Indiana Week In Review

Todd Rokita threatens to sue Gary, East Chicago, West Lafayette and Monroe County over “sanctuary city” ban. Gubernatorial candidates Mike Braun, Jennifer McCormick, and Donald Rainwater agree to at least one televised debate. Rokita weighs in on the controversy surrounding Indianapolis’ dueling soccer stadium plans, with the Indy Eleven stadium in question as the City-County Council seeks to build a Major League Soccer stadium. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Elise Shrock, Republican Chris Mitchem, Lindsey Erdody of Axios Local, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers.

Donald Trump found guilty in the New York business records case. A court hears final arguments on Indiana’s near-total abortion ban. Indiana spends nearly half a billion dollars on private schools through the voucher program, even though nearly 70% of students have no record of attending an Indiana public school. Indiana Public Broadcasting digital editor Lauren Chapman is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Ebony Chappel of Free Press Indiana to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Families of medically complex children sue the FSSA to stop Medicaid changes that would impact their ability to provide care. Literacy training requirements for teachers change after backlash from educators. All counties in Indiana opt into the state public health initiative to address immunizations, chronic disease prevention, and maternal and child health issues. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Ali Bartlett, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss this week’s top stores.

The ACLU sues Purdue University’s board of trustees over a new state law impacting tenure. Jim Banks attends a Mar-A-Lago fundraising lunch for Donald Trump that was largely viewed as an audition for potential running mates. A look ahead at this summer’s legislative study committees, who will be looking into issues ranging from school absenteeism to homeowners associations. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Chris Mitchem, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Kayla Dwyer of the Indianapolis Star to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Mike Braun wins the GOP gubernatorial primary and names political newcomer Julie McGuire as his running mate. Democrat Valerie McCray becomes the first Black woman to be a nominee for U.S. Senate in Indiana history.

Indiana University students protest Israel’s war in Gaza. Marijuana reclassification plans put pressure on the Indiana General Assembly to legalize use. A grassroots organization meets with the FSSA and Governor Holcomb over planned Medicaid cutbacks.

The final GOP gubernatorial primary debate sees sparks fly between candidates and moderator Jon Schwantes. The Indiana State Teachers Association pushes back on the state Department of Education’s science of reading training. Indiana’s largest teachers union endorses Democrat Jennifer McCormick for governor. 

Indiana’s six-way GOP primary is now the most expensive in state history, with over $35 million spent by candidates so far. Indiana University’s Bloomington faculty have overwhelmingly voted no confidence in IU President Pamela Whitten. An IndyStar report claims the state Democratic Party largely ignored sexual harassment allegations against state Senator Niezgodski. 

ReCenter Indiana, a centrist group aimed at moderating state government, asks democrats to vote in the GOP primary. Governor Holcomb announces new READI grant recipients, distributing $500 million to programs across the state. Hoosiers with disabilities or who wish to age in place will have a harder time accessing the Aged and Disabled waiver from the FSSA. 

An appeals court rules the state’s near-total abortion ban likely violates RFRA protections, siding with a trial court. South Korean tech company SK Hynix to build its first U.S. semiconductor plant at Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette. Mike Braun’s U.S. Senate campaign receives the second-largest fine in Senate campaign history over disclosure irregularities. 

Governor Eric Holcomb calls for Republican gubernatorial candidates to provide details on their positions on issues commonly addressed by the office of the governor. Controversial funding changes for the Indiana Gaming Commission. Todd Rokita presents a report claiming the state used “faulty” data to justify the Stay-At-Home order at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Gov. Holcomb vetoes a bill that would define and ban antisemitism in Indiana public schools. Gubernatorial candidate Brad Chambers unveils his economic plan. Fellow candidate Jamie Reitenour decries her exclusion from televised debate. Mike Braun picks up what could be a key endorsement for his own campaign for governor. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O'Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

The first GOP gubernatorial primary debate as Mike Braun, Brad Chambers, Suzanne Crouch, Eric Doden, Curtis Hill, and Jamie Reitenour vie for their party’s nomination. A compromise struck on the antisemitism bill removes the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s examples of antisemitism. Disqualification language for attorney general candidates removed from final bill. 

Mike Braun leads in a Republican gubernatorial primary poll. Indiana’s public access counselor could see a significant change in duties and indefinite term limits in a bill headed to Holcomb’s desk. The state legislature approves a bill limiting the governor’s ability to extend statewide disaster emergency declarations. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O’Brien, Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

John Rust is removed from the Republican senate primary ballot after both the Indiana Election Commission and the Indiana Supreme Court rule against him. New limits on debt protections for Hoosiers as the statute of limitations on bank charge disputes lowers from six years to two. Public pension recipients will not receive a 13th check for the second year in a row. 

The Senate GOP seeks to enshrine new protections for gun makers and sellers, in an effort to kill a lawsuit by the city of Gary. A senate committee unanimously approves new wording for the antisemitism bill to clarify that it does not bar criticism aimed at the state of Israel. A proposal for limits on attorney general candidates who face sanctions from the state Supreme Court. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Mike O’Brien, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Whitney Downard of the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Republican lawmakers propose tenure changes to higher education and seek trustee appointments on university boards. The Indiana Supreme Court hears arguments in a ballot access lawsuit to determine if John Rust can run for senate on the Republican ticket. U.S. House Republicans impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on their second try by a single vote. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Ann DeLaney, Republican Chris Mitchem, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

Victoria Spartz reverses course on reelection, announcing she will run for another term. A bill repealing wetlands protections heads to Governor Holcomb’s desk this week, without input from wetlands experts or advocates. Todd Rokita launches an online platform that will allow anyone to submit perceived examples of race, gender, and political ideologies being taught in public schools. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Lindsay Haake, Republican Mike O’Brien, Oseye Boyd of Mirror Indy, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

The Indiana House approves a bill to roll back child care regulations for unlicensed providers. A tenant protection bill failed in a Senate committee, with at least one senator arguing that it does not contain protections for landlords. A bill to update state Medicaid policy was not called down for a House floor vote, failing to meet a deadline to advance. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Democrat Elis Shrock, Republican Mike O’Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers, and Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle to debate and discuss this week’s top stories.

State Senate committee advances legislation that would allow religious chaplains to serve as public school counselors. House lawmakers consider legislation to scale back child labor laws in order to bring them in-line with federal regulations. Three virtual school administrators arrested for alleged scheme to defraud the Indiana Department of Education of over $44 million. Host Brandon Smith is joined by Republican Mike O’Brien, Democrat Ann DeLaney, Niki Kelly of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, and Jon Schwantes of Indiana Lawmakers to debate and discuss some of this week’s top stories.