♪♪ >> LAWMAKERS WRAP UP THE 2022 >> LAWMAKERS WRAP UP THE 2022 SESSION.

FINAL PASSAGE OF THE TAX CUT AND GUN BILLS.

PLUS, GAS PRICES AND MORE ON INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 11, 2022.

>> "INDIANA WEEK IN REVIEW" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORTERS OF INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS.

>> THIS WEEK, LAWMAKERS SENT A BILLION-DOLLAR TAX CUT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK IN THE EARLY HOURS OF WEDNESDAY MORNING, ENDING THEIR 2022 SESSION.

THE MEASURE MAKES TWO MAJOR TAX REDUCTIONS.

IT CUTS THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX DOWN TO TWO-POINT-NINE PERCENT.

AND IT ELIMINATES A PAIR OF UTILITY TAXES.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE TIM BROWN, THE BILL'S AUTHOR, SAYS THE UTILITY TAXES WILL COST THE STATE 200 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR - AND WILL HELP HOOSIER RATEPAYERS.

>> REP. TIM BROWN (R-CRAWFORDSVILLE): ELECTRIC UTILITIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PUT ON THEIR BILL AND ALSO CALCULATE RATE REDUCTIONS OR DECREASE IN BILLS TO PEOPLE, TO OUR CONSTITUENTS.

THE INCOME TAX CUT WILL TAKE PLACE OVER SEVEN YEARS.

AND SOME OF THAT REDUCTION WILL ONLY GO THROUGH IF STATE REVENUES GROW BY AT LEAST TWO PERCENT AND THE STATE EVENTUALLY PAYS OFF DEBT IN A TEACHER PENSION FUND.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE GREG PORTER SAYS REPUBLICANS DIDN'T INCLUDE SUCH TRIGGERS WHEN THEY SLASHED THE CORPORATE TAX FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

>> REP. GREG PORTER (D-INDIANAPOLIS): SO WHY ARE WE DOING IT TO EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

>> IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THE BILL, THE UTILITY TAX ELIMINATION WILL TAKE EFFECT JULY 1.

AND THE FIRST CUT OF THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX WON'T HAPPEN UNTIL JANUARY.

>> HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE INCOME TAX CUT TO BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED?

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

AND, HEY, THERE ARE PEOPLE SITTING AROUND THE DESK.

IT'S 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 THE TRIGGER MECHANISM FOR THE INCOME TAX CUT A GOOD MOVE?

>> THIS WHOLE THING IS SUCH A JOKE.

I MEAN, THE WHOLE HEADLINE.

BILLION DOLLAR TAX CUT.

FOR THE AVERAGE HOOSIER MAKING $50,000 A YEAR, THIS IS A DOLLAR A WEEK.

OKAY.

ADOLLAR A WEEK.

ALL OF THIS IS ABOUT POLITICS.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FISCAL POLICY.

IF THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING, THEY COULD BRAG THAT ULTIMATELY, MAYBE IF WE FULLY FUND THE TEACHERS PENSION AND THE ROADS -- THE CREEKS DON'T RISE OR WHATEVER ELSE HAS TO HAPPEN, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A SMALL, AND I MEAN MINISCULE TAX CUT FOR THE AVERAGE HOOSIER.

WEALTHY PEOPLE, SINCE WE DON'T HAVE A GRADUATED INCOME TAX, ARE GOING TO MAKE OUT BETTER WITH THIS, CERTAINLY.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE NOT GETTING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.

WE HAVE FEWER PEOPLE GOING TO COLLEGE, WE HAVE FEWER EDUCATED WORKERS, AND WHAT DO WE DO?

DO WE INVEST IN THAT?

DO WE DO PRESCHOOL?

LOWER TUITION FOR COLLEGE?

NO.

DO WE PAY TEACHERS MORE?

NO.

DO WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT OUR SUBSTANTIAL HEALTH PROBLEMS?

NO.

WHAT WE DO IS TRY TO WIRE IS SO NOT ONLY THEY CAN THEN SAY THEY HAVE A TAX CUT, EVEN THOUGH NOBODY WILL FEEL IT, THEY CAN THEN SAY FUTURE GENERATIONS OR SEVEN YEARS DOWN THE ROAD ARGUABLY WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS EITHER.

IT IS THE TYPICAL REPUBLICAN ONE-TRICK PONY.

NO IDEA, NO INVESTMENTS, JUST CUT TAXES, ALL THEY KNOW HOW TO DO.

>> THE CUT WOULD TAKE PLACE JULY 1.

THAT WOULD MEAN A COUPLE BUCKS ON THE MONTHLY UTILITY BILL.

THE INCOME TAX WILL TAKE PLACE JANUARY -- THAT WILL BE A PERSON MAKING $50,000, 40 BUCKS.

IS ANYBODY GO TO NOTICE THIS?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK, LOOK, WHAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO DO BALANCE BETWEEN WHAT THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS WANTED A SUBSTANTIAL IMMEDIATE INCOME TAX CUT AND PRUDENCE FROM THE SENATE, WAIT AND SEE WHAT'S REAL, IN REVENUE, TAX REVENUE.

LET'S SEE WHAT INFLATON DOES, WHICH GOVERNMENT CLEARLY BENEFITS FROM.

WHEN INFLATION IS HIGH, GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MORE REVENUE.

THEY WERE TRYING TO FIX -- YOU KNOW, FIND A WAY TO BALANCE THOSE TWO INTERESTS.

THE PROBLEM -- AND IT IS POLITICS, OF COURSE.

THE POLITICS OF THIS ELECTION ARE DOING THINGS THAT ARE POPULAR WITH PEOPLE, AND PART OF SOMETHING THAT IS POPULAR WITH, OR LIKE A STATE OF INDIANA IS CUTTING TAXES.

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THE POLITICS TO ANN'S POINT, IF YOU GO AND HARD SELL A BILLION DOLLAR TAX CUT, PEOPLE AREN'T STUPID, THEY'RE GOING TO EITHER FEEL IT OR NOT, AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO FEEL THIS PROBABLY EVER.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO NOTICE TWO YEARS WHEN WE SHAVE ANOTHER FRACTION OF A POINT WHEN HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE STILL GOING TO GO UP, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY RAISE TAXES.

YOU KNOW, SO IT IS REALLY HARD OVER A SUSTAINED PERIOD OF TIME TO SELL THE POLITICS OF THIS.

BUT I GET IT IN THE SHORT RUN, I GET REPUBLICANS, ESPECIALLY HOUSE REPUBLICANS LED BY SPEAKER HUSTON TRYING TO BALANCE THROUGH THE IEDC BILL, AND BALANCE THAT WITH LET'S GIVE SOME PEOPLE THEIR MONEY BACK AND KEEP GOVERNMENT FROM GROWING INTO WHAT THESE REVENUES MIGHT FORCE.

>> PRESCHOOL.

>> THE FIRST QUESTION IS HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THAT INCOME TAX CUT TO BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED, IT COULD BE SEVEN YEARS, IT COULD BE LONGER IF WE DON'T SEE 2% REVENUE GROWTH, AND B, HALFWAY THROUGH, IF THEY DON'T PAY OFF THE TEACHER PENSION FUND.

WILL IT TAKE SEVEN YEARS OR LONGER?

>> WE CAN HOPE.

AS PEOPLE WHO PAY TAXES AND WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE CUT, WE CAN HOPE THAT INDIANA PROSPERS, THAT OUR NATION PROSPERS, AND THE DOLLARS IN FACT ARE THERE AT A LEVEL THAT ALLOWS THIS CUT TO BE IMPLEMENTED.

I DON'T THINK WE CAN GUARANTEE THAT.

I THINK THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR, WE'RE STILL COMING OFF OF AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION.

THE IMPACT WILL PROBABLY BE FELT FOR YEARS WITH COVID.

NOW WE'RE DEALING WELL WITH NOT UNPRECEDENTED, WITH A SITUATION, AN INTERNATIONAL SITUATION THAT CERTAINLY IN OUR LIFETIME WE PROBABLY HAVE NOT DEALT WITH IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY THAT -- WHERE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET HAS ALMOST AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ON THE COFFERS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

I THINK -- YOU TALKED ABOUT THE CAUTION AND PRUDENCE OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND THE SENATE, AND THEY PROBABLY, I MEAN, TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THIS TRIGGER OVER SEVEN YEARS, THAT IS A VICTORY.

>> MORE THAN JUST THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIGGER, I THINK IT IS THE PENSION.

THEY HAVE BEEN BEATING THAT DRUM A LONG TIME.

>> BECAUSE NOW THERE A BIT OF A SAFETY NET THERE FOR THE STATE.

AND AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, I THINK IT WAS, IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO, IF NECESSARY, SUSPEND A TAX CUT THAN RAISE TAXES, EVEN THOUGH WE COULD GET OUT A DICTIONARY AND ARGUE ABOUT WHETHER THE MEANING IS ONE IN THE SAME.

IT JUST IS POLITICALLY MORE SALABLE.

>> NO DIRECT BUSINESS TAX CUTS IN THE BILL, A LOSS FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

BUT THE VAST, VAST, VAST, VAST, MAJORITY OF BUSINESSES IN THE STATE PAY THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX, NOT THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX.

SO ON BALANCE, IF YOU'RE A BUSINESS IN INDIANA, ARE YOU HAPPY?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK IT'S GOING TO HELP SORT OF SMALLER BUSINESSES, THE LLCs, YOU KNOW, IN CERTAIN WAYS, BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO HELP THE BIG MANUFACTURERS, WHO WANTED THE PROPERTY TAX CUT OR SERVE THE LARGER INDUSTRIES, IT IS NOT GOING TO HELP THEM PRETTY MUCH AT ALL.

AGAIN, THEY SAW A MARKED CORPORATE TAX DECREASE FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

THEY ALREADY GOT THEIR OWN.

YES, WITH NO TRIGGER.

>> TIME NOW FOR VIEWER FEEDBACK.

EACH WEEK WE POSE AN UNSCIENTIFIC, ONLINE POLL QUESTION.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: IF A LITTLE WORDY IS WILL MOST HOOSIERS FEEL THE IMPACT OF AN INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX CUT THAT'S SPACED OUT OVER AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS?

A, YES, B, NO.

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: DID THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE ON THE COVID-19 VACCINE EMPLOYER MANDATE BILL?

JUST 24% OF YOU SAY YES, 76%, NO.

DEMOCRATS ALL VOTED FOR THAT BILL IN THE END.

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

HOOSIERS WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO GET A PERMIT TO CARRY A HANDGUN IN PUBLIC UNDER A BILL HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

AFTER QUICK AND RELATIVELY EASY PASSAGE BY THE HOUSE THIS WEEK, THE SENATE DEBATED THE BILL ON THE FLOOR - FOR THE FIRST TIME - FOR NEARLY THREE HOURS.

>> ALMOST EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OPPOSES THE BILL.

THEY ARGUE THE PERMIT SYSTEM IS THE ONLY WAY FOR FRONTLINE OFFICERS TO KNOW WHETHER SOMEONE IS ALLOWED TO CARRY A HANDGUN.

BUT REPUBLICAN SENATOR AARON FREEMAN SAYS THE PERMIT SYSTEM IS ONLY A BURDEN ON LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE RIGHT TO CARRY.

>> SEN. AARON FREEMAN (R-INDIANAPOLIS): THE BAD GUYS, THE CRIMINALS, THE FOLKS WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD THAT ARE PROHIBITED PERSONS ARE WALKING THE STREETS TONIGHT, IN INDIANAPOLIS, WITHOUT A PERMIT.

>> ABOUT 13 THOUSAND HOOSIERS HAD THEIR HANDGUN CARRY PERMITS REJECTED OR REVOKED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

UNDER THE BILL, OPPONENTS SAY, THEY WOULDN'T KNOW THEY'RE BARRED FROM CARRYING.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR EDDIE MELTON PLEADED WITH HIS COLLEAGUES TO REJECT THE MEASURE.

>> SEN. EDDIE MELTON (D-GARY): THIS WILL BE DANGEROUS.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A FRIEND TAKE THEIR LAST BREATH FROM GUN VIOLENCE.

>> THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE 30-20, WITH NINE REPUBLICANS JOINING DEMOCRATS AGAINST IT.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, WILL GOVERNOR HOLCOMB SIGN THIS BILL?

MANY.

>> I THINK HE'S IN A REALLY TOUGH SPOT.

SUPERINTENDENT STATE POLICE, DOUG CARTER WAS STRIDENT AND DIRECT AS I'VE SEEN ANY ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL EVER BE IN FRONT OF A COMMITTEE OR TO THE LEGISLATURE.

MORE SO THAN MOST GOVERNORS WOULD EVER BE.

MAYBE NOT MITCH DANIELS, BUT ALL THE OTHER ONES.

[LAUGHTER] SO I THINK THIS PUTS HIM IN A TOUGH SPOT, I THINK WE TALKED LAST WEEK ABOUT PROCESS, HOW THIS CAME TO BE FINISHED AT THE END AFTER THE BILL DIED.

IT WAS BOTTLED UP IN COMMITTEE A COUPLE TIMES.

YOU KNOW, YOU COULD ALSO ARGUE SENATOR COOK LAST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT SENATOR COOK DEFENDING THAT.

I THINK HE'S RIGHT TO DEFEND IT.

IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO PASS AND DIE AND COME BACK.

IT IS VERY UNUSUAL, LESS USUAL, I GUESS, FOR A BILL TO PASS OUT OF ONE CHAMBER, BE HEARD FOR NINE HOURS IN THE SECOND, GO TO THE FLOOR AND THEN BE STOPPED AND THEN COME BACK FOR ANOTHER FULL HEARING.

THEY NEVER HAD A FULL DEBATE ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE, WHICH THEY DID HAVE, WHICH IS REALLY UNUSUAL IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

FROM A PROCESS STANDPOINT, THERE PROBABLY WASN'T ANOTHER BILL DEBATED LONGER THAN THIS ONE IN PUBLIC.

FROM THE PROCESS STANDPOINT, I DON'T THINK THERE IS A VIOLATION HERE THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO -- SOME PEOPLE TRIED TO MAKE THAT ARGUMENT.

BUT I DO THINK THE GOVERNOR IS IN A TOUGH SPOT BETWEEN A LEGISLATURE THAT ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS OPPOSED THIS.

BUT STILL PRETTY EASILY PASSED IT.

AND IN A WAY THAT COULD ALSO SUSTAIN -- >> WILL HE SIGN IT?

>> I THINK HE'LL SIGN IT.

HE WOULD RATHER STAND WITH THE NRA AND THE CRAZY GUN NUTS IN HIS CAUCUS THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THIS BILL CLEARLY WILL PUT LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE IN JEOPARDY.

NOW YOU CAN GO INTO ONE OF THOSE SALES AT THE STATE FAIR, GOVERNMENT-OWNED INSTITUTION, BUY A GUN, WITH CASH, YOU DON'T NEED A BACKGROUND CHECK, YOU MAY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S ACCURATE.

>> AS LONG AS YOU'RE NOT A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED -- >> YOU'RE BUYING FROM A FIREARMS DEALER, YOU HAVE TO GET A BACKGROUND CHECK.

>> I THINK THE KIND THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT -- >> MAYBE MOST OF THEM.

BUT IT IS CLEARLY GOING TO PUT -- IT IS CLEARLY GOING TO PUT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN JEOPARDY.

AND THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR IT.

BECAUSE THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION, AND THEY'RE PERFECTLY HAPPY TO PUT ALL THE OBSTACLES IN THE FACE OF PEOPLE TRYING TO VOTE, WHICH IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT, AS WELL.

BUT NOT ANYTHING, THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO BE FINGER PRINTED.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO WEED OUT CRIMINALS FROM GETTING WEAPONS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE MENTALLY UNSTABLE, YOU WOULD THINK THOSE KINDS OF BACKGROUND CHECKS AND FINGER PRINTING WOULD BE ROUTINE, AND PEOPLE WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF THAT.

BUT NOT THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OPTIONS ARE NOT JUST SIGN AND VETO THE BILL.

THERE IS A THIRD OPTION, NIKI, WHICH YOU THINK HE IS GOING TO DO.

>> I DO THINK HE KIND OF MIGHT DO THIS.

HE'S IN A BOX.

HE'S GOING TO PUBLICLY GO AGAINST HIS OWN STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT, OR HE IS GOING TO -- IF HE VETOES THE BILL, HE BASICALLY PUTS HIS CREDIBILITY UP FOR ANY FUTURE RUN IF HE IS INTERESTED IN THE U.S. SENATE.

SO HE CAN LET IT BECOME LAW WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE, IT IS NOT A VERY POPULAR OR COURAGEOUS THING TO DO.

>> AND NOT COMMONLY USED.

>> PENCE DID IT IN 2015 ON THE GAMBLING.

>> JON SCHWANTES IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THIS BILL, SHOULD DOUG CARTER REMAIN THE STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT?

WHETHER HOLCOMB'S OR DOUG CARTER'S CHOICE.

>> HOLCOMB CERTAINLY WOULD KEEP HIM.

IT IS UP TO DOUG CARTER, WHO HAS GONE, AS YOU POINT OUT, OUT THERE ON A LIMB, APPEARING IN UNIFORM, EVEN IN THE BACK OF THE CHAIRMAN DURING THE VOTE, NOT JUST WHAT HE SAID EARLIER IN THE SESSION IN COMMITTEE, THIS HAS BEEN A DRUM BEAT HE HAS SOUNDED.

HE IS A GOOD SUPERINTENDENT.

I THINK IF I HAD TO GUESS, THE GOVERNOR WILL VETO THIS.

I THINK THAT -- HE WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO SAY, IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE SESSION, NOT JUST 100%, I'M 110% BEHIND DOUG CARTER.

>> EVEN IF I DON'T AGREE WITH HIM.

>> AND I THINK THERE IS ENOUGH HUMAN CRY FROM -- I KNOW THIS ISN'T MONOLITHIC IN TERMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, I KNOW THERE ARE POLICE CHIEFS HERE AND THERE.

>> TWO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

BUT YOU LOOK AT THE FOP, THE STATE POLICE.

ALL THE MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS, THE PENDULUM OF HISTORY, I THINK WE'RE ABOUT AS CONSERVATIVE TO THE RIGHT AS WE CAN BE.

SO HE'S NOT RUNNING FOR ANYTHING ARGUABLY PRESUMABLY UNTIL HE FINISHES HIS TERM AS GOVERNOR.

SO PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET WORSE.

I WOULD ALSO LOOK AT IT THIS WAY, IF HE SIGNED IT AND EVERYBODY GETS A GUN, THE ONLY THING THAT HAPPENED IN TERMS OF WIN AND LOSS IN TERMS OF COVERAGE AND NEWS DEVELOPMENTS, LET'S HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN, THE POLICE OFFICER WHO GETS KILLED, WHEN HE MAKES A TRAFFIC STOP, OR SHE MAKES A TRAFFIC STOP, OR THE PERSON WHO UNDER THE OLD REGIME WOULD NOT -- WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE 12 OR 13,000 PEOPLE REJECTED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THEN, GUESS WHAT?

THERE IS NO WIN -- >> SHOOTING A POLICE OFFICER IN A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP IS THIS LAW?

>> NO.

I'M SAYING THE COVERAGE.

IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, YOU KNOW HOW THE BUSINESS WORKS.

WHEN YOU HAVE EVERY SHOOTING IS GOING TO BE SCRUTINIZED.

>> ABSENT THIS LAW THAT PERSON WOULDN'T HAVE SHOT AND KILLED THAT OFFICER.

>> IT RAISES THE QUESTION.

>> SAY THAT HE DID.

>> POLITICAL ADVANTAGES.

>> COVERED ALL THE BASES.

>> COVERED ALL THREE OPTIONS.

VETOES, SIGN, AND LET IT PASS -- >> AND DODGE.

>> ON THE RECORD, COME ON.

>> AS REPUBLICANS FINALIZED THEIR TAX CUT PACKAGE, INDIANA DEMOCRATS THIS WEEK PROPOSED MORE IMMEDIATE RELIEF FOR HOOSIERS.

AND THAT INCLUDES A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE STATE'S GAS TAX.

>> THE REPUBLICAN TAX BILL CUTS THE STATE'S INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX BY ABOUT 10 PERCENT OVER SEVEN YEARS, MEANING THE AVERAGE HOOSIER LIKELY WON'T NOTICE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN THEIR PAYCHECK.

DEMOCRATS WANTED TO SHORTEN THAT WINDOW TO JUST FOUR YEARS.

AND SENATOR TIM LANANE SAYS THEY ALSO WANT A THREE-MONTH SUSPENSION OF THE STATE GAS TAX AND SALES TAX ON GASOLINE - WHICH COULD SAVE PEOPLE AROUND 12 DOLLARS PER FILL-UP.

>> SEN. TIM LANANE (D-ANDERSON): IT'LL PROVIDE THAT IMMEDIATE RELIEF WHEN YOU DRIVE UP AND FILL UP YOUR TANK AT THE GAS STATION.

>> DOING SO WOULD COST THE STATE AROUND 300 MILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE, MUCH OF WHICH GOES TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

REPRESENTATIVE GREG PORTER SAYS THE STATE CAN COVER THAT COST.

>> REP. GREG PORTER (D-INDIANAPOLIS): WE HAVE THE $5 BILLION SURPLUS, $200 MILLION SINCE DECEMBER.

WE HAVE THE MONEY TO BACKFILL THOSE LOST REVENUES.

>> REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS DISMISSED THE IDEA OF SUSPENDING THOSE GAS TAXES.

>> JON SCHWANTES, IS SUSPENDING THE GAS TAX AND/OR THE SALES TAX ON GAS SOMETHING YOU THINK GOV.

HOLCOMB WILL CONSIDER?

>> I'M SURE HE'S CONSIDERING IT, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE POLITICALLY POPULAR.

WE LOOK AT WHAT FRANK O'BANNON DID BACK IN 2000, I BELIEVE IT WAS, WHEN WE HAD THIS HUGE INCREASE IN -- SPIKE.

>> A DOLLAR 80.

>> IF EVENLY WE COULD GO BACK TO THOSE DAYS.

THAT WAS THE POINT.

I REMEMBER FRANK O'BANNON SAYING, THERE ARE THREE THINGS ON MY AGENDA BARRING THE OLD REAL ESTATE LOCATION, LOCATION, HE SAID THE THREE THINGS THAT MATTER TO HOOSIERS, GAS PRICES, GAS PRICES, GAS PRICES.

HE WON ELECTION AFTER THAT, A FEW MONTHS LATER.

HOWEVER, THIS ISSUE CAME UP AGAIN WITH MITCH DANIELS, HIS GENERAL COUNSEL WHEN HE WAS GOVERNOR, WHEN THERE WAS A PUSH TO DO THIS, PAT BAUER DEMOCRAT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WE NEED TO DO WHAT FRANK O'BANNON DID.

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL COUNSEL SAID I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY, AND THEY REQUESTED AN OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AND CHIEF DEPUTY GREG ZELLER, LATER WOULD BECOME -- THE TOP JOB, SAID NO, YOU DON'T.

UNDER THE 1981 LAW THAT HE CITED IN DECLARING THIS EMERGENCY.

WHETHER HE THINKS IT IS A GOOD IDEA OR NOT, HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO.

I ALSO WOULD SUGGEST IT IS PROBABLY VOTERS HAVE SHORT MEMORIES.

AND DO THEY -- I MEAN, THE PRICES WILL COME DOWN.

>> NOT GOING TO COME DOWN FOR THE TIME BEING.

>> BUT I WONDER IF YOU GET THE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.

>> ARE YOU A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT LAWMAKERS -- >> WE HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, FIVE BILLION DOLLARS, AND WE WANT TO HELP HOOSIERS NOW.

WE PASSED SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T HELP ANYONE NOW.

MAYBE A COUPLE MONTHS FROM NOW.

MAYBE JULY.

AND THEN THEY -- THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MASSIVELY POPULAR.

ONLY COST 300 MILLION.

I REALIZE I SAID ONLY, IN THE SCHEME OF WHAT THE STATE HAS ON HAND.

>> IT WOULD TAKE THE UPCOMING SURPLUS, THE RESERVE FROM FIVE BILLION TO FOUR POINT SEVEN.

>> [CROSS TALKING] COULD HAVE INCLUDED IT AS PART OF IT.

>> I AGREE, YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> IMMEDIATELY HELPED PEOPLE.

>> EXACTLY.

I THINK THE SALES TAX, BY ITSELF, WE'VE LOWERED IT TO BELOW $4 A GALLON WITH THAT.

I'M A LITTLE RELUCTANT ON THE GAS TAX, IT DOES GO TO ROADS AND DRIVING ON THESE ROADS.

>> YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO GIVE IT UP, JUST USE THE SURPLUS MONEY.

>> YOU COULD DO THAT.

IT'S THE SENSIBLE THING, AND REPRESENTATIVE PORTER, AND SENATOR LANANE ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

I HATE TO SAY IT, IT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLICANS BEING DEVOID OF IDEAS.

THAT HELPS THE AVERAGE HOOSIER.

IT DOESN'T HELP THE BIG BUSINESSES IN THE RICH PEOPLE AS MUCH.

>> I KNOW, BUT... >> IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME KIND OF IMPACT AS SOMEBODY MAKING $2,000 A MONTH.

IT JUST DOESN'T.

IF YOU PAY ANOTHER QUARTER FOR GAS, IT IS NOT GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN, SHOULD -- OTHER STATES ARE DOING THIS, I THINK I SAW GEORGIA, A COUPLE OTHERS IN THESE PAST FEW DAYS, ANNOUNCED THEY WERE SUSPENDING A VERSION OF THEIR GAS TAX.

SHOULD INDIANA DO, OR SHOULD THEY HAVE DONE THIS?

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A REAL LOOK AT IT.

GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN GOING UP.

THE WHITE HOUSE -- IN RUSSIA, IT'S BEEN GOING UP FOR MONTHS.

BUT, YEAH, THEY SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT IT.

IT IS A FLAT CENTS ON THE DOLLAR.

IRONICALLY, THE IMPACT IS DIMINISHED THE HIGHER GAS PRICES ARE.

>> THE SALES TAX IS THE BIGGER DEAL.

>> BECAUSE OF THE PERCENT, RIGHT.

THEY OUGHT TO LOOK AT THAT PIECE OF IT, TOO.

I'M INTERESTED, THOUGH, TO SEE THE STATES THAT HAVE DOES THIS, AND INDIANA JOINS THEM.

SEE HOW LONG GAS PRICES STAY WHERE THEY ARE, HOW DO YOU PUT IT BACK?

THE POLITICS OF SUSPENDING ARE ARE UNIVERSALLY POPULAR.

HEY, WE JUST FLUSHED A MILLION DOLLARS OF ROAD MONEY OUT THE WINDOW.

AND WE REALLY NEED IT BACK.

>> THAT'S WHY YOU NEED A GAS TAX AND TRIGGER IT TO WHEN THE GAS PRICES DROP TO $3.50.

>> YOU CAN'T PUT A TRIGGER IN LAW TO CUT TAXES.

>> ONCE IT DROPS TO THREE DOLLARS FIFTY, ALL BETS ARE OFF.

>> MAYBE YOU CAN GET A PACKAGE DEAL AT THE SUPREME COURT.

ALREADY ONE GOING TO BE HEARD IN APRIL.

DISCOUNT ON A BONUS FOR A TWOFER.

>> FISCAL CONSERVATIVISM.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WRAPPED UP ITS 2022 SESSION THIS WEEK, SO IT'S TIME TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT WENT.

NIKI KELLY, FIRST: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE SESSION?

>> OKAY.

SO I'M GOING TO NOT PICK A BILL, PER SE.

BUT THE BIGGEST STORY WAS WATCHING HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICANS BUTT HEADS.

IT WAS FASCINATING.

AND ON SO MANY DIFFERENT BILLS.

WHETHER IT BE THE TAX BILL OR THE EDUCATION CURRICULUM BILL OR THE VACCINE MANDATE BILL.

JUST SO MANY TIMES.

>> OR THE GUN BILL.

>> YEAH.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSHING SO FAR AND FAST.

AND SENATE REPUBLICANS SAYING, WHOA, YOU KNOW, LET'S PULL THIS BACK A LITTLE.

THAT WAS DEFINITELY THE STORY OF THE SESSION.

>> AND IF THOSE OUT THERE LISTENING TO PUBLIC BROADCASTING, THAT'S EXACTLY THE POINT -- >> A JON SCHWANTES LEVEL PLUG.

>> YOU HAVE TO DO A LITTLE MORE PLUGGING TO GET TO MY LEVEL.

>> JON SCHWANTES.

>> THE THINLY VEILED DISTRUST OR DISDAIN THAT MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAVE MORE STATE AGENCIES, FOR LOCAL EXPERTISE, EVEN LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

SEEMS TO BE -- NOT ALL OF THESE THINGS PASSED, MIND YOU, I'VE SEEN SEVERAL SESSIONS, BASICALLY DON'T YOU TRY TO DO SOMETHING, YOU MAY HAVE THE EXPERTISE IN A GIVEN AREA, WHETHER SOME OBSCURE THING WITH HOW MANY PARTS OF MILLION OF THIS CONSTITUTES DANGEROUS AIR QUALITY, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT, DON'T TROUBLE YOUR PRETTY LITTLE HEAD.

>> MIKE O'BRIEN.

>> TO BUILD ON WHAT NIKI SAID, THE HOUSE PUSHED A LOT OF ISSUES THAT THEY SUPPORT, OF COURSE, BUT ALSO WERE POPULAR IN THE PRIMARY TO DEFEND AGAINST.

23 PRIMARIES AGAINST -- AND COMING FROM THE FAR RIGHT.

JON'S COMMENT, HOW MUCH MORE CONSERVATIVE CAN IT GET?

GIVE US A MINUTE.

AND I THINK THE SENATE REPUBLICANS SLOWED THAT DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE I THINK HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE WALKING AWAY SAYING YOU BEAT OUR MOST CONSERVATIVE IDEAS THAT WE -- THAT IN PART WE WERE GOING TO RUN ON.

AND YOU MAY HAVE ENSURED YOU HAVE A MORE FAR RIGHT HOUSE.

>> THE EFFECT OF GERRYMANDERING.

IT'S TRUE.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S THAT, AND THEN THE WHOLE BROUHAHA ABOUT 1034.

>> OR 1134.

>> 1134.

I THINK WE LOOK TERRIBLE IN THE NATIONAL IMAGE.

>> BIGGEST WINNER AND LOSER?

>> JEEZ, SENATE REPUBLICANS IN THAT THEY PLAY DEFENSIVE REALLY WELL.

AND I WOULD SAY HOLCOMB IS PROBABLY A LITTLE DOWN.

THEY DIDN'T GIVE HIM THE ONLY TAX INCREASE HE ASKED FOR.

>> ENVIRONMENT GROUPS DIDN'T GET EVERYTHING BUT THEY AVOIDED A State police and the forces, that combatted this open carry >> Win or lose.

>> EMINE BOZ: I FORCES THAT COMBATTED A SUBSTANTIAL CUT PACKAGE, AND IS LEAVING PUBLIC SERVICE AT A TIME WHEN HE IS RESPECTED BY ALL SIDES.

biggest loser.

>> I think we were all winners, I think we had a wonderful.

>> Very.

>> NRA, AND LOSER, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PRICK 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.

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

♪♪ >> THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE >> THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE PANELISTS.

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