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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, October 21st, 2021.
Later in the program, we have our monthly podcast, Prescription for Healthcare – a collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. Hosts Karen Green-Stone and Dr. Rob Stone continue their conversation with Dr. Ed Weisbart, a retired family physician from St. Louis and chair of the Missouri chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB News provides a rundown on all the latest news on the state level.
That’s coming up next during your Statehouse Roundup:
The U.S. Equality Act recently passed through the House, and it currently resides in the Senate where it awaits approval.
The bill would prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Right now, Indiana is one of 27 states without statewide non-discrimination protections for its LGBTQIA+ residents, according to the Associated Press.
If passed, the Equality Act would provide the protections missing on the state level.
Chris Paulsen, CEO of the Indiana Youth Group, was quoted in the AP saying that the passing of this bill would be very important.
Paulsen lives in Indianapolis where the city has put protections into place. However, Paulsen says that if she and her wife travel to nearby Greenwood for dinner, they can be denied service.
Paulsen says, “I think it’s important that we have the same rules for everyone throughout the country.”
According to a poll from the Human Rights Campaign, seven in ten Americans support the Equality Act.
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Last week, State Representative Stephen Bartels commented on President Biden’s action and subsequent federal mandates for Covid-19 vaccinations that were released in September.
Bartels called the mandates unconstitutional because the federal government doesn’t have the power to implement federal mandates under the tenth amendment.
According to the tenth amendment, the federal government only has the powers granted to it by the Constitution, anything not listed in the Constitution is, “reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
Bartels commented that he supports Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, in his effort to pursue legal rights to stop the federal mandates.
Bartells finished his statement regarding Hoosiers getting the vaccination by stating, “I believe this is a medical decision only you can make.”
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Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed new voting district maps into law earlier this month.
The maps faced criticism for the partisan nature in which they were drawn behind closed doors. Voter rights groups say federal legislation is needed to open up the state’s redistricting process.
Julia Vaughn, policy director for Common Cause Indiana, says that the current redistricting process makes voters feel like their vote doesn’t matter.
“In too many areas, areas of our state voters really don’t have influence because the districts were drawn to benefit one party over the other,” said
The Freedom to Vote Act, which tackles election protections, partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression, failed through the Senate on Wednesday by a 49-51 vote. That’s shy of the 60 votes needed for approval. Senate Republicans labeled the bill as federal overreach.
Meanwhile, Indiana ranks 12th from the bottom in voter turnout, according to the World Population Review.
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Earlier last week, State Representative Maureen Bauer, a member of the Indiana House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee announced that a plan is in the works to aid and support farmers and the agricultural sector.
Bauer’s statement addresses the economic impact that Indiana’s agricultural business has on providing jobs and income. Bauer coauthored The House Enrolled Act 1283 that aims to support the agricultural business and education on agriculture in the STEM field. The Act also includes preventions for urban expansion into farming land.
Bauer stated, “Support for our agricultural workers as it recovers from the impacts of the pandemic will ensure a strong economy, food access and healthy environment for generations to come.”
Bloomington Plan Commission Discusses Five-Story Housing Project Along the B-Line Trail
At the City of Bloomington Plan Commission meeting on October 18th, Senior Zoning Planner Eric Greulich shared a design proposal for a five story housing project along the B-line trail and 8th street.
Greulich said that the board of zoning will have to approve of this design as well, since the project is not able to meet the build to line due to a water culvert in the ground they have had to design around.
He said they are meeting other requirements to meet the sustainable development incentives like solar panels, cool or vegetative roof, and reduction in parking. The board has asked that they still set aside at least one parking space for a ride-sharing.
The petitioner Michael Cordaro spoke to the board, and said that he hopes they will be able to start building by late spring or early summer next year. Commission member Brad Wisler pointed out that although he approves of the site plan, he does have concerns about flooding in the area.
The Plan Commission voted unanimously to approve this site plan. The board of zoning appeals will consider the petition for a zoning variance on October 21st.
Road Report: I-69 to Open in Martinsville by the End of 2021
About nine months ago, a five-mile section of State Road 37 in Martinsville closed to the public in order to upgrade to interstate status.
However, motorists can expect the Martinsville portion of the I-69 Finish Line project to open soon, says spokesperson Natalie Garrett.
“I-69 through Martinsville is expected to open to traffic by the end of 2021,” said Garrett.
The I-69 Finish Line project stretches from Martinsville to Indianapolis, and it will include more than 26 miles of new interstate highway and dozens of new or replaced bridges.
Garrett explained the project at large and how the Martinsville portion fits into the broader construction.
“It’s the sixth and final section of I-69 between Evansville and Indianapolis in the state of Indiana,” she said. “The actual finish line portion begins in Martinsville and ends in Indianapolis, they will connect with the south side of 465.”
She also touched on some major changes motorists can expect to see once the interstate opens.
“Access to the highway and future interstate will be different than it was prior to the closure. Access points will be limited to the entrance and exit ramps along what is currently State Road 37, future I-69,” said Garrett.
As we move into the fall and inch closer to the winter months, construction becomes dependent on weather conditions.
However, Garrett maintains that road construction remains steady. She says crews are on schedule for the expected unveiling of the interstate by the end of the year.
“Construction is continuing on schedule along the corridor. As I said earlier, paving is one of the main operations going on at least in the Martinsville area,” she said.
Looking ahead, Garrett says that construction crews will continue to work on the highway even after the road opens to the public.
“Work will continue in the Martinsville area through mid 2022. Just because end of the year hits, that doesn’t mean our contractor is going to pack up and leave the Martinsville area,” said Garrett.
For more information on project updates and frequently asked questions, you can visit i69finishline.com.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for Prescription for Healthcare – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. Our guest today is Dr. Ed Weisbart, a retired family physician from St. Louis and chair of the Missouri chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program.
Dr. Weisbart lectures around the country on the problems and inequalities of our healthcare system and the need for single-payer Medicare for All. He was recently in Bloomington and Indianapolis giving presentations for medical students.
We turn to hosts Karen Green Stone and Dr. Rob Stone for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Emily McCoy, Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dr. Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
