Several counties in Illinois have stated their desire to break away from The Prairie State. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston would like to give them that opportunity. The Speaker unveiled his desire to form a commission at potentially making those Illinois counties a part of Indiana. Will it work? Is it a good use of taxpayer resources? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. 

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Before the Indiana General Assembly even began, a couple of Republican Senators let their disdain for incoming Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith be known. Senators Jim Buck and Susan Glick filed a bill that would strip Beckwith of a huge portion of his power and responsibilities. Will their attempt backfire by angering the voters who elected Beckwith to send a message? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. 

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The 2025 Indiana General Assembly is set to convene and there are a ton of hot button issues to be addressed. From passing a budget, to road funding, and Universal School Choice, many controversial issues are facing the legislature. Top among them will be Mike Braun's plan to revamp the property tax system. Will Braun be able to beat back the special interest fight to protect the status quo? Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings.

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It was another wild year in Indiana politics and government. Among the many stories that captivated the public's attention were allegations from multiple women about unwanted sexual advances from Democrat power players. These allegedly occurred both in the Statehouse and the Mayor's Office. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss how the allegations rocked Indiana and may alter politics and government going forward. 

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It was a wild year in Indiana politics and government, with many big stories dominating the news cycle. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Jim Merritt and Rob Kendall take a look back at the year that was and discuss some of the biggest headlines of 2024. 

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Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has claimed vindication as a years old lawsuit against him was dropped. The lawsuit was related to alleged inappropriate behavior in a bar back in 2018. After the women dropped their lawsuit, Hill again professed his innocence and claimed the women's decision to drop the case was proof of such. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt examine the apparent end to the years long saga, and if Hill can ever make a comeback. 

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Randy Head's abrupt resignation as head of the Indiana Republican Party has revealed a position and selection process about which there are many unanswered questions. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall ponders a run for the position to bring transparency to the process, while panelists Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz try to make sense of how it all works.

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On this week's Statehouse Happenings, incoming Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith sits down with Rob Kendall for a wide-ranging interview. The two discuss his upset victory at the GOP Convention, helping Mike Braun power to victory in November, his plans to make Indiana government better and more accountable, and much more.

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An expose in the Indy Star about Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor allege he made inappropriate advancements towards multiple women who worked in Statehouse. The article's details, coupled with Taylor's lack of denial, and his reappointment to lead Democrats in the Senate, rocked Org Day. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the allegations, as well as the future of the Democrats on this week's Statehouse Happenings. 

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Abdul-Hakim Shabazz dropped a bombshell post to his IndyPolitics.org website this week when he claimed the Feds are investigating Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Shabazz alleges Morales is under investigation for "alleged allegations of money laundering and violating the federal racketeering statute." If indeed the allegations of investigation are true, it could be the biggest story in the history of Indiana politics. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Shabazz joins Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt to discuss the latest on this huge story.

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