Transcripts For CSPAN2 Campaign 20240703

2024 primary debate for governor. Broadcast live from hein Hall Auditorium on the campus. This event as a final formal debate of the 2024 primary season. The final opportunity for hoosier voters to hear from the republicans vying to succeed Governor Eric Holcomb who is barred by indianas constitution from seeking a third consecutive term. Of course the winner of the may 7 republican gubernatorial primary will advance to novembers general election. I am your moderator, jon schwantes, indiana lawmakers program the states longest running Public Affairs show. This debate is made possible by the generosity of our major underwriters aarp indiana, the indiana broadcasters association, and the Indiana State Bar Association as well as Additional Support from the Indiana Coalition for open government, the Indiana League of women voters of indiana, the Hoosier State press Association Foundation and comcast. The Indiana Debate Commission is dedicated to putting voters first. Accordingly we invited members of the public to submit questions about the issues of greatest concern to them. More than 120 people submitted nearly 200 questions that input form the basis of the questions that i will post this evening. None of the questions have been shared with the candidates or their campaign staff. The order of the canada candidae introductions of their position on stage were determined by drawing. Enough housekeeping. Now without further delay lets meet the participants. Brad chambers of indianapolis founder and ceo of the Buckingham Companies Real Estate Investment firm and former head of the indiana Economic Developer Corporation under governor holcomb. Suzanne crouch of evansville indianas 52nd Lieutenant Governor and a former state auditor, state representative and county commissioner. Eric doden of fort wayne, Founding Partner of Development Company and ventures a private equity firm. And former president of the indiana Economic Developer Corporation under governor mike pence. Curtis hill of elkhart former attorney general and fort term Elkhart County processor and Jamie Reitenour of indianapolis former compliance officer, athletic director, former secretary who is now a stayathome mother of five. And, you will notice there are five lecterns on stage instead of six as we had hoped u. S. Senator Michael Braun who of course is also seeking the republican for governor was not able to attend this evening please call back to washington for an Important Senate vote on a foreign aid package. So, he unfortunately could not join us this evening. The candidates have agreed to a set of rules which includes a prohibition on props and prepared notes. This evening debate will feature a mix of yes or no questions, answerable by a show of hands. And a more traditional set of open ended questions at various lengths. And i will not hesitate to cut off candidates who fail to abide by the stated time limits. I will take it a step further. I will try to gently nudge people back on task if they are addressing a question and strafe in the point of the question. I will do it with a smile on my face and kindness of my heart. [laughter] but we will try to address the matters at hand that voters care about the most. All right, now, we have dispensed with all the housekeeping that i think we need to do tonight. Lets get to the questions it. This first round of questions will be open ended. I will give you a time limit for each one. The candidate who receives the first question will have a one minute to answer that question for the other candidates generally will have a shorter period of time that i will specify and you can use that to agree, disagree, or add any other thoughts that you would like. So, according to the drawing our first question will go to mr. Chambers. He will have a one minute to respond. 2024 study by Forbes Advisor ranked indiana in the second best state in the nation in which to start a business, citing the states low 100 registration fee, state funding for Small Business start ups, i have business survival rates, a reasonable cost of living in a High Percentage of working age residents. What specifically would you do to nudge us from number two, two number one . Again you have one minute. Thank you for being here tonight. Appreciate the audience. In this opportunity to speak to voters. Listen, entrepreneurship is extremely important. I am when i start a company from nothing and 1984 from zero. I know the journey. How difficult the journey is to start a business, to grow a business and keep a business going for 40 years i met career job problem solver. While i am pleased to see indianas ranked number two for small medium sized business theres more to do and i started to do that for the state of indiana. The dollar a year as an appointed position. Went to make sure capitals available to intimate innovators and entrepreneurs. We need to lean into the Technology Sector we formed a website called connect for High School Students and for College Students if they want to learn about entrepreneurship. We need to start earlier with education and educating our high schools about the opportunities to work for yourself. We have terrific entrepreneurs currently eli lilly is one of them. Im sorry. Of your out of time thank you for. The current would appreciatee you ending on him. Lets go to each of you, you will have 30 seconds to again offer a response to much the same question how can we take an already strong economic set of circumstances here and take it to the next level . Curtis hill a creek. We would take a strong state intake into the next level is very simple it government out of the way. When the cut regulations and it should rely on her entrepreneurs to work and move forward. We need to provide tax incentives through lower taxes to make sure the economy is strong and robust. It is really a matter of making sure the government is limited in its capacity to stay in the way business is is growing. Very good, eric doden same question. Plexus is at the heart and soul of her indiana at main Street Initiative for 50 years we have ignored our small towns and the two and have many people live there. As we begin to restore communities across the state, with help of local leaders in the private sector, this will lead to tremendous Small Business growth and opportunities. Weve already seen this happen in every community would begin to restore this is why we are excited about what were doing we are doingwith their indiana t initiative and restoring small towns. Suzanne crouch. I played a key role in turning indiana around want to continue that by eliminating the state income tax, not only would you put 2000 back in the pockets of every hoosier, according to the National Federation of independent businesses the income tax is a single most tax you could help if we could eliminate Small Business growth. That is what i would like to to put money in your pocket, help Small Businesses grow and attract people to indiana it will be become a no income tax state. Jamie reitenour progress asked a similar question and if you had to keep the good times rolling . My answer was a bit on the ground for two and half years the hoosiers are not telling me the good times are rolling. Right now weve got over 100,000 jobs that cannot be placed. We have Small Businesses that are looking for employees. When i say every senior graduates of the state of indiana should be doing an apprenticeship before they graduate. We want to make sure our seniors our next generation are taken care of. Thats not easy to do an estate where education is failing. But indiana goodness will bring that to hoosiers. Very good. Well go on to another question we will return to the order i think i may have inadvertently botched the order in which you were before. How do we rebut . Affluent attack on a rebuttal . I will tell you what. Because in a kind and generous a persian going to look you to keep you on track 15 seconds goahead for. And not ask him just asking the process by which. Do not have a rebuttal right now but in the future im sure to have a rebuttal. You have the ace in the hole. Very good for quick to call me darius my hand . Is not a classroom but a raising of the head will be good. And certainly if someone mentions you or calls you out on the policy i will make sure that youre given the time to talk to that. All right, so the order has been restored. We will continue now the question to mr. Hill. Some businesses have voiced concerns that indiana social policies in areas such as abortion and lgbtq rights might hurt our convention business. And our ability to attract and retain talent needed to grow indianas economy. How you respond to these concerns and you have a minute to do that . Well, i think we need to understand what kind of estate we live in. We are estate that is about families and part of what to make sure our families of the center but we do here in the state. Economic development and Economic Growth is a wonderful opportunity for us. But not at the cost of who we are as hoosiers. We were the first state to have a firm pro life position, banning abortion. States and businesses know when they come into the state that is what to expect. So we do not change who we are to be attractive to the outside world. We need to maintain our standards. We need to be the type of the state that is welcoming to families. Welcoming to businesses under the best job we can to move our agenda forward. And we will continue of the additional responses from the remainder of the candidates here, 30 seconds apiece. We will go to mr. Doden your response about social policies any possible impact they might have on our economic develop. I think ive made this clear im ardently prolife. What people are looking for leaders of conviction and i am utterly prolife it is a human rights issue. Its also a religious issue. Doing crazy things like zero cost adoption. You have an Adoption Fund that will help parents, not only pay for adoption but the aftercare. These are policies. Look at our policies you should look at our website we have them all in writing for them and approved by people iq producer policies everyone can agree with the get behind. Miss crouch. We are culturally conservative state but one of things that do better job of its own the authentic story of indiana. I head up the Indiana Destination Development corporation. While our neighboring states have spent anywhere from 26 million a year, telling their story but we have historically spent 2 million. We now have Additional Resources to tell about authentic story of indiana. Ms. Reitenour. Indiana conservative parties on a poor job of talk about the reality that we are in a moral crisis in our country right now. We need to support our families. We all know the reason we are where we are right now is because there is a crisis in the family, the families broke and. The state of indiana is for life. We believe that you reap what you sow. And so we want to be a state that encourages that it always. It is not just from that womb to the tomb. It is an education with our children. It is in our Small Businesses. We are saved a sense for life and we are very proud to be that. And mr. Chambers. I believe you keep families at the center of our everyday lives. I believe we need to keep education at the center of our everyday lives. I believe we need to continue to build on quality of life are all hoosiers, for our kids and our grandkids to build their lives in indiana. I believe we need to have Economic Opportunity for everybody to build their lives in indiana. And continue to lean into the midwest values and they conservative values of the state. Very good. Our next question goes to mr. Doden. I mentioned in the introduction a few moments ago, i pointed out that you of course had the Economic Development corporation under governor pence. What rule with the ide c play in your administration and how you respond to critics who argued the ied sea interferes with free enterprise. That it lacks transparency, favor certain regions, and essentially is able to pick economic winners and losers . One minute. Ive been very clear on this. The ide c should not be spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money buying land in one county. And then discover it we have a water problem taking water and resources from a Smaller Community to central indiana. This is just inappropriate behavior. Under our leadership businesses that come from all of the states to get help them with bureaucracy of government. That is the role the idc will play under my leadership. I do not believe the idc should be the lead economic dub corporation should be the indiana develop in a corporation. That is the kind of focus we will have with idc. We still need, businesses need help all over the state. People call all the times and have a difficult time getting a permit and having a difficult time getting this information. Thats a proper function and the role will play under my leadership. Very good. Miss crouch permits as governor flip the script on Economic Development will empower local organizations of again true collaboration and partnership. Limit the state income tax puts money to hoosiers pocket help Small Businesses. And brings workers to indiana. Ms. Reitenour para brexit Indiana Economic Corporation is not hoosiers want in the state of indiana. They want to be able to know where the property tax money is going. Actually what they want is no property tax. They want to be able to know why we put a whale of a company in the middle of a desert like a situation where it is going to take 2 billion to get the water to it which again they do not want this. The Economic Develop Corporation hasnt office in china with the billion Dollar Companies comes billions we have be very aware when they come into our state they bring all of their lobbyists and all their ideology we need to rebuild indiana by the many vacant buildings in our state that we can occupy we do not have to expand. We cant really build which will save taxpayer money. Im glad you asked me earlier about rebuttal time you may want to use it. Lex weeds may need to get a bigger clock rate. Certain people here it talked about ied sea during your leadership. You oversaw that agency certainly under Eric Holcombs administration. And in fact were in place when that lead project took shape. Weigh in on that. A couple people have dollar for it to you by name but certainly edson agency that you oversaw pick up jon, is a terrific contrasted and career politics and small thinking. And a big thinking going to put more money and hoosier pockets. Under my leadership for a dollar a year stepped away from my business for a dollar a year we grew the economy by 51 billion in two years because her highway. Wages in indiana below u. S. Average is unacceptable to me but we went out and solve that t bringing 51 billion for the transforming communities all of the state from kokomo comment to saint jo Company Comment to allen county, so to say it does not have a role we are competing get ohio, china, north carolina. The going to win over not going to win. They will take those jobs if we dont want them to keep our kids and grandkids here. To keep graduate from purdue. Drivetime . Two years ago i was sitting in Seoul South Korea Company Called sk two weeks ago i am in celebrant for billiondollar investment with highly jobs and Semiconductor Industry that tied young sponsors and the chips act and senator braun vetoed. And did not support if we listen to senator braun we would not have for billiondollar investment with high wage jobs would plan to win or were are not in the state. Art mr. Hill . The big problem here the big problem here is it is a shadow government but we talk about a quasi agency what is because i mean . We are taking public money and putting it into an organization that hides about lack of transparency. All these wonderful things brad talks about that is fine if youre playing above board and playing with an open deck up or under by the administration in and make sure they are providing the resources across the board and imbalance with the rest of the states. Certainly not picking winners and losers is a prime example of state on wrong. I see we have some interested parties down there who want to weigh in on this. All right, were going to deviate from the script about 15 seconds for each of you want to address this. Will start out at the end. Ms. Reitenour. Her just as it read did mention boone counts to be the county thats having all of it taken from the eye met a man he was from boone county pretty came up to me and said to me this is not our indiana anymore. And so i would like to know if brad can address the many hoosiers in the state that do not feel like it is in their state of indiana anymore . They are not about the billions of dollars. All right jim for doing to weigh in on this question. Of former county commissioner fm collaboration the thing with boone county and the commissioners there is not been that collaboration between the state and local governments. That is absolutely critical. That is why went to empower local and economic develop in organizations to have that true partnership. All right mr. Doden go ahead. Again we need to have a 92 county strategy in which every community is an opportunity to be successful. Where we recognize Small Businesses startups drive our economy. Well enjoy and appreciate the large investments that are made but Small Businesses drive our economy. Kamala harris you get more applause this time question. I think i can. Im kinda concerned the Lieutenant Governor is suggesting there needs to be something done about Economic Develop Corporation for that as part of her administration. We have two people here on stage that are actually part of the problem. We need to fix that problem by bringing transparency in the process. [applause] you are after this time but wait a minute, wait a minute this is what were going to do. Going to stick with the order were going to give mr. Chambers has time to respond. Those of you, we cannot spend our whole time on this question certainly does a point of contention. Let me see where we go with this please, take it away to chris im going to more than 15 seconds im telling you. Listen, the fact that he defines tens of thousands of highway jobs coming to indiana as a problem tell shes not the right leader for indiana when he should grow our economy. To grow our economy and put your money in peoples pockets to fix education to support a police and firefighters and address Mental Health. Number two on water, theres an abundance of water in the state career politicians like miss crouch did have the time at studying and knowing its an asset that we can use strategically against our competitors like ohio and michigan and illinois. We have an abundance of water. Its a transportation issue bringing an outside investments to pay for that. Not taxpayers. Two of you decided what i am going to do, miss crouch two people have said your career politician mr. Hill suggests a part of the administration you should have been more vocal as it related to concerns articulated. I am proud of my service as a Public Servant drive photo for the largest property tax cut in our states history. Push for broadband expansion victimized by ssa end up standing up for peoples struggling with Mental Illness and addiction. I am proud of my service. And certainly mr. Hill cracks this is getting good. [laughter] ms. Reitenour fitness off on this question requires lots of finish it off and heres the bottom line, hoosiers, in case you did know there are many hoosiers in the state of indiana losing their land because they came in and courted them for pricing that was way above the value of the land which makes it hard for people to compete for the land here in the state of indiana. Here is what is important first of i love to get on the record with these 10,000 jobs are. 100,000 jobs need to be filled in the state of indiana. We need to rebuild and not expand with billionDollar Companies with strength. [applause] xl tell you what. Ive been around indiana in politics for a long time at their feisty republicans fighting so much but on Economic Development. Its interesting. Lets not leave lets compromise what we will not leave economic develop an entirely big of our vocal chords a little bit of a break and use our hands with the raising of the hands to show on this one. In 2022, Congress Passed the chips and science active. This law which was coauthored by indian senator todd young, coauthored with chuck schumer. Authorized to an 80 billion in new funding for Domestic Research and manufacturing in the hightech sector. Senator braun, who again is not with us this evening voted against that measure. Obviously as coauthor and todd young supported a show of hands. How many of you think mike braun took at the right to vote on . The chips act do you agree it was a flawed bill would you have voted the way in fact senator young did question work to show but your hand. I support senator young for i messed you up by suggesting braun. Lets make this easier. Lets make this easier. Had you been in the senate which you have voted yes or no for all you wouldve voted for the chips act raise your hand. We have for those listening we have mr. Chambers, mr. Doden and those who would vote against . We have ms. Reitenour and we have mr. Hill and we have miss crouch. Did you raise your hand will wear the other . I would vote against it based upon what i know. I was talking about hypothetical questions, not sure that is what we are here to discuss. Not much hypothetical about that notion of plant opening in the sector are benefiting. We are not going to questions at this point sorry. No. I asked the questions, sorry. Remember i said to be kind and gentle. Dont push me. [laughter] lets get back at the risk of restoring some sanity and timing to the open ended questions which our order goes back to miss crouch indiana currently has one of the lowest income tax rates in the country among states that actually charge an income tax and soon will have the lowest rate in the nation. Yet you wish to eliminate the income tax entirely, as you pointed out in your opening statement. Is it realistic to think you can take away 8 billion which is more than one third of indianas tax revenue without hurting services and programs that you have said you care about deeply such as caregiver paper hoosiers with disabled family members and you have one minute to answer. And going to lead the fight to limit state income tax rate indiana hoosiers are struggling today due to the height cost of living. We can put thousands of dollars back in the pockets every year. Now my opponents will scream blotting murder and say we cant do it. That money is yours not theirs you will always spend more wisely than the government. And so it has to be based in, it cannot happen overnight proactive triggers in place to protect against economic downturns. For advice or the house ways and Means Committee former auditor state we can absently do it. We do it by limiting government growth. We do it by ending wasteful Government Spending. Do it by finding efficiencies and governments. When we do, we give you money back which will put into the economy which grows our revenue. We end up allowing Small Businesses to grow and prosper and we attract people to indiana today where they moving to . Tennessee, texas, florida, south dakota no income stated by the way gdp in the population is growing at greater rates in indiana. We need to be competitive. All right ms. Reitenour. I will start by saying whatever is not complete code in the two debates is not my voice they were including it was a hoosier voice. Hoosiers who want a true conversation about property tax in the state. The reason is because property tax has been raised for many over 40 . But we are having these conversations we need to have a conversation at that hoosier dining room table. Right now we talk about income tax, but we are most concerned about the everyday voters they are facing in finger this not going to happen. Or looking to look at property taxes. A real conversation on the ground for local offices on may 8 when you elect me too be republican governor and the primary. All right mr. Chambers. Is a political talking point if there ever was one. She is not articulate a plan to cut 12 billion out of our budget, number one per she tweeted two weeks ago vote for me with the last time you pay income taxes. That is inconsistent with the spacing and concept just got per she is not told us how much is going up the cut from education or Public Safety or police or anything else in healthcare or qualityoflife of initiatives but i go around the state not a hoosier i met believes this is doable. Very good. Mr. Hill . The income tax proposal is a gimmick. It is not realistic. But we could really offer our solutions are tax situation. We have the mike brown gas tax is the biggest tax we put in the states of indianas history. It is not the only big tax the carriers act the largest tax increase in history of mankind. What a comprehensive approach that what we look at reducing taxes and providing a fair process for taxation in the state. Reduce are the rate of growth and work with the General Assembly but thats what were going to have to focus on. All right since you have been the suggestion is you have unleashed a gimmick here on hoosier voters lets give you at least 15 seconds to answer those accusations. Im talking ab tax cut not a tax replacement and if my opponents understand legislative process theyll understand it can end for certain hoosiers and in addition to that we have to also understand that it is not going to happen overnight, and by the way weve been facing it in. We were at 3. 4 . Today were at 3. 1 and 2027 going to 2. 9 lets just keep going that direction. When we have access splups in revenues put it towards eliminating the income tax. We can get there. Helping hoosiers. Small businesses attracting people to indiana. All right. And im not here to represent mike brawn, but i will just say ive heard enough of his talking points at the debate and when we talk about cares act he said every member of congress essentially voted for that and for as far as the infrastructure the gap not a leader. Lets, good company and he would point out that on the notion of the gas tax it was important to keep the cross roads of america the cross roads of america in terms not speaking of mike brawn doing a pretty good job of it. [applause] earned applause thats good. Lets lets before and this goes to you before we leave the subject of taxes. Many voters submitted questions to the debate commission. Asking about rising property taxes, one a resident of brownsburg asks questioning a way house values have skyrocketed over the last few years and the resulting increases in property taxes what are you going to do to protect homeowners . And youll have a minute. Hoosiers this is a really difficult question. And the reason for that is because whenever youre talking about taxes you need to have that conversation not just at the state level but at the local level. On may 8th my intention is to go to all 92 counties to talk to the county commissioners to have a real conversation about lowering your property taxes what we know is that right now there are a lot of referendums that are coming from the schools we love our schools we want to support our teachers. We want our teachers to get paid well. But we are growing in expanding our schools at a rate that is not able to be kept up by the property tax owner. This is very concerning in the state of indiana 37,000 dollar medium income 68,000 per household we think thats probably over the actual members. So right now what we need to do is we need to have a conversation at the county level which im going to do this is not a gimmick, and i would really exhort you to think about who is running for governor and what theyre doing with your money because somebody lost a billion dollars on this stage. And that probably also should be concerned. Right there. All right mr. Chambers 30 seconds to answer the question. Lower taxes is always the goal i do believe property tax need to be addressed. I would looked a assessments theyre different from county to county people dont understand them so simply assessment process and make them uniform across the state to the extent we can do that create understanding for people and create some opportunities for seniors not to get kicked out of their house and have portability of the built in games they have. Listen suzanne and mike brawn in their 50 years of combined service, Public Service have raised taxes 50 times. And its she has not credible on cutting taxes with specifically 7 times cutting taxes in her term as legislature in the legislature. So property taxes need to be focused on i have a plan for it. And it is a priority. 50 years and 15 seconds but lets try to stick to that. Mr. Hill. Go ahead 30 seconds i should say. Property taxes certainly a concern for a lot of people sales tax we need to have a comprehensive approach this is not a gimmick or quick fix. We need to have a longterm plan for how to move forward. The problem is with the assess value, assess values in every community are different we need to work a strategy with the state works with the locals to come up with a good program. So that we can manage our property taxes in an efficient fair way particularly as it pertains to young people and seniors. What are you going to do about property taxes . S that the foundation of our plan what weve seen is growth of property taxes by 15 of the year and some cases multiple years in a row. And that is very hard to plan for if youre on a fixed income. Thats why were prpgzing that we freeze it for seniors but we would also you know, basically the growth would bonl allowed to be about 5 of the year under our plan which makes it easier for people and their budgets to plan that is the foundation of our plan for how we plan with property tax issue thats raging right now across the state. As state legislative i voted for the largest property tax and certainly open to that and my opponents are entitled to their own opinion and nots their own facts as a state representative i cut taxes a dozen times and thats why i want to continue to cut taxes and eliminate state income tax putting money into your pockets, helping Small Businesses grow, attracting people to indiana. All right. We are going to give those arms another chance to flex. Not to the point you need tommy john surgery or anything but see if we can again rest vocal cords maybe go with the so rapid fire questions we want to call them that and these all deal the next section with Election Integrity which has been certainly a persistent issue nationwide, and in recent years, so weve seen that come to the floor many times. And the candidate who is likely to be at the top of hoosier ballots on the republican side, donald trump certainly has weighed in quite a bit on the issue of what he sees a slap of Election Integrity raise your hands if youre confident in integrity of the indiana elections. All right. We have mr. Chambers, mr. Hill, mr. Dowedden, ms. Couch are all confident of the integrity of our elections leaving thats one way to get 15 seconds go for it. Why are you [applause] why are you not confident in our Election Integrity . Ill tell you, in order for me to be confident in our Election Integrity, i really want to see more involving voters and i can tell you that it is the hardest thing in the world to get on the ballot getting the signatures is very difficult to do. I can also tell you all around the state many people dont know that it is time to votes right now. I think our secretary of state was out of the country so i just think it is wise for us to be paying attention to how much attention is going on the voting process. Before we give it a rating. Lets try one more show of hands a significant number of republicans in indiana certainly and elsewhere. Agree with President Trumps claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Raise your hand if you agree that the election was stolen. That question cannot be answered yes or no thats totally. Not a yes or no question. Funny because i asked it as a yes or no question. It involves facts that we dont reframe it counselor, counselor is joe biden the duly elected president of the United States . Yes. All right. Anybody disagree . Very good. Wait actually i want to make a statement because i just think thats an unfair question lets be clear what happened in the 2020 election that everybody should agree it wasnt properly adjudicated they should have investigated that election and it wasnt investigated. [cheering] i think we know where you come down no, listen raise your all right. In that election i would 2 00 in the morning with the president with President Trump winning and woke up in the morning and he was losing. There are anomalies that we cant answer for a question thats impossible to answer you just answered it. So [applause] next time raise your hand you did raise your hand if you will recognize as a result for president regardless of the outcome. Raise your hand if you will recognize if you recognize the outcome the president ial election in november youre asking us to Say Something that hasnt even happened yet we plan on governing the state of indiana we would like base that on facts. Well [applause] thats im just saying thats a departure from convention oftentimes those seeking highest state of office in indiana who do subscribe to the notion that our elections are sound and total democracy would commit to agreeing with the outcome of the president what were saying theres no way to know what happens between now and then for us to go out and say a country that is soughtafter by many police stations all over the world we could be under any we cant we cant lets try this one. Irresponsible. All right. Were going try this one. From indiana. We cant speak on issues of illinois, michigan. This one you can address i think. Senator brawn who again is not here this evening. Received Donald Trumps endorsement for governor. How many of you would you welcomed President Trumps endorsement . [applause] why wouldnt we maybe thats a better question. Not here to tell you whether we should or not it seems look youre trying to set us up and cause division in our party and we dont appreciate it. Ms. Writtenhaoer they are doing good on their own creating some division. Endorsing. Moving ton next open ended question this goes to mr. Hill. I do appreciate the vigor by the way, u. S. Supreme court heard oral arguments this week in a case that could decide whether government can criminalize homelessness do you support laws ticketing or arresting people who sleep outdoors in public places. I support communities having laws that product camping and and participating in the public in areas of housing. I think that communities can move homelessness and homelessness is an issue not about Homeless Housing as much as it is about Mental Illness and drug addiction so we need to be able to provide shelters for bheem require shelters but we also need to make sure that we remove dangerous situations from our streets, and People Living in the streets is bad for them. It is bad for the rest of us, and i support communities being able to eradicate that process, with compassion, by doing so in a manner that keeps us safe and clean and our community open. All right. Before you do let me just say i appreciate your enthusiasm for the various candidates but it takes away from the time we have for the question. So please be mindful of that mr. Dowedden. This is heart of our capital zone prlz where we want people to be safe in our downtown indianapolis where weve divested a lot of money as taxpayers and resources to overcome addiction and restored to their families restored to their community and were going work with the private sector and local 501c to make sure they have resources to overcome their addiction thats a important part what have i do as a governor in the state of indiana. Should police have opportunity to ticket homeless im the only candidate so it will be a top priority for me so we have a increase since covid but 60 increase among young people. They are the future of indiana. Suicide is second leading cause of death and many of our homeless and most of our Homeless People struggle with Mental Illness addiction thats the bigger issue we should be talking about and addressing. Writtenhaoer. You are a good state and in our state we care about our veterans oftentimes homeless were a state that believes in law and order. Theres definitely a candidate missing from the stage that did not support the police. But i support the police and i support law and order but for our homeless issues, we definitely want to be those that are going and working with the already, organizations all over our state that are caring for people that are in that state of mind. I also dont believe the government should be involved in the Mental Illness conversation, and i think that you should be asking yourself if the government did what they did to you during covid, what exactly are they going to be doing with people that have Mental Illness . Mr. Chambers. I seem to be only candidate talking about Economic Opportunity and growing our economy lifting people up to higher and full employment. I think thats where a lot of Mental Illness starts is lack of Economic Community our protected policy that reruled out on Public Safety addresses bringing back Behavioral Health centers because our police officers, firefighters are our Mental Health professionals and we close those facilities 30 years ago and we need to refund number one and we need to talk and repeat and violent offenders not ticketing and get repeat offenders and dwell our bail system. Again i would ask that you refrain from applause you can smother them with hugs and kisses and have a pep rally should you desire but bag to the questions at hand that goes to mr. Dowedden, why are School Test Scores and test rates stagnating and what issues do you have to make improvements . We have a constitutional only gages and moral obligation to do the best job we can to educate our kids. And thats why im preparing for choice, i think its been very good for us to give Parents Choice every kid is different. We have different kids that have different needs im a big fan of voucher and competition even our Public School administrators will tell me behind closed doors that it has helped make them better but we have a Teacher Investment Program to invest in our teachers we have a program that goes right to the teachers thats income tax and property tax free a 5,000 pay raise for the average teacher and fund Early Childhood education we have a billion dollars coming due from good fiscal management we have a stake in the ground said this is inappropriate for us to allow or think about that we get people to the third grade and cant read. Lets solve that earlier and lets make sure that we invest in the future of our kids one of the most important things that well do. Ms. Crouch i want to create a lifetime Education System focused on for ours reading, writing, arithmetic and reasoning. We will teach our children how to think. Not what to think. And i want to take the five agencies that deal with education work force training, and put them into one. Were now everyone is on the same page the same Software System focused on making sure that our children are prepared for that next step upon graduation. Whether it is enlistment enrotment apprenticeship. Ms. Writtenhaoer. Educational crisis taking place in this state nobody is talking about it for the last two and a half years but i have. I have selected head page miller 30 Years Experience in the classroom and masters administration. K5 were going restore the focus on academics unlike what was set up here on stage. Theres a heavy focus on crt and csl are classroom time. We want to make sure that we bring trade back in 7th and 8th grade and bring back private sector to talk about how technology and a. I. Is affecting their profession. We are ready to step up and become the training capital of the United States of america, that is who hoosiers are that is indiana goodness. Mr. Chambers your education strategy. Bigst challenge and biggest opportunity our educational system is very backwards looking and needs to be pointed forward in a modern economy teacherring to be forward for a modern economy 20 cant read going from 3rd to 4th grade we have a literacy problem in indiana thats unacceptable. 65 of our kids cant past i learned math test graduating 6th grade were not preparing our kids for Economic Prosperity in the future. We need to make education individualized to the kid. Kids learn differently today than hay did 20 or 30 years ago. We need to make sure their educational system is parent centered. Were focus on trades in 7th grade and we need to get more money to teachers less to buildings administrative costs. Mr. Hill. We need to have an Education System thats free of federal entanglement i support vouchers we dongt have a choice when our schools are failing in the state of indiana. We food to make sure we go back to reading and high academic standards moving forward. My wife is a teacher my five children were products of public education. We understand whats necessary. We need to have parental responsibility along with parental rights in terms of education so that we have partnership between teachers and parents moving their childrens education forward. If i may follow talking about entanglements youve used that phrase debate where is youve met are you suggested you would not take federal funding . I would urge local schools to quit taking the federal dollars tied with federal programs, et cetera. The federal government acts leak crack dealer they dangle money in front of you and then you have to ride the programs i asked the superintendent once, how much of your budget is is federal dollars and he said 7 . How much of what you do is pertaining to maintaining or attracting 7 over 50 of what they do is tied to federal dollars if we get rid of the federal dollars local schools have ability to direct their own ability moving forward with their own educational programs. Anybody else think that federal government is an educational crack dealer . The federal government and department of education is constantly dipping its hands into the state and obligated to do whatever theyre asking us to do in this case is programs like crt and cel but take into consideration as everyone up on stage who has worked currently with the Current Administration is complaining about our scores they were focused on the idc while our children were failing in school. That is unacceptable. Does anyone else want to weigh in on federal education ms. Crouch . I dont think we should take federal money that has Strings Attached uncontrary to what we are as hoosiers so as governor ill make sure that my department of education and superintendent of public instruction does not take that kind of money that has Strings Attached that puts us in a direction that is different from our values and what we believe. Fairness anyone else want to weigh in, all right. Lets move on to the next question this is for ms. Crouch as you pointed out, you have served in both the executive and legislative branches surgery you healed office at county level as well. And youve headed several agencies in your role as lieutenant govan at the same time you said theres room to make government more efficient. I mean talked a lot about audits so forth can you name one state agency that you would downsize or eliminate tell us why. Just about all of them. Elimination or downsizing . Yeah. Both. You know, one of the things that we want to do is totally modernize State Government if youre doing all of them. Totally modernize State Government being able to take our hundred boards agencies and commissions and get them down to more manageable size. But we want to remove rules and regulations that add to the cost of doing business and dont make sense. And then in addition to that, we want to have outside independent audits so we can determine how we can do a better job and how we can do it more cost effectively and efficiently we will realize cost savings and then put towards new programs. We are not the only state doing this. Iowa is doing this and they have projected what their reorganization of their State Government, they will realize 215 Million Dollars of savings over four years. We are five times the size of iowa. So yes, we modernize, we totally reorganize, we will realize cost savings that can be put towards new programs and new services for hoosier. And give you your money back. Ms. Writtenhaoer. One of the programs that one of the departments that we would be decentralizing is the department of equity and inclusion the dei what we would like to do is we would like decentralize that and put that in all of our very small towns all over the state of indiana that really want to be included and we would like change that name to a better citizen because we want to have a focus in our state on our constitution. And how the many immigrants that have come here lawfully need to be studying that constitution not to mention those that are here that are not legal which we probably should also talk about at some point and time. But we want to definitely be those that are shrinking government not expanding government so hoosiers if you want a politician thats everybody on the left on the stage if you want a person for the people im running for governor i ask for your vote. Mr. Chambers. Anything you would want to eliminate or downsize . Again i didnt reinventing business for a living for 40 years Building Company and reshaping it, building a team and addressing the challenges of everchanging marketplace Suzanne Crouch ran Housing Agency and didnt do a thing and hasnt produced kneel Housing Units or anymore efficiency so shes talking about things shes going to do but hasnt done thing thats right on her plate within her portfolio right now we need a ceo to shrink government and get regulation out of peoples lives. Thats going to take someone from outside government it is nots going to take a legislator to do that. Ms. Crouch ill get to you but stick with the order mr. Hill agencies you would like to downsize or i appreciate jamie decentralization of dei but get rid of it on day one we need to eliminate the diversity Equity Inclusion in our State Government. Diversity is a wonderful thing but not at the cost of excellence inclusion is a wonderful thing but not at the cost of competence, and equity is a wonderful thing but not out of the cost of fairness and along with that, where a good look at the department of education theres 250 staffers making a lot of money at the department of education youve still got third graders who cant read. How about cutting that in half and get started with that as one example. [applause] mr. Dowedden any agencies you see fit to pair back or eliminate . Yeah i talked about this over the last three years. One of the most important things that governor does is hire the 30 agency heads that employ 30,000 people spent 22 billion of state and 20 billion of money and what weve ben doing is collecting talents and names of those willing to serve are experts suggest that it is had been 15 of waste right now that we can get out of the system and thats going ton the focus of my administration bringing most talented people to bare to make sure that these agencies serve the people of indiana. Ms. Crouch, this suggestion was that you didnt do enough to create ample Affordable Housing would you like to respond . I have more responsibilities and duties than any other Lieutenant Governor and i ahead up four agencies secretary of Agriculture Rural Development i head up housing develop Community Development association and corporation all of those agencies have been focused on how to make indiana grow and how to create more Housing Units particularly for those that are vulnerability those with homeless veterans, 27800 units that have been added, first time home buyers assistance, two billion dollars investment in main streets i stand on my records. We have been doing a good job. To be able to help hoosiers and were going to continue to do that we eliminate incomes tack and focus on those dealing with Mental Illness and addiction. This is the debate right because we are talking about a conversation about socialism it doesnt look like that we have to decide in the state of indiana are we conservatives if were conservatives we believe in less government. Not all of these departments expanding and expanding to solve more and more problems in our communities. We actually believe the private sector should step in and solve the problem, not the government. And when you elect people that believe the government is the answer you get bigger government, and more taxes. All right. Were about about to hit the hour mark and saying bidding farewell to broadcast partners anybody 15 seconds on this notion of housing and anybody want to qaig in on that by the time i look at you, and my 15 seconds will be up. All right. What we will do is this. We are going to pause for a moment as i said, to wish some of our broadcast audience farewell as some of the tv and radio stations move on to other programming. The final 30 minutes dont go anywhere. The final 30 minutes of the Indiana Debate Commissions gop Gubernatorial Debate can be found online, via the websites of Media Outlets across the state or at Indiana Debate Commission. Com. A recording of the full debate will also be available shortly after this is finished. And we would also like to take this moment to thank our supporters. [silence] broadcasters association, the Indiana State Bar Association, aarp, and the following [silence] all right. Back where we left off with another question. Open ended question. One minute response if you would like to take it this goes to ms. Writtenhaoer indiana has a abortion law that bans most abortions of pregnancy allows only termination up to ten weeks in cases of rape or incest up to 20 weeks in a case of fatal fetal anomaly or where the pregnant individual health or life is at risk. Do you support current statute in indiana or does the ban go too far or not far in your mind one minute. Hoosier for life the reason im for life is because i believe in the creator of life to believe in a concept i know is one that you know you reap what you sew, if you sow life youll reap life. Right now in the state of indiana we have put exceptions when it comes to abortion. And im not talking about the exceptions that are made which really arent exceptions theyre more medical decisions between two patients, the mother and the baby. Im not talking about those scenarios. But weve made exceptions if you look and see how many abortions took place in 2023 and the gestation age youll see that it was higher than prior years we need to be a state that says we are for life. Because were in a conversation right now in our country about how our future is going to end up. And if we want to be a country that is for goodness, we need to be a country that supports life from the very beginning all the way to the end. And so i am a candidate, a govan candidate that is more than willing and oh so ready to have that conversation with Jennifer Mccormick with candidates to do that. All right. Well have that conversation after may 7th. Our statutes are fine until we do not enforce them we have a problem with the terminated pregnancy reports are not being filed by the Health Department and the administration are not supporting that. As governor all direct the Health Department to file before Public Notice the termination of pregnancy reports to make sure we can enforce our abortion ban. It is so good to us if we cannot enforce it and thats whats happening currently. Miss crouch. I need to go. [inaudible] unintentional. No, no, no. [inaudible] i am ardently prolife it to human rights issue and its a religious issue for me. I was really proud of her General Assembly for passing a pro life law or right away as soon as they could. The law is settled that is why we are focused on things like zero cost adoption that allows 13000 kids in foster care to get in loving homes. That allows us to strengthen the family. These are issues everyone is getting behind but people are excited about part one of the most important things we can do is strengthen the family mixture of Strong Family sets are going to focus on. Now miss crouch provokes i am prolife my record is clear i cast a tiebreaking vote to strengthen laws and today indiana some of the most prolife state in the country. Its equally important to save lives and support mothers and babies i am so proud we have dedicated 45 million to supporting pregnant women, supporting pregnant mothers and those children up to two years of age. To be able to give them the kind of support that indicates we protect that we support life on all stages. Lets stay on this for moment weight maybe we can address your questions and thus all five names the current Indiana Supreme Court were appointed by republican governors. In handing down the courts decision on indianas abortion law which is what you pointed out as one of the first and most stringent in the country. A majority of those members of the court found article one section one of indianas constitution does give women the rates in cases of threat to their life and their physical wellbeing to in fact they have a right to abortion produce far as i know that is the first time the court has staked out that particular position. Did that court agree or disagree with that court . Whats do the start of a show of hands under several of you, did you agree with five members the Supreme Court the majority of whom said women have this rights under certain circumstances when they are facing death or significant physical harm under article one section one of the indiana constitution how many agreed with the Indiana Supreme Court . Cook is very difficult with Court Opinions they are vendor individual per case. I dont know if thats the precedents they are setting i have no idea this specific person brought that case forward. I think what we had said is that a mom and a baby when ever they are approached in a particular situation this difficult for the mothers life it is the baby and the mothers life that is at stake there. I would support the doctorate making a decision for both i dont know where that puts me with your question. The question simply was did the five members of the Supreme Court of the majority of those get it right . Nobody raised a hand and said they thought they got it right, correct . Im sorry this is a really big issue on the conservative platform we dont tend to talk about very much which is concerning. Scotus when they put their pitying together after roe v wade is a phenomenal companion every conservative should read it they basically said it is go back to the States Roe V Wade was declared way back when he was not in a manner that was they talked about how at the time there is no case at presidency. They should look at the states of the time roe v wade if they would have found that progress and going to have to cut you off it. [applause] at the risk of dwelling on this its an important issue. This is subject important to conservatives and progressives. Lets start this open ended question related but unrelated and i guess we will start with mr. Chambers. Most in previous debates of indicated support for in vitro fertilization or ivf. How do you reconcile your prolife views with the fact typically in order to create life using ivf you generally have to destroy embryos because the process creates embryos that simply are not going to be used. Is that tough to reconcile lets start with you mr. Chambers for. First and foremost the joy of my life has of my 28yearold son i want that joy to be spread to all hoosiers. I do support ivf and wanted to be available to as many hoosiers as there can possibly be sugar their families. Consuls go right down the line 30 seconds for. To live in the culture of life and along with that culture of life is operative for 11 couples who want to have children who are not able to have children to participate in an in vitro process and support that moving forward. And on top of that it went to support enforcement of our abortion ban. I want to offer my opponents are you willing to step up to the plate and enforce making sure the Health Department is providing they can foresee abortion and liked it because so far im the only candidate that has spoken out that says we will enforce the terminated pregnancy report to make sure enforce the law. Mr. Doden. X are going to work the General Assembly to protect we want strong families. Thats an important part of what we are going to do. All of our agencies followed the lot report they are supposed to report in a timely fashion. Thats an important part of my administration we made that clear. Eric i am prolife my record is clear as a woman and as a mother i cannot fathom the pain a couple or a mother goes through or whats a woman goes through who want so desperately to have a baby and has not been able to have it. We have to app our arms from these women we have to support them. And support life. And give them the right to be able to bring children into this world. I am a Firm Believer in life. Think everyone should have the opportunity to have life. I also think its interesting we talk about this specifically noting theres a lot of aborted fetuses that are put in vaccines we have not talked about that at all. Yet we are in a state that was recommending people are losing their jobs for not getting those vaccines. I like the question yes i would absolutely support the transparency we are looking for forward abortion reports. I would further say we are five candidates running for governor in the state of indiana on the conservative ticket i think its very fair for us to say to governor holcomb, we are asking you together to support transparency get those reports to the people. [applause] those reports traditionally have been under indiana statute as i understand it they contain medical information, the redacted by the department of health for. The attorney general in this case i was the attorney general they were not medical records before they are not medical records now. Any records that identify a new has been taken out of the program so get your facts straight. [applause] my facts are merely the department of health had in fact redacted information if you have a turn taken up with them. Mr. Chambers, different question what ways do you believe immigration of the southern border is affecting indiana lafayette resident wants to know would candidate support cracking down on hoosier businesses that employ undocumented immigrants . The borders a huge challenge the bided border i call it. He is here on the stage we would talk about his failure to put up legislation to lead on anything related to the board except going down and taking taxpayer photo ops front door is closed the back door is wide open. Its a state problem. I would wear out my welcome and d. C. Making sure they know this is now putting our guardsmen at risk for our guardsmen at reset or braun and biter putting our guardsmen at risk. Low fentanyl problem because of a broken problem. We have criminals coming into our state. Huger lives are at risk because the governor is be strong on this issue. Not just send guards down and fund it. We need to advocate for a Strong Border at a state level. Mr. Hill would you support cracking on hoosier businesses that employ undocumented workers . Absolute immigration is not supposed be a state issue but has to be because the federal government has advocated the responsibility to make that happen. We need to send the patrol down to the border. I call for the National Guard and the two go down to the state of texas before governor holcomb put that forward. Step two is no safe haven for illegal aliens in the state of indiana. No sanctuary city so businesses under the excuse of we need a laborer were going to hire just about anybody we cannot have it both ways were either going to stop illegal immigration or lay down for it. I am not laying down for anybody. [applause] mr. Doden. Invited me too do his job. Congress needs to do their job. And as your governor, we are going to wake up every day working hard to embarrass the federal government into better performance. Thats what i consider going to dip in the meantime when theyre not doing the job its incumbent on us to support a governors at the border. Thats why sent in the National Guard for the border to help protect the border, support our governors, were going to support a law enforcement. Rule of law is the foundation to this country. And we simply must follow the rule of law. Eric due to the failed policy the Biden Administration we now have last year alone we stopped almost 200 people at the border on the terrorist watch list. Every state is a border state including indiana. As a governor i will send National Guard down to help protect our southern border. But i will also protect indianas border making sure we do not get that influx of illegals that bring the deadly fentanyl but also bring human trafficking. It is absolute income but we keep indiana strong parade that is why in 2011 is a state 2011 e representative i voted to prohibit sanctuary cities in indianas governor if they come here, we will send them to sanctuary cities in other states. Ms. Reitenour. I would say as curtis is saying there are Illegal Immigrants who already here in the state of indiana. But you have indiana, is a very intense situation thats taking place because of a lack of leadership. Even you could say a president that was promoting illegal immigration. We do need to have a staff of immigration at the bartlett why any governors would be participating and it administrator solution from a logistical standpoint without stopping was taken place there, seems like it would not make any kind of sense. I would also say i think the conservative party needs to support everyone whos waited lawfully to commit and do a fast track to citizenship for all the immigrants who have waited lawfully brightly to be a conservative party that is shining the light on that kind of immigration. We also need to address the many that are here right now. Taking all of this people putting them back at the border to beans like a logistical nightmare we need to have some kind of pause. Some temporary situation those people are not citizens but able to get some kind of certificate they could work here the state of indiana pay taxes. A followup question of sorts we will probably just what to do this with a show of hands initially. The Heritage Foundation heritagn conservative think tank this month propose that states should charge tuition essentially of the undocumented children certainly the parent of parents ofundocumented immigrane children who were not born here. Essentially Public School tuition for grades k12. Do you think that makes sense the Heritage Foundation proposal customer they argue this is a burden in some states more than others in terms of providing this kind of education. Where do you all stand if you agree with the Heritage Foundation that schools should in fact charge tuition of undocumented workers at k12 we had much more discussion certainly as a nation about higher education. Cooks if youd give us more time to answer the questions we will. You are pigeonholing us a little bit and its tough situation. Were tired of illegal immigrant come across the board of hoosiers are tired of immigrants come across the border 7 million at last count. We need to enforce our laws we need to fix our border our Center Church needs to do his job but she is not doing. Like she said i have not read the heritage for. Okay fair enough mr. Hill . Original with the question was what i think what youre getting at. [laughter] im serious. Think what you are getting at is do we think we were to charge illegals to be educated and the answer is no. I dont want to have a system where illegals are able to buy their way into our citizenship into our freedoms come into our rights if you are here illegally there is no price you can pay to gain access to what is ours for that is worth protecting for what else would awaken on the question right was not clear about . Should kids be charged tuition of the undocumented . What sort of things i suggested is we should have a way for people to pay taxes and not be citizens. There is a major problem here that our constitution does not actually address. Because we have a president that was being irresponsible and hurting our nation by leaving the port is open we really do need to come to the table strong governors that can come together with the strength of the states come up with a logistical administrative solution that will be good for all the citizens of the state of indiana. Almost essentially closing statements, but question. What did try the arm thrust one more time. I think we can get this one. Mask amended should be banned in Public Schools in case of another pandemic of your grace your hand . [applause] just wanted to see if the microphone is working. All right with that we have come to the close essentially all of this the final debate youll each have two minutes to address anything that we left on the table tonight or make your final pitch to hoosier voters. Lets make it simple mr. Chambers go ahead. Thank you for being here but what a journey a lot of first in the Chambers Family in the last seven months ive never done this before im not a politician. Im totally not a career politician i am a grateful hoosier i start a company from nothing 40 years ago. I felt the pains of starting a business from nothing or worried about payroll and putting food on the table and gas in the car. It was a tough journey but im grateful because of that this is a Service Opportunity for me not a Career Change i believe in the potential of the states. Closer for a dollar a year for two years to grow our economy bring a businesslike approach of optimism and urgency to build a great team to raise wages to do things that have not been done, to win. We were not winning and away that was leaving people behind wages that matter. Being below average wage matters we have to play to win. When you have a growing economy can fix education and government can actually shrink because unemployment goes down. Medicaid use goes down so listen with faith and courage my wife and i decide to get into this race seven months ago we believe its time for ceo someone to run it like a business i was in bedford of the week and saturday a man came up to me and said i just voted for you. Give me a shocked on my spine i was so humbled by that decision because i am working hard to earn votes. I am rolling out policy. I am doing the work, going rent meeting hoosiers and a listing because that is what ceos do. You have our Senior Center who does not show up he does not listen preheat mail sit in he expects people to vote for them, i dont i am honored by a vote. Thats what im working to do is earn your vote and then i will work hard to deliver on that effort and make indiana better than it has ever been so thank you i would appreciate your support of may 7. [applause] mr. Hill your closing thoughts . Im running for governor because hoosiers are hungry for proven conservative leadership. The most important word i say there is a proven leadership. How do you know if someones going to do Going Forward . A space on their history and record what theyve done in the past. We are facing assaults on absolute truth on a regular basis manipulation of justice, weaponization of race, designed to keep you silent and the sexualization of our children is destroying the america we know and love. Do not let politician to give you a laundry list of conservative talking points and say that is enough. Prove that you can do the job. I believe in a culture thats in 2000 indiana border babes were discovered in that illinois garage i did not let it go as your attorney general i went and brought them back to establish that humanity because i believe in a culture of life. I believe in liberty, freedom, that is about the holcomb prop Product Administration announced mask mandate in 2020 is your attorney general put a stop to it. It is about freedom, its about liberty ladies and judgment i believe in truth that is where the bureau of Motor Vehicles create a third gender i put a stop to her at the attorney general, why . The truth is theres only two genders mail and female and that is worth fighting for. [applause] we need courage we need to be able mccune expelled account of the people on the stage the person on the stage that will get the job done. My name is curtis hill i have a record of getting the job done but i would appreciate your support on may 7. [applause] what is important for a leader is to have a bold vision for the people of indiana. And the ability to implement that vision. We have more plans in writing that everyone on the stage combined so i would encourage you to do is go to our website and interface with every one of our plants help us improve them. Let me go them quickly a plan to restore small towns for the First Time Ever in history. We have never had a plan for the june halfmillion people that live in small town indiana and as at the core of our very cultured indiana and is at the core of Business Growth and everything that we should be about in the state. We have a plan for each of our regions to be one of the top in the country. We took fort wayne from not ranked and was built a team as a thirty second best place to live in United States according to u. S. News world report we did that in under seven years been to that all of the state. Weve a plan for zero cost adoption to get her 13000 kids in foster care and loving homes. Weve a plan to protect our seniors and making sure they do not lose their homes by freezing property taxes. We have a plan to make sure we grow every cent a part of i connie at all 92 counties these are the kind of things you should be looking for. But, as a close and i am going to ask you for some things first of all going to make one observation ive said this across the state, fear and faith are incompatible. There is a lot of fear right now politics, a lot of fear. Fear and faith are incompatible god is not given us a spirit of fear but of what . Power, love, sound mind. But im going to ask if he was to roll up your sleeves for your faith to work is going to take a team effort from everyone in this room. Not one person up here is gifted enough to do it alone im going to ask you have a bold vision for your Community Expect us to be a great partner to you. And last sampling to ask you to pray for us. Spray for safety as we travel. Pray for wisdom and most importantly and pray for servants heart, thank you. [applause] miss crouch. Im ready for governor because i care deeply about dna care deeply about you im the only candidate on the stage that has the experience to be able to deliver results. We want to start by eliminate the state income tax. We are going to ask the tax we can put money into your pockets today at cost you 11400 more than it did three years ago just to meet basic needs. Now my opponents, im the only one thing were going to eliminate attacks my opponents say it is a gimmick, it cannot happen. But theyre really saying is government needs more of your money and you need less of it. We could do it as former vice chair of the house ways and Means Committee former auditor we can do it if we limit government growth, if we and wasteful Government Spending we find efficiencies in government we can give you money we can allow Small Business to grow and we can attract people to indiana. Most of the only candidate on the stage that is said helping those who struggle with Mental Illness and addiction will be a top priority. Since covid 20 increase in anxiety and depression. Suicide is second leading cause of death among young people that is why is governor we will never have mask mandates and lockdowns because of what it had sent to all this but vertically our children. I am running for governor because i want to make sure that indiana does not become california, new york, michigan or illinois i am writing to protect our conservative values. As governor i will make sure parents control was being taught to our children. We will stands shoulder to shoulder with police and enforcer crime laws to the fullest we will ask the tax and live within our means were not going to settle our children and grandchildren the mountain of debt. You will see that you and i will build it will not cast aside the most vulnerable hoosiers, the unborn, the elderly, the disabled struggle with Mental Illness and addiction because they are in families, our friends and our neighbors. Well never compromise in protecting faith, and freedom. I am miss crouch running for governor i ask your votes of a can build a better indiana together, thank you. [applause] and ms. Reitenour. I would just ask you if you feel like any of that is actually happening right now . We live in a state that says it is a red state and believes in conservative values and yet i am trying to figure out where the conservatives are in government . Right now we are having a big issue in our state because we are discussing matters that you and your communities are discussing their moral crisis its very big debate about socialism and capitalism. Our state with that looks like if it looks like billionDollar Companies investing in the state we have 100,000 jobs already available. These and billionDollar Companies are bringing highpaying jobs. But i ask you for what workforce . Because on their watch these politicians, our education has failed. There are over 100,001st through eighth graders that are not able to do basic reading and math that is a failure. Six years ago i was asked, i was told i be the governor of the state of indiana. Know that sounds wild. I waited for four years for that confirmation i was at panera person came up to me and said i had a love for more than my family it was for the people and i should follow that love. The next week i heard a man say to me i needed to let my path to go and walk forward in the calling for my future. You said i need to love the lord to renew my mind i might prove his pure and acceptable will i iwant to know, indiana, i have done a lot of Walking Around the states it really broke my heart when i saw hoosier and boone county that said this is not our indiana anymore. If you want billions of dollars in backroom business choose the politicians if you want someone who loves freedom, thats going to look out for your families and encourage you to grow in the state through the private sector and the good people that you are check out our website because that is indiana goodness. With the goal made clear tonight you do not like might yes or no raise your head question. Im going to ask the last what im going to direct it myself im asking myself who appreciated the fact these candidates were willing to engage in a vigorous discussion of the issues of importance to hoosiers i will raise my hand i appreciate you all for doing that. [applause] and to those who have watched or listened to this evenings debate i thank you for caring about our state, its governance in our collective future please member to vote main seven i am trying to do on behalf of the Indiana Debate Commission i think you and wish you a good night. Here is what is ahead on cspan2 tonight. Up next eneecretary Jennifer Granholm testified for ho on president en budget requests and other priorities for her department. Followed by cdc director mandat alk about g health preventing diseases from reaching u. S. Borders. Thenratic representative Diana Presley incorporate bush talked about thetance of protects individuals against sex discrimination later another chance t see the final primary debate for republican candidates running in indiana at 2024 governors race. That is all coming up tonight on cspan2. Sees fans a washington journal a live form involving you to discuss the latest issues in government, politics and public policy. From washington d. C. And across the country coming up Tuesday Morning reuters reporter David Shepherdson discusses congressional efforts to approve federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation its potential impact on consumers in the aviation industry. We will discuss the latest on that youth vote, campus a protesting campaign 2024 with courtney the College Republican National Committee on the College Democrats of america. See spans washington journal joined in the conversation alive Tuesday Morning on cspan, cspan our freight mobile video app or online at cspan. Org. On tuesday education secretary testifies on his Department Priorities and policies. Likely topics include unrest on College Campuses of federal student data application delays. Youissed the House Education Committee hearing alive tuesday starting at 10 15 a. M. Eastern on cspan 300 free mobile app cspan now or online at cspan. Org. Cspan initiative of the view of government funded by these Television Companies and more including media. At mediate, we believe that whether you live here or right here or wait out in the middle of anywhere it you should have access to fast reliable internet parade that is why we are leading the way