DOCSLIB.ORG

Politics Indiana

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Politics Indiana Politics Indiana V14 N32 Thursday, March 27, 2008 Bayh goes to (Electoral) College New case for Hillary nomination is a curious twist in the logic By MARK CURRY WASHINGTON - It started on a Sunday talk show, with U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh and Gloria Borger of CNN discussing Hillary Clinton’s prospects in the Indiana Democratic primary. Early in the program, Indiana’s foremost Democrat told Late Edition viewers that he thinks the New York senator will emerge the winner in a close contest to be decided May 6. “I think ultimately her focus on middle- class economic issues, those kitchen- table issues, the cost of health care, job security, pension security, those upon the electoral college,” he told Borger. “So who car- kinds of things combined with her strength and experience, ried the states with the most electoral college votes is an I think will resonate very well with working-class blue-collar important factor to consider because ultimately, that’s how voters in our state,” he said. we choose the president of the United States.” “But ultimately, you know, if you look at the ag- This is a curious statement from someone who, like gregate popular vote, and as we all recall in 2000, to our, as Democrats, great sorrow, we do elect presidents based See Page 5 Bauer facing Dem heat? By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - Is the Speaker catching hell? Are partisan Democrats PO’d that B. Patrick Bauer consorted with a Republican governor up for re-election to achieve “historic” property tax reforms? That was the whispered “If I had to pick - and I’m not word at the Dyngus Day celebrations on Monday at the Westside Democratic Club usually shy about saying who’s from friends of the South Bend Demo- crat. The story goes that some elements going to win - I couldn’t tell you of the party wanted Bauer to kill the reforms so Gov. Daniels would be blamed today.’ for doing nothing other than offering a - U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly on the Clinton- defeated plan on property taxes. In this scenario, the Democratic nominee for Obama race in Indiana, to the Washington governor could then, as one source put Post HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 27, 2008 Howey Politics Indiana is a nonpartisan news- letter based in Indianapolis and published by NewsLink Inc. It was founded in 1994 in Fort Wayne. Brian A. Howey, publisher Mark Schoeff Jr. and Mark House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer sandwiched by Lt. Gov. Skillman and Gov. Daniels as Curry, Washington they signed the tax reforms last week. Bauer’s bipartisanship has landed him in hot water Writers with some Democrats. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) Jack E. Howey, Editor Beverly Phillips, Associate it, “promise wonders during the cam- come first. We could have seen what paign.” kind of savings you could produce. I Editor Speaker Bauer told HPI think we’re going to look back at this this afternoon, “No, I don’t catch flak. and see all sorts of problems.” The Subscriptions: It wasn’t a perfect bill. It wouldn’t be problem with that statement is that the way it was written. Most members after the Kernan-Shepard report was $350 annually HPI via e-mail; are happy that something got done. I issued in December, there were virtu- $550 annually HPI & HPI Daily told them to vote their district.” Bauer ally no Democrats who stood up and Wire. said that of those Democrats who advocated swift passage. Parker was Call 317-254-0535. voted no, “many would have voted silent. Not only were there no compet- yes if they had been the 51st vote.” ing property tax plans, there was no Howey Politics Indiana Bauer said that “some of mention of making Kernan-Shepard a PO Box 40265 the criticisms may bear out.” But, he priority after, say, Gov. Daniels’ Janu- Indianapolis, IN 46240-0265. added, “They can be fixed. The circuit- ary State of the State address. breakers will take a whole other ses- The time for a Democratic sion and a vote. They will be a work in alternative tax plan would have been Contact Us progress.” sometime early last fall, but that didn’t www.howeypolitics.com Notably absent was any kind happen, meaning the Daniels cap ‘n [email protected] of a statement from Indiana Demo- cut plan was the only game in town. cratic Chairman Dan Parker lauding Bauer said that House Demo- Main Office: 317-202-0210. the reforms which were backed not crats did present a plan - in the final Howey’s Mobile: 317-506-0883. only by Bauer, but by more than half weeks of the session. “We took the Indianapolis Fax: 317-254-0535. of the House Democratic caucus. best mechanism we could do. With the Washington: 202-256-5822. Parker told HPI on Wednesday, “Well, public demonstration of the law, we look, the party doesn’t get into policy can fix it accordingly. It’s really a living Business Office: 317-254-0535. too much. There were a lot of people item.” ©2008, Howey Politics at the local level and labor who were The dilemma for Bauer to Indiana. All rights reserved. not happy with the final deal.” Parker reject the plan in March would only Photocopying, Internet forwarding, said the “biggest resistance” was from mean a special session in April or May local Democrats like mayors who are when several of his members were faxing or reproducing in any form, now facing big budget cuts. facing primary challenges. To have in whole or part, is a violation of “That put the party in a projected an alternative would be, as federal law without permission from difficult position,” he said. “I ques- one observer put it, “picked apart and the publisher. tion raising taxes to solve the prob- hammered by Mitch.” Plus, a governor lem. Kernan-Shepard should have is more likely to prevail in a special HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, March 27, 2008 session (i.e. as Frank O’Bannon did in 1997). A Speaker “That’s not working with people,” Parker said. Bauer (like former President Pro Tem Garton) feels they “That’s why he is going to be defeated in November.” must watch over the flock and make sure all the sheep are Bauer insisted that he listened to the mayors. safe from, as former Speaker John Gregg might say, “the “They would have preferred nothing,” Bauer said, “but that wolves” baying at the door. Sometimes that means spend- was not the opinon of the vast majority of the public. We ing little political capital and taking little risk, or, in this did do some cushioning. In my county, taking over welfare case, take the deal from the sly governor and try to defend is a huge thing. It will be $4.27 million for South Bend and the tiniest, weakest donkey sheep in the House. $1.7 million for Mishawaka. We took the schools off the Bauer issued a statement on March 14 that made property tax roles.” his course pretty clear. “Indiana House Democrats entered Bauer said “the mayors were really very good” and the 2008 legislative session committed to one goal: pro- that prompted a compromise that had the state taking over viding broad-based property tax relief. It has been a goal the pre-1977 police and fire penions. Bauer said that he we have worked on for two years, and we have worked and Senate Tax Chairman Luke Kenley had discussed this together with Republicans to find prior to Indianapolis Mayor Greg a bipartisan solution. Hoosiers Ballard coming before Ways & demanded action on the Governor’s Means and suggesting the peni- program, and it has been deliv- ons move to the state. “We had ered.” been talking about a way to alle- Did Parker talk to viate the pension burden,” Bauer Bauer about it the way Republican said. Chairman Al Hubbard rushed over Throughout the conversa- to the Indiana Senate in 1993 to tion, Bauer kept going back to convince leadership there to spike the notion of compromise. “This a hospital tax? “I did not,” Parker is not the perfect answer,” he said said. “I did not get in the middle.” at one point. “You need the public House Democrats hadn’t behind the votes.” been too keen on any of the Ker- Asked about Kernan- nan-Shepard reforms. Those carry- Shepard coming on to the “front ing that water had been the House burner” in 2009, Bauer said that Republicans and Sens. Brandt it was never the approach of the Hershman, James Merritt and commission to have the entire Mike Delph. House Ways & Means 27 recommendations acted upon Chairman Bill Crawford has spiked this session. He said eliminating a number of reforms, be they from most of the township assessors former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Pe- is a profound change. “In 2005 terson or the Republican senators. and 2006, we couldn’t even get a At one point, Crawford said that motion out of committee. That’s a instead of dealing with Kernan- pretty extreme reform there.” Shepard in piecemeal fashion this Indiana Democratic Chairman Dan Parker (HPI Photo by He said he expects many year, the entire package should Brian A. Howey) of the Kernan-Shepard reforms to be put off until 2009. move to the top of the 2009 prior- Parker lamented the pre- ity list. One proposal - creating a dicament of Whiting Mayor Joe Stahura, who he says will single county executive to replace the current three com- suffer a “massive tax shift.” The BP refinery there was pay- missioners is already “cooking on the stove,” Bauer said.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Democrats Republicans 52 48
    V15, N42 Thursday, July 22, 2010 Battle for House takes shape Parties test outlier races, economy as Daniels engages By BRIAN A. HOWEY RISING SUN - The ad for Attica Clerk- Treauser Sharon Negele blipped up on Terre !"#$%&"'(&)"*"+%$$%&,-&."/$&0%%12&3$&4/&$5%&[7/$& Attica Clerk-Treasurer tangible electronic signal in the coming House Sharon Negele (left) Wars - the battle for the lower chamber which is challenging House will play a huge role in creating the reappor- Majority Caucus Chair- tioned Congressional and legislative maps for man Dale Grubb (top) the coming decade. in a race HPI viewed as “She’s more than just our neighbor,” a lower tier challenge. the voiceover states as it shows Negele greet- The HRCC is running ing neighbors, standing in front of an Attica TV to drive her name ID [7%&$7#81&"'(&09714':&4'&5%7&8"'(+&*"8$97+2& up, hoping the race be- “She’s someone we can count on. Instead of comes competitive if the a career politician, let’s send a trusted friend economy in languishing to represent us. After 22 years, isn’t it time to in the fall and a wave have a new voice for west central Indiana?” develops. (HPI Photo by & ;*&$5%&<=&[>%&97&/9&?%@#A.48"'&85". - A. Walker Shaw) Continued on page 3 How does Brad win? By DAVE KITCHELL LOGANSPORT - What is it exactly that a recent poll on the Indiana Senate race is expected to tell us? The Rasmussen poll, which trends Republican, tells us former Sen. Dan UThis election is going to be a Coats, a Republican who has not referendum on the borrowing, served in Congress in more than a decade, has a 51-30 lead over Brad spending, bailouts and take- Ellsworth, a Democrat who has been there for the past four.
    [Show full text]
  • Napoleanic Bauer Is Gone ... for Now Third Coup Attempt Ousts Bauer, but 9 Insurgents Won’T Return and Nov
    V18, N1 Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 Napoleanic Bauer is gone ... for now Third coup attempt ousts Bauer, but 9 insurgents won’t return and Nov. 7 is no sure thing By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – The coup that deposed House Minorty Leader B. Patrick Bauer is, in modern Indiana General Assem- bly history, an isolated event and one that had almost always been unsuccessful. State Sen.Vi Simpson was able to engineer a coup against Senate Minority Leader Richard Young a couple of Interim House Minority Leader Linda Lawson with Reps. Dvorak, Charlie Brown, Scott Pelath, Matt years ago, but that happened in Pierce and Terri Austin in Lafayette after the coup. almost matter-of-fact fashion. Young’s heart just didn’t seem With “interim” House Minority Leader Linda Law- to be into it after his unsuccessful 2008 gubernatorial run. son, Hoosiers now have seen three of the four legislative There was none of the theatrics that we saw last week caucuses with a female leader. Only the House Republicans from Bauer. And the Senate minority caucus is tiny and have yet to shatter that ceiling. Currently Rep. Kathy Kreag without much power, so the move was mostly inconse- quential. Continued on page 3 Pat down. Now what? By RUSS STILWELL “We’re off to see the wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz; We hear he is a whiz of a wiz, if ever a wiz there was; If ever, oh ever a wiz there was, the Wizard of Oz is one because; Because , because, ‘‘My own comments on the night of because, because, because, the election were that I asked Hoosiers Because of the wonderful things to support Treasurer Mourdock.
    [Show full text]
  • The Epic End Game of B. Patrick Bauer the Bauersaurus
    V17, N42 Thursday, July 19, 2012 The epic end game of B. Patrick Bauer a half hour attempt at an Indianapolis union hall on June Cunning and clever, an old-school 28. Informed and reliable sources tell HPI that the politician fights to stay in power June 28 meeting was called by State Rep. Vanessa Sum- By BRIAN A. HOWEY mers to deal with growing concerns in the caucus about INDIANAPOLIS - Embattled House Minority Leader the conduct of the 2012 House campaign, with consider- B. Patrick Bauer survived not only a caucus coup attempt last week on Friday the 13th, but also a marathon four and Continued on page 3 The Bauersaurus By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - When I was a high school page for House Speaker Kermit Burrous back in the early 1970s, I remember standing at the Speaker’s podium for a photo with him, and looking out across the House chambers as ‘‘Neither party deserves to win this members gathered for the session. I case. This story represents a ‘perfect saw Chet Dobis and Jeff Espich, and, storm’ of misguided government of course, the little giant, the martinet of the St. Joe, one B. Patrick Bauer. policy and overzealous corporate I’m 56 years old now, and those ambition.” guys are still there! I have a term for the public servant who doesn’t know - Marion County Superior Court when to hang it up: Feet firsters. You Judge David Dreyer, on the IBM case know how that goes: The only way HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, July 19, 2012 www.HoweyPolitics.com Howey Politics Indiana is a non-partisan newsletter based in Indianapolis.
    [Show full text]
  • Battle for House Centers on Open Seats
    V16, N40 Thursday, June 30, 2011 Battle for House centers on open seats favoring each party, though one of those battles may not Democrats will aim at 8 GOP happen if State Rep. Peggy Welch decides to seek the 9th CD Democratic nomination. freshmen; Knollman, McClain In the four districts that feature at least two incum- may retire, avoiding primary wars bents from a single party, retirements are likely in two of the seats. And sources in both parties tell HPI that State By BRIAN A. HOWEY Rep. Chet Dobis is considering a move from HD14, where INDIANAPOLIS - The first sequence of the Battle he would face fellow Democrat Vernon Smith in a heavily for the Indiana House in the second 21st Century decade African-America district, to the open HD15 seat nearby. will likely take place in 14 open seats, including 10 that While no final decisions have been made, State were redrawn without an incumbent. Reps. Tom Knollman - placed in HD68 with freshman Re- The four seats that include Republican and Demo- crat incumbents appear to be split - on paper - with two Continued on page 3 Public investment lacks By MORTON J. MARCUS INDIANAPOLIS - Last week, the New York Times ran a story under the headline “Indi- ana: The Exception? Yes, but …” The “I never thought in a million article gave a factual presentation of our state’s economic circumstances, years that politics would get so but with an overriding sarcasm that left a bad taste in Hoosier mouths. personal and dirty.” Probably this piece was - Secretary of State Charlie White, assigned to the reporters before our Governor withdrew from the presi- after the Indiana Recount Commission dential primary race.
    [Show full text]
  • Bosma Makes Ethics Judgment Call
    V20, N12 Thursday Oct. 23, 2014 Bosma makes ethics judgment call House Speaker will seek more financial Speaker disclosure, backs prescribed Brian Bosma meth ingredients, a new discusses ethics, education funding formula educa- tion and By BRIAN A. HOWEY budget INDIANAPOLIS – While House Speaker Brian priorities Bosma is calling for expanded financial disclosure rules when he in the wake of the conflict of interest surrounding State met with Rep. Eric Turner, he had a blunt message for all legisla- HPI on tors during a Howey Politics Monday. Indiana interview on Monday. (HPI “Everyone has con- Photo by flicts,” Bosma said. “That Brian A. comes with both a parttime Howey) and fulltime legislature. We have to have elected officials to have the good judgment about when they should not that matter. Just not voting on it isn’t enough. If you’re be involved in a decision. We rely on good judgment with not voting behind the scene in a reduction of a license or that regard. We apparently need to institutionalize some a change in school standards for teachers that results in a good judgment as well.” substantial profit to you personally in a business deal, run Bosma continued, “A legislator with a substantial and personal interest in a matter shouldn’t be involved Continued on page 3 in public or private advocacy at the General Assembly on Pre-K and accountability By DAVE KITCHELL LOGANSPORT – We may never know the reasons why Gov. Mike Pence pulled the plug on an application for $80 million in funding. What we do know is that Indiana and one other state were reportedly positioned “Liberal media bias is alive and to receive the funding for pre-kin- dergarten programs in the state.
    [Show full text]
  • Reforms Flicker in Daniels Twilight Right to Work Will Likely Suck Oxygen Away from Local Government Reforms by BRIAN A
    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.
    [Show full text]
  • Indiana House of Representatives 116Th Indiana General Assembly 2009-2010 House Standing and Statutory Committees December 10, 2008
    Indiana House of Representatives 116th Indiana General Assembly 2009-2010 House Standing and Statutory Committees December 10, 2008 Agriculture and Rural Development Rep. Phil Pflum, Chair Rep. Donald Lehe, RMM Rep. Joe Pearson, Vice Chair Rep. Thomas Knollman Rep. Kreg Battles Rep. Jacqueline Clements Rep. Bob Bischoff Rep. Matthew Lehman Rep. Terry Goodin Rep. William Friend Rep. Dale Grubb Rep. Nancy Michael Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities Rep. Win Moses, Chair Rep. Jack Lutz, RMM Rep. Matt Pierce, Vice Chair Rep. Eric Koch Rep. Kreg Battles Rep. Robert Behning Rep. Sandy Blanton Rep. David Frizzell Rep. Ryan Dvorak Rep. Ed Soliday Rep. Scott Reske Rep. Dan Stevenson Courts and Criminal Code Rep. Matt Pierce, Chair Rep. Eric Koch, RMM Rep. Nancy Dembowski, Vice Chair Rep. Ralph Foley Rep. Ryan Dvorak Rep. Greg Steuerwald Rep. Linda Lawson Rep. Randy Truitt Rep. Greg Porter Rep. Jacqueline Clements Rep. Vernon Smith Rep. Vern Tincher Education Rep. Greg Porter, Chair Rep. Robert Behning, RMM Rep. Dennie Oxley, Vice Chair Rep. Cindy Noe Rep. Dave Cheatham Rep. Milo Smith Rep. Clyde Kersey Rep. Jeffrey Thompson Rep. Gail Riecken Rep. Edward Clere Rep. Vernon Smith Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh Elections and Apportionment Rep. Kreg Battles, Chair Rep. Milo Smith, RMM Rep. David Niezgodski, Vice Chair Rep. Kathy Richardson Rep. John Barnes Rep. Woody Burton Rep. John Bartlett Rep. Phil Hinkle Rep. Ed DeLaney Rep. David Yarde Rep. Phil GiaQuinta Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh Environmental Affairs Rep. Ryan Dvorak, Chair Rep. David Wolkins, RMM Rep. Dan Stevenson, Vice Chair Rep. Timothy Neese Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon Rep. Sean Eberhart Rep.
    [Show full text]
  • Tax Crisis Faces Indiana's Power Trio
    V13 N43 Thursday, July 12, 2007 Tax crisis faces Indiana’s power trio Legacy and political challenges for Daniels, Bauer & Peterson By BRIAN A. HOWEY in Indianapolis For the growing ranks of disgruntled property tax- payers facing double and triple digit increases, the candi- dates for blame and salvation include Gov. Mitch Daniels, House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, and Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. Bauer’s misguided rebate has become a magnet for criticism and acknowledged as a “Band-Aid” by allies like State Rep. Chet Dobis. Bauer’s own tax storm hasn’t even hit St. Joseph County, where GOP and Democratic sources Gov. Mitch Daniels, are describing a “horror show” in the making. If he fails, House Speaker B. House Democrats, already staggered by early retirements Patrick Bauer and and others in the making, could easily lose their slim major- Indianapolis Mayor Bart ity. Peterson have a lot Gov. Mitch Daniels sat out the property tax debate riding on the line in the during the 2007 legislative session when previous governors 2007 property tax storm. - such as Doc Bowen in 1973 - were the catalysts. He signed (HPR & WTHR Photos) the rebates into law. The tax crisis landed in his front yard like a Fourth of July cherry bomb. An elusive solution could put his re-election prospects - already vulnerable to the Iraq War disaster - in a precarious position. As for Peterson, we keep thinking of a quote State Rep. Winfield Moses Jr. - a former two-term Fort Wayne Our taxing problem By CURT KOVENER CROTHERSVILLE - In a couple of weeks when you re- ceive an envelope with a return address of the Jackson County Treasurer, before you swallow hard, knowing that your increased property tax bill is inside, take a prophylactic aspirin, heartburn tablet, “I don’t trust the government to and/or belt of bourbon before opening.
    [Show full text]
  • Dem Exodus Puts Bauer in Crosshairs
    V17, N23 Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 Dem exodus puts Bauer in crosshairs HPI Analysis reveals strong likelihood of GOP Super Majority, poised to win most of 11 open seats; Bauer will be challenged By BRIAN A. HOWEY GREENCASTLE, Ind. - The magnitude of seismic Republican Statehouse gains that have Indiana Democrats careening from disaster to catastrophe came into clearer focus on Friday when 12 House Democrats with a combined tenure of 236 years did not Retiring Democrat Reps. Bill Crawford (left) and John Day (right) at the Marion County file for reelection. Democratic slating on Saturday, with former Rep. John Barnes, who was defeated in the The looming retirements make disastrous 2010 election cycle. Barnes opted to run for the Indiana Senate this cycle. the Republican super majority of 67 seats - needing a pickup of seven - a races shows that of the 10 open seats due to redistrict- distinct probability. Add in the GOP ing, Republicans are in the driver’s seat in just about all of retirements and the House will be them. A 70-seat majority is not beyond the scope. losing 340 years of experience, State Reps. Chet Dobis, Nancy Dembowski and an unprecedented departure of Craig Fry did not file for reelection by the noon deadline institutional tenure. An HPI analysis of House Continued on page 3 Why elect secretary of state? By JACK COLWELL SOUTH BEND - Charlie White, now a convicted felon, got 976,810 votes to win big for Indiana secretary of state in 2010. ‘‘We draw from all walks of life. Of the nearly one million Hoosiers who voted for Charlie, how There’s political science and many knew anything about him other than party affiliation? political art.
    [Show full text]
  • Lugar Bucks Mourdock's June Swoon
    V16, N41 Monday, July 11, 2011 Lugar bucks Mourdock’s June swoon Challenger’s money, operations & scheduling bring scrutiny By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - As U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar and Indiana Treasurer Richard Mour- dock were making their 11th hour appeals prior to the June 30 FEC report deadline, six people were arrested in Moldova trying to sell more than 1kg of uranium-235 for $20 million. “Police have learned that they had found a potential customer, a citizen of a Muslim country in Africa,” Vitalie Briceag, an Moldovan Interior official, told AFP. These events underscored perhaps the most compelling reason to return a man who will be 80 years old when the next Richard Mourdock at a June 11 Tea Party rally in Kokomo that conflicted with Mike Hoosier is sworn into the U.S. Senate in Pence’s gubernatorial kickoff in Columbus. January 2013. That Lugar had been at the Ukraine/Moldovan border in August 2007 to you can find three stadiums - including NFL and NBA inspect high tech WMD detection equipment, and that his venues - two major interstates radiating out across the staff had been in Moldova in January - just as Mourdock compass, critical Internet and cyber optic terminals, and was gearing up a challenge - to follow up on an uranium one of the largest insulin manufacturing sites in the world. arrest there last year, was the stuff of global intrigue A cataclysmic terror nuke strike in Lugar’s backyard - in the wrapped around the highest stakes in civilization. American heartland - would devastate the American secu- Lugar’s political bulwark is his home city of India- napolis.
    [Show full text]
  • Bosma Eyes Expanding Dem Chairs Speaker Will Seek Redistricting Panel; Time for ‘Breather’ on Abortion Front by BRIAN A
    V16, N35 Thursday, May 12, 2011 Bosma eyes expanding Dem chairs Speaker will seek redistricting panel; time for ‘breather’ on abortion front By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma told Howey Politics Indiana in an exclu- sive interview that he is open to us- ing more Democrats as committee chairs, will push for a constitutional independent commission to redraw future legislative and Congressional maps, and said it is time to “take a breather” on abortion restrictions. House Speaker Brian Bosma with his “Winston Churchill” poster in his Statehouse office. It Bosma recounted the chess became his mantra during the Democratic walkout. (Indiana House Photo) board maneuvers he made deal- ing with House Minority Leader B. Democratic walkout, the elevation of Reps. Steve Stemler Patrick Bauer during the walkout, and acknowledged that and Chet Dobis as committee chairs from the opposite he had matured and handled the crisis differently this year party, and how his caucus reacted to new legislative maps than he might have as a younger Speaker. Bosma also said that threw six into three districts and another four who he believes that the 19-member House freshman class will would face a Democratic incumbent. The interview fol- yield future leaders in the Indiana General Assembly and lowed what Bosma called a “landmark” session that yielded beyond. historic education legislation while altering the mapping The Speaker spoke with HPI for almost 45 minutes on Tuesday and recounted his handling of the five-week Continued on page 3 The mystery of Mitch By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - Since I began writing a column in 1985, and since I began publishing this newsletter in 1994, there haven’t been many “We need to make stuff.
    [Show full text]
  • Eyes Peeled on Daniels' Last Reform
    V17, N17 Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 Eyes peeled on Daniels’ last reform Governor finds change runs slower than his proverbial ‘freight train’ By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - A fact of life for a governor of Indiana is that the walls in his Statehouse office are full of eyes from the past, peering down from bygone eras. Over the governor’s conference table peers Gov. James Putnam Goodrich, who presided over the agrarian state beginning in 1917, overseeing the Great War efforts, along with planning the state’s highway system while creating the Department of Conserva- tion. There is Gov. Harry G. Leslie, the former Republican House speaker who was elected in 1928 after the scourge of Gov. Ed Jack- son’s Ku Klux Klan era and presided over the beginning of the Great Depression, pioneer- ing in Indiana what would become known under President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the Work Progress Administration. And, of course, there is Gov. Thomas R. Marshall, who attempted to write a new Indiana constitution after the General As- Continued on page 3 Gov. Daniels with reporters on Friday. Portraits of Govs. Orr (top) Marshall and Leslie. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey) The politics of Right to Work By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mitch Daniels and Repub- lican legislative leaders say that with the unemployment rate continuing to hover at an unacceptably high 9 percent, “Zany is not what we need in we need “every tool available” to attract jobs. Thus, the Right to Work legislation a president. Zany is great in a has become the No.
    [Show full text]