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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

In a first for the podcast, Blake and Earl sit down with a member of Republican leadership, House Majority Floor Leader Matt Lehman, to discuss the first half of Indiana’s 2025 legislative session. From budget battles to bipartisanship, Rep. Lehman shares his insights on the key issues shaping the Statehouse, what surprised him this session, and how the shifting political climate is affecting policymaking. We also discuss the growing disconnect between the public and government and the lessons he’s learned from serving in both the minority and majority. Don’t miss this thoughtful and candid conversation.