>> SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT ADVICE ABOUT EASING INTO A STRENUOUS EXERCISE REGIMEN.

THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S 2023 SESSION -- WHICH PROMISES TO FEATURE PLENTY OF PUSHING AND PULLING AS WELL AS LOADS OF SQUATS AND LUNGES -- BEGAN THIS WEEK AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY REACHED A HIGH LEVEL OF INTENSITY.

LEGISLATIVE CAUCUSES UNVEILED THEIR PRIORITIES, SPECIAL-INTEREST GROUPS HELD STATEHOUSE RALLIES, COMMITTEES WADED INTO THE HUNDREDS OF BILLS FILED THUS FAR, AND THE GOVERNOR REITERATED HIS AGENDA IN A STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS DELIVERED LESS THAN 36 HOURS INTO THE SESSION.

HI, I'M JON SCHWANTES, AND ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "INDIANA LAWMAKERS" AND OVER THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS -- WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO KEEP YOU APPRISED OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S SOMETIMES-FRENETIC PROCEEDINGS.

I'M GONNA CATCH MY BREATH, BUT I'LL BE BACK IN MOMENT FOR WHAT I HOPE WILL BE A VIGOROUS GIVE-AND-TAKE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S FOUR CAUCUS LEADERS.

"INDIANA LAWMAKERS" FROM THE STATE HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE.

WILL THE 2023 SESSION PRODUCE A MORE MUSCULAR STATE OR LEAVE IT TO TAKE DECADES TO OVERCOME?

MAJORING ME IS TODD HUSTON, MINORITY LEADER, AND SENATOR MINORITY LEADER GREG TAYLOR.

LET'S START WITH FISCAL MATTERS, THE ONE THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS PASS IT TO YOUR STATE BUDGET.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS ICING ON THE CAKE.

WE WON'T TRY TO PRESUME WHAT THE BUDGET IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, BECAUSE UNTIL WE SEE THE REVENUE FORECAST IN APRIL, WHO KNOWS?

BUT, IN YOUR PROSPECTIVE AND IN YOUR CAUSE HAS TO BE IN THE BUDGET FOR IT TO BE A SUCCESS?

>> CLEARLY, WE HAVE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE HAVE A TRULY STRUCTURED BALANCED BUDGET.

WE ARE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

WE WILL MAKE RECORD INVESTMENTS IN K-12 EDUCATION, WE WILL MAKE RECORD INVESTMENTS IN ECONOMIC DISWOVMENT.

WE WILL MAKE RECORD INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH AND HUMAN TIME PROGRAMS.

FOR US, WE'RE EXCITED WHERE INDIANA IS.

WE'RE THE FASTEST GROWING STATE IN THE MIDWEST.

WE'RE ECONOMICALLY ON FIRE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN THOSE THINGS.

>> ARE YOU AND THE CAUCUS ARE WILLING TO GO AS FAR AS THE GOVERNOR SUGGESTED?

HE HAS BIG-TICKET ITEMS, YOU MENTIONED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, $500 MILLION FOR READI GRANTS.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN A DECADE WITH UPWARDS OF $1.1 BILLION?

ARE YOU WILLING TO GO THAT FAR?

>> WE'RE GOING TO GO BIG ON A LOT OF THOSE THINGS, JON, AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR CONTINUED TAX RELIEF FOR HOOSIERS.

IN EACH OF THOSE AREAS, WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE READI PROGRAM.

IT HAS HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ACROSS THE STATE AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO FUND IT.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE, IF NOTHING ELSE?

>> I REVIEWED THE SPEECHES I HAVE GIVEN IN THE PAST AND THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AS HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

>> YOU CAN RECYCLE THE SAME SPEECH EVERY YEAR.

>> REALLY, IT DOES NOT GO BACK TO 2019, YOU CAN GO BACK FURTHERER THAN THAT WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND HEALTH CARE.

WE SEE WHERE THE RANKINGS ARE.

THEY ARE NOT GOOD.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED IN HIS SPEECH.

>> SMOKING, OBESITY, SPENDING PER CAPITA.

>> WHAT YOU SEE IS LACK OF INVESTMENT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LOOK, AS A STATE, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING WAYS TO RETAIN OUR WORKERS IN THE STATE, ATTRACT BUSINESSES.

AS WE HAVE ALL SAID IN THE PAST, WE DON'T HAVE OCEANS AND MOUNTAINS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT WHAT WE CAN HAVE IS A REALLY GREAT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND GREAT EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS TO CONTINUE, I WOULDN'T SAY CONTINUE.

THAT IS A MISTAKE.

WE SHOULD INVESTMENT NOW, USE THE SURPLUS WE HAVE TO INVESTMENT IN HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, PRE-K EDUCATION, THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT AND WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT AS THE SESSION GOES ALONG.

>> THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MENTIONED ARE THINGS THAT YOU AND YOUR CAUCUS PUT FORTH WITH THE PRIORITIES YOU PUT OUT, MENTAL HEALTH, BUILDING OUT A MEANTAMENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM.

ONE THING THAT IS NOT, AT THIS POINT, IN YOUR LIST OF PRIORITIES IS EDUCATION, ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL FUNDING.

IS THAT SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR WHAT SHOULD WE READ INTO THAT?

>> YOU SHOULDN'T READ ANYTHING INTO THAT.

IT IS OVER 50% OF THE BUDGET, IN FACT, AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE YEAR, YOU WILL FIND US MAKING RECORD-BREAKING INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PAST BUDGETS THAT WE HAVE DONE, WE PUT IN $63 MILLION NEW DOLLARS, $1.1 BILLION IN 2021, SO $2 BILLION NEW INVESTMENT INTO WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO DO, THAT BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE WILL TRY TO FOCUS ON AS WELL, INCLUDING THE PUBLIC HEALTH DOLLARS.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO WORK ON THAT, THAT IS ONE OF OUR PRIORITY ITEMS.

I WILL SAY PART AND PARCEL WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH DOLLARS AND THE MENTAL HEALTH PIECE AS WELL.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO THERE, OBVIOUSLY, WE NEED TO INVEST SOME OF THE STATE DOLLARS AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOALS, THAT WE MEASURE THE GOALS, THAT WE'RE ACHIEVING THEM, AND HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE SURE WE'RE MOVING THE NEEDLE FOR HOOSIERS.

>> STATE POLICE SALARIES, SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES, IN TERMS OF SHORING UP LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> THEY ARE UNDERPAID AS IT COMPARES TO OTHER STATES AROUND US, AS WELL AS AGENCIES IN THE STATE OF INDIANA, SO WE NEED TO PUT A LITTLE ATTENTION INTO THAT.

>> ONE THING THAT HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF ATTENTION IN TERMS OF THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITY, IT MAY NOT BE THE BIGGEST, A SIGNIFICANT CHUNK TO GET RID OF ESSENTIALLY HAS WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE HIDDEN TAX.

THAT IS THE FEE THAT MOST PARENTS AND FAMILIES PAY FOR TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIAL RENTALS.

WHEN I WAS AN IPS STUDENT, THERE WAS AN IPS SCHOOL DISTRICT BACK IN THE DAY AND I REMEMBER PAYING THOSE FEES.

THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR PROPOSING THAT AND YOU'RE ON BOARD.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE REPEATING THE SAME OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

BUT TEXTBOOK FEES ARE A TAX ON HOOSIERS, AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS COME TO AGREE WITH SENATE DEMOCRATS THAT PROPOSED FREE TEXTBOOKS FOR STUDENTS FOR SEVERAL OF THE BIANNUAL BUDGETS.

I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE I'LL TAKE THE -- THE AISLE COME THROUGH.

>> WE HAVE ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE HERE.

THE GOVERNOR FRAMED IT AS A TAX, SORT OF HIDDEN TAX OR BURDENSOME TAX.

I'M GUESSING THAT INFERENCES THAT REPUBLICANS AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT WOULD BE SHOWING THE RED FLAG TO A BULL.

TAXES, BETTER GET RID OF IT.

>> GOOD STRATEGY TO NOT BE A BIG FAN OF TAXES.

IT MAY.

ONE THING WE TALKED ABOUT, THE MECHANICS OF IT IS IMPORTANT, HOW IT GETS FUNDED.

I APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP AND THOUGHTS ON IT.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO TALK TO OUR CAUCUS ABOUT IT, AND WE'LL SEE WHERE IT ENDS UP.

>> TALK TO OUR MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN I HAVE AND OTHERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT, THIS HAS BEEN MENTIONED, I THINK SINCE THE LATE 80s.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU WERE IN THE LATE 80s, BUT I WAS AT IU BLOOMINGTON.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE TEXTBOOK TAX AND GETTING RID OF IT FOR A LONG, LONG TIME AND I'M GLAD WE'RE THERE AND IT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE END.

AT LEAST, WE WILL TRY FOR.

YOU MENTIONED CHILDCARE.

WE LEARNED A LOT BY COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC, AND IF THERE IS ANY TYPE OF INCENTIVES THAT WE CAN GIVE TO GETTING FOLKS BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE, CHILDCARE IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE.

WE NEED WORKERS AND IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE CAN DO THERE, ANY INCENTIVES TO GET PEEK BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE WOULD BE GREAT, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHILDCARE.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE NOT SAYING NO TO SOME OF THESE THINGS AND YOU'RE NOT SAYING YES TO SOME OF THESE THINGS, BUT AS YOU GO THROUGH THE DELIBERATION IN YOUR CAUCUS.

THERE HAS BEEN CONCERN ABOUT A LOOMING RECESSION, YOU WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS THAT WAY, IS THE PHILOSOPHICAL, SKEPTICISM ABOUT SOME OF THESE PROPOSALS THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT FORTH.

IT IS TIED TO A SIMPLE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY IS IN THE HOPPER BEFORE WE COMMIT IT OR IS IT MORE PHILOSOPHICAL THAT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE, AS A STATE, SHOULD BE SPENDING ON, OR WE AS A STATE SHOULD NOT BE SPENDING ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE?

OUR JOB IS TO GIVE THE MONEY BACK, WHATEVER WE HAVE LEFTOVER.

WHERE IS THE PHILOSOPHICAL?

>> A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

WHEN IT COMES TO PROGRAMS LIKE CHILDCARE THAT IS A COMPLICATED ONE.

IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO GET OUR WORKFORCE BACK TO WORK OPPOSED TO STAYING HOME AND TAKING CARE OF FAMILY MEMBERS LIKE SOMETIMES HAS TO HAPPEN.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW THE GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED IN THAT SPACE.

DO WE WANT TO BEGIN TO SUBSIDIZE CHILDCARE, I WOULD SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THAT IS A CHECK THAT WOULD NEVER GET SMALLER THAN THE DAY YOU WRITE IT.

BUT WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO INCENTIVEINCENTIVE THAT, BUT NOT IN THE SAME SITUATION.

>> I KNOW WE HAVE HAD PILOTS, BUT THERE IS A DESIRE ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNOR TO RAISE THE INCOME THRESHOLD, SO MORE HOOSIERS CAN PARTICIPATE.

>> I KNOW NOT EVERY FAMILY NEEDS PRE-K, MY KIDS PROBABLY DIDN'T.

THEY WERE READY TO GET GOING, BUT THAT COMES DOWN TO A PRIORITIZATION.

WE HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF SUM THAT WE PASS OUT AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT CORRECTLY.

>> SENATOR, YOU SUGGESTED THAT SOME OF THE PRIORITY THAT FOLKS ACROSS THE AISLE, ACROSS THE TABLE IN THIS CASE MIGHT BE ABOUT VESTING AND HELPING BUSINESSES, NOT SO MUCH HELPING HOOSIERS.

IS THERE IS A DIFFERENCE?

IF YOU HELP BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY HOOSIERS, ISN'T ON ITS FACE A GOOD THING?

>> YES, ON ITS FACE IT SOUNDS VERY GOOD.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE PUT INDIANA IN COMPARISON TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, WE'RE IN A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS.

THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT FORBES MAGAZINE RATING US AS ONE OF THE BEST TO DO BUSINESS.

WE FIXED THAT ISSUE, BUT FOLKS IN INDIANA ARE STILL STRUGGLING, STRUGGLING WITH THE HIGH COST OF CHILDCARE SERVICES AND WE'RE DISCUSSING WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THAT, WE ALREADY ARE.

WE PROVIDE DCC FUNDS FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD CHILDCARE ALREADY.

WE'RE IN THAT AREA AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HOOSIERS SO, THEY CAN RAISE A FAMILY IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> AS FAR AS -- GO AHEAD.

>> JON, I REALLY APPRECIATE GOVERNOR HOLCOMB'S LEADERSHIP.

HE PUT OUT A ROBUST AGENDA.

IT IS OUR OBLIGATION.

THE HOUSE HAS THE PRIORITS.

WE WILL PASS OUR BUDGET.

THE SENATE WILL PASS THEIR BUDGET.

I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF FOCUS ON WHERE THERE MIGHT BE LEVELS, I WON'T CALL IT DISAGREEMENT, BUT DIFFERENT BRIGHTERS.

BRIGHTER -- PRIORITIES.

WE WILL WORK THROUGH IT ALL.

AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THESE WERE HIS PRIORITIES AND HE PUT TOGETHER A ROBUST AGENDA AND I'M GLAD HE DID IT.

>> YOUR COUNTERPARTS IN THE SENATE ARE LOOKING TO STUDY, AT LEAST DOING OVER THE PART OF TIME WITH THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

IT ALREADY HAS BEEN REDUCED.

IN FACT, LAST SESSION YOU REDUCED IT FROM 3.2% TO 2.9%.

>> OVERTIME.

>> YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT NOT WAITING, WHAT DO YOU HAVE UP YOUR SLEEVE?

IS THAT NOT FAST ENOUGH?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I COMMEND SENATOR HOLDMAN AND SENATOR BRAY FOR CONTINUING THESE CONVERSATIONS.

WE HAVE RECORD REVENUES.

WE HAVE BEEN CUTTING TAXES IN THIS STATE OVER THE LAST DECADE AND ALL WE DO IS SEE THE BENEFITS OF IT.

RECORD INVESTMENTS, RECORD STATE REVENUES, SO I THINK YOU CAN BUILD OUT LONG-TERM TO WHAT SENATOR HOLDMAN AND SENATOR BRAY IS TALKING ABOUT, BUT PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF.

THEY ARE GOING TO FACE RECORD PROPERTY TAXES.

WE CAN PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF.

EVERY TIME WE CUT TAXES, IT TURNED OUT WELL FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA AND THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA.

>> YOU AND YOUR CAUCUS SAYS, SERVICES, YOU WANT TO HAVE ROADS TO DRIVE ON AND LIBRARIES.

WHAT IS THE MORE COMPELLING ARGUMENTHERE?

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING SET UP HERE.

AT SOME POINT, WE'RE GOING TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO USE MONEY FOR THESE THINGS AND WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK AND SAY, WE DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE.

I'M GOING TO ASK, WHERE DID IT GO, WELL, WE CUT THE TAXES AND WE DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE.

>> YOU CUT TAXES AND THERE IS ALREADY A REFUND TRIGGERED, $1.1 MILLION OR $1.1 BILLION AND THEN YOU GAVE IT AWAY, NOT GAVE IT AWAY, BUT GAVE IT BACK.

2:00 A.M.

WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE BUDGETING AND ALL OF THESE BIG TICKET ITEMS, DO YOU WISH YOU HAD A MULLIGAN ON GIVING BACK?

>> NO, NOT ONE TIME.

WE ARE GIVING IT BACK TO THEM.

IT IS NOT LIKE TAX CHECKS THAT WE'RE GETTING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS BORROWED ANYWAY.

THIS IS PAID BY HOOSIERS AND WE HAD RESERVE.

>> MY MULLIGAN IS WE DIDN'T DO ENOUGH.

>> I AGREE.

WRITE IT DOWN, I AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER, WE DIDN'T DO ENOUGH FOR POOR PEOPLE.

WE GAVE EVERYONE THE SAME CHECK.

WE GAVE SOMEONE LIKE ME THE SAME CHECK TO SOMEONE WHO MAKES $20,000 A YEAR, WHICH MAKES LITTLE SENSE.

THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR TO ME AND THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR TO SOMEONE WHO CAN'T PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE IS DIFFERENT.

I AGREE, WE SHOULD GIVE MONEY BACK TO HOOSIERS, BUT IT SHOULD COMPENSATE AND PAYS WHO IS PUTTING A HIGH INCOME ON THE TAXES THAT WE CHARGE.

>> WE KNOW WHICH YOUR RESPECTIVE AGENDAS ARE AND THEY TEND TO BE GOOD GOVERNMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SO FORTH.

THERE ARE MEMBERS, SHOCK, SHOCK, THAT HAVE OTHER AGENDAS AND OTHER IDEAS AND THEY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IT, WHETHER THAT IS ADDITIONAL ABORTION RESTRICTIONS OR CRITICAL RACE CURRICULA.

WE CAN DEBATE THE TERM, "DON'T SAY GAY" BILL, THE MONIKER GIVEN TO THE BILL IN FLORIDA.

HOW DO YOU, A., IS THERE TIME OR APPETITE FOR DEALING WITH THE ISSUES OR DO YOU SEE THEM AS A DISTRACTION?

HOW DO YOU PREVENT THEM FROM SUCKING THE AIR OUT OF THE ROOM?

>> WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM OUR CAUCUSES IS MAKING SURE HOOSIERS HAS THE TYPES OF SERVICES, JON, THAT YOU OUTLINED EARLIER.

WE EXPECT GREAT ROADS IN THE COUNTRY, WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO THOSE PEOPLE IN NEED.

WE'RE CONCERNED, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PART OF OUR AGENDA THAT DEAL WITH HEALTH CARE COSTS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTNER WITH ALL OF THE FOUR LEADERS ON HOW WE MAKE IMPACTS ON THAT.

HOUSING IS A HUGE ISSUE, YOU MENTIONED THAT EARLIER.

IT IS A DIFFERENCE MAKER ACROSS OUR STATE.

I THINK EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING.

WE WILL TACK A LARGE ENERGY COST, WE WILL TACKLE A LARGE NUMBER OF ISSUES, PRIERTD AGENDA ITEMS I WILL BE FOCUSED ON, BUT I'M SURE OTHERS WILL COME UP.

>> YOU DON'T SEE ABORTION, BECAUSE THE BAN THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE LAST -- THERE WERE EXCEPTION, BUT THE BAN DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION IS NOW BEFORE THE COURT.

>> IT IS BEFORE THE COURT.

>> YOUR EXPLANATION IS IT IS A WASTE OF TIME TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> MENT I DON'T THINK IT IS WISE UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS RULED.

IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO DO SO.

> YOU DON'T WANT TO PUSH BACK TO SAY GO BACK TO THE OLD 20-WEEKS ILLEGAL EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF A COURT RULING?

I KNOW IT IS A WISH LIST.

>> I DID NOT WANT TO SPEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO HANDLE AN ISSUE LIKE WE DID THIS SUMMER.

THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO MAKE THEIR DECISION IN FEBRUARY, I BELIEVE.

WE WILL STILL BE IN SESSION.

I'M WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE DECISION IS AND I THINK FOR MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE ARE GOING TO HAVE A TOUGH TIME IF THE SUPREME COURT DETERMINES WHAT WE DID WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

I WOULD SAY WAIT AND SEE.

>> ONE ISSUE, TOO, WE SAW RALLIES TAKING PLACE THIS WEEK, MARIJUANA REFORM.

THAT USED TO BE AN ISSUE THAT USED TO BE CUT ALONG THE PARTY LINES, BUT NOT SO MUCH, YOU HAVE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS ADVOCATING.

HOW MUCH CAPITAL DO YOU INVEST IN THAT?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A LONG DISCUSSION.

>> MAYBE A VOTE.

>> THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE A VOTE WOULD BE GREAT, MOVE IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I THINK IT WOULD BE -- IT IS PASTIME.

>> THAT IS RECREATIONAL, MEDAL.

>> DECRIMINALIZATION, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT IT ALL, LET'S VOTE ON IT.

LET'S HOOSIERS KNOW WHAT WE THINK ABOUT IT, BECAUSE HOOSIERS HAVE LET US KNOW WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT IT.

WELET US UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE ON AN ISLAND BY OURSELVES.

IT IS GENERATING TAXPAYERS' REVENUE THAT WE CAN'T GET OVER THE HUMP AND VOTE ON IT.

>> I HAVE SEEN POLLING AND I'M SURE YOU HAVE SEEN INTERNAL POLLING, BUT THERE WAS A POLL THAT SHOWED 56%, MAYBE I'M GETTING MY POLLS MIXED UP.

>> HIGHER.

>> MAYBE IT CHANGES IF IT IS MEDAL OR RECREATIONAL, WHY NOT HAVE A VOTE?

>> LOOK, I THINK WE HAVE CAUCUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS.

WE CONTINUE -- LOOK, I HAVE BEEN ON THE RECORD.

I HAVE YET TO BE OVERWHELMED WHY WE THINK HAVING MORE USERS OF MARIJUANA IS A PUBLIC POLICY FOR OUR STATE.

IF IT IS AN ISLAND THAT I AM ON, I'M OKAY WITH BEING ON THE ISLAND IF YOU LOOK AT IMPLICATIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IN OTHER STATES.

IT IS NOT A POSITION THAT WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION BECAUSE WE LACK REVENUE.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD MAKE A PUBLIC POLICY WHEN YOU LACK REVENUE.

>> TAX CAPS.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE ARGUMENT.

>> IT WAS TIED TO CONSTITUTION.

>> WHICH ONE?

>> THE RIVERBOAT.

>> I WOULD ARGUE ABOUT SAVING LOCAL HOMEOWNERS MONEY, BUT WHAT I THINK, THIS WILL BE A CONTINUED CONVERSATION THROUGHOUT I'M SURE ALL OF THE CAUCUSES.

AND WE'LL ALLOW IT TO TAKE PLACE IN OUR CAUCUS.

PERMANENTLY, I ASK EVERYBODY WHO COMES IN AND TALKS TO ME ABOUT GIVE ME THE PUBLIC POLICY, WHY YOU THINK IT IS GOOD PUBLIC POLICY OF WHY WE SHOULD INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MARIJUANA USERS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO ANSWER THAT YET.

>> I'M GOING TO LOAD ON YOUR AGENDA ANOTHER QUESTION, TRYING TO HIT AS MANY THINGS AS WE CAN, THEN IS THE PUSH OR THE EXPLANATION FOR THE MEMBERS OF YOUR CAUCUS ON THE WAY WE SET BAIL IN THE STATE AND THE CONCERN THAT VIOLENT OFFENDERS WILL GETTING ON THE STREETS WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T.

THAT WILL START A LENGTHY PROCESS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO BE HELD WITHOUT BAIL, AND IF YOU WANT TO WEIGH ON THE MARIJUANA BILL.

>> I WILL ELABORATE ON THE BILL FIRST.

IT IS AN AGENDA ITEM.

SENATOR COOK HAS BROUGHT THAT FORWARD, MEANING WE HAVE TO PASS IT IN THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WAIT FOR A NEW GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT LEAST TWO YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, AND IF IT PASSES, IT WOULD GO ON A REFERENDUM FOR HOOSIERS TO DECIDE.

THIS IS NOT NEW POLICY.

24, 25 STATES ALREADY HAVE IT, AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS IT.

IT SIMPLY SAYS IF YOU'RE A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL AND THE PRESUMPTION IS STRONG OR THE EVIDENCE IS STRONG THAT YOU HAVE COMMITTED THE CRIME THAT YOU'RE ACCUSED OF HAVING COMMITTED THEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE BAIL.

RIGHT NOW, IN INDIANA, A JUDGE CAN REFUSE TO GIVE BAIL FOR MURDER OR TREASON ONLY.

>> WE DON'T GET A LOT OF TREASON CASES HERE IN INDIANA.

>> WE DON'T, BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF MURDER CASES, UNFORTUNATE,UNFORTUNATELY, BUT THIS WOULD ADD VIOLENT CRIMES.

THIS IS NOT A NEW IDEA.

HALF OF THE STATES IN THE UNION ARE ALREADY DOING IT AND I THINK IT GIVES THE JUDGE'S ABILITY TO KEEP PEOPLE IN JAIL THAT WOULD GO OUT AND HURT PEOPLE.

>> I KNOW YOU DON'T THINK THAT IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT YOUR CAUCUS IS TO GIVE VOTERS DIRECT ACCESS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION WITHOUT THIS LONG PROCESS.

ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THAT?

IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BRING THE RESULT IN ONE YEAR INSTEAD OF THREE.

>> I WANT US TO DO WHAT HOOSIERS PUT US HERE TO DO, AND I WANT TO HEAR THEIR OPINION.

THAT IS WHY WE PROPOSED ALLOWING THE TAXPAYERS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA TO CHANGE THE LAW, AND IF BAIL IS SOMETHING THAT HOOSIERS DON'T WANT TO SEE IN THOSE SERIOUS CASES, YOU HAVE TO LOOK DOWN IN THE WEEDS, MY COLLEAGUE USED THE WORDS VIOLENT CRIMES.

I CHALLENGE YOU TO LOOK AT OUR DEFINITION OF VIOLENT CRIMES BEFORE YOU GO THERE, BUT THE ACTUAL REALITY IS WE NEED TO LISTEN TO HOOSIERS AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN DOING THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING FORTH AGENDAS, IN MY OPINION, THAT HOOSIERS DON'T WANT TO SEE.

>> IT WAS A BUSY DAY ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE AND A BUSY DAY HERE.

I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLING TO ENGAGE AND HELP HOOSIERS UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

AGAIN, MY GUESTS HAVE BEEN HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON OF FISHERS, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER PHIL GIAQUINTA, A FORT WAYNE DEMOCRAT SENATOR PRESIDENT PRO TEM RODRIC BRAY, MARTINSVILLE REPUBLICAN AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER GREG TAYLOR.

>> TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY CONVERSATION WITH INDIANA LAWMAKERS' LONGTIME COMMENTATOR AND FITNESS GURU ED FEIGENBAUM, >> I THINK THE THE FIGHT IS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

SENATE AND WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO GO.

THE SENATE WANTS TO PAY DOWN MORE PENSION DEBT, SO WE GET THINGS FINISHED OFF WITH THE PRE96 TEACHER PENSION.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN AT IT FOR A WHILE WHEN THE TEACHERS STARTED THEIR CAREERS, NOT JUST THEIR PENSIONS.

>> BACK WHEN 2059 WAS A LONG WAY WAY.

THEY WANT TO PAY THAT DOWN AND GIVE TAX CUTS AND THE HOUSE SIDE IS DIFFERENT ON THAT AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES AS WE HEARD FROM SPEAKER HUSTON AND THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO SPEND ON ASSORTED PROGRAMS AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO SPEND ON THE READI GRANTS.

THEY LOVE THAT.

>> THOSE ARE THE ECONOMIC GRANTS.

>> FROM THE PENCE ADMINISTRATION.

>> WHICH IS WHY WE CALL THE READI GRANDS.

>> THE OTHER TWO THINGS WE NEED TO WATCH IS EDUCATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

EDUCATION, YEAH THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, BUT IN ADDITION TO THE FIGHT OVER HOW MUCH MONEY AND WHERE THAT IS GOING GO, THE KEY THING IS THE DIRECTION OF EDUCATION.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A BIG DEBATE ABOUT WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH WORKER, STUDENT TRAINING OR WHATEVER, WORKFORCE TRAINING.

IT IS GOING TO START LITERALLY IN FOURTH OR FIFTH GRADE AND THAT IS GOING TO BE WHERE THE DEBATE IS, ARE WE TRAINING THEM TO BE PART OF THE WORKFORCE OR JUST EDUCATING THEM?

WHETHER EDUCATION IS -- HIGHER EDUCATION IS STILL RELEVANT AND THE HEALTH CARE DEBATE IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING IF GOVERNOR PROPOSED $480 MILLION AND IT HAS BEEN CUT WAY DOWN.

>> HIS OWN COMMISSION SUGGESTED.

>> WE'RE TALKING $140 MILLION AND $127 MILLION OR WHATEVER NOW, BUT THE REAL ISSUE IS GOING TO BE HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE SPENT.

I THINK YOU SAW THE GOVERNOR ANTICIPATE SOME OF THAT IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

HE SAID, IT IS GOING TO BE GOING BACK TO THE COUNTIES, IT IS NOT DIRECTED FROM THE STATE.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE TOP DOWN.

IT IS GOING TO BE LOCAL PRIORITIES ARE GOING TO BE THE KEY THING, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF VERY SUSPICIOUS LEGISLATORS WHO DON'T LIKE THE WHOLE IDEA OF THE GOVERNMENT BEING INVOLVED IN PUBLIC HEALTH, AND WHAT THAT MIGHT ENTAIL.

>> LM ANYTHING, MUCH LESS PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> THAT IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING DEBATE.

>> WHAT SHOULD WE READ INTO IN THE GOVERNOR IS MORE ALIGNED WITH DEMOCRATS THAN HIS OWN PARTY?

>> WE HAVE A FREE-SPENDING GOVERNOR LOOKING TO FINISH HIS FINAL TWO YEARS WITH PROGRAMS THAT HE CAN POINT TO AS A REAL LEGACY INITIAL TO -- IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER THINGS, IN PARTICULAR THE ROADS PROGRAM.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A DEBATE ABOUT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND THE GOVERNOR WILL SAY HUMIDITY HEALTH PROGRAMS.

I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE DEMOCRATS QUITE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE REPUBLICANS ON THAT.

>> THE COALITIONS START TO BREAK DOWN AS THINGS GET SERIOUS.

ED, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

>> GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> STATISTICALLY, HOOSIERS ARE SOME OF THE LEAST HEALTHY PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY, AND THE GOVERNOR IS SEEKING A SOLUTION.

BUT