V 15, N26 Thursday March 11, 2010 Mayors react to mergers differently Weinzapfel, Goodnight Evansville Mayor take different tacts on Weinzapfel at an Obama municipal reforms rally in Evansville By BRIAN A. HOWEY on April 22, FRANKLIN, Ind. - This is the 2008. story of two mayors - Jonathan Weinza- pfel of Evansville and Greg Goodnight of Kokomo. Both are Democrats and both ran unsuccessful races for Congress. Both are viewed as rising stars in the party and Weinzapfel acknowledges he is gearing up for the 2012 gubernatorial race (unless Evan Bayh comes back). Earlier this week, with the prop- erty tax caps poised to be chiseled into the Indiana Constitution in eight months, both talked about government consolidation, which is the cation. primary thrust of the caps. Gov. Daniels designed the caps The 2010 version of “Vandy-Gov” - a similar pro- to force municipalities to rethink and reformat the way they posal failed in the mid-1970s - will be on the ballot, having operate. passed both the city and county councils, along with the Evansville Mayor Weinzapfel gave his State of county commissioners. the City address Tuesday night and when it came to the “The system of government we have today hasn’t gigantic moose on the table - whether Evansville and Van- changed much since our constitution was ratified in the derburgh County should merge when voters take up the 1850s,” Weinzapfel said. “Services are provided by an referendum in November along with the caps - the future overlapping series of political units: townships, cities and gubernatorial candidate took a pass. It was classic equivo- Continued on Page 3 Blue dogs walk the plank By MARK SCHOEFF JR. WASHINGTON - In his latest urgent push to over- haul the health care system, President Barack Obama is asking members of Congress to do something in the next couple of weeks that he has never had to do - cast a vote “We all know schools need that threatens a career. Obama has taken political risks, namely running for flexibility. We all know we need president. But while he was doing that, he was safely ensconced in the third to be able to keep teachers in the and fourth years of a Senate seat. If he lost in his quest for the White House, he classroom. Why hold our children would have a soft landing. If Americans reject what will likely hostage over UI?” be a nearly $1 trillion final health care - State Rep. Greg Porter HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

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Brian A. Howey, Publisher Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington bill, Obama will suffer. He has ample time around, Ellsworth is undecided on Jack E. Howey, Editor time, however, before 2012 to shore how he will vote. The House may be Beverly Phillips, up his political foundation. forced to pass the Senate bill, which Associate Editor/Business Operations The context is more urgent many pro-life House members argue for those facing voters in November. contains weaker abortion language. Subscriptions: When he was a legislator in the Illinois “As I have said from the $350 annually HPI Weekly state house, Obama voted “present” very beginning, I will not support a bill $550 annually HPI Weekly & many times. The members of the if I believe it would result in federal HPI Daily Wire House who he is prodding to support funding for abortions,” Ellsworth said a Senate bill that makes them quesy in a statement released on Wednesday Contact Us: don’t have the same luxury. after HPI had made repeated calls to Howey Politics Indiana Three under intense pres- determine his position. “I am looking 6255 North Evanston Avenue sure are in the Indiana congressional carefully at the current language in Indianapolis, IN 46220 delegation - Democratic Reps. Brad the bill to ensure it meets my pro-life 317.627.6746 Ellsworth, 8th CD, Joe Donnelly, 2nd principles, and I will continue to work CD, and Baron Hill, 9th CD. to ensure pro-life concerns are ad- www.howeypolitics.com Ellsworth has the most to dressed.” lose. His position on health care re- With the health care margin [email protected] form may define his nascent campaign of victory so slim in the House - where Howey’s Mobile: 317.506.0883 for the Senate seat being vacated by 216 votes are needed - it wouldn’t Washington: 202.256.5822 Sen. Evan Bayh. Ellsworth voted in take much opposition to scuttle the Business Office: 317.627.6746 favor of the House version of the bill Senate measure. Donnelly has already that the chamber passed 220-215 in indicated that he is skeptical about the ©2010, Howey Politics Indiana. early November. version coming over from the other HPI is a subscription-based publica- Ellsworth held out his support side of Capitol. tion. All rights reserved. Photocopying, until the end, when he was satisfied “[I]f I’m asked to vote on Internet forwarding, faxing or repro- that the measure contained strong the Senate health care reform bill as ducing in any form, in whole or part, restrictions against federal funding is, I will vote no,” Donnelly said in a is a violation of federal law without of abortions. Ellsworth was a central statement. “The Senate version of permission from the publisher. figure in writing the abortion amend - health care reform does not meet my ment that was approved prior to a standards for assuring that no federal final vote on the health care bill. This funds are used for abortion-related HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

services.” health care refom” - lower costs, more Abortion is one of several objec- insurance choices, coverage of pre-ex- tions many House members have to isting conditions and deficit neutrality the Senate version. They may have to - echoed almost word-for-word Obama’s depend on the Senate to correct those description of the plan he has put problems through a controversial parlia- forward, which closely resembles the mentary maneuver called reconciliation, Senate bill. which allows a bill to pass with a simple Still, it will be a tough vote for majority rather than the supermajority Ellsworth (pictured at left), Donnelly and required to overcome a filibuster. Hill, with most polls showing that Ameri- Senate Republicans are taunting cans are skeptical about massive health House Democrats, warning them that if care reform legislation. Obama urges they pass the bill the Senate approved on Christmas Eve, members of Congress to join him on the policy plateau, far it may not be modified through reconciliation. Republicans above the messiness of politics. have several means at their disposal to block the revisions. “They’re obsessed with the sport of politics,” Hill acknowledges that the political machinations Obama said in a recent speech describing people in Wash- have been unsettling for some of his colleagues. ington other than himself. “And so that’s the environment “I understand the unease and confusion surround- in which elected officials are operating. My question to ing the process,” Hill said in a statement. “I’m also awaiting them is: When is the right time? If not now, when? If not word of how Congress will proceed. My vote on a final bill us, who?” is dependent upon several factors, many of which are in Obama went on to exhort people like Ellsworth, Hill limbo and could be contained in the measure rectifying the and Donnelly to stand up and be counted on health care. House and Senate bills.” “We weren’t sent (to Washington) just so every- Hill also said that he has been “consistently body can say how wonderful we are,” Obama said. “We straightforward in my support of an overhaul of our current were sent there to do what was hard. We were sent there health care system.” That foreshadows what is likely to be to solve the big challenges.” a “yes” vote. Obama sees himself as a paragon of public ser- That’s the same place where Ellsworth and Don- vice. I wonder if he would be as confident if we were eight nelly probably will wind up, too. Ellsworth’s “principles for months away from the 2012 election. v

And? 2 mayors, from page 1 “The goal, of course, is to streamline City and counties. As I have mentioned, we continue to find ways County government in a way that allows us to make the for the city and county to cooperate and save money. But, most effective use of your tax dollars so we can build it begs the question of what else can be done.” infrastructure, provide services, enhance quality of life, and And then he began sounding like Tevye from “Fid- grow our economy.” dler on the Roof.” Well, that was it. No vision as to what a consolidat- “On the one hand, consolidation makes a lot of ed Evansville/Vanderburgh would look like from the mayor. sense,” Weinzapfel reasoned. “The city and county provide By the end of the speech, citizens and voters had no idea similar services in a compact geographical area. It’s fair to where Weinzapfel stood. It was hardly a clarion call for a ask if we need both a city council and a county council, or potential gubernatorial nominee. People look to good lead- both a sheriff’s department and a police department.” ers for leadership. And? On Wednesday, the Evansville Courier & Press re- “On the other hand, consolidation brings with it a ported that Weinzapfel spoke to the Rotary Club, saying he whole new set of challenges,” Weinzapfel continued. “If you prefers not to follow the 2005 City-County Unification Study consolidate public safety services, whose pay scale do we Committee’s vision of creating a framework for government use: the Sheriff’s Department or the Police Department? with details of public safety to be decided by an elected What will the impact be on taxpayers in the county versus body. taxpayers in the city? These are not insignificant questions. “I believe it is vitally important that the reorganiza- I believe it is vitally important that the reorganization com- tion committee develop a detailed proposal that people can mittee develop a detailed proposal that people can clearly clearly understand.” understand.” Weinzapfel also told the press, “As mayor, County HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 4 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

Commissioners, County Council members, City Council a hard sell to entrenched parts of his own party, of the members, they understand how local government works Howard County component, let alone the loyal Republican better — works or doesn’t work — better than anybody opposition. else in this community. On the day before Weinzapfel was wringing his They grasp and study the issues, come to conclu- hands, Goodnight was issuing call for a city-county joint sions, take definitive positions and explain to the people commission on consolidation during a Monday State of the the logic behind them. Or they explain a process for getting City speech. The Kokomo Tribune reported that Goodnight there. Gov. Mitch Daniels did this in July 2006 when he listed seven specific areas, ranging from township gov - formed the Kernan-Shepard Commission, asking them to ernment and school consolidation to the fact the city and report back with a course of action. Five of the 27 recom- county have separate SWAT teams, and suggested a com- mendations have been adopted; many of the others stand mission study might find efficiencies. to be cued up in 2011 if Republicans retake the Indiana And Goodnight went even further. “We must ques- House. tion why a county our size maintains five separate school systems, with five separate maintenance garages and five Goodnight on consolidation separate custodial staffs,” Goodnight said. “High school There’s another Democrat worth watching - Koko- basketball sectionals just ended, and if it were up to some mo Mayor Greg Goodnight, who very likely will emerge on in our community, the New London Quakers would have short lists in June 2012 when the next lieutenant governor faced the Clay Township Brickies in the first game of this nominee is chosen. Goodnight has steered his city through year’s first round.” an epic crisis that began when the Getrag plant in nearby Did the political dynamic change? Tipton was shut down, followed by the General Motors and “It’s one of those things. Last year we spent so Chrysler bankruptcies; Delphi was much time trying to fight for the already in the midst of one. auto industry and stabilize things,” A year ago, Goodnight was Goodnight said Wednesday morn- faced with the very real prospect ing. “I think we’ve done that. We’re that between 10,000 and 20,000 to the point we can be more proac- jobs could evaporate overnight in a tive. Instead of looking at things a city already described as the hardest few months out, we want to look hit by the auto collapse. Even after long term and dedicate more time GM and Chrysler emerged from a and energy to it. This probably prepackaged bankruptcy early last should have been addressed some summer, and as Chrysler/Fiat con- time in the past, but now is the tinues to teeter, Kokomo still has a perfect time.” 14.4 percent jobless rate. Goodnight said that the Goodnight, who was a property tax caps - all but certain union official when Haynes Interna - to pass on a November referendum tional Inc. went into bankruptcy and - had little to do with his call for emerged a couple of years later, has a study. “We made all the tough Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight is initiating the sought to prepare his city by paring calls last year with the Early Learn- merger issue in Howard County. away at the budget. He privatized ing Center and the ambulance ser- ambulance service and whittled vice,” Goodnight said. “We made away at the fire department. He was innovative on every - the clear cut. We had a $55 million budget and spent $49 thing from garbage routes to the development of K-Fuel million. I feel like we’re living within our means. I equate derived from restaurant grease, and has been an aggres- it to the guy who has a heart attack before he changes his sive advocate of embracing the green industry sector. diet.” In the wake of Kernan-Shepard, HPI pressed Good- The mayor, instead, was working on a hunch. A night last year on the potential of consolidating govern- successful, dynamic mayor knows how to read the commu- ment. Howard County, relatively compact in size, with one nity and to lead the way. major city, a couple of very small towns (Greentown and “I don’t know much has changed with the elected Russiaville), appeared to be the perfect candidate for what officials,” Goodnight said. “I really believe the general Evansville and Vanderburgh County are now attempting. public in Kokomo and Howard County is open to looking at Goodnight was open to the idea, but he was things. So is the business community. I really believe they extremely sensitive to the political dynamic. It would be genuinely support some form if not all of consolidation. I HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 5 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

don’t have polling. It’s a gut feeling from comments I hear.” Township Trustee staff and fire department serve their con - stituents well, and we’re confident that a referendum here Contrasting leadership would show that.” To Weinzapfel’s credit, he’s already forged joint Republicans see the bill as a trojan horse designed purchasing with Evansville/Vanderburg School Corp. to end once and for all the township debate. Critics fear (there’s only one school district in the state’s seventh larg- that such referendums at the township level, instead of the est county). But he’s letting the movement play out under- entire county, would create a patchwork quilt of govern- neath him, perhaps not to alienate people on both sides of ment. You can use the “if you were to start from scratch” the issue. argument here and say that people creating a new state The Evansville/Vanderburgh consolidation move- government probably wouldn’t opt for 12 township asses- ment is a grassroots movement initiated by the League of sors (as Indiana has now), and several hundred township Women Voters. Goodnight is taking a top-down approach trustees and advisory boards scattered about with no con- by intiating the idea and hoping to get a buy-in from sistency. Classes of counties, similar to the four classes of county officials, merchants and, ultimately, voters. cities in Indiana code, would be a better way to handle the various urban and rural dynamics for fire protection, poor And then there is the legislature relief and cemetery maintenance. In the April 16, 2009, edition of Howey Politics In- State Sen. Connie Lawson told the Indianapolis diana, the headline read, “Change Dems Don’t Believe In.” Star that the Crawford bill is a ruse and it wouldn’t result It referred to Barack Obama’s comments at the May 2008 in more efficient government, which she said is the whole Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner: “You don’t have to sit here goal of reforming townships. “I’d like to get something out and watch our leaders do nothing. I learned we don’t have on townships this year,” she said, “but I’m not going to to consign our children to a future of diminished returns, a agree to something that isn’t meaningful.” future of few opportunities. We don’t have to stand by, we don’t have to wait, we don’t have to put off, because this is Epilogue the United States of America.” Indiana Democrats are torn. They were evenly split A year later, with President Obama’s health reforms in the Obama/Clinton primary two years ago. They seemed on the brink, Hoosier Democrats appear to be half-heart- to be voting more for “Vice President Bayh” than president. edly committed to change. Now with Sen. Bayh leaving the scene, 32 people on the The classic example Central Committee picking his successor, and President is taking place at the In- Obama’s popularity waning in diana Statehouse, where large part due to the pro- Democrats are pushing found problems he inherited, Ways & Means Chairman Bill the party is torn. If it em- Crawford’s township reform braces reform, there are the bill. HB1181 would require constant caveats. Since the township by township refer- departure of Bart Peterson, endums. it’s difficult to find a Democrat Marion County’s ready to stand up, lay out Wayne Township Trustee a bold vision and spend the David K. Baird explained, capital to achieve it. Perhaps “I strongly support State Peterson’s defeat in 2007 is Rep. Bill Crawford’s House the reason why. Or it could Bill 1181, which calls for be the potential congressional township-by-township refer- losses that have Democratic endums that would let the leaders cowed, even though voters decide whether or everyone knows the party in not they want their town- the White House always loses ship government to remain seats in the first mid-term. operating as is. Allowing There aren’t many Democratic the people we serve to leaders on hand who profess voice their opinions about Ways & Means Chairman Bill Crawford is rallying Democrats to a strong vision and are asking v township government is the support his township reform bill. (HPI Photo by Steve Dickerson) the people to “follow me.” right way to go. The Wayne erson) HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 6 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

rapidity” with its role in the American Revolution to Apogee to Armageddon 1789, when a financial crisis summoned the Estates-Gen - eral which “unleashed a political chain reaction that led to a on the butterfly wing swift collapse.” At the beginning of the 20th Century, the Haps- “Don’t let it bring you down, it’s only castles burning.” burg, Ottoman and Romanov empires quickly died following - Neil Young The Great War, a conflict no one expected before August 1914. The British empire dwindled from Yalta in 1945 to By BRIAN A. HOWEY 1956 when 13 colonies spun into independence. NASHVILLE, Ind. - America has a staggering And within most of our lives, there are the budget deficit of $1.6 trillion. It is fighting two wars on the Soviets. No one in March 1985 was predicting the Soviet other side of the planet. It has apocalyptic public debt of Union would unravel and collapse in a mere six years, $12.556 trillion, which, according to the U.S. National Debt including my colleagues and professors at the Indiana Clock, increases $3.87 billion a day. Wall Street has been University Russian and East European Institute. But that’s in the hands of snake oil salesmen with Yale and Harvard what happened. degrees that the rest of us don’t trust. The U.S. auto Ferguson writes, “If empires are complex systems industry came close to collapse and that sooner or later succumb to sudden and catastrophic Toyota seems to be trying. There malfunctions, rather than cycling sedately from Arcadia to were 75.8 million Americans born Apogee to Armageddon, what are the implications for the during the Baby Boom between 1946 United States today?” and 1964. And this “today” comes a mere year and a half af- Or as the Baby Boomer Head- ter Wall Street and the world wide financial structure came quarters website explains, “The huge within hours of collapse? growth in the economy since the Ferguson explains that it is the “precipitous and ‘90s was due in no small part to (70 unexpected fall that should most concern policymakers and million) of us working up to our peak citizens. Most imperial falls are associated with fiscal crisis. earning and spending years. In about All the above cases were marked by the sharp imbalances a decade, 70 million boomers will between revenues and expenditures, as well as difficulties begin counting on those ‘kids’ to pay our Social Security.” with financing public debt.” Actually, it’s already happening. All a Hoosier has to do is go one state west to find On top of these amazing demographics, we have a Illinois with an $11 billion deficit, with Gov. Quinn propos - political situation in Washington that is in shambles. Presi- ing the borrowing of $4 billion for a short-term patch. U.S. dent Obama is pushing through health reforms that sup- public debt is expected to go from $5.8 trillion in 2008 to porters like U.S. Rep. Baron Hill say will reduce the federal $14.3 trillion in 2019. Interest payments that you, dear tax- deficit by $132 billion over the first 10 years and up to $1.3 payer, must pay, will go from 8 percent of federal revenues trillion in the decade beyond. Republican opponents of the to 17 percent during the same span. health reforms say they are budget busters (how can any- Ferguson writes that while the numbers are “bad,” thing be more busted than it is now?) and want Congress in the “realm of political entities, the role of perception is to “start over.” just as critical.” I look at those 70 million Boomers and think Here’s the scary prediction by Ferguson: “One day, of how many prescription drugs they will be gobbling, how a seemingly random piece of bad news - perhaps a nega- many doctors, surgeons and nurses they will need as they tive report by a rating agency - will make headlines grow old, and I shudder. during an otherwise quiet news cycle. Suddenly, it will be Now, for the real warning. I’m reading Niall Fergu- not just a few policy wonks who worry about the sustain- son’s analysis in Foreign Affairs magazine entitled “Com- ability of U.S. fiscal policy, but also the public at large.” plexity and Collapse.” When we talk about waning empires, When I look at the petty gamesmanship in most of us think they occur over decades or centuries. But Washington and the race for advantage heading into the it took the Roman empire a mere five decades to collapse, November elections, I am coming to the conclusion that with the nation of Rome reduced by 75 percent in that this past generation of political leadership has exposed timeframe. The Ming Dynasty in China dissolved much America to dangers in ways few of us truly understand. But quicker. “The transition from Confucian equipoise to anar- these anxiety pangs are throbbing across the state at Tea chy took little more than a decade.” The Bourbon monarchy Party events and those of us with progressive views. in France “passed from triumph to terror with astonishing I hope I’m not the butterfly in the Amazon .... v HOWEY Politics Indiana

Page 7 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

great deal of attention, but when it came to actual elec- POS poll shows Rokita tions in New York, Illinois and Texas, members of the movement struggled to get more than 20 percent of the 4th CD frontrunner vote. “There’s a danger from them, particularly if they’re By BRIAN A. HOWEY used by political operators . . . to try and hijack” elections, INDIANAPOLIS - A second POS poll on an Indiana said Karl Rove, former political adviser to President George Congressional primary shows the frontrunner - this time W. Bush (USA Today). Rove said Tea Party activists, who Secretary of State Todd Rokita in the 4th CD - with 40 per- want to limit taxes and government’s reach, could expand cent of the vote. A January POS poll showed U.S. Rep. Dan their clout if they emulate the 1960s civil rights movement, Burton with 42 percent. the gun rights movement and abortion opponents. Those The difference is that Burton is an incumbent. groups grew “from the bottom up” and found “a raggedly Rokita released a Feb. 22- unified voice,” he said in an interview with USA TODAY 23 Public Opinion Strate- about his new memoir, “Courage and Consequence: My Life gies Poll showing him with as a Conservative in the Fight.” a wide lead over the 4th Behney, who helped organize the Tea Party cell CD Republican primary that protested outside the Indiana Statehouse on April 15, field. The poll showed 2009, said at the debate, “I’m not a career politician.” He Rokita with 40 percent, took jabs at both Coats and Hostettler. He welcomed Coats compared to 10 percent back to Indiana. As for former Congressman John Hostet- for State Sen. Mike Young, tler, Behney assailed him for not reading bills. “This is 8 percent for State Sen. certainly not a time for a politician who will work not in the Brandt Hershman, and 3 best interest of Hoosiers but will work for his best interests, percent for Greenwood Mayor Charlie Henderson. The and the best interest of his lobbying buddies and then take other 10 candidates split up the rest. The poll showed that the first flight to North Carolina.” Rokita had 70 percent name recognition (compared to 28 Bates repeatedly referred to Coats as the “ambas- percent for Young and 21 percent for Hershman), with his sador,” something the press characterized as negative. fav/unfavs at 44/7 percent. Bates told HPI, “For the record, I have the utmost respect It noted that his fav/unfav with pro-life voters for Ambassador Coats, and, while I may not agree with his stood at 47/5 percent. Pollster Patrick Lanne said in a entrance into this race, I have endeavored to show him March 1 memo, “Todd Rokita is well-known and well-liked the respect he deserves as a former U.S. senator, and a with Republican primary voters across the 4th Congressio- former ambassador. My reference to him as ‘Ambassador’ nal District. Strong name identification provides Todd was misinterpreted by the media as an insult. I was simply Rokita with a significant early advantage over his oppo - following protocol, and addressing him by his most recent nents in the primary election.” The poll was conducted with official title. Nothing derisive was intended. I also was 300 likely primary voters and has an error rate of +/- 5.66 not intending to point him out when referring to career percent. Primary Horse Race Status: Leans Rokita politicians. I was actually referring to him, Hostettler, and Stutzman when I mentioned the 50 years of political expe- U.S. Senate: Ganging up on Coats rience.” Former Republican Sen. Dan Coats was the target A straw poll at the end of the Warsaw debate at the second debate in Warsaw last weekend, sponsored favored State Sen. Marlin Stutzman, who received 80 votes, by the local Tea Party cell. Don Bates Jr., Richard Beh- compared to 76 for Behney, 47 for Don Bates Jr., 18 for ney and State Sen. Marlin Stutzman, billed themselves as Hostettler and 16 for Coats. Washington outsiders, according to coverage of the event The Tea Party isn’t the only one taking aim at Coats by the South Bend Tribune and Fort Wayne Journal Ga- and Hostettler. Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report in zette. Washington is unimpressed with both. “If former GOP Sen. Coats, who said some advisers had urged him not Dan Coats had never retired and was simply running for to attend a debate sponsored by “radical” Tea Party activ- re-election, he would be in strong shape,” Cooks observed. ists. “Well, first of all, we need to be radical,” Coats said. “But even having retired, he would have been “But secondly, I said, ‘These people are Hoosiers. I know better off had he gone back to Indiana after his stint as Hoosiers. They know me.’” ambassador to Germany, instead of moving to North- But there were cautionary soundings from Repub- ern Virginia to become a Washington lobbyist. And if he licans about the Tea Party movement. It has attracted a weren’t on videotape effectively telling a North Carolina HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 8 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

audience he intended to retire there but please don’t tell the folks back in Indiana, he would have been stronger still. Suffice to say Coats is a bit damaged, and House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence might have been a better candi- date.” As for Hostettler, Cook explained, “Hostettler made no friends at the Na- tional Republican Congressional Commit- tee. Indeed, when he finally did lose, the feeling seemed to be, ‘Good riddance.’ In a cycle or two we’ll get a Republican in that seat who will be worth defending and won’t need to be bailed out every elec- tion year. As a Senate candidate, Hostet- Republican Senate hopeful Richard Behney speaks at Saturday’s Tea Party Senate tler is likely to be a disaster, unless he debate at Warsaw Community HS. (Troy Photo) has gotten a complete political makeover. He or a Tea Party type could lose what otherwise would be a fairly safe race.” to reside in the district they run in. He makes his home in Primary Horse Race Status: Leans Coats Indianapolis, though he told the Journal-Gazette he plans to rent or buy a residence in the district soon. 2nd CD: Jordan says he’s shut out Phil Troyer, the Truth reported, has been cam- paigning five or six days a week and speaking to local Tea State Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart, seeking the Party chapters as well as the 9/12 Project. Troyer has been GOP nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, was campaigning on his “Compact with America,” a document endorsed by the 2nd Congressional District Republican he drafted with a Missouri congressional candidate that Party and several county party chairmen at a recent meet- outlines conservative goals he’ll strive for if elected. Troyer ing (Weinhold, Elkhart Truth). But the man who may be announced his candidacy in November, but said he wasn’t Walorski’s most prominent challenger, Jack Jordan, R-Bre- shocked to see the number of Republicans eventually men, told The Elkhart Truth Wednesday that his own party deciding to challenge Souder this year. “It was clear to me didn’t give him a chance to be heard. District and county that there was a very strong sentiment out there that Mark party leaders won’t return his calls or e-mails, he said, and had served his time and it was time for somebody new,” he hasn’t been invited to several “meet the candidates” he said. “So in that case, I wasn’t surprised.” events. For a lifelong Republican, Jordan said his first foray Greg Dickman, R-Auburn, is a 48-year-old manager into party politics has been frustrating. “To be treated like and part-owner of a mobile home park. Dickman didn’t like this is just disappointing,” the Bremen school board presi- who was running (at the time, just Souder and Troyer), so dent and businessman said in a phone interview. “This is he decided to try to beat them. “I don’t want to be a politi- not what the Republican Party stands for. It stands for com- cian,” he said. “I want to be a statesman and try to fix the petition. It stands for the free market. It doesn’t stand for a problems with government.” Primary Horse Race Sta- group of political elites making decisions for voters.” Of the tus: Safe Souder 12 counties entirely or partially in the 2nd District, seven GOP county chairmen have endorsed Walorski. St. Joseph County Chairman Chris Riley and Elkhart County Chairman 4th CD: Hershman taking flak Dale Stickel are among them. Of all the congressional challengers, State Sen. Brandt Hershman generated the most controversy this 3rd CD: Sizing up Souder’s GOP opponents week, though considering the source, it might not hurt him with GOP voters. House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer abruptly The Elkhart Truth sized up the field challenging adjourned the House until Wednesday, complaining to the U.S. Rep. Mark Souder and came to the conclusion that Evansville Courier & Press that Hershman had left nego- Indianapolis and Fort Wayne car dealer Bob Thomas, R-In- tiations on the Unemployment Insurance bill so he could dianapolis, “stands to pose the biggest threat financially” to attend a Boone County Lincoln Day Dinner. “Hershman is Souder. Thomas, 59, hasn’t lived in the district since 1985, the author of the bill, the chairman of the conference com- though state laws don’t require congressional candidates mittee. He’s a vital part of this,” Bauer said. “When you’re HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 9 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

negotiating, you do it face to face.” HD74: Ellspermann stays on ballot Hershman called Bauer’s remarks “political sil- Republican Sue Ellspermann asked the Indiana liness.” He said he left Bauer his cell phone number, his Election Commission for leniency, and she got it. The com- e-mail address and a proposal to consider and agree to mission denied a motion to disqualify her for a possible or counter. Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, general election run against Rep. Russ Stilwell, D-Boonville, R-Fort Wayne, blasted Bauer afterward, saying Hershman on Friday (Ault, Howey Politics Indiana). Ellspermann is had been “spending long hours here in the Statehouse” in one of about 25 Republicans recruited by the House Repub- recent days trying to work under Bauer’s deadline. “I can lican Campaign Committee and Gov. Mitch Daniels to retake only say that Sen. Hershman has been unfairly castigated. control of the lower chamber in November’s elections. The He is owed an apology in my opinion,” he said. Primary Democrats now control the House 52-48. “I want to thank Horse Race Status: Leans Rokita the commission,” Ellspermann told HPI. “They allowed me to remain a candidate. They realized it was an honest error 5th CD: Messer asks Burton to sign pledge and that the evidence was very strong that I have Repub- U.S. Rep. Dan Burton said last week he will not lican Party support and that I am a Republican. It was an participate in any debates. So challengers began trying honest mistake, and I apologize for that.” other tactics. Republican Luke Messer urged Burton to sign Ellspermann voted in the Democratic primary in a pledge to freeze spending until there is a balanced bud- May 2008, one of thousands of Republicans attracted for get. “Simply put, we are in a time of fiscal crisis, and the one reason or another to the Hillary Clinton vs. Barack reckless spending needs to stop!” said Messer. “Leaders in Obama presidential primary. Some Republicans wanted both parties have led us to our current crisis, and Dan Bur- to vote for who they considered to be the weaker of the ton has been part of the problem.” The federal government two candidates as a way of supporting Republican nomi- is four times as big as it was when Dan Burton was first nee John McCain. Others were goaded into crossing over elected to Congress in 1982. That year, the federal budget by conservative radio talk show host was $746 billion. Today, the federal budget is $4 trillion. Rush Limbaugh. HPI and Obama Congressman Burton has been a part of the Washington campaign manager David Plouffe establishment for 28 years and has ignored this issue for attributed Clinton’s razor thin victory decades. I hope he will join us in the fight to decrease over Obama to Republican crossover spending and establish a balanced budget.” Primary vote. But in the 2010 election cycle, Horse Race Status: Leans Burton a number of Republicans like former Elkhart County Commissioner John 9th CD: Hill awaits health reform Bentley were disqualified by county U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., favors an overhaul election boards in Elkhart, Tippecanoe of the nation’s health care system, but is waiting to see and Porter counties - among others - how differences in House and Senate bills are fixed before by their Democratic primary vote two deciding whether to support the final version (Johannesen, years ago. When filing for election, Ell - Columbus Republic). “My vote on a final bill is dependent spermann claimed to have voted in the Republican primary. upon several factors, many of which are in limbo and could Her paperwork said she voted Republican, but her vote did be contained in the measure rectifying the House and Sen- not. “I made a mistake on the form,” Ellspermann told the ate bills,” Hill said in a press release. The fiscal impact of commission. “I am asking you to consider that it was genu- the Senate’s version encourages the 9th District represen- ine oversight, that I have a strong record with the Republi- tative. Hill said Congressional Budget Office’s review of the can party, and that I’ve run in an honest way.” Ellspermann, fiscal language indicates it would reduce the federal deficit in fact, is a Lugar Series of Public Excellence graduate, a by $132 billion over the first 10 years and up to $1.3 trillion program sponsored by U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar to encourage in the decade beyond. “We’ve seen this same song and women to enter the political process. The challenge against dance from Baron Hill numerous times in the last year,” her was brought by Charles Wyatt who has donated and said Indiana Republican Party Chairman Murray Clark. “He voted for Democrats historically. The news about her mis- had concerns with Cap-and-Trade, he had concerns with take came just last week. “Last Thursday, I heard a rumor the health care bill in his committee, and he had concerns that I had not filed the way I should have,” Ellspermann with the House health care bill. Despite that and the clear said. “On Friday morning, I wanted to convince myself that opposition of his constituents, he ultimately voted ‘Yes’ I voted Democrat. I have historically voted as a Republi- every time. It’s hard to take Baron Hill’s concerns seriously can. I’m not this great ticket person. 2008 was a unique when he’s shown in the past he doesn’t take them seriously primary in Indiana. Like many Republicans did in 2008, I himself.” General Horse Race Status: Tossup chose to vote Democrat. That did not stick in my mind as I HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 10 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

was filling out this form. I was not convinced until I saw it.” ments started 2009 with cash on hand of $138 and spent Immediately after recognizing her mistake, Ellsper- $2,042 during the year. She entered 2010 with a balance mann said she proceeded to call county chairs and received of $9,923. Her campaign received contributions of $3,075 their letters of certification and support. “I had no problem from individuals, $1,700 from corporations and $6,150 from getting letters from the chairs,” she said. political action committees. Listed as a contributor is Nikish But 8th CD Democratic Chairman Anthony Long Corp. of New York, which provided $250 to the campaign. of Boonville said the law should have been upheld. “She Clements and Nikish are named in a civil lawsuit filed by didn’t attach her paperwork, and now, she can’t change it,” Clinton County over a county contract to provide account- Long said. “They have to be attached to the declaration of ing software. Clements was the county auditor when the candidacy, and they were not. It’s a felony to file a false contract was awarded. The case is still pending. Primary affidavit. The document was filed incorrectly to start with. I Horse Race Status: Tossup vote to sustain the law. It’s here for a reason. The law is the law. I don’t think that’s permitted under the law.” (Long HD30: Karickhoff leads Herrell in money is a long-time ally of Rep. Stilwell. ) He continued, “Ma’am, Incumbent Democrat Ron Herrell, seeking reelec- I don’t think you’ve committed a felony. I think you made tion in House District 30, reported a cash balance of $2,205 a mistake, but that doesn’t mean that because it’s not a at the start of 2009, raising $7,150 and spending $3,920 felony, you haven’t broken the law. Our mandate is to en- during the year. He started 2010 with $5,434 for the cam- force the election laws in the state of Indiana - period.” But paign (Kokomo Tribune). Kokomo Councilman Mike Long didn’t have the backing of the rest of the commission, Karickhoff has raised over $16,500, according to Howard which voted to keep Ellspermann on the ballot. Ellsper- County Republican chairman Craig Dunn (Howey Politics In- mann is running against Angela Sowers in the primary. The diana). He said money was transferred from his city council blog Hoosier Advocate alleges that the Sowers’ family are organization. General Horse Race Status: Tossup legal clients of Long. She filed on the final day, drawing allegations that her candidacy was politically motivated as 2011 Campaign: Evans joins Indy mayoral Democrats planned to challenge Ellspermann. A victory Indianapolis Councilman Jose Evans kicked off his for either Ellspermann or Sowers will mean a race against Democratic mayoral campaign this week. He joins a field incumbent House Majority Leader Stilwell. After filing on that includes Melina Kennedy, former Councilman Ron Gib- Sept. 1, 2009, she has raised money and campaigned in son and Brian Williams. In an e-mail to supporters, Evans House District 74. “I promise I will never make that mistake said, “Too many politicians care more again,” Ellspermann said. about downtown businesses than they Ellspermann’s only primary opponent is Angela do about creating jobs and our neigh- Sowers, a 46-year-old tax preparer from Boonville (Bradner, borhoods - I plan on changing that Evansville Courier & Press). Sowers said two issues she’d attitude. As mayor, I will promote 21st like to tackle are the lack of appropriate housing for the el- Century ideas focused on creating jobs derly and welfare waste and abuse. Sowers said she hasn’t and fostering neighborhood develop- voted in years, though she comes from a Republican family. ment. I’ll fight to ensure we have a She said she was motivated to consider entering politics world-class public education system when Barack Obama was elected president. “I thought, and to make Indianapolis one of the ‘You know, maybe I could be one of these types of people safest cities in America. Over the next who can get a point across,’” she said. Sowers has not several months we’ll have many op- raised money and has not yet campaigned. “Honestly I portunities to discuss these and other important issues.” just signed up for all this. I’m going to do some meet-and- The real news in this Democratic race to see who greets with some of the elderly here in Warrick County,” challenges Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard unfolded prior she said. Primary Horse Race Status: Safe Ellspermann to the Feb. 19 filing deadline. It was revealed afterward that some 400 precinct candidates recruited by Brian Wil- HD38: Van Natter out-raises Rep. Clements liams filed for office. Add in the vice precinct committee - In what is expected to be a hotly contested Repub- men and women they selected, and Williams enters the lican Party primary for the Indiana HD38 seat, challenger 2011 slating convention with enough votes to win. Heath VanNatter is raising more money than incumbent It was an extraordinary strategy. While presumed Jacque Clements (de la Bastide, Kokomo Tribune). frontrunner Kennedy was gathering party endorsements, According to campaign finance reports filed with the Indi - Williams was recruiting precinct candidates. Primary ana secretary of state’s office for 2009, VanNatter raised Horse Race Status: Leans Williams v $22,957. Clements, of Frankfort, raised $11,823. Cle- HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 11 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

voters on many important issues in order to go to Washing- Taking no chances ton? No, not with gerrymandering. Suppose, as often is the case, there are urban on gerrymandering areas that vote strongly Democratic and suburban and small town areas that vote strongly Republican. By JACK COLWELL If Republicans do the gerrymandering, they will SOUTH BEND - Most of the many analyses of why draw one district containing as many Democratic precincts Congress doesn’t work, why it stalemates in nasty, partisan as possible, making it safe for a Democratic member of warfare, mention redistricting as part of the problem. It is. Congress. The reason is to have two other districts safe for But state legislators participating in a recent panel Republican members of Congress. discussion in South Bend all brushed off redistricting as If Democrats do the gerrymandering, they something voters don’t care about will draw the meandering boundaries to put as much of the and concluded that it thus was a GOP strength as possible in one district, writing it off and matter with no legislative priority. enabling Democrats to win in the other two. They were correct that This drawing of safe districts, which only infre- voters don’t know or care much quently turn out not to be safe, helps to make things so about redistricting. The general pub- nasty in Congress. lic would as soon watch paint dry as With so few districts actually competitive, actually look at some new district maps with requiring widespread political appeal, and so many drawn squiggly lines and weird shapes. strongly Democratic or strongly Republican, the real contest Means nothing to them. often is in the primary election. The winner of the primary It’s something for politi- of the majority party in that district is virtually certain of cians. Inside politics. And the inside election in the fall. politicians want it kept that way, Primary elections bring out the more partisan kept in their hands, with little public input or attention. voters, including those at the extreme ends of the politi- They don’t want any less partisan approach to redistricting. cal spectrum, those to the right in the Republican primary, The process is oft described as gerrymandering those to the left in the Democratic primary. in honor of Elbridge Gerry, one of the Founding Fathers, A congressman knowing that the real political who back in 1812 designed a politically crafted district that threat is in the primary, where the most partisan members looked like a salamander. So this isn’t something new, even of his party have the loudest say, doesn’t dare to reach though computerized data now make it a science. across the aisle in Congress - unless it’s with a knife to stab New legislative districts are drawn after each Cen- someone in the evil opposition. Fraternizing with the op- sus so that the districts reflect population changes. position is viewed an unprincipled by the highly partisan. What counts more than population size in deter- A Republican in one of these districts knows that mining control of Congress is how those districts are ger- voting for something President Obama proposes could trig- rymandered for selection of the 435 members of the U.S. ger charges that he’s a RHINO, a Republican in name only, House of Representatives. and bring a possible primary challenge. In most states, new district lines for the U.S. House A Democrat in one of these districts knows that are drawn by state legislatures. States legislatures con- working for something seen as bipartisan compromise with trolled by Republicans draw districts designed to elect as hated Republicans could trigger charges of “sell-out” on many Republican members of Congress as possible. liberal blogs and bring a possible primary challenge. State legislatures controlled by Democrats Primary challenges cost money. Take effort. And draw districts designed to elect as many Democrats as pos- could mean defeat. Why take the chance? Many of them sible. won’t. v How? Easy. Easier than ever with computerized data on voters. Colwell has covered Indiana politics over five de - Suppose, for example, that one area of a state cades for the South Bend Tribune. has voted 50-50, an even split between Republican and Democratic candidates in recent elections. And the area is entitled by new Census figures to elect three members of Congress. Will there be real competition for those three seats, with candidates having to reach out to a wide spectrum of HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 12 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

of government spending), then we need a decade-long, in- It’s not too late for tegrated national program to design, build and operate an HSR system competitive with any in the world tomorrow. high speed stimulus This would be the national interstate highway pro- gram on steroids. It would generate millions of new jobs By MORTON J. MARCUS and benefit every corner of the country. (I admit I don’t INDIANAPOLIS - “Too little, too late,” is the stan- have an idea of how HSR would work for Hawaii.) The dard objection to the economic stimulus program now in upheaval in our cities would be marvelous. It would allow effect. That criticism is based on opinion, not fact. It will us to tear down decrepit structures along existing rail lines. take several years to know whether the stimulus (or stimu- All grade crossings on the HSR lines would be removed and li, because there was more than a single stimulus) worked. not a single HSR train would ever be constrained by local We do know that funds from the speed regulations. federal government were used by HSR would encourage the improvement of intra- state and local governments ev- city transportation. When visitors get to Fort Wayne, India- erywhere to supplement or replace napolis, South Bend they will need a means to reach their their own depleted revenues. local destinations. More visitors without cars mean more This meant people held jobs local options for transportation. that would otherwise have been HSR would help re-establish regional centers. If the cut. It meant that contracts were new service skips Sullivan, Vincennes, and Princeton on its let to private firms that would have way from Terre Haute to Evansville, then efficient carriers had thinner order books. Was it connecting smaller places to larger places will be encour- enough? What’s enough? We could aged. Today a traveler from Sullivan to Chicago drives not expect that a federal stimulus through Terre Haute and dreams of a by-pass. With HSR, program from a constipated congress could be enough. We the Sullivan traveler has reason to be in Terre Haute. could not expect that the entire economic slide of the past Trains build density about well-designed terminals two years would be offset by federal spending when nearly and transfer points. Downtown areas will flourish and the half the congress believes (incorrectly) that government decay of odious suburban sprawl will be accelerated. As a spending is inherently sterile. realignment of land values takes place, the sad errors of Yet it is appropriate to ask “What kind of economic the past century could be eased into oblivion. program should we be following Advances in transportation are central to gains in now?” Health care is popular, but productivity. Web-conferences are no one is suggesting giving the poor substitutes for face-to-face in- health care industry a spending teraction. Yet, at today’s prices and boost. Most people not in the speeds, the movement of people insurance or health care indus- has been sacrificed and only mes - tries want to see lower expendi- sages are given premium service. tures for health care. We want The HSR network is ideally suited to our neighbors to take better care financing through bonds paid from of themselves, act on problems future revenues. Future citizens before they reach a crisis stage, benefit from the system and pay and accept less than cutting edge for it as they use it. In the present, treatment. however, we can create the jobs we v What then could be the desperately desire. right kind of economic stimulus? One answer is High Speed Rail Mr. Marcus is an independent (HSR), not the puny program put economist, speaker, and writer forward recently by the federal formerly with IU’s Kelley School government. A few disjointed of Business. lines operating at speeds that fail to match those of other advanced nations will not do. If we are going to increase productivity (which should always be a priority HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 13 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

Sylvia Smith, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: in a phone booth. If you missed Times sports columnist Al Republicans are calling it a “rubber stamp” or an effort to Hamnik’s fine exclusive interview with Cantrell, try to find a “jam through” legislation. They’ve labeled it “controversial Friday paper either online, at the library or in your recy- and partisan” and “an assault on the democratic process.” cling bin. It’s well worth the read and leaves one with the What they are referring to is the oddly named “reconcilia- distinct impression Cantrell is being neither rehabilitated tion,” which Congress sometimes uses for major bills to ex- nor punished. Cantrell was convicted of defrauding taxpay- pedite what can be a cumbersome process. Congressional ers in North Township, where he worked, by steering drug Democrats have said they probably will turn to reconcilia- and alcohol offenders to Addiction and Family Counseling, tion to reach final votes on legislation to revamp the health run by Nancy Fromm, who testified she paid Cantrell a fee insurance system. Under reconciliation, Senate filibusters for each client he could turn up. “I don’t feel I was guilty. are prohibited. That means a simple majority They put me in here because a woman said she – 51 votes – is needed to pass something. gave me some money,” Cantrell told Hamnik. When filibusters are permitted, it takes a “Other than that, I’m not embarrassed. I know supermajority of 60 votes to unblock a bill, deep down in my heart it’s not true.” Well, OK, meaning 41 senators can freeze Senate ac- a federal jury and judge felt otherwise. But tion. To suggest that legislation passed by that’s what an appeals court is for. Asked how a majority vote is undemocratic and illegiti- tough life is in the low-security Federal Correc- mate is absurd. Reconciliation is a tool the tional Center in Ashland, Ky., he said it is “more legislative body gave itself, so there is noth- like what I would call a retirement home” ing unethical or underhanded about it. But than a prison. But he said he is not planning just because something is legal does not make it ideal. Sen. on retiring from Lake County politics. “I’m not going to Evan Bayh has suggested several times lately that reconcili- run away from (politics),” he said. “That’s what may have ation for health insurance restructuring probably will create got me here, but I’ve got a lot of friends out there.” One a backlash that will inhibit across-the-aisle compromises on of his closest political students has been County Coroner many other issues. “Reconciliation should be kept as a last, Tom Philpot, who once gave credit to Cantrell for getting last resort,” he said on a Charlie Rose interview program. Philpot elected county clerk. Cantrell said he feels he will “I suspect because it may poison the well for dealing with be “missed” in the race for sheriff, in which Philpot is a other issues over the remainder of this year.” The Senate contender. OK, just to be sure I’ve got it straight, convicted was set up to be deliberative. That means slow. One sena- federal felon Bob Cantrell says his input will be missed in tor can hold up a bill, often indefinitely. But the Senate also the election of the county’s top law enforcement officer. Do has this procedure called reconciliation that allows some ef- you want a convicted felon helping elect your top cop? Ap- ficiency. It was created by law more than 30 years ago, so parently Cantrell thinks you do. v it is hardly “controversial and partisan.” In fact, both parties love it – but they love it best when they have a majority. Gary Gerard, Warsaw Times-Union : The Con- I’m not sure when – if ever – the minority party has tried to gressional Budget Office - the official, non-partisan bean convince the voting public that the other guys were doing counters for the U.S. federal government - came out with something wrong by using reconciliation. Generally, the a report (last) Thursday. The report showed the budget issues of a bill are argued on their merits. It’s curious that deficit reached $655 billion through the first five months of the GOP is spending so much energy on its twisted civics fiscal 2010. At that rate, the annual deficit will be $1.572 lesson when there are plenty of substantive concerns about trillion. At the end of the the first five months of 2009, v the health insurance legislation it could capitalize on. the deficit was a mere $590 billion. The deficit in February 2010 alone was $223 billion, up $30 billion over February Mark Kiesling, Times of Northwest Indiana : 2009. There was some bright news: Receipts increased Ideally, prison is meant to rehabilitate an offender for by $16 billion during February compared to 2009. But the release into society. Failing that, its purpose is to punish an government managed to wipe all that out and then some, offender for a crime of which he or she has been convicted. spending some $46 billion more in February 2010 than it If that’s true, prison is not working so well in the case of did in February 2009. The CBO said the increase in outlays Bob Cantrell. Oh, it’s working all right for him. It’s just not was largely due to President Barack Obama’s signature tax working that all right for us, the residents of the region credit - Making Work Pay - which goes to low- and middle- who were betrayed by his political shenanigans, in which income earners. OK, this is just insane. I thought it was un- he steered clients to an addiction rehab program. The imaginable when President George W. Bush ran up a $455 program, in turn, paid him a finder’s fee, although find - billion deficit during his last year in office. But the current ing the clients was about as hard as finding a rhinoceros administration is making W look absolutely frugal. v HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 14 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

Daniels plays peacemaker with Long, Bauer INDIANAPOLIS - Conflict over a bill that would cancel a scheduled increase at the end of this month in unemployment taxes that Indiana businesses pay still has the Indiana General Assembly in a logjam (Brad- ner, Evansville Courier & Press). It’s the last issue leg- islators must sort out be- fore Sunday’s deadline to adjourn for the year. They have an agreement in place already to let schools spend in the classroom some money ordinarily set aside for capital projects. That’s the item the Democratic-controlled House says it lawmaker is calling on the governor to improve academic performance (Allen, must get done before Speaker Pat- order a special session of the General South Bend Tribune). Bendix School, rick Bauer, D-South Bend, can gavel Assembly if job-creating legislation is Riley High School and Washington this year’s session to a close. But the not approved (Carden, Times of North- High School are among 23 schools the Republican-led Senate won’t allow west Indiana). State Rep. Chet Dobis, Indiana Department of Education has that bill to pass until it also gets what D-Merrillville, asked Gov. Mitch Daniels placed on academic probation each of it wants: a one- or two-year delay in a letter Wednesday to call a special the past four years because of failures on the planned premium changes session if the Legislature adjourns to show improvements on the state’s that would increase the amount most “without passage of a meaningful jobs standardized ISTEP test. Schools that businesses pay into the state’s un- bill.” “I fear that a compromise may remain on probation for six straight employment insurance fund. Senate not be worked at before the target years are subject to state intervention, Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenle day of March 14,” Dobis said. “If we including the possible assignment of said his caucus is concerned that if as legislators fail to complete our job a management team to operate all the education bill were to pass be- when we adjourn sine die, please use or part of a school, according to the fore an unemployment compromise is your power as governor to keep us state’s Public Law 221. That means brokered, the speaker simply would here in special session until the job is the South Bend Community School end the session. “All of these issues completed to your satisfaction.” Sine Corp., and the other nine school are so difficult that they do depend on die is Latin for “without day,” which corporations in this situation, have each other. That is not an abnormal means, “without assigning a day for a until May 2011 to forge a plan to turn part of this process,” he said. Gov. further meeting or hearing” to adjourn things around, said Jeff Zaring, chief Mitch Daniels was playing peacemaker an assembly. “We can’t afford to wait of results and reform for the depart- Wednesday afternoon. He met with until April 30, 2011, to put this prob- ment. State Superintendent of Public Bauer, then with Republican legislative lem to rest,” Dobis said. Instruction Tony Bennett is in the pro- leaders. “It was positive, constructive cess of meeting with leaders of the 10 and sometimes friendly,” Bauer said of State says it will intervene school corporations that operate those his talks with the Republican governor. 23 schools. Meetings will continue with South Bend schools through March 19, the DOE reported. SOUTH BEND - State educa- Bennett and other state officials met Dobis calls for special tion officials say they will intervene at with South Bend schools staff and session for UI three South Bend high schools if local three school board members Monday INDIANAPOLIS - A Merrillville leaders don’t agree on a strategy to at the school corporation’s downtown HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 15 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday March 11, 2010

office. “We really want them to do also was at 9.7 percent. Three sec- Republican, Democratic and Liber- something,” said Zaring, who is one tors led Indiana losses in January. tarian parties in Indiana. The three of the state officials who attended the Private education and health services parties agreed on Jan. 5 not to use meeting Monday. “We want them to cut 5,700 jobs, leisure and hospitality robocalls during the 2010 campaign. feel the urgency and the need to do fell by 2,600 positions, and construc- “I’m sorry to report that the National that. We can help them.” About 57 tion lost 2,220 jobs. Growth sectors Republican Congressional Commit- percent of Riley’s 10th-grade students included manufacturing, adding 3,900 tee is the first to intentionally violate and 43 percent of Washington’s 10th- jobs. Also, financial activities and the treaty and show a lack of respect graders passed the math and English professional and business services for the privacy of Hoosiers by blitzing sections of the ISTEP during the 2008- each added 6,000 in January. The them with unwanted political calls,” 09 school year, according to the DOE. December figures showed that more said Zoeller, a Republican. The NRCC is than 300,000 Hoosiers were looking reportedly robocalling voters in three Other schools on list for work. downstate congressional districts. SOUTH BEND - Other schools “Hoosiers have said time and again on notice from the Indiana Depart- Ben Quayle talks that they enjoy their telephone privacy ment of Education: East Allen County and don’t want to be interrupted by of his House race the annoying ring of unwanted tele- Schools: Paul Harding High School, PHOENIX - Ben Quayle was Prince Chapman Academy, Village phone calls, and that the use of prere- born two days after his father, Dan, corded messages adds insult to injury,” Elementary School; School City of was first elected to Congress, and East Chicago: East Chicago Central Zoeller said. “My office has explained remembers well tossing a football with to the NRCC that their nuisance calls High School; Fort Wayne Community him on Capitol Hill between votes. He Schools: North Side High School, into Indiana violate the intent and could have lived without the constant spirit of the state’s telephone privacy South Side High School; Gary Commu- mocking of his family — particularly nity School Corp.: Theodore Roosevelt laws.” the whole potato thing — but his High School; School City of Ham- memories of Washington are largely mond: Hammond High School, Morton gauzy and pleasant (New York Times). McShurley doesn’t like Senior High School; Indianapolis Public Vernon Parker is also one of the eight council finance chair Schools: Arlington Community High Republicans seeking the nomination MUNCIE - The city council’s School, Broad Ripple High School, Em- for the open seat. Since his father, new finance committee hasn’t met merich Manual High School, Northwest who served as vice president un- yet but it is already coming under High School, Emma Donnan Middle der President George Bush, exited fire from Mayor Sharon McShurley School, Willard J. Gambold Middle the scene in 1993, the younger Mr. (Werner, Muncie Star Press). Among School, Thomas Carr Howe Commu- Quayle’s life has been clearly apolitical Republican McShurley’s chief concerns nity High School, George Washington — he hasn’t even voted in local elec- is that Democratic city council Presi- Community High School; Lake Ridge tions since he registered here in 1997. dent Mike King appointed Democrat Schools: Calumet High School; Lake But now he is getting into his father’s Sam Marshall as the finance commit - Station Community Schools: Central old game. “It was time for me to stop tee chairman for 2010. Marshall was a Elementary School; Marion Community yelling at the TV,” said Mr. Quayle, 33, supervisor in the street department for Schools: Marion High School in an interview at a cafe here, “and 25 years before McShurley laid him off throw my hat in the ring.” due to budget cuts at the end of 2008. State jobless rate Their already-strained relationship stays at 9.7% Zoeller blasts GOP worsened late last year when Marshall INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana’s initiated cuts to the 2010 budget that over robocalls McShurley felt were detrimental to unemployment rate remained un- INDIANAPOLIS - Attorney changed in January, state officials the city. One of those cuts included General Greg Zoeller criticized his own firing McShurley’s deputy mayor, Dick announced today. December’s rate of political party Wednesday for annoying 9.7 percent remained the same for Shirey. Marshall -- who served as fi - Hoosiers with robocalls (Carden, Times nance committee chairman for at least January, based on a slowing of job of Northwest Indiana). Zoeller said the losses, Teresa Voors, commissioner of three years during Republican Mayor Republican Congressional Campaign Dan Canan’s administration -- said he the Department of Workforce Develop- Committee’s use of unsolicited prere- ment, said in a statement (Associated would not have a problem working corded political telephone calls violates with McShurley. “That’s her problem.” Press). The national rate for January a “treaty” among the leaders of the