Claim OwnershipThe Rob Kendall Show Podcast
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© 2025 The Rob Kendall Show
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The Rob Kendall Show has your recap of the week's big stories of politics, government, and pop culture.
160 Episodes
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Several months have passed since Governor Braun signed a much-reviled property tax reform bill into law. As more people learn about the specifics of the bill, public sentiment is only getting worse. From local governments who feel they're losing too much, to taxpayers who did not feel they got nearly enough, the governor's signature issue of 2025 has become a major liability. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt examine how the bill got so bad, and what, if anything, can be done to fix it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Veteran Indianapolis newsman Jim Shella recently sat down with Indiana Senate President, Pro Tempore Rod Bray. One of the questions Shella asked Bray was about Republican plans to redraw congressional districts across the state. Bray wanted no part of the question and refused to provide an answer with any specifics. Which has our Statehouse Happenings crew questioning why the redistricting question rages on if even party leadership doesn't want any part of it? Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt explore on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Indiana's Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Suzie Jaworowski has made headlines for encouraging companies attempting energy projects to sue local governments if they don't get their way. Jaworoski, a cabinet member of Governor Mike Braun, made the shocking remarks while speaking to the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. Her attacks on local governments across the state sparked immediate blowback. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine Jaworowski's inflammatory statements and the potential fallout on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
State Public Safety Secretary Jennifer-Ruth Green abruptly resigned last week, raising red flags across Indiana. Then via reporting from the Indiana Captial Chronicle, it came to light that the wheels had apparently been in motion for quite some time, following a remediation agreement in July. The agreement came while Green was the subject of an investigation from the Inspector General. What will be the fallout from the once rising Republican star calling it quits under a cloud of alleged scandal? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The folks at Fox 59 and CBS 4 have produced a map they claim could potentially be under consideration by Republican lawmakers for a special session regarding redistricting. But no one publicly claims to know where it has come from and many in the GOP appear to be distancing themselves from it being something they're reviewing. The map takes gerrymandering to a whole new level and has sparked fierce backlash. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the mysterious map and its potential impact on Indiana. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Indiana Republicans went to the White House to talk redistricting. Back home, the public isn't buying it according to a new poll. Change Research says 52 percent of Hoosiers are against redistricting, while the majority want lawmakers to focus on more pressing issues like inflation. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the legislators' trip to Washington and if public sentiment against redistricting will have an impact on the final decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The fight to redistrict Indiana to pick up seats in the House of Representatives was not going over well with many Republicans in the Indiana General Assembly. Enter Charlie Kirk. The broadcast behemoth took to Twitter and threatened to primary any Republican who opposed redistricting. Quickly the narrative changed, including an embarrassing flip-flop from Representative Craig Haggard. Will the Indiana General Assembly allow themselves to be bossed around by a broadcaster from Arizona? It certainly appears that way. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Trump Administration appears to want Indiana Governor Mike Braun to call a special session for redistricting in order to further Republicans advantage in the House. But after a day that saw multiple state lawmakers publicly throw cold water on the idea, and leadership seeming less than thrilled about the heavy lift necessary, optimism appears to be dampening. On this week's Statehouse Happenings Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the dangers that could await if the Republicans move forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Allegations that employees in the Lt. Governor's Office were sharing artificial intelligence pornography of a state lawmaker's wife has turned the statehouse upside down. Veteran journalist Tom Lobianco has reported State Representative Craig Haggard's wife was the victim. Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith has denied the allegations and claimed he investigated and cleared the employees. With law enforcement apparently now involved, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz explore one of the most bizarre stories to ever hit Indiana politics and government. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Another day, another round of concerns involving Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. This time they center around Raju Chinthala, a businessman with a contract with Morales' office that is raising eyebrows. Chinthala was a part or Morales' mysterious trip to India, and the quest to find information about Chinthala's work there is featured in a new Indy Star piece. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt explore the latest in a never-ending flow of red flags involving the Indiana Secretary of State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The saga of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and the Disciplinary Commission will go on. The Supreme Court dismissed Rokita's attempt to get the complaint thrown out. Documents show Rokita has already spent almost $500,000 of taxpayer money defending his law license. It looks like the fight, and the tab will continue. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt take a look at a few of the recent antics from some of Indiana's statewide office holders and explore if the need to make headlines is hurting the competency of governance from their offices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Another year of skyrocketing property assessments has homeowners once again in a panic about the increase in tax bills that could come with them. According to a new report in the Indiana Capital Chronicle, homes saw an assessment increase of more than 10 percent on average. Will the new property tax law save people from payment pain? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has spent a lot of taxpayer money to defend himself in front of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Rokita has run up nearly a half million dollars in legal bills, as he fights to preserve his law license. Should taxpayers be on the hook for Rokita's defense? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Indianapolis City-County Councilor Crista Carlino was allegedly kicked out of the Democrat Caucus over her calls for Joe Hogsett to resign and Council President Vop Osili and Vice President Ali Brown to resign their positions. Carlino is the second Democrat to be kicked out of the caucus in part because of criticism of the mayor. Democrats near complete shutdown of Hogsett criticism, coupled with Republican silence has our Statehouse Happenings crew wondering, why almost everyone appears to be protecting Hogsett? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is new scrutiny over the gifts state lawmakers and statewide elected officials are allowed to receive after the Lt. Governor and Security of State were photographed attending the NBA Finals with a man who once went to prison for bribery. Should elected officials be allowed to accept gifts and should transparency and reporting requirements be beefed up? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A defiant Joe Hogsett claims he has no plans to resign in the wake of the Thomas Cook scandal and his alleged role in covering it up. With public outcry and calls for him to go reaching new levels, the question is, can he be forced? Abdul-Hakim Shabazz says yes. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Abdul joins Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt to discuss a scenario that could result in the takedown of the Mayor of Indianapolis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It was uncovered this week that State Senator Mike Bohacek is facing charges related to an OWI in January. What has many up in arms, is the alleged offense is just now becoming public thanks to a law that shields lawmakers from legal accountability shortly before, during, and after the legislative session. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz examine how Bohacek was able to evade public scrutiny, as well as who knew what and when. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Another week, another set of bad headlines for Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Not only did the Marion County Election Board vote to open an investigation into his recent announcement where he is accused of potentially violating Indiana election law. On top of that, Morales is facing questions about an apparent meeting with Hungarian officials where he may have pledged action related to agriculture affairs he does not appear to have authority over. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the latest unflattering news for the Indiana Secretary of State. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Diego Morales is back in the news. This time for appearing to make himself try and look taller by standing on his tippy-toes in multiple photos with constituents. The pictures have drawn laughter for their ridiculousness and raised questions about why the Secretary of State is so concerned about making himself look taller. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the latest red flag from a guy whose behavior is constantly drawing attention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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