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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 5th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Sydney Foreman interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton in our weekly segment – A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
A Few Minutes with the Mayor features listener-posed questions to Mayor Hamilton on community issues. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in our legislative update, Governor Holcomb signed a police reform bill into law and said he would veto another bill aimed at stripping away his executive power on public health restrictions. More in today’s headlines.
Your Local News Brief
The WFHB Local News Brief breaks down the daily local news cycle into 2-3 minutes of what you need to know each day. Listen live Monday through Thursday at 1:30 p.m. on WFHB Community Radio. Visual broadcasts of the news briefs are available on our Youtube channel, WFHB-TV.
1,000 Hoosiers a day are diagnosed with Covid-19 on average right now. The uptick in new cases signals that Indiana is likely entering a fourth wave. It was last October, that Indiana first averaged 1,000 cases per day, and at that same time, the state started a steep climb into a third wave. On the Indiana State Department of Health graph, which charts diagnosed cases, the third wave was so large that it makes the first two waves look like ripples in a bathtub.
The U.S. as a whole appears to be entering this fourth wave, and while deaths are still a near-all-time lows from the lull after the last wave, we can expect Covid-19 related deaths to tick up in the next week or two. Deaths usually lag behind cases by about two weeks. In the middle of last October, about two weeks after the state was averaging about 1,000 new deaths per day, Indiana was averaging about 25 deaths per day.
With the spring weather, the vaccine rollout underway, and about one-fifth of Indiana’s population already vaccinated, it can be tempting to let one’s guard down and be a little lax on Covid-19 safety guidelines, but local and national health officials have voiced concerns that this fourth wave will be quite severe.
In the weekly Covid-19 press conference, hosted by the City of Bloomington last friday, Indiana University Assistant Vice President, Kirk White, announced that this week the university was set to vaccinate 7,000 people. Until now, that number has been closer to 700.
Kinser Flats, a new 50-unit apartment complex in Bloomington for people without housing is just opening now. The project is run by Centerstone, a national community health organization. The project is opening behind schedule, but for the people moving in, it serves as permanent low cost housing, costing 50 dollars per month.
Local Joint Covid-19 Press Conference
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton reported three new positive COVID-19 cases among city employees at the April 2nd COVID-19 press conference. Monroe County Health Commissioner Penny Caudill addressed the spike in positive cases.
Caudill stated the Optimserve and Morton Street COVID testing sites will remain open, despite an increased number of vaccinations.
Governor Holcomb Plans to Veto Bill to Strip Emergency Executive Powers
In today’s legislative update, WFHB reports on several bills which made their way to the governor’s desk. Governor Eric Holcomb says he plans to veto House Bill 1123, which is designed to limit the governor’s executive authority to declare a public health emergency. Also, last week, Holcomb signed a bipartisan police reform bill into law, which some supporters are calling “historic.”
Governor Eric Holcomb says he plans to veto a bill designed to limit his emergency powers.
House Bill 1123 would allow the Indiana General Assembly to convene for a special session if the governor declares a public health emergency.
The bill would also allow the General Assembly to regulate how the state spends federal stimulus money if in session. If not in session, the bill would require a review by the State Budget Committee.
All in all, this bill was one of a dozen bills designed to strip away Governor Holcomb’s executive authority when it comes to public health emergencies.
Several members of the Holcomb Administration have testified against the bill. Holcomb and his supporters argue that the legislation would limit the governor’s ability to act quickly during a public health crisis.
Lawmakers who support the bill say they are looking for proper representation when it comes to enacting public health restrictions.
State Senator Susan Glick, a Republican from LaGrange, said, “I’m not saying the governor has done anything radically wrong I’m asking for our seat at the table.”
Former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan, Jr. testified against the bill. He said in his testimony, “I’m here to implore you that if you think the governor’s power to handle emergencies needs to be reduced to do so in a way that the Constitution permits. You’ve got plenty of options in that regard. And if you decide that the legislature does need power that the Constitution does not give, the right way to do that is by a constitutional amendment, and not an unconstitutional bill.”
House Bill 1123 passed through the state House of Representatives on February 9th in a 69 to 27 vote. Since then, it has passed the Senate Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures after a third reading.
The bill may arrive at the governor’s desk by Monday, April 5th. Again, Governor Holcomb says he will veto House Bill 1123. Since he took office in 2017, Holcomb has only vetoed one piece of legislation.
Governor Holcomb Signs Police Reform Bill into Law
On Thursday, Governor Eric Holcomb signed a police reform bill into law that would require de-escalation training for police officers.
House Bill 1006 establishes de-escalation training, allows the state law enforcement training board to decertify an officer accused of misconduct and limits the use of chokeholds by police officers.
It also states that an officer who turns off a body-worn camera with the intent to conceal a criminal act commits a Class-A misdemeanor. Moreover, it requires an agency hiring a police officer to request the officer’s employment record.
The bill drew bipartisan support and passed through both the house and senate with unanimous support.
Before the bill had passed out of committee, WFHB talked to Chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and State Representative Robin Shackleford about the bill.
Representative Shackleford co-authored the bill alongside several of her colleagues which included both Republicans and Democrats. It was originally authored by Republican Representative Greg Steuerwald.
Shackleford explained how this bipartisan bill came together to generate support across both sides of the aisle.
The law received endorsements from law enforcement, including the state Fraternal Order of Police, the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police and the Indiana Sheriff’s Association.
It also received support from the NAACP, the Indianapolis Urban League and members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus.
Monroe County Commissioners
Monroe County Commissioners approved a Resolution regarding Housing as A Human Right during their March 31st meeting. Affordable Housing Advisory Commission member Vauhxx Booker read the resolution.
Booker mentioned the resolution committed Monroe County to the advancement of affordable housing opportunities. Commissioner Lee Jones spoke of the importance of stable housing and making community members feel safe.
Monroe County Commissioners Work Session
Monroe County Commissioners approved extended services for compliance officers. County Health Administrator Penny Caudill spoke during their March 31st meeting.
Chamber of Commerce member Jim Shelton stated compliance officers allowed business to not have to confront customers.
Bloomington City Council Land Use Committee
The Bloomington City Council Land Use Committee sent a positive recommendation to Full Council for a proposed development on Hillside drive. Architect Doug Bruce stated the proposed multi-building complex next to Switchyard Park had been designed “environmentally-conscious” during their March 31st meeting.
Bruce stated construction would include apartments, townhomes and commercial spaces. He mentioned buildings would connect to the B-line trail. Planner Eric Greulich stated 15 percent of living units would be affordable living. Councilwoman Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked Bruce about affordable unit distribution.
Council member Matt Flaherty suggested the developers accept housing vouchers. Bruce stated no official timeline was proposed for the development. Council members considered a reasonable condition to require a cool or vegetated roof on each of the new buildings. Environmental Commission member Andrew Gunther stated green roofs are not suitable replacements.
Council member Stephan Volan stated the development would replace a warehouse, not greenspace. Council members approved the reasonable condition. Council members will discuss the development during their next City Council at the Whole meeting.
Feature Reports
Now it’s time for a Few Minutes with the Mayor – your weekly segment where WFHB asks Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton questions on community issues.
In today’s segment, WFHB Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman talks to Hamilton about vaccine appointments, a recent increase in positive Covid-19 cases and on the plan commission’s approval of conditional uses of multiplexes.
All that and more in today’s edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Credits
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News.
Today’s headlines were written by Aaron Comforty, Jake Jacobson, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Sydney Foreman.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
