Statehouse Happenings: Charlie Kirk Bullies Republicans Into Redistricting Fight

Indiana's Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Suzie Jaworowski has made headlines for encouraging companies attempting energy projects to sue local governments if they don't get their way. Jaworoski, a cabinet member of Governor Mike Braun, made the shocking remarks while speaking to the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. Her attacks on local governments across the state sparked immediate blowback. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine Jaworowski's inflammatory statements and the potential fallout on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Public Safety Secretary Jennifer-Ruth Green abruptly resigned last week, raising red flags across Indiana. Then via reporting from the Indiana Captial Chronicle, it came to light that the wheels had apparently been in motion for quite some time, following a remediation agreement in July. The agreement came while Green was the subject of an investigation from the Inspector General. What will be the fallout from the once rising Republican star calling it quits under a cloud of alleged scandal? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The folks at Fox 59 and CBS 4 have produced a map they claim could potentially be under consideration by Republican lawmakers for a special session regarding redistricting. But no one publicly claims to know where it has come from and many in the GOP appear to be distancing themselves from it being something they're reviewing. The map takes gerrymandering to a whole new level and has sparked fierce backlash. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the mysterious map and its potential impact on Indiana. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indiana Republicans went to the White House to talk redistricting. Back home, the public isn't buying it according to a new poll. Change Research says 52 percent of Hoosiers are against redistricting, while the majority want lawmakers to focus on more pressing issues like inflation. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the legislators' trip to Washington and if public sentiment against redistricting will have an impact on the final decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fight to redistrict Indiana to pick up seats in the House of Representatives was not going over well with many Republicans in the Indiana General Assembly. Enter Charlie Kirk. The broadcast behemoth took to Twitter and threatened to primary any Republican who opposed redistricting. Quickly the narrative changed, including an embarrassing flip-flop from Representative Craig Haggard. Will the Indiana General Assembly allow themselves to be bossed around by a broadcaster from Arizona? It certainly appears that way. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump Administration appears to want Indiana Governor Mike Braun to call a special session for redistricting in order to further Republicans advantage in the House. But after a day that saw multiple state lawmakers publicly throw cold water on the idea, and leadership seeming less than thrilled about the heavy lift necessary, optimism appears to be dampening. On this week's Statehouse Happenings Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the dangers that could await if the Republicans move forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allegations that employees in the Lt. Governor's Office were sharing artificial intelligence pornography of a state lawmaker's wife has turned the statehouse upside down. Veteran journalist Tom Lobianco has reported State Representative Craig Haggard's wife was the victim. Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith has denied the allegations and claimed he investigated and cleared the employees. With law enforcement apparently now involved, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz explore one of the most bizarre stories to ever hit Indiana politics and government.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another day, another round of concerns involving Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. This time they center around Raju Chinthala, a businessman with a contract with Morales' office that is raising eyebrows. Chinthala was a part or Morales' mysterious trip to India, and the quest to find information about Chinthala's work there is featured in a new Indy Star piece. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt explore the latest in a never-ending flow of red flags involving the Indiana Secretary of State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.