The saga of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and the Disciplinary Commission will go on. The Supreme Court dismissed Rokita's attempt to get the complaint thrown out. Documents show Rokita has already spent almost $500,000 of taxpayer money defending his law license. It looks like the fight, and the tab will continue. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 23, 2025•30 min
On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt take a look at a few of the recent antics from some of Indiana's statewide office holders and explore if the need to make headlines is hurting the competency of governance from their offices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 16, 2025•30 min
Another year of skyrocketing property assessments has homeowners once again in a panic about the increase in tax bills that could come with them. According to a new report in the Indiana Capital Chronicle, homes saw an assessment increase of more than 10 percent on average. Will the new property tax law save people from payment pain? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 09, 2025•30 min
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has spent a lot of taxpayer money to defend himself in front of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Rokita has run up nearly a half million dollars in legal bills, as he fights to preserve his law license. Should taxpayers be on the hook for Rokita's defense? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 02, 2025•30 min
Indianapolis City-County Councilor Crista Carlino was allegedly kicked out of the Democrat Caucus over her calls for Joe Hogsett to resign and Council President Vop Osili and Vice President Ali Brown to resign their positions. Carlino is the second Democrat to be kicked out of the caucus in part because of criticism of the mayor. Democrats near complete shutdown of Hogsett criticism, coupled with Republican silence has our Statehouse Happenings crew wondering, why almost everyone appears to be p...
Jun 25, 2025•30 min
There is new scrutiny over the gifts state lawmakers and statewide elected officials are allowed to receive after the Lt. Governor and Security of State were photographed attending the NBA Finals with a man who once went to prison for bribery. Should elected officials be allowed to accept gifts and should transparency and reporting requirements be beefed up? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Jun 18, 2025•30 min
A defiant Joe Hogsett claims he has no plans to resign in the wake of the Thomas Cook scandal and his alleged role in covering it up. With public outcry and calls for him to go reaching new levels, the question is, can he be forced? Abdul-Hakim Shabazz says yes. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Abdul joins Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt to discuss a scenario that could result in the takedown of the Mayor of Indianapolis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 11, 2025•30 min
It was uncovered this week that State Senator Mike Bohacek is facing charges related to an OWI in January. What has many up in arms, is the alleged offense is just now becoming public thanks to a law that shields lawmakers from legal accountability shortly before, during, and after the legislative session. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz examine how Bohacek was able to evade public scrutiny, as well as who knew what and when. See omnystudio...
Jun 04, 2025•30 min
Another week, another set of bad headlines for Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Not only did the Marion County Election Board vote to open an investigation into his recent announcement where he is accused of potentially violating Indiana election law. On top of that, Morales is facing questions about an apparent meeting with Hungarian officials where he may have pledged action related to agriculture affairs he does not appear to have authority over. On this week's Statehouse Happenings,...
May 28, 2025•30 min
Diego Morales is back in the news. This time for appearing to make himself try and look taller by standing on his tippy-toes in multiple photos with constituents. The pictures have drawn laughter for their ridiculousness and raised questions about why the Secretary of State is so concerned about making himself look taller. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the latest red flag from a guy whose behavior is constantly drawing attention. ...
May 21, 2025•30 min
It's been a rough month for Mike Braun. From a reviled property tax bill, to raising taxes to pass a budget, to an announcement about enhanced tolling in the near future, many are upset with Indiana's Governor. With the outcry showing no signs of slowing down, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine what the governor can do to try and quell the rage from Hoosiers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14, 2025•30 min
Indy Politics released a new informal survey, and the results were disastrous for both Governor Mike Braun and Secretary of State Diego Morales. Of the more than 800 people who responded, 70 percent disapproved of the job Braun was doing, and an astonishing 80 percent were down on Morales. As bad as the results for those two were, the Indiana General Assembly fared even worse. Why is the populous so upset and what can be done to appease them? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt dis...
May 07, 2025•30 min
Gabe Whitley is headed to prison. A Federal Judge sentenced the failed former congressional candidate to three months in prison for falsifying campaign finance reports. The judge's ruling brings to an end a long saga, in which Whitley made up donors and falsely claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. Whitley now will turn his attention to state court, where he faces a felony charge related to threatening Statehouse Happenings' own Abdul-Hakim Shabazz. On this week's s...
Apr 30, 2025•30 min
Republicans have a super majority in the Indiana General Assembly, so they have no one to blame but themselves for their last-minute scramble to find more than $2 billion in savings during the final week of the Legislative Session. With just days to go, it looks like multiple tax increases are on the table to fill the budget gap. Which will put lawmakers in a bad spot, given the public backlash over a very unpopular property tax bill passed just over a week ago. What's next in a dramatic sprint ...
Apr 23, 2025•30 min
Mike Braun and the Indiana General Assembly managed to do the seemingly impossible: Unite the Left and the Right in Indiana over a common cause. The cause is the property tax reform bill which passed the Senate in the dead of night and the governor signed the next day. Conservatives feel betrayed by the governor for not supplying the meaningful property tax relief he promised over the last year. Liberals are upset over reductions in funding to local governments, primarily schools. Can the govern...
Apr 16, 2025•30 min
The House Ways and Means Committee has passed its version of property tax reform. While it includes a huge win for big business, not so much for homeowners or renters. Not only will their tax relief be minimal, but it could also be offset by potential income tax increases. The public is not happy with the plan and the House appears dead set on passing it. What's next? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
Apr 09, 2025•30 min
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is under fire for a trip to India paid for with what he described as private funds. The trip raised red flags when it coincided with his missing of a budget meeting. Now the heat is on Morales over his refusal to provide specifics of the trip, including who paid for it. As the pressure on Morales builds, will he provide answers to ease public concerns? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omny...
Apr 02, 2025•30 min
Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Senate Leadership are at it again. This time over a reprimand he received for his staff filming and posting the Senate in action. The reprimand from top Republicans sparked backlash over a perceived lack of commitment to transparency from the government, and a double standard from lawmakers. What will the fallout be? Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 26, 2025•30 min
Close to 1000 people filled the Statehouse on Monday to protest skyrocketing property taxes, inaction by the legislature, and offer support of Governor Braun's plan to reform the system. It was a wild day filled with counter protests, passionate speakers, and a strong performance by the governor. Will the rally move the needle as session heads to the finish line? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...
Mar 19, 2025•30 min
The debate over what to do with property taxes rages on at the Statehouse, with a hearing in Ways and Means last week which went close to 9 hours. At the end, there still appeared to be no consensus on how to address the issue of skyrocketing property tax bills. Enter Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and WIBC's Kendall and Casey Show, which are planning a property tax rally at the Statehouse on St. Patrick's Day. Will a massive showing from upset taxpayers be enough to move the General Assembly? Rob ...
Mar 12, 2025•30 min
Marion County Republicans appear more divided than ever after a hotly contested race to become Chairman. After the establishment pick Natalie Goodwin resoundingly defeated the conservative choice John Schmitz, Schmitz supporters lashed out. On this week's Statehouse Happenings Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the vote, whether Republicans can ever be competitive in Indianapolis again, and how Schmitz alignment with select individuals helped do him in. See omnystudio.com/...
Mar 05, 2025•30 min
The fight over property taxes in Indiana has produced a new point of contention: Lawmaker ties to construction management companies. Construction management companies can make big money off local government contracts, which are funded in large part by property tax dollars. This has raised a red flag with many, over the ethics of a lawmaker voting on property taxes, when the companies they serve benefit directly from them. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's St...
Feb 26, 2025•30 min
It was a long week in the Indiana Senate as Republicans banded together to pass Senate Bill 1. But in an unusual step, after immense public backlash, many of them have now publicly admitted they don't like the bill and want to see major changes. So what happens now? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt explore property tax reform's next steps on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 19, 2025•30 min
Taxpayers across the state sent angry emails and phone calls to lawmakers, as the Senate Committe on Tax and Fiscal Policy gutted the property tax reform bill of key provisions on Tuesday. The surprise move left citizens upset and the governor scrambling on how to save his top legislative item. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss what's next for Senate Bill 1 on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 12, 2025•30 min
An event months in the making, the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee finally heard testimony on Senate Bill 1, Governor Braun's plan to reform property taxes. While the testimony was being heard, Governor Braun dominated the media cycle with a "Fireside Chat" on the need to help taxpayers. The testimony in front of lawmakers failed to produce a robust and organized opposition from local government officials. Will Braun's plan now clear committee? Rob, Abdul, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's ...
Feb 05, 2025•30 min
Mike Braun is set to give his first State of the State Wednesday evening. Front and center will be property tax reform, which Braun has described as his top priority. Will Braun be able to sway lawmakers to make big changes to property taxes in Indiana? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 29, 2025•30 min
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales had a rough go of it in his recent appearance before House Ways and Means. There to ask for more money from the taxpayers, some on the committee didn't seem impressed. That included longtime Democrat Representative Ed DeLaney, who took Morales to task over hiring a family member and no-bid contracts. Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Diego's rotten day on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
Jan 22, 2025•30 min
Several counties in Illinois have stated their desire to break away from The Prairie State. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston would like to give them that opportunity. The Speaker unveiled his desire to form a commission at potentially making those Illinois counties a part of Indiana. Will it work? Is it a good use of taxpayer resources? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 15, 2025•30 min
Before the Indiana General Assembly even began, a couple of Republican Senators let their disdain for incoming Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith be known. Senators Jim Buck and Susan Glick filed a bill that would strip Beckwith of a huge portion of his power and responsibilities. Will their attempt backfire by angering the voters who elected Beckwith to send a message? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...
Jan 08, 2025•30 min
The 2025 Indiana General Assembly is set to convene and there are a ton of hot button issues to be addressed. From passing a budget, to road funding, and Universal School Choice, many controversial issues are facing the legislature. Top among them will be Mike Braun's plan to revamp the property tax system. Will Braun be able to beat back the special interest fight to protect the status quo? Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
Jan 02, 2025•30 min
