V26, N26 Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 Indiana’s 2 centuries of racial tension State’s role in slavery, abolition, KKK & civil rights is complicated By TREVOR FOUGHTY INDIANAPOLIS – At the conclu- sion of the Civil War, Congressman Daniel W. Voorhees gave a speech in which he declared that the most important ques- tion of the day was, “Shall the White man maintain his supremacy?” Voorhees hoped the answer would be in the affirmative, but these were not the years as a member of the U.S. House from Indiana, and words of a bitter Confederate, or nearly 20 years as Indiana’s U.S. senator. secret Klansman, or fringe lunatic; The words themselves are striking, primarily be- they were the words of a main- cause the concept of White supremacy is appealed to so stream Hoosier politician, who in unambiguously. Upon hearing that phrase, modern audi- the course of his career would ences likely imagine skin-headed Neo-Nazis, or a mass of serve three years as the U.S. district attorney for Indiana, nine Continued on page 4 At the crossover point By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – Ensconced in two overwhelm- ing super majorities, General Assembly Republicans began this pandemic biennial session with, perhaps, a feeling of invulnerability. “Where we were a month ago to As the mid-way point of the session passed this week, where we are today has been, some of the national trends on and I don’t use that word loosely education and race could be poised to play a role before sine - remarkable.” die. - Gov. Eric Holcomb, who On the education front, when the House passed its observed the state’s COVID-19 version of the biennial budget positivity rate was 4.1% on on Monday, none of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Teacher Pay Commis- Wednesday, down from 8.4% sion recommendations calling for a $600 million infusion were a month ago. Page 2 Howey Politics Indiana WWWHowey Media, LLC c/o Business Office PO Box 6553 Kokomo, IN, 46904 www.howeypolitics.com Brian A. Howey, Publisher Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington Mary Lou Howey, Editor State Reps. John Jenkins and Peggy Mayfield debate HB1577, or the abor- Susan E. Howey, Editor tion reversal bill. Jenkins voted against the measure. included. Republicans could be poking hallway confrontation between State Subscriptions a sleeping bear on that front, as well Reps. Summers and Eberhart. HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 as not prioritizing teacher vaccination. State Rep. Robin Shackleford HPI Weekly, $350 When U.S. Census data ar- explained, “We can’t tell who all is Lisa Hounchell, Account Manager rives late this summer or fall, perhaps racist over there. We hear some of (765) 452-3936 telephone the insurance policy will be new dis- the comments.” Huston responded, (765) 452-3973 fax tricts that will be designed to protect telling the IndyStar, “It’s not my na- [email protected] at least their majorities. Perhaps the ture to be heavy-handed in enforce- pervading sense is that while the ISTA ment, but, make no mistake, going Contact HPI can energize one-day Red for Ed ral- forward that will be the case. [email protected] lies once or twice a year, the Demo- “I’m committed today to cratic party is so weak and brittle increase focus on maintaining deco- Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 that it cannot provide the muscle in rum, civility and professionalism in Washington: 202.256.5822 either chamber or the next election to this institution,” Huston said. House Business Office: 765.452.3936 impact policy. Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta Gov. Holcomb would be wise added, “Reach out today or tomor- © 2021, Howey Politics to steer what could be funds for a row and introduce yourself to some- surplus (voters won’t mind if a $2.9 one on the other side of the aisle Indiana. All rights reserved. billion surplus becomes $2.7 billion) that you haven’t met yet. Give them Photocopying, Internet forward- into a teacher pay investment, lest the a fist bump or an elbow bump, and ing, faxing or reproducing in any issue fester in the emerging purple pledge to do your best to find com- form, whole or part, is a violation suburban districts in 2022 and 2024. mon ground on legislation.” of federal law without permission Last week, there was a rare This played out over a racial flareup between State Reps. national fault line that was exposed from the publisher. Sean Eberhart and Vanessa Summers with the police murder of George that will test the relatively new leader- Floyd in Minneapolis last spring, Jack E. Howey ship of House Speaker Todd Huston which incited civil unrest that reached editor emeritus and Senate President Pro Tem Rod Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Repub- 1926-2019 Bray. We had not witnessed this kind licans, who are grappling with race of provocation in recent memory, and issues nationally, responded with it had Democrats calling for diversity legislation that increased penalties training. for those convicted of rioting. Huston said he was “embar- Also in a spate of bills, rassed” by the incident that began Republican legislators assumed their when Democrat State Rep. Vernon trending role as Indiana’s “Super City Smith declared the U.S. to be a “racist Council” with legislation that would nation” and ended with catcalls and a have moved authority over IMPD to Page 3 the state, while other bills encroached on municipal zoning action via executive order in dealing with the pandemic. and rental laws. Several bills would have the General Assembly convene in When 60 business and industry leaders com- special session after the original 30-day executive order plained to President Bray earlier this month, the IMPD bill lending its imprimatur. Other bills would prevent a future was quickly referred to a summer study committee. Mark governor from shutting down businesses or church ser- Fisher, chief policy officer for Indy Chamber, told IBJ that vices. Holcomb questioned the “constitutionality” of these business leaders would like the state to partner with local pending bills. officials to find solutions to those issues. But attacking -lo On Tuesday, the Senate passed SB407 by a 38-8 cal control would only slow the city’s recovery and growth, margin. It would cap a governor’s emergency order at 60 he said. days. “The bill is not a constitutional attack on the consti- “I appreciate the concern that the Legislature has tutional powers of the governor,” Glick told the IBJ. “This about the future of Indianapolis,” Fisher said. “But these bill allows the General Assembly to reassert its constitu- challenges did not arise overnight, and they’re certainly tional role in representation of the businesses and citizens not going to be solved overnight.” throughout the state whose livelihoods were impacted by Josh Owens, prospective Democrat gubernato- repeated disaster emergency orders, which closed them rial candidate, added via tweet, “The most basic economic down for extended periods of time with no recourse.” principle is opportunity cost – what you give up to get The other big gubernatorial reform bill is HB1123 something. Imagine what Indianapolis could be achiev- which essentially would allow a General Assembly “emer- ing if it didn’t have to spend its time arguing with the IN gency session” at any time during a statewide crisis. legislature to stop reversing local decisions. This impacts On Wednesday, Holcomb’s executive order everyone more than we see.” outlining pandemic-related capacity restrictions based on Ball State University economist Michael Hicks’ a county-by-county system will continue through March, column observed in the Feb. 11 edition of Howey Politics even as COVID-19 conditions continue to improve around Indiana, “Since 2000, the Indy the state. The order, which is set metro area has grown by 35%, to expire Sunday, will be extended the City of Indianapolis by 12%, 30 days. In addition, the state’s and the whole rest of the state by public health emergency order, 2.1%.” Hicks also noted the Indy set to expire Monday, will also be Metro Region accounted for 100% extended 30 days. of new jobs, and 65% of Indiana’s Holcomb said that he has GPD growth this century. been “in constant contact” with “The City of Indianapo- legislative leadership and mem- lis saw more population growth bers. “We’ve got to find the sweet this century than the 80 non-Indy spot,” Holcomb said, “but still have metro counties combined,” Hicks the ability to adjust. We have to explained. “So, whatever concern about crime, zoning or make sure anything we do is constitutional.” building design residents have about Indy, they are worse Gov. Holcomb will be in the best position to shape everywhere else. Surely there is something else troubling the end game this April. There will, of course, be one the General Assembly for them to take such a keen inter- more revenue forecast. I’m hearing that the controversial est in restricting Indianapolis government.” HB1005 that expands the number of school vouchers could The conservative wish list is in play, as the be folded into HB1001, the biennial budget bill. House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would end gun If racial confrontations continue to simmer, Hol- registration despite opposition from the Indiana FOP and comb could step in, like he did last August when he said ISP Supt. Doug Carter. Another bill would prevent Hoosier the state was at an “inflection point” on race. “We’re also investments in China, even if it cost state pension funds, facing another kind of virus that’s equally voracious, and though it appears to be dead at the crossover.