TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.

>> IT'S JUST SO NEW.

IT'S ONLY BEEN OUT -- IT'S NOT BEEN OUT A YEAR.

HOW CAN YOU TRUST SOMETHING THAT IS THAT NEW?

MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF AS MUCH OF $300 PER CHILD ARE EXPECTED TO START THIS SUMMER.

>> WHAT THIS IS GOING TO ACCOMPLISH IS SPEED UP THE RECOVERY FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOOSIERS.

>>> AND ABOUT 1 IN 10 HOOSIERS DON'T HAVE ACTRESS TO ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET.

THAT MEANS WORKING FROM HOME IN NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

WHILE LEGISLATION AIMS TO FIX IT, THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> NOW COMES THE RESPONSE, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

INDIANA PAUSED ITS DISTRIBUTION OF THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE EARLIER THIS WEEK AFTER SIX WOMEN WHO HAD RECEIVED THE VACCINE DEVELOPED BLOOD CLOTS.

THE WOMEN WERE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 48 AND ONCE HAS SINCE DIED.

NOW THAT LED THE CDC AND FDA TO RECOMMEND PAUSING THE USE OF THE VACCINE AND LEFT SITES SCRAMBLING TO RESCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS.

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO HAVE BEEN COMBATTING VACCINE HESITANCY WORRY ABOUT POTENTIAL UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF PAUSE.

BROCK TURNER HAS THE STORY.

>> RYAN ENGLEKING AND HIS TEAM AT ENGLEKING R.X FOUND OUT ABOUT THE DECISION TO PAUSE THE USE OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON THROUGH MEDIA REPORTS EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

THEY SPENT THE DAY CALLING 200 PEOPLE WHO WERE SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE THERE THIS WEEK.

>> IT'S CHALLENGING BECAUSE IT CHANGES OUR WORKFLOW A LITTLE BIT.

WE COME IN EXPECTING ONE THING BUT IN REALITY, WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS AND WE -- WE DID IT HEAD MIFF ON.

I -- HEAD-ON.

WE TOOK IT UPON US TO GET AHOLD OF THE PATIENTS AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

>> VACCINE CLINICS ACROSS STATE HAD TO TAKE SIMILAR STEPS, AROUND 6,000 PEOPLE WERE SCHEDULED TO GET THE THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE AT A MASCULINIC ATMASS CLINIC AT THE INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY.

THEY REPLACED THEM WITH THE TWO-DOSE MODERNA.

AND DePAUL SCRAPPED THE PLANS TO DISTRIBUTE TO THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON TO 500 STUDENT AND STAFF.

PFIZER VACCINE INSTEAD.

>> WE KNOW WE HAVE STUDENTS, AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES, THEIR DEPENDENTS AND WHAT CAN WE DO?

WHAT WE ASKED THEM TO DO WAS PROVIDE IT ON CAMPUS.

>> THERE'S NO GREATER RISKS OF CLOTS FROM THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES, UNLIKE THE WOMEN WHO DEVELOPED THEM AFTER TAKING THE J & J VACCINE.

BUT IT COULD UNDERMINE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN ALL THE COVID-19 VACCINES.

>> THE MAIN SKEPTICISM THAT I'M SEEING IS NOT, YOU KNOW, POLITICAL CONSPIRACY THEORY, MICROCHIPS, STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT WE'RE SEEING IT'S JUST SO NEW.

ANGELA, IT'S ONLY BEEN OUT -- IT'S NOT BEEN OUT A YEAR.

HOW CAN YOU TRUST SOMETHING THAT IS THAT NEW?

AND SO WE'RE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO EDUCATE THEM.

>> THE SETBACK COMES AS COVID CASES AND DEATHS IN INDIANA CONTINUE TO CLIMB.

THERE WERE 7,000 CASES THIS WEEK AND THE DEATH TOLL IS INCHING CLOSER TO 13,000.

THE POSITIVITY RATE ACROSS INDIANA HAS STEADILY INCREASED OVER TWO MONTHS.

ENGLEKING SAID ONLY ABOUT HALF PEOPLE THEY CONTACTED TO RESCHEDULE THE VACCINES DID.

>> THEY WOULD TAKE WHAT WAS AVAILABLE AND WHAT THEY COULD GET.

AND I WOULD SAY PROBABLY THE OTHER HALF WAPPED TO WANTED TO WAIT FOR THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON.

>> THE STATE IS IN A RACE AGAINST MORE INFECTIOUS VARIANTS AND GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED IS GOING TO PREVEND THE THIRD WAVE OF THE -- PREVENT THE THIRD WAVE OF THE VIRUS.

SHE UNDERSTANDS THE HESITANCY, SHE'S KEEPING HER TRUST IN PROVEN SCIENTIFIC METHODS.

>> WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT OUR PROCESS WORKS.

THAT'S WHY IT TAKES SO LONG FOR A MEDICATION TO COME THROUGH THE U.S. AND WE'RE USED TO THAT.

SO TO ME, IT DIDN'T SCARE ME.

IT DIDN'T WORRY ME.

IT JUST REINSTILLED IN ME THAT WE HAVE A SAFE AND GOOD PROCESS AND WE'RE -- WE'RE WORKING THE PLAN.

>> AROUND 20% OF HOOSIERS ARE CONSIDERED FULLY VACCINATED.

MORE THAN 130,000 HAVE RECEIVED THE ONE-SHOT JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE, THOUGH NONE OF THE REPORTED CASES OF BLOOD CLOTS HAVE BEEN LINKED BACK TO INDIANA.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BROCK TURNER.

>>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY GRAHAM McKEAN, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AT I.U.

TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE VACCINES.

HELLO, GRAHAM.

WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE WAS PUT ON HOLD, YOU KNOW, KNOWING THAT THERE WERE JUST THOSE SIX CASES OF BLOOD CLOTS OUT OF MORE THAN 6 MILLION DOSES ADMINISTERED?

>> AFTER READING ABOUT IT, NOT SURPRISED, BUT PERSONALLY A LITTLE SURPRISED AT THE BEGINNING.

I DID NOT READ PERSONALLY THE PHASE THREE TRIAL DATA WHERE THEY DID SAY THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL ASSOCIATION WITH THESE ULTRA RARE BLOOD CLOTS BATISTES RARE, IT'S REALLY HARD -- BUT IT'S SO RARE IT'S REALLY HARD TO MAKE THOSE AFFILIATIONS.

THIS IS HOW THE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.

THIS IS WHY WE PAY THE FDA, THE CDC AND THESE THIRD-PARTY SAFETY BOARDS TO DO THESE THINGS AND THERE'S AN INCREDIBLY HIGH BAR OF SAFETY.

THE RITZ BEING OF SEVERE BLOOD CLOTS FROM COVID INFECTION REMAINS MUCH HIGHER THAN ANY RISK OF ANY VACCINE.

>> WHAT IMPACT WILL TAKING THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE OUT OF THE ROTATION MEAN?

>> IT DOESN'T HELP.

I THINK THE BIGGER IMPACT MIGHT BE HESITANCY, EVEN THOUGH THERE SHOULD BE A LOT OF TRUST IN THIS PROCESS, BUT THE J.

& J.

SUPPLY WAS NOT THERE.

IT ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR 9% OF ALL U.S. IMMUNIZATIONS.

WHAT I THINK WE MISS THE MOST IS THE ATTRACTIVENESS AND THE ONE-DOSE SERIES FOR TRANSIENT GROUPS, AND THOSEHO MAY BE HARD TO TRACK DOWN.

LUCKILY WE HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES.

>> NOW, THERE'S ALREADY A LOT OF COVID FATIGUE.

NOW WITH THE ISSUES WITH THE VACCINES, HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU PEOPLE WILL JUST, YOU KNOW, THROW THEIR HANDS UP?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE ARE CONSTANTLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THAT 560,000 AMERICANS HAVE DIED FROM THIS.

MORE CONCERNING VARIANTS COULD EMERGE AND OUR FASTEST WAY FORWARD IS TO SIGN UP FOR ONE OF THESE MRNA VACCINES AND THERE'S INCREDIBLE SAFETY SAFE VACCINES.

>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT AND, OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME, I'M SURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WELL, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PROVIDES A $1.9 TRILLION TO HELP THE COUNTRY RECOVER FROM THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

PART OF THE PLAN INCLUDES AN EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT FOR 2021, THAT WILL PROVIDE DIRECT PAYMENTS TO PARENTS.

THE I.R.S.

ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THOSE WILL START IN JULY.

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS THAT FOR MANY FAMILIES, THE RELIEF CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.

>> EVERY DAY, LIFE SEEMS TO BE INCHING CLOSER TO NORMAL.

THE WEATHER IS GETTING WARMER.

THE BUSINESSES ARE HIRING.

AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED.

[ DOG BARKING ] BUT IN THE KERRY HOUSEHOLD ON BLOOMINGTON'S SOUTH SIDE, THINGS ARE FAR FROM NORMAL.

>> HOPEFULLY I WILL BE ABLE TO GO FULL-TIME SOON.

I WAS TALKING TO MY BOSS ABOUT IT.

>> ELIJAH KERRY WAS WORKING FULL-TIME AS A RETAIL MANAGER WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT.

SCHOOL WENT VIRTUAL AND HER KIDS' GRADES STARTED SLIPPING.

SHE KNEW SHE HAD TO MAKE A CHANGE.

>> I THOUGHT THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK, ESPECIALLY TO BE AT HOME AND THEM NEEDING MY ATTENTION.

NOW I'M PART-TIME WITH I.U.

HEALTH.

>> IT'S BEEN A TRADEOFF.

SHE NOW HAS TIME TO HELP WITH THINGS LIKE SCHOOL WORK, BUT IT'S HARDER TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

>> OH, YES.

SO MUCH SCHOOL, RIGHT?

>> IT'S THE SAME SITUATION IN COUNTLESS HOOSIER HOUSEHOLDS.

>> LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES ARE STILL HAVING THOSE IMPACTS.

IN SOME WAYS, IT'S EVEN WORSE, BECAUSE SERVICE SECTOR WORKERS WERE SO IMPACTED BY THIS PARTICULAR DOWNTURN.

>> OVER 800,000 HOOSIERS LIVE IN POVERTY AND MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THEM ARE CHILDREN.

FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, THAT'S AN ANNUAL INCOME OF LESS THAN ABOUT $26,000.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE PREPANDEMIC, THOUGH.

MANY HOOSIERS, INCLUDING KERRY ARE WORSE OFF NOW THAN BEFORE.

AND THE IMPACT ON CHILDREN COULD BE LONG LASTING.

>> THINK OF THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE GOING TO SLEEP AT NIGHT, STARING AT THE CEILING THINKING, MY GOD, WHAT WILL I DO TOMORROW?

>> ACCORDING TO SOME.

EXPERTS, IT COULD CUT CHILD POVERTY IN HALF.

IT WILL INCREASE THE CHI TAX CREDIT, AND $3,000 FOR KIDS UP TO 17.

TO GET THE AID OUT FASTER, THE I.R.S.

IS SENDING HALF THE PAYMENT AS A DIRECT PAYMENT.

IT'S A STRATEGY THAT HAS NOT BEEN TRIED IN THE U.S. BEFORE.

>> IT'S STRUCTURED VERY SIMILARLY TO KIND OF A GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME IDEA.

YOU KNOW, OFTEN BASIC INCOMES APPLY TO EVERYONE.

YOU KNOW THIS IS KIND OF A GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME FOR KIDS úIN PARTICULAR.

>> AND PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT IS THE CREDIT IS FULLY REFUNDABLE, WHICH MEANS MORE FAMILIES WILL BENEFIT.

ORIGINALLY, COULD YOU ONLY GET THE TAX CREDIT IF YOU ONLY PAID SO MUCH IN TAXES.

AND THAT MEANT THOSE MOST IN NEED WOULDN'T ELIGIBLE.

>> 1.4 MILLION HOOSIER CHILDREN UNDER 18 WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS EXPANSION IN SOME WAY.

>> THOSE SAME ESTIMATES SAY THE TAX CREDIT WILL LIFT 80,000 INDIANA CHILDREN ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE.

CURRENTLY MOST OF THE MONEY KERRY MAKES GOES TOWARDS HER RENT.

SNAP BENEFITS HELP WITH GROCERIES.

SHE SAYS THE EXPANDED CREDIT AND MONTHLY PAYMENTS WILL GO A LONG WAY FOR PEOPLE LIVING PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK.

>> TO BE ABLE TO PAY BILLS ON TIME AND TO BE ABLE TO SAVE SOME MONEY, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

AND I'M NEVER, LIKE, BEEN, YOU KNOW, STAYING ABOVE WATER.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, SAVE.

SO I'M REALLY EXCITE PTSD THAT.

>> AND THE IMPACTS OF LIFTING CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY ARE HARD TO UNDERSTATEMENT.

THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND GO TO COLLEGE AND LESS LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

THEY TEND TO LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER LIVES.

THE LIST CONTINUES.

>> AS A PARENT, YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO BE BETTER THAN YOU, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT FOR THEM, YOU KNOW, ME AND THEIR FATHER.

I WANT THEM TO BE BETTER.

>> THE EXPANSION IS ONLY SET TO BE THIS YEAR SINCE IT'S PART OF THE LODGER COVID R-- LODGER COVID RECOVER -- LARGER COVID RECOVERY ACTS.

A FEW REPUBLICANS HAVE PITCHED SIMILAR PROGRAMS BUT SAY THE CURRENT ITERATION OF THE CREDIT WILL ENCOURAGE GOVERNMENT DEPENDENCE.

>> IF YOU ARE WRITING OF $3,000 PER KID, YOU KNOW, FOR HUGE NUMBERS OF FAMILIES, I MEAN, THAT'S -- YOU KNOW FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT AS THE ENTIRE TAX BILL AND THEN YOU SEND MONEY OUT THE DOOR.

>> POLITICIANS WILL BE DEBATING THE EXPANSION'S EFFECTIVENESS SOON ENOUGH.

THE PAYMENTS HAVEN'T BEEN SENT OUT YET, BUT THEY ARE GIVING MANY HOOSIER FAMILIES OPTIMISM FOR THE F FUTURE.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS BEGINNING THE TRANSITION TO PROCESS TO A NEW LEADER.

THE SCHOOL'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCED A SUCCESSOR FRIDAY MORNING TO REPLACE CURRENT PRESIDENT MICHAEL McROBBIE, WHO WILL BE RETIRING JUNE 30th JUNE 30th.

MITCH LEGAN HAS THE STORY.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I.U.

'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNOUNCED PAMELA WITON AS THE 19th PRESIDENT OF THE INDIANA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ON FRIDAY.

>> I HAVE ALWAYS CONSIDERED I.U.

TO BE AMONG THE BEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN THE COUNTRY, AND SO I'M HUMBLED AND HONORED AND EXCITED TO JOIN I.U.

>> SHE WAS PRESIDENT OF KENNESAW STATE IN GEORGIA SINCE 2018.

THERE SHE OVERSAW THE SCHOOL'S TRANSITION TO A RESEARCH TWO UNIVERSITY.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS A RESEARCH ONE INSTITUTION.

SHE'S SUCCEEDING MICHAEL McROBBIE WHO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIRE.

LAST AUGUST.

SHE WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT IN I.U.

'S HISTORY.

SHE INCREASED THE POPULATION IN KENNESAW STATE.

>> IN THE AREA OF DIVERSITY, SHE ELEVATED THE CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICE TO THE CABINET LEVEL AND REORGANIZED THE UNIVERSITY'S OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TO EXPAND ITS SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITY.

>> WITTON IS TAKING OVER A PANDEMIC YEAR THAT UPENDED REGULAR BUSINESS FOR UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE NATION, BUT S EXPECTS THINGS TO BE BACK TO MOORE FOR THE I.U.

FALL SEMESTER.

>> IT'S LOOKING LIKE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RETURN IN THE FALL TO A REGULAR, FULL NORMAL SEMESTER.

AND SO THAT'S THE PLAN.

>> SHE'S SCHEDULED TO RESUME HER ROLL ON JULY 1st.

MITCH LEGAN.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," MAYORS FROM BLOOMINGTON, COLUMBUS, AND TERRE HAUTE TALK ABOUT THEIR PLANS FOR THE FEDERAL MONEY THEY GET FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

AND MORE THAN 3,000 MONROE COUNTY RESIDENTS NOW HAVE BROADBAND INTERNET THANKS TO A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN REMC AND SMITHVILLE FIBER.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

INDIANA LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE ABOUT $2 BILLION MORE TO USE IN THE NEW STATE BUDGET AFTER AN UPDATED PROJECTION OF STATE TAX REVENUES WAS UNVEILED THURSDAY.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY THE NEW MONEY CREATES A UNIQUE AND AMAZING AND EXCITING BUDGET OPPORTUNITY.

THEY ATTRIBUTE THE BIG INCREASE IN FUTURE STATE TAX DOLLARS TO INCREASED JOB STABILITY, HIGHER CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AND INFLUX OF COVID-19 RELIEF.

>> THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR US TO GROW GOVERNMENT, BUT RATHER A TIME TO MAKE INVESTMENTS TO ELIMINATE DEBT AND PAY DOWN PENSION OBLIGATIONS THAT THE STATE CAN USE IN THE FUTURE.

>> EDUCATION ADVOCATES ARE CALLING FOR INCREASED FUNDING WITH THE NEW MONEY.

THEY PUT WITHIN REACH THE TEACHER COMPENSATION TO INDIANA INCREASE K-12 FUNDING BY $600 MILLION PER YEAR.

LAWMAKERS ARE AIMING TO FINALIZE THE NEW STATE BUDGET BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SET UP A POTENTIAL COURT FIGHT THURSDAY WHEN THEY OVERRODE GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB'S VETO OF EMERGENCY POWERS LEGISLATION.

THE MEASURE ALLOWS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION DURING A PUBLIC EMERGENCY WHICH IS POTENTIALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THE GOVERNOR INSISTS THE INDIANA CONSTITUTION ONLY GIVES HIM THE AUTHORITY TO CALL THE SPECIAL SESSION AND VETO THE BILL.

>> LET'S HOPE IT IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

IF THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR, THEN WE CAN -- THE LEGISLATIVE PODDY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND ENGAGE.

>> IT'S A REACTION TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND MANY LAWMAKERSLAWMAKERS FEELING SIDELINED BILL GOVERNOR HOLCOMB ISSUED DOZENS OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

>>> INDIANA LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE PLANNING TO POSTPONE THE OFFICIAL END DATE OF THE 2021 SESSION BY SEVERAL MONTHS BECAUSE OF DELAYS AROUND REDISTRICTING.

THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU HAS SAID THE DATA LAWMAKERS NEED TO REDRAW DISTRICT LINES WILL BE HEAVILY DELAYED.

BUT A PROVISION IN INDIANA LAW THAT SAYS IF LEGISLATORS DON'T REDRAW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS BEFORE THEY ADJOURN THE SESSION, A SPECIAL GROUP DRAWS THEM.

THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THEY ARE CONSIDERING NOT ADJOURNING.

>>> WELL, A BILL THAT WOULD GET RID OF STATE PROTECTIONS FOR SOME WETLANDS IN INDIANA, NARROWLY PASSED THE SENATE, AS INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, THERE'S OWN ONE STOP BEFORE THE CONTROVERSIAL BILL BECOMES LAW, GOVERNOR HOLCOMB'S DESK.

>> SOME SAY THE CURRENT WETLANDS LAW IS TOO STRICT AND CREATING PRICES TO GO YOU WILL AND CAUSING PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE FARMERS AND STATE REGULATORS.

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO GET A PERMIT TO BUILD ON THE STATE'S SMALLEST TYPE OF WETLAND OR A WETLAND IN A FARM FIELD.

THE BILL ALSO CREATES A TASK FORCE TO STUDY ISSUES WITH THE WETLANDS LAW.

SENATOR SUE GLICK SAYS WHEN YOU ARE BUILDING ON A WETLAND YOU ARE DESTROYING AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE THAT MAY HAVE TAKEN HUNDREDS OF YEARS TO REFORM.

>> THIS IS MORE THAN THROWING THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER.

THIS IS THROWING THE BATH WATER, THE STORMWATER AND THE LAKE WATT AND THE WHOLE WATER SYSTEM OUT.

>> GOVERNOR HOLCOMB SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE BILL IN THE PAST.

THERE'S NO WORD IF HE WILL VETO THIS BILL.

I'M REBECCA THIELE FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT ALLOCATES $350 BILLION TO STATES, COUNTIES AND CITIES FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND ECONOMIC EFFORTS.

BUT LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE STILL WAITING ON GUIDANCE ON HOW TO SPEND IT.

ERRE HAUTE MAYOR DUKE BENNETT SAYS THE CITY'S FIRST DEPOSIT OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUND IS SUPPOSED TO ARRIVE BY MAY 11th.

THE PROBLEM IS HE CAN'T START WORKING ON WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

>> AND TODAY, SITTING RIGHT HERE, I HAVE NO GUIDANCE ON HOW I CAN REALLY SPEND THAT.

>> TERRE HAUTE IS SLATED TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $38 MILLION.

BENNETT SAYS $19 MILLION OF THAT ARRIVES IN LESS THAN A MONTH.

>> IF I WAS GOING TO SPEND SOME OF THIS ON WASTEWATER, WHICH THAT'S ONE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE ONE OF THE THREE BUCKETS WITHIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUCKET, CAN I USE IT TO DESIGN A PROJECT OR DO I HAVE TO USE IT ON A PROJECT THAT'S READY TO GO?

>> IT'S A PROBLEM THAT ALL LOCAL LEADERS ARE DEALING WITH.

COLUMBUS HAS $16 MILLION.

THEY ARE TRYING TO ASSESS THE EXTENT THAT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE VISITORS CENTER, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS HAD ITS REVENUE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BECAUSE OF THE REDUCTION IN STAYS AT HOTELS.

SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT.

WE WOULD ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.

>> BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON SAYS THE ALMOST $29 MILLION THE CITY HAS PROJECTED TO GET WOULD DEFER THE NEED FOR A POSSIBLE LOCAL INCOME TAX INCREASE.

>> WE DON'T KNOW ALL THE DETAILS BUT IT MAY WELL BE THAT THAT NATIONAL STIMULUS AND RESCUE PACKAGE WILL MEAN WE DON'T NEED TO DO IMMEDIATE LOCAL REVENUE GENERATING, BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> COUNTIES WILL GET MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE.

BEN FETT SAYS IT WILL TAKE CORD -- BENNETT SAYS IT WILL TAKE COORDINATION TO MAKE SURE NO ONE GETS LEFT OUT.

>> WHEN IT COMES NOT-FOR PROFITS AND OTHER PROJECTS GOING ON, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THAT VALUE OUT OF THAT.

>> NOW, BEDFORD IS SET TO RECEIVE $2.7 MILLION.

SPENCER ABOUT $470,000, AND NASHVILLE $230,000.

>>> AROUND ONE IN TEN HOOSIERS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO RELIABLE BROADBAND INTERNET.

THAT MAKES eLEARNING, REMOTE WORK AND ZOOM CALLS TO GRANDPARENTS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

WHAT A PLETHORA OF BILLS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARSARS IN INVESTMENTS, IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM.

MANY ARE LEFT BUFFERING BROCK TURNER REPORTS.

>> THE PROJECT ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR IS EXPECTED TO LINK 3400 CUSTOMERS TO FIBER INTERNET.

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE AREA'S REMC AND SMITHVILLE FIBER MADE IT POSSIBLE.

LEADERS THINK THIS IS A MODEL THAT CAN BE EMPLOYED ACROSS THE STATE.

>> COME TOGETHER IN THE INTEREST OF THESE HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE OTHER -- YOU KNOW, THE 3400-SOME HOMEOWNERS PUTTING ASIDE SOME OF THOSE COMPETITIVE ASPECTS IS -- IS TRULY TREMENDOUS AND REALLY GROUNDBREAKING.

>> THAT'S SCOTT RUDD, THE STATE'S DIRECTOR OF THE BROAD BAND OPPORTUNITY.

HE SAYS WITHOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP, IT COULD HAVE TAKEN YEARS FOR SOME CUSTOMERS CUSTOMERS TO HAVE RELIABLE INTERNET.

>> THERE MAY HAVE BEEN NO OTHER WAY TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE IN THE NEXT DECADE, PERHAPS.

>> INVESTMENTS LIKE THESE.

THIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THEY HAVE STUDIED THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN INDIANA.

>> SO THAT STUDY THAT WE DID, FOUND ON AVERAGE A $4 RETURN FOR EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED.

THE TWO MAIN DRIVERS, BROCK, WERE TELEHEALTH -- THAT'S PRECOVID.

WAS TELEHEALTH AND ADULT EDUCATION.

THOSE WERE DRIVING THAT R.O.I.

IT IS WORTH IT.

>> POLICYMAKERS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL HAVE TAKEN NOTICE.

FOR YEARS INDIANA HAS WORKED TO CREATE A REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT TO INCENTIVIZE BILLS.

THIS SESSION NEARLY A HALF DOZEN BILLS HAVE A CHANCE TO BE PASSED BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES ITS WORK.

AMONG THOSE IS SENATE BILL 377 WHICH ESTABLISHES A STATEWIDE GRANT PROGRAM FOR PROVIDERS.

IT PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS WITH SIGNIFICANT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

ONE OF THE AUTHORS ERIC COOK HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE ISSUE FOR DECADES AND BELIEVES ONE MAJOR HURDLES COULD SOON BE CLEARED.

>> FORTUNATELY THAT FINANCIAL OBSTACLE WHICH IS THE IMPEDIMENT, PARTICULARLY TO RURAL BROADBAND, IS -- IT LOOKS LIKE WE FINALLY MAY BE ABLE TO BRIDGE IT WITH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF STATE AND LOCAL DOLLARS THAT APPEAR TO BE HEADED THIS WAY.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN HAS A PROPOSED $100 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGETS.

EITHER WAY FOR RESIDENTS LIKE PETER GOULD WHO SPOKE OUT IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT BEFORE IT WAS FIRST APPROVED, ANY MOMENTUM IS POSITIVE.

>> FOR ALL OF THE NEIGHBORS ON OUR ROAD, KERR CREEK ROAD, IMPROVISE.

SO IN OUR CASE, WE ARE USING A THUMB DRIVE TO DRIVE A WIFI ROUTER AND OUR CONNECTION MIGHT BE 4 MEG SOMETIMES, 2 MEGS SOMETIMES.

THE DATA IS LIMITED.

SO USUALLY WE'RE LIMITED -- WE RUN OUT OF DATA OR GET CLOSE TO RUNNING OUT OF DATA, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S A MICROSOFT OR APPLE UPDATE THAT COMES THROUGH AUTOMATICALLY.

>> AND GIARDO AGREES.

WE KNOW THEY ARE NOT ADEQUATELY SERVED.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS.

THEY NEED TO MAKE MONEY.

IT'S A BUSINESS.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE IT WORK?

WE CAN'T JUST SAY WELL, THE R.O.I.

IS NOT, THERE GOOD LUCK.

IT WILL HAVE TO BE PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

THERE'S NO OTHER WAY.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S POWERFUL.

>> HE SAYS HE HOPES THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION INCENTIVIZES THESE TYPES OF PARTNERSHIPS TO MAKE BUILDS LIKE THIS ONE A LOT MORE COMMON.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BROCK TURNER.

>> AND THE STATE OF INDIANA LOST A BASKETBALL LEGEND EARLIER THIS WEEK WHEN BOB "SLICK" LEONARD PASSED AWAY AT 88.

HE WAS A HIGH SCHOOL STAR AT TERRE HAUTE BEFORE GOING TO I.U.

WHERE HE MADE THE GAME-WINNING FREE THROW TO BEAT KENTUCKY IN THE 1953 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

MORE ONLINE.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: