November 24, 2025 • 29 mins
On a special Thanksgiving edition of Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz sit down to review some of the stories they were most "thankful" for in 2025. Not necessarily the outcome, but stories that helped shape the program and impacted the listening audience.
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State House Happenings. Rob Kendall, Jim Merrett, I will give
(01:31):
you boys the program of Staate House Happenings. You're weekly
look at what's going on with Indiana politics and government.
Doing something a little different this week in honor of Thanksgiving,
we're taking a look back at some of the stories
we've been thankful for so far in twenty twenty five.
A lot to get to. Jim Marrett thirty years Indiana
Senate joins us now Jimmyrot Hello, Hello Robert. This year
(01:54):
it seems like it's blown by it has.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
But you know, there are times we were worried that
we wouldn't have anything to talk about during the summertime,
and it's content menia.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Every year we sit here and go, what are we
going to talk about after the session? What are we
going to do? And every year it seems like these
lawmakers get there's more drama out of the session than
in the session.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
And it's not just the lawmakers. Yeah, it's politics in general.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Okay, So obviously we start the year from Indiana politics
and government with a new governor and a new lieutenant governor.
There's so much hope about them, and it's kind of
been a dud.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well. I think that when you look back on it,
you and I I love to disagree with you, yes,
because that's that's the part of the job that I
really enjoy and and the governor I think deserves a
lot of credit to raising the idea, the vision of
(02:56):
the future of energy in the state of Indiana. And
I think I think looking back, twenty twenty five will
be that will be the time we have really leaped
forward and we'll start to grow Indiana again.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Okay, so the big issue they come out and we'll
get to energy a second, because you're right, that is
a major issue, but he put off. He being braun,
put all his eggs in the property tax basket. And
I think most people think he not only didn't address
it, it ended up being worse.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Well, our listeners saw probably a lot of them participated
in your rally, which had a thousand people in the
state House. And I'm here to tell you, ladies and gentlemen,
that's a lot of people. And for the one hundred
and fifty legislators to not stare them down but make
them feel welcome. And the state House is kind of
working museum.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, and we didn't touch anything.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
No, you didn't, but you did occupy the north part
of the state House and it was very impressive. The
governor makes an appearance, rolls up his sleeves and speaks
your language, Robert, and uh, and I.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Mean you're You're never gonna say. I mean, look, he
I think that is what's so fascinating to me is
because you're right. He comes to this event, he comes
around the corner. I think he thinks, oh, there's gonna
be like, you know, maybe a couple hundred people there,
and I'll give a quick hey and then leave. And
he sees all these people and they're going bonkers, and
you know, all the people are speaking.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
And you've got some representatives there.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, and you know the local government people and hammers
doing the thing. And I think he got caught up
in the moment. We're thought, well, these people are here
for me. I'm gonna give them what they want. But
the problem is, and you know this, then you got
to cash that check. And he wrote that check that
day with his mouth and it was downhill from there.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Yeah. It Cena Bill one is royaling local governments. And
I hope that when the legislature comes back into session
in January, uh, they they tweak that law and make
it simpler and easier to govern in the locales, because
right now is very different, dificult Robert to grow community.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Are you surprised he didn't just veto it and call
special session?
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yes, I I am, And and you know I think
what I think what really got confusing and really uh
it was a it was a blizzard of information and
and you know you have the issue with the budget
and and the economic forecast that that uh that everything
was coming down from the skies and and you had
(05:29):
the market, you had taxes might have been raised in Washington,
you had tariffs and and uh and we've spoken that
nausea and about this, but but the legislature and the
governor plowed through uh and and uh uh raised taxes
on tobacco for medic medicaid and uh and the property
(05:50):
tax issue Center Bill one kind of got mixed up
in the middle of that, and there's just a lot
of chaos at the state House in April last year.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Yeah, it was a real learning experience for me because
uh you yeah, well, you know, we'll get to that
in a secon because it's playing out again right in
front of us as we aired this program with redistricting.
But you if you're gonna move the legislature when because
let's face it, we had stiff opposition in terms of
the school districts and we were up against every local
(06:19):
government in the state. It was the people the local government.
And if you're gonna move the legislature on something where
the local governments are pushing against them, you can't just
say here's thirty thousand people. You got to secause they're gonna say, well,
bunch of these people are Indianapolis, or they're Brownsburg, or
they're and if I'm in Kokomo. I'm a center in Coke.
I don't care what that person says. You got to
really organize better in terms of you gotta have almost
(06:42):
like a widespread yeah support, But you gotta like, like
in those districts, you can't just shoot the pellet out
and go okay, you gotta have the sniper rifle. Of
these people live in my district. And you know, we'd
have been better off trying to spend our time one
hundred people in this district, one hundred people in this district.
And and I just like I learned from that to go,
(07:03):
here's how you actually move these guys if you're gonna
do something big going part although I don't know in
the property text thing, I'm not sure would have made
a difference.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Well, Robert, you're one of the very few people that
really understands the property text system. Yes, and and and
it's a very complex system. And if it could have
been fixed, it would have been fixed a long long
time ago. And and you know, it goes back to
when when when I was in the in the Senate
in two thousand and seven and eight and nine, where
we were trying to fix it and we fixed uh,
(07:31):
you know, the one two three percent, but we did
not fix the assessment, you know, the subjective part of
the property taxation system. And uh and and and and
we have lived, I have lived to regret that over
the last fifteen or seventeen years. And and it's it's
going to have to take some sort of you know,
(07:52):
crisis of magnitude now because you did the rally, h
it was impressive, and it was probably a little bit
uh struck a little fear in some hearts at the
state House. And and but now it's gonna it's gonna really,
uh take a momentous effort. And you probably hate to
(08:13):
hear me say this, but it goes back to RIFRA,
where it just scared the Jesus out of the legislature. Yeah.
Uh and the governor at the time.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Again its state hous happenings. Rob Kendall Jim Merritt were
talking about stories were thankful for Yeah, I'm not and
thankful for the outcome. But the story was great. It's
great publicity, it's great to great for business with property text.
The other major issue that has emerged now is the
cost of energy in the state of Indiana. And it
appears that we have a state that is scrambling one
(08:41):
for an identity as it relates to energy, to how
they're gonna provide the energy, and three how you merge
the demand for energy and ASPEC as it comes from
these data centers with people going I'd like to afford
to turn my lights on, it's a real mess.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yes, it is a mess. And you know, being on
the nominating commit for the UH to suggest members that
UH that will participate that will be appointed on the
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission was it was a real lesson
for me. And and the pressure that is happening in
southwest Indiana with rates is unconscionable. I heard that all
(09:22):
the time when people would call me and suggest people
that that were out of the forty seven and then
that we did it twenty two and now we have
nine in the governor stands, three Democrats and six Republicans
that they there is such a knowledge out there and
and people are starting to understand energy rates and and
and combine that with you're you're retiring so many different
(09:44):
coal plants and you're buying so much energy rather than
sourcing it out of Indiana that UH, it's it's a
spaghetti bowl, and you're right, it's a mess. And and
uh and and you know how I like to talk
about nuclear power, but gas, you know, having a gas
plant that's mobile and that can be at the Leap
district or wherever. We're going to have economic development and
(10:07):
Google coming to the state meta. You know, we we
have a prescription where we've got lots of things going on.
And you often talk about the equip which is eighty
percent that a user when they build these they have
to pay for eighty percent and then the ratepayer has
to be twenty.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Yeah, so just explain to people. They passed a bill
this year SMR Small Modular Reactors Nuclear I called the
Doctor Frankenstein Bill, in which the rate payer these utilities,
if they get into these SMRs, the rate payer is
going to be on the hook for eighty percent.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Of twenty percent. The person who is the developer will
be on the hook for eighty percent.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Okay, so yeah, I'm sorry, Yeah, but the rate payer
is going to be that's a sizeable amount of mind
on the hook. We're not talking for nine dollars here, right.
Whether whether it passes or it fails in terms of
whether it comes to the market, and a lot of
people are going, wait a second, what other business do
I have to pay for the R and D whether
it works or not? Right?
Speaker 3 (11:05):
And you know, you know, I've talked about this a lot,
and it's a legitimate question. And what my suggestion is is,
let's put a small Mandu reactor that can be built
in Indiana down in Mount Vernon. That can that uh
that we have water at Crane which is federal land
that it touches six counties. You can you can put
a nuke in there that is safe and reliable and green.
(11:28):
And let's start off with you when you don't have
not in my backyard, and let's demonstrate that you can.
You can. You can have something that's safe, that is
as workable, and then you can work on on these
different communities because Indiana won't accept brownouts like California has. Yeah,
and you probably know Spain and Portugal have gone all solar.
(11:50):
They went one day this year without electricity because the
sun wasn't shining well.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
And you've got to there's got to be a plan, right, absolutely,
this is what we talk about this on the all
the time on the Kennel Casey Show. There's no plan like, Okay,
we're gonna do these data centers. Well, but what's the benefit. Well,
they don't tell you, right, they can't give you clear
answers a lot of times on the water, on the electricity,
and we're giving them all this money to come here,
(12:15):
and people are saying, wait, is it a paying for
these people to come here and they don't really produce jobs. Yeah,
a lot of assessed value for the community they're gonna
be in, but it's abated so you don't get it
for years, and then it's gonna raise my electric grades,
Like what's in it for me? In the state does
not articulated that, right.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
I think the state in the in the coming weeks,
in the next year is gonna articulated plan. I believe
they will cite for a small Modu reactor. And and
if you look at Tennessee, the state of Tennessee is
working with Google, and they're working with the Tennessee Valley,
Tennessee Valley of TVA and Talent Tennessee Valley, Tennessee Valley.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Authority and Notvius with the Harper Valley. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
sorry I stumble over that. And so the state is
heavily involved with incentives uh TO to bring power so
they can have nuclear power to Tennessee. And I look
for Indiana and have the same sort of plan. Rob Kendall,
Jim Meridi program of Stale is Happening is taking a
look back at some of these. Again, not thankful for
(13:15):
the outcome, but the story itself that has kept us
talking throughout the the year. Look, I think we got
to send some time on this. And that is a
guy who came in with immense hope and optimism that
he was going to be different, he was going to
bring a different view to government. He's gonna make government
work different, and he's been a dumpster fire. And that's
Michael Beck with the lieutenant governor.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Yeah, I'm disappointed in the lieutenant governor. I think you
and I know I did suggested that, you know, you
keep your head down a little bit. You preside over
the Senate. You put a dark suit on your senatorial
your lieutenant governor. This is a very important position.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Yeah, and you could you could still have strong opinions
on things like property taxes or whatever and just not
have the shenanigans that go along with the.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
And you're on the bron team, you can still be
Micah beck with but you're on the bron team and
and and and and good things come. I've seen a
lot of lieutenant governors. Frank O Bannon was a great
lieutenant governor becomes governor. And so you know, it's uh,
it's very difficult to understand. Uh how Micah who you know,
(14:22):
Dear Micah, my friend Micah, you know you crave publicity.
And when you get in fights with our friend abdul
On on Facebook and and and there are so many
situations that are so toward and and you're a soldier,
you're not a general, and and act like it, and
and and and be senatorial and work with Center Bray
(14:45):
and and and uh and be there to support, be
there and support the Senate, be there to support the governor.
And it's just it's just, uh, it's an upset apple
cart that I'm not sure it's going to be restocked well.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
And you know, when we talk about the scandals, obviously
front and center is whatever this grand jury is looking into,
artificial intelligence, pornography, allegations in the in the office. There's
allegations of which he is admitted in public that it's
going on right that there's an investigation doesn't meaning by.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Anything, doesn't mean we're not whispering anything, doesn't.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Mean anybody's gonna be uh convicted. It doesn't mean that
there's gonna be a ditments. It means that that there
are there's a grand jury, should be top secret documentation
that they're looking at artificial artificial intelligence, pornography and and
goes employment in his office and it's like even the
way he's handled that where he did it was like
the deflect, to deny, the demean and then oh, yeah,
(15:38):
I guess it is happening. I guess they. I guess
they were like, it's just like it is all ridiculous, it's.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Totally unsous and it's it's it's just a it's a
shame and it's, Uh, you wonder why the Broun people
don't get momentum because there's something sprouting up from from
his office on a constant basis, and what an opportunity
he had and had.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Is the key word. It's over.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
Yeah, I don't look at to him be the lieutenant
governor in twenty eight twenty nine.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Well, on the other side of it is if he
had just done what he campaigned on as bad as
Braun's looking right now, he could be a primary challenger
to Braun. He could be the front and center potentially,
as mad as people are with Braun not saying he
would Yeah, I say he could win. He had me
on his bro his podcast a little while ago.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
That's the right, some silly name and that well, we
had a good time, and and I just looked him
straight in the eye and go, you know, you and
Diego and Roketa, none of you could win a primary. Yeah,
you know you're great at the convention, but winning a
primary for those three is not gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Yeah, Jim, Rob Kendall State Hoo's happening is our program
take a look at some of the bigger stories of
twenty twenty five thus far. Okay, then obviously it brings
us to today where we're at, which is all the
fight is over redistricting. You and I both agree this
is the dumbest thing ever. It's we've wasted all this
time in political capital and ever and all the other stuff.
(17:09):
And Braun still, at least as of this recording, candidly
we're putting it together, uh Friday before Thanksgiving, but he
appears still not only short but very short on his
votes to get this thing through the Senate by some
time in December.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
And just think about everything that's going on and stay government.
Uh and they they they they've passed the Spartan bill.
The governor signed it. He started letting people go. Uh
and and and we haven't heard any I think the
economy is in pretty good shape in Indiana, but we
haven't heard anything out of the governor governor's administration on
(17:47):
how how the benefits of laying people off are And
so it the the idea of redistricting. And and as
you know, I'm a I'm a member of the establishment,
proudly like a batch of honor. I do, I do,
and I respect the Senate. And uh, I worry that
some of my former members in the Senate. Uh my,
(18:10):
they're continually I'm a farmer, They're they're a continuous incumbent.
I worry about, uh, the idea of trying to replace
centat Bray at the top. And and uh, they don't
have the votes. But if they would happen to get
the votes, it may be that Senator Bray turns to
the Democrats and once once their ten votes to stay
(18:33):
is as pro tempt Well.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
We saw some of this stuff play out with the
Republicans with the Speaker of the House, yes, you know,
a couple years ago, with all that all that drama.
It's so weird to me that it's like Braun I
used the analogy of the Glenn Close character in Fatal Attraction.
I will not be ignored, Dan, And it's like, you
wouldn't fight for us on property taxes like this, but
(18:56):
you'll go to the mat for Donald Trump and he's
coming up. I'm gonna try to come tell them to
show up, and I'm gonna support the new leadership and uh,
and and and and primary in these people. And it's like,
why don't you do this on the other things we've
been talking about here that actually matter to people.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
Well, yeah, and you're exactly right. There are a lot
of things that matter to people that the legislature needs
to be thinking about. Especially the short session next year
is going to be in a minute, and they're gonna
be gone because they're running for election and they don't
want to talk about this anymore. But but the whole
thing here is that, uh, these two speaker and the
(19:32):
President pro tem of the Senate are are not battle warm,
but they are battle ready. They had to deal with
Governor Holcomb's seventy executive orders during COVID, and they had
to do deal with it with smile. They could, they
could register their complaint in two of six, room to
A six the Governor's office and and there, and just
(19:52):
watching their body language. The other day when I was
at the State House, which was a very sad place,
ladies and gentlemen, there's a pall over the place, which
I don't like. But they are battled ready and they're
going to do what they need to do to get
a session going in twenty twenty six, and I think
they'll be successful with it.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Rob Kenel, Jim Merrett, Stadou's Happening is our show taking
a look back at some of the stories we're thankful
for in twenty twenty five. I want to talk about
you for a second. We don't have a lot of
time to do this each week, but you've been out
of the Senate now for five years, six six years.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
I've walked away or I stepped away in twenty it's
twenty five. Yeah, I'm almost so yeah, five years long time, Yeah,
five years, that's exactly right. I'm thinking twenty six.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Do you like do you miss it? I still think
of you as a senator. It's so weird to be like,
I still think of you as a like when you
come in and do the show, I always think of
Senator Jim Merritt is there.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Well. I appreciate that you know our listeners. I'm sure
none of you liked me being on here because I
face it face with Rob, and Rob's always right in
your mind.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
But but have you no not anymore money, not anymore.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
I I enjoyed participating in it, being bridged, being part
of the glue, being you know, the the idea of
stability and UH. I do miss the Senate in regards
to public policy and and UH and representing constituents. I
would imagine in this time and age, I either would
(21:24):
have been kicked out of my own caucus or not
be a leader of the caucus because I I I
told our friend Adam Rand the other day that that
Rod Bray, what two words remind me of him is
steadfast common sense. And that's what I stand for. And
(21:44):
I really believe that that the Indian Senate and Indiana
House of Representatives have their squabbles and everything, but at
the end of the day, they're all good people. They
come to the State House and they do what they
need to do. And yes, I do miss it.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
And curferently now that you're not there, oh absolutely really.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Yeah, I I well, you know, back then I was
I was chairman of the committee, I was chairman of
the caucus. Had a lot of things going on with
issues that I that I that I really appreciated and
worked hard on. But now I can look at the uh,
I can look at the whole matter. And and and
you know, I've I've always viewed myself as a future governor.
(22:24):
That's not going to happen. But but are you that well.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
You're very young by politics standards, anyone under eighty three.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
If I had twenty million to spend. But but bottom
line is, I look at it through his lens, and
and sometimes I disagree, sometimes I agree, And and I
always felt like when I when I stepped away and
I think I've done this, I can lead outside the limestone.
I still think there's a way. I enjoy our little
jousts in our days. Uh And and I'm having a
(22:55):
good time and and so you know, what's done is done.
Kyle Walker's doing it. Absolutely great job. He's gonna win reelection.
He's hopefully being protected by local police and I know
he is, and it's something that it's fun to watch.
We're time to do something different.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
We're going to take a break. I'm doing. Is good
to join us. Wrap a final five minutes of the
program you're listened to State House Happenings.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
One of the most incredible journeys I've witnessed is seeing
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Speaker 2 (23:40):
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three zero zero three. Statehouse Happenings also wants to thank
our fine friends at Freedom Foods Indiana. Farmer Ryan Schleiman
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and the folks at Freedom Foods Indiana have been delivering
fresh fruits and vegetables right to people's doors for years,
and Freedom Foods Indiana is a big supporter of State
House Happenings. Now, Freedom Foods Indiana has some big things coming.
We can't wait to tell you all about it in
the near future. Right now, though, we just want to
say thanks to our friends at Freedom Foods Indiana for
supporting State House Happenings. Rob Kendall now Dulaquem Shabaz. The
(24:48):
program stales abatages a weekly look at what's going on
with Indiana politics and government. I was hoping we'd get
to squeeze a few minutes in because of course we're
doing the program day on. Things were thankful for, stories
were thankful for, maybe not the outcomes, but kept us,
kept us entertained. And I just want to spend a
few minutes with you. Say, first of all, they were
very thankful for you abduling your contributions to State House
happenings each week.
Speaker 4 (25:08):
Now I'm very thankful for all my haters who made
me a very rich man.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
All right, So real quick, you know, I just a
couple of mons we have left. You've covered state house
for twenty years. Has it ever been like this?
Speaker 4 (25:21):
My friend? I've covered state houses in Illinois and Indiana
since I was twenty five years old. I have never
seen anything quite like this of the most bizarre rob
Lgoyevitch day of my entire life.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
Yeah, what what has changed? Why is it so rapidly
so different? Is it social media? Is it the environment?
Speaker 4 (25:38):
Like?
Speaker 2 (25:38):
What is Why is it so different?
Speaker 4 (25:40):
I think in part of it is social media that
people can go online things, they can say whatever they
want and get away with it. And because for so
long technically we have society, we cherish free speech and
so but sometimes I think we let people. I believe
I have the right to free speech, but you also
have the right to be held accountable, right, and for
so long we haven't held people accountable for the stupid
things that they say online. Number two, because of our
(26:01):
primary system, the only way to win now is run
So either furtherest of the right or friends of the
left is where everybody is. And that's because of jerry mandering. Yeah,
because people drawing the safe Democrats, safe Republican. So the
only way to win a primary is to go further
to the right or friends and left. And so you
put all that together and you end up with the
mess that we're in right now.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
Yeah, do you do? You are you surprised to like,
you're currently in a little spat with the lieutenant governor.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
And you guess, I'm I'm a left wing agitator.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Well, and this is just ridiculous and and and you
know you had Roketa, your infamous thing with Roketa that
was been years ago now. But it's like fighting with
the media. I think a lot of them, especially guy
like you. You're willing to tell anybody's story, and it
just seems like they're picking a fight with a guy
who you're pretty much like you asked a question, let
people answer it, and and for some reason.
Speaker 3 (26:46):
They just hate you.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Now it's crazy to me.
Speaker 4 (26:48):
It's Todd Rakeda is stake of Morales and Mica beck with, Yeah,
it's a terrible trio.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Because you don't tolerate the bull crat exactly, or.
Speaker 4 (26:54):
At least be friends of mine. They'll tolerate the bull
craft be eaux. Actually I free am it. I do
have a bias bias for people I like and why
I like it because you play it straight shots traight
and can enjoy a good cigar well.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
And this is the thing that I always sad about.
I'm duel you and I just grant a whole bunch
of stuff politically, but we always shoot straight with each other,
and we tell each other and think you're an idiot
or acting like an idiot or whatever, and then we
go about our merry way. But these guys are so
full of it, and they don't understand that that if
you just stop being full of it, it goes a
lot better.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
And they've also, uh the other thing. I don't think
that's wrong with our politics and people have personalized it now. Yeah,
back in the old days, you know, you could disagree Okay, fine,
Now I disagree with somebody, Well he's a child molests
like whoa, whoa, whoa. What the heck are you talking
about here?
Speaker 3 (27:30):
Dude? No, no, no, I'm not.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
You can't say stuff like that anymore. But and and
and and part I think because I call it, I
call it Barack Obama Donald Trump syndrome. They want to
be the next Donald Trump or the next Barack Obama,
but they're not Donald Trump, Barack Obama. Our unique personalities
that come along once in a lifetime, and our in
our in our in our political universe, and trying to
be the next Donald Trump, it ain't gonna happen. So
st I'm trying to be Donald Trump. Just be yourself.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Yeah, you got thirty seconds. What if you could give
advice to these people that you think they should be
thankful for? What would it be?
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Be thankful? Didn't hire a real lawyer to go after you.
But I keep all the proceeds for myself.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Yeah, all right, Hey, we're thankful for you, thanks for
all you do, and we're thankful you're on State House
happenings with us.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
Hey, thankful for you and the love and wife and missus.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
I'm doctor Jim Dalton, President and CEO of Daymar. Daymar
is a critical resource for thousands of people in Central Indiana,
and it takes people like you to give them hope.
With over thirteen hundred employees and hundreds of volunteers, Daymar
is always looking for people to come aboard. Whether it's
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(28:33):
at daymar dot org.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
At the Honeysuckle Hill bestro In Cottage located off I
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their specialty is Hoo's your comfort food like Grandma used
to make, and just like Grandma's house, their goal is
for you to leave more at peace than when he
came in. The Honeysuckle Hill bestro In Cottage feature some
of the best made from scratch food in the state,
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and their chicken and pork is raised right here in Indiana.
The Honeysuckle H'll bestro In Cottage is open five to
eight Friday and Saturday and Sunday, featuring their incredible breakfast
buffet from eleven to two. For more information, call eight
one two four four three three zero zero three. State
House Happenings also wants to thank our fine friends at
Freedom Foods Indiana. Farmer Ryan Schleiman and the folks at
(29:16):
Freedom Foods Indiana have been delivering fresh fruits and vegetables
right to people's doors for years and Freedom Foods Indiana
is a big supporter of State House Happenings. Now, Freedom
Foods Indiana has some big things coming. We can't wait
to tell you all about it in the near future.
Right now, though, we just want to say thanks to
our friends at Freedom Foods Indiana for supporting State House Happenings.
(29:36):
That is going to do it for us this week.
For Abdu Lage Jabaz, for Jim Merritt, I'm Rob Kendall
want to wish you a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.
For the aforementioned, you've been listening to State House Happenings.
Where you work and who you work with matters. I'm
doctor Jim Dalton, President and CEO of Daymark. We're dedicated
to helping vulnerable kids and adults with disabilities. Right now,
we're looking for tough people with big hearts, people who
don't think twice about standing up for someone else, and
who love seeing others grow and succeed. Is your job
fulfilling emotionally or are you just filling time? Learn more
(00:22):
about open positions at daymark dot org.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
At the Honeysuckle Hill Bestro in Cottage, their specialty is
Who's your comfort food? Like Grandma used to make and
just like Grandma's house, their goal is for you to
leave more at peace than when you came in. Set
on the water around us scenic woods in beautiful Brazil.
The Honeysuckle Hill Bestrow in Cottage is an easy drive
don't Interstate seventy, less than an hour from downtown Indianapolis
(00:47):
and totally worth the trip. The Honeysuckle Hill Bestrow in
Cottage is open five to eight Friday and Saturday and Sunday,
featuring their incredible breakfast buffet from eleven to two. More
information call eight one, two, four four three three zero
zero three Statehouse Happenings. Also wants to thank our fine
friends at Freedom Foods Indiana. Farmer Ryan Schleman and the
(01:08):
folks at Freedom Foods Indiana have been delivering fresh fruits
and vegetables right to people's doors for years, and Freedom
Foods Indiana is a big supporter of State House Happenings.
Now Freedom Foods Indiana has some big things coming. We
can't wait to tell you all about it in the
near future. Right now, though, we just want to say
thanks to our friends at Freedom Foods Indiana for supporting
State House Happenings. Rob Kendall, Jim Merrett, I will give
(01:31):
you boys the program of Staate House Happenings. You're weekly
look at what's going on with Indiana politics and government.
Doing something a little different this week in honor of Thanksgiving,
we're taking a look back at some of the stories
we've been thankful for so far in twenty twenty five.
A lot to get to. Jim Marrett thirty years Indiana
Senate joins us now Jimmyrot Hello, Hello Robert. This year
(01:54):
it seems like it's blown by it has.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
But you know, there are times we were worried that
we wouldn't have anything to talk about during the summertime,
and it's content menia.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Every year we sit here and go, what are we
going to talk about after the session? What are we
going to do? And every year it seems like these
lawmakers get there's more drama out of the session than
in the session.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
And it's not just the lawmakers. Yeah, it's politics in general.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Okay, So obviously we start the year from Indiana politics
and government with a new governor and a new lieutenant governor.
There's so much hope about them, and it's kind of
been a dud.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well. I think that when you look back on it,
you and I I love to disagree with you, yes,
because that's that's the part of the job that I
really enjoy and and the governor I think deserves a
lot of credit to raising the idea, the vision of
(02:56):
the future of energy in the state of Indiana. And
I think I think looking back, twenty twenty five will
be that will be the time we have really leaped
forward and we'll start to grow Indiana again.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Okay, so the big issue they come out and we'll
get to energy a second, because you're right, that is
a major issue, but he put off. He being braun,
put all his eggs in the property tax basket. And
I think most people think he not only didn't address
it, it ended up being worse.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Well, our listeners saw probably a lot of them participated
in your rally, which had a thousand people in the
state House. And I'm here to tell you, ladies and gentlemen,
that's a lot of people. And for the one hundred
and fifty legislators to not stare them down but make
them feel welcome. And the state House is kind of
working museum.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, and we didn't touch anything.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
No, you didn't, but you did occupy the north part
of the state House and it was very impressive. The
governor makes an appearance, rolls up his sleeves and speaks
your language, Robert, and uh, and I.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Mean you're You're never gonna say. I mean, look, he
I think that is what's so fascinating to me is
because you're right. He comes to this event, he comes
around the corner. I think he thinks, oh, there's gonna
be like, you know, maybe a couple hundred people there,
and I'll give a quick hey and then leave. And
he sees all these people and they're going bonkers, and
you know, all the people are speaking.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
And you've got some representatives there.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, and you know the local government people and hammers
doing the thing. And I think he got caught up
in the moment. We're thought, well, these people are here
for me. I'm gonna give them what they want. But
the problem is, and you know this, then you got
to cash that check. And he wrote that check that
day with his mouth and it was downhill from there.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Yeah. It Cena Bill one is royaling local governments. And
I hope that when the legislature comes back into session
in January, uh, they they tweak that law and make
it simpler and easier to govern in the locales, because
right now is very different, dificult Robert to grow community.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Are you surprised he didn't just veto it and call
special session?
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yes, I I am, And and you know I think
what I think what really got confusing and really uh
it was a it was a blizzard of information and
and you know you have the issue with the budget
and and the economic forecast that that uh that everything
was coming down from the skies and and you had
(05:29):
the market, you had taxes might have been raised in Washington,
you had tariffs and and uh and we've spoken that
nausea and about this, but but the legislature and the
governor plowed through uh and and uh uh raised taxes
on tobacco for medic medicaid and uh and the property
(05:50):
tax issue Center Bill one kind of got mixed up
in the middle of that, and there's just a lot
of chaos at the state House in April last year.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Yeah, it was a real learning experience for me because
uh you yeah, well, you know, we'll get to that
in a secon because it's playing out again right in
front of us as we aired this program with redistricting.
But you if you're gonna move the legislature when because
let's face it, we had stiff opposition in terms of
the school districts and we were up against every local
(06:19):
government in the state. It was the people the local government.
And if you're gonna move the legislature on something where
the local governments are pushing against them, you can't just
say here's thirty thousand people. You got to secause they're gonna say, well,
bunch of these people are Indianapolis, or they're Brownsburg, or
they're and if I'm in Kokomo. I'm a center in Coke.
I don't care what that person says. You got to
really organize better in terms of you gotta have almost
(06:42):
like a widespread yeah support, But you gotta like, like
in those districts, you can't just shoot the pellet out
and go okay, you gotta have the sniper rifle. Of
these people live in my district. And you know, we'd
have been better off trying to spend our time one
hundred people in this district, one hundred people in this district.
And and I just like I learned from that to go,
(07:03):
here's how you actually move these guys if you're gonna
do something big going part although I don't know in
the property text thing, I'm not sure would have made
a difference.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Well, Robert, you're one of the very few people that
really understands the property text system. Yes, and and and
it's a very complex system. And if it could have
been fixed, it would have been fixed a long long
time ago. And and you know, it goes back to
when when when I was in the in the Senate
in two thousand and seven and eight and nine, where
we were trying to fix it and we fixed uh,
(07:31):
you know, the one two three percent, but we did
not fix the assessment, you know, the subjective part of
the property taxation system. And uh and and and and
we have lived, I have lived to regret that over
the last fifteen or seventeen years. And and it's it's
going to have to take some sort of you know,
(07:52):
crisis of magnitude now because you did the rally, h
it was impressive, and it was probably a little bit
uh struck a little fear in some hearts at the
state House. And and but now it's gonna it's gonna really,
uh take a momentous effort. And you probably hate to
(08:13):
hear me say this, but it goes back to RIFRA,
where it just scared the Jesus out of the legislature. Yeah.
Uh and the governor at the time.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Again its state hous happenings. Rob Kendall Jim Merritt were
talking about stories were thankful for Yeah, I'm not and
thankful for the outcome. But the story was great. It's
great publicity, it's great to great for business with property text.
The other major issue that has emerged now is the
cost of energy in the state of Indiana. And it
appears that we have a state that is scrambling one
(08:41):
for an identity as it relates to energy, to how
they're gonna provide the energy, and three how you merge
the demand for energy and ASPEC as it comes from
these data centers with people going I'd like to afford
to turn my lights on, it's a real mess.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yes, it is a mess. And you know, being on
the nominating commit for the UH to suggest members that
UH that will participate that will be appointed on the
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission was it was a real lesson
for me. And and the pressure that is happening in
southwest Indiana with rates is unconscionable. I heard that all
(09:22):
the time when people would call me and suggest people
that that were out of the forty seven and then
that we did it twenty two and now we have
nine in the governor stands, three Democrats and six Republicans
that they there is such a knowledge out there and
and people are starting to understand energy rates and and
and combine that with you're you're retiring so many different
(09:44):
coal plants and you're buying so much energy rather than
sourcing it out of Indiana that UH, it's it's a
spaghetti bowl, and you're right, it's a mess. And and
uh and and you know how I like to talk
about nuclear power, but gas, you know, having a gas
plant that's mobile and that can be at the Leap
district or wherever. We're going to have economic development and
(10:07):
Google coming to the state meta. You know, we we
have a prescription where we've got lots of things going on.
And you often talk about the equip which is eighty
percent that a user when they build these they have
to pay for eighty percent and then the ratepayer has
to be twenty.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Yeah, so just explain to people. They passed a bill
this year SMR Small Modular Reactors Nuclear I called the
Doctor Frankenstein Bill, in which the rate payer these utilities,
if they get into these SMRs, the rate payer is
going to be on the hook for eighty percent.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Of twenty percent. The person who is the developer will
be on the hook for eighty percent.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Okay, so yeah, I'm sorry, Yeah, but the rate payer
is going to be that's a sizeable amount of mind
on the hook. We're not talking for nine dollars here, right.
Whether whether it passes or it fails in terms of
whether it comes to the market, and a lot of
people are going, wait a second, what other business do
I have to pay for the R and D whether
it works or not? Right?
Speaker 3 (11:05):
And you know, you know, I've talked about this a lot,
and it's a legitimate question. And what my suggestion is is,
let's put a small Mandu reactor that can be built
in Indiana down in Mount Vernon. That can that uh
that we have water at Crane which is federal land
that it touches six counties. You can you can put
a nuke in there that is safe and reliable and green.
(11:28):
And let's start off with you when you don't have
not in my backyard, and let's demonstrate that you can.
You can. You can have something that's safe, that is
as workable, and then you can work on on these
different communities because Indiana won't accept brownouts like California has. Yeah,
and you probably know Spain and Portugal have gone all solar.
(11:50):
They went one day this year without electricity because the
sun wasn't shining well.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
And you've got to there's got to be a plan, right, absolutely,
this is what we talk about this on the all
the time on the Kennel Casey Show. There's no plan like, Okay,
we're gonna do these data centers. Well, but what's the benefit. Well,
they don't tell you, right, they can't give you clear
answers a lot of times on the water, on the electricity,
and we're giving them all this money to come here,
(12:15):
and people are saying, wait, is it a paying for
these people to come here and they don't really produce jobs. Yeah,
a lot of assessed value for the community they're gonna
be in, but it's abated so you don't get it
for years, and then it's gonna raise my electric grades,
Like what's in it for me? In the state does
not articulated that, right.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
I think the state in the in the coming weeks,
in the next year is gonna articulated plan. I believe
they will cite for a small Modu reactor. And and
if you look at Tennessee, the state of Tennessee is
working with Google, and they're working with the Tennessee Valley,
Tennessee Valley of TVA and Talent Tennessee Valley, Tennessee Valley.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Authority and Notvius with the Harper Valley. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
sorry I stumble over that. And so the state is
heavily involved with incentives uh TO to bring power so
they can have nuclear power to Tennessee. And I look
for Indiana and have the same sort of plan. Rob Kendall,
Jim Meridi program of Stale is Happening is taking a
look back at some of these. Again, not thankful for
(13:15):
the outcome, but the story itself that has kept us
talking throughout the the year. Look, I think we got
to send some time on this. And that is a
guy who came in with immense hope and optimism that
he was going to be different, he was going to
bring a different view to government. He's gonna make government
work different, and he's been a dumpster fire. And that's
Michael Beck with the lieutenant governor.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Yeah, I'm disappointed in the lieutenant governor. I think you
and I know I did suggested that, you know, you
keep your head down a little bit. You preside over
the Senate. You put a dark suit on your senatorial
your lieutenant governor. This is a very important position.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Yeah, and you could you could still have strong opinions
on things like property taxes or whatever and just not
have the shenanigans that go along with the.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
And you're on the bron team, you can still be
Micah beck with but you're on the bron team and
and and and and good things come. I've seen a
lot of lieutenant governors. Frank O Bannon was a great
lieutenant governor becomes governor. And so you know, it's uh,
it's very difficult to understand. Uh how Micah who you know,
(14:22):
Dear Micah, my friend Micah, you know you crave publicity.
And when you get in fights with our friend abdul
On on Facebook and and and there are so many
situations that are so toward and and you're a soldier,
you're not a general, and and act like it, and
and and and be senatorial and work with Center Bray
(14:45):
and and and uh and be there to support, be
there and support the Senate, be there to support the governor.
And it's just it's just, uh, it's an upset apple
cart that I'm not sure it's going to be restocked well.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
And you know, when we talk about the scandals, obviously
front and center is whatever this grand jury is looking into,
artificial intelligence, pornography, allegations in the in the office. There's
allegations of which he is admitted in public that it's
going on right that there's an investigation doesn't meaning by.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
Anything, doesn't mean we're not whispering anything, doesn't.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Mean anybody's gonna be uh convicted. It doesn't mean that
there's gonna be a ditments. It means that that there
are there's a grand jury, should be top secret documentation
that they're looking at artificial artificial intelligence, pornography and and
goes employment in his office and it's like even the
way he's handled that where he did it was like
the deflect, to deny, the demean and then oh, yeah,
(15:38):
I guess it is happening. I guess they. I guess
they were like, it's just like it is all ridiculous, it's.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Totally unsous and it's it's it's just a it's a
shame and it's, Uh, you wonder why the Broun people
don't get momentum because there's something sprouting up from from
his office on a constant basis, and what an opportunity
he had and had.
Speaker 2 (16:02):
Is the key word. It's over.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
Yeah, I don't look at to him be the lieutenant
governor in twenty eight twenty nine.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
Well, on the other side of it is if he
had just done what he campaigned on as bad as
Braun's looking right now, he could be a primary challenger
to Braun. He could be the front and center potentially,
as mad as people are with Braun not saying he
would Yeah, I say he could win. He had me
on his bro his podcast a little while ago.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
That's the right, some silly name and that well, we
had a good time, and and I just looked him
straight in the eye and go, you know, you and
Diego and Roketa, none of you could win a primary. Yeah,
you know you're great at the convention, but winning a
primary for those three is not gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Yeah, Jim, Rob Kendall State Hoo's happening is our program
take a look at some of the bigger stories of
twenty twenty five thus far. Okay, then obviously it brings
us to today where we're at, which is all the
fight is over redistricting. You and I both agree this
is the dumbest thing ever. It's we've wasted all this
time in political capital and ever and all the other stuff.
(17:09):
And Braun still, at least as of this recording, candidly
we're putting it together, uh Friday before Thanksgiving, but he
appears still not only short but very short on his
votes to get this thing through the Senate by some
time in December.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
And just think about everything that's going on and stay government.
Uh and they they they they've passed the Spartan bill.
The governor signed it. He started letting people go. Uh
and and and we haven't heard any I think the
economy is in pretty good shape in Indiana, but we
haven't heard anything out of the governor governor's administration on
(17:47):
how how the benefits of laying people off are And
so it the the idea of redistricting. And and as
you know, I'm a I'm a member of the establishment,
proudly like a batch of honor. I do, I do,
and I respect the Senate. And uh, I worry that
some of my former members in the Senate. Uh my,
(18:10):
they're continually I'm a farmer, They're they're a continuous incumbent.
I worry about, uh, the idea of trying to replace
centat Bray at the top. And and uh, they don't
have the votes. But if they would happen to get
the votes, it may be that Senator Bray turns to
the Democrats and once once their ten votes to stay
(18:33):
is as pro tempt Well.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
We saw some of this stuff play out with the
Republicans with the Speaker of the House, yes, you know,
a couple years ago, with all that all that drama.
It's so weird to me that it's like Braun I
used the analogy of the Glenn Close character in Fatal Attraction.
I will not be ignored, Dan, And it's like, you
wouldn't fight for us on property taxes like this, but
(18:56):
you'll go to the mat for Donald Trump and he's
coming up. I'm gonna try to come tell them to
show up, and I'm gonna support the new leadership and uh,
and and and and primary in these people. And it's like,
why don't you do this on the other things we've
been talking about here that actually matter to people.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
Well, yeah, and you're exactly right. There are a lot
of things that matter to people that the legislature needs
to be thinking about. Especially the short session next year
is going to be in a minute, and they're gonna
be gone because they're running for election and they don't
want to talk about this anymore. But but the whole
thing here is that, uh, these two speaker and the
(19:32):
President pro tem of the Senate are are not battle warm,
but they are battle ready. They had to deal with
Governor Holcomb's seventy executive orders during COVID, and they had
to do deal with it with smile. They could, they
could register their complaint in two of six, room to
A six the Governor's office and and there, and just
(19:52):
watching their body language. The other day when I was
at the State House, which was a very sad place,
ladies and gentlemen, there's a pall over the place, which
I don't like. But they are battled ready and they're
going to do what they need to do to get
a session going in twenty twenty six, and I think
they'll be successful with it.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Rob Kenel, Jim Merrett, Stadou's Happening is our show taking
a look back at some of the stories we're thankful
for in twenty twenty five. I want to talk about
you for a second. We don't have a lot of
time to do this each week, but you've been out
of the Senate now for five years, six six years.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
I've walked away or I stepped away in twenty it's
twenty five. Yeah, I'm almost so yeah, five years long time, Yeah,
five years, that's exactly right. I'm thinking twenty six.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Do you like do you miss it? I still think
of you as a senator. It's so weird to be like,
I still think of you as a like when you
come in and do the show, I always think of
Senator Jim Merritt is there.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Well. I appreciate that you know our listeners. I'm sure
none of you liked me being on here because I
face it face with Rob, and Rob's always right in
your mind.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
But but have you no not anymore money, not anymore.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
I I enjoyed participating in it, being bridged, being part
of the glue, being you know, the the idea of
stability and UH. I do miss the Senate in regards
to public policy and and UH and representing constituents. I
would imagine in this time and age, I either would
(21:24):
have been kicked out of my own caucus or not
be a leader of the caucus because I I I
told our friend Adam Rand the other day that that
Rod Bray, what two words remind me of him is
steadfast common sense. And that's what I stand for. And
(21:44):
I really believe that that the Indian Senate and Indiana
House of Representatives have their squabbles and everything, but at
the end of the day, they're all good people. They
come to the State House and they do what they
need to do. And yes, I do miss it.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
And curferently now that you're not there, oh absolutely really.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Yeah, I I well, you know, back then I was
I was chairman of the committee, I was chairman of
the caucus. Had a lot of things going on with
issues that I that I that I really appreciated and
worked hard on. But now I can look at the uh,
I can look at the whole matter. And and and
you know, I've I've always viewed myself as a future governor.
(22:24):
That's not going to happen. But but are you that well.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
You're very young by politics standards, anyone under eighty three.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
If I had twenty million to spend. But but bottom
line is, I look at it through his lens, and
and sometimes I disagree, sometimes I agree, And and I
always felt like when I when I stepped away and
I think I've done this, I can lead outside the limestone.
I still think there's a way. I enjoy our little
jousts in our days. Uh And and I'm having a
(22:55):
good time and and so you know, what's done is done.
Kyle Walker's doing it. Absolutely great job. He's gonna win reelection.
He's hopefully being protected by local police and I know
he is, and it's something that it's fun to watch.
We're time to do something different.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
We're going to take a break. I'm doing. Is good
to join us. Wrap a final five minutes of the
program you're listened to State House Happenings.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
One of the most incredible journeys I've witnessed is seeing
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, get the
care they deserve. It's life changing. A not for profits
started by Families for Families, Deymar helps thousands in central
Indiana live more joyful and independent lives. You can help
bring hope to countless families in Indiana with a donation
(23:37):
to support our work. Visit Daymar dot org to learn more.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Not only does the Honeysuckle Hill bestro in Cottage, located
less than an hour from downtown Indianapolis off Interstate seventeen
Beautiful Brazil feature some of the best made from scratch
food in the state, including chicken and pork raised right
here in Indiana, but they also offer catering for small
and medium sized weddings and events. Giving you the oppertu
tunity to bring down home feel and charmed to your
(24:02):
special day. Reservations preferred, but not required. The Honeysuckle Hill
bestro In Cottages open five to eight Friday and Saturday
and Sunday, featuring their incredible breakfast buffet from eleven to
two more information called eight one two, four four three
three zero zero three. Statehouse Happenings also wants to thank
our fine friends at Freedom Foods Indiana. Farmer Ryan Schleiman
(24:25):
and the folks at Freedom Foods Indiana have been delivering
fresh fruits and vegetables right to people's doors for years,
and Freedom Foods Indiana is a big supporter of State
House Happenings. Now, Freedom Foods Indiana has some big things coming.
We can't wait to tell you all about it in
the near future. Right now, though, we just want to
say thanks to our friends at Freedom Foods Indiana for
supporting State House Happenings. Rob Kendall now Dulaquem Shabaz. The
(24:48):
program stales abatages a weekly look at what's going on
with Indiana politics and government. I was hoping we'd get
to squeeze a few minutes in because of course we're
doing the program day on. Things were thankful for, stories
were thankful for, maybe not the outcomes, but kept us,
kept us entertained. And I just want to spend a
few minutes with you. Say, first of all, they were
very thankful for you abduling your contributions to State House
happenings each week.
Speaker 4 (25:08):
Now I'm very thankful for all my haters who made
me a very rich man.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
All right, So real quick, you know, I just a
couple of mons we have left. You've covered state house
for twenty years. Has it ever been like this?
Speaker 4 (25:21):
My friend? I've covered state houses in Illinois and Indiana
since I was twenty five years old. I have never
seen anything quite like this of the most bizarre rob
Lgoyevitch day of my entire life.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
Yeah, what what has changed? Why is it so rapidly
so different? Is it social media? Is it the environment?
Speaker 4 (25:38):
Like?
Speaker 2 (25:38):
What is Why is it so different?
Speaker 4 (25:40):
I think in part of it is social media that
people can go online things, they can say whatever they
want and get away with it. And because for so
long technically we have society, we cherish free speech and
so but sometimes I think we let people. I believe
I have the right to free speech, but you also
have the right to be held accountable, right, and for
so long we haven't held people accountable for the stupid
things that they say online. Number two, because of our
(26:01):
primary system, the only way to win now is run
So either furtherest of the right or friends of the
left is where everybody is. And that's because of jerry mandering. Yeah,
because people drawing the safe Democrats, safe Republican. So the
only way to win a primary is to go further
to the right or friends and left. And so you
put all that together and you end up with the
mess that we're in right now.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
Yeah, do you do? You are you surprised to like,
you're currently in a little spat with the lieutenant governor.
Speaker 4 (26:22):
And you guess, I'm I'm a left wing agitator.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Well, and this is just ridiculous and and and you
know you had Roketa, your infamous thing with Roketa that
was been years ago now. But it's like fighting with
the media. I think a lot of them, especially guy
like you. You're willing to tell anybody's story, and it
just seems like they're picking a fight with a guy
who you're pretty much like you asked a question, let
people answer it, and and for some reason.
Speaker 3 (26:46):
They just hate you.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
Now it's crazy to me.
Speaker 4 (26:48):
It's Todd Rakeda is stake of Morales and Mica beck with, Yeah,
it's a terrible trio.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Because you don't tolerate the bull crat exactly, or.
Speaker 4 (26:54):
At least be friends of mine. They'll tolerate the bull
craft be eaux. Actually I free am it. I do
have a bias bias for people I like and why
I like it because you play it straight shots traight
and can enjoy a good cigar well.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
And this is the thing that I always sad about.
I'm duel you and I just grant a whole bunch
of stuff politically, but we always shoot straight with each other,
and we tell each other and think you're an idiot
or acting like an idiot or whatever, and then we
go about our merry way. But these guys are so
full of it, and they don't understand that that if
you just stop being full of it, it goes a
lot better.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
And they've also, uh the other thing. I don't think
that's wrong with our politics and people have personalized it now. Yeah,
back in the old days, you know, you could disagree Okay, fine,
Now I disagree with somebody, Well he's a child molests
like whoa, whoa, whoa. What the heck are you talking
about here?
Speaker 3 (27:30):
Dude? No, no, no, I'm not.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
You can't say stuff like that anymore. But and and
and and part I think because I call it, I
call it Barack Obama Donald Trump syndrome. They want to
be the next Donald Trump or the next Barack Obama,
but they're not Donald Trump, Barack Obama. Our unique personalities
that come along once in a lifetime, and our in
our in our in our political universe, and trying to
be the next Donald Trump, it ain't gonna happen. So
st I'm trying to be Donald Trump. Just be yourself.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Yeah, you got thirty seconds. What if you could give
advice to these people that you think they should be
thankful for? What would it be?
Speaker 4 (27:59):
Be thankful? Didn't hire a real lawyer to go after you.
But I keep all the proceeds for myself.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Yeah, all right, Hey, we're thankful for you, thanks for
all you do, and we're thankful you're on State House
happenings with us.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
Hey, thankful for you and the love and wife and missus.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
I'm doctor Jim Dalton, President and CEO of Daymar. Daymar
is a critical resource for thousands of people in Central Indiana,
and it takes people like you to give them hope.
With over thirteen hundred employees and hundreds of volunteers, Daymar
is always looking for people to come aboard. Whether it's
a career or simply donating your time. There's a place
for you here at Daymar. Learn more about our mission
(28:33):
at daymar dot org.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
At the Honeysuckle Hill bestro In Cottage located off I
seventy and Beautiful Brazil, less than an hour from downtown Indianapolis,
their specialty is Hoo's your comfort food like Grandma used
to make, and just like Grandma's house, their goal is
for you to leave more at peace than when he
came in. The Honeysuckle Hill bestro In Cottage feature some
of the best made from scratch food in the state,
(28:55):
and their chicken and pork is raised right here in Indiana.
The Honeysuckle H'll bestro In Cottage is open five to
eight Friday and Saturday and Sunday, featuring their incredible breakfast
buffet from eleven to two. For more information, call eight
one two four four three three zero zero three. State
House Happenings also wants to thank our fine friends at
Freedom Foods Indiana. Farmer Ryan Schleiman and the folks at
(29:16):
Freedom Foods Indiana have been delivering fresh fruits and vegetables
right to people's doors for years and Freedom Foods Indiana
is a big supporter of State House Happenings. Now, Freedom
Foods Indiana has some big things coming. We can't wait
to tell you all about it in the near future.
Right now, though, we just want to say thanks to
our friends at Freedom Foods Indiana for supporting State House Happenings.
(29:36):
That is going to do it for us this week.
For Abdu Lage Jabaz, for Jim Merritt, I'm Rob Kendall
want to wish you a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.
For the aforementioned, you've been listening to State House Happenings.
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