♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S COVID-19 INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S COVID-19 VACCINE POLICY.

VACCINE POLICY.

EARLY ILEARN RESULTS.

EARLY ILEARN RESULTS.

PLUS, SENATE DEMOCRATS CALL FOR PLUS, SENATE DEMOCRATS CALL FOR A MINIMUM WAGE HIKE AND MORE ON A MINIMUM WAGE HIKE AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING MAY 28TH, 2021.

WEEK ENDING MAY 28TH, 2021.

INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS.

STATIONS.

AND ICEMILLER.

AND ICEMILLER.

A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM COMMITTED TO HELPING CLIENTS COMMITTED TO HELPING CLIENTS BUILD GROW AND PROTECT THEIR BUILD GROW AND PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS.

INTERESTS.

MORE AT ICEMILLER.COM.

MORE AT ICEMILLER.COM.

THIS WEEK, INDIANA ATTORNEY THIS WEEK, INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA THINKS AN GENERAL TODD ROKITA THINKS AN INDIANA UNIVERSITY POLICY THAT INDIANA UNIVERSITY POLICY THAT REQUIRES PROOF OF COVID-19 REQUIRES PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION VIOLATES A NEW STATE VACCINATION VIOLATES A NEW STATE LAW.

LAW.

ROKITA ISSUED AN ADVISORY ROKITA ISSUED AN ADVISORY OPINION ON THE ISSUE WEDNESDAY, OPINION ON THE ISSUE WEDNESDAY, PROMPTED BY REQUESTS FROM PROMPTED BY REQUESTS FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO OPPOSE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO OPPOSE HE HE THE UNIVERSITY POLICY.

THE UNIVERSITY POLICY.

THE NEW LAW BANS STATE AND LOCAL THE NEW LAW BANS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM CREATING OR GOVERNMENTS FROM CREATING OR REQUIRING COVID VACCINE REQUIRING COVID VACCINE PASSPORTS.

PASSPORTS.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE BILL'S AUTHORS AND SPONSORS SAID BILL'S AUTHORS AND SPONSORS SAID THAT LANGUAGE DIDN'T MEAN K-12 THAT LANGUAGE DIDN'T MEAN K-12 SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

BUT ROKITA SAYS CASE LAW HAS BUT ROKITA SAYS CASE LAW HAS REPEATEDLY HELD THAT PUBLIC REPEATEDLY HELD THAT PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ARE "ARMS OF THE UNIVERSITIES ARE "ARMS OF THE STATE."

STATE."

THEREFORE, HE SAYS, I.U.

CAN'T THEREFORE, HE SAYS, I.U.

CAN'T REQUIRE STUDENTS, FACULTY OR REQUIRE STUDENTS, FACULTY OR STAFF PROVIDE PROOF OF STAFF PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION.

VACCINATION.

THE REPUBLICAN A.G.

STRESSES THE REPUBLICAN A.G.

STRESSES THAT THE LAW DOESN'T BAR THE THAT THE LAW DOESN'T BAR THE UNIVERSITY FROM REQUIRING THE UNIVERSITY FROM REQUIRING THE VACCINATION - JUST THAT IT CAN'T VACCINATION - JUST THAT IT CAN'T REQUIRE PROOF.

REQUIRE PROOF.

ROKITA'S OPINION IS NON-BINDING ROKITA'S OPINION IS NON-BINDING AND DOES NOT CARRY FORCE OF LAW.

AND DOES NOT CARRY FORCE OF LAW.

WILL IU'S COVID VACCINATION WILL IU'S COVID VACCINATION POLICY REMAIN IN EFFECT BY THE POLICY REMAIN IN EFFECT BY THE TIME THE FALL TERM BEGINS?

TIME THE FALL TERM BEGINS?

IT'S THE FIRST QUESTION FOR OUR IT'S THE FIRST QUESTION FOR OUR INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL DEMOCRAT ANN DELAEY DEMOCRAT ANN DELAEY REPUBLICAN JAKE OAKMAN REPUBLICAN JAKE OAKMAN JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS AND LAWMAKERS AND NIKI KELLY, STATEHOUSE REPORTER NIKI KELLY, STATEHOUSE REPORTER FOR THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL FOR THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE GAZETTE I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATEHOUSE REPORTER BRANDON STATEHOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH.

SMITH.

ANN DELANEY, WE'VE HAD HOUSE ANN DELANEY, WE'VE HAD HOUSE REPUBLICANS ASK THE GOVERNOR TO REPUBLICANS ASK THE GOVERNOR TO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, WE'VE ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, WE'VE SEEN THE VAST MAJORITY SEND A SEEN THE VAST MAJORITY SEND A MANDATE TO YOI, WILL THIS POLICY MANDATE TO YOI, WILL THIS POLICY LAST?

LAST?

>> THEY'VE EXPANDED THEIR >> THEY'VE EXPANDED THEIR UNIVERSE THERE, THE THING ABOUT UNIVERSE THERE, THE THING ABOUT YOI AND PURDUE AND OTHER YOI AND PURDUE AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, IN LARGE PART THAT'S BECAUSE OF IN LARGE PART THAT'S BECAUSE OF THEIR INDEPENDENCE.

THEIR INDEPENDENCE.

AND THEY'VE MAY A DECISION ON AND THEY'VE MAY A DECISION ON THIS THAT IT'S FOR THE HEALTH THIS THAT IT'S FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE THAT AND SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THAT CAMPUS.

WORK AT THAT CAMPUS.

TODD ROKITA, I DON'T KNOW HOW HE TODD ROKITA, I DON'T KNOW HOW HE PASSED THE BAR, HE DOESN'T READ PASSED THE BAR, HE DOESN'T READ THE STATUTES.

THE STATUTES.

IU IS NOT A ARM OF GOVERNMENT, IU IS NOT A ARM OF GOVERNMENT, IT'S NOT.

IT'S NOT.

IT'S NOT COVERED BY THAT IT'S NOT COVERED BY THAT STATUTE.

STATUTE.

SO THIS QUESTION IS DO THEY COME SO THIS QUESTION IS DO THEY COME BACK IN, AND NOW INTRUDE BACK IN, AND NOW INTRUDE THEMSELVES INTO THE DEBATE AS TO THEMSELVES INTO THE DEBATE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IU, THEY BEING WHETHER OR NOT IU, THEY BEING THE LEGISLATURE, TO INTRUDE THE LEGISLATURE, TO INTRUDE THEMSELVES INTO THAT DEBATE?

THEMSELVES INTO THAT DEBATE?

I HOPE IU STAYS THE COURSE, IT'S I HOPE IU STAYS THE COURSE, IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION FOR THEM TO THE RIGHT DECISION FOR THEM TO MAKE, IT'S THE SAME DECISION A MAKE, IT'S THE SAME DECISION A LOT OF HIGHER END INSTITUTIONS LOT OF HIGHER END INSTITUTIONS HAVE MADE AND THEY OUGHT TO GO HAVE MADE AND THEY OUGHT TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT AND TODD ROKITA AHEAD AND DO IT AND TODD ROKITA OUGHT TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE OUGHT TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME READING THE LAW WITH BEFORE TIME READING THE LAW WITH BEFORE HE PONTIFF PONTIFICATES ON WHATW HE PONTIFF PONTIFICATES ON WHATW SAYS.

SAYS.

IT ONLY GETS 18% OF ITS FUNDING IT ONLY GETS 18% OF ITS FUNDING FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA.

FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> 18% CAN BE A LOT THOUGH.

>> 18% CAN BE A LOT THOUGH.

>> AND THEY CAN RAISE A LOT MORE >> AND THEY CAN RAISE A LOT MORE WITHOUT IT.

WITHOUT IT.

>> I JUST WANTED TO ASK, SHE >> I JUST WANTED TO ASK, SHE BROUGHT THE QUESTION ABOUT THE BROUGHT THE QUESTION ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE COMING BACK.

LEGISLATURE COMING BACK.

THEY CAN COME BACK WHENEVER THEY THEY CAN COME BACK WHENEVER THEY WANT BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER.

WANT BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER.

L BEFORING THE SESSION ENDED, IT L BEFORING THE SESSION ENDED, IT WOULD BE VERY VERY VERY VERY WOULD BE VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES VERY EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WOULD BRING THEM BACK TO DO THAT WOULD BRING THEM BACK TO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN SOMETHING OTHER THAN REDISTRICTING.

REDISTRICTING.

IS THIS GOING TO COUNT?

IS THIS GOING TO COUNT?

>> WELL I GUESS EXECUTIVE POWERS >> WELL I GUESS EXECUTIVE POWERS ARE COOL AGAIN, WHICH IS ARE COOL AGAIN, WHICH IS INTERESTING.

INTERESTING.

AS THE GOVERNOR RAMPED DOWN AS THE GOVERNOR RAMPED DOWN EXECUTIVE POWERS, THERE ARE SOME EXECUTIVE POWERS, THERE ARE SOME WHO WANT TO RAMP THEM BACK UP.

WHO WANT TO RAMP THEM BACK UP.

SEEMS LIKE THIS WEEK THEY'RE SEEMS LIKE THIS WEEK THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT IT.

IT.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO LEARN A LOT BUT WE ARE GOING TO LEARN A LOT WITH COVID, DECIDED IN THE WITH COVID, DECIDED IN THE COURTS, BUT WE'LL JUST SEE.

COURTS, BUT WE'LL JUST SEE.

THE WHOLE EXECUTIVE POWER THING THE WHOLE EXECUTIVE POWER THING IS AN INTERESTING WRINKLE IN ALL IS AN INTERESTING WRINKLE IN ALL OF THIS, AS WE GO INTO THE OF THIS, AS WE GO INTO THE SUMMER AND THINGS OPENING BACK SUMMER AND THINGS OPENING BACK UP.

UP.

>> SHE MENTION ED THERE'S A NEW >> SHE MENTION ED THERE'S A NEW I UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT COMING I UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT COMING IN, STARTING JULY 1st.

IN, STARTING JULY 1st.

DOES IU BLINK HERE?

DOES IU BLINK HERE?

>> I HOPE NOT.

>> I HOPE NOT.

I THINK THAT OUR INSTITUTIONS AS I THINK THAT OUR INSTITUTIONS AS ANN SUGGESTED OF HIGHER ANN SUGGESTED OF HIGHER EDUCATION ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL, EDUCATION ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL, HOOSIERS SHOULD BE PROUD OF HOOSIERS SHOULD BE PROUD OF THEM.

THEM.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ALTHOUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ALTHOUGH THEY OFTEN VIEW THEM WITH THEY OFTEN VIEW THEM WITH SUSPICION AS THEY DO ANY SUSPICION AS THEY DO ANY RESEARCH INSTITUTION BECAUSE RESEARCH INSTITUTION BECAUSE THEY DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY DO.

THEY DO.

>> OR SCIENCE.

>> OR SCIENCE.

>> MAYBE THAT TOO ON OCCASION >> MAYBE THAT TOO ON OCCASION BUT THEY HAVE DONE QUITE WELL BUT THEY HAVE DONE QUITE WELL AND THEY'VE MADE INDIANA PROUD AND THEY'VE MADE INDIANA PROUD AND MANY OF THE BREAK THROUGHS AND MANY OF THE BREAK THROUGHS WE'VE SEEN ON COVID-19 RESEARCH WE'VE SEEN ON COVID-19 RESEARCH AND OTHER THINGS HAVE OCCURRED AND OTHER THINGS HAVE OCCURRED COURTESY OF OUR R-1 INSTITUTION COURTESY OF OUR R-1 INSTITUTION NECESSARY THIS STATE.

NECESSARY THIS STATE.

YET THEY WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH YET THEY WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE RATH OF MY WIFE IF THEY DO.

THE RATH OF MY WIFE IF THEY DO.

BECAUSE SHE HAS ALREADY PLEDGED BECAUSE SHE HAS ALREADY PLEDGED SHE WILL BE AS -- WE HAD THREE SHE WILL BE AS -- WE HAD THREE KIDS THERE, TWO THERE NOW, THEY KIDS THERE, TWO THERE NOW, THEY WANT A NORMAL EXPERIENCE AND I WANT A NORMAL EXPERIENCE AND I KNOW IT'S NOT ABOUT ME OR MY KNOW IT'S NOT ABOUT ME OR MY KIDS.

KIDS.

BUT STUDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO A BUT STUDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO A NORMAL EXPERIENCE.

NORMAL EXPERIENCE.

NOTRE DAME IS DOING THIS, NOT NOTRE DAME IS DOING THIS, NOT THAT THAT'S A STATE INSTITUTION THAT THAT'S A STATE INSTITUTION BUT I THINK THIS MAKES SENSE.

BUT I THINK THIS MAKES SENSE.

DON'T FORGET, IU HAS DON'T FORGET, IU HAS REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY NUMBER OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY NUMBER OF VACCINATIONS.

VACCINATIONS.

AND IN FACT, INTERNATIONAL AND IN FACT, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HAVE TO BE TESTED FOR STUDENTS HAVE TO BE TESTED FOR TUBERCULOSIS.

TUBERCULOSIS.

AND STUDENTS BEFORE THEY CAN AND STUDENTS BEFORE THEY CAN SHOW UP ON CAMPUS EITHER HAVE TO SHOW UP ON CAMPUS EITHER HAVE TO PROVE THAT AT THE HAVE THESE PROVE THAT AT THE HAVE THESE VACCINATIONS, NOT COVID BECAUSE VACCINATIONS, NOT COVID BECAUSE COVID SEEMS TO BE APPARENTLY NOT COVID SEEMS TO BE APPARENTLY NOT THE THREAT THAT DIPTHERIA AND THE THREAT THAT DIPTHERIA AND PPERTUSSIS AND OTHERS, THEY WILL PPERTUSSIS AND OTHERS, THEY WILL GET THOSE, BUT TO ME IT SEEMS GET THOSE, BUT TO ME IT SEEMS NONSENSICAL.

NONSENSICAL.

>> POINTED THAT OUT, >> POINTED THAT OUT, UNIVERSITIES REQUIRE LOTS OF UNIVERSITIES REQUIRE LOTS OF VACCINATIONS FOR ITS STUDENTS.

VACCINATIONS FOR ITS STUDENTS.

THE LAWMAKERS POINT OUT THE THE LAWMAKERS POINT OUT THE DIFFERENTIATION IN THEIR MINDS DIFFERENTIATION IN THEIR MINDS IS SO FAR THE COVID VAC IS IS SO FAR THE COVID VAC IS SCENES ARE UNDER EMERGENCY USE SCENES ARE UNDER EMERGENCY USE AND NOT UNDER FULL FDA APPROVAL.

AND NOT UNDER FULL FDA APPROVAL.

LET'S SAY THE FDA TOMORROW LET'S SAY THE FDA TOMORROW APPROVED ALL OF THESE VACCINES.

APPROVED ALL OF THESE VACCINES.

WOULD THEY STILL BE OPPOSED TOI WOULD THEY STILL BE OPPOSED TOI HAVING THEM?

HAVING THEM?

>> NO, ONE THING I'M CONCERNED >> NO, ONE THING I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS IS SEVERAL OF US ABOUT THIS IS SEVERAL OF US REPORTERS LIKE FIVE OR SIX OF REPORTERS LIKE FIVE OR SIX OF US, THE DAY THAT LANGUAGE CAME US, THE DAY THAT LANGUAGE CAME OUT WERE VERY CLEAR IN TALKING OUT WERE VERY CLEAR IN TALKING TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE, MULTIPLE TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE, MULTIPLE ATTORNEYS ABOUT WHETHER THAT ATTORNEYS ABOUT WHETHER THAT APPLIED TO K-12 AND COLLEGES AND APPLIED TO K-12 AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

UNIVERSITIES.

WE ASKED L SENATE PRESIDENT PRO WE ASKED L SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM CAN AND ROD BRAY TOGETHER, TEM CAN AND ROD BRAY TOGETHER, ROD BRAY SAID NO.

ROD BRAY SAID NO.

TODD WAS A LITTLE BIT UNCLEAR.

TODD WAS A LITTLE BIT UNCLEAR.

NO ONE THOUGHT IT APPLIED SO IT NO ONE THOUGHT IT APPLIED SO IT WAS EITHER SLOPPILY WRITTEN OR WAS EITHER SLOPPILY WRITTEN OR PURPOSELY WRITTEN AND I FEEL A PURPOSELY WRITTEN AND I FEEL A LITTLE HOODWINKED.

LITTLE HOODWINKED.

>> THE STATE COURTS DON'T >> THE STATE COURTS DON'T DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SLOPPILY DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SLOPPILY WRITTEN AND PURPOSELY WRITTEN.

WRITTEN AND PURPOSELY WRITTEN.

IF IT WASN'T THERE IT'S IF IT WASN'T THERE IT'S INTERPRETED AS A NOT THERE ON INTERPRETED AS A NOT THERE ON PURPOSE.

PURPOSE.

>> THERE IS NO LEGISLATIVE >> THERE IS NO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY THERE.

HISTORY THERE.

>> THERE WOULD BE NO LEGISLATIVE >> THERE WOULD BE NO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY ON THIS ISSUE EITHER HISTORY ON THIS ISSUE EITHER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PUBLIC BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PUBLIC DEBATE ON THAT LANGUAGE.

DEBATE ON THAT LANGUAGE.

TIME NOW FOR VIEWER FEEDBACK.

TIME NOW FOR VIEWER FEEDBACK.

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

ALERTS.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: SHOULD INDIANA UNIVERSITY SHOULD INDIANA UNIVERSITY REQUIRE THE COVID-19 VACCINE FOR REQUIRE THE COVID-19 VACCINE FOR ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF, ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF, WITH LIMITED RELIGIOUS AND WITH LIMITED RELIGIOUS AND MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS?

MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS?

A.

YES A.

YES B.

NO B.

NO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: SHOULD INDIANA DO BIG, MONETARY SHOULD INDIANA DO BIG, MONETARY GIVEAWAYS - LIKE OTHER STATES - GIVEAWAYS - LIKE OTHER STATES - TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET THE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE?

COVID-19 VACCINE?

APPARENTLY YOU LISTENED TO MIKE APPARENTLY YOU LISTENED TO MIKE O'BRIEN WHO WAS VERY O'BRIEN WHO WAS VERY PASSIONATELY OIPSED TO THE -- PASSIONATELY OIPSED TO THE -- OPPOSED TO THE IDEA, 60% SAID OPPOSED TO THE IDEA, 60% SAID NO, 40% SAID YES.

NO, 40% SAID YES.

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

AND LOOK FOR THE POLL.

EARLY STANDARDIZED TESTING EARLY STANDARDIZED TESTING RESULTS SHOW A DROP IN STUDENT RESULTS SHOW A DROP IN STUDENT TEST SCORES IN INDIANA, TEST SCORES IN INDIANA, PARTICULARLY IN MATH.

PARTICULARLY IN MATH.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JEANIE LINDSAY EXPLAINS, THE JEANIE LINDSAY EXPLAINS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS REASSURING FAMILIES AND REASSURING FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS THE DECREASE WAS EDUCATORS THE DECREASE WAS EXPECTED.

EXPECTED.

>> OFFICIALS HAVE LONG >> OFFICIALS HAVE LONG ANTICIPATED A DROP IN TEST ANTICIPATED A DROP IN TEST SCORES THIS SPRING -- LAST YEAR SCORES THIS SPRING -- LAST YEAR ASSESSMENTS WERE CANCELED ASSESSMENTS WERE CANCELED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND DISRUPTIONS CONTINUED INTO THIS DISRUPTIONS CONTINUED INTO THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

SCHOOL YEAR.

ACCORDING TO AN UPDATE FROM THE ACCORDING TO AN UPDATE FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, EARLY RESULTS BEING SHARED WITH EARLY RESULTS BEING SHARED WITH SCHOOLS AND PARENTS CONFIRM THE SCHOOLS AND PARENTS CONFIRM THE EXPECTED DECLINE.

EXPECTED DECLINE.

RESULTS SHOW A DROP IN ENGLISH RESULTS SHOW A DROP IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND A MORE LANGUAGE ARTS AND A MORE SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN MATH.

SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN MATH.

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS 97% OF THE DEPARTMENT SAYS 97% OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED.

STUDENTS PARTICIPATED.

BUT SCORES WON'T BE USED FOR BUT SCORES WON'T BE USED FOR SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY THIS YEAR SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY THIS YEAR -- THE STATE HAS BEEN APPROVED -- THE STATE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR A FEDERAL ACCOUNTABILITY FOR A FEDERAL ACCOUNTABILITY WAIVER AND STATE LAWMAKERS WAIVER AND STATE LAWMAKERS APPROVED A SO-CALLED "HOLD APPROVED A SO-CALLED "HOLD HARMLESS" MEASURE DURING THIS HARMLESS" MEASURE DURING THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> JAKE OAKMAN, CAN WE >> JAKE OAKMAN, CAN WE REALISTICALLY READ ANYTHING INTO REALISTICALLY READ ANYTHING INTO THESE TEST RESULTS?

THESE TEST RESULTS?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK 2020, EVERYTHING SORT OF I THINK 2020, EVERYTHING SORT OF HAS AN ASTERISK NEXT TO IT, HAS AN ASTERISK NEXT TO IT, INCLUDING THE L.A. DODGERS WORLD INCLUDING THE L.A. DODGERS WORLD SERIES.

SERIES.

THAT'S WHY WE DID THE HOLD THAT'S WHY WE DID THE HOLD HARMLESS, WHY WE INVESTED A LOT HARMLESS, WHY WE INVESTED A LOT IN REMOTE LEARNING, TEACHERS AND IN REMOTE LEARNING, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS HAD TO TURN ON A DIME STUDENTS HAD TO TURN ON A DIME LIKE THIS.

LIKE THIS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO START TALKING ABOUT LEARNING START TALKING ABOUT LEARNING LOSS AND HOW TO CATCH UP AS LOSS AND HOW TO CATCH UP AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN AND GET QUICKLY AS WE CAN AND GET STUDENTS OFF TO A NORMAL STUDENTS OFF TO A NORMAL EDUCATION CYCLE AND OFF AND EDUCATION CYCLE AND OFF AND RUFNG.

RUFNG.

>> -- RUNNING.

>> -- RUNNING.

>> IS GOOD THE TEST SCORES DON'T >> IS GOOD THE TEST SCORES DON'T BECOME PUBLIC TO EVERYBODY BUT BECOME PUBLIC TO EVERYBODY BUT THE FACT THAT THEY'RE PREPPING THE FACT THAT THEY'RE PREPPING EVERYBODY FOR HOW BAD -- EVERYBODY FOR HOW BAD -- >> I DID THIS WITH MY PARENTS >> I DID THIS WITH MY PARENTS WHEN I HAD TEST SCORES COMING WHEN I HAD TEST SCORES COMING BACK, TWO MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME.

BACK, TWO MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME.

>> THESE AREN'T GOING TO BE >> THESE AREN'T GOING TO BE GOOD.

GOOD.

>> ARE THESE GOING TO BE BAD?

>> ARE THESE GOING TO BE BAD?

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE >> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE BAD IN LARGE PART.

BAD IN LARGE PART.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SURPRISE TO SUPPOSED TO BE A SURPRISE TO ANYBODY.

ANYBODY.

WITH ALL THE FEDERAL MONEY WITH ALL THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN, ARE WE GOING TO PUT COMING IN, ARE WE GOING TO PUT IT INTO GETTING THOSE STUDENTS IT INTO GETTING THOSE STUDENTS BACK AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN, TO BACK AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN, TO THE SCORES WE WANT TO SEE?

THE SCORES WE WANT TO SEE?

THAT'S THE ISSUE IN MY MIND.

THAT'S THE ISSUE IN MY MIND.

AND WHAT WORRIES ME ABOUT THE AND WHAT WORRIES ME ABOUT THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS THEY KEEP STATE LEGISLATURE IS THEY KEEP HIDING THE MONEY IN LITTLE HIDING THE MONEY IN LITTLE POCKETS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO POCKETS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO SPEND IT.

SPEND IT.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY -- I HATE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY -- I HATE THE WORD BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY THE WORD BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY VISION.

VISION.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY IDEAS WHAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY IDEAS WHAT TO DO TO MAKE INDIANA BETTER AND TO DO TO MAKE INDIANA BETTER AND TO IMPROVE STUDENTS LEARNINGS TO IMPROVE STUDENTS LEARNINGS AND THAT'S WORRISOME BECAUSE I AND THAT'S WORRISOME BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THIS YEAR TO BE A DON'T WANT THIS YEAR TO BE A LOST YEAR FOREVER.

LOST YEAR FOREVER.

BECAUSE THERE MAY BE AN ASTERISK BECAUSE THERE MAY BE AN ASTERISK AFTER 20 BUT IF YOU DON'T LEARN AFTER 20 BUT IF YOU DON'T LEARN IT AND YOU GO ON, THERE'S A GAP IT AND YOU GO ON, THERE'S A GAP IN YOUR EDUCATION THAT'S GOING IN YOUR EDUCATION THAT'S GOING TO FOLLOW YOU THE REST OF YOUR TO FOLLOW YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

LIFE.

>> THEY'RE CERTAINLY PUTTING A >> THEY'RE CERTAINLY PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY INTO EDUCATION IN LOT OF MONEY INTO EDUCATION IN THE NEW BUDGET, INCLUDING GRANTS THE NEW BUDGET, INCLUDING GRANTS FOR LEARNING LOSS, SOME OF THE FOR LEARNING LOSS, SOME OF THE FEDERAL MONEY, SOME OF WHICH IS FEDERAL MONEY, SOME OF WHICH IS LEARNING LOSS.

LEARNING LOSS.

WASN'T THIS ALSO GOING TO BE WASN'T THIS ALSO GOING TO BE AHOLD HARMLESS BECAUSE OF THE AHOLD HARMLESS BECAUSE OF THE NEW TEST, OR WAS THAT LAST YEAR?

NEW TEST, OR WAS THAT LAST YEAR?

>> LAST YEAR I THINK.

>> LAST YEAR I THINK.

THEY'VE ALREADY SETTLE ASIDE THEY'VE ALREADY SETTLE ASIDE $150 MILLION FOR THE LEARNING $150 MILLION FOR THE LEARNING LOSS SO I DO THINK THE TEST LOSS SO I DO THINK THE TEST RESULTS WILL BE HELPFUL IN SOME RESULTS WILL BE HELPFUL IN SOME SENSE OF SHOWING JUST HOW BAD IT SENSE OF SHOWING JUST HOW BAD IT IS AND WHERE WE NEED TO FOCUS SO IS AND WHERE WE NEED TO FOCUS SO AT LEAST THERE'S THAT.

AT LEAST THERE'S THAT.

>> AND WHETHER 150 IS ENOUGH.

>> AND WHETHER 150 IS ENOUGH.

>> OBVIOUSLY I THINK TO JAKE'S >> OBVIOUSLY I THINK TO JAKE'S POINT I AGREE WHICH IS POINT I AGREE WHICH IS EVERYTHING IS KIND MUCH GETTING EVERYTHING IS KIND MUCH GETTING AN ASTERISK FOR THE PANDEMIC BUT AN ASTERISK FOR THE PANDEMIC BUT IS THERE A POINT AT WHICH IT IS IS THERE A POINT AT WHICH IT IS SO LOW THAT YOU BECOME CONCERNED SO LOW THAT YOU BECOME CONCERNED ANYWAY IN A SENSE?

ANYWAY IN A SENSE?

>> THEY ARE ALREADY LOW, WE WILL >> THEY ARE ALREADY LOW, WE WILL BE CORRECT.

BE CORRECT.

THIS WAS A BLOW TO STUDENTS, THIS WAS A BLOW TO STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE AT THE EARLY ESPECIALLY THOSE AT THE EARLY PRIMARY GRADES WHO ARE LEARNING PRIMARY GRADES WHO ARE LEARNING FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS THAT WILL FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS THAT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO RECOVER.

TAKE A WHILE TO RECOVER.

>> AND YOU REALLY CAN'T >> AND YOU REALLY CAN'T REPLICATE THAT VIRTUALLY.

REPLICATE THAT VIRTUALLY.

>> IT'S HARD TO FOR ME ANYWAY.

>> IT'S HARD TO FOR ME ANYWAY.

JAKE MAKES A POINT ABOUT THE JAKE MAKES A POINT ABOUT THE ASTERISK BEING NEXT TO ASTERISK BEING NEXT TO EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING.

MY HOPE IS THAT THAT ASTERISK MY HOPE IS THAT THAT ASTERISK DOESN'T FOLLOW THESE KIDS DOESN'T FOLLOW THESE KIDS THROUGH LIFE.

THROUGH LIFE.

AND WILL BE KNOWN TO FUTURE AND WILL BE KNOWN TO FUTURE EMPLOYERS AND ENROLLMENT EMPLOYERS AND ENROLLMENT OFFICERS AT UNIVERSITIES AS OFFICERS AT UNIVERSITIES AS THOSE ARE THE KINDS THAT HAVE THOSE ARE THE KINDS THAT HAVE THAT.

THAT.

SO THAT'S HOPE THAT WHETHER IT'S SO THAT'S HOPE THAT WHETHER IT'S WITH THE $150 MILLION OR OTHER WITH THE $150 MILLION OR OTHER EFFORTS AT REMEDIATION THAT THEY EFFORTS AT REMEDIATION THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO SHED THE ASTERISK, ARE ABLE TO SHED THE ASTERISK, NOT THE DODGERS BUT THE KIDS.

NOT THE DODGERS BUT THE KIDS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

INDIANA SENATE DEMOCRATS RENEWED INDIANA SENATE DEMOCRATS RENEWED THEIR CALLS THIS WEEK FOR THEIR CALLS THIS WEEK FOR INCREASING THE STATE'S MINIMUM INCREASING THE STATE'S MINIMUM WAGE.

WAGE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JUSTIN HICKS REPORTS IT COMES AS JUSTIN HICKS REPORTS IT COMES AS TYPICALLY LOWER-WAGE BUSINESSES TYPICALLY LOWER-WAGE BUSINESSES LIKE RESTAURANTS SAY THEY CAN'T LIKE RESTAURANTS SAY THEY CAN'T HIRE ENOUGH WORKERS.

HIRE ENOUGH WORKERS.

DEMOCRATS HAVE TRIED PASSING DEMOCRATS HAVE TRIED PASSING MEASURES, INCLUDING DURING MEASURES, INCLUDING DURING SESSION THIS YEAR, TO GRADUALLY SESSION THIS YEAR, TO GRADUALLY INCREASE THE STATE'S MINIMUM INCREASE THE STATE'S MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 AN HOUR.

WAGE TO $15 AN HOUR.

IN EVERY ATTEMPT, REPUBLICANS IN EVERY ATTEMPT, REPUBLICANS HAVE BLOCKED THEIR EFFORTS.

HAVE BLOCKED THEIR EFFORTS.

NOW DEMOCRATS ARE ECHOING NOW DEMOCRATS ARE ECHOING ECONOMISTS IN SAYING THAT ECONOMISTS IN SAYING THAT LOW-WAGE JOBS -- NOT NECESSARILY LOW-WAGE JOBS -- NOT NECESSARILY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS -- ARE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS -- ARE CAUSING WORKERS TO STAY AT HOME.

CAUSING WORKERS TO STAY AT HOME.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER GREG SENATE MINORITY LEADER GREG TAYLOR ANTICIPATES THIS SUMMER TAYLOR ANTICIPATES THIS SUMMER WILL BE HARD FOR WORKERS WILL BE HARD FOR WORKERS STRUGGLING TO FIND AFFORDABLE STRUGGLING TO FIND AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AS UNEMPLOYMENT CHILDCARE AS UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS END.

PROGRAMS END.

HE POINTS OUT THE LEGISLATIVE HE POINTS OUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION TECHNICALLY ISN'T OVER SESSION TECHNICALLY ISN'T OVER AND SAYS THEY COULD FIX THIS AND SAYS THEY COULD FIX THIS IMMEDIATELY BY PASSING A BILL TO IMMEDIATELY BY PASSING A BILL TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

SEN. GREG TAYLOR SEN. GREG TAYLOR (D-INDIANAPOLIS): WE CAN DO IT (D-INDIANAPOLIS): WE CAN DO IT NOW, WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR NOW, WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR CALLING US BACK.

CALLING US BACK.

>> THE STATE'S CURRENT MINIMUM >> THE STATE'S CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE IS $7.25 AN HOUR, ALTHOUGH WAGE IS $7.25 AN HOUR, ALTHOUGH MANY EMPLOYERS VOLUNTARILY PAY MANY EMPLOYERS VOLUNTARILY PAY MORE THAN THAT.

MORE THAN THAT.

>> JON SCHWANTES, WILL THE >> JON SCHWANTES, WILL THE CURRENT LABOR SHORTAGE DEBATE CURRENT LABOR SHORTAGE DEBATE THAT'S UNDER A BRIGHTER THAT'S UNDER A BRIGHTER SPOTLIGHT CHANGE ANYTHING IN SPOTLIGHT CHANGE ANYTHING IN INDIANA WHEN IT COMES TO THE INDIANA WHEN IT COMES TO THE MINIMUM WAGE?

MINIMUM WAGE?

>> I DON'T THINK THE GENERAL >> I DON'T THINK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS PREPARED TO MAKE ANY ASSEMBLY IS PREPARED TO MAKE ANY CHANGE EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE CHANGE EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE WILL BE UNDER A SPOTLIGHT.

WILL BE UNDER A SPOTLIGHT.

I'M NO ECONOMIST.

I'M NO ECONOMIST.

THAT WAS NOT MY MAJOR IN THAT WAS NOT MY MAJOR IN COLLEGE.

COLLEGE.

BUT THERE'S NOTHING THAT BUT THERE'S NOTHING THAT PREVENTS RESTAURANTS AND OTHER PREVENTS RESTAURANTS AND OTHER BUSINESSES FROM RAISING THEIR -- BUSINESSES FROM RAISING THEIR -- THEY CAN PAY -- THEY CAN PAY $30 THEY CAN PAY -- THEY CAN PAY $30 AN HOUR IF THEY WANT.

AN HOUR IF THEY WANT.

SO IT SEEMS A LITTLE BIT ODD FOR SO IT SEEMS A LITTLE BIT ODD FOR ME JUST TO HEAR THE ARGUMENT ME JUST TO HEAR THE ARGUMENT THAT WE CAN'T FUNCTION -- I'M THAT WE CAN'T FUNCTION -- I'M NOT SURE -- I MEAN YOU'RE NOT NOT SURE -- I MEAN YOU'RE NOT HAMSTRUNG AT WHAT YOU PAY IF YOU HAMSTRUNG AT WHAT YOU PAY IF YOU ARE A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

ARE A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

SO THE CHOOSE DOESN'T SO THE CHOOSE DOESN'T NECESSARILY SEEM TO BE ATTACHED.

NECESSARILY SEEM TO BE ATTACHED.

ONE POINTS WOULD I LIKE TO MAKE ONE POINTS WOULD I LIKE TO MAKE TO BRING IT BACK TO AN EARLIER TO BRING IT BACK TO AN EARLIER TOPIC.

TOPIC.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY VOTED IN INDIANA UNIVERSITY VOTED IN FEBRUARY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FEBRUARY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO RAISE ITS MINIMUM WAGE BY TO RAISE ITS MINIMUM WAGE BY JULY 1st TO $15 FOR APPOINTED JULY 1st TO $15 FOR APPOINTED STAFF MEMBERS.

STAFF MEMBERS.

SO I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT TODD SO I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT TODD ROKITA WANTS TO TAKE THIS ON, ROKITA WANTS TO TAKE THIS ON, TOO BUT APPARENTLY IF THEY ARE TOO BUT APPARENTLY IF THEY ARE ARMS OF THE STATE THEY ACTED IN ARMS OF THE STATE THEY ACTED IN AN IMPROPER MANNER.

AN IMPROPER MANNER.

SO I THINK WE HAVE PROOF OF SO I THINK WE HAVE PROOF OF ACTUALLY THE FALLACY OR THE ACTUALLY THE FALLACY OR THE WHOLE SHALL WE SAY IN THE WHOLE SHALL WE SAY IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S THEORY ABOUT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S THEORY ABOUT THIS.

THIS.

>> OR YOU'RE GIVING HIM MORE >> OR YOU'RE GIVING HIM MORE IDEAS.

IDEAS.

>> I HOPE NOT.

>> I HOPE NOT.

>> IS JOHN'S FIRST POINT THOUGH >> IS JOHN'S FIRST POINT THOUGH THERE THE EXACT REASON THE THERE THE EXACT REASON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOT GOING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOT GOING TO TOUCH THIS ISSUE?

TOUCH THIS ISSUE?

WHICH IS WELL EMPLOYERS CAN DO WHICH IS WELL EMPLOYERS CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.

WHATEVER THEY WANT.

>> AND THIS IS A BASE >> AND THIS IS A BASE PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUE.

PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUE.

I ADMIRE THE DEMOCRATS I ADMIRE THE DEMOCRATS PERSEVERANCE ON THIS BUT WE HAVE PERSEVERANCE ON THIS BUT WE HAVE TWO GOP SUPERMAJORITIES.

TWO GOP SUPERMAJORITIES.

THEY BELIEVE TO THEIR CORE IN THEY BELIEVE TO THEIR CORE IN THE FREE MARKET AND YOU EARNING THE FREE MARKET AND YOU EARNING YOUR HIGHER WAGES FOR YOUR YOUR HIGHER WAGES FOR YOUR SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTION NOT COMING SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTION NOT COMING IN WITH A GOVERNMENT MANDATED IN WITH A GOVERNMENT MANDATED LEVEL SO I DON'T SEE THAT MOVING LEVEL SO I DON'T SEE THAT MOVING AT ALL NO MATTER WHAT THE ISSUES AT ALL NO MATTER WHAT THE ISSUES ARE.

ARE.

I MEAN I THINK THEY-I WILL SAY, I MEAN I THINK THEY-I WILL SAY, I HAVE SPOKEN TO MORE REPUBLICAN I HAVE SPOKEN TO MORE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS RECENTLY WHO SCHEME LEGISLATORS RECENTLY WHO SCHEME TO BE FINALLY ACCEPTING THE IDEA TO BE FINALLY ACCEPTING THE IDEA THAT WAGES DO NEED TO GROW BUT THAT WAGES DO NEED TO GROW BUT THEY PUT THAT ON THE BUSINESSES THEY PUT THAT ON THE BUSINESSES THEY NEED TO MAKE THEIR CHOICES THEY NEED TO MAKE THEIR CHOICES THEMSELVES.

THEMSELVES.

>> ISN'T THIS FUNDAMENTALLY THE >> ISN'T THIS FUNDAMENTALLY THE CHOICES THE BUSINESSES HAVE TO CHOICES THE BUSINESSES HAVE TO MAKE THEMSELVES?

MAKE THEMSELVES?

>> WE GIVE INCENTIVES TO GROUPS >> WE GIVE INCENTIVES TO GROUPS TO COMMENT HERE AND GIVE TO COMMENT HERE AND GIVE INCENTIVES TO GROUPS THAT PAY INCENTIVES TO GROUPS THAT PAY THESE CRUMMY WAGES.

THESE CRUMMY WAGES.

IT IS NOT JUST THE RESTAURANT IT IS NOT JUST THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

INDUSTRY.

YOU GET A LOT OF JOBS THAT ARE YOU GET A LOT OF JOBS THAT ARE $10 AN HOUR WHICH IS NOT A $10 AN HOUR WHICH IS NOT A LIVING WAGE AND THEY DON'T PAY LIVING WAGE AND THEY DON'T PAY BENEFITS EITHER.

BENEFITS EITHER.

I THINK IT'S GOOD IN ONE SENSE, I THINK IT'S GOOD IN ONE SENSE, I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE GOVERNOR TOOK THE EXTRA 300 THE GOVERNOR TOOK THE EXTRA 300 AWAY PRECIPITOUSLY AS HE DID.

AWAY PRECIPITOUSLY AS HE DID.

BUT REEVALUATING, THIS IS A TIME BUT REEVALUATING, THIS IS A TIME I OUGHT TO THINK AT WHAT I WANT I OUGHT TO THINK AT WHAT I WANT TO DO.

TO DO.

I CAN'T MAKE IT LIKE THIS, I I CAN'T MAKE IT LIKE THIS, I DON'T HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE ON DON'T HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE ON THIS JOB AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO THIS JOB AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET SLAVE LABOR OUT OF PEOPLE GET SLAVE LABOR OUT OF PEOPLE WHICH IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S WHICH IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S LOOKING FOR HERE.

LOOKING FOR HERE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE SAY YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE SAY OKAY, PAY ME A LIVING WAGE AND OKAY, PAY ME A LIVING WAGE AND GIVE ME BENEFITS OR I'M NOT GIVE ME BENEFITS OR I'M NOT COMING BACK AND MORE POWER TO COMING BACK AND MORE POWER TO THEM.

THEM.

>> WE TALKED TO THAT ISSUE A >> WE TALKED TO THAT ISSUE A LITTLE BIT ON THE SHOW AS IT LITTLE BIT ON THE SHOW AS IT RELATES TO THE FEDERAL RELATES TO THE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BUT IS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BUT IS THIS WHOLE DEBATE GOING TO SORT THIS WHOLE DEBATE GOING TO SORT OF SHIFT THE WAY EMPLOYERS ARE OF SHIFT THE WAY EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING AT THEIR WAGES?

LOOKING AT THEIR WAGES?

>> IT MIGHT BUT WOULD I SAY >> IT MIGHT BUT WOULD I SAY THOSE WHO ARE UNFULFILLED AND THOSE WHO ARE UNFULFILLED AND STRUGGLING AT BELOW MINIMUM WAGE STRUGGLING AT BELOW MINIMUM WAGE JOBS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY IS JOBS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY IS EMPLOYERS TO HIRE THOSE EMPLOYERS TO HIRE THOSE EMPLOYEES.

EMPLOYEES.

GOVERNOR HOLCOMB AND THE IADC GOVERNOR HOLCOMB AND THE IADC SET A RECORD DURING THE SET A RECORD DURING THE PANDEMIC, JOBS THAT PAY $27, $28 PANDEMIC, JOBS THAT PAY $27, $28 AN HOUR.

AN HOUR.

MORE THAN THE SO-CALLED LIVING MORE THAN THE SO-CALLED LIVING WAGE.

WAGE.

WE NEED TO CONNECT THE PEOPLE WE NEED TO CONNECT THE PEOPLE WITH THE JOBS THEY NEED TO GET WITH THE JOBS THEY NEED TO GET ON A CAREER.

ON A CAREER.

>> IF THE JOBS ARE OUT THERE WHY >> IF THE JOBS ARE OUT THERE WHY HAS THE DISPOSABLE INCOME FOR HAS THE DISPOSABLE INCOME FOR INDIANA REQUEST RESIDENTS, INDIANA REQUEST RESIDENTS, BECAUSE OF THE LOW PAYING JOBS BECAUSE OF THE LOW PAYING JOBS THEY BRING IN VOLUME.

THEY BRING IN VOLUME.

>> THAT'S NOT SURE.

>> THAT'S NOT SURE.

>> OH?

>> OH?

>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB WAS IN >> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB WAS IN ISRAEL THIS WEEK, VISITING PRIME ISRAEL THIS WEEK, VISITING PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND OTHER ISRAELI LEADERS.

OTHER ISRAELI LEADERS.

THE TRIP CAME IN THE WAKE OF THE TRIP CAME IN THE WAKE OF VIOLENCE THAT LEFT HUNDREDS OF VIOLENCE THAT LEFT HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIANS AND A DOZEN PALESTINIANS AND A DOZEN ISRAELIS DEAD.

ISRAELIS DEAD.

THE TRIP WAS UNEXPECTED - IT WAS THE TRIP WAS UNEXPECTED - IT WAS ONLY ANNOUNCED TUESDAY, AFTER ONLY ANNOUNCED TUESDAY, AFTER HOLCOMB HAD ALREADY LEFT FOR HOLCOMB HAD ALREADY LEFT FOR ISRAEL.

ISRAEL.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS HOLCOMB WAS INVITED BY PRIME HOLCOMB WAS INVITED BY PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU.

MINISTER NETANYAHU.

IT WAS NOT A TYPICAL TRADE IT WAS NOT A TYPICAL TRADE MISSION - THOSE ARE GENERALLY MISSION - THOSE ARE GENERALLY HANDLED BY THE INDIANA ECONOMIC HANDLED BY THE INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

AND THE VISIT WAS UNCONNECTED TO AND THE VISIT WAS UNCONNECTED TO U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN'S TRIP TO HELP PRESERVE BLINKEN'S TRIP TO HELP PRESERVE A CEASEFIRE IN GAZA.

A CEASEFIRE IN GAZA.

IN A STATEMENT, HOLCOMB SAYS HE IN A STATEMENT, HOLCOMB SAYS HE STANDS IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL AND STANDS IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL AND LOOKS TO FORGE "AN EVEN STRONGER LOOKS TO FORGE "AN EVEN STRONGER ISRAEL-INDIANA BOND."

ISRAEL-INDIANA BOND."

THE TRIP WAS PAID FOR BY PRIVATE THE TRIP WAS PAID FOR BY PRIVATE DOLLARS THROUGH IMAGINE INDIANA, DOLLARS THROUGH IMAGINE INDIANA, A NON-PROFIT THAT PREVIOUSLY A NON-PROFIT THAT PREVIOUSLY HELPED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S HELPED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S INAUGURATION.

INAUGURATION.

NIKI KELLY, DID THIS TRIP SEEM A NIKI KELLY, DID THIS TRIP SEEM A LITTLE ODD?

LITTLE ODD?

>> WELL, YEAH, I MEAN IT DOESN'T >> WELL, YEAH, I MEAN IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH STATE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH STATE BUSINESS.

BUSINESS.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS BASICALLY A YOU KNOW, THIS IS BASICALLY A FOREIGN RELATIONS TRIP.

FOREIGN RELATIONS TRIP.

LIKE IF HE WAS IN THE FEDERAL LIKE IF HE WAS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

GOVERNMENT.

SO IT DEFINITELY WAS ODD.

SO IT DEFINITELY WAS ODD.

IT CAME ABOUT WITHIN A COUPLE OF IT CAME ABOUT WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS' NOTICE MANY AT OBVIOUSLY A DAYS' NOTICE MANY AT OBVIOUSLY A VERY INTERESTING TIME.

VERY INTERESTING TIME.

AND KIND OF CURIOUS OBVIOUSLY AND KIND OF CURIOUS OBVIOUSLY THIS GROUP THAT PAID FOR IT I'M THIS GROUP THAT PAID FOR IT I'M WONDERING IS THAT A CAMPAIGN WONDERING IS THAT A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION OR A GIFT?

CONTRIBUTION OR A GIFT?

BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SOME ISSUES BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SOME ISSUES EITHER WAY.

EITHER WAY.

>> HELP ME MAKE SENSE OF THIS >> HELP ME MAKE SENSE OF THIS POLITICALLY SPEAKING.

POLITICALLY SPEAKING.

BECAUSE I MEAN IF IT'S NOT -- IT BECAUSE I MEAN IF IT'S NOT -- IT DOESN'T APPEAR IT WAS ON STATE DOESN'T APPEAR IT WAS ON STATE BUSINESS SO IT'S INHERENT REPLY BUSINESS SO IT'S INHERENT REPLY POLITICAL THEN.

POLITICAL THEN.

HELP ME MAKE SENSE ABOUT THAT.

HELP ME MAKE SENSE ABOUT THAT.

>> THE BEST WAY TO ARGUE IS THAT >> THE BEST WAY TO ARGUE IS THAT GOVERNORS OF BOTH PARTIES ACROSS GOVERNORS OF BOTH PARTIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY DURING THE TRUMP THE COUNTRY DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION STARTED TO MAKE ADMINISTRATION STARTED TO MAKE TRIPS THAT NEVER WERE BEFORE, TRIPS THAT NEVER WERE BEFORE, THEY CEDED THAT TO THE THEY CEDED THAT TO THE GOVERNMENT, WE'RE NOT IN THE GOVERNMENT, WE'RE NOT IN THE FOREIGN RELATIONS BUSINESS FOREIGN RELATIONS BUSINESS NYMPH, THAT IS A BIT OF A NYMPH, THAT IS A BIT OF A HYPERBOLE BUT YOU SAW FROM HYPERBOLE BUT YOU SAW FROM NEBRASKA AND YOU COULD GO DOWN NEBRASKA AND YOU COULD GO DOWN THE LIST OF STATES, THAT WOULD THE LIST OF STATES, THAT WOULD SAY, WE HAVE BUSINESS INTERESTS, SAY, WE HAVE BUSINESS INTERESTS, WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM, DEALING WE NEED TO PROTECT THEM, DEALING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND THAT WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND THAT ISSUE BUT THERE IS SOME ISSUE BUT THERE IS SOME PRECEDENT.

PRECEDENT.

>> GOVERNOR HOLCOMB DID ONE -- >> GOVERNOR HOLCOMB DID ONE -- >> DID HE EXACTLY -- >> DID HE EXACTLY -- [SIMULTANEOUS SPEECH] [SIMULTANEOUS SPEECH] >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS TO >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS TO SHORE UP THE BONA FIDES OF THE SHORE UP THE BONA FIDES OF THE BASE OF THE PRO-ISRAEL ARM OF BASE OF THE PRO-ISRAEL ARM OF THE PARTY, I DON'T THINK WOE THE PARTY, I DON'T THINK WOE NEED TO DO THAT.

NEED TO DO THAT.

IT SEEMS ODD FOR THE REASONS IT SEEMS ODD FOR THE REASONS NIKI MENTIONED BUT YEAH, I GUESS NIKI MENTIONED BUT YEAH, I GUESS I'M NOT HELPING YOU MAKE THE I'M NOT HELPING YOU MAKE THE ARGUMENT FOR WHY IT'S NOT ODD AM ARGUMENT FOR WHY IT'S NOT ODD AM I?

I?

BECAUSE I GUESS IT IS A LITTLE BECAUSE I GUESS IT IS A LITTLE BIT ODD.

BIT ODD.

>> I.T.

JUST IS, IS THIS THE >> I.T.

JUST IS, IS THIS THE CASE THAT ERIC HOLCOMB GOT AN CASE THAT ERIC HOLCOMB GOT AN INVITATION FROM BENJAMIN INVITATION FROM BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND COULDN'T SAY NO I NETANYAHU AND COULDN'T SAY NO I GUESS?

GUESS?

>> A FEW MONTHS BEFORE HE MET >> A FEW MONTHS BEFORE HE MET WITH NETANYAHU IN 2018, IT WITH NETANYAHU IN 2018, IT WASN'T JUST TO MEET WITH HIM, WASN'T JUST TO MEET WITH HIM, THEY MET WITH BUSINESS LEADERS THEY MET WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN AND CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THINGS, BUT I THINK HAMAS AND THINGS, BUT I THINK HAMAS AND THE ISSUES THERE, HAD MORE TO DO THE ISSUES THERE, HAD MORE TO DO DHAN GOVERNOR HOLCOMB.

DHAN GOVERNOR HOLCOMB.

>> WHETHER THERE'S A WAR GOING >> WHETHER THERE'S A WAR GOING ON AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE ON AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE DYING, I'M NOT SURE WITH ALL DUE DYING, I'M NOT SURE WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO GOVERNOR HOLCOMB, RESPECT TO GOVERNOR HOLCOMB, COULD HE GET THE CHARGES OF COULD HE GET THE CHARGES OF CORRUPTION AGAINST NETANYAHU CORRUPTION AGAINST NETANYAHU DISMISSED, OR BRING PEACE IN THE DISMISSED, OR BRING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, LIKE DONALD TRUMP MIDDLE EAST, LIKE DONALD TRUMP SAID A FEW YEARS AGO, I ASSUME SAID A FEW YEARS AGO, I ASSUME THIS IS A RACE FOR THE SENATE THIS IS A RACE FOR THE SENATE AND HE WANTS TO SAY HE'S PRO AND HE WANTS TO SAY HE'S PRO ISRAEL AND HE CAN GO TO THE PACS ISRAEL AND HE CAN GO TO THE PACS THAT SUPPORT PRO ISRAEL THAT SUPPORT PRO ISRAEL CANDIDATES.

CANDIDATES.

>> WADING INTO THE DEBATE OVER >> WADING INTO THE DEBATE OVER TIENANMEN SQUARE, I WITHDRAW TIENANMEN SQUARE, I WITHDRAW THAT TWEET BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT TWEET BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER SIDE DOING THE SAME.

ANOTHER SIDE DOING THE SAME.

>> INDIANA DEMOCRATS ARE GETTING >> INDIANA DEMOCRATS ARE GETTING A BOOST FROM THE NATIONAL PARTY, A BOOST FROM THE NATIONAL PARTY, IN PART BECAUSE OF REPUBLICANS' IN PART BECAUSE OF REPUBLICANS' POLITICAL DOMINATION IN THE POLITICAL DOMINATION IN THE HOOSIER STATE.

HOOSIER STATE.

A NEW FUNDRAISING AGREEMENT A NEW FUNDRAISING AGREEMENT BETWEEN STATE PARTIES AND THE BETWEEN STATE PARTIES AND THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE WILL PROVIDE A FINANCIAL BOOST WILL PROVIDE A FINANCIAL BOOST TO EVERY STATE.

TO EVERY STATE.

BUT THOSE CONSIDERED "RED BUT THOSE CONSIDERED "RED STATES" - MEANING, FOR INSTANCE, STATES" - MEANING, FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S A SUPERMAJORITY OF THERE'S A SUPERMAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, AND NO DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE, AND NO DEMOCRATIC SENATOR OR GOVERNOR - WILL GET SENATOR OR GOVERNOR - WILL GET MORE MONEY PER MONTH THAN MORE MONEY PER MONTH THAN OTHERS.

OTHERS.

THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS ONE OF THOSE.

CHAIR MIKE SCHMUHL ONE OF THOSE.

CHAIR MIKE SCHMUHL WANTS TO USE SOME OF THAT MONEY WANTS TO USE SOME OF THAT MONEY FOR YEAR-ROUND ORGANIZING.

FOR YEAR-ROUND ORGANIZING.

>> MIKE SCHMUHL: PUTTING STAFF >> MIKE SCHMUHL: PUTTING STAFF AND PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ACROSS AND PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ACROSS INDIANA TO MAKE SURE THAT INDIANA TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE WORKING IN COMMUNITIES - THEY'RE WORKING IN COMMUNITIES - IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES AND IN DIFFERENT COUNTIES AND DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE - DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE - AND FORMING RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND FORMING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE.

PEOPLE.

>> SCHMUHL SAYS THE NEW >> SCHMUHL SAYS THE NEW AGREEMENT WILL ALSO ENHANCE AGREEMENT WILL ALSO ENHANCE DATA-SHARING BETWEEN THE DATA-SHARING BETWEEN THE NATIONAL PARTY AND DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL PARTY AND DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> MIKE SCHMUHL: IT'S GOING TO >> MIKE SCHMUHL: IT'S GOING TO ALLOW US TO TARGET VOTERS, TO ALLOW US TO TARGET VOTERS, TO COMMUNICATE WITH VOTERS IN A COMMUNICATE WITH VOTERS IN A FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT WAY.

FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT WAY.

>> SCHMUHL SAYS THE AGREEMENT >> SCHMUHL SAYS THE AGREEMENT WILL HELP WHAT HE CALLS "STEADY, WILL HELP WHAT HE CALLS "STEADY, INCREMENTAL PROGRESS" IN INCREMENTAL PROGRESS" IN REBUILDING THE PARTY'S STATEWIDE REBUILDING THE PARTY'S STATEWIDE RELEVANCE.

RELEVANCE.

ANN DELANEY, IS THIS NEW ANN DELANEY, IS THIS NEW AGREEMENT - PERHAPS MORE THE AGREEMENT - PERHAPS MORE THE DATA-SHARING THAN THE MONEY - DATA-SHARING THAN THE MONEY - THE KIND OF THING THAT CAN MAKE THE KIND OF THING THAT CAN MAKE A REAL IMPACT TO A STATE PARTY A REAL IMPACT TO A STATE PARTY LIKE THE INDIANA DEMOCRATS?

LIKE THE INDIANA DEMOCRATS?

>> OH, I THINK SO.

>> OH, I THINK SO.

THE REASON WE'RE IN THE ISSUE THE REASON WE'RE IN THE ISSUE DURING THE SUPERMAJORITY, SINCE DURING THE SUPERMAJORITY, SINCE 2010 AND THAT'S TRUE IN OTHER 2010 AND THAT'S TRUE IN OTHER STATES TO THE EXTENT THAT THEE STATES TO THE EXTENT THAT THEE RESOURCES AND THE DATA CAN BE RESOURCES AND THE DATA CAN BE USED TO CHANGE THAT IT COULD USED TO CHANGE THAT IT COULD BE -- IT COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT BE -- IT COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE STATUS OF THE CHANGE IN THE STATUS OF THE PARTY STATEWIDE.

PARTY STATEWIDE.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING YOU THINK >> IS THIS SOMETHING YOU THINK CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

>> IT COULDN'T HURT, THEY'VE >> IT COULDN'T HURT, THEY'VE PRETTY MUCH BOTTOMED OUT.

PRETTY MUCH BOTTOMED OUT.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T WON A THE DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T WON A STATE ELECTION IN THE PAST TEN STATE ELECTION IN THE PAST TEN YEARS.

YEARS.

CITIES AREN'T J GERRYMANDERED,.

CITIES AREN'T J GERRYMANDERED,.

>> FINALLY, SUNDAY WILL MARK THE >> FINALLY, SUNDAY WILL MARK THE 105TH RUNNING OF THE GREATEST 105TH RUNNING OF THE GREATEST SPECTACLE IN RACING, THE SPECTACLE IN RACING, THE INDIANAPOLIS 500.

INDIANAPOLIS 500.

AND THOUGH THERE WON'T BE AS AND THOUGH THERE WON'T BE AS MANY FANS AS USUAL, WITH MANY FANS AS USUAL, WITH CAPACITY LIMITS IN PLACE DUE TO CAPACITY LIMITS IN PLACE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, IT WILL CERTAINLY THE PANDEMIC, IT WILL CERTAINLY FEEL A LOT MORE NORMAL THAN LAST FEEL A LOT MORE NORMAL THAN LAST YEAR'S POSTPONED RACE.

YEAR'S POSTPONED RACE.

PANEL, IT'S TIME FOR YOUR PICKS PANEL, IT'S TIME FOR YOUR PICKS - WHO'S WINNING THE 500 THIS - WHO'S WINNING THE 500 THIS YEAR?

YEAR?

ANN DELANEY, WE'LL START WITH ANN DELANEY, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

YOU.

>> I'M ROADING FOR SYMON de >> I'M ROADING FOR SYMON de SYLVESTER.

SYLVESTER.

>> THESE DRIVERS ONLY TURN LEFT >> THESE DRIVERS ONLY TURN LEFT OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

>> I MEAN IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A >> I MEAN IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A LAME PICK BUT IT'S HARD TO SAY LAME PICK BUT IT'S HARD TO SAY NOT, I'LL GO WITH SCOTT DIXON.

NOT, I'LL GO WITH SCOTT DIXON.

>> I'M WITH YOU, SIMONA de >> I'M WITH YOU, SIMONA de SILVESTRI.

SILVESTRI.

I LIKE A GOOD STORY, THAT'S A I LIKE A GOOD STORY, THAT'S A GOOD STORY.

GOOD STORY.

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

FOR THIS WEEK.

OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT ANN OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY DELANEY REPUBLICAN JAKE OAKMAN REPUBLICAN JAKE OAKMAN JON SCHWANTES OF INDIAN JON SCHWANTES OF INDIAN LAWMAKERS AND: LAWMAKERS AND: NIKI KELLY OF THE FORT WAYNE NIKI KELLY OF THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE JOURNAL GAZETTE IF YOU'D LIKE A PODCAST OF IF YOU'D LIKE A PODCAST OF THIS PROGRAM YOU CAN FIND IT AT THIS PROGRAM YOU CAN FIND IT AT WFYI.ORG/IWIR OR STARTING MONDAY WFYI.ORG/IWIR OR STARTING MONDAY YOU CAN STREAM IT OR GET IT ON YOU CAN STREAM IT OR GET IT ON DEMAND FROM XFINITY AND ON THE DEMAND FROM XFINITY AND ON THE WFYI APP.

WFYI APP.

I'M BRANDON SMITH OF INDIANA I'M BRANDON SMITH OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

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

WEEK.

STAY SAFE, ENJOY THE HOLIDAY, STAY SAFE, ENJOY THE HOLIDAY, JOIN US NEXT TIME.