♪♪ >> SENATOR TODD YOUNG OFFICIALLY >> SENATOR TODD YOUNG OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES HIS RE-ELECTION BID.

A SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM MOVES FORWARD.

PLUS, TEACHERS GETTING THE VACCINE, AND MORE, ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 5TH, 2021.

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

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

MORE AT ICEMILLER.COM.

THIS WEEK, INDIANA REPUBLICAN TODD YOUNG OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED HIS BID FOR ANOTHER SIX YEARS IN THE U-S SENATE.

>> YOUNG'S ANNOUNCEMENT TUESDAY CAME VIA A SHORT VIDEO MESSAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IN IT, HE DEFENDS HIS RECORD, SAYING HE PROMISED HOOSIERS HE WOULD DELIVER “CONSERVATIVE RESULTS.” >> SEN. TODD YOUNG (R-IND.

): I BELIEVE I'VE LIVED UP TO MY OATH AND KEPT MY WORD, BUT MORE WORK REMAINS.

>> THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR HIGHLIGHTED TAX REFORM, DOZENS OF CONSERVATIVE FEDERAL JUDGES AND HIS VOTE TO FUND A WALL ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

YOUNG FORMALLY BEGINS HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN WITH A SIZEABLE FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE - MORE THAN TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN HIS CAMPAIGN ACCOUNT.

IN A STATEMENT, THE INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CALLED YOUNG A "'YES MAN'" FOR WASHINGTON, D.C. REPUBLICANS, CRITICIZING THE SENATOR FOR VOTING AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S CONVICTION FOR INCITING THE JAN. 6 INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

>> HOW BIG AN ADVANTAGE DOES YOUNG HAVE?

IT'S THE FIRST QUESTION FOR OUR INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW PANEL: DEMOCRAT ANN DELANEY.

REPUBLICAN MIKE O'BRIEN.

JON SCHWANTES, HOST OF INDIANA LAWMAKERS.

AND NIKI KELLY, STATEHOUSE REPORTER FOR THE FORT WAYNE JOURNAL GAZETTE.

I'M INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATEHOUSE REPORTER BRANDON SMITH.

ANN DELANEY, IS YOUNG VIRTUALLY UNBEATABLE NEXT YEAR?

>> THERE IS NOBODY THAT'S UNBEATABLE, BRANDON.

CERTAINLY HAS AN ADVANTAGE, HE HAS ININCUMBENCY AND MONEY.

HE DOESN'T PUT HOOSIERS AND THE COUNTRY FIRST.

HE KOWTOWS TOO MUCH TO THE REPUBLICANS IN WASHINGTON BY NOT VOTING FOR IMPEACHMENT, AND FOR DOING THINGS FOR EXAMPLE NOT SUPPORTING THE BAILOUT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM COVID.

IF HE WOULD DO SOMETHING BOLD LIKE THAT, HE WOULD BE PRETTY DARN FORMIDABLE.

BUT IF HE VOTES AGAINST THE INCENTIVE PACKAGE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS OFFERING, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM FOR HIM.

OBVIOUSLY WE NEED A CANDIDATE AND WE NEED TO FUND THAT CANDIDATE.

AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE ALWAYS ISSUES.

BUT, THEY DON'T HAVE DONALD TRUMP ON THE BALLOT.

AND FOR ALL WE KNOW, THEY MAY HAVE SOME RIGHT WINGER ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WHO COMES AND CHALLENGES HIM IN A PRIMARY FOR VOTING TO CERTIFY THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION THAT WAS HELD AND MAKING JOE BIDEN PRESIDENT.

SO I DON'T KNOW YET HOW THIS IS ALL GOING TO PLAY OUT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HE HASN'T BEEN AS CRAZY AS MIKE BRAUN, BUT HE HASN'T BEEN WHAT I HAD HOPED HE WOULD BE, AND THAT WOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT VOICE IN WASHINGTON.

HE'S NOT BEEN THAT.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, IT'S NOT LUDICROUS, CERTAINLY, TO THINK THAT TODD YOUNG MIGHT FACE A REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER, THOUGH, OF COURSE, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ON THIS SHOW BEFORE, THE BAR TO GET ON THAT BALLOT IS PRETTY DARN HIGH.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE PARTY BACKING, WHICH A CHALLENGER WOULD PRESUMABLY NOT, THAT WOULD MAKE THAT DIFFICULT.

BUT WOULD YOU ARGUE, THOUGH, IT'S ALMOST MORE LIKELY THAT TODD YOUNG WOULD LOSE IN A PRIMARY THAN HE WOULD LOSE IN A GENERAL ELECTION NEXT YEAR?

>> SHORT OF MIKE PENCE, I DON'T KNOW WHO COULD RUN AGAINST AND HAVE THE ORGANIZATION, THE FUNDING, THE NAME ID, AND DO -- MAKE THE ARGUMENT THEY COULD DO A BETTER JOB THAN HE'S DONE.

HE HAS BEEN -- HE HASN'T BEEN -- ON OCCASION.

HE'S BEEN SMART ABOUT THAT, THOUGHTFUL AND EXPLAINED WHY.

A LOT OF IT AROUND MOST RECENTLY WITH THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT THAT HE AND THE PRESIDENT WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF, HAVING BEEN IN THE MILITARY, HE'S ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY HE'S NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT IN A CREDIBLE WAY.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S A HUGE BLIND SPOT FOR HIM.

I THINK THE ORIGINAL QUESTION IS HE A LOCK FOR VICTORY?

ANN'S COMMENT IS IT IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE TO FIND CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE.

CHALLENGE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- >> AT THE MOMENT.

>> WE HAVE REPUBLICANS PROBLEM, WE HAVE TOO MUCH QUALIFIED CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND THEY TEND TO RUN INTO EACH OTHER IN THESE PRIMARIES.

WE SAW THIS IN THE PRIMARY TODD YOUNG CAME THROUGH IN 2016.

BUT I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT KIND OF PROBLEM FOR HIM IN 22.

HE'S CONSOLIDATED PARTY SUPPORT, TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT THIS WEEK IN HIS REELECT ANNOUNCEMENT, IN TERMS OF THE LOCAL PARTY SUPPORT ALL THE WAY UP TO THE STATE PARTY.

SO HE'S IN A GOOD A SPOT AS ANYBODY.

>> HE TALKED ABOUT HE HAS 96% OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE VAST, VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF COUNTY CHAIRS ACROSS THE STATE.

CERTAINLY PUT TOGETHER AN ORGANIZATION HERE, LOOKS HEADED TO VICTORY.

NIKI KELLY, MIKE KIND OF ALLUDED TO THIS, ANN POINTED IT OUT, OBVIOUSLY IF YOU WERE A REPUBLICAN RUNNING STATE-WIDE IN INDIANA, YOU HAVE A PRETTY SIZEABLE ADVANTAGE.

BUT DOES YOUNG HAVE A BIGGER ADVANTAGE BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE'S POSITIONED HIMSELF OVER THE LAST FIVE PLUS YEARS?

>> I MEAN, IF HE HANDLED IT WELL, HE HAS NO SCANDAL, NO GAS, HE DID PROVE THAT HE COULD STAND UP TO TRUMP WHEN NEEDED WHILE LARGELY BEING LOYAL TO HIM, DEFINITELY VOTED CONSERVATIVELY, I DON'T ANTICIPATE HIM HAVING ANY PROBLEMS IN A REELECT.

>> JON SCHWANTES, LOOKS LIKE THE LATEST COVID-19 PACKAGE MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS, COULD A VOTE COME BACK LIKE THAT TO HAUNT TODD YOUNG?

>> I THINK MEMORIES TEND TO BE SHORT.

YOU KNOW, THE MONEY WILL BE GOING INTO PEOPLE'S POCKETS LARGELY ON A STRAIGHT LINE VOTE, IN ALL LIKELIHOOD.

SO PEOPLE WILL GET THEIR MONEY, I DOUBT THEY'LL GO BACK IN TWO YEARS AND HOLD ANYBODY ACCOUNTABLE WHO VOTED AGAINST IT.

I THINK I WOULD AGREE HE'S IN GREAT SHAPE RIGHT NOW.

IF I WERE BETTING ON THIS RACE, I WOULD SAY HE DEFINITELY WILL BE REELECTED.

TO YOUR QUESTION EARLIER, BRANDON, ABOUT WHERE IS THE BIGGER THREAT?

IS IT FROM A DEMOCRAT IN THE GENERAL OR IS IT FROM A REPUBLICAN IN THE PRIMARY?

I THINK THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS CLEAR IN HIS ANNOUNCEMENT STATEMENT.

HE FOCUSED ON HOW CONSERVATIVE HE WAS, HE FOCUSED ON THE INSTANCES WHERE HE SIDED WITH THE PRESIDENT NOT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, THAT IS, NOT WITH THE INSTANCES WHERE HE WAS AT ODDS WITH HIM.

AND HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT HOW HE HAS SHORED UP HIS SUPPORT WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHICH, TO ME, IS A CLEAR SIGNAL SAYING, I THINK I CAN WIN THE GENERAL, THAT'S IN THE BAG, RIGHT NOW I'M FOCUSED ON KEEPING OTHER REPUBLICANS OUT OF THIS RACE, AND THAT'S WHERE HIS FOCUS ARGUABLY SHOULD BE.

>> 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: WILL U.S. SEN. TODD YOUNG WIN RE-ELECTION IN 2022?

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: SHOULD THE STATE CUT OFF NEW COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES TO CLINICS THAT FLAGRANTLY VIOLATE INDIANA'S ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES?

67% OF YOU SAY IT SHOULD, WHILE JUST 33% SAY NO.

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

INDIANA SMALL BUSINESSES - PARTICULARLY IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY - ARE A STEP CLOSER TO GETTING HELP FROM THE STATE TO RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC.

A SENATE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A BILL THIS WEEK FOR A 30-MILLION-DOLLAR SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM.

>> THE LEGISLATION ESSENTIALLY PUTS INTO LAW A PROGRAM CREATED BY THE INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LAST YEAR, USING FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF DOLLARS.

IT'S AIMED PRIMARILY AT HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES AND LIMITED TO THOSE WHOSE REVENUE IS 10 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR OR LESS.

PATRICK TAMM LOBBIES FOR INDIANA RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS.

HE SAYS THE GRANTS MIGHT BE TOO LIMITED.

>> PATRICK TAMM: JUST WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE HERE, THERE ARE A LOT OF RESTAURANTS THAT ARE BARELY HOLDING ON, BARELY PAYING THEIR RENT - THEY ARE OVER THAT $10 MILLION THRESHOLD.

>> BUT REPUBLICAN SENATOR RYAN MISHLER SAYS HE WANTS THE PROGRAM AIMED AT SMALL BUSINESSES THAT NEED THE MOST HELP.

>> SEN. RYAN MISHLER (R-BREMEN): WE EITHER DROP THE GUARDRAILS OR WE KEEP THE GUARDRAILS.

BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW HIGH YOU RAISE THAT CAP, THE NEXT GROUP'S GOING TO SAY, 'OH, WE JUST FELL OUTSIDE OF THAT CAP.

CAN YOU RAISE IT A LITTLE MORE?

>> THE BILL NOW HEADS TO THE FULL SENATE.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, IS THE CURRENT BILL STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES AND CUTTING OFF TOO MANY?

IS THIS BILL THE RIGHT BALANCE AS IT CURRENTLY SITS?

>> I THINK BOTH PAT TAMM AND -- BRING UP GOOD POINTS.

30 MILLION POT OF MONEY YOU GET LIKE THE -- POTENTIALLY THE MONEY IS GONE.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE YOUR COMPANIES THAT ARE -- THAT HAVE REALLY BEEN HIT.

PART OF THE PROBLEM IS IN FINDING WHERE THE LINE IS, IT'S ARGUABLY THE LIMITLESS.

WE WENT THROUGH A PERIOD EARLY IN THIS WHERE THE TREASURY WAS JUST OPENED, AND NOW WE'RE SEEING AN UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS AND FRAUD, AND WE SAW EARLY ON THE COMPANIES THAT DIDN'T NEED THIS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE MONEY AND BANKS IT BECAUSE THE CRITERIA WAS LOOSE, TRYING TO GET MONEY MOVING FAST, PUT A LOT OF STRINGS AROUND IT.

BUT THERE ARE CLEARLY BUSINESSES, AND I HOPE THAT THE STATE AND LOCALS CAN IDENTIFY WHO THOSE ARE, WHO ARE REALLY -- WHO REALLY NEED IT.

AND CAN GET THIS HELP, AND MORE, HOPEFULLY TO THEM AS WE REOPEN.

THE GOOD NEWS, WE HAVE A LOT OF COUNTIES THAT ARE FULLY MOVING REALLY CLOSE TO FULLY REOPENING, MARION COUNTY IS ONE OF THEM.

AND THAT ALLOWS BARS AND RESTAURANTS TO START OPERATING AT A MORE FULL CAPACITY, HOPEFULLY RECOVER, IF THEY CAN GET A LITTLE HELP, THAT'S GREAT.

>> THE $10 MILLION CAP WOULD BE FOR THE BUSINESSES IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH REVENUE TO QUALIFY.

THAT THE AWARDS ARE CAPPED AT $50,000.

THERE WOULD BE MORE TO GO AROUND THERE.

ANN DeLANEY, I THINK MIKE BROUGHT UP EXACTLY HOW I FELT.

THEY'RE LIVING ON THE MARGINS, CERTAINLY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, DOING A LOT WORSE THAN THAT.

SO DOES THIS PROGRAM NEED TO CHANGE A LITTLE BIT TO HELP THOSE WHO REALLY NEED IT, PARTICULARLY IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?

>> THIS IS -- IT'S, AGAIN, FIRST OF ALL, A DROP IN THE BUCKET, SECONDLY, IT'S ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PICK WINNERS AND LOSERS.

WE'VE SEEN BEFORE BOTH WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND EVERYTHING ELSE, THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

THEY WOULD MUCH BETTER PUT MONEY INTO LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND FOR EXAMPLE, IN MARION COUNTY, GIVE IT TO THE CITY AND SAY, FIX UP DOWNTOWN, MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE, DRAW PEOPLE IN, AS WE'RE RAISING THE LIMITS ON WHO CAN COME.

THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT BETTER IN CITIES AND TOWNS TO MAKE THOSE PLACES DESTINATION PLACES THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO.

THE IDEA THAT YOU COULD PICK RESTAURANT A AND RESTAURANT B AND PICK OUT WHICH ONE IS GOING TO MAKE IT, EVEN WITH THE $50,000, IS RIDICULOUS, THEY HAVE NO ABILITY TO DO THAT, AND THEY'RE JUST THROWING THE MONEY OUT THERE, AS THE REPUBLICANS UNDER TRUMP DID BEFORE.

IT JUST DOESN'T GO TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

AND SO, IT WOULD BE BETTER SPENT IF EACH COMMUNITY MAKING THOSE DESTINATIONS MORE ATTRACTIVE, I THINK.

>> NIKI KELLY, THE BILL, ESPECIALLY SINCE -- AS THE BILL CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE, THE MONEY FOR THIS $30 MILLION GRANT PROGRAM CAME FROM THE STATE BUDGET, RESERVES AT THE END OF THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THE SENATE COMMITTEE CHANGED THIS WEEK TO SAY THEY'RE GOING TO USE -- THEY HAVE TO USE LEFTOVER CARES ACT MONEY.

NOW IT IS REALLY JUST CODIFYING WHAT THE INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS ALREADY BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

SHOULD THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY JUST LEAVE IT TO THE IEDC IN GENERAL?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF IT IF IT IS AN EXISTING PROGRAM THAT'S ALREADY BEING DONE.

THE BILL ORIGINALLY WOULD HAVE USED INDIANA SURPLUS DOLLARS TO TRY TO REACH SPECIFICALLY THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

AND, LOOK, I DON'T KNOW IF $10 MILLION IS A LOT OF REVENUE, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT TO ME.

BUT I ALSO THINK LET'S SAY YOU'RE RUNNING 20 MILLION GROSS REVENUE, IS $50,000 REALLY GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THEN.

I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE CLOSEST TO SORT OF CLOSURE.

THAT THAT COULD REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHETHER THEY CONTINUE ON, OR NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HOOSIER TEACHERS CAN NOW GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE THROUGH A FEDERAL PROGRAM, OUTSIDE OF THE STATE'S PLAN.

>> A RECENT BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENT MEANS THAT EDUCATORS CAN GET VACCINATED THROUGH FEDERAL PHARMACY PROGRAM SITES - IN INDIANA, THAT'S KROGER, MEIJER AND WALMART.

GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SAYS TEACHERS WHO AREN'T OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE IN INDIANA (WHICH, AS OF WEDNESDAY, MEANS ANYONE YOUNGER THAN 50) MUST SCHEDULE THEIR APPOINTMENTS DIRECTLY WITH THOSE THREE STORES.

>> GOV.

ERIC HOLCOMB: THEY'RE SCHEDULING WITH THOSE THREE DIFFERENT ENTITIES, DIRECTLY WITH THOSE THREE ENTITIES AND SITES - NOT 2-1-1 AND NOT OUR WEBSITE.

>> STATE OFFICIALS DID NOTE THAT HOOSIERS CAN LOCATE ALL VACCINATION SITES - INCLUDING KROGER, MEIJER AND WALMART - ON A MAP ON THE STATE'S WEBSITE, OURSHOT.IN.GOV.

>> JON SCHWANTES, DOES THE STATE'S CONTINUED RESISTANCE TO ADDING TEACHERS TO THEIR ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES RISK CONFUSION?

>> MAYBE SO.

BECAUSE I'M CONFUSED A LITTLE BIT MYSELF.

I MEAN, THE GOAL IS SEEMS TO ME IS TO GET THE SHOTS IN AS MANY ARMS AS POSSIBLE, CERTAINLY IN THE ARMS OF PEOPLE IN HARMS WAY AND EXPOSED ON A REGULAR BASIS TO THE THREAT OF CONTRACTING THIS DISEASE.

I THINK EDUCATORS CERTAINLY QUALIFY, FIT THAT DESCRIPTION.

SO, I GUESS MY BOTTOM LINE HERE WOULD BE IF YOU CAN GET A SHOT, GET A SHOT, AND DO IT LEGALLY AND APPROPRIATELY.

I WOULD -- I DON'T WANT TO BASH THE STATE.

INDIANA IS PROBABLY ONE OF HALF DOZEN OR SO STATES THAT REALLY HAVE STOOD OUT NATIONALLY IN TERMS OF BEING SOMEWHAT LOGICAL IN ITS APPROACH TO NOT ONLY ACQUIRING AND DISTRIBUTING IT, BUT LETTING PEOPLE KNOW, WITH A VERY SOPHISTICATED TOOL, THAT A LOT OF STATES FRANKLY ARE LACKING, THERE ARE PLENTY OF STATES, I THINK IT MIGHT BE RIGHT IF THE DRUG STORE DOWN THE CORNER, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ANY SORT OF DIGITAL TOOL, CLEARING HOUSE OR INFORMATION, PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW IT.

SO HOOSIERS CAN BE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT, THAT THE STATE HAS DONE WELL ON THAT FRONT.

>> YEAH, THE CENTRALIZED SCHEDULING SYSTEM IS SOMETHING MOST STATES ARE LACKING, CLEARLY HELPING INDIANA STAND OUT IN GETTING THIS VACCINE OUT AS BEST IT CAN.

BUT NIKI KELLY, TO THAT IDEA OF THE PLAN, THE STATE HAS DIVERGED FROM THE ORIGINALLY STATED PLAN ON VACCINATIONS, HAVE THEY NOT?

>> YEAH, ORIGINALLY, WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GO DOWN TO AGE 65, I THINK, AND FOCUS MORE ON CO-MORBIDITIES BEFORE GETTING TO PHASE TWO FOR THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IS THE TEACHERS AND THE GROCERY STORE WORKERS.

BUT SOMEHOW THEY'VE DECIDED WE'RE JUST STICKING WITH THIS AGE-BASED APPROACH.

I THINK PERSONALLY BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO VERIFY ELIGIBILITY, BUT I THINK THERE ARE FAIR QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT WHY WE AREN'T LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE CORE MORBIDITIES, IF YOU LOOK AT REGENSTRIEF INSTITUTES, THEY HAVE THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT RESULTED IN HOSPITALIZATION OR ICU, HYPERTENSION, COPD, CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE.

WE'RE NOT PROVIDING SHOTS FOR ANY OF THOSE PEOPLE YET.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, WE TALKED ABOUT TEACHERS AND OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TEACHER BEING LEFT OUT, THE STATE SAID VERY CLEARLY WE ARE FOCUSED ON GETTING THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS DOWN, AND TO DO THAT, THEY TARGETED THE PEOPLE MOST LIKELY TO BE HOSPITALIZED AND DIE FROM THE DISEASE.

CLEARLY IT'S BEEN WORKING, THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE DROPPED PRECIPITOUSLY, DEATHS ARE DOWN.

BUT, AS WE LOWER THE AGE FURTHER AND FURTHER, IS THAT ARGUMENT STARTING TO GET WATERED DOWN BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE STARTING TO LOOK AT, WELL, WHAT ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING EXPOSED, OR POTENTIALLY BEING EXPOSED MORE AND MORE OFTEN NOW?

>> I THINK IT MATTERED A LOT WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED.

BUT THE ARGUMENT -- I THINK IT IS THE OPPOSITE, I THINK THE ARGUMENT WAS STRONGER WHEN YOU HAD 70 AND ABOVE THAT WE EXCLUDED CERTAIN PEOPLE, WHETHER THEY HAD A CO-MORBIDITY, TEACHER, OR FRONT LINE INDIVIDUAL.

WE HAVE MOVED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, AND IT IS COMING DOWN SO FAST, THE AGE GROUPS ARE RAPIDLY MOVING DOWN.

WE'LL BE -- THE IDEA THAT AT 41 THAT I'M IN THE NEXT GROUP TO BE VACCINATED ON MARCH 5th.

NOW HAVING THE VACCINATIONS FOR ALL AMERICANS BY MAY, ACCORDING TO THE BIDDEN ADMINISTRATION, THIS IS HAPPENING FASTER, PUTTING SHOTS IN 28,000 ARMS SINCE YESTERDAY, IN INDIANA ALONE.

SO I THINK IT'S MOVING A LOT FASTER, I THINK IT'S TAKING THE PRESSURE OFF IDENTIFYING PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE -- EN MASSE VACCINATED BECAUSE IT SLOWS THE SYSTEM DOWN.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, YOU'VE -- ANN DeLANEY, MIKE BROUGHT UP WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU, AS WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE VACCINE DELIVERED AND THE STATE BEING ABLE TO MOVE DOWN THIS AGE LIMITS FASTER AND FASTER.

IS THIS ALL GOING TO BE A MOOT POINT IN A MATTER OF WEEKS IN TERMS OF WHO IS ALLOWED AND WHO IS NOT?

>> I HOPE SO.

I MEAN, I THINK GETTING THE TEACHERS VACCINATED IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, EVERYBODY WANTS THE KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL.

TO NIKI'S POINT, AS THE AGES ARE LOWERING, A LOT OF THOSE CO-MORBIDITY ISSUES WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE GROUP FROM 40 TO 50 AND OLDER WITH THAT.

A LOT OF IT WILL BE RESOLVED.

I MEAN, WE COULD HAVE A DISCUSSION LATER ON ABOUT WHEN THE NEXT PANDEMIC HITS, WHETHER WE OUGHT TO SOMEHOW THINK THROUGH THESE PROCEDURES, AND THE WAY WE CLASSIFY THE RECIPIENTS.

BUT, FOR NOW, WE'RE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB, AND THE BIDDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS EVERYBODY CAN BE VACCINATED BY THE END OF MAY, THAT IS PHENOMENAL.

>> SOME HOOSIERS ARE FINDING OUT MONEY FROM THEIR STATE TAX REFUNDS IS BEING TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO PAY OFF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THEY RECEIVED BY MISTAKE.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JUSTIN HICKS REPORTS THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUSPENDED OTHER TYPES OF COLLECTIONS DURING THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

>> AN OVERPAYMENT HAPPENS WHEN THE STATE PAYS SOMEONE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND LATER DETERMINES THEY'RE INELIGIBLE FOR THOSE BENEFITS.

INDIANA LAW ALLOWS DWD TO COLLECT THAT MONEY BACK IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, INCLUDING INTERCEPTING STATE AND FEDERAL TAX REFUNDS OR LOTTERY WINNINGS.

HOWEVER THAT CAN BE PREVENTED IF SOMEONE HAS APPEALED THE OVERPAYMENT OR APPLIED FOR IT TO BE WAIVED.

COURTNEY MCDONALD SAYS SHE WAS SURPRISED WHEN ABOUT $150 OF HER TAX REFUND WAS TAKEN TO SETTLE THE OVERPAYMENT SHE WAS ALREADY MAKING PAYMENTS ON.

>> COURTNEY MCDONALD: I'M GLAD THEY DID TAKE IT, THAT WAY I CAN GO AHEAD AND GET THE BILL OVER WITH.

BUT I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE KNOWN THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE IT.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE THEIR COMMUNICATION IS VERY GOOD.

>> AT THE END OF 2020, THE STATE REPORTED ABOUT $35 MILLION DOLLARS IN OUTSTANDING NON-FRAUDULENT OVERPAYMENTS.

>> NIKI KELLY, IS THIS A GOOD WAY FOR DWD TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE?

WHICH HAS OBVIOUSLY BALLOONED, SO MANY MORE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS HAVE BEEN PAID?

>> I DON'T HAVE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THAT.

IF SOMEBODY ALREADY HAS A PAYMENT PLAN SET UP, I AGREE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO LET THAT PERSON KNOW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I ALSO KNOW OF SOME PEOPLE GENERALLY WHO HAVE CHILD SUPPORT THAT'S OWED TO THEM AND THEY'RE NOT CURRENTLY ALLOWED TO GET THAT TAKEN FROM REFUNDS.

SO IT SEEMS A LITTLE UNFAIR ON THAT MANNER.

ALSO WHILE 35 MILLION IS BIG, I DID JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT IN THE PAST YEAR WE'VE PAID OUT LIKE $7 BILLION IN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

SO I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY IT'S THE MOST THAT WE'VE SEEN IN A WHILE, BUT IN COMPARISON, IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I WANT TO MOVE ON.

HOOSIERS LIKELY WON'T BE GETTING SPEEDING TICKETS FROM HIGHWAY SPEED CAMERAS ANYTIME SOON.

THAT'S AFTER A BILL TO CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM FOR SUCH CAMERAS IS ALL BUT DEAD THIS SESSION.

>> REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JIM PRESSEL HAS AUTHORED A BILL TO ALLOW SPEED CAMERAS IN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONES FOR TWO YEARS NOW.

HE SAYS ITS BIGGEST OBSTACLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH INDIANA.

>> REP. JIM PRESSEL (R-ROLLING PRAIRIE): IT'S BAD ACTORS IN OTHER STATES THAT HAVE USED SIMILAR PROGRAMS LIKE THIS AND THERE'S BEEN CORRUPTION INVOLVED.

>> SOME LAWMAKERS ALSO WORRY THAT AFTER THE PILOT PROGRAM, TRAFFIC CAMERAS WOULD POP UP EVERYWHERE.

PRESSEL SAYS HE'S OPPOSED TO THAT - AND EVEN ADDED LANGUAGE TO HIS BILL TO SPECIFICALLY BAN TRAFFIC CAMS OUTSIDE OF HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONES.

>> REP. JIM PRESSEL (R-ROLLING PRAIRIE): BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT NOT ONLY THE WORKERS IN THOSE ZONES, BUT THE MOTORISTS THAT TRAVEL THROUGH THOSE ZONES.

AND WE JUST GOT TO GET PEOPLE TO SLOW DOWN.

>> PRESSEL SAYS HE'LL LOOK FOR ANY WAYS TO AT LEAST ADVANCE DEBATE ON THE ISSUE THROUGH THE REST OF THIS SESSION.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, WHAT WILL GET THIS ISSUE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, MORE DEATH, I THINK.

BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY BEING INVESTED IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW IN INDIANA, AND WILL BE FOR YEARS SINCE THE ROAD PACKAGE PASSED LEGISLATURE A COUPLE YEARS AGO, YOU SEE MORE, OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU HAVE MORE WORKERS ON THE ROAD, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE HIT.

THE CAMERA ISSUE IS JUST THIS GHOST, AND WHAT HAPPENS TO IT IS A BIZARRE THING TO ME.

IT'S AKIN LIKE WHEN THE BREATHALYZER WAS INVENTED, YOU CAN'T USE TECHNOLOGY TO TELL ME HOW DRUNK I AM, TO KEEP ME FROM DRIVING.

AND THIS ISN'T MUCH DIFFERENT.

OTHER STATES HAVE DONE THAT, IT'S BEEN A DETERRENT.

YOU'VE SEEN SPEEDS COME DOWN.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THE SITUATION IS JUST GOING TO HAVE TO GET WORSE BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE DO SOMETHING SIGNIFICANTLY ABOUT IT.

>> ANN DeLANEY, THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE, WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE TO GET THE LEGISLATURE ONBOARD WITH EVEN A PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH IS FOR CAMERAS AROUND THE STATE.

>> I THINK MIKE'S RIGHT, UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK IT IS GOING TO TAKE MORE DEATHS.

THAT'S REALLY REPREHENSIBLE.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THOSE WORKERS ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE PUTTING MORE ON THE HIGHWAYS, THIS IS A VERY MINIMAL THING TO DO.

THE IDEA THAT YOU HAVE SOME PRIVACY WHEN YOU'RE RIDING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, AND YOU ARE DRIVING A CAR WITH A LICENSE PLATE NUMBER ON IT, AND ALL OF THAT, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY PRIVACY RIGHTS THERE.

AND IT SHOULD BE ABOUT PROTECTING THE WORKERS.

I THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT IDEA, HE CAN AASSUAGE CONCERNS BY LIMITING IT TO HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONES, YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

I'VE BEEN OUT ON THOSE HIGHWAYS, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING OR NOT, PEOPLE ARE ZOOMING BYE, NOT JUST AS 60 OR 65, BUT 80, AND 90 MILES AN HOUR.

GOD HELP THOSE PEOPLE WORKING THERE.

BECAUSE IT'S PRETTY DARN DANGEROUS.

>> YOU ACTUALLY SEE MORE DRIVER AND VEHICULAR INJURIES AND DEATHS IN WORK ZONES THAN OF WORKERS.

THIS IS TRYING TO PROTECT EVERYBODY.

BUT, WELL, WE'LL SEE, FINALLY, WE LEARNED NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT MIKE PENCE'S POST-VICE PRESIDENTIAL CAREER WILL INCLUDE A PODCAST.

ANN DELANEY, WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD NAME FOR MIKE PENCE'S PODCAST?

>> MIKE PENCE' PODCAST, HOW ABOUT PREACHER PENS.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, YOU GOT A NAME?

>> COMMON PENCE, THOMAS PAIN.

>> I THOUGHT HE SHOULD DO IT WITH HIS WIFE, TWO PENCE.

>> MAMA AND ME.

>> 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, AND IF YOU CAN, PLEASE TRY TO GET VACCINATED.

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

♪♪ >> INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW IS >> 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