Reforms Flicker in Daniels Twilight Right to Work Will Likely Suck Oxygen Away from Local Government Reforms by BRIAN A
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V17, N15 Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 Reforms flicker in Daniels twilight Right to Work will likely suck oxygen away from local government reforms By BRIAN A. HOWEY NASHVILLE, Ind. - Why do we need 92 counties? It was a rhetorical question I had posed to White House Budget Director Mitch Daniels during a 2002 phone conversation. “That’s a good question,” Daniels said. “Why do we need 92 coun- ties?” He hadn’t Gov. Joe Kernan made glancing attempts or participated in publicly decided to come back to Indi- studies on the subject. But it was Gov. Daniels who early ana to run for governor, but clearly he in his first term offered the most intriguing advancements had that scenario in his mind. when he appointed Kernan and Chief Justice Randall T. With that conversation, hopes Shepard (pictured above) to pursue modernization. What were raised that a modern Indiana chief became known as the Kernan-Shepard Commission came executive might follow in the footsteps of Gov. Thomas R. up with 27 recommendations. A handful of them (no more Marshall and Gov. Paul McNutt in reforming Indiana’s 19th than two 911 call centers per county, eliminating all but 12 Century era government. Gov. Bob Orr (who late in life re- peatedly encouraged me to pursue the reform issues) and Continued on page 3 Newt? If Cain is disabled? By MARK SOUDER FORT WAYNE - As the Republican presidential candidates engage in a highly public game of whack-a- mole, Mitt Romney is has been the leader or near the top of a garden variety of opponents. Twice “Passing a Right to Work law is as many Republicans believe that he the single most important action will win as favor him to win. I would be among those Republicans. our lawmakers can take to put Romney’s problems, in descending order, are: 1) his Massachusetts health more Hoosiers back to work.” care plan is similar enough to President - Indiana Chamber President Obama’s that it undermines the No. 1 Republican issue; 2) his flip-flop-flip Kevin Brinegar positions don’t instill confidence in the HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 conservative base of the party; 3) if flop-flipping on two issues simultane- you heard someone say the “charis- ously, sort of a double back flip that matic Mitt Romney” you would assume only someone of Newt Gingrich’s skill they got him confused with someone could attempt. else; and 4) he’s a Mormon. The last Details of the 9-9-9 plan, as www.HoweyPolitics.com is not a big factor, but if the election opposed to “liking the simplicity of is close, it could be a small factor that the concept,” is something core voters tips a race. But it also helps in Nevada who don’t just move with the momen- Howey Politics and Arizona, both of which are poten- tum care about. Those who have an Indiana tially important in a close Electoral Col- ideological viewpoint tend to prefer a is a non-partisan newsletter lege contest. candidate who is articulate and seldom based in Indianapolis. It was Republican whack-a-mole, turn to opponents to ask for the name founded in 1994 in Fort Wayne. increasingly occurring at a faster and of the agency that the person had faster pace that would panic even the been campaigning to abolish (had Ron best carnival player, is rooted in the Paul said “Defense” would Perry have Brian A. Howey, Publisher negative. The sophisticated veneer put said “Defense” ?) Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington upon a smear is that the “candidate Ultimately, conservative Jack E. Howey, editor will now undergo more scrutiny.” It is Republicans most want someone who Beverly K. Phillips, associate true that when a candidate rises from can defeat President Obama. It is un- 3% to the lead, there might be more clear how Mitt Romney would do bet- editor attention paid to their position on, say, ter than John McCain. One of the best Pakistan or 9-9-9. But seriously, does arguments is that people no longer are Subscriptions anyone think that Herman Cain sud- deceived that Obama is a moderate $350 annually HPI Weekly denly cratered in some polls because (if many really were, it was no fault of his foreign policy was to militarily con- the conservative media). The economy $550 annually HPI Weekly and front people whose names he would isn’t exactly helping the President, HPI Daily Wire. get from his staff? he has been a little militaristic for a 'Call 317.627.6746 People with clear worldviews peace candidate, and Washington care about the specifics of tax and for- isn’t held in the highest esteem lately. eign policy and swing voters are trying Romney “looks” presidential, whatever Contact HPI to see who slept with or harassed that means. He believes in American Howey Politics Indiana whom, how many times a candidate exceptionalism and talks a pretty good 6255 N. Evanston Ave. married, what their religion might be, conservative line. He is articulate and Indianapolis, IN 46220 race, gender, or one’s credit limit at doesn’t make lots of mistakes. But is www.howeypolitics.com Tiffany’s. that enough? Both so-called independents Most of us love the idea of a [email protected] and those with consistent worldviews Herman Cain, but it would be incred- 'Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 are likely to care about flip-flops, espe- ibly risky. Newt Gingrich is absolutely 'Washington: 703.248.0909 cially flip-flop-flippers of which Rom- enthralling as he explains civilization 'Business Office: 317.627.6746 ney and Gingrich would be among the to us. His attention to details of ideas, more skilled practitioners. Both groups and the number, perhaps even ex- probably would prefer not to have a ceeds our governor. Almost no matter © 2011, Howey Politics Indiana. president such as Gingrich, who says what one said, Mitch would point to All rights reserved. Photocopy- that Barney Frank should go to jail for something in his Roadmap for Indiana. ing, Internet forwarding, fax- being too close to Freddie Mac lobby- (“Yes, I discussed the need for our ing or reproducing in any form, ists, and then admits to taking $1.6 popcorn industry to develop a movie whole or part, is a violation of million for having represented Fred- theater butter with no calories in my die Mac. Or have doubts if the same Roadmap. Did you look under Van federal law without permission candidate who was attacking Freddie Buren?”) from the publisher. v Mac for increasing housing subsidies But there also are differences. had given them history lessons and I mean besides that Mitch Daniels has training lobbyists on how to sell more actually implemented his ideas. One houses. It is a new category of flip- is the scope. Newt wants to alter how HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 the world thinks about new ideas, the environment, and between Mitch and the implementation of a key idea felt outer space. Mitch wanted to make sure that we no longer the definition of intensity and focus. I simply do not believe had to take sleeping bags to renew our driver’s licenses. that Newt has discovered the self-discipline he needs to (Though, perhaps Mitch’s goal to change secondary educa- win. Nor do I think he has the charm to win over indepen- tion in Indiana will be as difficult as altering world civiliza- dents who would be drowning in negatives. tion.) There is another difference. Mitch is disciplined. No Perhaps Santorum could still emerge, but barring one ever uses that word for Newt. that, it does not appear that any one candidate is capable I remember when Newt told our Class of 1994 of stopping Romney. Unless he pulls a boner like claiming at our 10-year reunion that to succeed we needed to con- he was “brainwashed” on health care, I have seen little to centrate on just three issues, and drive those issues. Then convince me that there will be anyone with a catcher’s Mitt. Andrea Seastrand of California asked about the Spacecoast v Project for central California, and how important it was. He said, absolutely critical. Terrific idea. We need to do it now. Souder is a former Indiana Republican congress- And off he went into 100 new ideas. Anyone who came man. have little faith that the inefficiently structured counties can Twilight, from page 1 effectively handle township duties. of the 1,008 township assessors) have passed into law and Without a governor – in this case one of the most in the case of assessors, were approved overwhelmingly by politically popular ones in modern times – actively using his voters. bully pulpit to create an environment for the reforms, they Some of the recommendations, such as eliminat- have little chance of passage. ing an elected county sheriff in favor of an appointed What happened earlier on Nov. 21 was of concern police chief, would never receive the popular support of the for those of us who had hoped a Daniels governorship people and, subsequently, legislators. Nor would condens- would modernize Indiana government. House Speaker ing the number of counties, which was not recommended. Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tempore David Long When the topic announced that Right to Work legislation will be the “No. 1 came up before an In- priority” in the 2012 session, Daniels’ last as governor. diana Chamber of Com- And with that pronouncement – still without the of- merce legislative preview ficial imprimatur of the governor, though he is sym- session on Nov.