>> THINGS GET TENSE BETWEEN HOLCOMB ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND LAWMAKERS.

THE INDIANA BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS PRAISES PROGRESS AT THE STATEHOUSE.

PLUS, MORE TODD ROKITA SIDE GIGS AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 12TH, 2021.

>> INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS, AND BY ICE MILLER.

ICE MILLER IS A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM COMMITTED TO HELPING CLIENTS BUILD, GROW AND PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS.

MORE AT ICEMILLER.COM.

>> THIS WEEK, LAWMAKERS HAD TENSE EXCHANGES WITH MEMBERS OF GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB'S ADMINISTRATION OVER LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CURB THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS.

>> THOSE BILLS, A EACTION TO HOLCOMB'S ORDERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WOULD EMPOWER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ACT DURING LONG-TERM EMERGENCIES.

AND THEY WOULD HANDCUFF THE GOVERNOR FROM TAKING SOME OF THE SAME STEPS HE TOOK DURING COVID.

STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER DOCTOR KRIS BOX SAYS THE EMERGENCY POWERS ARE CRUCIAL.

>> DR. KRIS BOX: BECAUSE OF THE FORESIGHT OF THIS BODY DECADES AGO TO CREATE THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EMERGENCY AUTHORITIES, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAVE LIVES THROUGH COVID-19 TESTING, CONTACT TRACING AND PPE DISTRIBUTION.

>> STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HEAD STEVE COX SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE A “DRASTIC” IMPACT ON THE STATE'S ABILITY TO RESPOND TO DISASTERS.

LAWMAKERS PUSHED BACK, LIKE IN THIS EXCHANGE BETWEEN REPUBLICAN SENATOR MARK MESSMER AND COX.

>> SEN. MARK MESSMER (R-JASPER) AND STEVE COX: “I WANT ONE EXAMPLE.

HOW DOES THIS BILL CHANGE THAT?” “SO, WHAT I'M ASKING IS, IS THAT IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MAKE APPROPRIATE CHANGES- “OKAY, SO YOU'RE JUST NOT GOING TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

>> LAWMAKERS ALSO TOOK TESTIMONY FROM SOME LEGAL EXPERTS WHO CAST DOUBT ON SOME OF THE LEGISLATION'S CONSTITUTIONALITY.

>> HOW WILL THE HOLCOMB ADMINISTRATION'S STRATEGY IMPACT THESE BILLS?

IT'S THE FIRST QUESTION FOR OUR INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL.

DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY.

REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN.

JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS, AND NIKI KELLY, STATEHOUSE REPORTER FOR THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE.

I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATEHOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH.

MIKE O'BRIEN, WAS THIS A GOOD MOVE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION?

ADMINISTRATION GETTING INVOLVED IN A PUBLIC WAY ON ANY NUMBER OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

WAS THIS A GOOD MOVE?

DID THIS WORK THE WAY THEY WANTED?

>> IT DID.

VERY PUBLIC FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW WITH GOVERNORS DAILY PRESS CONFERENCES, TURNED TO WEEKLY AS THE COURSE OF THE YEAR WENT ON.

TO SAY THAT GOVERNOR HOLCOMB HASN'T BEEN HIGH PROFILE IN ADDRESSING AND RESPONDINGS TO THE COVID PANDEMIC IS TOO FAR.

THE ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE HEARING WOULD HAVE BEEN NOT SENDING AGENCY HEADS, SENDING PEOPLE OF A STAFF LEVEL, SEND ONE PERSON, SEND A DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, FAR WORSE.

YOU HAD TO GET UP IN FRONT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHO ARE REALLY REFLECTING WHAT THEY'RE HEARING BACK HOME AND THE FRUSTRATIONS THEY'RE HEARING, PROLONGED NOT TOTAL LOCKDOWN, EASING OVER TIME, CERTAINLY OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

THEY ARE IN TOWN BECAUSE, AND THEY'RE TAKING THE APPROACH BECAUSE THEY'RE HEARING THAT FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

WHETHER IN HINDSIGHT, IF THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY THEY'RE SEEKING NOW, OR A YEAR AGO, WOULD THEY -- THEY MAY HAVE BEEN IN SESSION IN MAY REPEALING A MASK MANDATE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE REACTIONARY THING TO DO, THE POPULAR THING TO DO, BUT THE WRONG THING TO DO.

AND EVERYONE WOULD REALIZE THAT PRETTY QUICK AS THE ENTIRE WORLD STARTED WEARING MASKS, AND YOU COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT WEARING ONE.

THOSE TYPES OF SITUATIONS YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL AND WHAT KIND OF AUTHORITY YOU GIVE.

I THINK LEHMAN'S BILL GETS TO A PRETTY GOOD PLACE.

I THINK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEING IN CHARGE OF THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THOSE ARE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, NOT 150 PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE KNEE JERK REACTIONARIES TO SOMETHING HAPPENING IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS.

SO I THINK THEY'RE GETTING THERE.

I'VE SAID BEFORE I DON'T THINK IT'S INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF ADVISORY ROLE IN ALL THIS.

>> IT WAS TENSE.

NIKI WAS IN THE ROOM, IT WAS TENSE AT TIMES.

WAS THAT PERHAPS THE BEST LOOK WE'VE HAD SINCE THE PANDEMIC, AS MIKE JUST MENTIONED, LEGISLATORS REFLECTING WHAT THEY'RE HEARING FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS AT HOME?

>> I THINK THEY'RE MISPLACING THEIR FRUSTRATION.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO GOVERNOR HOLCOMB, HE'S NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PANDEMIC.

HE'S NOT.

AND RELATIVE TO OTHER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS, HE'S DONE A DECENT JOB OF KEEPING IT UNDER CONTROL.

NOBODY LIKES THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN A LOCKDOWN AND WE'VE HAD TO WEAR MASKS, AND DO THESE THINGS, BUT THEY'RE NECESSARY.

THIS COMMITTEE, LIKE THE REST OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE COMPLETELY MISSING THE BOAT.

THEY WANT TO FIGHT CULTURAL WARS.

THE MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, THE STATE IS ABOUT TO GET BETWEEN 3 AND $4 BILLION OF REVENUE.

ARE WE HAVING DISCUSSION WHERE THAT GOES, ARE THEY USING THEIR POWER OF THE PURSE, SAYING TEACHERS GET X COMPENSATION, MUCH NEEDED STRUCTURE.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT FIGHTING YESTERDAY'S WARS, BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A PANDEMIC.

WELL, TOUGH, NOBODY DOES.

>> NIKI, I'LL GET BACK TO ONE OF ANN'S POINTS IN A SECOND.

I WANTED TO ASK IN TERMS OF THE IDEA OF THEIR ANGER BEING MISPLACED, SOMETHING THAT STRUCK ME, HEARING FROM THESE LAWMAKERS AT THIS COMMITTEE HEARING YESTERDAY, THEY WERE FRUSTRATED, THEY SAID THEY FELT LIKE THEY WEREN'T INFORMED BY THE HOLCOMB ADMINISTRATION.

AND THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD NO VOICE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T COME BACK INTO SESSION.

GOVERNOR HOLCOMB HAS SAID REPEATEDLY, I DON'T THINK HE'S LYING, THAT HE MET REGULARLY WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, WE SAW PICTURES OF THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT HE REPEATEDLY ASKED LEGISLATIVE LEADERS DO DO YOU NEED TO COME BACK INTO SESSION?

AND THEY TOLD HIM NO.

ARE LAWMAKERS, SHOULD LAWMAKERS BE MORE ANGRY AT THEIR LEADERSHIP?

>> I MEAN, MAYBE.

I THINK THEY REALLY WERE JUST -- I THINK THEY WANT THE ANSWERS BEFORE WE KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS.

THEY SEEM TO EXPRESS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE MAKING THESE DECISIONS EVERY COUPLE DAYS, OR ONCE A WEEK, OR WHATEVER.

SO THERE IS NOT A LOT OF TIME TO BUILD IN, OKAY, NOW WE INFORM THE LEGISLATURE, AND NOW WE INFORM THESE PEOPLE, THEN WE TELL THE PUBLIC.

WHEN THEY'RE GETTING THE INFORMATION AT THE SAME TIME AS THE MEDIA, FEELS LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THEM, I THINK.

THE THINK THE POINT OF HAVING ALL THESE AGENCY HEADS COME UP, EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT THE MASK PART OF THESE ORDERS AND THE EARLY SHUTDOWN.

BUT HUNDREDS OF THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE IN THESE ORDERS IN THE LAST YEAR, AND THESE AGENCIES WERE TRYING TO SHOW HOW THEY HAD TO DO THEM ON THE FLY, AND THEY MAYBE HAD TO CHANGE THEM THE NEXT MONTH WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHANGED SOMETHING.

SO THEY WERE TRYING TO SHOW HOW ALL THESE POWERS WERE USED IN A LARGER SCOPE, AND INSTEAD THE LAWMAKERS SAW IT AS THEM TAKING SOME SORT OF VICTORY LAP FOR ALL THE GREAT THINGS WE DID.

>> WE DID HEAR THAT.

ONE THING THAT ANN SAID IS THE IDEA OF ALL OF THIS MONEY THAT CAME TO THE STATE THROUGH THE CARES ACT LAST YEAR AND IS COMING TO THE STATE NOW THROUGH THE NEW COVID RELIEF PACKAGE, BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE EMERGENCY POWERS BILLS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE WHEN WE GET TO END OF SESSION, CAN WE PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEE IT WILL INCLUDE SOMETHING OF THE LEGISLATURE HAVING MORE OF A ROLE THE WAY THE MONEY IS SPENT?

>> A SAFE GUESS.

A LOT OF LAWMAKERS HAVEN'T HEARD AS MUCH FROM LEADERSHIP, BUT HEARD FROM RANK AND FILE, THEY SAY, YES, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A PROCESS IN WHICH MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DO WRITE THE BUDGET, STARTS IN THE HOUSE, THAT'S THE WAY THESE THINGS GO, GOES TO THE SENATE, IT'S IN THE TEXT BOOKS WE ALL HAD IN CIVICS CLASS.

WITH THE CARES ACT MONEY, SORT OF A DIFFERENT ANIMAL.

THEAORE THEORETICALLY.

THE GOVERNOR COULD DOLE IT OUT AS HE SEES FIT THAT IS NOT GOING TO SIT WELL WITH THEM.

THERE WILL BE THOSE PROVISIONS.

I WOULD POINT OUT, TO WATCH THIS TUG-OF-WAR, IT IS SORT OF AN ODD ARGUMENT TAKING PLACE, BECAUSE KEEP IN MIND, ERIC HOLCOMB DID NOT, NOR DID ANY OF HIS PREDECESSORS EVER SEEK THIS EMERGENCY AUTHORITY.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY EVER WENT AND SAID I WANT THIS, I MUST HAVE THIS.

SO THIS SORT OF AGGRESSIVE LIKE, WE'RE TAKING IT BACK FROM YOU ATTITUDE IS A LITTLE MISPLACED.

BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES WHO THRUST IT UPON HIM OVER THE YEARS ANYWAY.

>> PARTICULAR LAWMAKERS AT LEAST, YES, LEGISLATURE.

>> I WOULD BE PROVIDED IF ANY GOVERNOR EVER ACTUALLY LOBBIED FOR THESE POWERS FOR WHICH HE'S BEING CRITICIZED.

>> ONE THING ON THE MONEY ISSUE, PART OF THE HOLCOMB'S ADMINISTRATION IS WE HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE, MAKE SPLIT SECOND DECISIONS, WITH THE MONEY, THAT TAKES A WHILE, TO DOLE OUT.

SEEMS LIKE GETTING THE LEGISLATURE INVOLVED WOULDN'T EVEN MEET THAT HURDLE THAT THE HOLCOMB ADMINISTRATION -- >> BUT THEY SHOULD BE SPENDING THEIR TIME ON THAT AND NOT THE PAST.

>> THE INDIANA BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS SAYS ITS “CALL TO ACTION DAYS” - BRINGING ADVOCATES TO THE STATEHOUSE - ARE MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE LEGISLATURE.

>> ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE INDIANA POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN AND CONCERNED CLERGY OF INDIANAPOLIS SHOWED UP AT THE STATEHOUSE, AS DID CITIZENS FROM AROUND THE STATE.

PEOPLE SENT LETTERS AND EMAILS AND MADE CALLS.

AND BLACK CAUCUS LEADERS SAY THAT ADVOCACY HAS HELPED HALT SOME LEGISLATION THEY OPPOSE AND PUSH FORWARD BILLS THEY SUPPORT.

AND REPRESENTATIVE RENEE PACK SAYS IT'S NOT OVER.

>> REP. RENEE PACK (D-INDIANAPOLIS): THERE'S MORE TO DO.

YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD; YOUR VOICES HAVE BEEN HEARD.

KEEP TALKING, KEEP WRITING.

>> BLACK CAUCUS CHAIR ROBIN SHACKLEFORD SAYS THERE'S A CONTINUED NEED FOR IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING AT THE LEGISLATURE.

>> REP. ROBIN SHACKLEFORD (D-INDIANAPOLIS): I KNOW SOME PEOPLE GIVE TRAINING, LIKE, A BAD RED MARK BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY CHANGE PEOPLE'S BELIEFS AND CHANGE HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THINGS, THEY HAVE TO BE EDUCATED.

SHACKLEFORD SAYS SHE AND HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HUSTON HAVE MADE PROGRESS ON GETTING SUCH TRAINING IMPLEMENTED.

>> ANN DELANEY, IS THE PROGRESS CITED BY THE BLACK CAUCUS SUSTAINABLE?

>> I HOPE SO.

I MEAN, FRANKLY, THERE ARE A FEW.

A VERY FEW RACISTS IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS SAY WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE, YOU DON'T REFLECT OUR VALUES, WE'RE GOING TO RUN SOMEBODY AGAINST YOU IN THE NEXT PRIMARY.

AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT YOU ON COMMITTEES.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT.

ON THE OTHER PART OF IT, PART OF THE PROBLEM, I THINK, IS THAT A LARGE PART OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS TONE DEAF.

I DON'T THINK THEY'RE RACIST, BUT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHEN A PIECE OF LEGISLATION COMES UP WITH A RACIAL OVERTONES, HOW IT IS GOING TO BE PERCEIVED.

WHEN SOMEONE CALLS THEM OUT ON THAT, THEIR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE IS WE'RE NOT RACIST.

I DON'T THINK THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE RACIST, I THINK THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE TONE DEAF.

WHEN A LEGISLATION ADVERSELY AFFECTS A PARTICULAR MINORITY COMMUNITY, THEY OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF IT, AND THEY OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF HOW IT IS GOING TO BE PERCEIVED.

THAT'S WHAT IS MISSING.

IN THE TRAINING, UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, COULD BE HELPFUL.

THEY NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE PERCEPTION OF THE MINORITY COMMUNITY TO SOME OF THESE PIECES.

AND I FRANKLY THINK THAT WITH THE VERY FEW RACISTS THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR CAUCUS THEY NEED TO TAKE ACTION.

BECAUSE IT REFLECTS POORLY ON THE OVERALL CAUCUS.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, WE SEE THIS WITH ALMOST ANY ADVOCACY WHERE AN ISSUE, IN THIS CASE, AN INCIDENT KIND OF SPARKS ATTENTION, AND OUTRAGE IN SOME CASES, YOU HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS COME TO THE STATEHOUSE TO TALK TO LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATE TO LAWMAKERS FOR OR AGAINST SOMETHING, AND THEN FIZZLES OUT, SAME THING GOING TO HAPPEN HERE?

>> IT'S UP TO BOTH SIDES, IT'S UP TO THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATION TO PAY ATTENTION, TO LISTEN TO WHAT THEY'RE COMING TO THE HOUSE -- UP TO THE ADVOCACY GROUPS TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON.

THAT IS WHAT ULTIMATELY, CIVIC INVOLVEMENT, AND YOUR GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S WHAT THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BUILT ON.

AND IT'S THE SQUEAKY WHEEL, TOO.

YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SHOWING UP EVERY DAY AND ADVOCATING OPENLY AND WILDLY FOR THEIR INTERESTS.

I THINK ANN HAS A GOOD POINT.

I DON'T THINK THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE RACISTS, I THINK A LOT OF THEM COME FROM PARTS OF STATE WHERE YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO SEE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WALK DOWN THE STREET.

ONE OF THE IRONIES, LOOKING AT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, DRUG ISSUES, EDUCATION ISSUES, THE THING THAT AFFECT, THEY HAVE A LOT IN COMMON.

IF THEY COMMUNICATED MORE, THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT, AND MOVE FORWARD TO TRY TO IMPROVE THOSE TYPE OF ISSUES >> INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA IS BEING PAID BY PRIVATE BUSINESSES TO DO CONSULTING WORK, INCLUDING 25-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR BY A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY.

THAT'S INFORMATION PARTLY REVEALED BY A FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM HE FILED THIS WEEK.

>> ROKITA'S FILING WITH THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION ACKNOWLEDGES BEING PAID BY THREE DIFFERENT COMPANIES, BUT HIS OFFICE WOULDN'T TELL THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR, WHICH FIRST REPORTED THE DISCLOSURE, HOW MUCH.

ROKITA ALSO SAYS HE WAS NOT REQUIRED TO REPORT BEING PAID BY ANY OF THE COMPANIES BECAUSE HIS INCOME FROM THOSE CLIENTS DOESN'T MAKE UP MORE THAN 33-PERCENT OF HIS NON-STATE INCOME, WHICH IS THE THRESHOLD REQUIRED FOR REPORTING IT TO THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

THERE ARE NO ACCUSATIONS THAT THE REPUBLICAN OFFICEHOLDER'S WORK FOR THESE COMPANIES VIOLATES ANY STATE LAWS.

ROKITA, WHO TOOK OFFICE EARLIER THIS YEAR, RECENTLY ANNOUNCED HE WAS GIVING UP HIS WORK AND OWNERSHIP STAKE IN INDIANAPOLIS-BASED HEALTH BENEFITS FIRM APEX BENEFITS AFTER EARLIER SAYING HE WOULD CONTINUE AS A STRATEGIC POLICY ADVISER FOR THE COMPANY.

>> JON SCHWANTES, I'LL ASK YOU THE EXACT SAME QUESTION I ASKED YOU THREE WEEKS AGO: IF ROKITA IS FOLLOWING THE LAW, IS THIS REALLY A BIG DEAL?

I'M NOT SUGGESTING OTHERWISE.

IF HE IS, IS THIS REALLY A BIG DEAL?

>> I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU PRETTY MUCH THE EXACT SAME ANSWER.

I DON'T HAVE IT VERBATIM, BUT IT IS A PROBLEM, A PERCEPTION PROBLEM, YEAH, IT MAY BE LEGAL, OKAY, FINE.

LET'S MOVE ON.

THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR SOMEBODY WHO OCCUPIES THE OFFICE THAT IS THE CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER OF THE STATE.

AND IT'S HARD TO SAY I WON'T INTERSECT WITH THE ISSUES, OR MATTERS ON WHICH I CONSULT FOR OUTSIDE INTERESTS, BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE THE CHIEF LAWYER FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA, ALMOST BY DEFINITION, YOU'RE CONFLICTED OUT OF EVERYTHING BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT ISSUES ARE GOING TO COME UP.

THE SCOPE OF THAT OFFICE IS SO WIDE, AND SO SIGNIFICANT.

I MEAN, IF ANYTHING, WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO, IF HE DOESN'T LIKE THE SALARY IS PROBABLY LOBBY TO HAVE A PAY INCREASE.

>> WE'VE SEEN THAT NOT GO SO WELL IN THE PAST.

>> I SAY THAT SOMEWHAT TONGUE THIS CHEEK.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I LOOKED AT WHAT HAPPENS, THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A POLICY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, FEDERALLY, NOBODY IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CAN DO LEGAL WORK, AND MAYBE HE WOULD SAY THIS IS NOT LEGAL WORK, IT IS ADVICE, BUT YOU CAN'T DO LEGAL WORK UNLESS YOU DO IT PRO BONO.

IF HE STOPS TAKING MONEY AND DOES IT PRO BONO AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE, THEN EVERYBODY IS FINE.

>> THAT SEEMS UNLIKELY, TOO.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS MY DAY OF SARCASM.

>> TO JON'S POINT, WITH THIS PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, EVEN IF HE WAS DOING SOMETHING GOOD, GOING AFTER A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY DOING THE WRONG THEM, THE QUESTIONS ARISE, GETTING MONEY FROM ANOTHER COMPANY, DOESN'T THIS CREATE PROBLEMS?

>> IT CLEARLY IS.

AND HE'S FOUND HIMSELF -- HE'S ACTING LIKE OH, LOOK I TOLD YOU THESE THINGS, EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T HAVE TO, TECHNICALLY UNDER THE AMOUNT.

BUT I WANT TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT.

NO, HE TOLD PEOPLE BECAUSE HE KNOWS PEOPLE ARE WATCHING NOW, AND HE KNOWS IF IT COMES OUT SIX MONTHS FROM NOW THAT HE'S TAKING 25,000 FROM SOMEONE IT IS GOING TO LOOK EVEN WORSE.

SO IN SOME WAYS, HE'S TRYING TO MITIGATE BY BEING OPEN.

>> TO THE IDEA THAT HE ISN'T REQUIRED BY LAW BECAUSE TO REPORT THESE THINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER THIS DOLLAR THRESHOLD, IS THAT A PROBLEM WITH THE ETHICS RULES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FULL-TIME WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HE RAN FOR THIS OFFICE KNOWING WHAT IT PAID.

AND YOU TALK -- WE ALWAYS HEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT HOW CORRUPT ILLINOIS IS, THAT'S BECAUSE THEIR LAWS ARE TOUGHER, AND YOU HAVE TO DISCLOSE THESE THINGS, THESE ARE DESIGNED FOR CITIZEN LEGISLATURE, NOT FOR FULL-TIME STATE EMPLOYEES.

AND THEY NEED TO HAVE A SEPARATE ETHICS REQUIREMENT THERE.

IF HE TOOK THE JOB KNOWING WHAT THE PAY IS, HE SHOULDN'T BE DOING ANY OUTSIDE CONSULTING.

BECAUSE IT HAS TO CONFLICT WITH WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING FOR HOOSIERS.

>> I MENTIONED IN THE PIECE, HE -- THE FIRST THING WE LEARNED WAS THAT HE HAD ANOTHER SIDE JOB WITH APEX BENEFITS.

HE HAD A LOT OF ATTENTION BROUGHT ON HIM, THEN HE SAID, OKAY, I'M GOING TO JUST STEP AWAY FROM THAT, DIVEST MYSELF OF THAT.

SO YOU DO THAT, AND THEN YOU DISCLOSE ALL OF THESE THINGS, AND DON'T THINK IT'S A PROBLEM, DOES THAT WORK LOGICALLY?

>> NOPE.

IT DOES NOT.

I SAID THREE WEEKS AGO, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN A PLACE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL SAYING IT IS FINE, WHAT I'M DOING IS LEGAL, I'M NOT BREAKING THE LAW, THEN YOU STOP DOING THAT, AND SAY NONE OF THIS STUFF IS ILLEGAL EITHER.

AND I'M DOING ALL THAT.

ANN IS CORRECT, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CITIZEN LEGISLATURE AND STATE EMPLOYEES.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE ALL OF THE CONFLICTS OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE, YOU GOT TO DO THE SAME THING, THEY CAN'T HAVE A PART-TIME JOB AND WE'RE GOING TO PAY THEM $100,000 A YEAR.

THERE IS NO INCENTIVE TO GO DO WHAT THEY DO, WHICH IS LIKE DISRUPT YOUR LIFE CONSIDERABLY.

THEY'RE JUST DIFFERENT THINGS, AND WE CAN'T MIX THE TWO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

TIME NOW FOR VIEWER FEEDBACK.

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

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: SHOULD TODD ROKITA DO PAID CONSULTING WORK FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES WHILE SERVING AS ATTORNEY GENERAL?

A, YES, B, NO.

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: WILL U.S. SEN. TODD YOUNG WIN RE-ELECTION IN 2022?

74% SAY YES.

26% SAY NO.

THAT FEELS ABOUT RIGHT TO ME.

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

INDIANA RANKS AMONG THE WORST STATES IN THE COUNTRY FOR VOTER TURNOUT.

AND IMPROVING THAT IS THE GOAL OF A NEW, NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION: HOPE - HOOSIERS ORGANIZED, PEOPLE ENERGIZED.

HOPE IS MADE UP PRINCIPALLY OF LONG-TIME DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL OPERATIVES, RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW NON-PARTISAN IT IS.

BUT FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER ARIELLE BRANDY HAS DONE VOTER OUTREACH FOR A LONG TIME AND SAYS SHE KNOWS HOW TO SPEAK TO REPUBLICANS AND THOSE WHO DON'T IDENTIFY WITH A PARTY AT ALL.

>> ARIELLE BRANDY: ESPECIALLY IN SOME OF THESE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TALKED TO ABOUT VOTER REGISTRATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF IT AND IF WE CAN REACH THEM - ESPECIALLY IN THESE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES - I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR US AND WILL HELP INCREASE TURNOUT.

LED BY BRANDON EVANS, HOPE AIMS TO REGISTER 100-THOUSAND HOOSIERS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

>> BRANDON EVANS: WE PICKED A BIG GOAL ON PURPOSE TO REALLY, REALLY FORCE OURSELVES TO PUT IN THE HARD WORK, TO MAKE US SUCCESSFUL AS AN ORGANIZATION AND MAKE AN IMPACT IN OUR STATE) >> EVANS SAYS THE GROUP IS FUNDED INITIALLY THROUGH GRASSROOTS DONATIONS.

>> NIKI KELLY, HOPE IS NOT THE FIRST GROUP IN INDIANA WHOSE GOAL IS BETTER VOTER ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH.

IS THERE REASON TO BE SKEPTICAL THEY'LL BE SUCCESSFUL?

>> I DON'T THINK SKEPTICAL IS THE RIGHT WORD.

I THINK MAYBE MORE JUST CAUTIOUS, AND MAYBE REALISTIC.

I MEAN, WE SEE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE POPPED UP IN RECENT YEARS TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING.

SO, IT'S -- IT SEEMS TO BE REALLY HARD TO MOVE THE METER ON THIS ISSUE.

I ALSO FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THEY'RE FOCUSING AT LEAST INITIALLY ON REGISTERING HOOSIERS INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY GETTING THEM -- LIKE WE HAVE A TON OF PEOPLE REGISTERED, WE CAN'T GET THEM TO ACTUALLY VOTE.

>> SORT OF GOES BACK TO WHAT I TALKED ABOUT IN A TANGENTIAL WAY WITH THE BLACK CAUCUS NOT TOO LONG AGO, WE SEE THESE GROUPS POP UP, ADVOCACY POP UP, AND IT PETERS OUT.

WHY SHOULD WE HOPE THAT THIS EFFORT WILL BE MORE LONG-LASTING SUSTAINABLE?

>> WE HOPE BECAUSE DEMOCRACY IS FRAGILE AND WE ALL HAVE TO INVEST IN IT AND DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO POLLY ANNA, BEING COCKEYED OPTIMISTS, WE LAUD THIS GROUP AS WE APPLAUD OTHER GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE DOING SIMILAR WORK.

BECAUSE WE CAN'T GIVE UP.

IT'S TOUGH, THOUGH, BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS IS ROOTED IN REDISTRICTING, I WOULD ARGUE, AND GERRYMANDERING WHICH YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE ENDURANCE TO LAST TEN YEARS TO THE NEXT CENSUS, AND YOU HAVE A SYSTEM SO ENTRENCHED IN INDIANA, YOU'RE FIGHTING A LOT MORE THAN JUST GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE COUCH.

>> THE IDEA THAT THEY'RE STARTING THIS IN A NON-ELECTION YEAR.

THERE ARE NO ELECTIONS HAPPENING THIS CALENDAR YEAR, IS THAT ALMOST BETTER, BECAUSE ON THE ONE HAND, YOU A HAVE TIME, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IS THAT HARDER BECAUSE HOW DO YOU GET PEOPLE EXCITED FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT HAPPENING FOR A YEAR?

>> DEPENDS ON WHAT IS GOING ON.

CERTAINLY THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN WASHINGTON.

PEOPLE MIGHT BE EXCITED BY THAT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THE EFFORT, LIKE THE INDIANA CITIZEN FOUNDATION, BECAUSE IT'S NOT, GERRYMANDERING IS A HUGE PART OF THAT.

WE ALSO PUT OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE WAY OF VOTING IN INDIANA.

WE'RE NOT QUITE AS BAD AS THE SOUTHERN STATES WHICH HAVE TAKEN JIM CROW TO A VERY, VERY SUBTLE MESSAGING.

BUT ALL OF THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION DEMANDING ID, AND RESTRICTING ABSENTEE OR VOTING BY MAIL ARE DESIGNED TO REPRESS THE VOTE, NOT DESIGNED TO WEED OUT FRAUD.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF SYSTEMIC ATTEMPTS ON THE PART OF THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY TO KEEP THE VOTE DOWN, YOU HAVE TO FIGHT TWICE AS HARD TO GET THE VOTE UP.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, IS THERE -- IF THERE IS ONE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL VOTER OUTREACH, IN YOUR MIND, WHAT IS IT?

>> CANDIDATE MATTER A LOT.

THE EFFORT THAT THE CANDIDATES PUT IN, EVEN IN DISTRICTS THAT THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO WIN RELATIVELY HANDILY, BEING ENGAGED WITH VOTERS, AND RUNNING CAMPAIGNS.

WE HAVE LEGISLATORS THAT DON'T DO ANY OF THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO WIN.

BUT ENGAGING THOSE VOTERS, WE SEE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE SCHOOL REFERENDA, HUGE TURNOUT.

THERE IS A HUGE INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY OUT COME.

>> INDIANA K-12 TEACHERS, SCHOOL STAFF AND CHILD CARE WORKERS CAN GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE AT ANY SITE IN THE STATE, STARTING MONDAY.

>> LAST WEEK, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION MADE THE VACCINE AVAILABLE FOR EDUCATORS THROUGH FEDERAL PHARMACY PROGRAM SITES - IN INDIANA, KROGER, MEIJER AND WALMART - LAST WEEK.

GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WENT A STEP FURTHER THIS WEEK.

>> GOV.

ERIC HOLCOMB: WE WERE USING DATA TO DRIVE ALL OF OUR DECISIONS ABOUT THOSE WHO WERE MOST AT RISK.

THE ADMINISTRATION - OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS - SAID 'YOU NEED TO ADD IN [TEACHERS] TO ANY SITE.'

AND SO, WE WILL DO THAT.

HOLCOMB SAID THAT FORCED ADDITION WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON GETTING THE VACCINE TO HOOSIERS WITH A LONG LIST OF COMORBIDITIES.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, IS THE GOVERNOR -- THE GOVERNOR SEEMED VISIBLY ANNOYED.

IS IT UNFAIR OF HIM TO PIT TEACHERS AGAINST THOSE WITH THESE COMORBIDITIES BY SAYING THE LATTER GROUP MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER NOW?

>> HE DIDN'T PIT THEM, THEY WERE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER LIKE OTHER GROUPS WERE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER.

WHETHER GROCERY STORE WORKERS, ANYBODY ELSE, HAVING TO SHOW UP FOR WORK IN DANGER.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PICKED A SIDE.

NOW THE STATE'S GOT TO LIVE WITH.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S FRUSTRATION IS BECAUSE THIS BEING SO WELL RUN BECAUSE WE'RE TAKING AGE GROUPS THAT CAPTURE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH COMORBIDITIES.

NOW YOU'RE SAYING A 23-YEAR-OLD TEACHER WHO IS COMPLETELY HEALTHY CAN GET THIS OVER A 45-YEAR-OLD WITH A HEART -- AND THE PROBLEM WITH THAT, YOU HAVE A LIMITED QUANTITY.

>> IS THAT -- IS MIKE RIGHT?

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JUST DECIDED TO SAY, TEACHERS, YEAH.

>> I THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO SAY THAT CHILDREN NEED TO BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

AND IN ORDER TO BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM EVERY DAY AND IN ORDER NOT TO ENCOURAGE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, TEACHERS NEED TO BE INOCULATED, I'M ALL FOR IT.

I THINK THE PRESIDENT HAS PROMISED, AND OBVIOUSLY WITH THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE, PEOPLE ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO ADVANCE IT BEYOND HIS DEADLINE FOR EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO GET IT.

I WANT THE KID BACK IN SCHOOL, AND IT SEEMS TO ME IF THE TEACHERS NEED THE KIND OF REINSURANCE OF -- REASSURANCE, I'M PLEASED HE DID IT.

>> THAT IS INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THIS WEEK.

THAT'S INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THIS WEEK.

OUR PANEL IS DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY.

REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN JON SCHWANTES OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS, AND NIKI KELLY OF THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE.

IF YOU'D LIKE A PODCAST OF THIS PROGRAM YOU CAN FIND IT AT WFYI.ORG/IWIR OR STARTING MONDAY YOU CAN STREAM IT OR GET IT ON DEMAND FROM XFINITY AND ON THE WFYI APP.

I'M BRANDON SMITH OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, PLEASE WEAR A MAFSHG AND SIGN UP TO GET A VACCINE IF YOU CAN.

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

♪♪ >> INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS, AND BY ICE MILLER.

ICE MILLER IS A FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM COMMITTED TO HELPING CLIENTS BUILD, GROW AND PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS.

MORE AT ICEMILLER.COM.

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE PANELISTS.

"INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW" IS A WFYI PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING