>>BRANDON: LEGISLATION CRIMINALIZING MANY PROTESTERS.

A COVID RELIEF DEBATE IN WASHINGTON.

PLUS, A NURSING HOME VISITATION BILL AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 5TH, 2021.

>>BRANDON: THIS WEEK, LEGISLATION DEBATED IN A SENATE COMMITTEE WOULD TURN ALMOST ANYONE WHO PARTICIPATES IN A PROTEST THAT TURNS VIOLENT INTO CRIMINALS.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR MIKE YOUNG'S LEGISLATION IS AIMED AT LAST SUMMER'S BLACK LIVES MATTERS PROTESTS IN INDIANAPOLIS.

AMONG THE BILL'S PROVISIONS IS MAKING VIOLATING CURFEW A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR, WHICH COULD BE UP TO 180 DAYS IN JAIL.

IT ALSO SAYS THAT IF ANYONE AT A RIOT IS KILLED, ALL OF THE RIOTERS COULD BE CHARGED WITH FELONY MURDER.

AND IF A PROTEST TURNS VIOLENT, ANYONE AT THE PROTEST CAN BE CHARGED WITH A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR UNLESS THEY IMMEDIATELY LEAVE OR ALERT POLICE...WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE INVOLVED IN THE VIOLENCE.

INDIANA PUBLIC DEFENDER COUNCIL'S MICHAEL MOORE SAYS THE BILL CASTS TOO WIDE A NET AROUND PEOPLE AT PROTESTS.

>>MICHAEL MOORE: MAKE THEM CRIMINAL WHEN IN FACT THEY WERE JUST BYSTANDERS, COMMITTING NO CRIMINAL ACT, JUST HAPPEN TO BE THERE - WITNESS AN ACT OR BE IN THE PRESENCE.

>>THE INDIANA PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS COUNCIL AND THE HOOSIER STATE PRESS ASSOCIATION ALSO OPPOSED THE BILL.

THE ONLY GROUP IN SUPPORT WAS THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, REPRESENTED BY ED MERCHANT.

>>ED MERCHANT: IT'S COMMON SENSE.

IT'S NEEDED.

IT'S NEEDED.

IT'S NEEDED YEARS AGO AND IT'S EVEN MORE NECESSARY TODAY.

>>THE BILL WILL UNDERGO CHANGES IN THE COMING WEEKS - BUT IT'S UNCLEAR WHAT THOSE CHANGES WILL MEAN.

DOES THE PROTESTERS BILL GO TOO FAR?

IT'S THE FIRST QUESTION FOR OUR INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL: DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS AND NIKI KELLY, STATEHOUSE REPORTER FOR THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE.

I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATEHOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH.

MIKE O'BRIEN, DOES THIS BILL STRIKE AN APPROPRIATE BALANCE?

>>: IT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TOO.

I DON'T THINK IT IS QUITE THERE YET.

I THINK IT'S NECESSARY TO CLARIFY SOME OF THESE THINGS.

PUTTING THE TEETH IN THE CURFEW THAT MAYORS AND OFFICIALS DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE IS VALUABLE.

WE SAW IT WAS VALUABLE OVER THE SUMMER EXPANDING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S WITH PROSECUTORS THEY HAVE THAT FOR HOMICIDES AND IT'S TRICKY SO THERE'S POLITICS INVOLVED IN ITS SUBJECTIVE AND WHAT IS THE LAWFUL ASSEMBLY AND PROTEST AND CONSTITUTIONAL GATHERING.

THE PART WHERE IT GOES OFF THE RAILS AND IT MAKES IT EASY IS THIS IDEA IF YOU ARE AT A PROTEST AND IT IN PART BECOMES VIOLENT THAT YOU ARE NOW POTENTIALLY -- IT WILL BE CHARGED WITH MURDER.

TAKE THE SOFT "BLACK LIVES MATTER" AND PUT IT ON JANUARY 6.

THE MASS MAJORITY OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT IS AT THE CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON, DC HAD NO INTENTION OF COMMITTING VIOLENCE AND DID NOT, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF A CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER BECAUSE THEY WERE STANDING IN THE MALL WHEN IT HAPPENED.

THAT CLEARLY GOES OVER THE LINE AND THEY WILL NEVER BE PROSECUTED BECAUSE IT WILL BE HARD TO FIGURE OUT, BUT IT'S NOT A REASON TO PUT IT IN LAW.

>>: THAT EXAMPLE ACTUALLY OF THE CAPITAL INSURRECTION WAS USED IN THE COMMITTEE I THINK A SENATOR RAISE THAT AS AN EXAMPLE AND THE ANSWER WAS YES, IT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO AND IS THERE A KERNEL OF A GOOD BILL IN THERE AND EVEN IF THERE IS MORE THAT GOES OFF THE RAILS A LITTLE BIT.

>>: IT'S TYPICAL [OFF MIC] LUNT YOUNG'S LEGISLATION AND POORLY CONCEIVED AND POORLY DRAFTED.

IF YOU WANT TO PUT SOME TEETH IN THE VIOLATION THAT IS ONE THING.

IT COULD BE DONE EASILY.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS TAKING CARE OF BY EXISTING LAW AND THE IDEA THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD EXPAND JURISDICTION TO BE ABLE TO PROSECUTE THESE CASES IS RIDICULOUS.

HE DOESN'T HAVE THE MANPOWER OR ABILITY AND DOESN'T HAVE THE BACKGROUND TO DO IT.

I UNDERSTAND THAT MIKE YOUNG IS ANGRY.

THAT IS CLEAR AND HE WANTS A MONTH -- TO LOCK UP THE PEOPLE THAT MADE HIM ANGRY.

I WONDER FOR THE SENATORS OBSERVATIONS IF HE IS AWARE THAT WHEN HE POSED THIS THAT MANY OF HIS SUPPORTERS WHO I AM SURE HE IS PROPOSING THIS TO CATER TO WOULD HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN DC UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLY BROAD.

IT CHANGES THE REASON FOR BAIL UNDER THE STATUTE AND IT IS ALL RIGHT.

NOBODY WANTED THAT RIOT.

IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

I UNDERSTAND THAT AND IF YOU WANT TO EXPAND HER VIEW VIOLATIONS TO MAKE IT AN INFECTION KICK THAT IS ONE THING.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS EXTRANEOUS AND POORLY DRAFTED.

>>: YOU'VE SEEN MORE THAN A FEW PIECES OF THE LEGISLATION.

MOVING AND THEY RESPOND TO A LOT OF WHAT HAPPENED AT LEAST WITH COVID-19 AND GIVEN THAT CLEAR MOOD AMONG THE LEGISLATURE DO YOU SEE THIS STILL GOING EVEN ALL THE WAY?

>>: I THINK THIS IS NATURAL WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS LIKE THIS THAT LAWMAKERS JUST WANT TO DO SOMETHING SO THEY MAYBE OVERREACT A LITTLE.

I UNDERSTOOD DON'T -- DON'T UNDERSTAND.

THIS IS A SITUATION WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS ON THE BOOKS AND IF SOMEONE BREAKS A WINDOW AND LIGHTS THE PLACE ON FIRE YOU ARREST THEM FOR THAT.

IF THEY BEAT SOMEONE UP WE HAVE LAWS FOR THAT.

THIS IDEA THAT IF I'M ACROSS ANOTHER STREET AND YOU CAN GET IN TROUBLE FOR THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT PASSES THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE KNOWING AND INTENTIONAL ELEMENT WE HAVE TO PROVE.

>>: JUST ONE POINT -- SORRY.

BUT THAT WAS PART OF THE FRUSTRATION IS THAT THE PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCED WELL THE RIOTS WERE HAPPENING THEY WOULD NOT BE PROSECUTED.

ON THE BACK END OF THAT.

I THINK THAT IS FEELING THE FRUSTRATION FOR ALL LAWS.

>>: WAIT A SECOND.

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY THOSE PEOPLE.

>>: WE ARE DOING IT RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE PULLING PEOPLE OUT OF JOHNSON COUNTY STORMING THE CAPITAL.

THEY WERE ON VIDEO.

AND THOSE PEOPLE WERE SO ARROGANT.

>>:.

>>: YOU CAN'T TELL ME THERE WASN'T EVIDENCE.

>>: I SAW A LOT OF THAT.

>>: A TON OF VIDEO.

>>: BREAKING THE WINDOWS WITH PEOPLE YOU COULD IDENTIFY.

>>: I HAVE A CAMERA IN THE LOBBY OF MY OFFICE.

WE COULD HAVE SENT IT TO THE PROSECUTOR IF WE WANTED TO.

>>: HE SAID HE WASN'T GOING TO PROSECUTE ANYBODY.

>>: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

>>: THAT'S A MOTIVATION FOR IT.

>>: HE'S ABOUT TO BREAK OUT ONSET.

[OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS] >>: ALSO PEACEFUL.

>>: LET'S MOVE ON.

U.S.

SENATOR TODD YOUNG WAS AMONG 10 REPUBLICANS WHO MET WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FOR TWO HOURS THIS WEEK IN AN EFFORT TO NEGOTIATE THE NEXT ROUND OF COVID-19 ECONOMIC RELIEF.

THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DIRECT PAYMENTS TO AMERICANS IS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE SENATOR YOUNG DIFFERS WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO ISSUE $1,400 CHECKS.

SENATOR YOUNG WANTS THAT NUMBER TO BE $1,000 AND RESTRICTED TO PEOPLE AT A MUCH LOWER INCOME THAN PREVIOUS RELIEF PACKAGES.

YOUNG SAYS HE HOPES WHATEVER THE DEAL, THAT IT'S BIPARTISAN.

>>SEN.

TODD YOUNG: THE PROCESS OF WORKING TOGETHER TO DEVELOP THESE SOLUTIONS, I THINK CAN HELP UNIFY NOT JUST OUR LEADERSHIP BUT ALSO OUR COUNTRY.

>>YOUNG SAYS HE AGREES WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN THAT THE NEXT ROUND OF STIMULUS FUNDS SHOULD INCLUDE MONEY TO GET VACCINES TO STATES MORE EFFICIENTLY AND GET STUDENTS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

ANN DELANEY, THE 10 GOP SENATORS WANT MORE TARGETED RELIEF PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS.

ARE THEY RIGHT?

>>: I THINK PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS INDICATED THAT THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE ON THAT POINT TO LOWER THE CEILING ON WHO RECEIVES THAT AND I THINK THIS IS TO TODD YOUNG'S CREDIT THAT HE WENT TO THE MEETING AND CALLED OUT MARJORIE ON HER ABSOLUTELY AS HE PUT IT LOONY IDEAS.

>>: 90.

THANK YOU.

>>: SAME IDEA.

BUT I THINK HE IS THE ONLY ONE CERTAINLY THE ONLY FEDERAL INDIANA ELECTED OFFICIAL ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE ACTING WITH INTEGRITY.

HE'S TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND CERTIFYING JOE BIDEN'S ELECTION AND IN WORKING WITH JOE BIDEN.

AND THE PRESIDENT HAS INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO DEAL AND NEGOTIATE ON WHAT THAT THRESHOLD WOULD BE AND I DON'T THINK THAT WILL BE A PROBLEM SO I'M HOPING HE AND THE OTHER NINE WILL SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE IT'S NECESSARILY TO GET US OUT OF THIS ECONOMIC RECESSION WE ARE IN AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>>: THE SENATOR TOOK A BIG STEP FORWARD JUST IN THE LAST FEW HOURS IN FACT, AND MOVING FORWARD THE BUDGET RESOLUTION THAT WILL GET THIS RELIEF PACKAGE OUT TO THE PUBLIC BY A 51-50 VOTE.

NO DEMOCRATS BROKE RANK AND NEITHER DID REPUBLICANS AND THEY SPLIT WITH KAMALA HARRIS BREAKING THE TIME.

TO TODD YOUNG'S POINT ABOUT A SHOW OF UNITY WORKING ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS ON THIS RELIEF PACKAGE.

ARE HOOSIERS WHO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS GOING TO CARE WHAT THE VOTE WAS IN CONGRESS IF THEY GET THIS PAYMENT?

>>: I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK SHE IS RIGHT SENATOR YOUNG HAS STRICKEN THE RIGHT TONE.

THE STATE IN THE COUNTRY ARE HUNGRY FOR THIS COOPERATION.

IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID AND OTHER PLACES AND THERE IS A DEAL AND WE ALL AGREE WHERE IS THE LINE.

THE IDEA WE WILL SHOTGUN MONEY OUT TO PEOPLE AGAIN IS RIDICULOUS.

WE KNOW IF YOU HAVE A -- IT'S 2 PERCENT OR RIGHT AROUND THERE.

REALLY LOW AND YOU ARE LIKELY TO MAKE BETTER THAN AVERAGE INCOME AND YOU SHOULD NOT GET A STIMULUS CHECK JUST BECAUSE YOU HAD TO DO IT FROM HOME.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE HURTING ON THE LOWER END OF THE LETTER THAT NEED DIRECT RELIEF AND TODD YOUNG IS RIGHT ON IN HELPING THEM FIRST.

>>: LET'S MOVE ON.

>>>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: HOW MUCH SHOULD THE NEXT ROUND OF COVID RELIEF CHECKS BE?

A.

$1,400 B.

MORE THAN $1,400 C. LESS THAN $1,400 LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: SHOULD LIBERTARIAN GOVERNOR AND U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES HAVE TO GET 4,500 VOTER SIGNATURES TO GET ON THE BALLOT, JUST LIKE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES DO?

67 PERCENT SAY YES, THEY SHOULD.

33 PERCENT SAY NO.

I CAN TELL YOU THE BILL THAT WOULD HAVE DONE THAT HAS DIED THIS SESSION.

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

>>>INDIANA WOULD REQUIRE ALL NURSING HOMES TO ALLOW AT LEAST SOME LIMITED VISITATION FOR THEIR RESIDENTS - EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC - UNDER LEGISLATION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

THE BILL PROPOSES CREATION OF AN "ESSENTIAL FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM."

INDIANA NURSING HOMES CUT OFF VISITATION DURING THE PANDEMIC, LEAVING MANY HOOSIERS ISOLATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

VICKIE AYRES' MOTHER WAS ONE OF THEM.

SHE DIED LATE LAST YEAR AFTER AYRES SAYS SHE DETERIORATED IN ISOLATION AT A NURSING HOME.

>>VICKIE AYRES: IT IS TOO LATE FOR MY MOM.

BUT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BY REQUIRING ESSENTIAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS' ACCESS INTO THE HOMES WHERE THEIR LOVED ONES ARE WAITING.

>>LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE NURSING HOMES TO ALLOW DESIGNATED FAMILY MEMBERS ACCESS EVEN UNDER EMERGENCY ORDER LOCKDOWNS, FOLLOWING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES.

AYRES NOTES THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS WOULD STILL HAVE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS.

>>VICKIE AYRES: IF STAFF CAN COME AND GO - TESTED, SCREENED AND WITH PROPER PPE - AN ESSENTIAL FAMILY CAREGIVER CAN DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING AND POSE NO ADDITIONAL RISK TO THE RESIDENTS OR STAFF.

>>THE BILL HEADS TO THE FULL SENATE.

JON SCHWANTES, HOW MUCH ARE LAWMAKERS GOING TO BE WILLING TO DICTATE SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO NURSING HOMES?

>>: NURSING HOMES ENJOY TRADITIONALLY A LOT OF CLOUT WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ESPECIALLY TRUE WITH SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT MEMBERS WERE OWNERS OF NURSING HOMES SO THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ALLIANCE AMONG OWNERS OF NURSING HOMES AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HVING SAID THAT, THE MOST TRAGIC STORIES EVERY DAY THAT COME OUT OF COVID-19 IS SOME OF THE STORIES WE'VE ALL HEARD ABOUT NURSES AND DOCTORS HOLDING UP A CELL PHONE OR TABLET SO THAT AN AGING PERSON WITH COVID-19 CAN SAY GOODBYE TO A SPOUSE OR LOVED ONE OR CHILD BECAUSE OF REQUIREMENTS THEY NOT BE ABLE TO SAY GOODBYE AND THOSE ARE HEART WRENCHING.

I THINK THE FACT THIS CAME OUT OF COMMITTEE THROUGH A UNANIMOUS VOTE GIVES A GOOD INDICATION OF JUST HOW THOSE STORIES HAVE TOUCHED EVERYBODY INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND I THINK THEY WOULD SEE THIS AS NOT AN ALTOGETHER ONEROUS REQUIREMENT DURING THIS CRISIS.

>>: NIKI KELLY JON IS RIGHT IN THAT THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY HAS ENJOYED A LOT OF CLOUT AT THE STATEHOUSE THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, BUT THERE'S A BRIGHTER LIGHT SHONE ON NURSING HOMES RIGHT NOW.

IN LARGE PART AS A RESULT OF COVID, BUT OVERALL THAN THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST AS FAR AS I CAN REMEMBER.

IS THAT PARTLY WHY WE ARE SEEING MEASURES LIKE THIS NOT JUST PAST BUT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

>>: THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ISSUES THAT WE'VE HAD A VERY HIGH DEF RATE IN OUR NURSING HOME EVEN HIGHER THAN SOME OTHER STATES AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO FIND WAYS AND WHEN JON MENTIONED PEOPLE HAVING TO SAY GOODBYE LIKE THAT.

I HEARD EVEN A DIFFERENT STORY WHERE IT WAS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT ANYONE WHO WAS SICK IN THERE IT WAS ABOUT SEPARATE UNITS WHO HAD NOT BEEN OUT OF THEIR ROOM IN MONTHS BECAUSE THE STAFFER OVERWHELMED, BUT THEY DON'T GET ANY INTERACTION OR HUMAN CONTACT AND THAT CAN BE JUST DRAINING.

>>: WE HEARD VICKY TESTIFIED THE COMMITTEE TALK ABOUT THE NURSING HOME WHERE HER MOTHER WAS.

WOULD NOT EVEN ALLOWED CLOSED WINDOW VISIT SO SHE WANTED TO STAND OUTSIDE THE BUILDING OUTSIDE THE WINDOW AND JUST SEE HER MOTHER AND THEY WOULDN'T EVEN ALLOW THAT SO, AGAIN, THE BRIGHTER LIGHT BEING SHOWN BUT MIKE O'BRIEN I'LL ASK YOU THIS.

IS THIS THE SORT OF THINK THEY SHOULD BE DICTATING TO NURSING HOMES.

>>: THAT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY REACTION AND SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO FOR NURSING HOMES I DON'T KNOW THAT THEIR POSITION ON THIS, BUT THEY MAY APPRECIATE GUIDANCE ON WHAT IS SAFE AND WHAT IS NOT.

CAN YOU STAND OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY, YES.

I THINK WE WILL PUT THIS ISSUE AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF EXAMPLES OF THE REACTION TO COVID TEN MONTHS AGO ON HOW WE GOT IT WRONG AND HOW WE WORK ON THOUGHTFUL NOT THOUGHTFUL ABOUT IT AND AND FAIR ENOUGH.

BUT TIME TO GET -- REVISIT SOME OF THESE DECISIONS AND GET THEM RIGHT.

>>: WE TALK ON THE SHOW ABOUT THE LEGISLATION TO BE BALANCED AND THIS DOES NOT JUST SAY THEY HAVE TO LET ANYBODY IN.

YOU CAN DESIGNATE TO CAREGIVERS AND DOES IT SAY TO BE A FAMILY CAREGIVER UNDER THIS POLICY YOU HAVE TO HAVE BEEN ENGAGING IN SOME WAY BEFORE ANY LOCKED DOWN WITH THAT RESIDENT AT LEAST TWO TIMES A WEEK.

THIS IS NOT SOMEBODY THAT WANTS TO SHOW UP.

DOES THIS STRIKE THAT RIGHT BALANCE.

>>: IT'S IN OVER STEP BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM SPEND THEIR TIME TALKING ABOUT STAFFING AND TALK ABOUT SAFETY AT NURSING HOME AND TALKING ABOUT HOW AS MIKE SAID WE GOT IT WRONG AND WE DID GET IT WRONG.

TOO MANY PEOPLE DIED FROM COVID.

NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THOSE HEART WRENCHING STORIES THAT JON REFERENCED AND I KNOW HOW HARD THOSE CAN BE.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS CONCENTRATE AND NIKI'S IDEA ABOUT THE ISOLATION IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THAT'S IN PART DUE TO STAFFING.

AND IF WE COULD LOOK AT THAT AND MAKE INTELLIGENT DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT IS REQUIRED IN A CERTIFIED NURSING HOME IN INDIANA I THINK THE ENTIRE NURSING HOME POPULATION AND THE PUBLIC WOULD BE BETTER SERVED THAN HAVING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MICROMANAGE.

>>>THE HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE ADVANCED A BILL THIS WEEK THAT WOULD RAISE THE STATE'S CIGARETTE TAX FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DECADE, WHILE IMPOSING A NEW TAX ON VAPING PRODUCTS.

INDIANA HASN'T RAISED ITS CIGARETTE TAX IN OVER A DECADE.

AND AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S BRYAN HANNON SAYS NUMEROUS STUDIES SHOW RAISING THE PRICE HELPS PEOPLE QUIT SMOKING.

>>BRYAN HANNON: SO, PEOPLE WANT TO QUIT SMOKING.

THEY NEED SOME HELP TO DO IT.

>>INDIANA HAS ONE OF THE WORST SMOKING RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

THE BILL WOULD ALSO IMPOSE A TAX ON E-LIQUIDS FOR THE FIRST TIME, USED IN E-CIGARETTES.

VAPING MANUFACTURERS AND SELLERS LIKE MASON ODLE STRONGLY OPPOSE SUCH A TAX.

HE ARGUES E-CIGARETTES HELP PEOPLE QUIT SMOKING.

>>MASON ODLE: IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAX E-LIQUID, YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT NICORETTE GUM AS WELL.

>>WHILE SOME STUDIES SHOW THAT VAPING PRODUCTS DO HELP PEOPLE REDUCE CIGARETTE USE, THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AS A SMOKING CESSATION TOOL (AND WHETHER VAPING HAS ITS OWN SERIOUS HEALTH CONSEQUENCES) ARE INCONCLUSIVE.

NIKI KELLY, THE VOTE ON THIS BILL WASN'T UNANIMOUS - BUT NOT BECAUSE LAWMAKERS DISAGREED WITH THE CORE POLICY, RIGHT?

>>: EVERYONE SUPPORTED THAT AND THE QUESTION IS WHERE DID THE MONEY GO ON THE WAY THE BILL WAS WRITTEN 56 PERCENT WENT TO THE GENERAL FUND AND MIGHT SOME OF THAT FIND ITS WAY TO HEALTH ISSUES.

THERE WAS NO SAYING IT WOULD.

SOME EVEN WENT TO PENSION RELIEF.

>>: IS THIS THE BEST CHANCE WE HAVE SEEN SINCE 2007 FOR RAISING THE CIGARETTE TAX?

>>: I THINK SO.

IT'S NOT FOR LACK OF EFFORT IT HAS NOT PREVAILED BECAUSE YOU HAD LARGE COALITIONS OF VERY PROMINENT AND VERY POWERFUL ORGANIZATIONS AND LARGE EMPLOYERS IN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND LOTS OF PEOPLE COME TOGETHER WITH WELL-FUNDED CAMPAIGNS.

THIS TIME I THINK IT'S VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS INCLUDING COVID-19 AND THE PANDEMIC SHOWED JUST HOW POORLY PREPARED INDIANA WAS IN TERMS OF THE HEALTH OF ITS CITIZENS.

AND WE PAID A PRICE BECAUSE OF IT.

THIS IS THAT ODD TEXT THAT IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL AND ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION AND THAT REVENUE STREAM DRIVES UP SO IT'S A BIT OF AN ODD DUCK.

>>: MIKE O'BRIEN, I WAS CAUGHT BY SURPRISE THE END OF THIS WEEK YOU TALK TO SPEAKER TODD HUSTON AND ONE QUESTION ASKED HIM ABOUT THIS BILL WAS WHETHER AT SOME POINT WE MIGHT SEE THAT TAXES SORT OF SPLIT INTO DIFFERENT BILLS CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE AND THE BEEPING TAX AND HE SAID HE INDICATED THAT THE BEEPING TAX WAS ALMOST A LOCK TO PASS AT LEAST OUT OF THE HOUSE.

ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT WOULD BE THE ONE THAT HAS MORE SUPPORT AT THIS POINT,.

>>: I THINK IT'S VIEWED BY LEGISLATORS IT'S UNEQUAL RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO TAX ON BAY BUT THERE IS ON COMBUSTIBLE CIGARETTES SO I'M NOT SURPRISED BY THAT.

IN TERMS OF NIKKI'S POINT WHERE THE MONEY GOES THE LEGISLATURE HAS LONG RESISTED DEDICATED FUNDING FROM CERTAIN SOURCES IN ONE EXCEPTION IS THE GAS TAX THAT GOES TO ROADS AND AN EXAMPLE.

>>: ON THAT POINT, THE HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE DID MOVE MORE OF THE CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE FUNDING INTO MEDICAID PAYING OFF MEDICAID OBLIGATIONS.

IS THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO USE THAT MONEY.

>>: WE ARE 49TH OUT OF THE 50 STATES.

WE HAVE MORE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS AND MORE PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES AS A RESULT OF THAT AND MORE PEOPLE AT RISK IF WE COULD TARGET THIS AND I DON'T THINK THIS TAX INCREASE IS ENOUGH.

I THINK IT OUGHT TO BE MORE AND IT SHOULD GO RIGHT INTO PUBLIC HEALTH NOT INTO BUDGET CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND IDENTIFICATION EARLY AND DEALING WITH DIABETES AND DEALING WITH SMOKING AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE.

IF WE CAN DO THAT WE CAN PUT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY IF WE COULD MAKE THE POPULATION HEALTHIER AND THEN THE NEXT TIME A PANDEMIC COMES AND THERE WILL BE A NEXT TIME WE WON'T BE SO AT RISK BUT IT'S SO SHORTSIGHTED ON THE PART OF THE WHOLE ADMINISTRATION NOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT A DOLLAR INVESTED IN THIS IS $10 WE WILL SAVE DOWN THE LINE.

>>>MOST TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WON'T HAVE TO QUARANTINE ANYMORE AFTER A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE IN THE CLASSROOM.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO NEW GUIDANCE FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER DOCTOR KRIS BOX SAYS DATA SUGGESTS SPREAD OF THE VIRUS IS RARE IN CLASSROOMS WHEN EVERYONE IS WEARING A MASK.

>>DR.

KRIS BOX: WE WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE QUARANTINE OR CONTACT TRACING IF THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS REMAIN AT LEAST THREE FEET APART AND ARE WEARING A MASK AT ALL TIMES, IN JUST THE CLASSROOM.

>>BOX EMPHASIZES THE NEW GUIDANCE ONLY APPLIES TO THE CLASSROOM.

>>DR.

KRIS BOX: IT DOES NOT APPLY TO LUNCH, ATHLETICS, BAND, ORCHESTRA, CHOIR OR ANY OTHER SCHOOL SETTING WHERE STUDENTS MAY GATHER.

>>BOX SAYS THE NEW GUIDANCE TAKES EFFECT MONDAY.

ANN DELANEY, PARENTS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE THRILLED WITH THIS HANGE.

WILL TEACHERS?

>>: I DON'T THINK SO.

I UNDERSTAND THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN WHETHER THE VACCINE GOES TO ELDERLY BEFORE IT GOES TO TEACHERS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME WITH RISK SPREADING IT THROUGH THE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS I THINK WE ARE ASKING THE TEACHERS TO GO BACK AND UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT DON'T MEET THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES 3 FEET IS NOT WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS.

WE OUGHT TO PROVIDE VACCINES AND ROLL UP AND GIVE THE TEACHERS THE VACCINATION AND THEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT AND THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO FEEL AT RISK.

>>: TO ANN'S POINT, THIS NEW POLICY OR THIS NEW GUIDANCE I SHOULD SAY NOT A MANDATE, BUT THIS NEW GUIDANCE IS NOT DONE IN ISOLATION IN THE SENSE WE ARE HAVING THIS DEBATE OVER WHETHER OR NOT TEACHERS SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR VACCINES SO WHAT IT BE LESS CONTROVERSIAL THIS NEW GUIDANCE IF TEACHERS WERE ALREADY -- WERE ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE?

>>: YES AND ONCE YOU GET PAST 65 AND OLDER CATEGORY THEY SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED.

THIS IS 80-90 PERCENT OF QUARANTINES COMING OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AND BIG DISTRICTS AROUND INDIANAPOLIS SO IT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE AND PUT THESE KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM BUT THIS FITS IN WITH THE NURSING HOME CONVERSATIONS AND WHAT DO WE KNOW NOW THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW SIX MONTHS AGO WE KNOW THE TRANSITION RATE IS LOW IN CLASSROOMS WHEN YOU ARE CONDUCTING YOURSELF SAFELY AND THIS IS A REFLECION OF THAT UNDERSTANDING.

>>: LET'S KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED UNTIL THE VACCINE IS WIDELY AVAILABLE FOR EVERYBODY, WHICH CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.

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

OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN JON SCHWANTES OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS AND NIKI KELLY OF THE 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.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY.

PLEASE WEAR A MASK.

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