Governor Eric Holcomb waited until the last minute, but he finally signed a bill banning transition procedures for minors. The governor's consent came after waiting an entire week. His multiple conflicting statements kept lawmakers guessing until the very end if he would sign. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, former Republican Senator Jim Merritt tells Rob Kendall that Holcomb's lack of direction to lawmakers isn't new and has long frustrated many. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
Apr 06, 2023•30 min
Property tax bills are hitting mailboxes across the state. As predicted, they are much larger than last year for many people. As the backlash begins from angry homeowners, Statehouse Republicans are void of answers on why they did not act quicker, and what their plans are to remedy the situation. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, along with Tony Kinnett and Jim Merritt discuss the ramifications of the Republicans' refusal to act on Indiana's property tax crisis. See omnystudio.c...
Mar 30, 2023•30 min
A big spending Republican is dropping a great deal of money into the Mayor of Indianapolis race. Former City-County Council member Jefferson Shreve has committed to spend $600,000 on radio and television in the primary. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss what sort of bang Shreeve is getting for his buck, and if his wealth could propel him to lead City Hall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 23, 2023•30 min
Despite easily passing the Indiana House, Republicans in the Senate have torpedoed a bill that asserts parents are in charge of raising their children. The bill came out of a case of an Anderson couple having their child taken away because they did not support the child's desire to transition. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall is joined by Micah Beckwith and Jim Merritt to discuss why Rod Bray and Senate Republicans believe government should be able to confiscate children if pare...
Mar 16, 2023•30 min
Conservative dissatisfaction grows by the day in Indiana with Senate Republicans. From actual votes, to watering bills down in committees, to refusing to even vote on legislation, their actions have some voters threatening to bolt the party. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Micah Beckwith discuss what's going on with the Senate Republicans and what the ramifications may be of further alienating conservatives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 09, 2023•30 min
Toxic waste from the Ohio train derailment has made its way to Putnam County. Residents from the area are alarmed at the potential ramifications and have begun to speak out. Thus far they have been unimpressed with the response from Indiana's politicians. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss what the state's elected leaders could be doing better, and where they have failed their constituents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 02, 2023•30 min
Taxes on gasoline in Indiana are set to go up again March 1. That is not sitting well with many Hoosiers, especially at a time where Republicans in the House are planning to give themselves a big raise. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss the optics of taxes going up at the same time as legislator pay. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 23, 2023•30 min
A bill that would ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory appears to have again failed in Indiana. A Senate committee pulled the bill Wednesday, meaning it will likely not move forward. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Micah Beckwith discuss why Republicans in Indiana keep refusing to ban Critical Race Theory being taught in public schools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 16, 2023•30 min
A bill that would make candidates for school board have to declare party affiliation has cleared a House committee. But not before big changes were made that could force communities to go through a referendum first. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss the bill's future and changes it might bring to school boards and public education across the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 09, 2023•30 min
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz has filed to run for Mayor of Indianapolis. Shabazz will seek the Republican nomination in the May primary, then face off against a Democrat if successful. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Shabazz discuss why he is running and what he hopes to accomplish if elected. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 02, 2023•30 min
Joe Hogsett has declared he is running for a third term as Mayor of Indianapolis. Abdul-Hakim Shabazz (who may be running for mayor) has done some polling on the race and the city. The results say voters aren't thrilled about the prospect of Joe Hogsett 3.0. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul discuss the poll and what it could tell us about the upcoming election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 26, 2023•30 min
Earlier this week, Congressman Jim Banks declared he is running for United States Senate. His supporters have wasted little time going after his top rival...who isn't even yet running. From a special interest group to his Chief of Staff, Banks supporters are taking aim at former Governor Mitch Daniels. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss why Banks backers are blasting Daniels and the odds it could backfire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...
Jan 19, 2023•30 min
In a Wednesday night tweet at Governor Eric Holcomb, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita took the governor to task over his education priorities. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss what could be brewing feud between two of the state's most powerful people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 12, 2023•30 min
After a year of rising assessments, property taxes are set to skyrocket for many in Indiana. It is not a question of if, but rather by how much? Yet the Indiana Republican Party and their super majorities in the House and Senate have remained silent on how best to address the issue, if at all. Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss the looming crisis, and the Republicans lack of response on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 06, 2023•30 min
2022 was a wild year in Indiana politics and government. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Micah Beckwith take a look back at the year that was and look ahead to 2023 on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 27, 2022•30 min
A new poll out among Republican voters is pointing to a huge lead for former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, should he decide to run. The only issue is, Daniels has publicly given no inclination he's remotely interested. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Micah Beckwith discuss if Daniels will get in, and what it will mean for the 2024 Senate race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 20, 2022•30 min
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is exploring a run for Mayor of Indianapolis, and he's about to make it official. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Abdul announces to Rob Kendall that he is forming an Exploratory Committee that will allow him to raise money. Plus, Rob and Abdul discuss the fallout from the dueling Gubernatorial announcements by Mike Braun and Suzanne Crouch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 14, 2022•30 min
Eric Holcomb was non-committal when asked if he intends to run for United States Senate in 2024. With a primary that is likely to feature multiple big names, including Congressman Jim Banks, the addition of Indiana's Governor to the race could give some pause before entering. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss how Holcomb's entry might shake up the race and what the likelihood is he actually runs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 08, 2022•30 min
Mike Braun has announced he will forgo re-election, and instead run for Governor in 2024. But Braun's announcement will have an impact far bigger than his own campaign. Not only does his decision rock the race to be the state's chief executive, but his decision also creates an open U.S. Senate seat, likely to attract multiple high-profile members of Congress. And their decisions mean a lengthy list of people could be running for their soon-to-be open jobs. Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz try...
Dec 01, 2022•30 min
Lawmakers assembled at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday for Organization Day. Each year, the event serves as a preview for what issues might be a priority for the upcoming legislative session. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss the topics that will likely draw the most public attention, from property tax reform to medical marijuana legalization. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 23, 2022•30 min
Tuesday is Org Day in Indiana, where the General Assembly begins to preview what issues they will prioritize during the 2023 Legislative Session. One thing few lawmakers are talking about, could be the biggest issue of all. With skyrocketing assessments of home values, rising property taxes are likely not far behind. The sticker shock of Spring property tax bills could become a major problem that needs to be addressed. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz div...
Nov 17, 2022•30 min
In the end, none of the statewide races in Indiana were close. Republicans rode a large amount of straight ticket votes to victories in the US Senate, Treasurer, Auditor, and Secretary of State contests. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz break down the numbers and discuss what the political landscape looks like going forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 09, 2022•30 min
Republican Candidate for Secretary of State Diego Morales has hit multiple landmines ahead of next Tuesday's election. On Wednesday, he attempted to tell WIBC's Tony Katz that he chose to skip a televised debate because the debate did not happen. Then on Thursday, Indy Star columnist James Briggs reported that Morales may have illegally voted in 2018 when he ran for United State Congress. Briggs alleges Morales voted in a different county than where his Homestead Tax Credit was taken. On this we...
Nov 03, 2022•30 min
Election Day is less than two weeks away, and hotly contested statewide races are beginning to take shape. What are the big issues that remain? What factors are influencing voters as they head to the polls? Who is likely to win and by how much? Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss these questions and more on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 27, 2022•30 min
Sunday's Indiana US Senate Debate left people disappointed. The general takeaway was that all three candidates underachieved...dramatically. Of all the performers, many felt Democrat Tom McDermott was the "winner" by repeatedly putting Republican Todd Young on the defensive regarding his role in government spending and inflation. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss whether McDermott did enough to close the gap with Young. See omnystudio.com/listener ...
Oct 20, 2022•30 min
Public Television and Radio partnered with The League of Women Voters to air a Secretary of State debate on Tuesday. The only problem was, the Republican Candidate, Diego Morales, did not show up. In fact, he never even responded to their multiple requests to attend. Libertarian Jeff Maurer and Democrat Destiny Wells were there, however. In addition to talking about their views to improve the office, the pair made clear their disdain for Morales' absence. Will the no-show hurt Diego come Electio...
Oct 13, 2022•30 min
A new poll put out by Indy Politics and ARW Strategies puts Republicans at the top of the ticket in trouble in Indiana. In the poll, United States Senator Todd Young is holding a slim lead, while Secretary of State Candidate Diego Morales trails his Democrat opponent. Both share a similar issue: Problems within their own party. Is this a preview of a rough November for Republicans or just a bump in the road? Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss the poll results on this week's Statehouse H...
Oct 06, 2022•30 min
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz shocked the political landscape when he teased a potential story involving Republican Secretary of State Candidate Diego Morales. According to Shabazz's tease, the story could have #MeToo ties. Now it appears Shabazz is getting ready to release his potential bombshell. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Abdul joins Rob Kendall for a preview of what could be the biggest story in Indiana politics in a long time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 28, 2022•30 min
Rumors have long persisted Mike Braun is unhappy in the United States Senate. Allegedly he's about to do something about it. Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is reporting that Braun will not seek re-election, and intends to run for Governor of Indiana. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul discuss why Braun's making the move, what his chances are, and who he might have to beat to claim victory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 22, 2022•30 min
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard shocked the Indiana political landscape this week when he announced he would not seek another term. Mayor since 1996, Brainard oversaw massive growth in the city's population, infrastructure and amenities. Along the way, he sparked controversy and debate about the role of municipal government, and the amount of debt they should be willing to take on. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob and Abdul discuss Brainard's legacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
Sep 15, 2022•30 min
