>>> Governor Holcombe won't reinstate the masks in schools.

reinstate the masks in schools.

Plus the CDC's eviction Plus the CDC's eviction moratorium ending and more on moratorium ending and more on "Indiana Week in Review."

"Indiana Week in Review."

The week ending July 30th, 2021.

The week ending July 30th, 2021.

>>> "Indiana Week in Review" is >>> "Indiana Week in Review" is made possible by the supporters made possible by the supporters of Indiana Public Broadcasting of Indiana Public Broadcasting stations and by IceMiller, a stations and by IceMiller, a full service law firm committed full service law firm committed to helping clients grow, build, to helping clients grow, build, and protect their interests.

and protect their interests.

More at IceMiller.com.

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>>> This week Governor Eric >>> This week Governor Eric Holcomb said he won't reimpose Holcomb said he won't reimpose mask mandated in Hoosier schools mask mandated in Hoosier schools only urging students, teachers, only urging students, teachers, and staff to mask up amid a and staff to mask up amid a surge of COVID-19.

surge of COVID-19.

The CDC issued guidance Tuesday The CDC issued guidance Tuesday that recommends anyone in a that recommends anyone in a school setting, even vaccinated school setting, even vaccinated people, wear a mask as the delta people, wear a mask as the delta variant drives up cases around variant drives up cases around the country.

the country.

Indiana previously required Indiana previously required masks in schools before masks in schools before rescinding that order after rescinding that order after June.

June.

Holcombe says he recommends Holcombe says he recommends taking every safe step possible taking every safe step possible to keep children in school.

to keep children in school.

>> We've seen what a whacking >> We've seen what a whacking our kiddos have taken with the our kiddos have taken with the pandemic over this last year in pandemic over this last year in terms of learning loss, et terms of learning loss, et cetera.

cetera.

And so we don't want to watch And so we don't want to watch the same movie again.

the same movie again.

>> Masks will still be required >> Masks will still be required on school buses under federal on school buses under federal rules.

rules.

Individual school districts can Individual school districts can decide whether to require face decide whether to require face coverings in school buildings.

coverings in school buildings.

Should mask mandates be Should mask mandates be reimposed on K-12 schools?

reimposed on K-12 schools?

It's the first question for our It's the first question for our panel.

panel.

Democrat Arielle Brandy.

Democrat Arielle Brandy.

Republican Jennifer Hallowell.

Republican Jennifer Hallowell.

Jon Schwantes.

Jon Schwantes.

And Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne And Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

Journal Gazette.

I'm Brandon Smith.

I'm Brandon Smith.

Arielle Brandy, should the state Arielle Brandy, should the state leave it up to local districts leave it up to local districts to decide?

to decide?

>> Well, I think what we run >> Well, I think what we run into is a similar situation we into is a similar situation we had a year ago where the had a year ago where the districts were having to decide districts were having to decide what to do with our children.

what to do with our children.

I'm a mother.

I'm a mother.

I have school-aged children.

I have school-aged children.

I'm concerned as well, but I'm I'm concerned as well, but I'm grateful that democrats were grateful that democrats were able to deliver at least $2 able to deliver at least $2 Rescue Plan in order for our Rescue Plan in order for our schools to be prepared for schools to be prepared for what's to come to be able to what's to come to be able to deliver PPE to our teachers and deliver PPE to our teachers and students and also to be able to students and also to be able to have the proper ventilation that have the proper ventilation that the doctor talked about today in the doctor talked about today in regard of how our schools need regard of how our schools need to operate similar to our to operate similar to our hospital facilities.

hospital facilities.

So with that in mind, I do think So with that in mind, I do think that it is definitely in the that it is definitely in the most best interest for us to be most best interest for us to be think about how we mask up going think about how we mask up going forward especially with the forward especially with the delta variant on he rise.

delta variant on he rise.

>> Dr.

Box strongly urged >> Dr.

Box strongly urged everyone to mask up in schools everyone to mask up in schools today given the new CDC guidance today given the new CDC guidance and the delta variant.

and the delta variant.

But that local officials have But that local officials have cold her, she said, that they cold her, she said, that they want to make those decisions for want to make those decisions for themselves.

themselves.

Are those the people who should Are those the people who should be making those decisions?

be making those decisions?

>> Definitely.

>> Definitely.

I think it should be left up to I think it should be left up to individual communities and individual communities and schools and organizations in schools and organizations in terms of how they want to move terms of how they want to move forward.

forward.

You know, this is all -- this is You know, this is all -- this is all challenging, because there's all challenging, because there's been a lot of mixed messaging been a lot of mixed messaging for a long time.

for a long time.

And I understand it's something And I understand it's something new, so maybe we didn't know, new, so maybe we didn't know, but you can't blame people for but you can't blame people for being frustrated when first being frustrated when first don't wear a mask, you have to don't wear a mask, you have to wear a mask, if vaccinated you wear a mask, if vaccinated you don't have to wear a mask.

don't have to wear a mask.

If vaccinated now you have to If vaccinated now you have to wear a mask.

wear a mask.

Like, people are really Like, people are really frustrated.

frustrated.

And I think if someone tried to And I think if someone tried to mandate something at the state mandate something at the state level, there would be a revolt.

level, there would be a revolt.

An I think you're going to see An I think you're going to see that in some of these individual that in some of these individual communities as well.

communities as well.

And so it's -- yes.

And so it's -- yes.

I think each organization should I think each organization should decide for themselves.

decide for themselves.

And then parents and students And then parents and students and customers can then decide and customers can then decide for themselves.

for themselves.

>> You talk about mixed >> You talk about mixed messaging, though, and I agree messaging, though, and I agree on that front.

on that front.

But is there the risk of, well, But is there the risk of, well, you know, school district A in you know, school district A in this county has decided to mask this county has decided to mask up but school district B has up but school district B has decided not to mask up and decided not to mask up and school district C in the county school district C in the county over decided only for over decided only for unvaccinated individuals.

unvaccinated individuals.

Are you running the risk there Are you running the risk there because you're leaving it up to because you're leaving it up to individual school districts of individual school districts of mixed messages in every corner mixed messages in every corner of the state?

of the state?

>> You have glimpsed the future, >> You have glimpsed the future, Brandon.

Brandon.

That is, in fact, what will That is, in fact, what will happen.

happen.

But this is another instance of But this is another instance of science versus sentiment.

science versus sentiment.

And we've seen it time and time And we've seen it time and time again.

again.

And I think given what we went And I think given what we went through in this state and other through in this state and other states went through in terms of states went through in terms of friction and frustration over friction and frustration over mandates, even though they mandates, even though they were -- made good medical sense were -- made good medical sense and science sense, we saw the and science sense, we saw the battle that took place here and battle that took place here and elsewhere.

elsewhere.

I don't think science wins here.

I don't think science wins here.

I think sentiment wins here.

I think sentiment wins here.

And sentiment is in the corner And sentiment is in the corner of letting local school of letting local school districts make that decision.

districts make that decision.

I guess the argument that -- for I guess the argument that -- for doing it on a broader basis is doing it on a broader basis is to prevent that type of to prevent that type of confusion you're talking about.

confusion you're talking about.

And also because you do have And also because you do have presumably a number of children presumably a number of children who fall below the age threshold who fall below the age threshold for whom the vaccine has been for whom the vaccine has been cleared for use by the CDC.

cleared for use by the CDC.

So they haven't had the So they haven't had the opportunity to enter into this opportunity to enter into this fray that adults have like, will fray that adults have like, will I get vaccinated or not I get vaccinated or not vaccinated?

vaccinated?

They're along for the ride.

They're along for the ride.

So that certainly would argue So that certainly would argue for -- but, again, I think all for -- but, again, I think all of that falls flat when you look of that falls flat when you look at the notion of the state being at the notion of the state being able or having the stomach or able or having the stomach or the appetite to pursue some sort the appetite to pursue some sort of statewide mandate.

of statewide mandate.

>> At their briefing today, the >> At their briefing today, the doctors got several questions doctors got several questions about this idea of on one hand about this idea of on one hand their message is we strongly their message is we strongly urge you to do this.

urge you to do this.

The science is clear.

The science is clear.

We need these multiple We need these multiple strategies to help because the strategies to help because the delta variant is so infectious.

delta variant is so infectious.

And yet -- well, we're not going And yet -- well, we're not going to tell you what to do.

to tell you what to do.

We're just going to ask you to We're just going to ask you to do these things.

do these things.

Are those questions going to Are those questions going to continue as we get into the continue as we get into the school year?

school year?

>> Probably.

>> Probably.

I mean, I'm fascinated by this I mean, I'm fascinated by this whole topic and we actually whole topic and we actually wrote a story that's running wrote a story that's running this weekend about it.

this weekend about it.

You know, by leaving it up to You know, by leaving it up to each individual district, I mean each individual district, I mean even before the CDC changes even before the CDC changes their guidance this week, their guidance this week, districts were already going districts were already going against it.

against it.

The earlier guidance was just The earlier guidance was just mask up for unvaccinated.

mask up for unvaccinated.

Which would have been anyone Which would have been anyone under 12. under 12.

>> Right.

>> Right.

>> And so now what -- I've seen >> And so now what -- I've seen a few districts changing their a few districts changing their policy from mask optional.

policy from mask optional.

But they're going to the old But they're going to the old guidance, not even the new guidance, not even the new guidance.

guidance.

I mean, I suppose we're going to I mean, I suppose we're going to have to see how spread works, have to see how spread works, you know, with kids and the you know, with kids and the delta variant.

delta variant.

One scientific thing and I think One scientific thing and I think it's a fair discussion for it's a fair discussion for districts to say is, you know, districts to say is, you know, there are very -- a much lower there are very -- a much lower number of cases in kids, much -- number of cases in kids, much -- you know, I think we've only had you know, I think we've only had eight deaths in Indiana.

eight deaths in Indiana.

Someone from 0 to 19 years of Someone from 0 to 19 years of age.

age.

So I mean, the stakes are So I mean, the stakes are different.

different.

And some -- about half the And some -- about half the parents seem to be fine with parents seem to be fine with that.

that.

>> Jennifer made this point >> Jennifer made this point earlier.

earlier.

I want to ask you about it I want to ask you about it before we move on.

before we move on.

The idea of we're leaving this The idea of we're leaving this to local school districts to to local school districts to decide and local leaders, but decide and local leaders, but even then, are we setting even then, are we setting ourselves up for just a war of ourselves up for just a war of people who absolutely refuse to people who absolutely refuse to do this and then passing that on do this and then passing that on through their kids?

through their kids?

>> Yeah, I think we do.

>> Yeah, I think we do.

Because what we've seen with Because what we've seen with just this pandemic as a whole, just this pandemic as a whole, it's become so political.

it's become so political.

And I don't want us to run into And I don't want us to run into a situation where masking up or a situation where masking up or versus not masking up becomes versus not masking up becomes another political thing and then another political thing and then we're putting more children at we're putting more children at risk, their parents, and risk, their parents, and teachers at risk because we're teachers at risk because we're making this another political making this another political issue when we just need to issue when we just need to really figure out how we follow really figure out how we follow these CDC guidelines, continue these CDC guidelines, continue to distance, continue to mask to distance, continue to mask up, and really hone in on the up, and really hone in on the fact of how we can protect our fact of how we can protect our kids in our school districts.

kids in our school districts.

>> Time now for viewer feedback.

>> Time now for viewer feedback.

Each week we pose an online poll Each week we pose an online poll question in conjunction with our question in conjunction with our IceMiller email and text alert.

IceMiller email and text alert.

Should Governor Holcombe Should Governor Holcombe reimpose the statewide mask reimpose the statewide mask mandate in K-12 schools?

mandate in K-12 schools?

A yes or B no.

A yes or B no.

Last week we asked you if the Last week we asked you if the redistricting public meetings redistricting public meetings would be enough to ensure would be enough to ensure transparency as lawmakers redraw transparency as lawmakers redraw legislative district maps?

legislative district maps?

Just 10% of you say yes.

Just 10% of you say yes.

90% say no.

90% say no.

If you'd like to take part in If you'd like to take part in the poll, go to WFYI.org/IWIR.

the poll, go to WFYI.org/IWIR.

Look for the poll.

Look for the poll.

>>> Purdue University has been >>> Purdue University has been announcing over the past week announcing over the past week its oOld Golden Ticket we sip its oOld Golden Ticket we sip yents who will receive a year's yents who will receive a year's free tuition as part of the free tuition as part of the COVID-19 vaccination effort.

COVID-19 vaccination effort.

In May Purdue announced it would In May Purdue announced it would hold a tuition lottery for hold a tuition lottery for students who submit proof of students who submit proof of vaccination.

vaccination.

Bailey Leffler senior brand Bailey Leffler senior brand manager at Purdue says the manager at Purdue says the tuition lottery is intended to tuition lottery is intended to boost Purdue's vaccination boost Purdue's vaccination numbers.

numbers.

So far roughly 60% of students So far roughly 60% of students and 66% of employees have and 66% of employees have reported being fully vaccinated.

reported being fully vaccinated.

>> We've elected to go with the >> We've elected to go with the choice method and hope it speaks choice method and hope it speaks for itself.

for itself.

>> Universities like Notre Dame >> Universities like Notre Dame and Indiana University are and Indiana University are reporting higher overall reporting higher overall vaccination rates.

vaccination rates.

The American College Health The American College Health Association COVID-19's task Association COVID-19's task force recommended that when able force recommended that when able colleges and universities make colleges and universities make vaccines a mandate.

vaccines a mandate.

Jennifer Hallowell, Purdue's Jennifer Hallowell, Purdue's numbers aren't as good as numbers aren't as good as Hoosier institutions that Hoosier institutions that mandated.

mandated.

Amid this surge, should they Amid this surge, should they rethink their approach?

rethink their approach?

>> I think that Purdue should >> I think that Purdue should decide what's best for Purdue.

decide what's best for Purdue.

I mean, as far as their numbers, I mean, as far as their numbers, also some of these other also some of these other institutions as we talked about institutions as we talked about on a previous show are just on a previous show are just having folks attest to it.

having folks attest to it.

We don't know if they're really We don't know if they're really vaccinated or not, they're just vaccinated or not, they're just attesting that they are.

attesting that they are.

>> Because there are legal >> Because there are legal questions as to whether or not questions as to whether or not they can require that proof they can require that proof anyways.

anyways.

>> Exactly.

>> Exactly.

You know, I think that each You know, I think that each institution should decide for institution should decide for themselves.

themselves.

Kind of like I said earlier.

Kind of like I said earlier.

And then, you know, students can And then, you know, students can decide from there.

decide from there.

Personally, you know, I would Personally, you know, I would love for people to be love for people to be vaccinated.

vaccinated.

Especially if they're going to Especially if they're going to be around my mother.

be around my mother.

Like, but at the end of the day, Like, but at the end of the day, until there's full FDA approval, until there's full FDA approval, I think it continues to be a I think it continues to be a problem.

problem.

You know, you mentioned You know, you mentioned something about being political.

something about being political.

I mean, truthfully, it's been I mean, truthfully, it's been political on both sides the political on both sides the whole way around.

whole way around.

You know, I remember when Kamala You know, I remember when Kamala Harris was asked if she would Harris was asked if she would take the vaccine and that's when take the vaccine and that's when it was Trump's vaccine and she it was Trump's vaccine and she wouldn't commit to that.

wouldn't commit to that.

So like, it's -- we can go So like, it's -- we can go through and point fingers all through and point fingers all the way through.

the way through.

Mix messages and politics Mix messages and politics playing into it.

playing into it.

But right now I just think each But right now I just think each organization decide for organization decide for themselves and hopefully we get themselves and hopefully we get through this.

through this.

>> I want to pick up on >> I want to pick up on something she said which is something she said which is whether it's universities, K-12 whether it's universities, K-12 schools, private businesses.

schools, private businesses.

Do things change, do you think, Do things change, do you think, with mandates or not once and with mandates or not once and expecting it will be full expecting it will be full approval from the FDA opposed to approval from the FDA opposed to ths EUA we've been under?

ths EUA we've been under?

>> I think one of the things we >> I think one of the things we really need to think about is we really need to think about is we focus so much on the fact that a focus so much on the fact that a lot of private institutions and, lot of private institutions and, you know, universities are you know, universities are thinking about requiring this thinking about requiring this mandate of their students and mandate of their students and their employees being their employees being vaccinated.

vaccinated.

Great.

Great.

We really need to shift the We really need to shift the focus on the fact that half of focus on the fact that half of our state is still unvaccinated our state is still unvaccinated and how we get the message to and how we get the message to those people to make sure they those people to make sure they become the people that are become the people that are vaccinated so we don't have to vaccinated so we don't have to continue having this continue having this conversation over what we can conversation over what we can mandate and what we can't.

mandate and what we can't.

And we know that half the state And we know that half the state is still unvaccinated.

is still unvaccinated.

How do we move forward at How do we move forward at getting the information out to getting the information out to those folks to make sure they're those folks to make sure they're not harming people's mothers or not harming people's mothers or other people's students.

other people's students.

And I think that's what we need And I think that's what we need to focus on as a state.

to focus on as a state.

>> In terms of getting that >> In terms of getting that message out, though, in your message out, though, in your mind is there more the state can mind is there more the state can do at this point?

do at this point?

>> Yeah, I don't know.

>> Yeah, I don't know.

We've been on this bandwagon We've been on this bandwagon since, what?

since, what?

February?

February?

I mean, at some point the state I mean, at some point the state has done its job.

has done its job.

You know, it's there.

You know, it's there.

It's available in every county It's available in every county multiple places.

multiple places.

We've been talking about it ad We've been talking about it ad nauseam for months and months nauseam for months and months and months.

and months.

I think the people -- I would I think the people -- I would say the large majority of the say the large majority of the people who are left have made people who are left have made their choice.

their choice.

And it's not so much a we And it's not so much a we need -- like, they don't have need -- like, they don't have access or it's awareness.

access or it's awareness.

We've covered all that.

We've covered all that.

So at some point they're making So at some point they're making their choice.

their choice.

>> In a debate this week and the >> In a debate this week and the debates this week over whether debates this week over whether the governor is reimposing the governor is reimposing restrictions or not and whether restrictions or not and whether some universities or private some universities or private businesses should mandate or businesses should mandate or not, we've heard the phrase -- not, we've heard the phrase -- Dr.

Box used it several times, Dr.

Box used it several times, the governor used it this the governor used it this morning with me.

morning with me.

Personal responsibility.

Personal responsibility.

That we -- you know, people need That we -- you know, people need to take responsibility for to take responsibility for keeping themselves healthy and keeping themselves healthy and others healthy by getting the others healthy by getting the vaccine.

vaccine.

Half the state isn't vaccinated.

Half the state isn't vaccinated.

It's available.

It's available.

They've made their choice.

They've made their choice.

Can we rely on personal Can we rely on personal responsibility?

responsibility?

>> Well, mathematically >> Well, mathematically speaking, half of the Hoosier speaking, half of the Hoosier population is by definition population is by definition below average in its adherence below average in its adherence to personal hygiene standards to personal hygiene standards and safety standards, so I guess and safety standards, so I guess mathematically that being the mathematically that being the average, millions of people are average, millions of people are out there thumbing their nose or out there thumbing their nose or at least ignoring what the calls at least ignoring what the calls from not only the state of from not only the state of Indiana but the CDC and other Indiana but the CDC and other health professionals.

health professionals.

You know, I think more and more You know, I think more and more entities are starting to go -- entities are starting to go -- the federal government, of the federal government, of course, now when we're talking course, now when we're talking about, you know, millions of about, you know, millions of employees and then not only employees and then not only direct employees but direct employees but contractors.

contractors.

I think we're seeing a move that I think we're seeing a move that direction.

direction.

A lot of employers that might A lot of employers that might have been on the fence before have been on the fence before seem to now with the delta seem to now with the delta variant in force seem to be variant in force seem to be moving in that direction.

moving in that direction.

Purdue, I think, perhaps because Purdue, I think, perhaps because of its administration, this is of its administration, this is person who is a college person who is a college president who has his finger on president who has his finger on the sentiments of the public.

the sentiments of the public.

He's a former -- even though he He's a former -- even though he was at one time a pharmaceutical was at one time a pharmaceutical executive, he probably is best executive, he probably is best known as a politician being our known as a politician being our former governor Mitch Daniels.

former governor Mitch Daniels.

If you look at some of his If you look at some of his predecessors including the predecessors including the former dean of the IU School of former dean of the IU School of Medicine who served several Medicine who served several tenures before prior to the tenures before prior to the current tenure, one must current tenure, one must wonder -- and this is a wonder -- and this is a rhetorical questin only -- if rhetorical questin only -- if they would have taken the same they would have taken the same approach coming out of a medical approach coming out of a medical background or even a Martin background or even a Martin Jiski who succeeded -- he was a Jiski who succeeded -- he was a rocket scientist or Franci rocket scientist or Franci Cordova now that I named every Cordova now that I named every Purdue president the last four Purdue president the last four years.

years.

My point being, we had My point being, we had scientists.

scientists.

Now we have a politician.

Now we have a politician.

And I'm not somebody who says And I'm not somebody who says the "P" word is a bad word, but the "P" word is a bad word, but i might be that there's an i might be that there's an adherence to a different sort of adherence to a different sort of measure -- measure -- >> I mean, it's philosophical as >> I mean, it's philosophical as much as anything.

much as anything.

>> Let's be honest.

>> Let's be honest.

I do want to make one notation.

I do want to make one notation.

The IU mandate might as well not The IU mandate might as well not exist anymore.

exist anymore.

This week they, you know, put in This week they, you know, put in this ethical exemption.

this ethical exemption.

They didn't tell anyone about They didn't tell anyone about it.

it.

I can say no, I don't want to I can say no, I don't want to get it.

get it.

>> On top of what Jennifer >> On top of what Jennifer talked about earlier which is talked about earlier which is they're attesting that they got they're attesting that they got it, which, you know -- it, which, you know -- >> Yeah.

>> Yeah.

>> All right.

>> All right.

Fingers crossed, everybody.

Fingers crossed, everybody.

The Centers for Disease Control The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nationwide and Prevention nationwide eviction moratorium is ending eviction moratorium is ending July 31st.

July 31st.

Indiana housing advocates have Indiana housing advocates have been long sounding the alarm been long sounding the alarm about an eviction cliff as that about an eviction cliff as that ends.

ends.

Estimates suggest there are tens Estimates suggest there are tens of thousands of pending of thousands of pending evictions already filed in evictions already filed in Indiana courts and advocates say Indiana courts and advocates say they're in a race against the they're in a race against the clock to get help for Hoosiers clock to get help for Hoosiers struggling to pay their rent.

struggling to pay their rent.

Judge Kimberly Bacon says a Judge Kimberly Bacon says a statewide task force is working statewide task force is working to give guidance to judges on to give guidance to judges on how to connect tenants with in how to connect tenants with in her words access to justice.

her words access to justice.

>> Not just from the judiciary >> Not just from the judiciary but also from being able to but also from being able to obtain a little advice, so that obtain a little advice, so that they are able to figure out how they are able to figure out how to have a softer landing or how to have a softer landing or how to get this behind them.

to get this behind them.

>> Evictions are coming, though, >> Evictions are coming, though, and Amy Nelson says the state and Amy Nelson says the state needs to confront their needs to confront their long-term impact.

long-term impact.

>> We need an eviction >> We need an eviction expungement law here in the expungement law here in the state to try to address all the state to try to address all the evictions that are going to be evictions that are going to be sitting here.

sitting here.

>> An eviction on your record >> An eviction on your record can make it substantially harder can make it substantially harder in the future to access housing, in the future to access housing, Nelson said.

Nelson said.

Jon Schwantes, when house Jon Schwantes, when house democrats had a hearing on this democrats had a hearing on this eviction cliff when we thought eviction cliff when we thought it was going to end at the end it was going to end at the end of June, the state had only I of June, the state had only I think dispersed, like, 30 think dispersed, like, 30 million-something out of the million-something out of the $300 billion they had been given $300 billion they had been given by the federal government for by the federal government for rental assistance.

rental assistance.

Now they've dispersed half of Now they've dispersed half of that $373 billion.

that $373 billion.

>> I'm sorry, billion?

>> I'm sorry, billion?

>> Million.

>> Million.

Excuse me, sorry.

Excuse me, sorry.

>> Anymore, who knows.

>> Anymore, who knows.

>> It's all just -- >> It's all just -- >> Just a couple of zeros.

>> Just a couple of zeros.

They've already dispersed half They've already dispersed half of that $373 million.

of that $373 million.

Thank you, Niki.

Thank you, Niki.

Are we starting to see them do Are we starting to see them do enough as that moratorium ends enough as that moratorium ends to get people help?

to get people help?

>> Moving in the right >> Moving in the right direction, certainly.

direction, certainly.

That was an argument that as That was an argument that as this reaches, you know, this reaches, you know, crescendo in Congress which is crescendo in Congress which is now where this fight has to take now where this fight has to take place because the Supreme Court place because the Supreme Court has said essentially that it no has said essentially that it no longer can be done as a health longer can be done as a health mandate by the CDC or the White mandate by the CDC or the White House.

House.

It has to have explicit approval It has to have explicit approval by Congress.

by Congress.

And of course that's why the And of course that's why the White House is seeking, I've White House is seeking, I've heard, now five months perhaps heard, now five months perhaps additionally.

additionally.

And what you're seeing on And what you're seeing on republicans in some of the republicans in some of the arguments that have just bubbled arguments that have just bubbled up today and this week, that's up today and this week, that's the very thing.

the very thing.

We gave this money to states.

We gave this money to states.

We gave them in this case We gave them in this case billions of dollars, billions of dollars, collectively.

collectively.

And guess what.

And guess what.

They have not spent it.

They have not spent it.

So until they do -- and I'm So until they do -- and I'm paraphrasing here, of course -- paraphrasing here, of course -- until they do, we're not going until they do, we're not going to give you any more.

to give you any more.

It wasn't that harsh, but that It wasn't that harsh, but that was the message.

was the message.

And so as long as states And so as long as states probably are sitting on some of probably are sitting on some of the dollars that were intended the dollars that were intended for this purpose, there won't be for this purpose, there won't be a lot of appetite on Capitol a lot of appetite on Capitol Hill certainly among republicans Hill certainly among republicans for this.

for this.

But something's got to give.

But something's got to give.

We're going to see there's a We're going to see there's a crisis here.

crisis here.

And whether the crisis takes And whether the crisis takes place, frankly, this weekend or place, frankly, this weekend or in September or at the end of in September or at the end of October or the end of the year, October or the end of the year, guess what.

guess what.

There will be a crisis.

There will be a crisis.

>> Yeah, I mean at that point, >> Yeah, I mean at that point, you know -- it matters to people you know -- it matters to people who are going to lose their who are going to lose their homes.

homes.

But at some point do you say But at some point do you say it's got to stop some time?

it's got to stop some time?

So let's stop it now and then So let's stop it now and then address the problems that pop address the problems that pop up?

up?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I mean, we can't just keep I mean, we can't just keep kicking it down.

kicking it down.

Then the cliff just gets higher Then the cliff just gets higher and higher.

and higher.

It has to happen.

It has to happen.

I think the eviction expungement I think the eviction expungement idea was a new and interesting idea was a new and interesting take.

take.

Another person that I had seen Another person that I had seen this week suggested -- and this this week suggested -- and this would be innovative.

would be innovative.

You know, instead of using that You know, instead of using that money that we have to pay back money that we have to pay back rent, maybe we use it to pay rent, maybe we use it to pay security deposits to get a new security deposits to get a new place when you're getting place when you're getting evicted.

evicted.

I mean, that's a new kind of way I mean, that's a new kind of way to try to help people find that to try to help people find that soft landing, a new place to soft landing, a new place to live.

live.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah.

The state's program, there have The state's program, there have also been local programs.

also been local programs.

Hopefully some of that money is Hopefully some of that money is being used a little differently.

being used a little differently.

But at this point assuming the But at this point assuming the eviction moratorium does end eviction moratorium does end tomorrow and this cliff effect tomorrow and this cliff effect probably almost certainly probably almost certainly happens, does the state need to happens, does the state need to think differently about how then think differently about how then it's using its money?

it's using its money?

Because I know some landlords -- Because I know some landlords -- we've heard from landlords who we've heard from landlords who say I don't want to get involved say I don't want to get involved in that.

in that.

They can pay or they won't.

They can pay or they won't.

I want them out.

I want them out.

So do they figure out how to use So do they figure out how to use the money differently?

the money differently?

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah.

I think our state really needs I think our state really needs to be in favor of renters more to be in favor of renters more than what they were.

than what they were.

We saw what happened during the We saw what happened during the general session this past, you general session this past, you know, year.

know, year.

We did not see our legislators We did not see our legislators be in favor of renters be in favor of renters especially on the republican especially on the republican side.

side.

On the democrat side, we did see On the democrat side, we did see that.

that.

And we did see Governor Holcombe And we did see Governor Holcombe step in and overturn what had step in and overturn what had happened which is great.

happened which is great.

But now we're running into the But now we're running into the fact of a cliff like you said, fact of a cliff like you said, five more months for Congress to five more months for Congress to be able to act on that.

be able to act on that.

And people don't have that And people don't have that amount of time to wait when amount of time to wait when they're looking at the fact of they're looking at the fact of losing their homes.

losing their homes.

It needs to happen now.

It needs to happen now.

We need to make it a definite We need to make it a definite priority here in our state.

priority here in our state.

Because losing a home and then Because losing a home and then having to figure out how to come having to figure out how to come out of it or what resources you out of it or what resources you have to fall on top of like you have to fall on top of like you said, a lot of this local stuff said, a lot of this local stuff is very hard.

is very hard.

The restrictions are there.

The restrictions are there.

A lot of people don't have time A lot of people don't have time to even think about that.

to even think about that.

So we really need to prioritize So we really need to prioritize this.

this.

>> Obviously the situation has >> Obviously the situation has been worsened as so many have by been worsened as so many have by the pandemic.

the pandemic.

But there were issues before But there were issues before COVID-19 came along.

COVID-19 came along.

Marion County I think I just Marion County I think I just read this week is instituting a read this week is instituting a program where they're trying to program where they're trying to get legal representation to get legal representation to folks who are going to court who folks who are going to court who the vast majority of the time the vast majority of the time are on their own when they're are on their own when they're getting evicted in a courtroom.

getting evicted in a courtroom.

Is something like that on a Is something like that on a broader level in the state also broader level in the state also going to -- could something like going to -- could something like that make a difference?

that make a difference?

>> Oh, I think so.

>> Oh, I think so.

And I think -- I mean, look.

And I think -- I mean, look.

It has been a pretty tough issue It has been a pretty tough issue for a long time.

for a long time.

And I think we are all grateful And I think we are all grateful that federal money came in and that federal money came in and eventually to assist people and eventually to assist people and the pandemic made it a lot the pandemic made it a lot worse.

worse.

Obviously folks lost their jobs Obviously folks lost their jobs as businesses were shut down, et as businesses were shut down, et cetera.

cetera.

So all of that exacerbated the So all of that exacerbated the problem.

problem.

And so a lot of people, I think, And so a lot of people, I think, are able to come out of it.

are able to come out of it.

But some still haven't.

But some still haven't.

Yes, I think long-term hopefully Yes, I think long-term hopefully we figure out some way to we figure out some way to improve this system for Hoosiers improve this system for Hoosiers with access and services.

with access and services.

Because navigating that, you Because navigating that, you know, is challenging.

know, is challenging.

And when you're rain shower And when you're rain shower going through a a lot of other going through a a lot of other things.

things.

>> Well, Hoosiers caught a >> Well, Hoosiers caught a violating Indiana's hands-free violating Indiana's hands-free driving law will now get an driving law will now get an added penalty points on their added penalty points on their driving record.

driving record.

When lawmakers passed the bill When lawmakers passed the bill banning cell phone use while banning cell phone use while driving unless hands-free in driving unless hands-free in 2020, the only penalty for the 2020, the only penalty for the first year was a fine up to first year was a fine up to $500.

$500.

Now Peter Lacy says people who Now Peter Lacy says people who violate that law will have four violate that law will have four points added to their license.

points added to their license.

Accruing 20 points within two Accruing 20 points within two years for any infractions gets a years for any infractions gets a driver's license suspended.

driver's license suspended.

>> Traveling Indiana roads is a >> Traveling Indiana roads is a shared endeavor that is only shared endeavor that is only made safer when we're aware of made safer when we're aware of the law and making good the law and making good decisions behind the wheel.

decisions behind the wheel.

>> In the first year of the >> In the first year of the hands-free law, Indiana police hands-free law, Indiana police wrote more than 5,000 tickets wrote more than 5,000 tickets and issued more than 10,000 and issued more than 10,000 warnings.

warnings.

State police spokesperson Ron State police spokesperson Ron Gayle vez says police will focus Gayle vez says police will focus more on citations than warnings more on citations than warnings going forward.

going forward.

Niki Kelly, can this new points Niki Kelly, can this new points penalty make more of an impact penalty make more of an impact in curbing distracted driving?

in curbing distracted driving?

>> Maybe for some people.

>> Maybe for some people.

If you know you can drive when If you know you can drive when you text and drive and that's you text and drive and that's not stopping people -- not stopping people -- >> A couple points on the >> A couple points on the license not going to do the license not going to do the trick?

trick?

>> You would think vaccinations >> You would think vaccinations could do the same.

could do the same.

>> One of the two people we >> One of the two people we talked to yesterday equated it talked to yesterday equated it to the seat belt law.

to the seat belt law.

It took a long time to get a It took a long time to get a significant part of the significant part of the population used to it.

population used to it.

Are we facing the same with Are we facing the same with texting and driving?

texting and driving?

>> Sure.

>> Sure.

I'm guessing a large percentage I'm guessing a large percentage of the Hoosier population does of the Hoosier population does not at this point realize that not at this point realize that it's illegal.

it's illegal.

I mean, that's just the fact.

I mean, that's just the fact.

Things take time.

Things take time.

I don't know if it's -- we have I don't know if it's -- we have had a lot on our plate as a had a lot on our plate as a state recently.

state recently.

There might be a public There might be a public awareness campaign, you know, awareness campaign, you know, public service spots, billboards public service spots, billboards to help get people aware.

to help get people aware.

And there's been some.

And there's been some.

But a lot of competition for But a lot of competition for people's time and attention.

people's time and attention.

>> Finally, the Indiana State >> Finally, the Indiana State Fair begins this weekend a year Fair begins this weekend a year after it was canceled for the after it was canceled for the first time since World War II.

first time since World War II.

With the Fair comes exciting and With the Fair comes exciting and possibly disturbing new food possibly disturbing new food options.

options.

This year it includes Philly This year it includes Philly cheese steak fries, fruity cheese steak fries, fruity pebbles funnel cake and pebbles funnel cake and something called winner winner something called winner winner chicken dinner which is mac and chicken dinner which is mac and cheese and coleslaw topped with cheese and coleslaw topped with popcorn chicken and chives popcorn chicken and chives served in a wonderful cone bowl.

served in a wonderful cone bowl.

Jennifer, is there a Fair food Jennifer, is there a Fair food you're looking forward to?

you're looking forward to?

>> Since my brothers were >> Since my brothers were champions in the early '80s, my champions in the early '80s, my first stop is the pork producer first stop is the pork producer tent.

tent.

>> How about you?

>> How about you?

?

?

I'm always down for good kettle I'm always down for good kettle corn.

corn.

That's my snack on the way out.

That's my snack on the way out.

>> Another quality Indiana >> Another quality Indiana product.

product.

>> The fruity pebble funnel cake >> The fruity pebble funnel cake is intriguing, but I am going is intriguing, but I am going this year I always try to try this year I always try to try one kind of weird thing.

one kind of weird thing.

Deep fried cheesecake bites.

Deep fried cheesecake bites.

>> Yeah, that's the top of my >> Yeah, that's the top of my list too.

list too.

The chicken dinner is tloeg me The chicken dinner is tloeg me off.

off.

Maybe the wafflehrowing Maybe the wafflehrowing me off.

me off.

Maybe the waffle cone bowl?

Maybe the waffle cone bowl?

>> The deep fried may be.

>> The deep fried may be.

>> That's "Indiana Week in >> That's "Indiana Week in Review" for this week.

Review" for this week.

Our panel is democrat Arielle Our panel is democrat Arielle Brandy, republican Jennifer Brandy, republican Jennifer Hallowell, Jon Schwantes of Hallowell, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers and Niki Kelly Indiana Lawmakers and Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

Gazette.

If you'd like a podcast of this, If you'd like a podcast of this, find it at WFYI.org/IWIR, or find it at WFYI.org/IWIR, or starting Monday you can stream starting Monday you can stream it on get it on demand from it on get it on demand from Xfinity.

Xfinity.

I'm Brandon Smith of Indiana I'm Brandon Smith of Indiana Public Broadcasting.

Public Broadcasting.

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

>>> "Indiana Week in Review" is made possible by the supporters made possible by the supporters of the Indiana Public of the Indiana Public Broadcasting stations.

Broadcasting stations.

And by IceMiller.

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The opinions expressed are The opinions expressed are solely those of the panelists.

solely those of the panelists.

"Indiana Week in Review" is a "Indiana Week in Review" is a WFYI production in