1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:03,280 Speaker 1: Where you work and who you work with matters. I'm 2 00:00:03,320 --> 00:00:06,600 Speaker 1: doctor Jim Dalton, President and CEO of daymar We're dedicated 3 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 1: to helping vulnerable kids and adults with disabilities. Right now, 4 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 1: we're looking for tough people with big hearts, people who 5 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:15,640 Speaker 1: don't think twice about standing up for someone else, and 6 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: who love seeing others grow and succeed. Is your job 7 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: ful filling emotionally or are you just filling time? Learn 8 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:24,440 Speaker 1: more about open positions at daymark dot org. 9 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 2: Statthof's Happenings also wants to thank our fine friends at 10 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 2: Freedom Foods Indiana. Farmer Ryan Schliman and the folks at 11 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 2: Freedom Foods Indiana have been delivering fresh fruits and vegetables 12 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 2: right to people's doors for years, and Freedom Foods Indiana 13 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 2: is a big supporter of State House Happenings. Now, Freedom 14 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 2: Foods Indiana has some big things coming. We can't wait 15 00:00:44,040 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 2: to tell you all about it in the near future. 16 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 2: Right now, though, we just want to say thanks to 17 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,519 Speaker 2: our friends at Freedom Foods Indiana for supporting State House Happenings. 18 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 2: Rob Kendall, Abdula Keepshaba's, Jim Merritt, the program and State 19 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:56,840 Speaker 2: House Happening is your weekly look at what's going on 20 00:00:56,920 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 2: with Indiana politics and government. Before we begin the program, 21 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 2: let's meet the award winning panel. You know him from 22 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 2: thirty years in the Indiana Senate, the Great Jim Merritt. Hello, Robert, 23 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:06,959 Speaker 2: and you know him as the owner and operator of 24 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 2: Indie politics dot org. 25 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 3: Keep shabaz. Hello, this building looks different. 26 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:13,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, well that of all showing up to work, so 27 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:15,120 Speaker 2: that's clearly not your thing. 28 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 3: Welcome to the new Urban one studio, third of December. Yes, yes, 29 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 3: you have it all right. Uh and you've been so missed. 30 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 2: All right, So let's start with the session is as 31 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 2: reconvened the Indiana General Assembly. 32 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:30,639 Speaker 3: Back in action. 33 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:33,199 Speaker 2: Jim Marrett, I'll start with you. Because you spent thirty 34 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 2: years in the Indiana Senate. There have to be some 35 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: hard feelings. It's just human nature between the Indiana Senators, 36 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 2: the Republican Senators and Governor Mike Braun based on the 37 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 2: way he treated them during redistricting. Obviously it was the 38 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 2: disaster for Braun. But this has to just has to 39 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 2: spill over into the session because these people are going 40 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 2: to forget. I mean, he tried to bully them and 41 00:01:56,480 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 2: dimdate them. Threaten to primary them. This to be some 42 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:02,559 Speaker 2: some awkwardness, right. 43 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think so. And uh, it's going to be 44 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 4: really interesting when we see the State of the State 45 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 4: speech coming up relatively soon, it's the next week or two. 46 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 4: I'm sure it's usually in the first two weeks. 47 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 2: You get tickets when you were senator, like an extra 48 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 2: ticket here, you can give this to a friend. 49 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 4: Robert or I would never invite you as my guest. Yeah, 50 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 4: I know, that's why you would need security. 51 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, but so did you. 52 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 2: That's my question is did you Was I not invited 53 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 2: by choice of you or did they just not give 54 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 2: you the tickets? 55 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:35,800 Speaker 4: No, every every state center, every separate state representative would 56 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 4: have a ticket to have a guest. And uh and 57 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 4: and as eb Duel knows, before the speech, there are 58 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:44,840 Speaker 4: a lot of parties, or at least there used to 59 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 4: be five years ago when I was there going on six. 60 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 3: But U did y'all have a couple of drinks the speeches? Yeah? 61 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, to make it through the speeches. But uh, yeah 62 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 4: it Uh. The relationship between the legislature and Room two 63 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 4: US six Governor Braun's office is is dicey. It's very 64 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 4: very thin right now. And uh, and it's not just 65 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 4: this past December. Uh, the relationship has been rocky almost 66 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 4: from the beginning. And UH. If you recall the Brown people, 67 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 4: UH were advertising against several members of Mile Caucus about 68 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:30,760 Speaker 4: some situations with property taxes and whatnot. 69 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:34,000 Speaker 5: And that was one day and they said that was 70 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 5: quickly squashed and and so so so it's almost like 71 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 5: a president running against Congress and uh and that and 72 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 5: we we haven't seen that in Indiana. 73 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 4: Evan By uh didn't even do that in the early 74 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 4: nineties and in different parties, right and uh and and 75 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 4: but so anyway, it's this this legislation, legislative session will 76 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 4: do resolved quickly. They'll be out before February twenty fifth. 77 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 4: I participated in a session that ended on February fourteenth, 78 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 4: I think that was nineteen ninety four. 79 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 3: So you were just stealing money from people that year. 80 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 2: I mean you're working a month, right, Well, I mean, look, 81 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 2: the statute of limitations has expired us quite, you're just 82 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 2: stealing money. 83 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:26,200 Speaker 3: I worked hard that so yeah, okay, I'm duel. 84 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 2: So this is the other side of this is Braun 85 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 2: has totally I mean he threw the whole kit and 86 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 2: kaboodle at these people. 87 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 3: Right, I'm gonna primary you. 88 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 2: There's gonna be there's gonna be ramifications of the federal government, 89 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 2: hen't you know these rallies. I mean, these people have 90 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 2: to remember all of this that they go to work 91 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:45,479 Speaker 2: this year. 92 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 6: I always say in politics, people forgive, but they don't forget. Yeah, 93 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,599 Speaker 6: that's the line that I tend to use. And number two, 94 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:54,839 Speaker 6: it's like you got into a fight with your wife 95 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 6: that day. It was really really bad fight, and so 96 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 6: at dinner time, the only way to get over it 97 00:04:58,440 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 6: is don't bring it up ever again. 98 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 3: Yeah. 99 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 4: I always say, though, you can't have a memory in politics, 100 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 4: because there's always something to work on the next day, 101 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 4: and you may need a partner. 102 00:05:10,680 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 6: The toes your step on the day we connect to 103 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,039 Speaker 6: the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. So I'll always 104 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 6: tell people just kind of kind of watch your step 105 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 6: in the in the in this building. A family program, right, yes, yes, 106 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:26,919 Speaker 6: a Manson family program. But I do think though you 107 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 6: won't see like major repercuris. Like I say, the governor's 108 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 6: agenda is dead. I think it's maybe done silently, you know, 109 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 6: done quietly. Sure you know this thing doesn't happen here. 110 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 6: This doesn't happen here. And as far as uh talking 111 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 6: primary challenges, I'm still hearing, matter of fact, heard this yesterday, 112 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:45,600 Speaker 6: UH that Josh Kelly is out trying to recruit candidates 113 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 6: to primary you know, some of those Senate Republicans who 114 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 6: didn't vote for redistrict. But here's the thing, though, there's 115 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 6: only like three of them who are technically up who 116 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 6: have primary challenges, because remember half the Senate is up 117 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:59,480 Speaker 6: and so a lot of tho folks don't have primary challenges. 118 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 6: Now we will starting today because today is the first 119 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 6: day no defile as we record this program on Wednesday. 120 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 2: And I will say this, Jim, you can add onto 121 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,919 Speaker 2: this as you had many a primary challenge over the years, 122 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 2: and you won all of them. 123 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:14,600 Speaker 3: That's why we have you. 124 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:18,200 Speaker 2: On this program, your own natural born winner. And as 125 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 2: somebody who once pondered running for state Senate, look for me, 126 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 2: when I was looking at doing it, it was going 127 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:25,920 Speaker 2: to be a year and a half endeavor, like we 128 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:27,360 Speaker 2: were starting a year and a half at a time. 129 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:29,480 Speaker 2: I started looking at it and finally had an opportunity 130 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:30,919 Speaker 2: to come back to this. I so that sounds like 131 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 2: a much better deal for me. But the idea that 132 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 2: you're in three months going to throw together a Senate 133 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 2: campaign and you're going to get a groundswell support and 134 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:42,800 Speaker 2: like you're going to beat a long standing incumbent. 135 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 3: That's just not happening. 136 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 2: I mean that they're ridiculous if I think they're going 137 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 2: to pull that off across the state over an issue 138 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 2: that people were against, which is redistricting. 139 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:54,800 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think, I think, and I've talked to several 140 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,600 Speaker 4: people at the state House about those primary challenges. They 141 00:06:57,640 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 4: are not going to work this time. The Uh, the 142 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 4: incumbents are going to win their primaries and and I 143 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 4: don't see a strong primary challenge to any of my 144 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 4: old caucus members. 145 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 3: Uh. 146 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 4: No incumbent will have a strong candidate against them. And 147 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 4: I think that's one of the reasons why, is because Uh, 148 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 4: they've you know, in politics, if you're certain and if 149 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 4: you're clear and and you and you come across as transparent. Uh, 150 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 4: primary challenges don't work. Very few primary challenges in my 151 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 4: thirty years worked and uh, and and this time it 152 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 4: is no different. 153 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 2: Think about this though, if I'd have seen it through, 154 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 2: because we would have wanted easily, I. 155 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 3: Would have been your colleague. Yes, you would have had 156 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 3: to be around me all day and. 157 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 7: My microphone your face. 158 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 4: But I'm here to tell you, Robert, there were there 159 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 4: were a lot harder cases. 160 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:57,520 Speaker 2: Okay, So the one that you mentioned the agenda, and 161 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:01,160 Speaker 2: this is that we're recording this on Wednesday. Braun was 162 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 2: on Hammer and Nigel on Tuesday and he's just pretty 163 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 2: like matter of factly kind of just like, yeah, we're 164 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 2: not doing property taxes this year. Now he said, well, 165 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 2: there are gonna be some minor things to help the 166 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 2: cities or the schools, but in terms of he spent 167 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 2: the past year telling people we're coming back next year. 168 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 2: This is the first step, as up my sleeve. And 169 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 2: then he just and he does this all the time, 170 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 2: or he'll say one thing and then some time later 171 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 2: I'll go, now, we're not doing that, Like how does 172 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 2: how like somebody needs to have a like a like 173 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 2: a sit down with him because that is going to 174 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,520 Speaker 2: make so many people mad, not only what he said yesterday, 175 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 2: but the way he said it. 176 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 4: Well, we're gonna regardless of what he said on the radio, 177 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:52,440 Speaker 4: we're gonna know exactly what he wants to do with 178 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 4: the state of State speech, and that's gonna set the table, 179 00:08:56,480 --> 00:09:02,240 Speaker 4: and and and frankly, the Braun administration probably can have 180 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:06,080 Speaker 4: a bogie if you will, with with this this coming session, 181 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:09,680 Speaker 4: because it really doesn't mean anything. You're not spending money, 182 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 4: you you really it's a band aid type of session. 183 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 3: And I know this and you know this. 184 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 2: But the problem is he spent the past year telling 185 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:22,040 Speaker 2: that he's you know, he's totally manipulated these well intended 186 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 2: conservative activist people that are meeting with him on the 187 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 2: regular and he's told all these people, you know, he's 188 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:28,679 Speaker 2: gonna do this. 189 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:30,960 Speaker 6: I don't think they've bey manipulated. I think they're here, 190 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 6: they hear what they want to hear. 191 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:33,440 Speaker 3: Well, I've tried. 192 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:37,079 Speaker 6: It's like it's if I could get my conspiracy hat 193 00:09:37,080 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 6: for just a second. Here on the planet Mars, there's 194 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:42,600 Speaker 6: like the face of Mars. It's really just lights and 195 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:45,040 Speaker 6: shadows is all it is. And I remember Carl Sagan 196 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:47,439 Speaker 6: saying some about the conspiracy there is. They'll see everything 197 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:50,960 Speaker 6: except what's actually there. And as far as property tax 198 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,640 Speaker 6: reform goes, it's a process. It's gonna be a two 199 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 6: to three year process. It's not gonna be done overnight. 200 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 6: And as far as any money goes, that's not going 201 00:09:57,280 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 6: to happen until twenty twenty seven because that's when the 202 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:01,719 Speaker 6: budget year comes in. And now you give to the 203 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:05,199 Speaker 6: local governments more taxing authority for local income taxes, which 204 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 6: to me is I don't care. But at the at 205 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:10,440 Speaker 6: the end of the day, if if any if anybody 206 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 6: expecting property tax reform to happen in any in the 207 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 6: eight weeks that we have, you know, starting started earlier 208 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 6: this week, I got a bridge in Brooklyn. 209 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 7: I like to sell you well. 210 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 4: Also, you know, in this session with being eight weeks, uh, 211 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 4: there are a lot of committees that will be able 212 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 4: to hold one committee hearing and usually if you have 213 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 4: any type of uh you know, uh, earth moving legislation, 214 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:38,079 Speaker 4: you need two or three committee hearings to hear from 215 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 4: the public number one, and to get the get the 216 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:41,960 Speaker 4: issue through and. 217 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 2: So yeah, but they did that out the door last 218 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 2: year when they just started like making new people the 219 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 2: trustees that I you, I mean, they there was so 220 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:50,679 Speaker 2: much stuff at the end of the sessions. 221 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 3: People were like, what what is this? Where did this? 222 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 2: I mean, I agree with you, it's supposed to be 223 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 2: that way, good government would make it that way. But 224 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 2: now these Republicans and brown are just like, we do 225 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 2: whatever we want at the end, we don't need to 226 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:03,840 Speaker 2: hear from you people. 227 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:05,559 Speaker 6: But the last session, I would argue was the biggest 228 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,800 Speaker 6: anomaly I've ever seen in like twenty something nine years 229 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 6: in this place, so comparing previous sessions in this session 230 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 6: to last session. 231 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 4: But you gotta Rob doesn't have a point say that. Again, 232 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 4: Rob does have a point that anything can happen at 233 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:23,960 Speaker 4: the end of that session, and we've seen it. We've 234 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 4: seen it, and in regardless of the meaningless of this session, 235 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 4: something could happen. I mean, you always like to talk about. 236 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 8: February February surprise, yes, and so Rob, you are right, 237 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 8: there could be surprises on February fourteenth, and when they 238 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 8: signed you to die on the twenty fifth or whatever 239 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:45,800 Speaker 8: that is, Katie bar the door that would argue the 240 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 8: February surprise actually happened in December. 241 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:51,319 Speaker 4: It was a surprise. 242 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:55,319 Speaker 1: One of the most incredible journeys I've witnessed, seeing people 243 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:58,960 Speaker 1: with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, get the care 244 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: they deserves. Life changing, A not for profits started by 245 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 1: Families for Families DeMar helps thousands in Central Indiana, live 246 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:10,200 Speaker 1: more joyful and independent lives. You can help bring hope 247 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:13,120 Speaker 1: to countless families in Indiana with a donation to support 248 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:15,720 Speaker 1: our work. Visit daymar dot org to learn more. 249 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 2: State House Happenings also wants to thank our fine friends 250 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 2: at Freedom Foods Indiana. Farmer Ryan Schleiman and the folks 251 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 2: at Freedom Foods Indiana have been delivering fresh fruits and 252 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:29,240 Speaker 2: vegetables right to people's doors for years and Freedom Foods 253 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 2: Indiana is a big supporter of State House Happenings. Now, 254 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 2: Freedom Foods Indiana has some big things coming. We can't 255 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:37,040 Speaker 2: wait to tell you all about it in the near future. 256 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 2: Right now, though, we just want to say thanks to 257 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:42,680 Speaker 2: our friends at Freedom Foods Indiana for supporting State House Happenings. 258 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 2: Rob Kidle will keep Jabaz Jim Merrett the program of 259 00:12:45,280 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 2: State House Happening. He's your weekly look at what's going 260 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 2: on with Indiana politics and governments. So there was a 261 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 2: fascinating article that came out yesterday in the Indiana Capitol 262 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:56,920 Speaker 2: Chronicle and I saw Wish TV ed re shared it 263 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 2: and it involves road fund in Indiana. Now, there are 264 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 2: so many layers to this story, so I'll do my 265 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:06,680 Speaker 2: best to work through it and then go to you guys. 266 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 3: So the story in. 267 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:11,280 Speaker 2: The Capitol Chronicle is basically about how in dot has 268 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 2: come to the Transportation Committee in the House, Jim Pressel 269 00:13:15,480 --> 00:13:20,439 Speaker 2: is the chairman, and said, hey, we're kind of. 270 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 3: Out of resources. 271 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 2: So there's three hundred projects that are either going to 272 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 2: be scrapped or delayed or put on hold. 273 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 3: It definitely. 274 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 2: But then in the core of this story, well that's 275 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 2: sort of the headline of the story, and the core of 276 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 2: the story is the really interesting part of this. They 277 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 2: announced that the Mid States Corridor Project is going forward. 278 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 2: Now again, bear with me here because we've been talking 279 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:43,440 Speaker 2: about this all week on our show. 280 00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 3: It's the year of the Listener. 281 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 2: By the way, in the Kendall and Casey Show, in 282 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:50,319 Speaker 2: which we have dedicated our whole program to helping expose 283 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 2: the rotten, horrible things these people are doing in Indiana 284 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 2: government on behalf of the Listener. As part of this 285 00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 2: Mid State's Corridor project. For the people who are not familiar, 286 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 2: is this plan to connect I sixty four to I 287 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 2: sixty nine in southwest Indiana, and it runs through the 288 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 2: heart of this project. It's a multi billion dollar project. 289 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 7: So basically save you ten minutes off your trip, right. 290 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,400 Speaker 2: I mean it is a ridiculous amount of money for 291 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 2: very little perceived value. Now the people down there don't 292 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,200 Speaker 2: want it, Oh, don't want it. It's Dubois County is 293 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 2: the heart of the project. Du Bois County course is 294 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,320 Speaker 2: the home county of Mike braun And we'll come back 295 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 2: to this story in a second. But of dul I 296 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 2: know you covered this, many other people covered this. There 297 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:36,320 Speaker 2: was a poll that came out, you know, professional, very expensive, 298 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 2: well done poll that showed in Mike Bron's home county, 299 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 2: sixty two percent of the people disapprove of the job 300 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 2: he's doing in his home county. And when you talk 301 00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 2: to the people who conducted the bull they'll say it's 302 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 2: related to Braunze support of this Mid State's corridor project. 303 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 6: Exactly because I've been having some conversations while we're on 304 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 6: vacation and people would took down and telling me, Abduel, 305 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 6: nobody wants this, nobody asks for this, nobody wants a 306 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 6: Missakes corridor. 307 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:03,120 Speaker 1: No. 308 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 6: Then one person like no, I take that back. There's 309 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 6: one person who wants to Missake corridor, and that's Governor 310 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 6: Mike Bron, because I guess technically the way it'd run 311 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 6: to go through like either land of his or the 312 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 6: property of his, or you're like warehouses of his. 313 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 2: Well, this is the what people are have the antenna 314 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 2: up on is. 315 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 3: Of course, Mike Braun. 316 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 2: Made a fortune in the distribution industry, the logistics industry. 317 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 2: Meyer Distributing, I think is the name of the company, 318 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 2: and he has been he being Mike Bron has been 319 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 2: an ardent supporter of this, going all the way back 320 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 2: to his time in the State House, which was what 321 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 2: twelve years ago, And so people are looking this go 322 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 2: going wait a second. You have this project with this 323 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 2: enormous expense, very little perceived value to the average person. 324 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 2: The people who would get benefit out of it are 325 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 2: people in the trucking, distribution logistics industry. And you have 326 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:01,120 Speaker 2: the governor who is dead set on doing this despite 327 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 2: intense opposition in his home county. 328 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 3: Jim. People have all sorts of red flags about this thing, 329 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 3: and I think they should. 330 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 4: Well knowing that. Uh, when you when you look at 331 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 4: three hundred projects, because Inda invests an incredible amount of 332 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 4: time and effort into these three hundred projects that are 333 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 4: either being put on hold or stimied and and that 334 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 4: is that that's what really hit me, uh, because it's 335 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 4: you've heard me on this program talk about so many 336 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 4: times about, you know, the gas tax. You and I've 337 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:36,960 Speaker 4: always had an argument about the gas tax and increasing it, 338 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 4: and I always think of that as being a user 339 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 4: fee rather than taking out the general fund and and 340 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 4: and and so that is chilling to me because everybody 341 00:16:49,400 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 4: in Indiana wants better roads, they want new roads, and 342 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 4: and uh and and and they look at all these 343 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 4: projects that have been on the boards and now they've 344 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 4: gone dark. That that's chilling in itself, as well as 345 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 4: the fact that when you have lower gas prices, you 346 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:11,640 Speaker 4: have lower gas taxes, and so things are I would 347 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:13,640 Speaker 4: love to see what a plan on the next five 348 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:16,400 Speaker 4: years is going to be for highways in this save Indiana. 349 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 4: And also what kind of federal funds are we depending 350 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 4: on with this mid stakes cord or. 351 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:24,239 Speaker 2: Yeah, because of dual that's the thing people say, well 352 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:27,119 Speaker 2: wait a second. And to the point of mentioning Jim Pressel, 353 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:30,360 Speaker 2: that head a transportation he said this in this article. 354 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:33,320 Speaker 2: He said, well, wait a second, I don't understand why 355 00:17:33,400 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 2: this one project with all this cost and you know 356 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 2: he didn't say this, but you could infer this very 357 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 2: little perceived. 358 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:40,800 Speaker 4: Value ad my reps and pressel. 359 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 3: A great deal is. 360 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 2: Going forward, and yet all these other projects are being stopped, 361 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:49,439 Speaker 2: and it's like, you know, people are looking at this 362 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:52,239 Speaker 2: going boy, they're sure does seem like maybe there's some 363 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:54,639 Speaker 2: smoke to this fire of Braun being for this to 364 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:57,159 Speaker 2: benefit himself once again ount of money, he'll. 365 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 6: Once again his ties back into our lawmakers, Matt the governor. 366 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 6: How they display their anger. It's little things like this, yeah, 367 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:05,600 Speaker 6: we got the chair of the chanpionship could be like, huh, 368 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 6: you know, that's a lot of money for a road 369 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 6: that not a whole lot of people are gonna use. 370 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 7: Are we sure this is the best use of our money. 371 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 7: It's it's it's it's saying the quiet part out loud. 372 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 6: And also, by the way, don't forget, during the whole 373 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 6: regigiencing back and forth between the White House and Market Street, 374 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:22,919 Speaker 6: we had one of things that was possibly in limbo 375 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 6: was gonna be that Midstate Corridor project. Okay, so federal 376 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:29,879 Speaker 6: goveryone's gonna sign off on anything, or maybe maybe maybe not. 377 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:32,080 Speaker 6: Threat be shame for you to lose that midstate corridor. 378 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:33,240 Speaker 6: Don't you think they're mister. 379 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,359 Speaker 2: Well, you just went to the next part, Jim, which 380 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 2: is braun I mean, I think it's safe to say 381 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:41,399 Speaker 2: he freaked out during redistricting. I mean the way he behaved, 382 00:18:41,920 --> 00:18:44,879 Speaker 2: even if take the professionalism or lack thereof out of it, 383 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:50,119 Speaker 2: he alienated these senators that he's going to need and 384 00:18:50,160 --> 00:18:52,240 Speaker 2: anybody announced the common sense was recognized. 385 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:54,200 Speaker 3: It's one thing that disagreements. People have disagreements. 386 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:57,200 Speaker 2: You can't be threatening to primary people that you need 387 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:59,879 Speaker 2: their votes. And now when you see because he had 388 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 2: is well, we might lose funding, but he wouldn't say 389 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 2: what it was. Now people are looking at this going oh, 390 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 2: because there's no way they can do this about the 391 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 2: federal government, both on the like permitting side, paperwork side, 392 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:12,360 Speaker 2: and of course the funding side. 393 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 7: And don't get the tolling of I seventy and people go, oh. 394 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 2: Your little pet project that would benefit you was up 395 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 2: and up, potentially up in the up in the air. 396 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 2: So that's why you wanted the redistricting somebody. It's such 397 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 2: a bad look for Braun Well. 398 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:28,880 Speaker 4: I can only speak from my own personal experiences. I've 399 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:32,480 Speaker 4: never had a governor when I was a state senator, 400 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 4: promise in a primary challenge. To me, it was always 401 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 4: somebody from a flank in the Republican Party. And I 402 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:44,240 Speaker 4: had plenty of those primaries, and and. 403 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:47,880 Speaker 6: Remember your last one, Yeah that was quite a Yes, 404 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:51,120 Speaker 6: it well my primary challenge I had then and we took. 405 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:53,680 Speaker 4: We won that with great dispatch. 406 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:56,240 Speaker 2: But they will do a state House happenings on just 407 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:57,000 Speaker 2: that primary. 408 00:19:57,680 --> 00:20:01,560 Speaker 3: It's its own episode what people going through in primary challenges. 409 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 6: I mean, the special the state House happening is undisclosed. 410 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 8: I don't know if people be interested in that not, 411 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:11,240 Speaker 8: but oh they would, they would. 412 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 2: But but the point of all this is, it certainly appears, 413 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 2: especially now that we're on it, that Braun could be 414 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:25,960 Speaker 2: potentially wanting this massive, massively expensive project with very little 415 00:20:25,960 --> 00:20:29,080 Speaker 2: perceive value, which the people of his home county can't 416 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 2: stand and don't want, and he's doing it. 417 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 3: To benefit himself. 418 00:20:32,880 --> 00:20:36,879 Speaker 2: And then you couple this with his uh esteem lieutenant 419 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 2: governor who put that tweet out about yeah Trump told 420 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:41,840 Speaker 2: me and Braun that they were going to cut funding 421 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:43,919 Speaker 2: and then quickly deleted the tweet. 422 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 3: It all. Look, I don't think it makes. 423 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:49,720 Speaker 2: You some conspiracy theorists to say something was was potentially 424 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:50,440 Speaker 2: going on here. 425 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:52,959 Speaker 6: It's Occam's raiser. It's a simple explanation, is what it 426 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 6: is you wanted? You wanted money foot, you wanted money 427 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:57,480 Speaker 6: for X, y Z, So you push the redistricting. 428 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 7: Let's just all let's just all be honest with you. 429 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 3: Well, I think it's well quickly to the point you get. 430 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:09,400 Speaker 4: Well, also succinctly, there's there's problems between the White House 431 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 4: and the State House. There's no question about what happened December, 432 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:16,639 Speaker 4: and who knows that that's going to come true in 433 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 4: the primary or federal government federal funding for different projects 434 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:27,000 Speaker 4: or whatever. It could the the White House could levy 435 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:30,000 Speaker 4: on the state of Indiana. It could happen, it might 436 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 4: not happen. But obviously twenty twenty six is going to 437 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:35,960 Speaker 4: be a very interesting year. 438 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 2: All right, Rob kent Old will keeps your Boz Jim 439 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:40,640 Speaker 2: Merritt the program State House Happening. It's your weekly look 440 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 2: at what's going on with Indiana politics and government. Okay, 441 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:48,640 Speaker 2: so this came out yesterday and we covered things going 442 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:50,639 Speaker 2: on in the entire state obviously, but we do we 443 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 2: do focus on Indianapolis as well. There is apparently a 444 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 2: grand jury now in Marion County, according to the Indianapolis 445 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:01,720 Speaker 2: Star and records that they have pulled looking in to 446 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:05,439 Speaker 2: the alleged behavior of Thomas Carl Cook, the former He's 447 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 2: deputy mayor chief of staff to Mayor Joe Hawks that 448 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:12,800 Speaker 2: related to these exposees that came out in The Indie 449 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 2: Star and Mere Indie about Thomas Carl Cook's inappropriate, alleged 450 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 2: inappropriate relationships with women that worked in city government. And 451 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 2: now this relationship that he had after he left city 452 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:32,720 Speaker 2: government with an individual who controlled where dollars were doled out. 453 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:34,880 Speaker 2: The idea that today grand this is like a new 454 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:38,119 Speaker 2: level in this story that a grand jury is supposedly 455 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:38,560 Speaker 2: not looking at it. 456 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:39,400 Speaker 4: It's about time. 457 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:42,679 Speaker 6: Well, well, first of all, this has been investigated from 458 00:22:42,760 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 6: day one, and I think it just it's just got 459 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:47,640 Speaker 6: off the radar screen for a while. But I knew 460 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:50,399 Speaker 6: for a fact that they were looking at these deals 461 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 6: that Thomas could put together his behavior with the women. 462 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 6: Now it's just been turned over to a grand jury 463 00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:58,360 Speaker 6: because in a nutshell, Ryan Miris is a county prosecutor. 464 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 6: Ryan Meriss a Democrats got number two that Thomas Cook 465 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:07,160 Speaker 6: funded Tim Murriarty's campaign against Ryan Muirs, when Ryan Mehres, 466 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:11,040 Speaker 6: when Terry Curry stepped down, So to avoid the apparents 467 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 6: of propriety, when mirrors has done, which makes perfect sense, 468 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 6: we'll just turn We'll just get everything to a grand 469 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:16,680 Speaker 6: jury and they'll just let them come back with whatever 470 00:23:16,760 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 6: is they're going to. 471 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:18,680 Speaker 3: Do because I and I don't know. I have no 472 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:20,280 Speaker 3: idea what's going on with the grand jury. And we'll get 473 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 3: back to another thing about it. Grand jury's are doing 474 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:23,320 Speaker 3: here in a second. 475 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 2: But I would think the issue with him when he 476 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:30,479 Speaker 2: left city government and then he's in this relationship with 477 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 2: this woman who has some level of control about where 478 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,240 Speaker 2: funds are going and whether or not they're going to 479 00:23:36,359 --> 00:23:39,120 Speaker 2: clients of Thomas Carl Cook, that's. 480 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:39,640 Speaker 3: The bigger deal. 481 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 2: It's it's just like I've always thought, the with the 482 00:23:43,119 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 2: Lieutenant governor and the grand jury that's looking at it. 483 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:47,560 Speaker 2: By the way, we can now dismiss the fact that 484 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 2: Ryan Meres is using the grand jury as some radical 485 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:55,280 Speaker 2: left prosecutor, like remember that was Micah Beckwito's camp. Well, 486 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:58,760 Speaker 2: this is just some political witch hunt by a radical 487 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 2: left prosecutor out to get me. 488 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:02,360 Speaker 3: Well, last time, I checked Thomas. 489 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,800 Speaker 2: Carl Cook ain't a conservative and he ate a republic. 490 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 3: So we can put that to. 491 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:08,480 Speaker 7: Bed right right to the radical right prosecutor. 492 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 9: Yeah, yeah, Well the Cook, the Cook affair, the Cook, 493 00:24:12,280 --> 00:24:17,840 Speaker 9: Thomas Cook, Thomas Cook affair. It's it's about time, and 494 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:20,879 Speaker 9: it's they've probably been working on it for a long time. Uh, 495 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:25,160 Speaker 9: this was this was a not a smudge, but it 496 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 9: was an incredible part of what happened in twenty one 497 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:31,159 Speaker 9: twenty five oh one City County building. 498 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 4: This had to happen, this was. This is corruption and 499 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:40,440 Speaker 4: it's as most and I'm so glad that they're focusing 500 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:43,840 Speaker 4: in on it because something has to happen there and 501 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:47,000 Speaker 4: and uh uh, let's hope this all is true and 502 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:48,760 Speaker 4: finds its way. 503 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 7: It all comes down just in time for twenty twenty seven. 504 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:54,800 Speaker 2: Well, and so my point on this is I always 505 00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:57,000 Speaker 2: thought like with the Beckweth and I have no idea 506 00:24:57,040 --> 00:24:59,720 Speaker 2: what grand Jury's doing going on in there. I've just 507 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:02,240 Speaker 2: alway kind of thought because it came out in the 508 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:03,840 Speaker 2: Indie Star what a couple of months. 509 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:05,359 Speaker 4: Ago, and they did an sandy job with it. 510 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:07,960 Speaker 2: Well, the grand Jury was looking into with the beckwith 511 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:10,720 Speaker 2: stuff the allegend AI porn that was shared in his 512 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 2: office and this ghost employment stuff, and you and I, Abdul, 513 00:25:14,560 --> 00:25:18,679 Speaker 2: because we've got birdies around, we've always thought that the 514 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:20,360 Speaker 2: ghost employment stuff it was. 515 00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 7: A much bigger story. 516 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:23,280 Speaker 2: It was even though the A porn was getting all 517 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:26,320 Speaker 2: the attention. Who knows, right, I mean, but at the 518 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 2: end of the day, I kind of feel the same 519 00:25:28,119 --> 00:25:30,440 Speaker 2: way about the Thomas Carl Cook thing, or him being 520 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:33,720 Speaker 2: in this relationship with this woman who controlled dollars and 521 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 2: whether that was properly disclosed and known about it all 522 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:38,879 Speaker 2: that that could end up being the bigger issue than 523 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,480 Speaker 2: this his alleged inappropriate relationship with the women. 524 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:44,200 Speaker 6: Sex will always get the headline, yeah, in the sex, 525 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 6: whether it's fake AI porn or Thomas Cooks inapprop behavior, 526 00:25:47,080 --> 00:25:49,080 Speaker 6: those will always get the headlines. But the real story 527 00:25:49,560 --> 00:25:52,320 Speaker 6: is a secondary thing. It is the worth of these contracts, 528 00:25:52,359 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 6: you know, properly what's going on with ghost employment. That's 529 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 6: always That's what here we go. The sex stuffice is 530 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:02,440 Speaker 6: dessert in the Brussels prod. 531 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:05,879 Speaker 4: It definitely demonstrates why people hate politics. 532 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:07,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, you don't trust people. 533 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:09,920 Speaker 7: And why you need a meet. It actually pays. 534 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:12,440 Speaker 3: Attention well, welcome back. 535 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:16,360 Speaker 2: We're one episode in to twenty twenty sixty one. 536 00:26:16,160 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 3: More every year like are we coming back? 537 00:26:20,040 --> 00:26:23,400 Speaker 2: And thanks to our fabulous sponsors, we are. So We're off. 538 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:26,879 Speaker 2: We're running. Jim Merritt Abdula keep jabas you two are 539 00:26:26,880 --> 00:26:28,200 Speaker 2: a couple of national treasures. 540 00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:30,439 Speaker 3: Thank you, my friends, a Bury treasure, Robert. 541 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 1: I'm doctor Jim Dalton, President and CEO of Daymar. Daymar 542 00:26:34,119 --> 00:26:37,440 Speaker 1: is a critical resource for thousands of people in Central Indiana, 543 00:26:37,560 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 1: and it takes people like you to give them hope. 544 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:43,959 Speaker 1: With over thirteen hundred employees and hundreds of volunteers, Daymar 545 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:46,480 Speaker 1: is always looking for people to come aboard. Whether it's 546 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 1: a career or simply donating your time. There's a place 547 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 1: for you here at Daymar. Learn more about our mission 548 00:26:52,359 --> 00:26:53,639 Speaker 1: at daymark dot org. 549 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:54,400 Speaker 3: See What's happenings. 550 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:58,520 Speaker 2: Also wants to thank our fine friends at Freedom Foods Indiana. 551 00:26:58,760 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 2: Former Ryan Schleiman and the folks at Freedom Foods Indiana 552 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:04,560 Speaker 2: have been delivering fresh fruits and vegetables right to people's 553 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:07,640 Speaker 2: doors for years and Freedom Foods Indiana is a big 554 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:10,520 Speaker 2: supporter of State House happenings. Now, Freedom Foods Indiana has 555 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:13,320 Speaker 2: some big things coming. We can't wait to tell you 556 00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:15,719 Speaker 2: all about it in the near future. Right now, though, 557 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 2: we just want to say thanks to our friends at 558 00:27:17,560 --> 00:27:20,400 Speaker 2: Freedom Foods Indiana for supporting State House Happenings. 559 00:27:20,600 --> 00:27:23,040 Speaker 3: Rob Kendall, Abdul keeps your Baz Jim Merritt. 560 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:25,679 Speaker 2: The program is state House Happenings, your weekly look at 561 00:27:25,720 --> 00:27:28,880 Speaker 2: what's going on with Indiana politics and government. A little 562 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:31,560 Speaker 2: bit about our panelists. You can find ab Duel on 563 00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:35,440 Speaker 2: Twitter at at TYB Duel at at tyb Duel and 564 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:38,639 Speaker 2: be sure to check out and bookmark his very fabulous website, 565 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 2: indiepolitics dot org indiepolitics dot org while you're there to 566 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 2: get yourself a cheat cheat subscription. Stay up to date 567 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:48,920 Speaker 2: on everything going on with Indiana politics and government from 568 00:27:48,920 --> 00:27:52,920 Speaker 2: the mind of a Duel at indiepolitics dot org. Jim 569 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 2: Merritt he is on Twitter at Jim Underscore Merit at 570 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:59,640 Speaker 2: Jim Underscore Merit and he has a fabulous podcast as well. 571 00:27:59,680 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 3: You can find on YouTube as well. 572 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:04,480 Speaker 2: As Facebook YouTube as well as Facebook Merit in the Morning, 573 00:28:04,560 --> 00:28:07,480 Speaker 2: Merit in the Morning YouTube and Facebook Me. I'm on 574 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:11,160 Speaker 2: Twitter at Robim Kendall at Robim Kendall and you can 575 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:14,320 Speaker 2: hear me weekdays nine until noon. Weekdays nine until noon 576 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 2: the Kendall and Casey Show a ninety three point one 577 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:23,199 Speaker 2: WIBC in Indianapolis. So we are off and running for 578 00:28:23,320 --> 00:28:26,480 Speaker 2: the twenty twenty six State House Happening season. Again, want 579 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:29,920 Speaker 2: to thank our fine sponsors that make this program possible 580 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:30,680 Speaker 2: for you each week. 581 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:31,880 Speaker 3: We could do them without them. 582 00:28:32,440 --> 00:28:35,280 Speaker 2: Daymar the Honeysuckle Hill and Bistro will be hearing more 583 00:28:35,320 --> 00:28:38,160 Speaker 2: from them, hopefully as we get into the spring season 584 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:41,280 Speaker 2: and they reopen, as well as Freedom Foods Indiana. It's 585 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:44,400 Speaker 2: a total team effort here, from the panelists to myself 586 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:47,680 Speaker 2: and certainly our sponsors. Without them, we could not do 587 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:50,040 Speaker 2: State House Happening So always be sure to think those 588 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 2: fine people who make State House Happenings possible. And yes, 589 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:57,920 Speaker 2: as we mentioned, the legislative session has begun. Usually legislative 590 00:28:57,960 --> 00:29:00,320 Speaker 2: session sort of the peak period for us here on 591 00:29:00,360 --> 00:29:03,000 Speaker 2: State House Happenings, although in recent years it seems like 592 00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:08,040 Speaker 2: we've had a lot more activity during the time outside 593 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:10,360 Speaker 2: of the State House than in. But that's the beautiful 594 00:29:10,360 --> 00:29:13,360 Speaker 2: thing about State House Happenings. We're year round. We cover 595 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:16,320 Speaker 2: not just Indiana politics and government as it relates to 596 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 2: the State House, but we also cover if there's items 597 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:21,160 Speaker 2: of local government that are of interest, as we talked 598 00:29:21,160 --> 00:29:25,640 Speaker 2: about with the Thomas Carl Cook grand jury investigation. Today, 599 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:28,080 Speaker 2: we are on it and we will be here for 600 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:31,040 Speaker 2: you once again in twenty twenty six, and we are 601 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:32,840 Speaker 2: so glad that you're going to be a party with us. 602 00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:34,840 Speaker 3: Stay up today. It's thirty minutes each week. 603 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:36,800 Speaker 2: It is the best thirty minutes and it will get 604 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:40,200 Speaker 2: you updated on everything going on with Indiana politics and government. 605 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:42,000 Speaker 3: That is going to do it for us today. 606 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:44,520 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us for abdual to keep Jabas for 607 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:48,320 Speaker 2: Jim Merritt, I'm Rob Kendall. You've been listening to State 608 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:49,160 Speaker 2: House happenings.