(Music plays) >> Counties opt in to public health funding.

Brad Chambers makes big moves.

Plus private polling in the gubernatorial race and more.

From the television studios at WFYI, it's Indiana Week in Review for the week ending September 8, Chambers makes big moves.

Plus private polling in the gubernatorial race and more.

From the television studios at WFYI, it's Indiana Week in Review for the week ending September 8, 2023.

>> Indiana Week in Review is made possible by the supporters of Indiana public broadcasting stations.

>> This week, all but six of Indiana's 92 counties opted to take new funding from the state under this years public health system overhaul legislation fall to that means nearly 96% of whose years would have access to court public health services provided by those counties.

>> The new state budget delivered $75 million this fiscal year and $150 million next year in new public health funding for counties.

Up from just about $7 million the last couple decades.

To get the money, counties had to agree to provide about 2,000 -- two dozen core services, everything from food and sanitary inspections child and maternal health services and preventative care for diabetes and obesity.

But it was entirely voluntary.

County elected officials had to decide whether to take the money and provide services and many believe that as much as a third of the state or more would refuse to take the money, at least initially.

But by the September 1 deadline, 86 of 92 counties opted in for the first year of funding.

Which also means that $75 million will be stretched a little thinner.

>> Are you surprised so many counties opted in to the new public health funding?

It's the first question for our Indiana Week in Review panel.

Democrat and Illini, Republican Chris Mitchum, John sworn us a host of Indiana lawmakers, and Nikki Kelly, editor-in-chief of the Indiana capital Chronicle.

>> I am Indiana public broadcasting Statehouse Bureau trees Brandon Smith.

How are you surprised?

>> I think it's wonderful.

It may be a little surprising but it's very gratifying.

I think it is a testament to the fact that former Senator Luc Kennelly and Doctor box lobbied this so hard to get it passed and get implemented and of the six counties, five of them were rural and they still have an opportunity to get in and I hope they will.

Johnson County audit think their decision that everything's perfect in Johnson County because the indices of health for Indiana are awful.

I mean, between smoking and obesity and diabetes and all of these issues that we have, this is an important first step and it is only the first step, but it's a good first step and they ought to take advantage of it.

Heaven knows we needed.

>> Yes, at least one of the more rural counties said "Our personality so influx, we couldn't intimate the programs even if we got the money. "

they have time.

>> They have time, they can do it.

>> In the next fiscal year they can opt in at that point.

How surprising and gratifying, considering the whole process is went through to become law?

How surprising and gratifying is it that Sony counties opted in?

>> Yes, it was definitely a process because even when this bill was first introduced, it looked quite a bit different than what it did at the endpoint.

At certain points during the legislative process, they added to the list of what core services were, and they kind of a specified how much certain money should go to certain services and I think the really big one that kind of cured a lot of fears as they added in a provision where you can opt out of this at any time.

To Ann's point, I hope nobody does because this is a really good point.

You are getting local government by into a public health system funding that was pretty low funded before this.

So I think a lot of credit goes to sender, Charbonneau, and Barrett for not only controlling their caucuses and kind of easing a lot of those fears, but continuing to listen to concerns, adopt amendments to get it to where it was, where it is obviously a big success as of now.

>> And pointed out the lobbying that was done all through the process by former Senator Kennelly.

Certainly a fairly conservative guy when it comes to spending money and if he thought there was a need, boil boy!

He and Doctor box, not just lobbying.

I mean, they went around the state for months, talked to local officials, local public health officials, local elected officials.

>> Right.

>> Is that maybe why the student is arising?

>> Being a good physical steward and appreciating science and medicine are not mutually exclusive stop let's point out.

>> Absolutely!

>> You know, it's great that 86 counties stepped up.

It is tragic that the others didn't.

>> Yes.

>> Because you look at funding in this state and you hear all the time that your opportunity, or the services rendered to you, shouldn't be determined by your ZIP Code.

Well, normally that is in the education context.

Well guess what, this is heavily affected by your get -- ZIP Code or in this case or county boundaries.

Because if you look at funding on the state level, you know, nationally, what is it, $55 on average per capita in the state?

But it ranges from $83 in Marion County three here, which is the highest, down to I think about 25 per capita.

So you cannot tell me that you are getting an equal opportunity to thrive and survive in the face of many health challenges and maladies if you are living in one of those counties.

And we should point out, I believe, it was your reporting, Nikki, that showed that I think $15 was a top funding level of any of those sort of the outliers, we will call them.

>> Yes.

>> I've said this before and I say it only happened just, I think one impediment is by calling it public health, which is what has been called fourth century.

At Zebedee somewhere they hear the word "Public" and it might just trigger some strange Pavlovian response where they think it is a road to communism!

>> A lot of the people who as this became law and they looked ahead to whether there counties would opt in or not, a lot of the thought, maybe as much as a third, won't opt in for mostly political reasons.

>> Yes.

>> Will that turned out not to be true.

>> Yes, somehow it became like, people thought it was all about vaccines.

>> COVID, yes.

>> That phrase means more than vaccinations.

Or immunizations.

It is a whole host of services, whether it be about obesity programs or helping, you know, low income others deal with infants.

>> Right.

>> It gets tied up with needle sharing, condom distribution, those types of things.

>> Whether your food services are clean.

There are 70 public health problems that existed that are not immunization and I think once people started thinking more holistically, they made good decisions.

>> I think that's a particularly important thing in the more rural counties, which are doctor deserts and will continue to me.

>> Yes.

>> With the export of actors from Indiana because of their abortion resurgence.

So I think it's very important they tie into something, whether it's public health agency in the county or something that they know they can go get services.

>> Yes, clinics on breast cancer.

>> Let me ask one more question to you which is in talking to Lou Kennelly a couple months ago before we started seeing all of the counties who opted in opt in, his fear was $75 million, that's a huge start!

But if everybody, or almost every buddy, opting, that's not going to be nearly as much money as they might need, especially when they are going to have to go back to lawmakers in a year, a little over a year, and say, "OK, we need more money stop we need to re-up this. "

>> Yes.

>> There was one fear towards the end when they were negotiating, one of the reasons the Holcomb ministration dropped on their first year asked was on the understanding that not all the counties what, you know, sign on immediately.

So at least for the first year, it probably won't be as fully robust as they had hoped.

>> Yes.

>> But the second year has written 50 million.

>> And keep in mind... >> The good news to his in terms of making that case to lawmakers that this is something worth continuing to invest in, 86 of 92 counties said yes!

>> And they will have results!

They'll have people coming forward saying it's a good idea!

>> 75 million is a great trunk.

A place to start, hundred and 50 million in the second year even better.

At Inc. Where the commission you start by lauding and justifiably so... >> 25 something >> This was way down.

The ask was way down.

>> Even at the end there was an appetite to add more money to this because you thought even a lot of legislators being white, "If we are going to continue to fund this and if this is successful" which we all should hope it is, do we maybe start increasing the cigarette tax?

The alcohol tax elect that was a real conversation towards the end >> And they didn't start doing those things but now, next budget cycle... >> There's a lot riding on it.

>> I'm guessing with nonhealth tragedies, a natural disaster conflict somewhat of the outlying counties, I'm sure they won't want any state assistance because there may be a takeover.

So I don't wish tornadoes are flooding on anybody, what I do wonder.

>> What with weather like this... >> This week had chambers, the most recent entrance for the primary for Indiana's governor's seat became the second candidate to go on TV with an ad and poured millions of dollars into his campaign coffers to go along with it.

>> Chambers spot, backed by a seven-figure ad by introduces himself to boaters and frames him as a political outsider who has never run for office before.

>> Indiana's great!

But it can be even better.

Posers need a governor ready to build an economy of the future.

A fighter for their values and their paychecks.

>> The former Indiana Secretary of commerce also gave his campaign $5 million in the past week to go along with more than 500,000 donated by just a handful of business leaders.

And Chambers, a longtime real estate CEO, announced a campaign team of major state GOP figures, including Kyle Hufford who left his position as Indiana Republican Party chair to help lead chambers campaign.

>> Chris Mitchell, this is a major field candidate.

Sitting US Senator, a new tenant governor, former Attorney General.

Where do these moves put Chambers in that you?

>> Certainly does not bolt him into top two or three territory but I think he is doing a lot of what you want to see from somebody who has the backing who doesn't have the name I do.

How do you get your name ID increase?

Get on TV, seven- figure buy, and start selling yourself and getting your name ID out there.

One thing I thought was really interesting is that he didn't even mention i.e.

DC.

He didn't even mention quite objectively a lot of the successes they had, $30 billion in investments and things like that.

But he really stressed that outsider role and I think he has the opportunity to thread the needle really well.

You know, you mentioned the stop he brought on.

It is a lot of Indiana political insiders that have the connections you need, not only for fundraising but, you know, what are the best avenues to reach people that you may not for people who are not as excursions?

So, well, to the holders he can present himself as the out cider and in office he made that clear, but he is a good opportunity of in the background, he has a lot of non-outsider staff people backing him up and really giving him I think the opportunity to propel his campaign to the top.

>> I was struck by the campaign team.

Now, this is very much a little more inside baseball, if there was ever a show on which to discuss inside baseball, it's this one.

So, obviously Kyle my Kyle hovered his name at the top of the list and he is very much of the hold 'em wing of the party such that it exists.

Number two on that list is Martin lopes who has been, you know, a key advisor, helped run campaigns for event for years, -- for Mike Pence for years.

The election run for governor in 2069 2015.

Having those two counterbalances has gotta bode well I think for Brad Chambers in terms of appealing to public and primary voters.

>> To the extent that Eric Holcomb and Mike Pence pull among Republican primary voters these days, that's probably true!

You know, what's interesting about this is the amount of money being spent in this primary campaign.

It's like having a Taylor Swift concert right in Indianapolis.

The economic impact of this.

When Pentz spoke the other day, he was talking about a divide within the pop -- Republican party within Conservatives and populace.

In Indiana, it's between the right-wing crazies, which are Braun, Curtis L, and now Suzanne Crow since she has moved so far to the right, and between self-made millionaires who want to buy the office.

Those are the two opportunities within this.

It is amazing to me the number that are running.

Number one, and the amount of money being spent and I still think, frankly, that despite the fact that Suzanne Crouch is really deviating so far to the right that she is in a single table from every crazy out there, including Inks, still has the advantage if you've got four guys and one woman running.

>> To that end, you look at the moves that Chambers is making right now.

I agree to the idea that this doesn't immediately bolt him into that sort of where we think Braun and crotch are full stops >> I think it does!

>> You think about them all the way up there?

>> I do!

>> OK. >> He got the team, the money, we will see what sort of proposals an idea he has full stop obviously he is introducing himself first before he moves onto actual issues and topics.

>> Yes, rightful stop >> But I don't know how Senator Ron doesn't look at this and get a little nervous because you know, he has a little momentum like I have not seen before in a governor's race for someone who has been in that rate -- race for like 20 days.

(Laughs) >> To that end he gave himself $5 million which, boy!

>> I haven't even given myself $1 million!

>> You didn't even take one >> I took a tenth of that!

>> He also raised a little over five and $2000 from four or five other people.

>> In like two weeks >> Obviously these are people who might have relationships with him and were ready to do this as soon as he jumped in.

At looking at those people and look at who they've given money to before.

I saw Mitch Daniels campaign a lot on this contribution lists.

Would it be smart for Brad Chambers to establish himself and could he establish himself as the Mitch Daniels candidate in this race?

>> Is not a winning strategy?

>> End is that a winning strategy?

>> It certainly is a winning strategy, I think, still, looking at the general.

Of course, you have to get stuck -- passed up one full stops >> Primary, you have to be the nominee first.

>> To be five or six people.

>> Could be.

>> But to your point there is still sort of a critical mass of heaven for bid this term, establishment.

I probably just dammed them all.

I can say that on FCC rights -- license regular to the airwaves, right?

I know that's a terrible putdown.

>> (Laughs) Yes.

>> There still enough astonishment to have an impact especially if they coalesce around a certain candidate which is no certainty.

There other because I astonishment candidates or at least... >> Non-crazy?

>> My label.

But you can't be so overt about it.

And I think the key here and this comes in to the point about the brain trust he has assembled is being able to make sure that you signal to individuals who might be in that establishment group, the traditional group, the Mitch Daniels group, without offending and scaring more alarming others.

And I think that is the challenge.

I mean, he has already shown the first commercial was textbook.

You know, he showed the farm.

You show the cutting grass.

You show, "I'm not a queer politician".

If you are playing bingo for the terms you could check everything full stop I thought it was a deft move and this is something that all the candidates will have to address, is you talked about threading the needle, Chris, it's that notion of you have had Republican leadership in the state for a long time.

>> A long time!

>> So how do you mount a campaign that is normally sort of saying "We have to fix the swap or drain the swamp".

So to say as he did in his spot, Indiana is great.

That's a base point, let's establish it.

But we can make it even better full stop >> Greater.

>> Writer!

>> That's next level.

>> The idea of being a fighter has always been interesting to me in this race full stop it's like fighting what?

(Laughter) >> Fighting each other!

>> When you're writing my cutting grass!

>> What does he do with trauma?

What does he do with the nominee?

What does he do with the issue of abortion?

You know, if you want to be in the Mitch Daniels area, he wants to see clear about.

In a Republican primary,... >> But you don't run their.

You don't carry a billboard and run there even that's where you're getting.

>> It doesn't matter.

You will get questions about that and he will have to answer.

>> Saying on the governor's race, axial Indianapolis report this week that a poll commissioned by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick shows her in a tight race or to with some of the Republican hopefuls.

>> According to the axial story, McCormick's poll of more than 600 registered voters put her in head-to-head matchups with three GOP candidates, US Senator Mike Brown, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, and former Attorney General Curtis L. McCormick's trailed Braun 46 to 35%, trailed Crouch at 39 to 35%, and was tied with Hill at 36%.

McCormick, who served as Indiana superintendent of public instruction as a Republican before switching parties, trails to Republican fields significantly in fundraising.

>> Is taking any poll paid for by a candidate with an enormous grain of salt, as we always do, looking at all of the people who were mentioned in this poll, is Mike Braun not the reason to be the happiest with these results?

>> I suppose it's better to be in the position he's in then in the second slot or third slot.

But going back to the point that Nikki made a moment ago with the momentum, that she has seen and we have all seen, with the upstart in this race, the Chambers campaign, if that, you know, that was really not on the horizon.

>> He hadn't even announced... >> It was not mixed in.

So who is to say if we had had the same poll conducted now, it would give the same result?

I don't know the answers that, obviously but I guess to answer your question, it's better to be in first place and in the most viable candidate but, you know what?

To your point, pulls at this stage, look, we had (Indiscernible) this week saying Nikki Haley was the only Republican at the presidential level who might be able to be, at least as physically, >> It could be Joe Biden.

She >> She won't even be the nominee.

>> Something crazy would have to happen.

>> While there's a lot of crazy!

>> About the point of pulls.

>> If you are Jennifer McCormick and you put on a pole, you decided, did a private poll that you've decided to talk to at least one press outlet about knowing this.

And you are losing by what was a, 11 or 12 to 1 of the front runners for the GOP nomination?

Explain the logic of that to me.

>> Yes, I mean I think in their minds, you know, a Democrat hasn't won a state run elected position here in years and so even if you show them near the top candidate, I mean, it definitely showed her... >> Right by Crouch and tied with Hill!

>> Right by Crouch and tied with Hill.

So I think the most I would take from it is, she has Nate my great name recognition which I am not too surprised by.

She's four years of superintendent of public instruction.

>> And wasn't quiet during those four years.

>> Not at all, she's well- regarded.

So that's something they can build and maybe fundraising full top >> To that end, is this poll really about proving to some people who you're trying to ask for money that hey, I'm in the race?

>> I'm in the race, that's what it shows!

She not only has name recognition but positive name recognition.

And I think that is something she can market.

The fact that Brown is a sitting senator can get what, 36% of the boat?

OK.

It's not an overwhelming endorsement of him.

>> I thick it was more than that, but yes.

>> Was it?

I thought it was... >> She had 36 and he had... >> Anyway.

>> I wrote the story, I thought I should know!

(Laughter) >> Anyway, my point is she shows she's viable and she could raise the money will we don't know that Ron will be the nominee.

I have said repeatedly, I think it will be Suzanne Crouch, in which case it is a dead heat.

>> To that point, you mentioned it was too late for Chambers or he hadn't announced yet before this fall was available, but I really would've been fascinated to see her number is against like Eric Doan in.

Not saying he's going to win, but... >> Yes!

>> You have one person with little to no name ID versus you, how do those numbers match?

Somebody who might not be as familiar and you might not know his political standing as well.

Have you met up with him?

>> That would be the same thing with Chambers because I bet if you put Chambers up at 10%... >> I think that could have been a better maybe talking point then showing yourself down.

>> OK, time now for viewer feedback full stop eat least we Deaf each week we poll on nonscientific online but water.

This is Canada Democratic candidate when the 20 point four race for Indiana Governor?

A, yes, or B, Noble top last week we wrecked asked if the weapons policy should be reconsidered since the legislation back a couple years ago.

95% if you say yes, 5% say no.

If you would like to take part in the poll, go to WFYI.org/IW IR and look for the poll.

Students in Indiana begin a new academic year, and they have powerful technology at their disposal in some cases.

Generative Artificial Intelligence tools like chat DBT and rules Barred, WFYI education desk explains that this technology may necessitate changes in the way schools teach and students learn.

>> Generative AI like chat GPT can write essays and answer math questions.

And educators, for the most part, haven't figured out what to do with the technology that can complete student homework for them.

Key on Bing Quan is an Indiana University professor studies AI and student learning.

Quan says educators should teach students about how generative AI works and its limitations.

>> So let's just understand the goals and principles of AI and then they can use AI technology more responsibly.

>> Quan says schools should not ban generative AI tools because many students will wind up using it in their future careers.

>> Nikki, how tricky must be right now as an educator to decide what to do with AI in the classroom?

>> Yes, I mean, I don't know how they use it in a way that enhances education.

All I can think of is how students could use it to cheat.

>> And have been!

>> Or, you know, improve their grades based on that it's not their actual work.

>> But to the point, you can't ignore it either.

Both acknowledging that our students using it in ways they shouldn't, but also it is the future, one way or the other.

>> You can't ignore it, of course.

That would be folly.

Because it is a tool that people, society, including these kids will be using.

I had a great answer that I had asked AI to write, but my phone is away for me right now so I can't deliver the right answer!

(Laughter) >> My apology.

>> Finally, a new NFL season is underway.

The capital Avenue.

First off Anthony Richardson becomes the fifth different quarterback to start the season for Indianapolis since Andrew let Ken announced his retirement.

Chris Mitchum, what is a reasonable expectation for the capital?

>> You know what, the capital can go for and 14 this rear but as long as Anthony Richardson makes a couple highlight plays everyone's in a while, it's a success.

>> Is like being a Bears fan a couple years ago.

>> Exact, Dustin field was OK but now are ready.

>> Nikki, as a resident Bengals man, is it Super Bowl or bust for the bangles?

>> For the bangles, yes!

I was going to give the Colts maybe a five win season.

(Laughter) >> That's kind excess >> They may do better than that, who knows!

>> If Richardson turns out to be what he could be... >> Maybe they'll have a winning season!

>> The bangles are a great example to show what a great quarterback and due to a team.

>> Once we had professional football, just want to OSU did not... (Laughter) >> It's correct last weekend when I said I you would beat the spread last week against the professional powerhouse full stop >> Just like you, John!

You're right twice a day at Mac >> Will undergo out on a limb and say it's crazy talk!

>> There'll be in a pub with Jonathan Taylor before too long.

>> That would make a huge difference!

>> That is Indiana Week in Review for this week.

Our panel is Democrat and Delaney, Republican Mitchum, John Schwan's of Indiana lawmakers, andNikki Kelly of the Indiana capital Chronicle.

You can find Indiana Week in Review's podcast and episodes@wfyi.org/IW IR or on the PBS app.

I am Brandon Smith of Indiana public passing.

Join us next time, because a lot can happen in an Indiana week!

(Music plays) >> The opinions expressed are solely those of the panelist.

Indiana Week in Review is a WFYI production in association