Session Sessions

Latest Episodes:

The Red Zone of Session: Bears, Bills & the Final 5 Days w/Rep. Randy Novak Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

We have five days left in the 2026 Indiana legislative session, and things are about to get wild.
In this episode of Session Sessions, Blake and Earl are joined by freshman State Representative Randy Novak for a behind-the-scenes look at:
• What it’s really like to pass your first bill (House Bill 1048)
• How volunteer firefighter stipends finally got updated for the first time since 1985
• The nerve-wracking Senate process and concurrence votes
• Why the final week of session is absolute chaos
And yes, we take a look at SB 27, the framework that could bring the Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana. 📅 The session ends next week. Buckle up.

100 Ways for a Bill to Die Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

There are dozens of ways for a bill to die and most of them never involve a floor vote.
At the halfway point of the Indiana legislative session, Reps. Blake Johnson and Earl Harris break down “100 Ways for a Bill to Die,” using the quiet demise of a bipartisan luxury-vehicle ban as a real-world case study.
From committee chairs refusing hearings, to amendments that sink a bill, to leadership simply declining to call a vote, this episode explains how the legislative process really works behind the scenes. The conversation also explores why time, calendars, and internal politics matter as much as policyand why it’s so hard for minority-party bills to reach the governor’s desk.
A must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how laws actually get made (or don’t).

The Chaos Coordinator: Inside a Fast Session w/the House Dem Legislative Policy Director Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

This week on Session Session, Earl and Blake are joined by Bianca Mizimakoski, Policy Director for the House Democratic Caucus — and (as she puts it) the “policy team of one.” If you’ve ever wondered what happens in the 48 hours before floor debate, how amendments get drafted at the last second, or how a caucus keeps its priorities straight when everything hits at once… this is the behind-the-scenes episode.

Bianca breaks down what makes the 2026 short session feel even more chaotic (including a condensed calendar), why speed can lead to mistakes and shut everyday Hoosiers out of the process, and what it’s like supporting 30 lawmakers with 30 different districts, specialties, and policy needs.

Plus, we run through the biggest bills of the week: the National Guard “military police force” proposal, the death penalty execution-method fight (including firing squad and nitrogen hypoxia), and the ongoing push to make housing and utilities more affordable — including why Democrats are pushing for immediate relief while the majority’s approach may take years to show results.

If you like the “how the sausage gets made” side of the Statehouse — with a little chaos and a lot of candor — this one’s for you.

Faster Isn’t Smarter: The Messy Reality of Session 2.0 Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Indiana’s 2026 legislative session is moving at warp speed, and it’s getting messy. Reps. Earl Harris and Blake Johnson break down what happens when deadlines collide, committee schedules double up, and major priority bills all hit the floor at once. They talk about “decision-making compression,” why committees stop functioning like true working groups, and how fewer people end up in the room when the real choices get made.
They also get practical: how the minority can still be effective in a chaotic session (relationships, rules, and the strategic use of amendments), why staff and LSA are the unsung heroes right now, and how weather and quorum risks can turn a packed agenda into a legislative pile-up. Plus, Earl becomes “Honorary Blake Johnson."
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a session moves too fast, this is the week to watch.

How Indiana’s Redistricting Fight Unraveled And What Happens Now Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Indiana’s legislative session opened with a touch of chaos. In this episode, Blake and Earl break down how a push for mid-decade redistricting unfolded, why deeply gerrymandered maps advanced in the House, and what ultimately led the Indiana Senate to reject them. From national political pressure to rare moments of bipartisan resistance, they unpack what happened, why it mattered, and how it reshaped the start of the 2026 session. Plus: what this detour means for real Hoosier issues like childcare, healthcare, and cost-of-living—and why time is now the biggest enemy.

Mid-Decade Maps: Trump, Indiana, and the Redistricting Power Grab w/Rep. Matt Pierce Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Blake and Earl are joined by State Rep. Matt Pierce for a candid conversation about the brazen push to redraw congressional maps mid-decade at Donald Trump’s urging. From backroom deals in Indiana to the broader national implications, they break down why this power grab is unprecedented, what’s at stake for democracy, and how everyday Hoosiers can push back. This episode dives into history, law, and the raw politics shaping the fight over fair representation.

Laws, Loopholes & Local Roads: What Just Became Law in Indiana Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Session’s out, but the policy rollercoaster isn’t.
In this episode, Rep. Blake Johnson and Rep. Earl Harris Jr. reunite (virtually) to unpack the most consequential - and controversial - laws that took effect in Indiana this July. From a property tax “cut” that shifts the burden to local governments, to a partisan power grab in our school board elections, to cuts in healthcare and early learning, they don’t hold back.
They also get into:
Raising the teacher salary floor—and why it’s still not enough
Medicaid work requirements: effective policy or performative cruelty?
A spirited debate between the hosts over SEA 1461 (road funding, tolling, and why it’s a win for Indy)
How interim committees really work and why your voice matters right now
Blake’s got a new baby, Earl’s lost another hubcap, and together they’re breaking down what Indiana just passed and how it’s going to hit your wallet, your schools, and your future.

The Sprint to Sine Die (and Double Diaper Duty) Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

Indiana State Reps. Blake Johnson and Earl Harris Jr. are back with reflections on the Statehouse — and a major life change just around the corner for Blake.

In this episode, the co-hosts break down:

The ongoing concerns around SB 287, which would make school board races partisan — and why that’s raising eyebrows across the aisle. Update: bill passed by razor thin margin.
The drama around Senate Bill 1 and the governor’s push for real property tax relief
The high-stakes budget talks, the politics of SB 518 (school funding), and the looming possibility of a special session
Road funding, tolling fears in NW Indiana, and what’s still in play as the 2025 session hits the homestretch

Plus: Blake gets real about impending fatherhood (again), and Earl speculates on whether ChatGPT is gunning for the co-host chair.

The Speaker of the House w/Rep. Todd Huston Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

For the first time ever on Session Sessions, we’re joined by the Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives — and yes, he’s from the other party. Speaker Todd Huston sits down with Reps. Earl Harris Jr. and Blake Johnson for a rare, unfiltered conversation about what it’s really like to lead the 100-member House.

We cover a lot: the reality of wrangling policy and personalities, how the sausage gets made during budget season, why the second half of session always feels like a sprint, and the surprising power of simply getting to know each other as people. Speaker Huston even opens up about the loneliness that can come with leadership — and the dinner-table wisdom that keeps him grounded.

Also, minivans.

Whether you’re inside the Statehouse or just curious about how it all works, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Kicking Off the Second Half w/Kip Tew Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Session Sessions, we welcome back former state party chair and City County-Councillor, government affairs expert Kip Tew. Kip shares insights and expectations for the second half of Indiana’s legislative session. Recorded on the last day of the first half, Kip shares thoughts on what has unfolded so far and what to expect moving forward.
Topics include:
✅ How a new governor is reshaping the legislative dynamic
✅ The battle over property taxes and its impact on local government
✅ Surprise bills that failed to advance, including the controversial homelessness criminalization bill
✅ The role of lobbyists in shaping legislation and how AI is beginning to play a role
✅ How national politics are trickling down to affect Indiana’s economy and policymaking

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