>>BRANDON: RESTRICTING GOV.

HOLCOMB'S EMERGENCY POWERS.

TENSIONS IN THE HOUSE OVER DISCRIMINATION CONCERNS.

PLUS, ATTORNEY GENERAL ROKITA'S SECOND JOB AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 19TH, 2021.

[MUSIC] >>BRANDON: THIS WEEK, THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO DECLARE DISASTER EMERGENCIES WOULD BE SEVERELY RESTRICTED UNDER LEGISLATION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE.

THE MEASURE - ONE OF SEVERAL THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION - IS A REACTION TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED BY GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR SUE GLICK'S BILL WOULD ONLY ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE A WIDESPREAD EMERGENCY - AFFECTING AT LEAST 10 COUNTIES - FOR 45 DAYS WITHOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GETTING TO WEIGH IN.

IF THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION - OR GETS CALLED INTO SPECIAL SESSION BY THE GOVERNOR - THE EMERGENCY COULD GO FOR 60 DAYS.

BUT AFTER THAT, GLICK SAYS ONLY LAWMAKERS COULD EXTEND THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION FURTHER.

>>SEN.

SUE GLICK (R-LAGRANGE): SO THAT PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY WERE LEFT OUT OR DON'T FEEL THAT THEY HAD ANY INPUT INTO THE ORDERS THAT AFFECTED SO MANY PEOPLE.

>>BRANDON: THE BILL ALSO GIVES THE LEGISLATURE MORE AUTHORITY ON HOW TO SPEND FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT COME TO THE STATE DURING AN EMERGENCY.

HOW MUCH WILL THE LEGISLATURE RESTRICT THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY AUTHORITY?

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.

ANN DELANEY, THIS SENATE BILL GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN ITS HOUSE COUNTERPART.

WHERE SHOULD THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LAND?

>>: THEY SHOULD STAY OUT OF IT.

ONE IS AMAZING ABOUT BOTH OF THESE DEALS IS THE LEVEL OF REPUBLICAN DISSATISFACTION WITH THE LEADERSHIP SHOWN THAT'S VERY LIMITED DURING THE CRISIS.

THEY ARE REPUDIATING WHAT HE'S DONE.

I DON'T FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE ANTISCIENCE CAUCUS AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IT WON'T EVEN MANDATE MASK WEARING IN THE CHAMBER THAT THEY WILL MAKE DECISIONS ON WHAT IS A CRISIS AND WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE IN THE EVENT OF CRISIS AND I'M SHOCKED THEY HAVE SO LITTLE FAITH IN THE GOVERNOR THAT BOTH SIDES HOUSE AND SENATE ARE TRYING TO UNDO WHAT HE HAS DONE.

>>: MIKE O'BRIEN WE'VE HEARD TIME AND, AGAIN, DURING DEBATE IN BOTH CHAMBERS FROM REPUBLICANS THAT IT'S NOT ABOUT GOV.

HOLCOMB.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE DECISIONS HE'S MADE IT'S ABOUT THE FUTURE.

QUITE FRANKLY, WHY SHOULD WE BUY THAT?

>>: I DON'T THINK IT'S UNFAIR THAT THE LEGISLATURE LOOK AT THE EMERGENCY POWERS AND HOW THEY ARE INITIATED AND HOW LONG THEY CAN LAST.

IT WAS CONTEMPLATED IN THE CONTEXT OF TORNADOES AND FLOODS MOSTLY.

NOT WE WOULD BE IN THESE THINGS FOR 12-18 MONTHS.

I MEAN THE SENATE OVERSHOT IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AND 68 WINDOWS HAS GONE BY THEY'VE TAKEN OVER ENTIRELY.

THE LEGISLATURE DESERVES AN ADVISORY ROLE IN THAT AND THE DECLARATION LIKE WE ARE IN, BUT THEY TOOK IT AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR AND INDICATE WE NEED FLEXIBILITY AND SPEED AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOOD AT.

THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY SLOW, INTENTIONALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET SOMETHING FROM START TO FINISH THE WAY IT STARTED UNTIL THE END INTO LAW OR SOME ACT AND THAT IS PURPOSEFUL SO IF WE TAKE THE EMERGENCY THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR ENTIRELY AFTER THAT 68 WINDOW IS FORECLOSED YOU'VE GIVEN IT TO A BODY THAT MAY BE INCAPABLE OF MAKING ANY DECISION IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT NEEDS TO BE MADE AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF THE MAKEUP IT'S THE WAY THE SYSTEM IS STRUCTURED AND GOVERNMENT IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE.

>>: IT'S A BIG PART BECAUSE OF THE MAKEUP.

>>: THAT CHANGES.

JON SCHWANTES THIS -- >> NOT ENOUGH!

>>: IS THIS SOMETHING HOOSIERS WANT TO SEE HAPPEN DO THEY WANT TO SEE THE LEGISLATURE ASSERT ITSELF MORE -- GOD FOR BID BUT IF AND WHEN ANOTHER EMERGENCY OF THE SCALE HAPPENS.

>>: THERE WAS A TIME AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE HEIGHT OF THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE HOLCOMB ADMINISTRATION THERE WAS A FRUSTRATION GENERALIZED FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF HOOSIERS.

THEY WANT TO SEE SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE MORE LENIENT WITH THOSE RESTRICTIONS STEP FORWARD AND SAY MAYBE YOU CAN GO TO BARS AND RESTAURANTS AND MAYBE YOU CAN BE A LITTLE MORE -- CATERERS CAN FUNCTION MORE SO THERE WAS THAT FRUSTRATION LEVEL, BUT THAT IS NOTHING THAT IS LASTING IN THE HEAT OF THOSE THINGS COME AND GO ALONG WITH THE DISASTERS.

SMETHING NEEDED TO HAPPEN BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT HOW THESE THINGS STACK UP ON A STATE-BY-STATE BASIS INDIANA HAD PROBABLY AT THE END OF THE SPECTRUM WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAD TREMENDOUS UNCHECKED POWER ONLY HAWAII HAD MORE AND THEY DEAL WITH SYNONYMY BUT AND VOLCANOES POTENTIALLY.

BUT IT WASN'T NECESSARILY THAT THE LAW IS WRITTEN TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT THAT AUTHORITY IT'S JUST THAT WE HAVE A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE AND WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN INDIANAPOLIS THEY CAN'T DO MUCH SO WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE IS SIMPLY HAVE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP WAY IN AND THE FULL CAUCUS OR THE CHAMBERS OR HAVE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL OR SOME SUBGROUP SO THAT'S AN OPTION.

BUT I THINK THE END RESULT WILL BE CLOSER TO THE HOUSE VERSION THEN THE SENATE VERSION.

>>: THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO ASK USE THERE'S A FAIRLY BIG GAP BETWEEN WHAT THE HOUSE PASSED AND WE WILL SAVE THIS AND IT CHANGES ANYTHING NEXT WEEK BUT RIGHT NOW WHICH SIDE DO YOU SEE MOVING CLOSER TO THE OTHER?

>>: THE ONE THING THE SENATE BILL DOES BETTER IS TAKES AWAY THE QUESTION OF CONSTITUTIONALITY BECAUSE IT SAYS TO THE GOVERNOR IF YOU GET THIS IT DOES CALL US.

THERE'S VERY MUCH CONFUSION THE CONSTITUTION DOESN'T SPECIFICALLY SAY THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T CALL IT IN, BUT IT DOESN'T SAY CAN EITHER SO ON THAT SITE THE SENATE BILL WILL GIVE A LITTLE BIT LONGER OPTIONS.

I DO WANT TO SAY THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE IN INDIANA WE ARE IN FEBRUARY AND WE HAVE NOT TERMINATED THAT EMERGENCY.

>>: THERE WAS ONE RESOLUTION FILED TO DO JUST THAT.

TIME NOW FOR VIEWR FEEDBACK.

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

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: ARE GOV.

HOLCOMB'S EMERGENCY POWERS - USED THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - TOO BROAD?

A.

YES B.

NO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: SHOULD INDIANA ELIMINATE THE LICENSE REQUIREMENT TO CARRY A HANDGUN IN PUBLIC?

IN ADDITION, TO THIS BEING A LOPSIDED RESULT WE SAW QUITE A SPIKE IN RESPONDENTS.

5 PERCENT SAY, YES,, 95 PERCENT SAY NO.

I SUSPECT THE VOTE WILL GO VERY DIFFERENTLY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

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

>>>TENSIONS FLARED IN THE INDIANA HOUSE THIS WEEK AFTER REPUBLICANS SHOUTED DOWN DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS WHO VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION IN A BILL.

THE LEGISLATION IN QUESTION WOULD ALLOW A SAINT JOSEPH COUNTY TOWNSHIP TO LEAVE THE SOUTH BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT - WHICH IS RACIALLY DIVERSE - FOR A NEARBY SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT'S OVERWHELMINGLY WHITE.

TWO BLACK DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ABOUT WHAT THEY VIEWED AS DISCRIMINATORY ISSUES WITH IT...AND A GROUP OF REPUBLICANS BOOED AND HECKLED THEM.

HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON SAYS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TOLERATED.

>>SPEAKER TODD HUSTON (R-FISHERS): EMOTIONS GET SHORT AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH TODAY.

I HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF RUNNING THE FLOOR.

I'LL DO THAT AND WE'LL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

>>BRANDON: BUT AN ENSUING ARGUMENT IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE CHAMBER ESCALATED.

INDIANA BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS CHAIR ROBIN SHACKLEFORD SAYS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE SEAN EBERHART HAD TO BE PHYSICALLY RESTRAINED FROM GOING AFTER DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE VANESSA SUMMERS.

>>REP.

ROBIN SHACKLEFORD (D-INDIANAPOLIS): FOR A MEMBER TO NOW TAKE IT TO A VIOLENT SITUATION AND LOOK LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO HIT OUR MEMBER AND HAVE TO BE PULLED AWAY FROM A MEMBER - AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S A WHITE MALE VERSUS A BLACK FEMALE - THEN WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS ISSUES THERE.

>>BRANDON: SHACKLEFORD SAYS SHE ASKED SPEAKER HUSTON LAST YEAR TO REQUIRE ALL HOUSE LAWMAKERS TO UNDERGO IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING AND REPEATED THAT REQUEST TO HIM THURSDAY.

HUSTON WOULD NOT COMMIT TO DOING SO.

MIKE O'BRIEN, THERE ARE FLARE UPS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM TIME TO TIME.

IS THIS SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT?

>>: IT IS HARD TO TELL WHAT GOT IT TO THAT POINT.

I THINK IT WAS OVERBLOWN CLEARLY ON THE SIDE OF THE REPUBLICANS.

YOU CAN'T REACT THAT WAY.

THIS IS NOT A CLOSED PROCESS WE WERE DEBATING THIS ON THE FLOOR BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND FOR AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN LAWMAKER AND YOU EXPERIENCE RACISM AND TALK ABOUT IT IF YOU ARE REPUBLICAN THAT BELIEVES THAT'S NOT THE CASE OR IT'S UNFAIR THING YOU GET UP AND MAKE YOUR CASE AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY WERE DOING THERE WHICH I DON'T THINK IT WAS.

I THINK THERE IS A PROCESS FOR THAT.

AND WE ARE THE SAME PARTY THAT DOESN'T WANT PEOPLE TEARING DOWN STATUES AND MOBS OF PEOPLE STARING DOWN ATTACHED STATUTES AND WE GO THROUGH THE RIGHT PROCESS AND DO THESE THINGS GRADUALLY AND THROUGH THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES WE SET UP AND YOU CAN'T BEHAVE THAT WAY.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS LEVEL ADDS REFLECTIVE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING OUTSIDE OF THAT BUILDING BUT YOU'VE GOT TO MAINTAIN PERSPECTIVE AND UNDERSTAND YOU ARE THERE TO HAVE THE GROWN-UP DEBATE IN THE CONSTRUCT OF DEBATE IT'S CHARACTERIZED AS A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE.

AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATELY WHAT HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY.

>>: WHAT DOES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN HOUSE NEED TO DO TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE RIGHT WAY.

>>: I THINK ROBIN SHACKELFORD'S IDEA OF IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING IS A GOOD ONE BECAUSE IT'S CLEAR TO ME HERE THAT THE REACTION ON THE FLOOR BY THE REPUBLICANS WAS KNEE-JERK.

IT WAS KNEE-JERK AND THEY WERE DEFENSIVE AND THEY WERE DEFENSIVE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS, NOT ALL, NOT A MAJORITY BUT THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS OF THE CAUCUS WHO ARE RACIST.

I'M SORRY, THAT IS TRUE.

AND SOME OF THE RESPONSES TO THAT WERE NOT APPROPRIATE, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY TEMPERS WOULD RUN HIGH BECAUSE THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED.

THEY STARTED BOOING.

IT IS A WINDOW TO THEIR SOUL AND THE FACT THAT THEY CAN'T ADMIT THAT AND CAN'T REACT TO IT IN A POSITIVE WAY IT SEEMS TO ME THEY WILL TOLERATE THE SAME KIND OF NONSENSE THAT DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN SPROUTING FOR THE LAST SIX OR EIGHT YEARS.

THEY NEED TO REPUDIATE THAT.

THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND SAY NOT JUST THEY NEED TO ASSERT MORE CONTROL BUT THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT AND THAT LEGISLATORS WHO DO THIS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO SANCTION AND THAT DO THE KIND OF THINGS IN THE POSTING SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO SEVERE SANCTIONS BECAUSE IT'S A REPUBLICAN PARTY IF THEY WANT DIVERSITY IN THEIR RANKS AND WANTS TO BE SEEN AS SUPPORTING ADVANCEMENT FOR ALL IT HAS TO REPUDIATE THOSE RACES KNEE-JERK REACTIONS AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT DONE THAT.

>>: NIKI, AS I MENTIONED AT THE TOP OF MY QUESTION.

WE'VE SEEN ARGUMENTS SHOUTING BEFORE EVEN PHYSICAL DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND FELLOW REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS BUT YOU WERE IN THE CHAMBER DID THIS FEEL DIFFERENT?

>>: I HAVE SEEN SOME HEATED EXCHANGES BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING IN MY 20 YEARS LIKE WHAT I SAW YESTERDAY, SO IT COULD FEEL DIFFERENT AND THAT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE THE LAST YEAR DEBATE WE HAVE ON RACIAL MATTERS AND SO THAT WAS PROBABLY THE BACKGROUND BETWEEN WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

I DO THINK TODD HUSTON RECOGNIZES HE HAS TO BE A LITTLE MORE AUTHORITATIVE.

HE HAS AN EASY-GOING STYLE WHEN HE IS UP THERE WHICH IS GREAT, BUT JUST SAYING LET THE SPEAKER SPEAK IS NOT REALLY GETTING THE ATTENTION OF MEMBERS SO THEY WERE BASICALLY IGNORING HIM DURING THE EVENT.

>>: JON SCHWANTES, I WILL NOT PUT ALL OF THIS ON TODD HUSTON.

HE DID EXPRESS REGRET FOR THE ROLE HE HAS PLAYED IN LETTING IT GET TO THIS POINT, BUT FRANKLY, IF BRIAN BOSMA WHERE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SOMEONE WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THAT JOB HAD BEEN LEADING THE CHAMBER DOES THIS GO DIFFERENTLY?

>>: MAYBE.

CERTAINLY BRIAN BOSMA AFTER HAVING BEEN IN THAT ROLE FOR A LONG TIME AND WAS VERY ACCUSTOMED TO HURTING THE PROVERBIAL CATS WAS COMFORTABLE SORT OF CALLING PEOPLE ON THE CARPET SO MAYBE, MAYBE NOT.

I THINK THOUGH WHEN WE HAVE THAT DISCUSSION IT PROBABLY SHIFTS THE ATTENTION AND THEY BLAME TO THE EXTENT THERE IS BLAME HERE AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE ON WHOM IT SHOULD FALL AND THAT'S THE PEOPLE THAT WERE SHOWING SUCH DISRESPECT FOR THEIR COLLEAGUES SO I DON'T THINK I WOULD TAKE TODD HUSTON TO TASK HERE AS MUCH AS I WITH THOSE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHO TURNED THEIR BACKS ON 200 YEARS OF TRADITION AND DECORUM BECAUSE THIS IS A GROUP KEEP IN MIND IF YOU TALK TO LAWMAKERS AND WE SAY WHAT IS DISTINGUISHING ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEY SAY IT'S NOT LIKE WASHINGTON.

WE ARE ADULTS AND WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND WE ARE NOT LIKE WASHINGTON.

BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IN SOME WAYS THEY ARE BECOMING LIKE WASHINGTON.

>>: THE HOUSE WILL ONLY MEET EARLY IN THE WEEK NEXT WEEK BECAUSE WE GET TO THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE SESSION NEXT WEEK SO INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE TEMPERATURE IN THE ROOM FEELS LIKE.

>>>ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA HAS TWO JOBS, AS REVEALED BY IMPORTANTVILLE'S ADAM WREN THIS WEEK - HIS STATE OFFICE AND AS AN ADVISOR TO A HEALTH BENEFITS COMPANY HE'S BEEN WORKING FOR SINCE 2019.

WREN'S STORY REVEALS THAT ROKITA IS STILL EMPLOYED AT APEX BENEFITS, ADVISING THE COMPANY AND ITS CLIENTS ON PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES AND COLLABORATING WITH "INDUSTRY EXPERTS" ON HEALTHCARE AND BENEFITS ISSUES.

THE AG'S OFFICE DESCRIBES ROKITA'S WORK AS LIMITED AND SAYS HE RECEIVED AN ADVISORY OPINION FROM THE INDIANA INSPECTOR GENERAL THAT CONFIRMS THE LEGALITY OF HOLDING BOTH POSITIONS AT THE SAME TIME.

ROKITA AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE WOULD NOT RELEASE THAT ADVISORY OPINION.

GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB WAS ASKED ABOUT THE SITUATION AT HIS WEEKLY BRIEFING.

>>GOV.

ERIC HOLCOMB: I TRUST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS FOLLOWED THE LETTER OF THE LAW.

>>BRANDON: THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CALLED FOR THE ADVISORY OPINION TO BE RELEASED PUBLICLY.

JON SCHWANTES, IF ROKITA IS FOLLOWING THE LAW, IS THIS REALLY A BIG DEAL?

>>: AGAIN WE HAVE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE LEGALITIES AND WE DON'T KNOW THAT FOR SURE UNTIL WE ACTUALLY DO SEE THE ADVISORY OPINION, WHICH I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THE PUBLIC HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT AND JUDGE FOR ITSELF.

BUT IN TERMS OF THE MISCONDUCT, IF THERE IS ANY IT'S MORE A MATTER OF OPTICS AND PERCEPTION ESPECIALLY ANYBODY IN ANY GOVERNMENT POSITION BUT ONE WHERE YOU HAVE THE CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER OF THE STATE WHO IS CHARGED WITH WEIGHING IN ON LEGAL MATTERS AND IMPORTANT MATTERS BEFORE THE STATE AND I THINK ONE MATTER IN ALL LIKELIHOOD IS FRONT BURNER FOR HOOSIERS IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW IS HEALTHCARE AND THE PROVISION OF HEALTHCARE AND HOW IT'S PAID FOR.

SO IT MAY BE EVEN MAKES IT MORE PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER.

IT'S AS IF YOU ARE ADVISING A PRIVATE PRISON OPERATOR OR SOMETHING THAT DOES THIS KIND OF BUSINESS ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH THE STATE OF INDIANA SO IT SEEMS MORE PROBLEMATIC FROM A PERCEPTION STANDPOINT.

>>: LET'S SAY EVERYTHING TODD ROKITA IS DOING IS LEGAL WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE TOLD IS THE CASE, DOES THAT MAKE IT OKAY?

>>: NO.

I DON'T THINK IT DOES IN THIS CASE.

I DON'T THINK IN POLITICS IN GENERAL YOU WANT TO LIVE IN A SPACE WHERE YOU HAVE TO SAY WHAT I DID WAS LEGAL.

IT IS A BAD POSITION TO BE IN.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN -- WE HAVE A LEGISLATURE MADE UP OF -- ONCE YOU RETIRE EVERYBODY HAS A JOB IN A CAREER AND A PLACE THAT OFTENTIMES OVERLAPS WITH WHATEVER THEY ARE WORKING ON.

THE STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE LITTLE DIFFERENT.

IF THIS WERE THE GOVERNOR HAVING ANOTHER JOB WE WOULD ASK A LOT MORE QUESTIONS THAN WE SHOULD AND WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS CONSIDERED LEGAL BUT, AGAIN, THAT'S NOT A PLACE YOU WANT TO BE SAYING EVERYTHING I'M DOING IS LEGAL.

>>: ARE HOOSIERS GOING TO BE OKAY WITH THIS?

>>: I DON'T THINK SO.

HE RAN FOR THIS OFFICE AND I DON'T REMEMBER ANY DISCUSSION DURING THE CAMPAIGN ABOUT HIM HOLDING A SECOND JOB.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT APEX DOES OR WHETHER IT DOES BUSINESS WITH THE STATE WHETHER IT TAKES POSITIONS ON HEALTHCARE AND THE FACT HE IS NOT RELEASING THIS ADVISORY OPINION SPEAKS VOLUMES.

I DON'T HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN IT AND EVEN IF IT IS STRICTLY LEGAL -- LEGAL IT STINKS BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT POSITION THEY ARE ADVOCATING AND WHAT THEY ARE LOBBING FOR AND WHETHER -- IF HE HAS THE ABILITY TO BRING LAWSUITS.

HOW DO WE KNOW IT'S SOMETHING APEX WANTS AS OPPOSED TO WHAT THE CITIZENS WANT?

WE DON'T KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY DO NOR WHAT HE IS BEING COMPENSATED.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS.

>>>INDIANA WILL SOON HAVE A NEW SECRETARY OF STATE AFTER CONNIE LAWSON ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK SHE IS RESIGNING HER POST.

LAWSON, WHO IS 71, SAYS SHE'S STEPPING DOWN TO FOCUS ON HER HEALTH AND HER FAMILY.

IN A STATEMENT, THE REPUBLICAN SAID, "LIKE MANY HOOSIERS, 2020 TOOK A TOLL ON ME."

LAWSON IS THE LONGEST-SERVING SECRETARY OF STATE IN INDIANA'S HISTORY.

THAT'S BECAUSE SHE WAS APPOINTED TO THE ROLE BY GOVERNOR MITCH DANIELS IN 2012 AFTER THEN-SECRETARY CHARLIE WHITE WAS CONVICTED OF VOTER FRAUD.

SHE WAS THEN RE-ELECTED IN 2014 AND 2018.

GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB WILL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT.

LAWSON SAYS SHE'LL OFFICIALLY STEP DOWN ONCE HER SUCCESSOR HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.

THAT PERSON WILL SERVE OUT THE REST OF HER TERM THROUGH THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

HOOSIERS WILL ELECT A NEW SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION.

LAWSON, TERM-LIMITED, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RUN AGAIN.

NIKI KELLY, WHAT ARE WE HEARING ON POTENTIAL REPLACEMENTS FOR LAWSON?

>>: A FEW NAMES HERE AND THERE.

ONE THAT HAS COME UP MORE OFTEN THAN OTHERS IS REPRESENTATIVE HOLLY SULLIVAN.

I CHATTED WITH HER THIS WEEK AND SHE WANTED TO GIVE IT A FEW DAYS TO REVIEW BEFORE SHE MAKES A DECISION.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THERE IS NO SPECIFIC HEALTH ISSUE WITH CONNIE LAWSON IT WAS JUST AT SOME POINT YOU ARE READY TO RETIRE AND ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR AND IT WAS A GRUELING ELECTION YEAR AND THIS SEEMS LIKE A GOOD TIME.

>>: ANN DELANEY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF THIS WHOEVER HE APPOINTS IF THEY WANT TO RUN FOR THAT OFFICE WHEN IT IS UP FOR ELECTION NEXT YEAR'S GIVING THEM A BIG BOOST TO ESSENTIALLY RUN AS AN INCUMBENT SO HOW MUCH WILL THE POLITICS PLAY INTO THIS?

IT ALWAYS PLAYS INTO IT WHEN YOU ELECT A REPUBLICAN IN INDIANA THEY NEVER SERVE OUT THEIR FULL TERMS.

AND MY, RIGHT?

THEY JUST SIMPLY DON'T AND THEY APPOINT PEOPLE THERE, SO THEY CAN CONTINUE IT'S LIKE THE BIRTH RIGHT OF KINGS, THEY THINK THEY CAN WIELD THE OFFICE DOWN TO THE NEXT ONE ON THE LINE.

I WILL POINT OUT THAT CONNIE LAWSON HAS HAD A LOT OF YEARS OF SERVICE.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF SHE WOULD HAVE MADE ELECTIONS EASIER FOR VOTERS.

SHE KNEW HER AGE AND HOW LONG HER TERM LASTED WHEN SHE RAN THE LAST TIME AND SHE RAN ANYWAY SO THIS IS A PATTERN THAT GOES ON SO OFTEN THAT'S WHY I SAY IT DOES NOT MATTER.

PUT NAMES ON THE BALLOT AND THEY CAN SERVE A FULL YEAR TERM.

>>: MIKE O'BRIEN THE STATEMENT CONGRATULATING LAWSON ON HER RETIREMENT, ANY TIME CERTAINLY SOMEONE OF THE SAME PARTY LET ALONE ANOTHER PARTY IT'S PRETTY GOOD BUT THIS WAS MORE GLOWING THEN USUAL.

>>: SHE HAS A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE STARTED AS A COUNTY CLERK AND ENDED AS SECRETARY OF STATE WITH A LONG CAREER BETWEEN THOSE TWO.

PLACES AND WAS INCREDIBLY WELL QUALIFIED TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE AND TO ANN'S POINT, SOMETIMES ONE PERSON MOVES AND IT CAUSES A RIPPLE EFFECT SO HOLLY SULLIVAN LEAVES AND NOW WE HAVE A VACANCY SOMEWHERE ELSE THE EVANSVILLE EVANSVILLE REP SEAT SO DOMINOES FALLING IN 2016 WAS THE BIGGEST EXAMPLE WHERE SUE ELLEN SPEARMAN STEPPED DOWN WITH THREE THAT YEAR [OVERLAPPING SPEAKERS]% SOMETIMES MIKE PENCE GETS PICKED UP YOU NEED A NEW GOVERNOR.

AND IT JUST GOES ON ONE POSITION CAN MOVE A LOT OF THEM.

I WAS A COUNTY CHAIRMEN AND THAT HAPPENED ALL THE TIME.

SO IT'S NOTHING CONSPIRATORIAL SOMETIMES IT'S JUST PRACTICALLY HOW IT PLAYS OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO CONSIDER.

>>>INDIANA GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SIGNED INTO LAW THIS WEEK LEGISLATION GIVING BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS BROAD LIABILITY PROTECTIONS FROM MOST COVID-19 LAWSUITS.

THE MEASURE REQUIRES SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO SUE TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT.

IN A STATEMENT, HOLCOMB SAID THE LEGISLATION WILL PREVENT "FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS" AND HELP AID THE STATE'S RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC.

HE SAID HE BELIEVES MOST HOOSIER BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE BILL RAISED CONCERNS BY SOME THAT IT WILL GIVE TOO MUCH PROTECTION TO LONG-TERM CARE PROVIDERS AND PREVENT FAMILIES FROM SUING NURSING HOMES FOR THE TREATMENT OF THEIR LOVED ONES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE LAW WILL BE RETROACTIVE, EFFECTIVE THE BEGINNING OF MARCH OF LAST YEAR AND CONTINUING THROUGH 2024.

ANN DELANEY, WE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT HOW IMPORTANCE BALANCE WOULD BE TO THIS BILL.

DOES IT STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE?

>>: IT HAS NO BALANCE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NURSING HOMES.

WE KNOW INDIANA NURSING HOMES ARE UNDERSTAFFED AND THE STAFF IS UNDER PAID.

WE KNOW THAT COVID OR NO COVID.

INSTEAD OF HAVING INVESTIGATIONS AS TO WHAT WENT WRONG AND WHAT WE COULD DO BETTER FOR THE FUTURE OF THE LEGISLATURES NOT DOING AT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT DOING IT.

THE ONLY WAY WE HAD TO LOOK AT THIS IS THROUGH LITIGATION AND IF IT WAS GROSS INCOMPETENCE COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO COVID THE DEFENSE WILL BE IT WAS DURING THE PERIOD OF TIME OF COVID SO THEREFORE, WE ARE IMMUNE.

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

THEY ARE COVERED BY THE MALPRACTICE ACT.

THEY HAVE DEGREES OF PROTECTION THAT ARE THERE AND THERE ARE TOO MANY DEGREES AND WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHETHER OUR NURSING HOMES CONTINUE TO BE SAID SUBSTANDARD ARE NOT AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WANTS.

>>: THAT WILL PROBABLY BE SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO DISCUSS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS THE FINAL WORD FOR THIS WEEK ON INDIANA WE CAN REVIEW.

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.