This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 10th, 2022.

Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations - a monthly podcast collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. More in the bottom half of our program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have coverage on the early voting site at 302 South Walnut Street during the latest Monroe County Commissioners meeting. More in today’s headlines.

But first, The Statehouse Roundup:

Indiana Statehouse Representative Sue Errington co-authored legislation on the House Enrolled Act 1079. This Act concerns what is legally defined in Indiana’s rape laws to include that an act of rape is an incident in which someone has “disregarded the other person’s attempts to physically, verbally, or by other visible conduct refuse the person’s acts.” Representative Errington has spent the past three years fighting for Indiana rape laws including the definition of consent in 2019 and the authoring of a consent bill in 2020. Errington in her speech commented that there are still more changes that need to be made. Errington said, “The original House bill version included language about rape by deception that was dropped in the final bill, and we need to monitor whether the language that passed will be interpreted by judges and juries."

In other news, both the Indiana House and Senate have passed the vote for the elimination of the requirement of a permit to carry a handgun as part of Indiana’s gun laws. This means that anyone above the age of eighteen in the state can legally carry a handgun, excluding convicted felons, minors, those with mental illness and anyone dishonorably discharged from the military. The state Senate voted 30 to 20 in favor of eliminating the permit requirement. The law will not go into effect until it is signed by Governor Eric Holcomb. Governor Holcomb hasn’t made a statement on whether or not he will sign the bill. If Governor Holcomb chooses to veto the bill, then it will go back to the House and Senate. The purpose for the permit requirement in the past had been to help reject applicants attempting to carry a handgun with the previously mentioned exclusions. Another purpose for the permit requirement is for police officers to know when they’ve stopped someone that could carry a firearm. Governor Holcomb signing this bill would take away this protection for police officers. An action stated by State Police Superintendent Doug Carter as “a vote against law enforcement."

Monroe County Commissioners Discuss Early Voting Site

A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at Monroe County Election Central (Young).

On March 2nd at the Monroe County Commissioners meeting Facility Manager Greg Crohn asked the commissioners to approve multiple construction projects to ensure the early voting site at 302 South Walnut Street is accessible.

Crohn asked the commissioners to approve the installation of electric door openers and ADA push buttons.

The commissioners voted to approve the project unanimously.

Crohn also asked the commissioners to approve the cleanup and painting of the building’s exterior, and the installation of an awning on the side of the building to protect voters from the elements.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve these requests.

Chief Deputy Treasurer Elizabeth Sensenstein gave an annual Occupational Safety and Health Administration report.

Commissioner Penny Githens asked why there was a jump in claims in 2021. Sensenstein explained that it was relatively consistent.

The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held as a hybrid model on March 9th.

Monroe County Election Board Plans for Upcoming Election

At the Election Board meeting on March 3rd County Clerk Nicole Browne updated the board on 2022...