Indiana Lawmakers

The congressional and legislative district boundaries are redrawn every 10 years, based on data gleaned from the U.S. Census. Over the years — in Indiana and elsewhere — these lines have been drawn to diminish the electoral clout of racial minorities and/or keep a dominant political party in power. The result: noncompetitive districts that resemble the inkblots used in a Rorschach test, millions o...

The debate over efforts to boost the state's tax on cigarettes is filled with statistics on both sides. Actually, there are more than two sides in this debate, but we'll get to that in our show this week.  Two of the most pertinent stats are these: Indiana, according to the CDC has the fourth highest smoking rate in the country. On the other hand, the state's current cigarette tax ranks 39th natio...

Some people argue they cannot live without them. Others insist they cannot live with them - at least not without constant fear. We're talking about guns, especially easily concealed or open carry handguns. The right to bear a handgun might be the subject of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but it's vying to become number one on the list of hot-button issues dividing our nation, and i...

This week on "Indiana Lawmakers" host Jon Schwantes is joined by Brandon Smith of IPBS, Lindsey Erdody of the IBJ, Arika Herron of the Indianapolis Star and Whitney Downard of publisher CNHI to assess the first half of the 2021 General Assembly.

For a material that started out as rotting vegetation at the bottom of primordial swamps, coal has made quite a name for itself. By fueling the industrial revolution, coal “lifted the burden of drudgery from the shoulders of workers,” as one author put it, thereby altering the course of human history and setting the stage for modern society. Although its use has declined in recent decades, coal co...

This week on "Indiana Lawmakers" host Jon Schwantes is joined by Rep. Bob Behning, Rep. Vernon Smith. Betsy Wiley of Hoosiers for Quality Education and Keith Gambill of the ISTA to discuss the latest push to expand Indiana's school voucher program. Our panelists for this week, socially distancing in our studio: Host Jon Schwantes Representative Bob Behning (R) Indianapolis Representative Vernon Sm...

This week on "Indiana Lawmakers" host Jon Schwantes is joined by Rep. Matt Lehman, attorney Dan Evans and former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. to discuss HB1123 and revising the powers of the Governor during statewide emergencies.

This week on "Indiana Lawmakers" host Jon Schwantes is joined by Rep. Greg Steuerwald, Rep. Robin Shackleford, Rep. Mitch Gore and Samantha Buran to discuss House Bill 1006, a law enforcement reform bill being considered by state legislators.

This week on "Indiana Lawmakers" host Jon Schwantes welcomes Governor Eric Holcomb who will share his plans for leading the state through a series of unprecedented challenges.

This week on "Indiana Lawmakers", host Jon Schwantes is joined by Senator Mark Messmer, Senator David Niezgodski, Barbara Quandt with the NFIB, and Kathy Farinas, representing the ITLA.

This week on Indiana Lawmakers, Indiana's Legislative Caucus leaders discuss the issues that are up for debate in the 2021 Session. Joining host Jon Schwantes are Todd Huston, Phil GiaQuinta, Rodric Bray and Greg Taylor.

On this edition of Indiana Lawmakers - Will the pandemic and its mounting economic toll force Hoosier lawmakers to return to Indianapolis before the 2021 Session? Host Jon Schwantes is joined journalists Brandon Smith & Niki Kelly to wrap up the 2020 season.

"Indiana Lawmakers", host Jon Schwantes is joined by Speaker Todd Huston, Leader Phil GiaQuinta, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray and Leader Tim Lanane as they review the just-concluded session.

Fifteen years ago no one in the US used e-cigarettes, but by 2024 the U.S. e-cig market is expected to reach 16.5 billion dollars. Indiana Legislators are taking action to curb the devices' use among young Hoosiers. On the next Indiana Lawmakers.

This week, the Indiana Senate voted 43-to-4 in favor of legislation meant to discourage distracted driving, by limiting how cell phones can be used. Join us for the discussion on what it means for Hoosier motorists, on the next "Indiana Lawmakers".

How should society deal with people who do bad things? That question has been up for debate ever since "an eye for an eye" gave way to "turn the other cheek." Which direction is the pendulum swinging in the Statehouse? On the next "Indiana Lawmakers".

In Indiana, should we force the transition from coal to natural gas, and then presumably to renewables such as wind, solar, and biomass? Or allow the open market to decide without government intrusion? Joining host Jon Schwantes to weigh in on the issues are Republican Representative Ed Soliday of Valparaiso, assistant majority floor leader and chairman of the House Committee on Utilities, Energy...

Indiana has the dubious distinction of ranking among the nation's Top 10 states for smoking, physical inactivity, air pollution, unvaccinated children, cancer deaths, infant mortality, and preventable hospitalizations. Need some good news? Indiana has the seventh lowest incidence of - salmonella! Clearly Hoosier lawmakers have good reason to target a long list of health woes, some of which have li...

Over ten weeks have passed since thousands of teachers converged on the Statehouse for the "Red for Ed Action Day" rally, but their chants continue to resonate. On "Indiana Lawmakers" find out what's at stake regarding education legislation this session.

This week on Indiana Lawmakers, Jon Schwantes sits down with Republican Governor Eric Holcomb to discuss legislation being considered by the 2020 General Assembly.

This week on Indiana Lawmakers, Indiana's Legislative Caucus leaders discuss the issues that are up for debate in the 2020 Session. Joining host Jon Schwantes are Brian Bosma, Phil GiaQuinta, Rodric Bray and Tim Lanane.

A new season of Indiana Lawmakers begins and joining host Jon Schwantes with perspectives on the 2020 Legislative session are four political journalists; Mary Beth Schneider, Eric Berman, Lindsey Erdody, and Brandon Smith.

How will the results of the 2019 Indiana Legislative Session affect you and your fellow Hoosiers? Indiana Lawmakers host John Schwantes will pose those questions, not to partisans but to journalists who covered this year's session, day in and day out.

What will be the results of the 2019 Indiana Legislative Session? Host John Schwantes will ask House Speaker Brian Bosma, House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, and Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane.

What surprises await in the Indiana Budget? Senators Karen Tallian and Eric Bassler, along with Representatives Greg Porter and Mike Karickhoff, will debate the options, as they join host Jon Schwantes this week on Indiana Lawmakers.