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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, November 18th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have the November edition of Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. In today’s episode, host Jim Allison speaks with Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton, about the current status of our democracy. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we provide a rundown of all the latest news on the state level.
That’s coming up next in your Statehouse Roundup:
GOP Senator Mike Braun faces accusations that he illegally loaned his 2018 campaign millions of dollars from his company.
The accusations come after a Federal Elections Commission memorandum and draft audit last week, according to a report by the Indy Star.
State Democrats claim that Braun, “broke the law and stole a United States seat in 2018.”
In 2018, Braun ran against then-Senator Joe Donnelly in a tight race. At the time, Braun’s ability to self-finance his campaign was viewed as an advantage.
Since that election, no Democrat has held statewide office in Indiana.
Braun denies that his campaign did anything improper. His campaign responded to the FEC that all the loan contributions were made legally.
According to state health officials, four out of ten Indiana adults are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
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On Friday, the Indiana State Department of Health reported that nearly 60 percent of Indiana residents ages 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the Joe Biden Administration has announced it will require a vaccine mandate for all state and local governments and businesses with over one hundred employees.
The vaccine mandate would apply to Indiana. However, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced he would file a lawsuit in the Seventh Circuit Court of appeals against the federal government over the vaccine mandate for large employers.
Rokita said in a statement last Thursday, “This is a direct attack on states’ rights. This is a direct attack on individual liberties and freedom and it’s an overreach of the federal government.”
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb says that he supports the lawsuit. Holcomb directed the Indiana Department of Labor to work together with Rokita on the lawsuit.
In a statement, Holcomb said, “While I agree that the vaccine is the tool that will best protect against Covid-19, this federal government approach is unprecedented and will bring about harmful, unintended consequences in the supply chain and the workforce.”
If proven successful against the lawsuit, workers would have until January 4th of next year to get vaccinated or deal with weekly testing.
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Earlier this week, the Indiana Democratic Party announced that it wants to legalize recreational cannabis.
The idea of cannabis reform becomes increasingly more relevant as neighboring states Illinois and Michigan have legalized recreational marijuana.
Meanwhile, Indiana residents flock to nearby states to buy legal pot. According to a WTHR report – on a business day in February of last year – 19 of the 26 vehicles parked outside a dispensary in Niles, Michigan, had Indiana license plates.
In a press release on Monday, Indiana Democrats pointed to a 2018 Hoosier Survey Poll, which said about 80 percent of Indiana residents support some form of cannabis legalization.
State Democrats hope to capitalize on bipartisan support to pass the measure in 2022.
Mike Schmul, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, said this week, “The Republican Supermajority at the Statehouse is losing its economic common sense if they do not join Democrats this session in making this an opportunity for the Hoosier State.”
Given Governor Eric Holcomb’s opposition to legalizing cannabis and the Statehouse’s reluctance to pass any cannabis reform, only time will tell how this issue plays out in the coming session.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
On November 15th the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission The Housing and Neighborhood Development Department Director John Zody explained additional funds requested for emergency home repairs.
He said that similar requests were approved in the years past, and added that the cost caps might need to be reevaluated in the future since the cost of materials has increased over the years.
Commissioner member Deborah Myerson asked if there was any reason an eighty percent efficient HVAC system had been proposed, or if investing in a better unit would ensure savings in the future.
Zody said he wasn’t sure why it was set to be eighty percent efficient, but he could look into it for the next meeting. Commission member David Walter said waiting until next week to make a decision would leave this house without heat as it is starting to get cold. To mitigate waiting, the commission discussed approving funding for a more efficient system as long as it did not exceed an extra thousand dollars.
The commission unanimously approved the emergency funding for both home repairs. The next Bloomington Redevelopment Commission meeting will be held on December 6th.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Civic Conversations – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. In today’s episode, host Jim Allison speaks with Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton, about the current status of our democracy.
You’re listening to Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News. We are currently listening to Former Congressman Lee Hamilton speak about the state of our democracy with Civic Conversations host Jim Allison. Civic Conversations airs each month on WFHB Community Radio. We turn back to Jim Allison for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Becky Hill.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Benedict Jones and Lucinda Larnach.
