Session Sessions

Navigating healthcare is tough—soaring costs, confusing policies, and limited access to essential services. But Indiana lawmakers are working on solutions! In this episode of Session Sessions, Rep. Earl Harris Jr. and Rep. Blake Johnson sit down with Rep. Robin Shackleford, a leader in public health policy, to discuss cutting healthcare costs, Medicaid funding, medical transparency, and maternal health.Learn about the push for lower drug prices, better healthcare access, and more support for Hoosier families. Don’t miss this deep dive into Indiana’s biggest health challenges and the policies aiming to fix them!Show NotesTopics Covered:The high cost of healthcare – Why are hospital bills so expensive?Medical transparency laws – Can we finally see real pricing before treatment?Medicaid shortfalls – How Indiana is dealing with a billion-dollar “oops.”Preventative care & obesity solutions – Should Medicaid cover weight-loss drugs?The maternal health crisis – Why Indiana ranks poorly for maternal mortality rates.Nursing & doctor shortages – How loan forgiveness could bring more healthcare professionals to Indiana.Home healthcare struggles – Are untrained caregivers putting Hoosiers at risk?Key Takeaways:Medical Costs: Indiana lawmakers are demanding transparency from hospitals to lower prices.Medicaid Reform: The state faces a billion-dollar healthcare funding shortfall, but cutting services isn’t the answer.Maternal Mortality Crisis: Indiana ranks among the worst states for maternal deaths—what’s being done?New Legislation: Bills are in the works to expand preventative care, lower cancer research costs, and improve access to doctors.

Blake and Earl sit down with Representative Jim Pressel to tackle Indiana's looming $1.3 billion road funding shortfall. They break down the impact of inflation, better gas mileage, and COVID-19 on state revenues, and explore solutions, including proposals adopted by Tennessee and Georgia.Pressel also shares the emotional moments behind key safety initiatives, which have already made construction zones safer for workers and motorists alike. Plus, hear Pressel’s personal journey from business owner to policymaker, and Blake’s bittersweet announcement about stepping back from the roads committee.Tune in for a candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities in funding Indiana’s future infrastructure!Show NotesTopics Discussed:Indiana’s Road Funding CrisisProjected $1.2–$1.3 billion shortfall by 2030.Impact of inflation, fuel efficiency, and reduced gas sales.Challenges in balancing state vs. local funding needs.Tolling as a Revenue SolutionInsights from Tennessee and Georgia’s tolling models.Balancing fairness for Indiana taxpayers and out-of-state drivers.Legislative steps needed to implement tolling.Safety Innovations in Construction ZonesSuccess of initiatives reducing speeds by 8 mph in work zones.Emotional stories from the roads committee about worker and motorist safety.Emotional Moments in Policy MakingReflections on the human impact of infrastructure policy.The challenges of addressing distracted driving and other safety issues.Personal JourneysJim Pressel’s path to public office, fueled by a desire to influence policy affecting his business.Blake Johnson’s decision to step back from the roads committee due to a new full-time job.

As we hit the three week(ish) mark of the Indiana General Assembly, Earl and Blake sit down to chat about the new session calendar, eyebrow-raising legislation on adjusting the state lines and dissolving public schools, and what we'll be working on during the budget session.

In a special episode for the podcast, we're joined by Mark Fisher, chief executive officer of the Indiana Association of REALTORS. We cover a lot of ground - discussing housing affordability, the walkability premium, quality of life, shortages in inventory and the important role the association plays in advocating for smart public policy. This episode of Session Sessions is sponsored by the Indiana Association of REALTORS.

Fort Wayne's Rep. Kyle Miller returns to the podcast to discuss the upcoming legislative session, what he's learned in his first few years as a legislator (including from serving alongside his two-time opponent), and a slew of policies (like lowering the costs of prescription meds) that he's advocating for coming into 2025.This episode is sponsored by the Indiana Association of Realtors.

After a few months off, Blake and Earl are back at the mic for a conversation with auctioneer, realtor, cowboy, and - for the first time on the show, Republican - Rep. Ethan Manning. Rep. Manning, who chairs the Public Policy Committee, discusses the work of tackling alcohol laws that have been largely unchanged since the 1930's, modernizing the gaming industry, and maneuvering through the not-always-monolithic supermajority.This episode is sponsored by the Indiana Association of Realtors.

Advocacy in the Statehouse takes many forms, and while people often think of the paid professionals who spend their days in the hallways, nonprofit organizations also play a crucial role in educating constituents and championing issues. Linda Hanson, president of the League of Women Voters - Indiana, joins the pod to talk about the role they play in shaping Indiana's future.

Rep. Greg Porter, chief Democrat on the powerful Ways and Mean Committee, rejoins the podcast to reflect on the 2024 legislative session and to give us a preview as we look to the interim and the upcoming budget session.

With the adjournment of the 123rd General Assembly, Rep. Mitch Gore joins the podcast to talk conference committees, legislative successes and the toll the stresses of the short session can take.

The end of the legislative session is fast approaching, and with it the end of the 123rd General Assembly. The esteemed Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta joins the show to discuss House member retirements, ongoing attacks on transit in Indy, and the role and responsibilities of the Minority Leader.

As we head into the break, the ever-straight-talking Rep. Ed Delaney joins the pod to discuss the best and worst bills of the first half of the Indiana Legislative Session.

Upon joining the legislature, Dr. Victoria Garcia Wilburn immediately set herself apart as a focused, driven and community-centered leader. And her hard work paid off, as she accomplished the rare feat of passing a bill in her first year. She talks about doing the work, the importance of camaraderie, and finding joy in the moments big and small.

Once an intern for the legendary Bill Crawford and the now-still-rocking Sheila Klinker, Rep. Cherrish Pryor now serves as the Floor Leader for the House Democratic Caucus. Pryor sits down with Earl and Blake to discuss her role in leadership, why NOT filing a bill is sometimes the best move, and her priorities for the short session.

Earl and Blake kick off the 2024 Legislative Session with a rundown of what happens in the first week, what issues are rising to the top (as Republicans suggest a non-controversial year), and what you can expect from this year's podcast.

Session Sessions is back for a second season, and we're kicking it up a notch with the addition of co-host Rep. Earl Harris, Jr. This season, we'll chat with our colleagues and friends about all things Indiana General Assembly and provide a look behind the scenes of the Legislative Session.

A month after the birth of his first child, Blake sits down with fellow dads Rep. Mitch Gore of Indianapolis and Rep. Ryan Hatfield of Evansville to discuss the collision of public service and fatherhood, tips and tricks for the legislative session when you have a new baby, and the ways being a dad impacts your perspective.

The Indiana General Assembly has adjourned sine die, wrapping up the work of the legislature in the wee hours of the morning this past Friday. With everyone headed back to their districts, Rep. Blake Johnson flies solo for a quick (albeit late) recap of the final days of session, the final budget, and a bit of thanks to all of you for tuning in over these last four months.

Fresh off his 80th birthday, Rep. Ed DeLaney joins the podcast to recap our penultimate week of the legislative session.  We also discuss the power of a good amendment, what to watch as we cruise toward adjournment, and his 30 days of silence.

If you had I Love Lucy and Austin Powers on your Session Sessions bingo card, this week is for you. Rules and procedure expert Rep. Matt Pierce joins the pod to discuss the wild ride that will be the final two weeks of session, including a run down of conference committees and the role of the Rules Committee.

Long-time legislator, Rep. Greg Porter, sits down to recap the events of the day and week, including procedural maneuvering by House Democrats that yielded the very first floor vote on the issue of cannabis legalization in Indiana. He also shares more information on the budget, the role of Ways and Means, and what it's like to have served in the majority, minority (and even with a 50-50 split).