>>> ASSEMBLY WERE A BOXING EVENT -- AND SOMETIMES IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS-- WE'D STILL BE MAKING OUR WAY THROUGH A VERY LONG UNDERCARD..

BETTER HIT THE CONCESSION STAND SOON THOUGH BECAUSE THE MAIN EVENT IS FAST APPROACHING AND IT PROMISES TO BE A SLUG FEST.

I'M REFERRING TO FINAL NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE STITT'S TWO YEAR BUDGET, THAT HIGH STAKES BULLET WHEN NOT TWO BUT THREE FIGURATIVE HEAVY WEIGHTS ENTER THE RING, THE HOUSE PASSED BUDGET, THE SENATE'S FISCAL PLAN AND THE SPENDING PRIORITIES OF THE GOVERNOR WHETHER OR NOT DESPITE A SHARED PARTY AFFILIATION WITH THE SUPERMAJORITIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS WILL HAVE TO SCORE A KNOCKOUT.

HI I'M JON SCHWANTES, AND WE'VE A PREVIEW OF THE "THE THUNDA IN THE ROTUNDA."

FROM INDIANA LAWMAKERS, FROM THE STATEHOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE.

>> BACK THIS FEBRUARY THE INDIANA HOUSE PASSED A TWO YEAR, $44.3 BILLION BUDGET THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS PRIORITIZES EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TAX RELIEF.

THE SENATE HAS YET TO SPECIFY THE CHANGES BUT THE CHAMBER'S LEADERS HAVE THAT WILLED A WARY NECESSARY ABOUT SOME ELEMENTS OF THE HOUSE PLAN.

THE DEBATE IS SURE TO RESEARCH I WOULD UP IN THE CAMMING DAYS ESPECIALLY ONCE LAWMAKERS GET A REVISED REVENUE FORECAST.

JOINING ME TO TALK DOLLARS AND CENTs ARE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JEFF THOMPSON OF LIZTON, DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE GREG PORTER OF INDIANAPOLIS, REPUBLICAN SENATOR CHRIS GARTEN OF CHARLESTOWN, AND DEMOCRATIC SENATOR FADY QADDOURA OF INDIANAPOLIS.

A MEMBER OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

YOU GUYS ARE BUSY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU HAVE TIME FOR THIS DISCUSSION BUT I DO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

WE'LL START WITH THIS WE THE HOUSE.

JEFF THOMPSON YOU'VE BEEN IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR TWO DECADES BUT THIS IS YOUR FIRST SESSION AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

ARE YOU SORRY YOU TOOK THE CALL IS THIS.

>> NO, I'M GLAD I DID.

>> AND AFTER YOUR MAIDEN VOYAGE AND THE BILL PASSED ON A PARTY LINE VOTE, THE WORD YOU SAID YOU TOLD REPORTS, YOU SAID OPPORTUNITY.

ELABORATE ON THAT.

>> WELL, OPPORTUNITY FOR HOOSIERS TO LIVE IN A STATE THAT IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THIS THE SENSE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE RESERVES AND WE SPEND OUR TAX DOLLARS WISELY AND OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND MORE OF THE MONEY THEMSELVES AND NOT TO THE GOVERNMENT BY A TAX REDUCTION, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO FIND AND MAKE THE BEST CHOICE FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL THEY WOULD LIKE THEM TO SEE ATTEND.

>> YOU'VE GIVEN A GOOD FORESHADOWING.

GREG PORTER WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DO YOU THINK OPPORTUNITY IS A GOOD WORD TO USE?

>> I CAME BACK, IT WAS MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE WE DID NOT EXPAND PRE-K EDUCATION, WE DID NOT LOOK AT THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE WE NEED WITHIN OUR STATE SO WE WERE VERY CONCERNED THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY THE FEEL LIKE IT'S A GOOD BUDGET FAMILIARITY TO EDUCATION BUT IT WAS SKEWED TOWARD ANOTHER SELLING SEGMENT OF OUR POPULATION.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT AS IF IT'S A DONE DEAL BUT.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE WAY -- WE'RE GOING TO STICK TO OUR GOALS AND OUR OBJECTIVES.

>> YOU SAID THIS THING SHA MISSED OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WHAT'S THE ONE THING THAT YOU HAD SAY PRIVY THOMPSON, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THERE IS THIS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON AND I TALKED ABOUT IT AND IT WAS ABOUT EARLY EDUCATION AND ABOUT HIGHER ODE AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

WE DID NOT IF YOU WANT FUND IT -- WE GAVE MORE MONEY BUT NOT IF WAY WE SHOULD HAVE.

>> SENATOR, WHAT'S YOUR TAKE?

WE HAVE TOMMINGS ON THE TABLE, OPPORTUNITY, MISSED OPPORTUNITY, DO YOU WANT TO PICK ONE?

>> I THINK WE HAVE 150 OPPORTUNITIES.

>> I THINK WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE FROM THE SENATE REPUBLICAN BUTT IS SIMPLE.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE RECORD INVESTMENTS AND REALLY THE FUTURE OF INDIANA AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FORM OF EDUCATION INVESTMENT.

THE FORM OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE FORM OF HEALTH AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING I CAN NEVER BE PROUD OF AND THESE ARE CONTINUING THE CONVERSATIONS AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED.

>> YOU CAN TAKE A NAP UNTIL THE 19TH OF THIS MONTH WHEN THE FORECAST COMES OUT.

REPRESENTATIVE, WHERE DO YOU FALL ON THIS?

DO YOU GO TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND SAY WE DID RIGHT BY YOU?

>> WE CAN WORK TO AVERAGES THE INTERESTS OF HOOSIERS ACROSS THE STATE I THINK WE CAN DO MORE WITHIN THE CURRENT PARAMETERS OF THE BACKGROUND.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS I CAN GET BEHIND THIS BUDGET BUT THEY DID NOT GO AS FAR AS I WOULD LIKE TOSS.

FOR EXAMPLE THE HOUSE BUDGET DID NOT INCLUDE FUNDING FOR SENATE BILL ONE WHICH IS THE PROCEDURAL PRIORITY FOR THE SENATE IN VESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH.

WE DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN VESTING IN PRIVILEGE PUBLIC HEALTH WHICH IS CRITICAL AND WE RANK BOTTOM NATIONWIDE AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REWIRE AND DEDICATE DOLLARS FOR MILLIONS OF STUDENTS IN THE STATE.

>> THAT IS HALF OF THE BUDGET, THE THE BIGGEST SLICE OF THE BUNDLE PIE, YOU TALK ABOUT AN INCREASE THAT EXTENDSES CHOICE TO OTHER FAMILIES AND THAT'S ARGUABLY THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL OF THIS.

BUT THEN IS IT REALLY THAT OR BECAUSE WHEN YOU START LOOKING -- SCHOOLS WOULD HAVE TO DO THIS OR THAT, A, IS IT TRULY HISTORIC?

>> I BELIEVE IT IS, THE NUMBER OF SUMMARIED DOLLARS FOR EDUCATION AND WE STILL CONTINUE TO FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT THE HIGHEST AM OF ANY STUDENTS AND THAT'S THE KEY MIND SET THAT WOE FUND STUDENTS AND NOT INSTITUTION AND IF EVERY PARENT DECIDES THAT THEY WANT THEIR CHILD TO GO TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL SO BE THAT.

IF THEY WANT TO ATTEND A PRIVATE SCHOOL SO BE THAT BUT LET PARENTS BE THE ONE TO DECIDE THAT.

>> YOUR BUDGET AS WRITTEN WOULD TAKE TO HEART THE NOTION OF THE MONEY FOLLOWING THE STUDENT NOT JUST IN INSTRUCTION THAT WILLS BUT YOU HAVE A 1,500-DOLLAR PAYMENT FOR NONINSTRUCTIONAL EXPENSES THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT MIGHT IN CUR, WHICH SOUNDS GOOD BUT FOR SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS THAT MIGHT RECOMMEND A CUT.

>> 14 AND 15 SATELLITE FLOOR AND AS I SAID ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WE HAVE A 5,000-DOLLAR GAP BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW ON THE PROPERTY TAX OPERATIONS AND THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT GAP TO HAVE THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE ON A PER STUDENT BASIS AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT.

I KNOW SOME PARTIES ARE ON BOARD WITH THAT LINE OF THINKING, THERE ARE SOME ISSUES IN SOME URBAN SCHOOLS IN PARTICULAR.

>> IT WOULD BE A CUT FOR YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> IT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A CUT FOR OUR SUCCINCT, AND HE'S DONE THE FORMULA FOR A NUMBER OF YEAR SO WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION -- >> SAND BAG?

>> RIGHT.

HE'S NOT THAT MUCH OF A ROOKIE BUT THERE WAS A GAP; AND I MEAN IT'S BARE LY INFLATION RATE AND THAT'S IF YOU QUALIFY FOR IT.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE -- WE HAD TO EDUCATE ALL CHILDREN, OTHER INSTITUTIONS AS IN CHARTERS AND WHOEVER, YOU GET A CHANCE TO BE CHOSEN SO WITH THE VOUCHER OF 400 PERCENT MORE THAT IS VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR US BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE MONEY FOLLOWING THE CHILD AND IF YOU UNDERSTAND -- IF YOU'VE BEEN AROUND THAT'S BEEN OUR ACTION STEP FOR THE LAST SEVEN, EIGHT YEARS, MONEY FOLLOWING THE CHILD.

>> ACTUALLY MORE THAN THAT, 2011, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THAT A FEW WEEK AGO ON THE SHOW, THE PILOT PROGRAM OF VOUCHERS AND THE TIED TO THE EXPERIENCE ONE WOULD HAVE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT WILL TRIGGER THE OPPORTUNITY.

THIS OPENS IT UP TO EVERYBODY.

>> IT'S PROBLEMATIC FOR US THAT -- FUNDING AT 100 PERCENT THEY'RE NOT BRICK AND MORTAR BUT WE'RE FUNDING THEM 100 PERCENT BUT WE'RE TRUSTERRING THE SENATE TO MAKE IT BETTER >>> THINGS A HISTORIC INCREASE OF THIS 200 BILLION DOLLARS AND ONE-THIRD OF THAT WOULD BE GOING TO THE VOUCHER PROGRAM AND YOU COULD CALCULATE IT POTENTIALLY AN 11 PERCENT INCREASE, A 70 PERCENT INCREASE THAT PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE GETTING.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SENATOR PORT PORT PORTER FOR TRUSTING THE SENATE ON RECORD BUT, EDUCATION, INDIANA IN TERMS OF PERSIAN OVERALL BUDGET IS THIRD HIGHEST IN THE NATION AND THAT'S SOMETHING I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF.

THE OTHER THING IS THESE VOUCHER FAMILIES ALSO PAY PROPERTY TAXES SO THEIR DOLLAR ARE STILL GOING TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

BUT TO RIFF REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON'S POINT IT GOES TO WHAT I SPOKE ABOUT AT THE START, FUTURE OPPORTUNISTIC INVESTMENTS IN THE STATE AND REALLY TOMORROW'S LEADERS.

>> CURRENT SOUND LIKE YOU'RE THROWING HIM THE BONE HE WAS HOPING FOR.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE SPENDING?

>> THAT'S ABONGOINGING CONVERSATION, WE HAVE 50 MEMBERS WITH 50 DIFFERENT THE VIEWS.

>> INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN OF APPROPRIATINGS WHO SAYS THERE'S NOT ENOUGH SUPERVISORS OR ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> AND SENATOR SPOKE ABOUT THAT -- >> HE'S STILL ON TIME OUT.

>> HE WOULD BE QUICK TO RECOGNIZE THAT'S GOING TO BE A CAUCUS CONVERSATION AND I THINK HE'S OPEN TO THOSE CONVERSATIONS CAN THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW.

>> FADY QADDOURA, THE NOTION OF CHOICE, IT SOUNDS GOOD IN THEORY.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

>> I FULLY SUPPORT PARENT CHOICE.

MY ISSUE IS WITH THE STATE CHOICE OF FUNDING, NOT WITH PRIME MINISTER CHOICE AND THE ISSUE I HAVE IS WITH IN CONSISTENCY WITH THE POLICY, FOR EXAMPLE THE 400 PERCENT INCREASE OF THE VOUCHERS BASED ON FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH.

>> 300 NOW, IT HAPPENED GOTH TO -- >> BUT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T FULLY RECOGNIZE THAT INCREASE ACTUALLY EQUATES TO 742 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE WHICH IS 220,000 PLUS FOR A FAMILY IN INDIANA, SO THES I ISSUES THAT WE'RE HAVING WE'RE TRYING TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP AND 48 TO 50 PERCENT OF STUDENT ARE MINORITIES, STUDENTS OF COLOR, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARN HERBS AND SPECIAL ED STUDENTS SO IF WE ARE TRYING TO LEFT UP THE STATE AND MANGE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN THE FUTURE OF THE STATE WE CANNOT HAVE POLICIES THAT SUPPORT PRE-K AT 120 PERCENT SO IN THE EYES OF THE STATE YOU ARE TOO WEALTHY IF YOU MAKE MORE THAN 127 PERCENT TO QUALIFY FOR PRE-K, BUT YOU ARE TOO POOR IF YOU MAYBE 400 PERCENT OF THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH TO QUALIFY FOR A VOUCHER WHILE YOU MAKE UP TO $120,000.

THESE ARE IN CONSISTENCIES I HOPE WE CAN RESOLVE.

>> SINCE 2014 THE COMPLEXITY ENDESK IN REGARDS TO HOW WE FUND THE -- >> THE SECOND LANGUAGE.

>> DROPPED OVER 40 PERCENT SO WE HAVE A GAP THERE THAT IS STRONG BUT NOW WE'RE DOING SOMETHING ELSE WITH THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT VOUCHERS OR FUNDING LEVELS AND THE NOTION AT LEAST AS THE BUDGET IS WRITTEN IN THE HOUSE, TEXTBOOKS, NOW THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR ELIMINATION OF TEXT BOOK FEES THAT PARENTS HAVE PAID BUT INSTEAD OF ALLOCATING MONEY IT ACTUALLY IS BASICALLY SORT OF AN ARTFUL TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY, IS IT NOT TO -- >> TO LOCAL SCHOOLS.

>> SO THE TEXT BOOK TAX.

>> WHICH I WOULD SAID IS CUTTING INTO THEIR -- >> YES, SO YOUR QUESTION IN REGARDS TO TEXT BOOK TAX NOW IT'S GOING TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND NOW THEY HAVE TO PAY THOSE DOLLARS BUT IT'S ABOUT THE FUNDING OF STUDENTS IN GENERAL AS IT GROWS.

I MEAN THERE ARE A LOT MARCH COMPLICATIONS NOW IN EDUCATION THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT LONG-TERM IN REGARDS TO ADDRESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP THAT WE HAVE.

>> SATELLITE NOTION THAT THERE'S SUCH AN INCREASE IN TUITION SUPPORT THAT SCHOOLS CAN ABSORB THE TEXT BOOKS?

>> YES, WE PUT THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, THE GOVERNOR PUT THAT RIGHT INTO THE FORMULA AND ADDED THAT ON -- >> INSTEAD OF SAYING HERE'S A SEPARATE LINE -- >> AND MAKE THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THE BEST PURCHASE AT THE LOWEST PRICE BECAUSE NOW IT'S GOING TO BE INCUMBENT ON THE SCHOOL TO MAKE THE WISEST CHOICE.

THE MONEY FOLLOW THE CHILD AND WE'RE FUNDING TRADITIONAL PUBLICS AS TWICE THE DOLLARS THAT WE SEND TO -- COUNTING PROPERTY TAXES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ALSO THE PERCENT INCREASE WITH REGARD TO COMPLEXITY INDEX, AND ALSO ANY OTHER TYPE OF PROGRAMS LIKE THAT HAD A HIGHER PERCENT INCREASE THAN THE ACTUAL FOUNDATION, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

>> AND I KNOW SUPPORTERS OF THE VOUCHERS, I THINK YOU'VE BEEN POINTED OUT AS QUOTING THAT 90 PERCENT OF STUDENTS ARE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUT IF IT BECOMES MORE ATTRACTIVE AS ARGUABLIED THE FOR A SEGMENT OF A POPULATION THAT DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE DOLLARS BEFORE OR THEY'RE GOING TO BE FLOWING AT A MORE EQUITABLE LEVEL, VIS-A-VIS THE PUBLIC SUPPORT, HOW DO YOU KNOW IT STAYS 90/10?

WHAT KEEPS IT FROM GOING 50/50?

WE HAD THE ARCHITECT OF SCHOOL REFORM AND SCHOOL CHOICE HERE WHOSOEVER SUMMERTIMES WHEN WE SAYS IT I THINK WE WOULD BE SATISFIED IF THE SHIP WERE 100 PERCENT PRIVATE.

IS THAT A CONCERN?

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT VOTERS VOTE ON, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT; IF I RECALL I THINK WE'RE DOUBLING THE SPEND THERE AND I THINK THAT'S EVERYBODY COALESCING AROUND THE FACT THAT INDIANA IS GROWINGMENT WE'RE DOING A GREAT JOB OF BRINGING FAMILIES TO INDIANA AND RECOGNIZING DIVERSITY IN OUR SCHOOLS NOW AND I THINK CHAIRMANING THOMPSON DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS.

>> AND BELIEVE ME THERE ARE ISSUES BESIDES EDUCATION.

BUT LET'S TALK UNIVERSITY FUNDING, IT'S ALREADY A DONE DEAL.

THE HOURS BUDGET DOES HAVE DEMONSTRATION DOLLARS FOR UNIVERSITIES BUT THEY ESSENTIALLY PUSHED ASIDE A MECHANISM THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD HAD PROPOSED IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE BASED FUNDING WHERE IF YOU NEED THIS THRESHOLD YOU GET THIS AND YOU GET THAT.

IS IT GOOD THAT THERE'S MORE MONEY OR ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED THE FORMULA HAS BEEN ALTERED?

>> .

>> THERE WERE ISSUES AND CONCERNS ABOUT MOVING SOME OF THE DOLLARS IN THE HOUSE BUDGET TO THE LEGACY PART OF THE FORMULA WHICH IS THE EXISTING FORMULA MORE THAN THE PERFORMANCE SIDE.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT ON THE SENATE SIDE BUT OVERALL IF YOU LOOK AT THE CONTINUUM OF EDUCATION, WE MUST IN VEST CRITICALLY.

IF WE WAIT FOR OUR STUDENTS UNTIL THEY ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL TO HELP THEM TRANSITION INTO POST SECONDARY EDUCATION, THAT STRATEGY DID NOT WORK FOR THE LAST 20 TO 30 YEARS EVIDENCED BY THE DROP IN ENROLLMENT, COLLEGE ENROLLMENT NUMBERS AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES.

WE NEED TO INVEST AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN OUR CHILDREN AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION >>> AND I SHOULD CORRECT MYSELF ABOUT THE PERFORMINGS BASED FORMULA THE SCHOOL BOARD IS THE COMMISSION ON HIGH HIGHER OCEAN.

THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> IN REGARDS TO PERFORMANCE ALL UNIVERSITIES -- SOME WIN AND SOME LOSE IN THAT PERFORMANCE.

AND THAT'S ONE THING I THINK WE HAVE TO CONTINUE AS WE HAVE THIS DEBATE IN FIGURING OUT THERE ARE GOING TO BE WINNERS AND LOSERS WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY.

>> I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME MEETING WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS AND I WANT TO SAY IF YOU HAVEN'T SPENT TIME WITH CHRIS LOWRY YET I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO, HE AND HIS TEAM ARE FANTASTIC.

>> GOOD THING I CORRECTED MYSELF.

>> THEY'VE TALK ABOUT OFF AND ATTACKED THIS THING LIKE A ROCKET SHIP.

IT WAS LAST JEER YEAR AND THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TIME TO TWEAK THAT FORMULA AND I THINK THAT WAS IN DIBTIVE OF WHAT THE HOUSE SENT OVER.

CHE IS DOING A LOT OF WORK CAN RECOLLECT SERGE THE HOUSE PUT IN FOUR AND SIX PERCENT SO THERE'S AN INCREASE THERE AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT PARTNER WITH COMMISSIONER LOWRY AND HIS FOLKS.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT THE COMMISSIONER HAS ONLY BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE BUT HE WAS SADDLED WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH TAX AND FISCAL POLICY BUT ID HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH HIM.

HE'S BEEN VERY OPEN.

UNIVERSITIES ARE PLAYING KETCHUP.

>> ONE MORE EDUCATION QUESTION, THE KINSEY INSTITUTE; THE AMENDMENT WAS OFFERED FROM THE FLOOR UNCOMPLAINT EXPECTEDLY THE HUMAN SEXUALITY RESEARCH, THE SUGGESTION THAT IT'S DOING THINGS IT SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE AND SEW THEY SAY NO PUBLIC DOLLARS CAN GO TO THE KINSEY INSTITUTE.

>> I BELIEVE A SMALL PERCENT OF IU'S DOLLARS ARE ACTUALLY STATE DOLLARS AND THEY HAVE THE FREEDOM TO FUND THAT IF THEY WANT TO AND WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PASSION I'M NOT SURE BUT FROM WHAT IDENTIFY BEEN TOLD TODAY.

>> ALL RIGHT, MENTAL HEALTH HUMAN PUBLIC HEALTH THE COMMISSION THAT LOOKED A AT THIS -- THE GOVERNOR GOT PUSH BACK, HE REDUCED HIS ASK, NOW THIS BUDGET REDUCE IT FURTHER.

IS IT ENOUGH?

>> IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

PUBLIC HEALTH IS UNDERFUNDED FOR DECADES, AND I FEEL THAT IF WE WERE -- IT'S ABOUT -- IF WE DON'T FUND PUBLIC HEALTH WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE DISPARITIES IN REGARDS TO HEALTH CARE, OUR COSTS GO UP AND WE HAVE TO IN VEST NOW SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

EVERYONE DOESN'T HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER.

>> LEGISLATION THAN A DOLLAR SPENT IN SOME COUNTIES AND -- >> EXACTLY AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT HOLISTICALLY THERE'S A POEM, AND EVERY IS GLAZEs OVER, LIKE WHAT HAPPENED.

>> I ALSO WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TAX CUTS, THE HOUSE BUDGET ACCELERATES A CUT IN THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX, SO IT MATURES IN 2229, IS THAT SOMETHING -- SOME IN YOUR CAUCUS SAID -- >> I WISH I COULD TELL YOU THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE GOTTEN THAT QUESTION.

>> I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NEW BUT A GOOD QUESTION IS A GOOD QUESTION.

>> I'M ALWAYS QUICK TO HIGHLIGHT SENATE BILL THREE WHICH SETS UP A BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE WHICH IS A TWO YEAR REVIEW FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA'S TAX STRUCTURE AND I'M EXCITES TO SEE WHAT THAT YIELDS BECAUSE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT DATA AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

THE HERE AND NOW PROBLEM AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY IS THE PROPERTY TAX, AND I THINK RECORD INCREASES IN ASSESSMENTS.

>> THE AVERAGE BILL IS GOING TO GO UP --.

>> WE DON'T GET THOSE DOLLARS AND SO I'VE ASKED MY CONSTITUENTS ENGAGE YOUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM WHAT SERVICES ARE YOU GETTING FOR THOSE INCREASED TAX HIKES.

>> WE HAVE SOME FOLKS SAYING PUT A $2 TAX INCREASE ON CIGARETTES AND OTHERS SIZE LET'S EXCELERATE TAX CUTS.

>> I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA OF EVERY FEW YEARS EVALUATE OUR TAX SYSTEM AND LOOK AT THE EFFICIENCIES OF THE SYSTEM.

THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE WITH EXPEDITING THE TACK CULTS I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF IMPROVING THE QUEEN ELIZABETH OF LIFE FOR HOOSIERERS, THE LOWER INCOME STRATA OF OUR SOCIETY GET TAXED MORE THAN THE UPPER STRATA AND THAT'S A SYSTEM THAT HELP PUSHES THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO LEFT THUNDERSTORM UP.

>> SO MANY TOPICS LEFTS TO TALK ABOUT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND YOUR INTEREST AND YOUR PASSION.

WE'LL BE WATCHING OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

AGAIN MY GUESTS HAVE BEEN REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JEFF THOMPSON OF LIZTON, DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE GREG PORTER OF INDIANAPOLIS, REPUBLICAN SENATOR CHRIS GARTEN OF CHARLESTOWN, AND DEMOCRATIC SENATOR FADY QADDOURA OF INDIANAPOLIS.

AND TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY CONVERSATION WITH INDIANA LAWMAKERS ANALYST ED FEIGENBAUM, PUBLISHER OF THE NEWS LETTER INDIANA LEGISLATIVE INSIGHT, PART OF HANNAH NEWS SERVICE.

SO ED IS APRIL 19 CIRCLED?

RED INK WITH STARS AROUND IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT IN CAUCUS.

>> CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES BEING DISCUSSED IN CAUCUS.

>> SURE, YOU HAVE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH BASICALLY AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WITH THE NEW FORECAST IS PROBABLY NOT A LOT OF CHANGE FROM THE MOST RECENT ONE IN DECEMBER.

WE'RE LOOKING AT MODEST CHANGE.

YOU LOOK AT ARE WE GOING INTO A RECESSION.

THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" KEEPINGS SAYING WE'RE GOING INTO A RECESSION AND WE'VE PUSHED BACK THE RECESSION FORECASTMENT.

WANT EMPLOYMENT?

EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ARE GOOD.

INTEREST RATES WE DEPEND DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BUT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT A LITTLE DEVIATION AND THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN COMING IN GOOD IN EACH MONTH'S REVENUE COLLECTION.

>> UP 11 PERCENT.

ARE YOU SUGGESTING WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGEED THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT TRUST THE FORECAST?

OSTENSIBLY IT'S A BARN EFFORTS BUT ARE YOU SAYING PEOPLE MIGHT WANT PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR?

>> TEST BIPARTISAN BUT THE BIG QUESTION IS HOW RELIABILITY UPON THAT ECONOMIC FORECAST WILL LEGISLATORS BE BEFORE THE BIG GLOBAL FISCAL CRYINGS IN '09, SINCE THEN THAT I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE CAUTIOUS AND THE INTERESTING IS TO WHAT EXTEND THIS NEW GROUP WILL SAY THEY'RE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS.

>> ARE ALL THE CARDS ON THE TABLE?

DO YOU THINK EARN'S PUT THEIR CARTS ON THE TABLE?

>> I THINK WE HAVE THAT FISCALLY.

THERE MAY BE A STRAY POLICY ISSUE THAT FINDS ITS WAY IN.

>> ED, THANK YOU SO MUCHMENT THE GOVERNOR JUST SIGNED A BILL AFFIRM GUARANTEEING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR MINORS