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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 18th, 2025.
Later in the program, The Council on American-Islamic Relations has designated IU as a “hostile campus” after students and faculty were banned for their involvement in Palestinian solidarity demonstrations. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Council Tables Opposition to Senate Bill 1, Supports Broadband Grants and Re-Entry Program
The Monroe County Council met on February 11th, 2025. At the beginning of the meeting, the Monroe County Council heard council attorney Molly Turner-King speak on Resolution 2025-05. This resolution outlines the county’s opposition to Indiana State Senate bill 1, which proposes slashing residential and personal property taxes for both businesses and homeowners. Monroe County estimates that the negative effect of this proposed bill could result in substantial amounts of lost tax revenue.
Consequently, the only viable alternative offered by local lawmakers would be an increase in income tax, ultimately offsetting for homeowners the money saved in property tax. As a result, the resolution warns, businesses may be the only recipients of real tax cuts for Monroe County.
During the meeting, Council Member Pete Iversen drew attention to other adverse effects of the bill as it relates to public funding.
Turner-King pointed out that the General Assembly introduced 93 amendments to the bill on Tuesday morning, which muddles the resolution’s figures for projected effects on revenue for the county. Turner-King suggested that they omit specific numbers in the resolution to avoid mistakes due to the changes.
Council member Kate Wiltz expressed caution regarding the statement of opposition due to the amendments sudden and substantial changes.
Council members Liz Feitl and Trent Deckard concurred with Wiltz’s stance, with Deckard bringing attention to the balance of interests in this decision.
Council member David Henry supported caution and waiting to learn more about the senate bill along with the other members of the council, but stated that a resolution will nonetheless have to be reckoned with.
Council member Peter Iversen agreed with Henry’s remarks. Despite the current tumult and change surrounding the bill, Iversen reiterated the responsibility of the council members in assessing the repercussions of the legislation.
Crossley said that she’d like to speak directly with Governor Mike Braun about the impacts of this bill.
At the end of the conclusion of the meeting, council member Henry emphasized his thoughts on the urgency of responding to this bill.
The council ultimately moved to table the discussion to the next meeting, which will take place on February 25th.
The council also heard a resolution supporting Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Grants. AT&T, Comcast, and Mainstream Fiber Networks will be applying to these grants hoping
to receive funding to build better internet infrastructure in underserved areas of the country, including Monroe County. The council has the option to send letters supporting these grant
applications and affirming constituency interest in expanding broadband access. Councilmember Henry shared a statement in support of this resolution.
The council unanimously voted to sign a letter in support of the grant application.
Later in the meeting, Deputy Chief Probation Officer Anthony Williams asked for the council’s approval to renew a grant that supports a re-entry program for people being released from incarceration.
The motion passed unanimously.
Council member Iverson concluded the meeting by sharing some words of encouragement to empower constituents.
The next County Council meeting will take place at 5:00 p.m. on February 25th.
Feature Report:
Indiana University has faced criticism for its response to campus protests advocating for Palestinian human rights. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has designated IU as a “hostile campus” after students and faculty were banned for their involvement in demonstrations. One of those students, Bryce Greene, was removed from campus for his role in the Palestine Solidarity Committee’s occupation of Dunn Meadow. In tonight’s feature, produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University, correspondent Samuel Dexter speaks with Greene and IU professor Ben Robinson about their experiences, the university’s protest policies, and the legal challenges now unfolding.
Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between Lil Bub’s Big Fund and WFHB. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Tom Mucherheide, Laurie Frederickson and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature report on protest policy at IU was produced by Chad Carrothers and Samuel Dexter.
Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky produced today’s Lil Bub’s Lil Show.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
