Sen. Donnelly Gives Gov. Pence Cover Improved from the Pro- Vote on Planned Posed Rule, Indiana Will Parenthood Defunding, Not Comply

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Sen. Donnelly Gives Gov. Pence Cover Improved from the Pro- Vote on Planned Posed Rule, Indiana Will Parenthood Defunding, Not Comply V21, N1 Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015 Sen. Donnelly gives Gov. Pence cover improved from the pro- Vote on Planned posed rule, Indiana will Parenthood defunding, not comply. Our state will also reserve the right stance on EPA rules to use any legal means available to block the dovetails with governor rule from being imple- mented.” By BRIAN A. HOWEY The governor INDIANAPOLIS – Earlier this seemed to be suggest- summer, the politically wounded Gov. ing that Indiana would Mike Pence seemed to be taking a page defy the rule of law, out of the “shut it down” Ted Cruz play- though spokeswoman book, or his own “time to pick a fight” Kara Brooks said the stance. decision “not to comply” As the Obama would actually mean that administration’s the EPA would write the Environmental Indiana clear air rules. Protection Agency On Monday after prepared to roll the EPA released rules out its new Clean that one electric industry Power Plan, Pence figure described as “hos- was defiant. On June 24 in a letter to ing” Indiana, Pence’s President Obama, Pence wrote, “If your defiance seemed to hit administration proceeds to finalize the Clean Power Plan, and the final rule Continued on page 3 has not demonstrably and significantly Miller fights in Goshen By MAUREEN HAYDEN CNHI State Reporter INDIANAPOLIS – As cities around Indiana take up measures to guarantee civil rights protections for gay citizens, conservatives are marshaling forces to stop them. The group Advance America is “Yes, I have left my position as taking credit for killing such a measure in Goshen, the latest treasurer for Sen. Donnelly’s community to consider adding campaign and yes, it is because sexual orientation and gender identity to its local human rights of his vote to defund Planned ordinance. Eric Miller, who heads Parenthood.” the Indiana-based organization, - Former Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis said blocking the Goshen mea- sure was essential to stopping a “pro-homosexual agenda” that is sweeping the state and disrupting Page 2 is a non-partisan newslet- ter based in Indianapolis and Nashville, Ind. It was founded in 1994 in Fort Wayne. It is published by WWWHowey Media, LLC 405 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Advance America’s Eric Miller sits in the front row of the Goshen City Council chambers Tuesday, where he successfully convinced Republican council members to force a tabling Brian A. Howey, Publisher of a civil rights expansion ordinance. (Goshen News Photo) Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington Jack E. Howey, Editor groundwork for a state law to protect scheduled for Tuesday’s city council Mary Lou Howey, Editor gay rights. “They knew they had to agenda. Maureen Hayden, Statehouse have Goshen to continue the momen- Miller’s argument is that local Matthew Butler, Daily Wire tum moving toward a statewide law,” rules protecting sexual orientation and he said. “We’ve put a stop to that.” gender identity will force businesses Mark Curry, photography Miller is a longtime lobbyist to serve gay couples. And, in tones who vehemently opposed same-sex that his critics call fear-mongering, he Subscriptions marriage. He pushed the General As- said the ordinances will allow cross- HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 sembly to adopt a controversial Reli- dressing men to access women’s HPI Weekly, $350 gious Freedom Restoration Act, which bathrooms where they can prey on critics said was a license for business- children. The American Family Asso- Ray Volpe, Account Manager es to discriminate against gay, lesbian, ciation of Indiana echoes his concerns 317.602.3620 bisexual and transgender citizens. and urged members across the state email: [email protected] Before the religious freedom to oppose the Goshen ordinance, law was signed, a dozen communities describing it as “an extension of the Contact HPI already had human rights ordinances. moral decay” of the sexual revolution Nine of them covered sexual orienta- of the late 1960s. www.howeypolitics.com tion or gender identity, though local Goshen Mayor Allan Kauff- [email protected] rules varied. Once the law passed, man said Miller’s efforts were surpris- Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 local leaders across Indiana started ing and offensive. Kauffman has called Washington: 202.256.5822 reexamining their ordinances. for what he describes as a “graceful Business Office: 317.602.3620 Several cities, such as Terre conversation” for proponents and op- Haute and Martinsville, passed mea- ponents to share their concerns in a sures in recent months with little more civil manner. “The fears are real © 2015, Howey Politics Indiana. debate or controversy. But Miller and on both sides,” he said. All rights reserved. Photocopy- other social conservatives decided to Chris Paulsen of Indiana ing, Internet forwarding, fax- draw the line in Goshen and neighbor- Equality has supported the local ing or reproducing in any form, ing Elkhart. ordinances, arguing that they signal Mayors of both cities cancelled to lawmakers the support among whole or part, is a violation of votes on LGBT ordinances after Miller voters for expanded LGBT protec- federal law without permission orchestrated vehement opposition. In tions. “We’ve had a number of wins,” from the publisher. Goshen, a city of 32,000, the vote was Paulsen said, discounting Miller’s Page 3 contention that developments in Goshen will kill efforts “educating and informing” lawmakers on what he says is elsewhere. But she does believe Miller when he promises the harm that comes from enacting LGBT protections on a massive pressure on elected officials who are considering state level, he said. “They know the potential impact this similar measures. has on the 2016 election,” he said. “There are a whole lot That includes state lawmakers who were of people in Indiana who still support traditional values.” v expected to take up the issue of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s civil rights law next year. Maureen Hayden is the Indiana Statehouse report- “That’s how these guys play,” Paulsen said. er CNHI’s newspapers and websites. Reach her at Miller said he isn’t backing back down. He’ll spend [email protected]. the next few months, before the 2016 election year, ment without disproportionally shifting the burden onto all Donnelly, from page 1 Hoosier families.” a chord. It wasn’t the cacophony of indignant voices from Donnelly may have also given Pence some cover the Indiana Republican congressional delegation that un- on the Planned Parenthood defund issue. Late last month, derscored the governor’s defiance. Instead it was Demo- Pence ordered an Indiana Department of Health investiga- cratic U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly. tion of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky on In the wake of the new rules, Donnelly explained whether the organization was playing a role in harvesting his dismay in what has become the perception that fetal tissues, which has been the subject of five clandes- Indiana and Hoosier consumers will pay a disproportion- tine videos that rekindled the issue. As a congressman, ate price for what is a national and Pence helped ignite the defund issue global problem. “Indiana has made in Washington. significant investments in clean energy With the governor in trouble with in recent years. Even without bur- his base over the Religious Freedom densome regulations from the EPA, Restoration Act “fix” last April, the Indiana already has one of the world’s investigation and renewed vows to cleanest coal-fired power plants, the defund seemed like a political ploy world’s largest geothermal heating to help him with his base. With no and cooling system, and has increased smoking gun in Indiana, Pence said, renewable energy generation eight- “Now the people of Indiana have that fold since 2008; all while Hoosier assurance that those practices that manufacturers and consumers are have been alleged in those videos are embracing energy efficiency to reduce at least not taking place here in the their electricity bills and improve their state of Indiana.” He added, “I have bottom lines,” Donnelly said. “EPA had long believed that the largest abortion an opportunity to encourage Indiana provider in America should not also be to continue to innovate and diversify the largest recipient of federal funding our energy portfolio in a way that was under Title X.” good for our environment and good When the defund vote took place for Indiana’s economy. The final rule, in the Senate on Monday, Donnelly however, completely missed the mark. was one of two Democratic senators Instead of providing a workable plan to vote with the Republican majority. with fair, achievable carbon goals, the Donnelly explained, “While Planned rule requires Hoosiers to carry one Parenthood clinics in Indiana do not of the heaviest loads in reducing the partake in fetal tissue donation and country’s carbon emissions, which were found to be following the law, will make energy more expensive for today’s vote is about Planned Parent- families and make it more difficult for hood clinics around the country. I Indiana businesses to compete.” cannot in good faith support federal Donnelly added, “This rule funding for this organization until the seems designed to establish by regula- questions of whether other clinics are tion the ‘cap and trade’ plan that I complying with federal and state laws voted against in 2009. We need to find are answered.” a better way to protect our environ- With Senate Democrats having Page 4 enough votes to block the defund, Senate Minority Leader rial impression is vanishing. With the primary now just a Harry Reid had the luxury of allowing Donnelly and U.S. little over nine months away, there is no big idea. There Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia to take a position that is no campaign phone number or press person.
Recommended publications
  • Presidential Candidates in 2016 Should Not Underestimate the Power of Urban Identity—It Allowed Obama to Halve Bush’S Urban Victories
    blogs.lse.ac.uk http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2015/03/19/presidential-candidates-in-2016-should-not-underestimate-the-power-of-urban-identity- it-allowed-obama-to-halve-bushs-urban-victories/ Presidential candidates in 2016 should not underestimate the power of urban identity—it allowed Obama to halve Bush’s urban victories In 2008, Barack Obama was elected as America’s first urban president, with large victories in the biggest urban centers. What lessons should 2016’s potential candidates be taking from these victories? In new research which examines election results in 92 ‘core’ counties – which accounted for 35 million votes in 2012 – Joshua D. Ambrosius finds that President Obama identified with urban voters in the way that Republicans could not. He argues that this is not likely to change in the near future, as the urban electorate is identifying less and less with the Republican Party, which is doing little to claim cities as their own. Bill Clinton claimed the presidency in 1992 with his famous campaign mantra, it’s “the economy, stupid.” No doubt the Republicans and Mitt Romney believed that the weak economy was their ticket to unseating the nation’s first urban president in November of 2012. We all know how that turned out. Despite the conventional wisdom at the time, identity trumped the economy in 2012 in the nation’s largest urban centers; and it was the strength of this urban advantage that helped carry President Barack Obama—the nation’s first urban president—to an easy Electoral College victory and an eked-out popular vote.
    [Show full text]
  • First Amended Complaint Exhibit 1 Donald J
    Case 2:17-cv-00141-JLR Document 18-1 Filed 02/01/17 Page 1 of 3 First Amended Complaint Exhibit 1 Donald J. Trump Statement on Preventing Muslim Immigration | Donald J Trump for Pre... Page 1 of 2 Case 2:17-cv-00141-JLR Document 18-1 Filed 02/01/17 Page 2 of 3 INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK TWITTER NEWS GET INVOLVED GALLERY ABOUT US SHOP CONTRIBUTE - DECEMBER 07, 2015 - CATEGORIES DONALD J. TRUMP STATEMENT ON VIEW ALL PREVENTING MUSLIM IMMIGRATION STATEMENTS (New York, NY) December 7th, 2015, -- Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's ANNOUNCEMENTS representatives can figure out what is going on. According to Pew Research, ENDORSEMENTS among others, there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population. Most recently, a poll from the Center for Security ADS Policy released data showing "25% of those polled agreed that violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad" and 51% of those polled, "agreed that Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to Shariah." Shariah authorizes such atrocities as murder against non-believers who won't convert, beheadings and more unthinkable acts ARCHIVE that pose great harm to Americans, especially women. Mr. Trump stated, "Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to NOVEMBER 2016 anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension. Where this hatred comes from and OCTOBER 2016 why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of SEPTEMBER 2016 horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life.
    [Show full text]
  • Indiana Indianapolis Division
    Case 1:14-cv-00404-RLY-TAB Document 50 Filed 06/25/14 Page 1 of 36 PageID #: 441 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION MARILYN RAE BASKIN and ESTHER ) FULLER; BONNIE EVERLY and LINDA ) JUDKINS; DAWN LYNN CARVER and ) PAMELA RUTH ELEASE EANES; ) HENRY GREENE and GLENN ) FUNKHOUSER, individually and as ) parents and next friends of C.A.G.; ) NIKOLE QUASNEY, and AMY ) SANDLER, individually and as parents and ) next friends of A.Q.-S. and M.Q.-S., ) ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) vs. ) 1:14-cv-00355-RLY-TAB ) PENNY BOGAN, in her official capacity ) as BOONE COUNTY CLERK; KAREN ) M. MARTIN, in her official capacity as ) PORTER COUNTY CLERK; MICHAEL ) A. BROWN, in his official capacity as ) LAKE COUNTY CLERK; PEGGY ) BEAVER, in her official capacity as ) HAMILTON COUNTY CLERK; ) WILLIAM C. VANNESS II, M.D., in his ) official capacity as the COMMISSIONER, ) INDIANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF ) HEALTH; and GREG ZOELLER, in his ) official capacity as INDIANA ) ATTORNEY GENERAL, ) ) Defendants. ) 1 Case 1:14-cv-00404-RLY-TAB Document 50 Filed 06/25/14 Page 2 of 36 PageID #: 442 MIDORI FUJII; MELODY LAYNE and ) TARA BETTERMAN; ) SCOTT and Rodney MOUBRAY- ) CARRICO; MONICA WEHRLE and ) HARRIET MILLER; GREGORY ) HASTY and CHRISTOPHER VALLERO; ) ROB MACPHERSON and STEVEN ) STOLEN, individually and as parents and ) next friends of L. M.-C. and A. M.-S., ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) vs. ) 1:14-cv-00404-RLY-TAB ) GOVERNOR, STATE OF INDIANA, in ) his official capacity; COMMISSIONER, ) INDIANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF ) HEALTH, in his official capacity; ) COMMISSIONER, INDIANA STATE ) DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, in his ) official capacity; CLERK, ALLEN ) COUNTY, INDIANA, in her official ) capacity; CLERK, HAMILTON ) COUNTY, INDIANA, in her official ) capacity, ) ) Defendants.
    [Show full text]
  • Michael Steele - Was Elected As the New Chairman of the Republican National Committee
    Fellow Idaho Republicans, Today, a good friend of mine - Michael Steele - was elected as the new Chairman of the Republican National Committee. As an early supporter, and part of his leadership team -- one of his twelve whips nationwide - - I couldn't be happier or more proud of where our party is headed. Michael Steele has the perfect combination of skills -- charisma, optimism and common sense conservative values -- to lead a national resurgence of the Republican Party among the rank-and-file grassroots, as well as everyday Americans. Michael and I have known each other for almost 20 years, since we went to law school together at Georgetown. In fact we ran against each other for vice president of the evening division in 1990 -- a race I won be a scant 3 votes. I am glad today's race was not that close! Michael called me soon after the November elections and I told him that I would be proud to support him. He later asked me to be on his leadership team as one of a dozen whips across the country, helping to garner votes among the 168 members of the RNC. Michael came to Boise to visit and strategize with me over breakfast at the Grove Hotel on January 18. We discussed the success that Republicans enjoy in Idaho and how to make that happen in other states. Now that vision is set to become a reality. On behalf of Idaho Republicans, I have already thanked former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan for his service to our party, He visited our great state this fall, prior to the general election, and I also had the opportunity to sit down with him again in Boise earlier this month.
    [Show full text]
  • Scramble to Join the Hoosier Senate 9 Holcomb Kicks Off Campaign Today for Rare Open Seat by BRIAN A
    V20, N27 Thursday, March 26, 2015 Scramble to join the Hoosier Senate 9 Holcomb kicks off campaign today for rare open seat By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – Since the dawn of the televi- sion era in Indiana politics, a mere nine white males have been U.S. senators out of the approximately 12 million people who called Indiana home during the period. Those holding one seat included Sens. Wil- liam Jenner (R), Vance Hartke (D), Dick Lugar (R), and now Joe Donnelly (D). On the other, there have been Sens. Homer Cape- hart (R), Birch Bayh (D), Dan Quayle (R), Dan Coats (R), Evan Bayh (D), and then Coats once U.S. Sen. Dan Coats conducts business on the phone on Capitol Hill. more. (New York Times photo). In more than case, Coats returned to the public spectrum to win back 60 years, there were three “open seats” at the beginning the seat he gave up a decade earlier. In only one instance, of the cycle when the incumbent did not run, with Jenner in 1958, Coats in 1998 and Evan Bayh in 2010. In Bayh’s Continued on page 3 Coats history rhymes By MARK SOUDER FORT WAYNE – The esteemed philosopher of baseball, Yogi Berra, once said: “It’s like déjà vu, all over again.” In 1998, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats surprised Indiana and the nation by deciding not “Faith, freedom and family used to run for reelection. It resulted in a three-way Senate primary to mean something in Indiana. with a candidate backed by Now, according to the cultural most Republican leadership, Peter Rusthoven, one backed and media elite, if you espouse by the social conservatives/ pre-Tea Party faction, John such positions you are consid- Price, and an elected official ered old fashioned.
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Platform Was Drafted After Soliciting Testimony from a Geographically Diverse Range of Hoosiers at Hearings in South Bend, New Albany and Indianapolis
    Preamble We've come a long way in a short time. With a focus and a commitment to serve Hoosier taxpayers, and not special interests, Indiana's Party of Purpose has enacted improvements that have made government smaller and more efficient, improved our state's economy, and ensured Indiana's Comeback continues to move full steam ahead. After years of government spending and debt, Republican leadership balanced the budget without raising taxes. At the same time, services have improved across the state. A leaner state government has actually improved quality. Our Bureau of Motor Vehicles is now a model for efficiency, moving customers through in 10 minutes or less. Major Moves has improved infrastructure by providing a decade worth of funding for projects around the state that had been promised and delayed for decades. Property taxes in Indiana are among the lowest in the nation, having been cut by 30 percent and capped permanently by the voters and by our State Constitution. Along the way, we have lived by a number of simple principles, but atop that list is the fact that Hoosiers know what's best for Hoosiers. We don't ask for, or want, the federal government to interfere with or dictate how we should live our lives. The improvements we have made, together, have come from within, from Hoosiers. We owe a debt of gratitude to Governor Mitch Daniels and Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman , our dynamic Hoosier duo, who have worked and led to make Indiana a better place to live, work and invest, alongside House Speaker Brian Bosma , Senate President Pro Tempore David Long and our majorities in the House and Senate.
    [Show full text]
  • INGOP Reaches Its Political, Policy Apex Chairman Hupfer Surveys the Braun Victory, His Metrics and What’S Coming for the Next Level by BRIAN A
    V24, N14 Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 INGOP reaches its political, policy apex Chairman Hupfer surveys the Braun victory, his metrics and what’s coming for the Next Level By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – There couldn’t be a more emphatic contrast when it comes to major party chairs Kyle Hupfer of the Re- publicans and John Zody of the Democrats. Hupfer is essentially undefeated in statewide races and federal seats beyond the 1st and 7th CDs. Zody has been shut out, save for three Indiana House seats and a Senate pickup this cycle, coming after a GOP shakeup in 2016 that brought about the Donald Trump/Mike Pence dy- namic that has dominated ever since. For Hupfer, Mike Braun’s dispatch- ing of Sen. Joe Donnelly was the culmi- over a year,” Hupfer said in a Howey Politics Indiana inter- nation of a two-year effort that reached across multiple view on Monday at a northside Indianapolis Starbucks. platforms, party entities and campaigns. “Not only did we have good funding, we had early funding where we could Continued on page 3 really build up that infrastructure over the state for well Welcome to Trumpiana By JACK COLWELL SOUTH BEND – This is Trumpiana. The state, with new name or old, resisted the blue wave that swept across much of the nation on Tuesday. The wave, near a tsunami in some states, brought “I am proud of Indiana’s Democratic control of the U.S. House and flipped seven efforts to pursue Amazon’s head- governor offices from red to blue. Rolling across neigh- quarters.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Supreme Court of the United States
    No. 17-965 In the S upreme Court of the United States DONALD J. TRUMP , PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES , ET AL ., petitioners v. STATE OF HAWAII , ET AL ., respondents On Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE EVAN MCMULLIN, ANNE APPLEBAUM, MAX BOOT, LINDA CHAVEZ, ELIOT COHEN, MINDY FINN, JULEANNA GLOVER, NORMAN ORNSTEIN, MICHAEL STEELE, CHARLIE SYKES, AND JERRY TAYLOR IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENTS R. REEVES ANDERSON JOHN B. BELLINGER , III ARNOLD & PORTER Counsel of Record KAYE SCHOLER LLP ELLIOTT C. MOGUL 370 Seventeenth St. KAITLIN KONKEL Suite 4400 ARNOLD & PORTER Denver, CO 80202 KAYE SCHOLER LLP (303) 863-1000 601 Mass. Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 942-5000 [email protected] Counsel for Amici Curiae TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Interest of Amici Curiae .............................................. 1 Introduction and Summary of Argument ................... 2 Argument ..................................................................... 4 I. EO-3 contravenes the prohibition on nationality-based discrimination that Congress, with support from almost all Republicans, adopted in 1965 ................................ 5 A. Congress intended to eliminate “all vestiges of discrimination against any national group” from our immigration system ............................................................... 6 1. Members of both parties, and Republicans in particular, strenuously repudiated the discriminatory policies that predated the 1965 Act ......................... 7 2. The 1965 Act rectified missteps in U.S. immigration policy ............................ 12 3. The principles underlying the 1965 Act are now fundamental to our national identity ........................................ 16 B. EO-3 runs afoul of Congress’s nondiscrimination guarantee ......................... 18 II. The President may not substitute his alternative policy judgments for Congress’s comprehensive statutory immigration scheme ..
    [Show full text]
  • Legislature a Shallow Talent Pool Former Gov
    V14 N43 Thursday, July 9, 2009 Legislature a shallow talent pool Former Gov. Oxley’s painful fall Edgar Whit- underscores shift away comb (left) and U.S. Sen. Evan from Statehouse for Bayh at the Statehouse dur- gubernatorial timber ing Gov. Frank O’Bannon’s By BRIAN A. HOWEY funeral in 2003. INDIANAPOLIS - The sad The two repre- story about the fall of 2008 Demo- sent contrasting cratic lieutenant governor nominee eras when the Dennie Oxley II since February un- Indiana General derscores an emerging Assembly was trend when it comes a gubernato- to power politics: rial breeding The Indiana General ground. (HPI Assembly is losing its Photo by Brian station as a breeding A. Howey) ground for guberna- torial tickets. When Democratic gubernato- 1996 won the rial nominee Jill Long Thompson won the primary in May nominations, with roots going back to the Indiana Senate. 2008, it was the eighth time out of the last 10 nomination In that time frame, the two major parties have slots that went to an individual who didn’t have roots in the relied on two mayors, a congressman, a former congress- Indiana General Assembly. The two exceptions occurred when Lt. Gov. John Mutz in 1988 and Frank O’Bannon in Continued on Page 3 Kenny Rogers session By DAVE KITCHELL LOGANSPORT - Collectively, 151 people played out their hands last Tuesday in the Indiana Statehouse. In the end, they all left with something, which after all is the goal of any card player when they leave the table. “I’m looking forward to maybe Gov.
    [Show full text]
  • Indiana State Senate
    A report to supporters and members of Indiana Business for Responsive Government (IBRG), the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and allied organizations. This report will be updated as additional election results are received in the hours and days following. Another Election for the Record Books in Indiana Indiana Business for Responsive Government (IBRG), the non-partisan political action program of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, scored a very successful general election. 48 of 49 IBRG- endorsed candidates facing opposition were victorious, including Republicans and Democrats. Forty-three (43) additional endorsed candidates did not face general election challenges. Twelve (12) new legislators won with IBRG-endorsements. IBRG was significantly-engaged in support of six (6) top-target challenger and open-seat races, as well as successfully defending twelve (12) pro-economy incumbents seriously challenged with defeat. In one of the most dramatic turn of events in years, Republicans won significant battles for state legislative seats across the state to expand their “quorum-proof majorities.” These victories were particularly surprising to those working for months closely in campaigns and candidates, as Indiana’s public opinion environment on issues and views of incumbents was - right up until Election Day - about as bad an environment for Republicans and incumbents as seen in years. This marks the third election cycle in a row that Republicans have expanded their margins in the Indiana House and Senate. The Republicans won a net two (2) seat gain in the Indiana House of Representatives to achieve a 71-29 margin. Four (4) incumbent legislators lost reelection bids in the House (one Republican and three Democrats).
    [Show full text]
  • Sen. Long Releases Complete List of Standing Committee Assignments
    Page 1 of 12 For immediate release: Dec 05, 2008 Posted by: [Republican.Senate] Contact: Darrel Radford Phone: (317) 232-9498 Email: [email protected] Sen. Long releases complete list of standing committee assignments (STATEHOUSE) Dec. 5, 2008 - Senate standing committee rolls are now complete for the 2009 session of the Indiana General Assembly as President Pro-Tem David Long today made official the list of assignments. Last week, Long (R-Fort Wayne) made district-by-district announcements concerning Republican senator assignments. Long said Democrat senator assignments, released earlier this week, were made based on recommendations of Democrat Minority Leader Vi Simpson (D-Bloomington). Senators will reconvene for the 116th session of the Indiana General Assembly on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Enclosed is the complete list of standing committees. 2009-2010 STATE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES ========================================================== AGRICULTURE & SMALL BUSINESS Senator Johnny Nugent, Chair Senator Richard Young, R.M.M. Senator Allen Paul, R.M. Senator Bob Deig Senator Ron Alting Senator Lindel Hume Senator Mike Delph Senator James Lewis Senator Dennis Kruse Senator Jean Leising Senator John Waterman http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/30544.htm 12/15/2008 Page 2 of 12 ========================================================== APPOINTMENTS & CLAIMS Senator Jim Merritt, Chair Senator Connie Sipes, R.M.M. Senator Sue Landske, R.M. Senator Earline Rogers Senator Richard Bray Senator James Lewis Senator Connie Lawson Senator Tom Wyss ========================================================== APPROPRIATIONS Senator Luke Kenley, Chair Senator John Broden, R.M.M. Senator Gary Dillon, R.M. Senator Lindel Hume Senator Phil Boots Senator Earline Rogers Senator Brandt Hershman Senator Karen Tallian Senator Teresa Lubbers Senator Patricia Miller Senator Ryan Mishler Senator Tom Wyss ========================================================== COMMERCE, PUBLIC POLICY & INTERSTATE COOPERATION Senator Ron Alting, Chair Senator Bob Deig , R.M.M.
    [Show full text]
  • State of the Statehouse
    hile elections sometime deliver results that are unexpected (the list is a long one; I’m sure you have your favorite upsets), there are also certain givens leading up to each voting responsibility. Two at the top of the list are: 1. Politicians, or maybe more accurately the people involved in the Wpolitical process, will repeatedly tell us why any election is important. That refrain is amplified in 2010, mostly because it determines who holds the mighty gavel – and pen – the following year. 2. A sea of change is coming, with the party out of power using that mantra to help regain control. The adage applies this time around, but it’s a different type of change than what was experienced two years ago or during the memorable mid-term election of 1994. The Indiana Chamber’s nonpartisan political action committee, Indiana Business for Responsive Government (IBRG), has a focused mission: help elect thoughtful candidates to the Indiana General Assembly who support pro-economy, pro-jobs legislation and initiatives. Jeff Brantley, with 20 years of experience in Indiana in a variety of roles, leads that effort as vice president of political affairs. Kevin Brinegar, Chamber president, has been with this organization for 18 years and involved in the legislative/political process for 30 years. Brinegar uses two key words – power and authority – in addressing topic No. 1. The 2010 election, of course, coincides with the 2010 census. Following the annual people count, the political party that controls the House and Senate in Indiana (and many other states), has the “power and authority to redraw district boundaries.
    [Show full text]