V23, N40 Thursday, June 7, 2018

HPI Interview: Brooks weighs safe schools She experienced Parkland shooting with Rep. Deutch and then it happened in her district By BRIAN A. HOWEY NOBLESVILLE – The May 25 shooting at West Middle School brought a déjà vu feeling to U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks. The ranking Democrat on the House Eth- ics Committee she chairs is U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, who represents Parkland, Fla. Two weeks prior, Brooks and Deutch had intro- duced HR5715, the Jake Laird Act, named after the Indianap- olis police officer who was shot and killed in 2004 in the line of duty by a man who struggled with mental illness. They introduced it a little less than three months after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks greets West Middle School teacher Jason Sea- atrocity. man. “We’ve worked together for six years,” Brooks so I have talked with him extensively since Parkland.” said of Deutch in a Howey Politics Indiana Interview Tues- Sandwiched between Parkland on Feb. 14 and day morning. “So, I kind of went through Parkland with West on May 25 was the Santa Fe HS massacre that him. We were scheduled to have a meeting that week and Continued on page 3 Welcome to Evansville By JOSHUA CLAYBOURN EVANSVILLE – As 1,500 delegates and their friends descend on Evansville for this year’s Indiana Republican Convention, it will mark only the second time in modern history that the GOP convention will take place “The Indiana Republican Party outside of Indianapolis. Here’s what you need to know about is big and diverse with many dif- the state’s third largest city. ferent perspectives on issues we Pardon our mess all care about. The debate over Just as Indianapolis emerged in the 1980s from the past week regarding this its negative reputation as year’s party platform only rein- “India-no-place” or “Naptown,” Evansville is now undergoing its forces that fact.” own resurgence. The downtown - Gov. Eric Holcomb saying alone has over $500 million in delegates will decide family plank Page 2 renovations simultaneously occurring, Crouch leaves her fingerprints all over an unprecedented amount of invest- Hoosier policy and the modern GOP. ment. After serving many years as vice chair- Simply put, Evansville’s down- woman of the House Ways and Means town is poised for booming growth Committee and then as state auditor, with renovations and new construc- she now helps shape the Holcomb tion happening nearly everywhere administration’s agenda and shepherd you look. Some of this progress will it across the finish line during legisla- Howey Politics Indiana present an unattractive annoyance – tive sessions. construction barrels, cleared lots and Crouch’s replacement in the WWHowey Media, LLC 405 closed streets are common sights – legislature, Holli Sullivan, is busy shap- Massachusetts Ave., Suite but it all points to a promising renais- ing her own legacy as a member of 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204 sance. the Ways and Means Committee and www.howeypolitics.com Tropicana Evansville, the chair of the Higher Education Subcom- state’s first land-based casino, opened 75,000 Brian A. Howey, Publisher square feet of gaming fun Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington in renovated space. Two Cameron Carter, Editor new downtown hotels un- Joel Weyrauch, Editor der construction will soon Mary Lou Howey, Editor join the recently completed DoubleTree convention Mark Curry, Daily Wire, photo hotel, which rests next Jack E. Howey, Editor to the new Stone Family Emeritus Center for Health Sciences, a collaboration for medical education by the University Subscriptions of Evansville, University HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 of Southern Indiana and HPI Weekly, $350 Indiana University. HPI Mobile, $5.95 monthly Joining all of that Ray Volpe, Account Manager are scores of new housing developments, small busi- 317.602.3620 nesses, restaurants, and email: [email protected] Evansville Mayor Winnecke (center) at the unveiling of shops that recently opened plans for a new downtown Hyatt Hotel. or will open in the near fu- ture. It all may look messy Contact HPI now, but it’s welcome progress for a mittee. [email protected] vital Indiana region. Gov. Eric Holcomb spent most Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 of his formative years up the road Washington: 202.256.5822 Evansville’s long in Vincennes in Evansville’s cultural Business Office: 317.602.3620 political shadow orbit and later worked on the staff of As the city’s chief executive, Evansville-based Congressman John Hostettler. © 2018, Howey Politics Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke will play a large role at this year’s GOP Congressman Jim Banks, the Indiana. All rights reserved. convention. In a heavily Democratic state’s fastest rising GOP congressio- Photocopying, Internet forward- city, he is the first Republican to be nal star, also worked on Hostettler’s ing, faxing or reproducing in reelected as mayor since the 1970s staff and lived for a period in Evans- and continues to boast high approval ville, building notable connections with any form, whole or part, is a the region’s political leaders. violation of federal law without ratings. But visitors to this year’s con- vention will also see signs of the city’s On the Democrat side, former permission from the publisher. long shadow extending to Indianapo- Evansville mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel lis. Indeed, not since Evansville native and former congressman (and U.S. Robert Orr occupied the governor’s Senate candidate) Brad Ellsworth mansion has the city exerted such a continue to be discussed as possible strong influence on state policy. statewide candidates. Evansville resident Suzanne Page 3

A regional approach local governments working together as a region, not as Cut off from the rest of the state, at least until separate silos. Admittedly, a recent push to unify city and the completion of I-69, Evansville rarely thought of itself county government failed in a referendum, but the bigger as exceptional. But all of that is changing thanks to strong picture suggests a region committed to cooperation and public and private partnerships. The city can serve as a efficiency. model for the state’s new regional approach. Indiana cannot excel on the success of Indianapo- Evansville has increasingly worked together with lis alone. As younger generations flock to urban centers surrounding communities to transform the area as a des- for jobs and cultural amenities, we need areas like Fort tination to live, work and play. We were among the first Wayne, South Bend and Evansville to flourish as hubs of to implement a unified, county-wide school district and growth. library. The result has been both the school and library Evansville has started down a viable path to system excelling as among the very best in the state. progress. This year’s GOP convention provides a prime op- More recently, Southwest Indiana was selected portunity for state leaders to see its progress thus far, but as one of three regions to receive $42 million in state also glimpse the additional steps needed to empower our matching funds under the Regional Cities Initiative geared state’s regional urban hubs for sustained growth. v toward talent-attracting projects. The region’s success with implementing the project is directly tied to various Claybourn is a Republican attorney from Evansville.

the Noblesville shooter chose a classroom with a 6-foot-6 Rep. Brooks, from page 1 former Southern Illinois University defense lineman. Had claimed the lives of 10 Texans. In the wake of that, Brooks it been in a classroom with a petite 5-foot-2 literature tweeted, “The horrific loss of 9 students & 1 teacher today teacher, the outcome could have been far more cataclys- in Texas is heartbreaking. I am working w/my colleagues mic. in Congress to do more, b/c more must be done to prevent Despite a number of conferences she had con- the loss of innocent lives.” vened prior to Parkland and West Middle School, talking HPI reached out to Brooks because the West with Brooks finds a public servant with a heavy heart, shooting occurred in her 5th CD. She describes at length in which the near tragedy in her district has taken a the many steps she had taken in the toll. Brooks is very deliberate in walk- district to head off such an incident. ing through what had happened in She describes Noblesville schools and Noblesville prior to the shooting, and the the community as one which had response of terrified students and par- put an array of protocols in place to ents who are now demanding “hardened” prevent a massacre. They seemed schools. to work since only two were injured, The proposed national version of compared to 17 deaths at Parkland the Jake Laird Act is what Brooks talks and 10 in the Houston suburb. about most. It enables local law enforce- Brooks echoed comments ment, with probable cause, to seize and from Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana retain firearms from individuals who are State Police Supt. Doug Carter that determined to be an imminent danger to the protocols in Noblesville, part of a themselves or others. It has been used in long-time, state school-safety strategy Indianapolis more than 700 times since in place at the Indiana Department of 2005. At least one study shows that it Education, kept the injuries to student has reduced the number of suicides in Ella Whistler (facing a lengthy and Indiana. No one knows if it headed off arduous recovery after suffering seven what the New York Times describes as gunshot wounds to the face, chest and the “allure” of the Columbine Syndrome, hand) and teacher Jason Seaman. the American version of the Islamic suicide bomber. A cult “Jason Seaman threw a basketball at the young of martyrdom has built up around Columbine killers Dylan man, which is what the protocol says,” Brooks explained. Klebold and Eric Harris, who murdered 13 classmates and “Throw something at a shooter. Kids are actually trained teachers while wounding 24. to pick up something to throw at a shooter so someone She has only 13 co-sponsors, but has talked to can try to tackle them. That’s what the teacher did; they West and Parkland students and parents, urging them to trained with that.” take an activist role. That’s a fascinating development in She acknowledges something HPI has written, that deep red Hamilton County, one of the most Republican in Page 4

U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks meets with Noblesville students and parents to discuss school safety issues. the nation. is one more tool to give law enforcement to remove guns In a May 9 letter, 24 Parkland parents wrote, from the hands of someone who would be a danger to “We are the families of the victims killed in the tragedy in self or others. It’s been very successful in Indiana. That Parkland on February 14, 2018. We write to show our sup- was done before the incident in Noblesville. What is so port for the Jake Laird Act of 2018 and we strongly urge frightening to parents and teachers is the fact that these your colleagues in the United States of America House of are very difficult incidents. That’s what concerns so many Representatives to join with you to quickly pass this leg- people right now. islation. We request an expeditious hearing by the House HPI: Gov. Holcomb flagged for me that New York Judiciary Committee, approval by the Committee and then Times story on the allure of the Columbine Syndrome, that passage of this bill by the entire House of Representatives. there’s now a cult celebrating the two Colorado shooters Frankly, we know much more needs to be done to prevent and inducing American kids into a martyrdom. I saw it as mass murder from ever again occurring in our schools. a breakthrough that might allow schools to gauge the tiny The safety of students, teachers and staff in our schools percentage of students who might fit that profile. cannot wait.” Brooks: I do welcome the need to study the Here is our HPI Interview with Rep. Brooks: school shooters. We need to go more in depth to that. HPI: After we watched 30 Hoosiers arrested for Social media didn’t even exist when Columbine occurred. making school threats in the weeks following the Parkland, Now the reliance particularly by young people as a main Fla., massacre, and then the West Middle School shooting mode of communication and where they get their infor- occurs in your district, what are your thoughts about these mation – and the fact that young people still follow the developments? Columbine shooters – is something we really do need to Brooks: Obviously, it was horrifying that it would study. I had no information that indicates the young shoot- happen in any school district, anywhere in the state, but er in Noblesville to know that was the situation. It’s too I have been talking with students and faculty and admin- early to know that. Law enforcement hasn’t shared that istrators since the incident and will continue yet. When I was deputy mayor in the 1990s, to do so. Listening not only to what they went we focused on homicides in Indianapolis. We through, how they felt about it, but also what did study it. When you study when the homi- they want to see changed. What’s sad for me cides are occurring and where they are occur- is it’s an issue I’ve been focused on for a very ring, what are the patterns, that could help long time. I co-founded a school safety caucus school authorities and administrators to better in Washington with Congressman Rick Larsen understand what are the signs to look for. Just a couple of years ago. I introduced the Jake like gun crimes when it comes to homicides, Laird Act with one of my very good friends, Ted it’s not just law enforcement’s responsibility, Deutch, who represents Parkland. I introduced it’s everyone’s responsibility to understand that on May 9 before this happened. Quite what shooter motives are and what is causing frankly, it got little to no attention at home. I it. We’re going to have to have a better un- was disappointed by that. derstanding not just among school administra- HPI: What does the Jake Laird Act do? tors and teachers, but parents and everyone Brooks: It incentivizes states through of what might be motivating someone to want a grant program to adopt a Jake Laird Law or to inflict this kind of harm with the desire to their version. Florida adopted a version of the shoot and kill people. Jake Laird Law after Parkland and I believe it The late IMPD officer Jake HPI: And there’s the mental health com- Laird. Page 5 ponent to all of this. officer,” but maybe the principal will be armed or someone Brooks: We have not focused enough on the will have a weapon. I think those come down more to mental health challenges of our young people. I’ve tried individual school districts. Those districts can be very, very to elevate the administration at Hamilton Southeastern different. That comes down to a more local decision. has placed on mental health challenges. Assistant Supt. HPI: We had a school referendum that passed (Michael) Beresford just got hired by Carmel and the fac- in Brown County and as a result, my mortgage went up tors were No. 1, he’s a trained school-safety specialist. We $70 a month due to the tax escrow portion. That’s a big have safety specialists in all of our public school districts hike. Hardening schools and hiring more resource officers in the state. It’s a requirement. No. 2, he’s overseen the is going to really cost taxpayers and property owners. The mental health partnership with Community (Hospital) state came up with $5 million and that’s just a drop in the North, from funding of the Lilly Endowment to the focus bucket. So “who pays?” is going to be a big and potentially on mental health in school counseling. The kids started volatile issue across the state. a “Stigma Free Club” with about 100 members that are Brooks: That’s the exact type of debate communi- trained to hear, mentor with mental health concerns of ties are going to have to have. Are people willing to pay to students. People can identify them. They were not aware harden their schools? I do think more needs to be done. of the Stigma Free Club over at HSE. I con- nected them with that club. We’ve got to do a lot more. The young people of Noblesville brought it up yesterday. They know this is not only an issue of mental health, it’s an issue of young people’s access to weapons. How did this young man get his hands on these handguns? They are very interested in elevating the importance of a lot more security when it comes to young people’s access to guns. Young people cannot go in to register and buy handguns. I do think we need to focus on how young people get access to guns, as well as why are so many of these shooters deciding to shoot people in the first place. HPI: Parents are now calling for U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks introduces the national Jake Laird Act as Rep. Ted Deutch (far the “hardening” of schools. left) looks on. Brooks: It was very interesting to me that young people don’t want their schools to be Most newer schools are being designed to ensure better fortresses. The young people I was with yesterday didn’t blocking mechanisms, fewer entry points, even classrooms want metal detectors. This is a complex problem. have the ability to be locked. Not all schools have those HPI: Indiana Supt. Jennifer McCormick described capabilities. What are the security devices we give to schools as “dangerous places to be” last week. It was a teachers in classrooms to create emergency alert systems? jaw-dropping statement. We have a lot of parents call- There are technological solutions and that’s part of what ing for hardened schools. President Trump wants to arm the Security Caucus has been focused on, short of having a teachers. Is that a good idea? lot of police officers in schools. But it will cost schools. I’m Brooks: Most of the teachers and administra- also interested in having more school resource officers. tors I’ve talked to in the 5th District are not in favor of HPI: What else is the House School Security Con- that. The districts I represent are very, very different, ference weighing? but almost everybody wants school resources officers in Brooks: We’re actually having another meeting at their schools, yet many communities cannot afford to hire the end of the month where we’re going to be doing the more officers. That is a big discussion we need to have at briefing to compare state security guidelines across the the state legislature. We just passed in this latest omni- country and what kind of standards have been put in place. bus (with) over $2 billion for school security measures. The Police Foundation is giving the presentation. I do think Part of what I’m trying to do is get those funds pushed we need to do a better job of sharing best practices. I will to the state as fast as possible. They’re coming through tell you that Indiana is one of the few that has the School the Justice Department and the Department of Education. Safety Academy. Do you know much about that Academy? They are coming through Health and Human Services. We HPI: No. Tell us more. have to make sure our state goes after those funds. It will Brooks: It’s been in place for more than a decade be competitive. There are some rural schools where they and Dave Woodward runs it out of the Indiana Department might say, “We won’t be able to have a school resource of Education. More than 2,000 educators have been certi- Page 6 fied. They have gone through specialized training. I would has been used more than 720 times since 2005. That’s encourage you to reach out to Dr. McCormick and Dave a lot of times for one city to use it. I’ve talked to Supt. Woodward to learn about our School Safety Academy. Doug Carter about this, but the state has not collected Every school district is required to have a trained school stats as to how it’s been used around the state. I know safety specialist and I would say that most of our public it’s been used in Boone County, in Hamilton County and schools have someone within the school, not only just extensively in Marion County. It’s been used because law one in the district. These schools implement protocols and enforcement has been trained on it. It gives them another drills. They receive regular newsletters. When Noblesville tool to remove weapons from the hands, through prob- happened, because of the concerns of copycats, which able cause, of someone who is a danger to themselves does happen, an email went to all school safety special- or others, whether it’s domestic violence or a neighbor- ists around the state telling them that it happened and a hood feud, whether it is someone concerned that a young reminder of the protocols. I think that’s a terrific model. person might commit a shooting someplace. It has been Most parents don’t know it exists. When they know about used effectively. There is due process. If there’s not time it, they are hugely relieved to know our state has been to get a warrant, it removes the weapon(s) and it goes to doing this for some time. Noblesville has a strong school court within 14 days. The state has the burden of proof. safety specialist. I actually convened a meeting in late That’s why it’s been very effective. It had not been chal- April that Noblesville hosted. It’s another reason this is lenged by gun rights advocates. Unfortunately the NRA, breaking my heart. Noblesville has been very focused on which was neutral initially, opposed my bill. I have work to this issue. They have parents focused on it, their school do. I’ve got only 13 people to sign on to it. I’ve spoken to board has been focused on it and they hosted a meeting my Republican conference three days before the Nobles- for 5th District school boards and their school safety spe- ville shooting, because Santa Fe had happened, and I cialists and their superintendents attended the meeting. said to my colleagues, “We have got to do something. We They shared their concerns and talked about what was needed. I had simi- lar meetings with law enforcement. I met with the Noblesville parents group about three weeks before this hap- pened. That’s what is really very tough for me to know that so many people in Noblesville have been very focused on trying to find ways to make their schools safer, yet it happened. That’s what makes it sad, horrible. We all just have to go back to the drawing board to find ways to prevent it and make sure the protocols are in place. HPI: Gov. Holcomb and Supt. Doug Carter cited have got to ask more questions about it.” those protocols that limited the carnage to the student and HPI: How did your conference colleagues re- teacher. spond? Brooks: Jason Seaman threw a basketball at Brooks: Keep in mind when we introduce a bill, the young man, which is what the protocol says. Throw we blast out of a lot of information to our colleagues. I’ve something at a shooter. Kids are actually trained to pick up got to do more education. I asked the Noblesville young something to throw at a shooter, so someone can try to people to help me. Help get young people across the tackle them. That’s what the teacher did; they trained with country to help educate. Help me get more people to sign that. Those are good things. These Noblesville High School on to this bill. I have talked to the chair of the Judiciary students told me they know the protocol. They were doing Committee, Bob Goodlatte, who is actually very interested it. It doesn’t make it any less terrifying when they have to in the bill. We’ve talked to his committee staff because I’d execute it. Let’s not diminish how terrified these students love to get a hearing on the bill. It’s going to take more are. We all have to know that. They knew what to do, and work to get it passed this year. I don’t think schools across the country know that. HPI: Since February, we’ve seen the Parkland HPI: Talk about the Jake Laird Act and the impact students get very active on policy and politics. it has had in Indiana. If that gets implemented nationally, Brooks: I’ve met with the Parkland students. will it save lives or prevent shootings in the first place? HPI: They really had an impact in Florida with Brooks: In Indianapolis alone – and here is one Gov. Rick Scott, who I believe had an A rating from the of the strengths of the Jake Laird Law, it has been studied NRA, and the conservative and Republican Florida legisla- by a couple of groups. There has actually been an impact ture. Is that a model Republicans in Congress or even the on suicides. Another study done in Indianapolis alone Indiana General Assembly ought to be looking at? Page 7

Brooks: I believe so. I encourage these young tional effort with adults as to how to secure their weapons. people to be advocates. I do believe law enforcement I have not had a huge outcry of removing all weapons. It’s found it to be a very good tool in Indiana and I do be- been a very balanced, good discussion about protection of lieve young people all across the country could influence 2nd Amendment rights while making sure that guns don’t their members in Congress, Republicans and Democrats. get in the wrong hands. I encouraged the Noblesville young people to help with HPI: When I met with kids from Fort Wayne, Car- that. I know the Parkland students have reached out to roll, Leo and Huntington last month, one of the consensus them. Parkland parents have reached out. The member points was if a kid gets a gun from home and takes it to I’ve dropped the bill with is Ted Deutch. He represents school and shoots the place up, the parents or guardians Parkland. I chair the House Ethics Committee and he’s the should bear some of the legal consequences. ranking Democrat. We’ve worked together for six years. Brooks: I suppose it is something we should be So, I kind of went through Parkland with him. We were looking at, but I also know – and I shared this with the scheduled to have a meeting that week and so I have talk- kids from Noblesville – if someone really wants to get a ed with him extensively since Parkland. He’s my colleague gun, they can get it illegally. They don’t just get it from a on that bill. He connected me with the Parkland parents parent. But, I do believe parents have a responsibility to before we dropped that bill and the Parkland parents secure the weapons at home. They absolutely do. Every- wrote a letter with a number of them signing the bill. But body agrees with that. The question does become, though, I’ve had to educate Hoosier parents and work with people if you end up charging a parent when a child is a shooter here that we have dropped this bill. It’s one important step … what if that parent had done all the right things and forward. It’s just one, but it’s an important step forward. somehow you have a person who is so focused on getting HPI: In meeting with West Middle School stu- to a weapon, they are going to find a weapon, whether it’s dents, teachers, parents, have any had any profound at grandma and grandpa’s house, or at another relative, or advice or observations? illegally? So, then I move into my prosecutor mode. They Brooks: Everyone I’ve talked to is extremely would have to demonstrate and prove that parent should concerned about how a seventh grader got access to the be held liable. It’s tough, but it’s an important discussion. weapon and what do we do to have more of an educa- v Page 8

a video statement, Hill said the decision to delete a clear Gov. Holcomb says commitment to opposite-sex marriage “conflicts with the beliefs of a broad majority of Hoosiers.” O’Brien downplayed the controversy. “I don’t think ‘big, diverse’ GOP can it’s pitting the governor against anybody,” O’Brien told HPI on Wednesday. “People in the party and delegates have handle marriage plank gone back 10 or 15 years on this question. We’ve sought to expand the strong families in that direction. I think the By BRIAN A. HOWEY platform is going to be expanded to single parents. I think INDIANAPOLIS – Even though same-sex marriage we’re making progress. That’s a tough room to go have a is legal in Indiana and the United States, Indiana Repub- fight about gay marriage even though it’s legal in Indiana. licans are about to wade into the divisive issue at their I’m excited the platform is being expanded.” convention in Evansville this weekend, potentially exposing Hupfer sent a letter to the 1,494 delegates Tues- fissures between Gov. Eric Holcomb and social conserva- day evening, saying, “Since the release of the draft 2018 tives. Indiana Republican Party Platform, we have received But in a statement to HPI hundreds of emails and calls from every side regarding the on Wednesday, Holcomb said, strong families section. From the beginning of this months- “The Indiana Republican Party is long process, we have tried to be very clear that delegates big and diverse, with many dif- are the ultimate and final decision-makers on the language ferent perspectives on issues we in the platform. However, over the past couple of days, all care about. The debate over we have heard some concerns that delegates will not the past week regarding this year’s party platform only have the opportunity to vote to determine how the strong reinforces that fact. Ultimately, though, the process of families section reads in the final platform. Let me assure adopting a platform will end the way it always ends, with the delegates who attend and participate making the final decision.” Holcomb allies such as Repub- lican Chairman Kyle Hupfer and key adviser Mike O’Brien are pushing for an end to the 2014 platform plank that calls for marriage to be between one man and one woman. The proposed plank reads: “We believe in strong fami- lies. We believe that strong families are the foundation of society and that such families bring forth citizens capable of self-government, as well as properly motivated public servants so essential for a successful republic. We support traditional families with a mother and father, blended families, grandparents, guardians, single parents and all loving adults who successfully raise and nur- Republican Chairman Kyle Hupfer calls the proposed strong families plank “inclusive” ture children to reach their full potential while Gov. Eric Holcomb says the GOP is “big and diverse” and can handle the decision. every day.” (HPI Photo by Mark Curry) “I do think it reflects a view we you: That’s not how the process should be conducted, nor should be supportive of,” Hupfer said, calling the proposed is that how it will be conducted. There will be a vote by plank “inclusive.” O’Brien tweeted of GOP social conserva- delegates on this issue.” tives, “They lived through grabbing women and Stormy Hupfer said that delegates will have a choice. Daniels but supporting blended families and single parents “After consultation with leaders on all sides of this issue … is too much, huh?” I am recommending to the Rules Committee, the Resolu- But Attorney General Curtis Hill, Speaker Brian tions Committee, and Permanent Chairman Ed Simcox Bosma and incoming Senate Majority Leader Mark Mess- that delegates be given a choice between a platform that mer are joining Right to Life attorney Jim Bopp Jr., former includes the 2016 language on strong families, and a state chairman Jeff Cardwell and about 18 county Republi- document that includes the drafted 2018 language.” can chairs in opposition to the new, inclusive language. In The 2016 language reads: “We believe in strong Page 9 families. We believe that strong families, based on mar- interests. I’m running because I believe we can restore riage between a man and a woman, are the foundation that trust through accountability and transparency.” Whit- of society. We also recognize that some families are much ticker cited the potential conflicts one-party control of state more diverse and we support the blended families, grand- government, including the auditor’s office, could create for parents, guardians, single parents and loving adults who taxpayers as a reason for running and noted her intention successfully raise and nurture children to reach their full to run an inclusive campaign. “Every Hoosier deserves a potential every day.” seat at the table,” said Whitticker. “Some communities are There were rumors that Hill was not invited to the feeling invisible and taken for granted. I intend to make convention. GOP spokesman Seat told HPI, “All the state- this campaign about empowering them by engaging Hoo- wides were invited to attend.” He said he expects Supt. siers across the state on the issues.” Indiana Democratic Jennifer McCormick to be at the convention on Saturday. Party Chairman John Zody believes Whitticker’s experience The “About Us” website of the Republic Victory in local government, as a small business owner and as Committee includes a list of Republicans backing the 2016 a career educator lends her a unique and much-needed language. It includes Bopp, Cardwell, Hill, Bosma, Mess- perspective. “When Republicans are in complete control mer, former chairman Rex Early, former national commit- of state government, as they are now, they put political teewoman Marsha Coats, and U.S. Reps. Jim Banks and considerations before taxpayers,” said Zody. “As we move Todd Rokita. Also on the list are CD chairs Judy Buck, Don toward state convention, I look forward to our delegates Hayes and Misty Hollis. Legislators supporting the 2016 hearing from Joselyn as she ramps up her campaign.” language include Sens. Eric Koch, Erin Houchin, Dennis Kruse, Jim Buck, Greg Walker, John Crane, Jim Tomes, and U.S. Senate Mike Delph, along with Reps. Peggy Mayfield, Jeff Thomp- son, Don Lehe, Woody Burton, Tim Wesco, Jeff Ellington, Dems push Braun on same-sex marriage Martin Carbaugh, Dave Wolkins, Bruce Borders, Bill Friend, The GOP marriage platform controversy has Dale DeVon, Doug Gutwein, Curt Nisly, Heath VanNatter, Indiana Democrats pressing Republican Senate nominee Bob Morris, Ben Smaltz, Milo Smith, Denny Zent, and Chris Mike Braun on where he stands on the issue. “Does Rep. Judy. Braun support GOP hardliners’ push to keep discriminatory So, that list includes eight of 41 Republican state language in the Indiana Republican platform?” reads the senators and 19 of the 70 Republican representatives. headline on commentary posted to the Indiana Demo- cratic Party’s website. “Does Rep. Braun support the new Statewides language, or does he side with the hardline conservatives hellbent on keeping discriminatory Pence-era language Democratic ticket emerges locked into the GOP platform?” said Michael Feldman, Indiana Democrats prepared for their June 16 spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party. “Rep. Braun’s state convention this past week with their proposed state- silence over the fight threatening to rip apart his new party wide ticket. speaks almost as loudly as his history of supporting harm- Joining secre- ful policies like RFRA and marriage discrimination.” Braun tary of state told HPI on Wednesday, “I believe in traditional marriage, candidate Jim between a man and a woman. I support the efforts of Harper will grassroots leaders to have their views represented in the be former party platform. I am happy our party allows for open and Marion Com- vigorous debates to reach consensus.” mon Council President Donnelly seeks Braun tariff position Joselyn Donnelly’s campaign says that Republican Sen- Whitticker ate nominee Mike Braun “continues to remain silent on for auditor what he thinks the impact of President Trump’s escalating and former tariffs will be on either his own business or the Hoosiers John Aguilera and Joselyn Whitticker will join state legis- he hopes to represent even as other Indiana political Jim Harper on the Democratic ticket on June 16. lator John leaders continue to react.” Last week, President Trump Aguilera for announced that his administration would be imposing steel treasurer. Harper is a Valparaiso attorney, while Whitticker and aluminum tariffs on key U.S. trading partners, includ- is a former teacher and school administrator. Aguilera rep- ing Canada, Mexico and the EU. The decision followed the resented East Chicago for eight years in the Indiana House White House’s announcement last Tuesday to impose a and served two terms on the Lake County Council. 25% tariff on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods. “While Whitticker launched her candidacy by saying, Hoosiers are making their voices heard on the president’s “Hoosier taxpayers deserve a real watchdog. Hoosiers tariffs, Rep. Braun’s silence continues to display his utter have lost faith that their government represents their best lack of leadership on such an important issue and what it Page 10 means for Hoosiers,” said Michael Feldman, spokesman for A week ago, the Trump administration announced it would the Indiana Democratic Party. “Is Rep. Braun concerned impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Can- at all about the tariffs’ impact on Hoosiers, or even their ada, Mexico and the European Union. “Steel and alumi- impact on his business’s Chinese imports? Rep. Braun num tariffs are already doing serious harm to American wants to lead Hoosiers, but he can’t even be found to take businesses and workers, and this decision will only make a position on how these tariffs will affect them.” matters worse,” Walorski said. “Imposing tariffs on our allies will do nothing to solve the problem of China’s unfair Dwindling labor rallies for Donnelly trade practices, but it will further raise costs for American According to the Donnelly campaign, Sen. Don- manufacturers, hurt their global competitiveness, expose nelly and Hoosier labor leaders launched “Labor for Joe” farmers to damaging retaliatory tariffs, and put American at IBEW 481 in Indianapolis to celebrate Donnelly’s work jobs at risk. The administration needs to work with Con- fighting for the rights of Hoosier workers in the Senate gress to fix the product exclusion process and find a more and discuss how he’ll continue that effort after November. targeted, balanced solution that does not threaten to undo But the Washington Examiner reports that Indiana had the economic momentum driven by tax cuts.” In the hours 266,000 dues-paying union members in 2017, a sudden after the announcement, Mexico said it would retaliate on 12.5% plunge from the 304,000 union members the state U.S. pork and steel products. Walorski crafted a bipartisan had in 2016. Supporters of Indiana workers helped launch letter with 38 of her colleagues asking Commerce Secre- “Labor for Joe,” a constituency group that will help inform, tary Wilbur Ross to implement changes to streamline the persuade and mobilize Hoosiers throughout the election. process and provide certainty and relief to small business- Joe and his campaign will work with the founding mem- es impacted by the tariffs. Horse Race Status: Leans bers of “Labor for Joe” and those who join in the coming Walorski. months to focus on issues that matter around the state through direct voter contact, media opportunities and 3rd CD: Internal poll has Banks with lead in-person events. Whether it’s his decision to speak out A WPAi poll by Chris Wilson shows U.S. Rep. Jim in support of renegotiating NAFTA, or his End Outsourcing Banks with a 55-34% lead over Democrat Courtney Tritch Act that encourages companies with government contracts with 10% undecided. The poll included 401 live phone to keep jobs in the U.S., Joe will continue to make sure interviews and was conducted May 29-31 with a +/- hard-working Hoosiers come first in the Senate. AFL-CIO 4.9% error margin. Banks’ favorable/unfavorable stood at President Brett Voorhies wrote, “Donnelly works for Hoo- 52/26% and 92% name ID while Tritch stood at 20/6% siers. More than 2,200 Hoosier jobs have been or will be with 42% name ID. In the 3rd CD, Republican Mike Braun outsourced to other countries at nine different companies had a 50-42% lead over Sen. Joe Donnelly with 8% unde- across Indiana. Some of them made national headlines, cided. like the more than 600 workers at Carrier in Indianapolis The real eye-opening stats from the poll were that who were laid off, many of them leaving work for the final President Trump’s favorable/unfavorables stood at 58/40% time just days before Christmas. Or the 700 workers laid in the deeply Republican 3rd CD while Vice President Mike off at Rexnord’s Indianapolis facility.” Pence stood at 61/36%. Horse Race Status: Safe Banks.

Biden endorses Donnelly 6th CD: Pence announces campaign hires In an email to supporters, the Donnelly campaign The Greg Pence for Congress campaign an- announced former Vice President Joe Biden has endorsed nounced in an email that two new hires have joined the the Indiana Democrat. “Joe Donnelly has been a champion organization. Molly Gillaspie joins the campaign as com- for Indiana’s working families in the Senate,” Biden is quot- munications director. Gillaspie previously served as com- ed as saying. “Indiana needs a fighter like Joe to advocate munications director for Congressman Luke Messer and as for the middle class, protect Social Security and Medicare, press secretary for Messer’s U.S. Senate campaign. Jamie and make sure everyone gets a shot at the American Weber joins Greg Pence for Congress as Indiana finance Dream.” Horse Race Status: Leans Donnelly. director. Weber previously served as the finance director for Congressman Todd Rokita’s congressional and U.S. Congress Senate campaigns. Horse Race Status: Safe Pence.

2nd CD: Walorski blasts Trump tariffs General Assembly U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, facing a potentially In last week’s HPI, we omitted the open HD23 tough fall reelection battle against Democrat Mel Hall, from our initial Indiana House forecast. bluntly criticized the Trump administration over tariffs that HD23: Open (Rep. Bill Friend (R) is retiring). are poised to hammer 2nd CD farmers and manufactur- Republican: Miami County Councilman Ethan Manning. ers. And the Wall Street Journal reported that Mexico is Democrat: Terry Doran. 2016 Results: Friend 15829, taking aim at Indiana, home to Vice President Mike Pence. Rose (D) 6,642. Analysis: Manning of Peru is president of Page 11

the county council, and is a farmer and in House races during their first midterm elections. The small businessman. He faces Doran, survey of 900 registered voters “points to a repudiation Logansport, a Chrysler employee in of Donald Trump, to the benefit of Democrats,” said Fred Kokomo. He was president of the Yang, a Democratic pollster who conducted the survey Logansport Parks Foundation. Manning with Republican Bill McInturff. President Trump’s approval should hold this seat in the GOP col- rating hasimproved, but more voters prefer Democratstak- umn. Horse Race Statis: Safe Man- ing control of Congress from Republicans. For his part, ning. Mr. McInturff said that poll numbers have been “bouncing around” in recent months, making it difficult to know with HD90: Jeffers critical of Speedy certainty where voters “are going to land.” HD90 Democrat nominee Tim Jeffers leveled The poll, conducted June 1-4, offered some criticism at State Rep. Mike Speedy for missing a vote on encouraging news for Mr. Trump and Republicans who be- school board authority (Howey Politics Indiana). “The most lieve the party should be rewarded for the strong econo- important and far-reaching bill, in my judgment, was HEA my. Nearly three-quarters of voters said the economy had 1335 which was proposed in response to ongoing financial improved under Mr. challenges within several school corporations here in Indi- Trump, and 44% ana,” Jeffers said. The bill removed the authority of the lo- said the president cal school board and transferred it to another public entity deserved credit for which will now appoint the school board members instead it—up six points of having them duly elected by citizens in the district. “This from a year ago. Mr. action is an outrageous and troubling precedent set by this Trump also remains General Assembly,” Jeffers said. “Our current representa- a popular figure tive, Mike Speedy, did not vote to protect the authority of within his party. His local school boards. Instead, he was excused. It strikes me job approval among that a bill of such consequence deserves a yes or no vote. Republicans stands In the future, if the Perry Township, Beech Grove or Frank- at 84%, about lin Township school corporations get into financial trouble, as high as at any a precedent now exists which would allow for any school point in his tenure. board to be stripped of its power and authority.” Horse Still, 50% of voters Race Status: Likely Speedy. said they wanted to see Democrats National control Congress, compared with 40% Trump at 44% in NBC/WSJ Poll; who preferred the GOP. v Dem interest high Democrats are showing considerably more interest in the fall elections than are Republicans, and voters overall are signaling they would like control of Congress to flip to the Democrats, a new Wall Street Journal/ NBC News poll finds. The Democratic advantages come at the same time President Donald Trump’s approval rating has improved to 44%, one of its highest marks since he took office. Nearly two-thirds of voters are satisfied with the economy, one of the strongest showings since 2001. Some 53% of voters disapprove of Mr. Trump’s job performance, however. His approval rating is similar to that of Demo- crat Barack Obama and Republican Ronald Reagan at this point in their tenure, ahead of substantial losses Page 12

state conventions will adopt a party platform and select Reforms reduced exactly three candidates. In gubernatorial years, they also elect national convention delegates and presidential elec- tors. convention nominees Contrast this with the reality of 100 years ago. At By TREVOR FOUGHTY the 1918 Indiana Republican Party convention, delegates INDIANAPOLIS – When the Indiana Republican selected candidates for secretary of state, auditor and and Democratic parties meet this weekend and next, treasurer, just as they will do this year. But they also se- respectively, for biennial state conventions, the main lected candidates for attorney general and superintendent attraction of each will be the selection of candidates for of public instruction, offices which came with two-year secretary of state, state auditor and state treasurer. Then terms at the time. again, these may only be main attractions in the nominal Perhaps a bit ironically, all five offices that sense as both parties have unopposed slates and will likely year were unopposed contests on the GOP side, but that endorse their top-of-the-ticket stan- didn’t mean the convention lacked drama. That’s because dard bears by acclimation. there were contested races for clerk of the Supreme Court But whether we’re talking and state geologist, both of which were statewide elected about the mid-term year conven- offices at the time. (Two years prior, delegates also had to tions that select the three constitu- elect the state statistician and the reporter of the Appellate tional offices, or the gubernatorial Court, also offices that are no longer elected.) year conventions that select the The state geologist race had an added layer of statutory offices of attorney gen- drama that year because the Republican Party platform eral and superintendent of public included a new plank calling for removal of the position instruction (the latter will hap- from the ballot. Indiana University professor Lewis F. pen only once more before being Rourke would ultimately win the GOP convention battle, removed from the ballot), uncon- then lose to Democrat incumbent Edward T. Barrett in the tested races have become more or fall election. But Rourke got the last laugh: The Republi- less the norm. Exhibit A: I suspect that most readers didn’t can-controlled legislature followed through on the platform realize I omitted the lieutenant governor as a convention- promise the next year, making it an appointed position, selected candidate, because in practice it has become with the requirement that the appointee must be a staff merely the ratified choice of the primary election-selected or faculty member of Indiana University through what’s gubernatorial candidate (and no longer occupies its own now known as the Indiana Geological and Water Survey ballot spot in November, to boot). (though it doesn’t appear Rourke was ever appointed to Of course, it’s no secret that modern convention the post, IU is still statutorily obligated to carry out the politics lack the drama of a bygone era. In order to gener- functions of the office on behalf of the state). ate more enthusiasm around the events, Indiana Demo- In addition to choosing more than twice as crats now market their conventions as “Big Dem Week- many executive branch candidates as today, convention ends” and have moved their annual fundraising dinner to delegates a century ago also chose judicial candidates. the first night to attract donors and others who might not In 1918, Republicans nearly had a contest for 1st District otherwise serve as delegates. Meanwhile, Republicans now of the Supreme Court that was avoided when a rumored hold their mid-term conventions outside of Indianapolis to second candidate was not nominated. They had only one create more of a destination getaway feel around them, candidate for the 2nd District of the Appellate Court, but and to give regional delegations reason to become fully delegates had to select two of three candidates for spots invested in the festivities. on the 1st District of the Appellate Court. But while we might never again see the high Over the next 50 years, various reforms would stakes drama of, say, an Edgar Whitcomb-Otis Bowen limit the number of candidates selected at conventions. convention floor battle for governor like we had in 1968, The same 1919 law that removed the state geologist from spirited contests do emerge (ask our last two attorneys the ballot also removed the state statistician. Judicial re- general or our current treasurer). Even then, however, the forms that began in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s would expectation of modern convention delegates is that the se- take judges off the ballot in favor of the current Judicial lection process will be over quickly, which is why punditry Nominating Commission (and would eventually remove (and even strategy) around contested elections revolves the reporter and clerk spots from the ballot). Around the around who can keep which delegates from heading home same time, Hoosier voters passed constitutional amend- early. ments that extended term lengths for the executive offices So, while modern conventions lack the intensity from two to four years, reducing the number of candidates of their historical counterparts, perhaps the greater dif- selected every two years; they required gubernatorial can- ference is the sheer number of responsibilities granted didates to be nominated in a primary election; and they to convention delegates. Regardless of the year, modern removed the office of lieutenant governor from its own Page 13 ballot slot. three. With the horse race intrigue of conventions largely It’s easy to claim that conventions have largely neutered by such reforms, party leaders on both sides become humdrum, stage-managed affairs because a small probably deserve more credit than derision for creatively group of party leaders conspires to control the selection of trying to make the convention process relevant and ap- candidates as much as possible. pealing to broader audiences. After all, whether there is But such a claim misses the obvious fact that drama over the next two weekends or not, the selection of various governmental reforms, made in the name of de- candidates and the adoption of party platforms necessarily mocracy, government efficiency or both, have limited the shapes the future governmental decisions that will impact number of offices chosen by the broader electorate and, the lives of all Hoosiers. v by extension, convention delegates. A hundred years ago, a dozen or more contests could be sent to the convention Foughty is an Indiana University employee and floor each year; today, there could never be more than publishes at www.CapitolandWashington.com.

in the Republican platform that LGBT people don’t matter GOP family plank because ee-i-ee-i-o the Bible tells me so. One leader from the Immaculate Biblicist Family Organization went as far as to declare that the Indiana is an innocuous change GOP eliminated more than half of Indiana households in By CRAIG DUNN their platform; the media called it “inclusive.” KOKOMO – Never in the history of Indiana Repub- I don’t know what leaked copy of the platform lican politics has so much been said by so many about so document this guy was reading, but what I read said, “We little. support traditional families with a mother and father…” I’m speaking about the proposed changes to the That doesn’t sound like it tossed out traditional families. It Indiana Republican Party Platform regarding marriage and sounded to me like a sentence that embraced all the possi- families that will be voted on by delegates to the Indiana ble ways that children might be raised in a loving environ- Republican Convention this coming weekend in Evansville. ment. But I guess understatement just won’t make people To hear some vocal critics tell it, you open up their checkbooks and send money to groups that would think that Beelzebub himself will advocate for discrimination based exclusively on sexual drafted the rather innocuous change preference. that drops the Pence era “marriage The whole concept of a political party platform is is between a man and woman” af- pretty laughable in and of itself. Very few people work to firmation and replaces it with a sen- create it. Very few vote to approve it. Miniscule numbers tence that looks amazingly benign. read it. Fewer still follow it. An awful lot of energy goes The proposed new wording states, into creating a document that goes into the bottom drawer “We support traditional families of some party leader’s desk immediately after the Republi- with a mother and father, blended can State Convention. families, grandparents, guardians, The most significantmessage that can be single parents and all loving adults delivered by the platform requires understanding how the who successfully raise and nurture children to reach their whole platform process works. full potential every day.” The platform committee is assembled by the Indi- Now I don’t know about you but that is a sentence ana Republican Party chairman. The Indiana Republican that I could support anywhere, anytime. When it comes Party Chairman is Kyle Hupfer. He serves at the pleasure to children and all of the problems that we have in our of our Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. It is safe to say that the society with drug abuse, gang violence, depression, educa- platform committee will have a mix of political beliefs rep- tion and nurturing, who wouldn’t be in support of any type resented, but the majority will be in sync with the gover- of family that provides love and support for our children? nor’s beliefs. The committee holds a few hearings and then Well, I could name names, but they tend to be the usual drafts a document that could have been written without suspects when it comes to thumping a Bible to suit their all the fuss of holding hearings. The document gets voted purposes. on by the platform committee at the state convention and This may come as a shock, but I have a sub- then goes to the assembled delegates for an up or down stantial number of friends who don’t think anything like I vote. There are ways to amend the document, but there do when it comes to equal rights for the LGBT community. are plenty of procedural roadblocks to ensure that the Some of those friends are just downright hostile if you platform committee report will be adopted as written. don’t approach LGBT issues with a meat cleaver instead Gov. Mike Pence stamped his personal beliefs all of a paring knife. No gray areas. No shading. No waffling. over the 2016 Indiana Republican platform and it was No hedging. They just want a simple message politicized passed without a considerable number of delegates being Page 14 able to do anything about it. Trust me on this one, I was one of the delegates favoring inclusion and we got our Sheriff Martinez hats handed to us by a system that is structured to cater to the governor’s wishes. Therefore, this current proposed Indiana Repub- is inconsistent lican platform language tells us a lot about the man who By RICH JAMES leads this state, Eric Holcomb. As I have always suspected MERRILLVILLE – Newly elected Lake County and respected, Gov. Holcomb has the best interests of all Sheriff Oscar Martinez doesn’t exactly practice what he Hoosiers at heart and is moving to bring our state up to preaches. For a number of years, Martinez made a name contemporary standards when it comes to realizing that for himself as part of a drug interdiction task force that we live in a world of immense diversity that must be inclu- cruised interstate highways in sive in order to achieve important economic and societal Lake County, particularly Interstate goals. You simply have to have all of your horses pulling 65, which was a major route for together if you are going to succeed in the modern world. drug couriers. White, black, brown, gay, straight and religiously diverse Martinez seemingly had horses pulling in the same direction to make a better state an uncanny ability for nabbing for everyone. those hauling drugs through Lake Indiana is on the verge of being greatly imper- County. So gifted did Martinez iled by its own success. Our pro-growth environment of seem, that some came to ques- lower taxes and less government regulations has created tion his ability to nab drug run- an unparalleled business boom in this state. We will not ners. Many came to believe that only need to create our own workforce with critical techno- Martinez had a connection in logical skills, but we will need to attract talent from other Mexico that informed him as to locales both domestic and foreign. This will be needed to when drugs would be flowing through the county, making meet our current growth projections, let alone the massive it easier for him to nab couriers. And suddenly, Martinez’s increased demand that a new Amazon headquarters might party was over. present us. “I was transferred out of the task force for political There are those of you sprinkled around the great reasons…” Martinez said. “I couldn’t do something I loved Hoosier State who like things just as they are. You are doing and it was done without any regards to the health or perfectly comfortable with living a life devoid of change, safety of the people of Lake County.” devoid of color, devoid of diversity of opinion. The B. I. Ironically, Martinez was moved out of the inter- B. L. E. is your daily roadmap and you will respond in a diction unit by Sheriff John Buncich. Buncich later was variety of ways to protect your views and way of life. I indicted and convicted of accepting bribes from towing respect your views and beliefs. There are just times like contractors. these where I can only encourage you to collectively chill Martinez won a Democratic caucus last fall to fill out and listen to your hearts and your children. the remainder of Buncich’s term. Last month, Martinez I have read what many of my Facebook friends won the Democratic primary and is expected to easily win have been saying about the Republican Party because of a four-year term in November. this proposed platform change and it is troubling. Those So, what did Martinez do when he took office fol- of you calling for an end to Republican majorities in the lowing the precinct caucus? He did the very thing he said legislature fail to understand that your interests will be far he despises. better served by the Republican Party than by the Demo- Martinez started moving effective, competent crat Party. Those loudly promising to support the Libertar- people out of their jobs. Deputy Commander Jamie Harris, ian Party just don’t understand what the Libertarian Party who had straightened out the drug task force after being represents. put in charge, was moved to patrol on straight midnights. Once the Indiana Republican Party Conven- And Matt Eaton, who was acting chief when Buncich was tion in Evansville concludes, the platform will rarely see removed, was put in charge of making sure the depart- the light of day and we can all go about our business of ment had enough gas, oil and wiper blades to keep the making the Republican Party, “the party of ideas” and patrol cars equipped. Indiana, “A State That Works.” I commend the leadership So, Martinez can complain all he wants about be- of the Indiana Republican Party for making this small, but ing moved out of the interdiction unit, but it rings hollow significant, change to our party platform in the name of when he did the very thing he complained that his prede- inclusiveness. Thank you, Gov. Holcomb for giving this the cessors did. v nudge it needed. v Rich James has been writing about politics and Dunn is the former Howard County and 5th CD Re- government for almost 40 years. He is retired from publican chairman. the Post-Tribune, a newspaper born in Gary. Page 15

Second, no household, city, region or nation runs a On cusp of relearning balanced trade with other places. The reasons for this are simple. Each of us specializes in some sort of production trade war blunders (e.g. barbering, teaching, doctoring) but do not specialize in consumption of just one good. We’ll buy different items By MICHAEL HICKS from different people who make these items in different MUNCIE – To be honest, it appalls me how many regions. It is that simple. good meaning people misunderstand international trade. Third, the balance of trade does not affect In normal times, it would not matter because the role the level of jobs or production in the United States. The of peaceful trade has been a largely settled intellectual reason for this is that every dollar spent on an imported consensus for close to a century. It is a background is- good must be offset by either an exported good or foreign sue to most of our lives. Today, investment in the United States. So, if we import a trillion the consensus has vanished for dollars of goods each year, the sum of our exports and all the wrong reasons. It wasn’t foreign investment in the US must equal a trillion dollars. challenged on facts or theory. It It is that simple. disappeared because so many Obviously, these three facts are easily to twist and folks just don’t understand the confuse a public not thinking deeply about the issue. It is issue and are succumbing to easy to talk about ‘bad trade deals’ as if it was akin to buy- demagogues exploiting that lack ing a used car. It is easy to sound deeply sophisticated by of knowledge. talking about ‘balanced’ trade, when no such thing exists I think a good analogy anywhere. Or, it is simple to tell folks a half-lie by talk- to this is vaccinations for polio. ing about imports costing jobs. After all, we see factories Within a generation of the last closing all the time, right? Well, not so much now because trade war, the polio vaccine radi- we are currently experiencing the longest uninterrupted cally altered the lives of Americans. Prior to that, young manufacturing employment growth in history. This is hap- healthy people routinely died of a disease whose appear- pening at the same time as record trade deficits. You have ance led to citywide panics, and the closing of schools, to lie about facts to convince folks trade is bad. parks and pools. That has not occurred for more than 60 Now, it is also good to note that trade tends years, so today only parents in their very late 80s or older to lower prices and add abundance to our choices. At recall the visceral fear of the disease killing or maiming the same time, it shifts the demand for labor away from their children. Today, demagogues spread lies about vac- certain occupations and into other ones. The occupational cines to a public rendered susceptible through ignorance. shift is from low-productivity jobs to high-productivity jobs. The number of children who avoid vaccines is becoming While the lower prices benefit us all, the shift of occupa- dangerously high. tions benefits only some workers and imposes a cost on As with polio pandemics, the deep damage of the others. The problem is that we only really see the costs. last trade war has passed from common memory. Only a That makes us susceptible to lies about the overall effect few centenarians will remember it. So, with the distance of of trade. In the end, the anti-vaccine and the anti-trade time, we are all at risk by not schooling ourselves on the crowd represent two sides of the same problem; a raw benefits and costs of trade. Now, I don’t know how much lack of understanding coupled with a lifetime of distance of the ignorance on trade is willful and how much of it is from the last deep negative consequences. casual, but I like to assume the best of folks. So, let me This brings me to a hopeful point. With the United explain briefly and plainly what trade is and what it is not. States careening mindlessly towards a global trade war, we First, all trade deals exist to reduce the barri- have the chance to re-learn an important lesson. It will be ers to trade between people and costly, of course, but we are likely to businesses. Countries don’t trade. be reminded of the benefits of trade When you hear someone say we in the same way an outbreak of are trading with China, that is polio will remind us of the benefits simply a shorthand expression for of vaccines. v households buying and selling to one another. We Americans buy Hicks, PhD, is the director of the and sell things to the Chinese Center for Business and Eco- with minimal government involve- nomic Research and the George ment. As consumers we buy and Frances Ball distinguished based on value, and as producers professor of economics in the we sell based on value. Cost is Miller College of Business at Ball only a part of that value proposi- State University. tion. It is that simple. Page 16

was expected to fuel inflation. This shot interest rates up Trump tweet violates in the belief that the Federal Reserve Board would con- tinue restoring positive real interest rates. Higher interest rates mean U.S. dollars are more attractive compared to jobs data protocols other currencies and the value of the dollar rose accord- By MORTON MARCUS ingly. INDIANAPOLIS – This weekly column is focused These effects tended to disappear as the day on Indiana’s economy, rarely commenting on national is- progressed. But there it was, another sign of the intem- sues. But this time, we must make an exception. perate, adolescent presidency. Early morning, Friday, How far are we from having a Trumpian command June 1, President Trump tweeted, to our statistical agencies to give him “good” numbers “Looking forward to seeing the and to avoid public release of “fake” data? Distortions of employment numbers at 8:30 this reality are the standard tools of many political leaders. But morning.” This most unusual interference with information about reality is a disservice national leader was telling his to mankind. tweetees that he knew the closely Most of the data produced by government and guarded monthly employment private parties are subject to question. There are valid dis- data and he liked them. putes about what should or should not be included in any Presidents do get advance data series. Should we count RVs, autos, and boats as looks at all types of key data. they leave the factory or as they leave the dealers’ lots? Prior to this, presidents kept their Is a person released from the hospital after just 23 hours mouths shut about economic data to be counted in the daily census? Should attendance at a until an hour after the official sporting event include unused season tickets? release time. It wasn’t just tradition, it was a policy set However these issues are decided, they do not have down for a wide group of government employees by the the importance of the employment and unemployment Office of Management and Budget to avoid insider trading. data released monthly for the nation, states and counties. But now, this president was wiggling his toes in the stock Meddling with these data for political purposes market bathwater. His words were enough of a favorable must not happen. Worse still is violating policies estab- hint to send ripples of glee through the regular bathers in lished to protect the public from the ego gratification of those waters where the big boys surf and the little guys the unbalanced mind. It reminds us of Jimmy Cagney say- drown. ing, seconds before immolation in the 1949 movie, White If the president was suggesting that the news Heat, “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!” v to be released at 8:30 a.m. would be favorable, then stock prices would rise. They did, as the eager denizens of Wall Mr. Marcus is an economist. His views can be fol- Street jumped to that conclusion and stock prices bounced lowed on a weekly podcast or reached at Who- up. Following Wall Street tradition, good employment news [email protected]

that lofty goal. Dems avoid CD We have no House ratings changes in Califor- nia to announce from the results we have so far. Again, that’s a victory for Democrats: Had they been shut out shutout in California in one or more races, some current Toss-ups would have By KYLE KONDIK gone to the Safe Republican column. Sabato’s Crystal Ball Perhaps the biggest surprise in California House CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– While final results will races came in CA-10, held by Rep. Jeff Denham (R). not be available for weeks, Democrats appear poised to Denham won close races in 2012 and 2016 and his seat advance candidates to the general is perpetually swingy. election in all of their targeted races On one hand, CA-10 in California. Based on a seat-by-seat turned into a surprising Demo- analysis of House targets, we have cratic shutout scare: While thought the Democrats needed to Denham has received 37.7% of squeeze an additional five seats or so the vote, unheralded veterinar- from California to be on track to win the House. They are ian Ted Howze -- the only other Republican on the ballot, still capable, though certainly not guaranteed, of meeting and someone who local Democrats thought might be in Page 17 the race as potential top-two spoiler County districts like CA-39, -- has 14.4%, just a little less than CA-45, and CA-48 did not seem a point behind the leading Demo- like Democratic targets in recent crat, venture capitalist Josh Harder, years, but Hillary Clinton carried who is at 15.7%. One would expect all three, which put them on the Harder to hold on, particularly board. The very fact that Demo- because the late votes in California crats had competitive candidates generally skew Democratic (again, and primaries in these districts votes will not be finalized for many surely drove extra turnout in weeks). these districts, and so one On the other hand, another can’t confidently say that the way to look at the results so far in Democratic vote share in these CA-10 and across most of the com- districts is guaranteed to grow petitive California landscape is that in the fall by the same level as it in nearly all of the seats we currently rate as competitive, might have in the past. But the Democratic share certainly the total Democratic vote share in the primary is up from could grow, which could allow Democrats to flip one or the party’s averages from 2012-2016 (the first three cycles more of these districts. Meanwhile, Democrats already where California used the top-two primary). almost won CA-49 in 2016, the open seat that Rep. Darrell Table 2 shows the 11 districts we rate as com- Issa (R) is leaving behind, and the fact that Democrats petitive. Nine are held by Republicans, and two are held have apparently outvoted Republicans there is another by Democrats. It compares the average Democratic share signal justifying our Leans Democratic rating. While the of the vote from the June primary those years with the Democratic field is still uncertain, lawyer Mike Levin (D) is incomplete 2018 results so far (results are as of Wednes- leading among the Democrats and could face state Board day afternoon). As is clear, the Democratic share is higher of Equalization member Diane Harkey (R) in the fall. -- and in most cases, significantly higher -- than the recent The Republicans, meanwhile, are happy that they average in all but CA-21, where Rep. David Valadao (R) advanced a nominee, businessman John Cox (R), to the again appears to be in good shape in a heavily Hispanic, gubernatorial general election, which they hope will help low-turnout district that Democratic presidential candidates with turnout in the fall. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is a carry by double digits. But in other districts, the Democrat- huge favorite to be the next governor, though. Republi- ic share is up, and it likely will increase at least slightly in cans also have taken note of a state Senate recall election most places as the primary vote is finalized (at least that’s where a Democratic state senator who provided the key what usually happens in California). This table builds off vote for a gas tax increase was handily defeated and will an analysis of recent California House voting trends that be replaced by a Republican, knocking out a Democratic we published a few weeks ago. supermajority in the state Senate. A proposition to repeal We will revisit this table when the results become a gas tax increase likely will be on the statewide ballot in final, but there are some encouraging signs for Democrats. the fall, and Republicans hope that this too juices their For instance, let’s go back to CA-10. The GOP share of the turnout. vote (Denham plus Howze) is just 52% right now, down So, in other words, nothing is guaranteed for several points from the 2012-2016 average. That might Democrats in their quest to add to their already large augur well for Harder, assuming he makes the general 39-14 edge in the Golden State’s House delegation. But election. In fact, applying the average Democratic vote Democrats have apparently avoided the top-two shutouts share increase from the primary to the general over the that they so feared, and thus they survived what was their past three cycles to the partial 2018 results would suggest most important primary election of the cycle. v Democrats could be in range of netting a half-dozen new seats in California. Now, we are NOT saying that is what will nec- essarily happen in the fall. But we also couldn’t blame Democrats for looking at these numbers with some degree of optimism. One other important caveat before one just as- sumes big Democratic gains in California: Many of the districts the Democrats are targeting in California are not ones they have targeted in the past. Orange Page 18 S: I don’t listen to those cable news commenta- Donald the Dem and tors. But if you guys do, why don’t you listen to both sides? Ralph the Repub return Donald and Ralph both looked confused, startled about such a drastic possibility. By JACK COLWELL R: Anyway, Donnie, those things you Democrats SOUTH BEND – For you readers asking when my call scandals don’t shake our base. Look at the polls. Get- Donald the Democrat and Ralph the Republican characters tin’ better. We know Trump’s workin’ at it. Didn’t you hear will reappear, the answer is: Now. those thunderous “Drain the Swamp” chants and cheers They meet at their favorite breakfast place almost for Donald at the Elkhart rally? every weekday morning to sip coffee and argue politics. D: OK, so you don’t believe Trump’s in the Their loud conversations remind swamp. But how about Stormy Daniels? Proof about some of you of what you hear at payments to a porn star? You don’t believe all the stories your own favorite coffee shops. about Stormy and those other women? Each enjoys irritating the R: Sure, I believe ’em. But nobody cares. We other, all in fun, of course – sort knew Donald was a playboy. We weren’t votin’ for a saint. of. Ralph the Republican arrived We wanted somebody to shake up Washington. Well, he first. He spoke in a rare sym- sure has. pathetic tone in his greeting as D: You don’t even care if he doesn’t tell the truth? Donald the Democrat arrived. R: We care that he’s puttin’ a whole bunch of R: Good morning, Donnie. fine conservative judges on the courts. We care that he Sorry that you must be feelin’ cut our taxes. We care that he eliminated regulations and blue. scaled back Obamacare to get the economy goin’ good. D: Yep, feelin’ it. A blue Do you think Crooked Hillary would have done more? wave a-comin’ to sweep Republicans out of Congress, Ral- D: It’s what she wouldn’t have done. She phie. Glad you finally recognize it. wouldn’t have nominated Neanderthals for the courts, R: Not what I mean. I’m talkin’ about you feelin’ wouldn’t have pushed tax cuts for the rich, wouldn’t have blue, like sad. Another poll just found our president still done away with our environmental protections, wouldn’t edging up in approval. Not gonna be that big blue wave for have sabotaged the Affordable Care Act. Democrats this fall. Susie returned with more coffee. D: Stop sayin’ “our president.” He’s yours. Not R: Hey, Susie, do you believe that Trump actually mine. And Trump’s got a lot of edging up to do to get from talked to Putin, plotted how Russia could swing our elec- worst-ever in those polls. tion? R: Hey, Donnie, show respect. Trump is your S: No. president, too, president of the whole United States of D: Susie! You sidin’ with Ralphie? You really think America. I remember how you jumped all over me when I there was no collusion? Russians didn’t mess with our said Obama wasn’t my president. I finally called him “Mr. election? Temporary President.” S: I never side with either of you in your politics. D: Temporary? Well, Ralphie, Obama served two Not sayin’ there was no collusion. Not sayin’ there was. terms. Trump ain’t gonna make it through one. I’m just sayin’ that if there was, Putin is too smart to talk Just then, Susie, their favorite waitress, came with to Trump about it. v their usual order of bagels and coffee. S: Sounds like you guys are already into your Colwell has covered Indiana politics over the past Trump impeachment debate. five decades for the South Bend Tribune. D: Right, Susie. Did you hear what Rachel Maddow dis- closed last night about Trump’s cabinet and family? More waterin’ the swamp. More conflicts of inter- est. Illegal stuff. R: Well, Susie. Did you hear what Sean Hannity said last night about that special counsel’s witch hunt? All that collusion stuff is just fake news. Talk about illegal. The FBI planted a spy in the Trump campaign. Page 19

Brian A. Howey, The Atomic!: In my mind I what he did. As the children stirred to wakefulness, Glenn can still hear the guitarist sing, “The Wabash Cannonball,” sat on the edge of their beds and said there was some- as Robert and Ethel Kennedy looked on. “From the great thing he needed to talk with them about. They all knew Atlantic ocean to the wide Pacific shore; She him. When Glenn, as one of the original Mercury climbs a flowery mountain o’er the hills and by astronauts, was preparing to become the first the shore; She’s mighty tall and handsome, she’s American to orbit the Earth, he met President John known quite well by all; She’s a regular combina- F. Kennedy. After President Kennedy was assas- tion on the Wabash Cannonball.” RFK came to sinated in 1963, Glenn maintained friendships with Peru, Ind., on an old-fashioned whistlestop tour the rest of the family. He was in California on the as he campaigned in the 1968 Democratic primary. Peru night Robert Kennedy was shot, as were many of the chil- was a Republican town. I was a young GOP foot soldier of dren. In the hours afterward, some of the older ones went Betty Rendell, handing out fliers for Congressman Richard to their father’s bedside. But Glenn and his wife, Annie, Roudebush. The ’68 primary played out in our home. My had accompanied the younger children back to Virginia father was managing editor of the Peru Daily Tribune and aboard a plane sent by Vice President Hubert Humphrey, came home one night saying he had spent the day travel- so they wouldn’t have to wait for word in the Los Angeles ing with Sen. Eugene McCarthy, battling Kennedy for the hospital. Because of all the well-known public acts of hero- Democratic presidential nomination. When Kennedy came ism in Glenn’s life — his two trips into space, his valor as to town on the N&W tracks, a huge crowd turned out. a Marine combat pilot in two wars, the 12 times that his The musician sang. Kennedy spoke for about 10 minutes. fighter planes were hit by enemy antiaircraft fire — what And then the train pulled out and there stood Bobby and he did that Virginia morning didn’t make it into most of Ethel Kennedy, waving goodbye as they disappeared down his obituaries in 2016. And Glenn himself, not wanting to the tracks. It was the most haunting moment of my life. violate the privacy of those boys and girls, chose not to He would be assassinated about six weeks later, shot in elaborate on it. In his memoir, all he wrote was: “It was L.A. 50 years ago today. I can hear Johnny Cash singin’ ... one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.” v “Here’s to daddy Claxton may his name forever stand; And always be remembered in the courts throughout the land; Terry Curry, NWI Times: The horror of yet His earthly race is over and the curtains round him fall; another school shooting occurring at our front door was We’ll carry him home to Dixie on the Wabash Cannonball.” inevitable. Parkland, Florida. Santa Fe, Texas. And now v Noblesville, Indiana. No community is immune. The successive deadly mass shootings have again ignited a Bob Greene, Wall Street Journal: When Robert national conversation about regulation of firearms. Advo- F. Kennedy, a day after being shot in a Los Angeles hotel cates for improved regulation of the sale and possession of kitchen, died in the early hours of June 6, 1968, his wife, firearms have called for a ban on the sale of assault rifles, Ethel, was by his side. Most of their 10 children — she was enhanced background checks, better screening of those pregnant with an 11th — were back at the family home in with mental illness, and other familiar proposals. We would McLean, Va., waiting for their parents to return. A woman hope that the public outcry over mass shootings and who lived nearby and who was a friend of the family had tragedies in our schools would move Congress to action, come to the house to help watch over them. The children but Congress continues to show no appetite for sensible knew their father had been badly wounded, but were regulation of firearms. On the contrary, pro-gun legislation hoping against hope that he would somehow recover and continues to dominate in the halls of Congress. We should come home to them. It was 1:44 a.m. in California when all be outraged by the refusal of Congress to act. While Kennedy was pronounced dead. On the East Coast, it it is disheartening to admit that those of us who witness was 4:44 a.m. The children were asleep. Who was going the horrible consequences of gun violence every single to tell them the worst news they could ever hear? Their day are unable to overcome the gun lobby stranglehold mom couldn’t do it; this wasn’t something to say over a on Congress, hopelessness and despair are not an accept- long-distance telephone line. But if they awoke in Virginia able response. On March 24, I attended the March for Our and turned on the television set to watch cartoons, they Lives organized in Indianapolis and saw the reaction by would be greeted instead by coverage of their father’s students, parents, educators, and even members of my death To whom do you turn? Who do you ask to take on own family when I described these realities of Congress. such a dreadful, heartbreaking duty? Who would have the In the aftermath of Parkland, school children throughout gentleness and the strength? Ethel Kennedy and Bobby’s the country have demanded action by Congress and state brother Ted, who was also at the hospital, knew that there legislatures. The organization, sincerity and maturity in was one such person. And so the call from California was their actions should inspire us all. We can only hope that made, and John Glenn, in the darkness before a June members of Congress will be willing now, if ever, to listen dawn, steeled himself to look those children in the eye to those young people who have lost their friends and and tell them, one at a time, what had to be told. Which is classmates to senseless gun violence. v Page 20

ties to Russia, “and that it has nothing list of candidates includes parents, Bosma urges review to do with Donald Trump.”. clergy, attorneys, a former mayor, of criminal code a bank CEO, the principal of an In- Family of West MS dianapolis accelerated school and WASHINGTON – House Speaker the current school board president Brian Bosma says legislators are tak- shooter ‘in shock’ (the mayor has nominated anoth- ing a close look at the Indiana Criminal INDIANAPOLIS — The fam- er current school board member). Code in the wake of the Noblesville West ily of a 13-year-old boy accused of Middle School shooting suspect not be- shooting a classmate and a teacher Ex-Councilman ing charged as an adult (IndyStar). On at a suburban Indianapolis Tuesday, the Hamilton County sentenced middle school said they prosecutor’s office announced are “still in shock” from the MERRILLVILLE – A former that the 13-year-old boy ac- attack and are thinking of Merrillville councilman will serve cused of shooting a teacher the victims, students, school 15 months in prison for accept- and classmate on May 25 staff and others shaken ing bribes to help a tow operator will be tried as a “delinquent by the shooting (Associ- secure a contract with the town juvenile” because of his age. ated Press). A law firm representing (Lyons, Post-Tribune). Judge Jo- Prosecutor D. Lee Buckingham said the the boy issued their statement after seph Van Bokkelen sentenced Tom boy would have faced 11 counts, includ- prosecutors said late Tuesday that the Goralczyk, 51, of Merrillville, to ing two felony charges each of attempted suspect would not be tried as an adult federal prison, though he rejected murder, aggravated battery and battery in the May 25 shooting. The Associ- a recommendation that the former by means of a deadly weapon, if he ated Press typically does not identify councilman serve a minimum of were an adult. In an email to IndyStar juveniles who are not being charged nearly four years. Wednesday, Bosma said the decision has as adults. In the statement, the family motivated legislators to review the cur- requested privacy, while acknowledg- rent procedures. “In light of the Nobles- Trump winging it ing there are many lingering ques- ville West Middle School incident and tions about the shooting at Noblesville on Kim summit the recent charges brought against the West Middle School, including where shooter, we are reviewing current state WASHINGTON — Na- the boy got the handgun used in the law in regards to juveniles being charged tional Security Adviser John Bolton attack and a second handgun that as adults,” Bosma said. “Given the has yet to convene a Cabinet- was found in his possession. “We un- heinous acts that led to a teacher and level meeting to discuss President derstand the public has unanswered student being seriously harmed, I think Donald Trump’s upcoming summit questions at this time. We will await it’s important for us to take a thoughtful with North Korea next week, a the outcome of the investigation and look at our criminal code and whether striking break from past practice judicial process before speaking pub- changes to the law are appropriate.” that suggests the Trump White licly about these events,” the Eskew House is largely improvising its Ryan backs Gowdy Law firm said in the statement. approach to the unprecedented nuclear talks. But since Trump on ‘spygate’ 88 candidates for agreed on a whim to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong- WASHINGTON – House Speaker Muncie School Bd. un on March 8, the White House’s Paul D. Ryan has joined those disputing summit planning has been un- President Trump’s assertion that federal MUNCIE – Ball State Universi- structured, according to a half- law enforcement planted a spy inside ty provided the names of an unheard- dozen administration officials. his campaign, telling reporters Wednes- of number of candidates — 88 — for Trump himself has driven the day that he has seen “no evidence” to Muncie School Board on Wednesday preparation almost exclusively on support such claims (Washington Post). (Slabaugh, Muncie Star Press). For his own, consulting little with his Ryan (R-Wis.) said he thought “Chair- context, during the past decade, just national security team outside of man [Trey] Gowdy’s initial assessment is 25 candidates have sought election to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. accurate.” He was referring to last week, the Muncie School Board — three in North Korean leader Kim Jong when Gowdy (R-S.C.), chairman of the 2014, four in both 2010 and 2012, six Un got “on his hands and knees House Oversight Committee, said on Fox in 2016 and eight in 2008. Terry Spra- and begged” for his meeting with News that “the FBI did exactly what my dlin, director of the Indiana School President Donald Trump to be fellow citizens would want them to do” in Boards Association, called the long list rescheduled after Trump canceled investigating information alleging certain of applicants a demonstration of “a it, former New York Mayor Rudy Trump campaign advisers had suspicious fantastic level of interest in support- ing Muncie Community Schools.” The Giuliani said Wednesday.