♪♪ >> SENATE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL >> SENATE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL THEIR BUDGET.

PRIORITIZING THE PROTECTION OF MONUMENTS.

PLUS, A MAJOR GUN BILL HALTED AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 9TH, 2021.

>> 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.

>> THIS WEEK, THE INDIANA SENATE RELEASED ITS VERSION OF THE K-12 FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR INDIANA'S NEXT TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET.

FROM WFYI'S EDUCATION DESK, ERIC WEDDLE REPORTS THE DRAFT DIALS BACK SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAMS FAVORED BY THE HOUSE AND INCREASES FUNDING FOR STUDENTS IN POVERTY.

>> THE SENATE REPUBLICAN'S PROPOSAL WOULD DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF NEW FUNDING FOR K-12 SPENDING AT $875 MILLION COMPARED TO THE HOUSE PLAN.

ABOUT HALF OF THAT WOULD INCREASE THE PER STUDENT FUNDING FORMULA OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

THE PLAN ALSO WOULD BOOST THOSE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR STUDENTS IN POVERTY.

THAT WAS IN RESPONSE TO SCHOOL LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE CRITICIZING THE EFFORT BY HOUSE LAWMAKERS' TO FLATLINE THE FUNDING.

THE SENATE IS EYEING FEWER DOLLARS FOR SCHOOL CHOICE, SUCH AS A SMALLER EXPANSION OF THE PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

YET GARY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR EDDIE MELTON STILL CRITICIZED IT AND ATTEMPTED TO AMEND THE BUDGET WITH NO INCREASE FOR SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

>> SEN. EDDIE MELTON (D-GARY): TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATE 93 PERCENT OF INDIANA'S CHILDREN, SO 93 PERCENT OF OUR FUNDING IN THE FORMULA GOES TO THOSE SCHOOLS.

>> THE AMOUNT WAS VOTED DOWN.

>> IS THIS THE PRUDENT PATH.

OUR FIRST QUESTION OR OUR INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL.

DEMOCRAT, 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, DOES THIS PUT INDIANA'S STUDENTS IN A GOOD PLACE?

>> I THINK IT DOES.

WE TALK EVERY YEAR.

I GET CRITICIZED EVERY YEAR SAYING IT IS AN HISTORIC AMOUNT OF EDUCATION FUNDING, NATURAL GOES UP.

I MAY NOT BE IN THAT POSITION ANYMORE, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WE'LL EVER SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY ON K-12 EDUCATION IN INDIANA.

$850 MILLION INCREASE TO K-12 ALONE, HIGHER ED, $0.62 ON EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON EDUCATION.

100 MILLION MORE FOR SPECIAL ED AND THE 1.8 THROUGH THIRD VERSION OF STIMULUS.

THIS YEAR AND NEXT.

AND SPREAD OUT ACROSS SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALL OVER THE STATE.

THAT'S IN ADDITION TO THE 150 MILLION FOR LEARNING LOSS, TO THE GRANT PROGRAM THAT THE SCHOOLS CAN APPLY TO TO TRY TO HELP KIDS CATCH UP FROM FALLING BEHIND MAYBE IN THE LAST YEAR WHEN WORKING REMOTELY, OR SOME BLEND OF THAT.

IT IS A VERY HEALTHY BUDGET, IF YOU'RE JUST LOOKING AT THE MONEY, AND IT'S A NEW PROGRAM, EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, A BIG PRIORITY FOR THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS, THE SENATE ALL BUT ELIMINATED IN TERMS OF FUNDING, WENT FROM 150 MILLION TO 3 MILLION IN SAVINGS ACCOUNTS THAT EXPAND SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM.

WE'LL SEE THAT MODERATE AND WORK ITSELF BACK IN.

WE HAVE APRIL 15 REVENUE FORECAST COMING UP THIS WEEK.

THERE'S BEEN A COMMITMENT BY LEADERS ON ALL SIDES.

THAT WILL GO STRAIGHT INTO THE PER PUPIL FOUNDATION MONEY SPENT.

SO THIS MAY BE THE RECORD GOING FORWARD ON EDUCATION FUNDING.

>> IS THIS A GOOD EDUCATION BUDGET?

>> I'M CERTAINLY HAPPIER WITH THE SENATE VERSION OF THE HOUSE.

I'LL BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THAT IS RECONCILED.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

I WISH WE WOULD HAVE SEEN SENATOR MELTON'S AMENDMENTS INCORPORATED INTO THIS BUDGET.

HE IS SUCH AN AUTHORITY AND HAS SUCH EXPERTISE WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC ED FUNDING.

WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN THAT.

ONE THING I'M HAPPY TO SEE IN THIS SENATE BUDGET IS THE RESTORATION OF THOSE CTE FUNDS THAT ENSURE THAT STUDENTS WHO ARE LOOKING TO GO INTO CULINARY, COSMETOLOGY, BROADCASTING ARE STILL GOING TO BE ON THE RIGHT PATH TO GET INTO SOME OF THOSE FIELDS.

THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT NOW, I HOPE TO SEE IT STAY IN THE BUDGET.

>> WE'LL SEE, IF YOU'RE A STUDENT OUT THERE INTERESTED IN BROADCASTING, DON'T.

I'M JUST KIDDING.

NIKI KELLY, THIS DOES REPRESENT A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE FROM THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN BUDGET.

WE TALKED TO THE SPEAKER ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DID THEY SAY IN RESPONSE TO THE SENATE BUDGET?

>> I THINK THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS WERE RELATIVELY HAPPY WITH IT.

THE SENATE DEFINITELY FOCUSED LESS ON THE FOUNDATION AND A LITTLE MORE ON HELPING POOR OR DISABLED KIDS.

AND THEY STILL DID, THEY OPENED UP A BRAND-NEW -- PROGRAM, SMALLER LEVEL.

THEY DID SLIGHTLY EXPAND VOUCHERS THOUGH AT A SMALLER LEVEL.

WHEN I LOOK AT IT, THERE IS SOMETHING THERE FOR EVERYONE, THEY INCREASED CHARTER FUNDING.

I'M -- ALL THE EDUCATION FOLKS I TALK TO WERE VERY IMPRESSED AT HOW IT GAVE A LITTLE BIT FOR EVERYONE, AND I THINK THE SENATE REALLY LISTENED.

THEY HAVE THIS MARATHON 6-HOUR MEETING ON SCHOOL FUNDING.

SEEMED TO ME THEY LISTENED AND TOOK TO HEART.

>> ONE THING NOTABLY ABSENT FROM THIS BUDGET AS THE GOVERNOR AND HOUSE BUDGET, ANYTHING FOR TEACHERS?

ANYTHING NEW FOR TEACHERS, I SHOULD SAY?

ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL REACH THE END OF THE 2021 SESSION WITHOUT ANY MEANINGFUL ACTION ON TEACHER PAY RAISES?

>> THE RESPONSE TO THAT, AS WE HEARD EARLIER FROM HOUSE BUDGET ARCHITECTS AND HOW WHAT WE WILL HEAR IF WE'RE NOT ALREADY HEARING IT FROM THEIR SENATE COUNTERPARTS, IS THAT WITH THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING, SCHOOLS HAVE -- SCHOOL BOARDS, LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE THE LATITUDE TO REWARD THEIR TEACHERS AS THEY SEE FIT AND DEEM APPROPRIATE IN TERMS OF THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR GIVEN COMMUNITY.

AND THEY OFTEN WILL REPEAT, AND IT'S TRUE, THEY WILL REPEAT, MUCH AS YOU SAY THAT THE BUDGET IS HISTORIC, THEY WILL OFTEN POINT OUT THAT WE DON'T GIVE PAY RAISES DIRECTLY TO TEACHERS, THAT'S THE PREROGATIVE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS, INDEPENDENT -- WHICH IS TRUE, MECHANISMS BY WHICH YOU COULD FORCE THE ISSUE TO A GREATER EXTENT.

BUT I THINK THIS WILL STAY -- BECAUSE OF THE DOLLARS BEING THROWN AT THIS, AND BECAUSE THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY, IT REALLY IS GOING TO TAKE I THINK A LITTLE OF THE STING OUT THAT THAT SPECIFIC -- SURE, TEACHERS WOULD WANT TO SEE THAT.

BUT KNOWING THAT THIS KIND OF MONEY IS GOING TO BE FLOWING INTO THEIR CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOLS, THAT'S -- THERE IS A LITTLE SOMETHING THERE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> SENATOR BRAY NOTED YESTERDAY THAT A LOT OF THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT'S GOING DIRECTLY TO SCHOOLS LIKE YOU MENTIONED, HE'S HOPING THAT A CHUNK OF THAT WILL BE USED DIRECTLY FOR TEACHER PAY RAISES.

>> THE SENATE REPUBLICAN STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL UNVEILED THIS WEEK ALSO BEGINS TO SPEND SOME OF THE NEW THREE BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF COMING TO INDIANA.

>> THE SENATE REPUBLICAN BUDGET PLAN WOULD SPEND MORE THAN 800 MILLION IN FEDERAL DOLLARS ON PROGRAMS RANGING FROM POLICE BODY CAMERAS TO WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND BROADBAND EXPANSION.

SENATE GOP BUDGET ARCHITECT RYAN MISHLER SAYS HE DOESN'T WANT THE STATE TO SPEND ALL OF THE NEW FEDERAL MONEY RIGHT AWAY.

>> SEN. RYAN MISHLER (R-BREMEN): WE MAY HAVE SOME ISSUES WE DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT COMING DOWN THE ROAD AND SO I THINK THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO IS HOLD ON TO SOME OF THAT.

>> DEMOCRATIC SENATOR EDDIE MELTON WOULD LIKE TO SEE FEDERAL MONEY USED TO HELP HOOSIER TEACHERS.

>> SEN. EDDIE MELTON (D-GARY): FREEING UP NEW DOLLARS BY LEVERAGING SOME OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING WILL ALLOW OUR LOCALS TO INCREASE TEACHER PAY.

>> SENATE DEMOCRATS, THOUGH, LARGELY APPLAUDED MISHLER'S PLANS FOR THE FEDERAL FUNDS.

>> IS HOLDING -- IS $3 BILLION SPENT ANY TIME BETWEEN NOW AND 2024, IS HOLDING BACK SOME OF THIS MONEY WISE?

>> THIS IS PRETTY TEXTBOOK STATEHOUSE REPUBLICAN.

THEY LOVE TO HOLD MONEY BACK.

BUT OFTEN IT'S DONE AT THE EXPENSE OF HOOSIERS WHO ARE IN NEED.

FOR EXAMPLE, I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ON THIS SHOW BEFORE ABOUT LOW COST ITEMS THAT ARE SIMPLY NOT GIVEN FUNDING THAT WOULD HAVE HIGH IMPACT FOR HOOSIERS, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE CHOICE FUNDING, THAT IS AN AMENDMENT THAT SENATOR MELTON HAD THAT WAS VOTED DOWN ALONG PARTY LINES.

CHOICE FUNDING HELPS KEEP ELDERLY AND FOLKS WHO NEED JUST A LITTLE EXTRA CARE IN THEIR HOMES WITH DIGNITY.

IT COST TAXPAYERS 4% LESS THAN IT WOULD THAN FOR THEM TO GO INTO LONG-TERM CARE.

AND JUST A SMALL 1% INCREASE IN THIS FUNDING WOULD HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE, AND STILL THEY COULDN'T PASS THIS AMENDMENT.

I THINK WE RELLY NEED TO BE INVESTIGATING HOW TO USE THIS MONEY SUSTAINABLY RATHER THAN JUST RACKING IT UP LIKE THEY'VE DONE IN THE PAST.

>> BOTH I THINK IT WAS SENATOR MISHLER AND SPEAKER HUSTON TALKED ABOUT THEY HAVE NUMBERS IN MIND OF THE $3 BILLION, A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE THEY KNOW THEY WANT TO SPEND.

OR AT LEAST SAY HOW THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND THIS SESSION BEFORE THEY ADJOURN.

IS HOLDING BACK SOME OF IT APPROPRIATE?

>> I THINK IT IS.

I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER BUDGET BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN THAT MONEY -- IT'S TWO STATE BUDGET CYCLES WHERE THOSE DOLLARS CAN BE INVESTED.

BUT WE DO -- TO CONTINUE THE -- WHAT WE HEAR FROM STATEHOUSE REPUBLICANS IS THAT WHAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IS FUND ALL THESE THINGS THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE PROPOSED, THAT ARE ONGOING EXPENSES.

SOME OF THEM.

KNOWING THAT THIS MONEY IS GOING TO RUN OUT.

SO IF LOCAL SCHOOL CORPORATIONS GET THIS 1.7 PLUS BILLION DOLLARS, AND IF THEY'RE ABLE TO BUILD IT INTO THEIR BUDGETS, WHAT -- I THINK WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS NOT DO IS BUILD IT INTO TEACHER COMPENSATION, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IN TWO YEARS, THERE IS MORE MONEY COMING.

THAT'S ALWAYS THE CHALLENGE WITH THESE HUGE POTS OF MONEY.

THE REASON WE HAVE A HALF A TRILLION IN STATE BUDGET, COMING OUT OF COVID, A LOT OF STATES ARE GOING TO DO WHAT STATEHOUSE DEMOCRATS WANT THE BUDGET WRITERS TO DO, BUILD IT IN, 2024, THE MONEY RUNS OUT, AND WE'RE BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHEN THAT MONEY COMES IN IT IS GOING TO HAVE STRINGS ATTACHED.

A LARGE INFLUENCE OVER HOW BUDGETS ARE CREATED, NOT IN A WAY TO MAKE THEM BALANCED, LIKE IN INDIANA FOR A LONG TIME.

THEY'RE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT SPENDING THESE DOLLARS TOO FAST OR SPENDING ON ONGOING EXPENSES.

>> JON, IF YOU LISTEN TO REPRESENT -- OR EXCUSE ME, SENATOR MISHLER THERE, YOU KNOW, HE'S WORRIED ABOUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING, THE PANDEMIC IS CERTAINLY NOT OVER.

HOLDING ON TO THIS MONEY FOR WHATEVER THAT NEXT THING IS IS APPROPRIATE.

DO YOU THINK THE AVERAGE HOOSIER HEARS THAT AND GOES THAT'S OKAY?

>> HUMAN NATURE PROBABLY DICTATES THAT PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING ECONOMICALLY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, PROBABLY ARE SAYING, GEE, IT'S GREAT TO MARSHAL, AND BE GOOD STEWARDS OF RESOURCES, BUT I NEED HELP NOW.

AND CERTAINLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE HURTING AND STRUGGLING, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY, I'M SURE THEY ARE DESPERATE FOR THE HELP AND THEY NEED IT NOW.

SO IT IS HARD TO LOOK AT SORT OF SIT BACK AND DELIBERATE ABOUT WHAT MAKES BEST FISCAL SENSE IN THE LONG-TERM.

I DO THINK REPUBLICANS CAN POINT WITH JUSTIFICATION TO THE APPROACH THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN, AND BY THAT I MEAN KEEPING HEALTHY RESERVES, DID POSITION AS MIKE SUGGESTED, THE STATE VERY WELL, VIS-A-VIS ITS COUNTERPARTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A LOT OF STATES WOULD DO ANYTHING TO TRADE THEIR FISCAL SITUATION RIGHT NOW WITH THAT OF INDIANA.

THAT'S BECAUSE WE DID HAVE SOME RESERVES, IN TERMS OF GIVING IT OUT, ONCE WE GET ALL THE COVID MONEY OUT OF THE WAY, IF THE BIDDEN ADMINISTRATION IS SUCCESSFUL, AND PRESUMABLY THROUGH BUDGET RECONCILIATION, WITH ANOTHER $2.3 TRILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE, THE REPUBLICANS IN THIS STATE MAY HAVE TROUBLE -- THERE IS JUST SO MUCH MONEY COMING THROUGH THE PIPELINE, THERE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ALMOST A SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN'T GIVE IT AWAY FAST ENOUGH, A WELCOME -- [CROSS TALKING].

>> THEN WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT WHEN IT'S GONE.

>> NOT NECESSARILY THAT THESE ARE GOING TO BE ONGOING.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE -- BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE PRE-COVID.

AND SOME OF THESE, LIKE I SAID, THE CHOICE FUNDING -- TAXPAYER SAVINGS.

WE HAVE TO BE SMART HOW WE'RE DOING THIS, THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN DUCKING YOUR MONEY FOR A LATER TIME.

>> A LOT OF THE MONEY IS CAPITAL EXPENSE FOR BUILDING.

THE SAME WITH EDUCATION.

MAY BE THAT THE EASIEST WAY TO PLACATE REPUBLICANS CONCERNED ABOUT ONGOING EXPENSES IS TO SEE LET'S PUT SOME THINGS IN BRICK AND MORTAR, HEALTH OR EDUCATION.

>> FREES UP MONEY, FREES UP MONEY.

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: SHOULD THE STATE HOLD BACK SOME OF THE NEW FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF DOLLARS FOR FUTURE NEEDS?

A YES, B NO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: WILL GOV.

HOLCOMB EVER REIMPOSE ANY STATEWIDE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS?

38% OF YOU SAY YES, 62% SAY NO.

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

LEGISLATION SENT TO THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK PRIORITIZES PROTECTING MONUMENTS AND STATUES ACROSS THE STATE EVEN CUTTING OFF SOME FUNDING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT DON'T.

>> THE LEGISLATION REQUIRES THE STATE POLICE TO PRIORITIZE INVESTIGATION OF ANYONE WHO DAMAGES OR JUST VANDALIZES A MONUMENT, MEMORIAL, STATUE OR OTHER “COMMEMORATIVE” PROPERTY, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ROBIN SHACKLEFORD IS TROUBLED BY THAT.

>> REP. ROBIN SHACKLEFORD (D-INDIANAPOLIS): THIS BILL IS SAYING, 'WE WOULD RATHER CATCH A VANDAL FOR DEFACING A STATUE OVER A PREDATOR WHO HAS MOLESTED A CHILD.

>> BUT REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MATT LEHMAN SAYS THE BILL DOESN'T SAY WHAT “PRIORITIZE” MEANS.

>> REP. MATT LEHMAN (R-BERNE): IT CAN BE THE BOTTOM OF MY PRIORITIES.

NOTHING IN HERE SAYS IT'S GOT TO BE THE TOP PRIORITY - YOU PUT EVERYTHING ELSE ASIDE AND FOCUS SOLELY ON MONUMENTS.

THE BILL ALSO SAYS IF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DON'T PRIORITIZE PROTECTING MONUMENTS, THE STATE CAN WITHHOLD SOME FUNDING.

SHACKLEFORD SAYS THAT INCLUDES DOLLARS THAT FLOW TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ESSENCE, SHE SAYS, DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

>> NIKI KELLY, DID LEHMAN UNDERCUT THE BILL A LITTLE BIT WHEN TRYING TO EXPLAIN IT?

>> YEAH.

THERE IS REALLY NO WAY TO SEE THAT, RIGHT?

BECAUSE, I MEAN WHAT'S THE POINT OF THE BILL IF THEY CAN ALL SAY WE PRIORITIZED IT LAST?

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S INTERESTING, I THINK IT IS A FAIR CRITICISM TO SAY WHAT ARE WE PRIORITIZING IT OVER.

YOU KNOW, ARE WE PRIORITIZING IT OVER, YOU KNOW, VIOLENT CRIME, OR THINGS LIKE THAT?

IT ALSO HAS SOME LANGUAGE IN THERE TO INCREASE THE FELONY -- YOU KNOW, THAT THEY CAN GO TO JAIL FOR IF YOU DAMAGE A MONUMENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT ALSO TALKS ABOUT PRIVATE COMMEMORATIVE MATERIALS, AND THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT WOULD THAT COUNT IF I'M LITERALLY HANGING A CONFEDERATE FLAG OUT AND SOMEONE COMES AND TAKES IT, DO THEY HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THAT CRIME?

>> DOES THIS BILL MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO YOU?

>> MAYBE THE INTENT.

I UNDERSTAND WHERE PEOPLE, THE ADVOCATES ARE COMING FROM.

BUT IT IS OPEN TO MISINTERPRETATION, OR VARIOUS INTERPREATIONS, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE NOTION OF PRIORITIZATION.

WE'LL STIPULATE THAT.

BUT THEN THE OTHER THING IS, AND YOU WERE JUST TOUCHING ON THIS, NIKI, WHAT CONSTITUTES A MEMORIAL OR SOME SORT OF COMMEMORATIVE.

COULD IT BE SOME, YOU KNOW, SOME -- A MONUMENT TO SOMETHING THAT MATT LEHMAN AND OTHERS WOULD FIND DESPICABLE AND HORRIBLE.

DOES THAT MEAN STATE POLICE WOULD THROW THEIR ARMS AROUND THAT THING IN SUPPORT EVEN THOUGH HE AND I'M SURE MANY IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WOULD SAY THAT'S NOT WHAT WE HAD IN MIND WHEN WE PROMOTED THIS BILL.

THERE IS JUST A LOT OPEN TO INTERPRETATION.

>> I FEEL LIKE I KEEP QUOTING ANN DeLANEY WHEN SHE IS NOT HERE.

ED DELANEY CALLED THIS A MESSAGE BILL, IF IT IS, IS THAT THE PROBLEM, THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO TAKE A MESSAGE BILL AND APPLY IT IN LAW?

>> IT'S A POLITICAL FLASHPOINT.

YEAH, THE TWO SIDES, PEOPLE DISAGREE ON THESE THINGS.

I THINK IT'S -- I THINK THIS ISSUE OF MEMORIALS, I'M NOT FOR A MOB TEARING THESE THINGS DOWN OVERNIGHT.

IF YOU ARE A SUPPORTER OF THE CIVIL WAR -- THERE HAS TO BE CONTEXT, THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT IS IT WE CHOOSE TO MEMORIALIZE AND CELEBRATE IN THIS COUNTRY AND WHAT DID WE 150 YEARS AGO THAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE ANYMORE.

AND BOTH PARTIES ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THINGS FOR EXAMPLES.

THE DEBATE HAS JUST GOTTEN SO POLARIZED THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT FOR REPUBLICANS MOVING A STATUTE, OR WHETHER WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE UP.

DEMOCRATS WANT THEM ALL TORN DOWN IF THEY DID ANYTHING OFFENSIVE IN HISTORY, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN BETWEEN THAT THESE ARE CASE-BY-CASE.

>> A LOT OF THIS IS THE IDEA THERE IS OPT OUTS FOR THE LOCAL LANGUAGE IN TERMS OF CUTTING OFF FUNDING, OPT OUTS IN WAYS THAT YOU CAN AVOID THAT HAPPENING, IS THIS A BILL THAT IS SIMPLY NEVER GOING TO BE USED?

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS PROTECTING PROPERTY.

SO, THIS IS -- I JUST DON'T THINK IT IS ANIEN COINCIDENCE THAT THIS IS COMING AFTER A SUMMER OF MANY MONTHS OF HOOSIERS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS COMING OUT TO DEMAND FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.

SURE, WE PASSED 10-06, THAT WAS AN HISTORIC CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE SAME BODY IS PRIORITIZING MONUMENTS AFTER A YEAR OF PROTESTS.

IF THAT IS YOUR TAKE-AWAY FROM THESE PROTESTS, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM HOOSIERS, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

SO, I DO THINK IT IS A REACTION TO THAT.

I THINK IT'S SUPPOSED TO SEND THAT MESSAGE.

I THINK THAT FLOOR SPEECH WAS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU'RE EXPLAINING YOU'RE LOSING, AND HOOSIERS PRIORITIZE A LOT MORE THAN THESE MONUMENTS >> LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ELIMINATE INDIANA'S LICENSES TO CARRY A HANDGUN IN PUBLIC IS LIKELY DEAD THIS SESSION.

STILL, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WOULDN'T RULE OUT REVIVING THE BILL BEFORE LAWMAKERS HEAD HOME.

>> THE SENATE DID NOT GIVE THE HANDGUN LICENSE ELIMINATION BILL A HEARING BEFORE THURSDAY'S DEADLINE TO DO SO.

AND AS A KIND OF COMPROMISE, SENATE REPUBLICANS INCLUDED IN THEIR BUDGET PROPOSAL ELIMINATING THE FEE FOR A LIFETIME HANDGUN CARRY PERMIT.

HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON SAYS HIS CAUCUS PREFERS ELIMINATING THE LICENSES ENTIRELY.

>> SPEAKER TODD HUSTON (R-FISHERS): IF WE END UP REMOVING THE LIFETIME PERMIT FEE, THAT'S AT LEAST A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD.

>> IF THE LIFETIME PERMIT DOES BECOME FREE, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM RODRIC BRAY SAYS THOSE WHO'VE ALREADY PAID FOR ONE SHOULDN'T EXPECT A REFUND.

>> SEN. RODRIC BRAY (R-MARTINSVILLE): I'VE GOT MINE AS WELL, DON'T EXPECT A REFUND THERE.

SO, WE'RE NOT REALLY TALKING ABOUT THAT.

>> BRAY WOULDN'T SAY WHAT THE POSSIBILITY IS THAT TOTAL HANDGUN LICENSE ELIMINATION COULD BE RESTORED BEFORE THE SESSION ENDS.

>> JON SCHWANTES, IS THE HANDGUN LICENSE BILL DEAD?

>> LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO, AND IT'S A CLICHE, BUT IT'S TRUE, NOTHING IS EVER DEAD.

THE RULES WOULD SUGGEST, THE BUDGET, OR ANYTHING GOES TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE THAT FAIR GAME THE FODDER THAT COULD GO INTO THE BILL IS LIMITED TO SOMETHING THAT'S PASSED ONE CHAMBER.

WE ALL KNOW AND CAN POINT TO EXAMPLES WHERE MIRACULOUSLY EVEN MYSTERILY, GET IN.

I HAVE NO IDEA, I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE A BET, AS SOON AS I DO I'LL BE PROVEN WRONG.

>> DO YOU THINK THE BILL IS DEAD THIS SESSION?

>> I THINK IT'S PRETTY DEAD.

IT'S FASCINATING THAT A BILL THAT HAD 21 CO-SPONSORS IN THE SENATE ALL REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW, WASN'T HEARD.

AND YET SENATOR BRAY MADE CLEAR THAT HE DIDN'T KILL THE BILL, HIS CAUCUS DECIDED.

WHICH MEANT PEOPLE WHO SIGNED ONTO THE BILL DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR IT.

IT'S A LITTLE ODD.

THE MAIN ISSUE THEY SAID THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH WAS THIS DATABASE THAT IT CREATES OF PROHIBITED PERSONS.

THAT COULD HAVE EASILY JUST BEEN REMOVED.

I MEAN, IF THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM, IT COULD HAVE MOVED FORWARD, THEY CHOSE NOT TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AT ALL.

>> ALTHOUGH YOU REMOVE THAT AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY IS EVEN MORE UPSET ABOUT THE RULE.

>> THEY WERE ALREADY AGAINST THE RULE.

>> I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE ISSUE THAT NIKI JUST RAISED, WHICH IS 21 CO-SPONSORS IN THE SENATE.

MORE THAN HALF OF YOU -- DO THE TWO OF THOSE MAKE SENSE.

>> LIKE A CONVENTION FIGHT WHEN YOUR VOTE COUNT IS TWICE AS MANY AS THE DELEGATES IN THE ROOM.

EVERYONE IS FOR YOU, AND THEN THEY GO IN THE BOOTH AND PUSH THE BUTTON.

I MEAN, IT'S IN PART WHY YOU HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, YOU'RE FREE OF THE PRESSURE AND MAKE A BETTER DECISION THAN WHATEVER GROUP IS BRINGING THE -- PUSHING YOU ON THE ISSUE, THAT THERE IS POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES.

IF YOU'RE NOT FOR -- IF YOU'RE NOT FOR THIS BILL, THEN YOU'RE FOR THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS MAKING THAT DECISION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, I UNDERSTAND.

BUT IT WORKED IN THIS SITUATION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME WILL REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS TO GET A COVID-19 VACCINE BEFORE RETURNING FOR THE FALL 2021 SEMESTER.

WVPE'S GEMMA DICARLO HAS MORE.

>> IN A LETTER TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY, UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS WILL ALL NEED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BEFORE RETURNING TO CAMPUS IN THE FALL.

THAT'S UNLESS THEY HAVE A DOCUMENTED MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.

UNIVERSITY SPOKESPERSON DENNIS BROWN SAYS FACULTY AND STAFF WILL BE “STRONGLY ENCOURAGED” TO GET VACCINATED, BUT AS OF NOW, THEY WON'T BE REQUIRED TO.

>> IS IT FAIR TO REQUIRE THIS OF STUDENTS AND NOT FACULTY AND STAFF?

>> IT'S TOUGH BECAUSE THERE AREN'T FEDERAL AND STATE GUIDELINES DON'T REQUIRE YOU TO MAKE YOUR EMPLOYEES GET THE VACCINE, SO IT IS TOUGH.

THERE ARE RELIGIOUS ISSUES THAT COULD BE AT PLAY HERE.

AS A RELIGIOUS PERSON, I THINK THE MOST LOVING THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS PROTECT YOUR NEIGHBOR, AND YOU CAN GET THE VACCINE AS SOON AS IT'S PRESENTED TO YOU.

THAT'S MY PERSONAL TAKE ON IT.

SO I JUST -- WHEN YOU'RE NOT GETTING THAT GUIDELINE FROM FEDERAL OR STATE, OR EVEN AT THE STATE LEVEL WE SAW EARLY ON IN SESSION, ACTUALLY WE SAW LEGISLATION FILED SO THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THIS, IT'S REALLY HARD TO ASK THAT OF INSTITUTIONS.

>> RELIGIOUS OR MEDICAL OPT OUTS THAT ARE PART OF NOTRE DAME'S POLICY ARE ALREADY FEDERAL, EVEN STATE LAW, THAT BILL WOULD HAVE EXPANDED IT TO MORAL OR ETHICAL REASONS, I THINK.

ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN ACTION OUT OF THE STATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHEN IT COMES TO REQUIRING VACCINES?

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A QUESTION WITH EMPLOYERS, WITH SCHOOLS FOR A LONG TIME.

WHETHER -- WE'LL SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY ARE AT HERD IMMUNITY, AND THESE OTHER THINGS TO CURB THIS PANDEMIC, WHICH I THINK WILL MOTIVATE THE POLICY.

WHAT KIND OF HEALTH POLICIES AND MANDATES WE SEE COME OUT OF THAT.

EVERY EMPLOYER THAT HAS TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER OR NOT THEIR EMPLOYEES TO COME BACK TO WORK WITH A VACCINE IS GOING TO IT BE CONTROVERSIAL.

>> ARE WE ABOUT TO SEE THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WHETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

>> A LOT, ABSOLUTELY.

A LOT OF IT IS FRAMING.

NOTRE DAME CAN SAY WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS.

GO BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, GO TO FOOTBALL GAMES AND ENJOY COLLEGE THE WAY YOUR COUNTERPARTS USED TO, OR WE DO THINGS REMOTELY, IF YOU FRAME IT IN THAT CONTEXT, PEOPLE SAY SIGN ME UP.

>> THAT'S INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THIS WEEK.

OUR PANEL IS... 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.

SAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, WEAR A MASK, GET VACCINATED IF YOU CAN.

WHICH I DID THIS WEEK.

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