Republicans Gut Transparency with Public Access Counselor Attack

Another year, another round of skyrocketing property tax assessments are hitting mailboxes. Once again, voters are angry. But few candidates running for public office appear to have an answer on what to do. Including the six candidates running for governor. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine voter outrage over property taxes and why the politicians continue to evade coming up with a sustainable solution. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final Republican debate for governor was held Tuesday night and was panned by many as a complete trainwreck. Most of the criticism was divided between the moderator and the Indiana Debate Commission. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt discuss the disastrous evening, and how debates might change as a result. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita appeared to throw his support behind Micah Beckwith in the upcoming Lt. Governor's Race, which will play out at the Republican State Convention in June. At a recent candidate forum, Rokita spoke fondly of Beckwith's candidacy and described it as an "insurance policy." On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Rokita's apparent endorsement and what impact it might have on convention delegates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, once one of the most powerful Republicans in the state, and a close friend and political ally of Governor Eric Holcomb, is headed to jail after being found in contempt of court by a Scott County judge. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, and Jim Merritt discuss why Indianapolis media has remained largely silent on Noel's downfall, and why they refuse to ask Holcomb what he knew about Noel and when.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Braun was hit with one of the largest fines in FEC history, over reporting mistakes from his 2018 run for US Senate. How will it impact his 2024 run for governor? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After over an hour and 30 minutes of completely wasting everyone's time, Congressional Candidate "Honest" Gabe Whitley had his petition for a protective order against Abdul-Hakim Shabazz quickly denied. It was a court hearing that bordered on the unbelievable at times, and the insulting and embarrassing at others. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Abdul joins Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt to discuss his big win in a court of law.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The incredibly bizarre saga of Congressional Candidate "Honest" Gabe Whitley is set to take another strange turn Monday, when he is seeking a protective order against Abdul-Hakim Shabazz. Abdul says not only is Whitley's complaint full of it, but he has also perjured himself in the process. Add to that, numerous other serious issues facing Whitley, including complaints to the IED and FEC over alleged campaign finance report violations, Monday is shaping up to have a lot of fireworks. Abdul joins Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt to discuss the upcoming hearing on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first debate between Republicans who want to become the next Governor of Indiana failed to deliver Monday. In more than an hour, the candidates failed to deliver much sizzle, and spent very little time going after or separating themselves from each other. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt break down the underwhelming debate performances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite mounting problems with things likes taxes, Medicaid and the budget, Indiana Republicans have trained their focus this legislative session on gutting the power and tools of the Public Access Counselor. Led by Senator Aaron Freeman, the GOP is set to take away the independence of the office and many of the resources the Public Access Counselor uses to help ensure transparency. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the potential impact to accountability in government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Statehouse Happenings co-host Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is scheduled to head to court. It involves the bizarre saga of Congressional Candidate Gabriel Whitley, a story which becomes stranger by the day. According to Shabazz, Whitley has asked for a protective order against him, and Abdul hopes to find out why at a hearing next week. Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt join Abdul to discuss why "Honest" Gabe might be afraid of Abdul. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.