PODCAST · news
Indiana Lawmakers
by WFYI Public Media
Only in production during the Indiana General Assembly’s sessions, this show keeps Hoosiers updated on the hottest issues being debated by the state’s legislators. Host Jon Schwantes and legislative analyst Ed Feigenbaum take you behind the closed doors of the Statehouse. Indiana's governor, state senators, representatives, as well as industry experts weigh in on topics ranging from education to heathcare.
Episodes
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2026 Election Preview
Political professors discuss the crowded Secretary of State race ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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Statehouse Reporters
Top journalists discuss the 2026 legislative session, and how it will affect Hoosiers.
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Legislative Leaders
State lawmakers reflect on which bills passed this legislative session, ahead of the midterms.
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Local Government
State lawmakers and local officials discuss bills aiming to merge townships to increase efficiency.
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Public Safety
While crime is down in Indiana, state lawmakers continue their efforts to improve public safety.
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Housing
As housing costs continue to rise, lawmakers & experts lay out possible solutions.
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Gaming
Lawmakers and experts discuss current new gaming legislation in the state.
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Childcare
Lawmakers and experts discuss current childcare funding issues in the state.
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Energy and Data Centers
Key players of energy policy discuss solutions to soaring utility bills in Indiana.
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Governor Braun
Following his State of the State Address, Gov. Mike Braun is focused on affordability for Hoosiers.
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Legislative Leadership
From the recent redistricting fight to childcare, state legislative leaders discuss the issues.
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Session Wrap-Up
A projected budget shortfall leads to eleventh-hour changes.
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Property Tax Reform
Lawmakers discuss new property tax legislation.
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Economic Development
Lawmakers discuss efforts to recalibrate the state’s economic-development strategy.
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Infrastructure
Indiana's infrastructure is in need of repair...but how do we pay for it?
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Higher Education
Indiana’s public colleges and universities are balancing autonomy and the legislature’s expectations.
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Energy
Indiana is coal country. But is that changing? Learn about the state’s energy future in this episode.
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Indiana Lawmakers Episode 4408 - Halftime Report
Experts analyze the first eight weeks of the legislative session and the debates that lie ahead.
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Indiana Lawmakers Episode 4407 - Healthcare
Legislators on both sides of the aisle have made the reduction of healthcare costs a top priority.
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Indiana Lawmakers Episode 4406 - Education
Our panel discusses funding, access, and deregulation in education.
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DEI or MEI
The governor changes DEI—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to MEI—Merit, Excellence, and Innovation.
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The 2025 Budget
The state budgeting process is, as they say, complicated. Host Jon Schwantes, sits down with four of the General Assembly’s key budget architects,
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Legislative Leadership part II
Host Jon Schwantes welcomes House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate Pro Tem Rodric Bray along with Minority Leaders Shelli Yoder and Phil GiaQuinta in part 2 of Indiana Lawmakers legislative leadership show.
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Legislative Leadership part I
Host Jon Schwantes speaks with Indiana's legislative Leadership, Speaker Todd Huston, Senate Pro Tem Rodric Bray, Minority Leaders Shelli Yoder and Phil GiaQuinta on the first episode of Indiana Lawmakers in 2025.
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Session Review
As always, the last word on Indiana's legislative session goes to the people who follow it closest. Take one last look at the bills that sparked major debate among legislators — and those with which Gov. Holcomb took issue — with Statehouse reporters Brandon Smith and Niki Kelly, as well as Dr....
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Caucus Leaders
At the outset of the Indiana 2024 short session, the leadership of Republican supermajorities predicted a “quiet” session devoted to “fine-tuning.” What followed may offer new definitions of those words, with major debates in both chambers around education, technology, and more. This week we’ll...
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Environment and Energy
Green comes in many shades, but they don't always go together. Take, for example, the seeming incompatibility of “nature's hue” and the “color of money” — a clash that’s on near-constant display at the Indiana Statehouse. This week, we’ll examine the tension between two shades of policy…
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Elections
According to the latest edition of the Indiana Civics Health Index, our state ranked 50th in the nation in voter turnout for the 2022 midterm election. What accounts for our state’s chronic — and, by most measures, worsening — civic engagement issues? We look for answers with Sen. J.D. Ford and…
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We discuss data privacy and dangerous developments with AI
Over the years, the Indiana General Assembly has passed numerous measures to advance technology and promote its use. This session, however, the focus has shifted to reining in technology that might be detrimental, if not downright dangerous. We explore what measures our state legislature is…
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Public Health
Indiana ranks towards the bottom of states when it comes to the accessibility, affordability, quality, and efficacy of healthcare. That’s bad news indeed for a state that already has one of the unhealthiest populations in the country. How did we get here and what can we do to fix the problem? We...
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Do Indiana's education reform efforts make the grade?
See if Indiana makes the grade when it comes to improving our state’s education outcomes. We'll explore current reform efforts, including addressing low literacy rates, chronic absenteeism, and more.
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Our final post State of the State interview with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb
Time flies when you’re having fun. It also flies when you’re serving as the governor of a state that’s struggling to improve public health, deal with deeply entrench suspicions of government, and become a player in a 21st-century global economy. This week, we sit down for our final post-State of...
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Caucus Leadership 2024
This week on Indiana Lawmakers, we’ll chart the course for the remainder of the 2024 short session with the General Assembly’s four caucus leaders. Host Jon Schwantes is joined by House Speaker Todd Huston, House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, and Senate...
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Two statehouse insiders share their predictions for 2024
This week on "Indiana Lawmakers" host Jon Schwantes talks with two statehouse insiders about the effects of 2023's legislature and gets their predictions for the upcoming short session.
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Statehouse Journalists Assess the 2023 General Assembly Session
On this week’s “Indiana Lawmakers” we take a final look back at the Indiana General Assembly’s eventful 2023 session. Host Jon Schwantes welcomes back to the table four nonpartisan journalists who chronicled the session’s every twist and turn.
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The Caucus Leaders Assess the 2023 General Assembly Session
The Indiana General Assembly’s 2023 session wrapped up last week. How will lawmakers’ decisions impact you and your fellow Hoosiers? Join host Jon Schwantes and the caucus leaders for the next “Indiana Lawmakers” for their assessments.
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Alcohol Sales in Indiana
On the next Indiana Lawmakers we discuss government oversight versus consumer choice regarding regulatory reforms on alcohol sales to Hoosiers.
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Affordable Housing
On this week's “Indiana Lawmakers” we’ll bring home the issue of affordable housing in Indiana - or more accurately, the lack thereof. What’s the problem? Post-pandemic inflation? Burdensome regulation? Soaring mortgage rates? The short answer: YES!
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Gender Affirming Care
This week on “Indiana Lawmakers” - examining some of the nearly 20 “anti-trans” bills introduced this session. Critics refer to such measures as the “slate of hate”. Supporters say they’re motivated by a sincere interest in the health & wellbeing of kids.
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The Biennial Budget
Final negotiations over the state’s biennial budget are fast approaching. On the next “Indiana Lawmakers”, we preview the House passed budget, the Senate's fiscal plan, and the spending priorities of the Governor. What priorities will win out?
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School Vouchers
Next on Indiana Lawmakers, a “universal voucher” proposal may double the amount Hoosier taxpayers spend on vouchers. Backers say it’s a wise investment in our children and in the state’s future. Opponents say it would signal the end of public education.
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Healthcare Costs
Frustrated by the apparent failure of past attempts to contain healthcare costs, Indiana legislators are weighing potential remedies. What “is" the right approach? On the next “Indiana Lawmakers” we invite you to scrub in for some “level-one drama”!
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Mental Health Legislation
As virtually every Hoosier family can attest, the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness is a critically important issue. On the next “Indiana Lawmakers” we discuss legislation calling for an expansion of mental health services statewide.
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Is pending anti-voter-fraud legislation for securing election integrity or an attempt at voter suppression?
Next on Indiana Lawmakers, we examine the state of voting in Indiana. Is anti-voter-fraud legislation now pending a sincere effort to secure election integrity or just the latest cynical attempt to gain, and/or maintain, power through voter suppression?
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Could legislation currently being considered at the Statehouse send K-12 teachers and librarians to prison?
This week on Indiana Lawmakers, we examine legislation that could, in theory, send K-through-12 teachers and librarians to prison for distributing books or staging performances that feature “matter harmful to minors.” And who decides what is harmful?
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Is it time in Indiana to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis?
Is it time in Indiana to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis? What ‘is’ the current attitude of state legislators toward the longstanding ban on pot? We’ll take up the issue on the next Indiana Lawmakers.
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Should the state make investments in funds on the basis of fostering environmental, social, or governance (ESG) goals?
On the next “Indiana Lawmakers” we examine whether the legislature should ban state investments made on the basis of fostering environmental, social, or governance (ESG) goals, and instead focus only on the express fiduciary duty to maximize returns?
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Should our state keep partisan politics out of our schools?
On the next “Indiana Lawmakers”, should Hoosiers seeking election to a local public-school board be forced to run as Republicans, Democrats, or Independents? Or should our state do everything possible to keep partisan politics out of our schools?
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Governor Eric Holcomb's 2023 Agenda
On the next Indiana Lawmakers, we welcome Governor Eric Holcomb. Host Jon Schwantes will discuss the governor’s 2023 agenda. Some of those proposals include increased funding for education, economic development, and public health.
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State Constitutional Amendment for Bail
On the next Indiana Lawmakers, we discuss a proposed state constitutional amendment for Bail. Would it protect Hoosiers by allowing judges to deny bail for suspects thought to pose a threat to the public? Or would it erode bedrock civil liberties?
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Only in production during the Indiana General Assembly’s sessions, this show keeps Hoosiers updated on the hottest issues being debated by the state’s legislators. Host Jon Schwantes and legislative analyst Ed Feigenbaum take you behind the closed doors of the Statehouse. Indiana's governor, state senators, representatives, as well as industry experts weigh in on topics ranging from education to heathcare.
HOSTED BY
WFYI Public Media
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Indiana Lawmakers have?
Indiana Lawmakers currently has 182 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Indiana Lawmakers about?
Only in production during the Indiana General Assembly’s sessions, this show keeps Hoosiers updated on the hottest issues being debated by the state’s legislators. Host Jon Schwantes and legislative analyst Ed Feigenbaum take you behind the closed doors of the Statehouse. Indiana's governor, state...
How often does Indiana Lawmakers release new episodes?
Indiana Lawmakers publishes regularly with 182 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Indiana Lawmakers?
You can listen to Indiana Lawmakers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Indiana Lawmakers?
Indiana Lawmakers is created and hosted by WFYI Public Media.
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