V21, N12 Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015

Speaker Bosma’s unique challenges A ‘short & fast’ 2016 session, the ‘heaviest lift’ on civil rights, and a 2020 governor bid By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – House Speaker Brian Bosma said the coming civil rights ex- tension will be the “heaviest lift I’ve partici- pated in.” Bosma told Howey Politics Indiana that it could require a “uniquely Indiana solution,” though he vowed that lawmakers “won’t be blackmailed” into a solution. “It’s my hope that the House and Senate leaders and governor can end up the same page,” Bosma said during a 75-minute interview on Monday at his downtown law office. “It may not be possible. But I don’t think it’s positive to divide the party on the issue.” Continued on page 4 Bosma said the coming General Assembly session Mayoral race impacts By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS – While an outsider trend exists nationally, Hoosier city voters were mostly content with their current leadership as incumbents in Fort Wayne, Evansville, New Albany and Hammond rolled to big vic- tories. And mayors in tougher “We believe this expansion is a reelection bids at Jeffersonville and Terre Haute held on. necessary action for the General There were a smattering Assembly to take. We need to get of upsets in Anderson, Logansport and Peru, but far below the this right in order to secure the incumbent bloodletting urban vot- ers perpetrated in 2007. Perhaps reputation of Indiana.” the most surprising was Thomas Broderick Jr.’s upset of - Indiana Chamber CEO Kevin Republican Mayor Kevin Smith in Anderson, as well as Democrat Gabe Greer’s defeat of Peru Republican Mayor Brinegar on supporting the Jim Walker. Princeton Mayor Robert Hurst was defeated civil rights expansion by Republican Brad Schmitt 61-39%. Lawrenceburg Page 2

Democratic Mayor Dennis Carr’s loss was overwhelm- ing in favor of Republican Kelly Mollaun, in a rematch in a city facing shrinking riverboat casino revenues. is a non-partisan newslet- Expected changes occurred in Logansport where Democrat Dave ter based in Indianapolis and Kitchell easily defeated embattled GOP Nashville, Ind. It was founded Mayor Ted Franklin by 400 votes. In in 1994 in Fort Wayne. Elkhart, former legislator Tim Neese It is published by defeated Democratic Mayor Dick WWWHowey Media, LLC Moore with 64%. “I’m surprised. I didn’t think we would do quite that 405 Massachusetts Ave., well,” an exhausted Neese said as he Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN celebrated with 200 supporters. 46204 Unofficial results reported to the state Election Division from Democrat Joe Hogsett reclaimed Indianap- Tuesday’s vote counts show Republi- Brian A. Howey, Publisher olis for the party on Tuesday, and Repub- can candidates for mayor winning 60 lican Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke’s Mark Schoeff Jr., Washington races, with Democrats winning 55. impressive landslide victory has support- Jack E. Howey, Editor Independent candidates prevailed in ers talking about a statewide run in 2020. Mary Lou Howey, Editor five cities: Bedford, Delphi, Green- Maureen Hayden, Statehouse dale, Mitchell and Southport. While All I’m hearing is people want problem Mark Curry, photography Republican won more mayoral offices, -solving, pragmatic leaders who can Democratic mayors will lead seven of bring people together. Most mayors the state’s 10 largest cities. will tell you it’s a very problem solv- Subscriptions And Tuesday’s elections ing job. It’s not partisan. They run in HPI, HPI Daily Wire $599 have set the stage for a handful of a partisan nature, but they’re problem HPI Weekly, $350 mayors to emerge on a statewide solvers.” Ray Volpe, Account Manager stage. Evansville Mayor Lloyd Win- It would not be a far fetch necke’s 60% reelection win had his to see Hogsett also emerge in future 317.602.3620 supporters talking about a 2020 gubernatorial cycles. Hammond Mayor email: [email protected] Republican gubernatorial race. Joshua Thomas McDermott Jr. registered an Claybourn, an ally of Winnecke’s, told emphatic fourth term victory in a city Contact HPI HPI, “He’s sort of the perfect GOP of 81,000 people, where he’s been 12 www.howeypolitics.com candidate for the next generation. Lik- years in office. Only 855 voted against able, fiscally conservative and pro-life, him on Tuesday. McDermott told [email protected] but also pro gay rights. He will appeal Howey Politics Indiana on Wednesday Howey’s cell: 317.506.0883 to a growing segment of the GOP.” that while he’ll consider future politi- Washington: 202.256.5822 Joe Hogsett reclaimed India- cal options after soaking in Tuesday’s Business Office: 317.602.3620 napolis for the Democrats in what gu- victory, “I will not be on the statewide bernatorial hopeful John Gregg called ballot in 2016. I have a 10-year-old an essential ingredient for his party’s son and I do not want to do a state- © 2015, Howey Politics Indiana. statewide comeback. wide campaign.” All rights reserved. Photocopy- Asked about the impact of Both Republicans and ing, Internet forwarding, fax- Hogsett’s victory in Indianapolis, Democrats can count on a deep ing or reproducing in any form, Gregg told HPI Wednesday, “It goes bench. South Bend Mayor Peter Butti- whole or part, is a violation of beyond me as a candidate. The me- gieg won a landslide second term with chanics of things is something I don’t 74%, after he announced he was gay federal law without permission really want to get into. He took the earlier in the year. Fort Wayne Mayor from the publisher. campaign out to the streets. It sends Tom Henry easily dispatched Council- a message that Hoosiers want to hear. man Mitch Harper for a record third Page 3 term for a Democrat. Kokomo Mayor independent Shane Evans won over Demo- Gregg Goodnight also won a resound- crat Louis Hayden and Wilson. He joins ing third term. All will be on short lists Bedford independent Mayor Shawna Girgis for lieutenant governor nominations. as independent, who won a third term. Rising stars for Republicans in Democrat Dave Kitchell pulled addition to Winnecke include LaPorte away from one-term incumbent Republican Mayor Blair Milo, who won with 80% Ted Franklin Tuesday, garnering 62 percent of the vote and became the first mayor t. Democrats turned what had been a 6-1 to be reelected there in two decades. majority (with one independent) and a Anderson Mayor Smith’s loss Republican mayor and clerk-treasurer into came in his fifth mayoral race, after a 6-1 majorityr. Republicans had not won winning in 2003 and again in 2011. back-to-back mayoral elections in Kitchell’s He told the Anderson Herald-Bulletin Elkhart Republican Mayor-elect Tim lifetime, and Kitchell becomes the fourth this would be his final campaign, and Neese celebrates his victory over two- Democrat since 1980 to lead the city. Elkhart’s Moore also said he was retiring term Mayor Dick Moore. Kitchell said the negative from politics. campaigning of his opponent proved to Democratic dynasties continued in Richmond be a negative for the incumbent in the end. Mark It Red, where Dave Snow defeated Republican Kyle Ingram, the same firm that direct mailed a super majority for the coming after three terms of Mayor Sally Hutton, and John Republicans last year, was Franklin’s campaign consultant. Hamilton did the same in Bloomington, following the retir- Kitchell, who was outspent, worked independently, design- ing Mark Kruzan. Goshen Councilman Jeremy Stutsman’s ing his own campaign signs, writing his own television and defeat of Republican Mary Cripe comes on the heels of two radio commercials, and authoring his own social media terms by retiring Mayor Allen Kauffman. campaign. “I think this campaign maybe sent a message The survivor award has to go to Terre Haute that negative campaigning maybe isn’t as effective as Mayor Duke Bennett, the Republican who won a third term everyone thought it was,” Kitchell said. “I think what’s rele- in a city that had long devoured its incumbents. Bennett vant is that when an incumbent doesn’t have a record they defeated Vigo County Councilman Mark Bird 52-48, despite want to tout, or a plan for the next four years they want months of headlines about the city’s tax cap-constrained to promote, negative campaigning is probably the only op- city budget. Bennett stopped a skein of one-term mayors tion, and that’s what this campaign was really all about.” in 2011, and becomes the first Republican in history to win In addition to party changes in Peru, Logansport, three elections in this long-time Democratic bastion. “I’m Elkhart and Princeton, Marion Democrats reclaimed City humbled that the citizens wanted me back again,” Bennett Hall after three terms of Republican Mayor Wayne Seybold, told the Terre Haute Tribune-Star. “Obviously it’s a tight as Democrat Jess Alumbaugh defeated Republican Grant race. You never know how these things are going to come County Commissioner John Lawson with 60% of the vote. out. ... It came down to the last precinct. I’m just really In Southeastern Indiana, Aurora Republican Mayor happy and thankful that people are affording me another Donnie Hastings Jr., and Madison Mayor Damon Welch four years to continue to move [the city] in the right direc- were both reelected. Clark County Republicans picked tion.” up a net seven seats that switched from Democrat to Another was Portage Mayor Jim Snyder, who Republican in 2015, giving the GOP a council majority in edged Democrat Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy Jeffersonville, Charlestown, Sellersburg, and for the first by 225 votes. Jeffersonville Republican Mike Moore topped time ever, Clarksville. It continues a conversion of the Councilman Dennis Julius with 55% of the vote for a sec- county from Democrats to the GOP. Republicans took 21 ond term in what appeared to have been a close race. seats overall on election day including the mayors of both Left hanging is Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz, who Charlestown and and Jeffersonville. That number could ended up in a tie with Democrat Wayne Schuetter at 1,856 increase with pending recounts in the Jeff City Council at votes. If the totals don’t change in a possible recount, the large and Sellersburg District race that are too close to Jasper City Council will vote on a new mayor by Dec. 31. call. City Attorney Renee Kabrick told HPI that the current Jas- Mayors running without major party opposition per council is four Democrats and three Republicans, while included Democrats Ted Ellis of Bluffton, West Lafayette’s the incoming council taking oath of office on Jan. 1 will be John Dennis, Lafayette’s Tony Roswarski, East Chicago’s four Republicans, three Democrats. (See page 12 for more Anthony Copeland, Gary’s Karen Freeman-Wilson, Muncie’s Jasper coverage). Dennis Tyler, Angola’s Dick Hickman, Vincennes’ Joe Yo- In two races where incumbents were defeated in chum and Republicans Jim Brainard of Carmel, Andy Cook the primary, Lebanon Republican Matt Gentry easily de- of Westfield, SuzAnne Handshoe of Kendallville, and John feated Michele Thomas with 65% of the vote. But in Del- Ditslear of Noblesville. v phi, where Democrat Jack Wilson upset incumbent Mayor Randy Strasser last May by a handful of votes, 25-year-old Page 4

in the lower 30th percentile. The Ball State and the Real- Bosma, from page 1 tors polls (see page 11) will be coming out in the next couple of months. So we’re going to be seeing an emerg- will be “unique” and “exceptionally short and fast.” He reit- ing trend line. You will also be defending 71 House seats. erated his call for the methamphetamine ingredient pseu- And then you’ve got unpredictable presidential and U.S. doephedrine to become a prescription drug, expressed Senate races. What are you seeing from your vantage confidence House Republicans will maintain a “strong point politically? working majority” in the 2016 election, and believes that Bosma: My current assessment is it won’t be Gov. Mike Pence will be reelected. an optimal year, but we will retain a strong majority, but And Bosma listed infrastructure and a possible gas keeping a super majority may be very difficult. That has tax increase, and confronting the teacher shortage with happened only a few times in our history, and generally free tuition or debt forgiveness for people willing to teach not in presidential election years. in Indiana for five years as a potential solution. The In- HPI: Has a super majority ever been retained? dianapolis Republican said he Bosma: It would have was “all ears” when it comes happened in 1972. It gave us a to an elusive solution for the super majority in a presidential heroin epidemic sweeping the year in 1972 (Publisher’s note: state, as well as ways for con- It ended in the post-Watergate fronting the wave of school year of 1974). Our presidential shootings. years are a little tougher. Much And, asked about a depends on where the parties potential gubernatorial can- end up, especially where the didacy in 2020, Bosma said, Republicans end up on their “It’s always been something nominee. But we’ve got some I’ve hoped to be able to do.” key retirements that are occur- Asked at the begin- ring, in districts that will be tough ning if he had any general to hang on to. We’ll have a very comments, Bosma said, “This strong working majority to get is going to be a different things done. We’ll see what hap- session. Every session has ‘My current assessment is it won’t pens on the national basis. I feel its own flavor and this one is be an optimal year, but we will good going in. going to be unique. It’s going HPI: Do you have a horse to be exceptionally short and retain a strong majority, but keeping in the presidential race? fast. And after big accomplish- a super majority may be very Bosma: I do not yet ments in a lot of different ar- difficult.’ have a horse. I know most of the eas, it’s going to concentrate candidates. Jeb Bush I probably on a handful of issues and not likely to be a mini-version know better than the others. I don’t know Donald Trump of the long session. I think we’re going to concentrate at all. I’d say after the last debate, I’d be very shocked on a few important issues and move on. From our team’s if he stays in the race for the long haul. Marco Rubio I perspective, the top two issues we are going to be deal- came to know when we were both speakers of the House, ing with are transportation and infrastructure funding and elected in 2004, and I think he’s got a bright future. John teacher quality issues, hopefully all in a positive vein with Kasich is uniquely qualified in several different ways. He’s programs to try and address teacher quality in a positive not an attractive candidate, but he’s qualified. We’ll see way. We are trying to attract some of Indiana’s best young how it shakes out. I seriously haven’t selected a horse. people into the profession. Mrs. Bosma wants to vote for Marco Rubio. “And,” Bosma said, “we’ll deal with the issue of HPI: In the U.S. Senate race, are you back- reconciling freedom of conscience with non-discrimination. ing anyone? We don’t have an heir apparent like a Dan That’s going to be a heavy lift; the heaviest lift I’ve par- Quayle. ticipated in on any issue. I’ve committed to oversee a civil Bosma: We’ve got great qualified candidates. policy discussion on the issue and we’ll see where elected That’s what we’re blessed with. They come from different officials want to go with it.” places on the ideological scale with different experiences. Here is our exclusive HPI Interview with Speaker Hoosiers have the opportunity to select who they want to Bosma: represent them in what I consider to be a currently dys- functional federal government. Indiana and national political climate HPI: Gov. Pence, with the economy going the HPI: Give me an overview of the political climate. way it is, the jobless rate, and some successes with high I’ve had multiple sources tell me the governor’s reelect is tech jobs, seems to be struggling politically. Any observa- Page 5 tions on that front? We saw HPI: I saw gas in Franklin at Gov. Daniels’ reelect in the 40th $1.99 last week. With the gas prices percentile at one point in 2006. low right now, it’s kind of all relative. Are you confident the governor Isn’t this a window of opportunity for a can win reelection? gas tax increase that might last for five Bosma: Yes I am con- or 10 years to meet the needs? fident. We don’t put him in the Bosma: I bought it at a $1.99 30s, we put him in the 40s on last week as well. We haven’t had a reelect. The head-to-head isn’t gas tax increase since 2002. We’ve too dramatically different than had falling revenues because of some it was at the end of the last cases a decrease in road miles, greater election cycle. efficiencies, an influx of CNG vehicles, HPI: Based on House electric and hybrid vehicles. Yes, we Republican Campaign Commit- probably do have a unique opportunity tee polling? here. Whether elected officials who Bosma: Based on have been cutting taxes over the past our polling. And there’s been 15 years will do that, we’ll see. some very, very strong eco- HPI: Are you concerned that nomic news here in Indiana. national guys like Grover Norquist, The governor can rightly take who never drive on Indiana roads, are credit. Our people can take coming in and advocating against a tax credit for a great deal of it over hike? the last eight or 10 years. It’s Bosma: Yeah. That’s kind of really strong news when you ‘Our polling this summer outrageous. It’s difficult terrain to have a major expansion on navigate, but we’ll have a good faith relocations, record investments actually indicated that discussion about it. There’s some coming to Indiana, making us Hoosiers are ready to invest, other low hanging fruit as well, and the manufacturing center of the the governor identified it. We do have United States, so this is strong, paying more for a gallon of sufficient reserves to transfer a quar- strong business and I think the gas for increased highway ter billion dollars to road funding. We governor can successfully ride it taxes. That’s an option.’ have the first inroads of making Mo- to victory. tor Vehicle Highway Fund just fund roads, by taking off all the diversions, Infrastructure the state police and other expenditures out of there. We HPI: Let’s talk infrastructure. I thought the I-65 put 7 cents of that tax on a dollar into the Motor Vehicle thing was not a derelict bridge, but it certainly generated Highway Fund. It should be a top priority to make that a the headlines and brought attention to the civil engineers’ permanent contribution to the fund. So there are things report card that rates Indiana at a D+. How are you going we can do here. There are things that gave a little pause to frame the infrastructure funding and priorities? to our fiscal guys, a few aspects of the governor’s pro- Bosma: Infrastructure and age is endemic across posal . . . . the nation. Almost every state is dealing with the issue HPI: The bonding? that much of our Interstate infrastructure was constructed Bosma: The bonding; a 20-year bond for main- 60 years ago and is in severe need of replacement and up- tenance which buys seven years. It’s certainly better than grading. Now there are those, like the guys who are run- Evan Bayh’s 50-year bond issue. But we intended to try ning the ads that the governor’s decisions have resulted in and pay cash because we’ve had the luxury of tight fiscal the safety (issues), that’s absolutely not the case. First of reins. We’ll look. There may be an opportunity to do some all, the investment over the last three years has been re- bonding with those existing pennies on the dollar sales cord investment, with the exception of Major Moves. We’ve tax that might give us an opportunity to have a dedicated pushed well in excess of $1 billion, closer to $1.5 billion funding source. (House Roads and Transportation Chair- in state and federal road funding. You can’t look back and man) Ed Soliday has been meeting with people all sum- find anything even remotely close to that in either Repub- mer. I have been meeting with folks. Tim Brown on Ways lican or Democrat administrations. Now having said that, & Means and his folks are going to introduce a bill that there is still much to be done. Hoosiers are aware there is probably has a lot of options in it and then through the much to be done. Our polling this summer actually indi- normal legislative process start paring the options down cated that Hoosiers are ready to invest, paying more for to what a majority can support. a gallon of gas for increased highway taxes. That’s an HPI: With an eye January’s HPI Power 50 list, option. It’s worth a discussion. who else will be playing a key role on this front? Page 6

Bosma: Soliday, Tim the needs as well. Brown, myself, the Senate equiva- HPI: Anything else on infrastruc- lents, and the governor’s team as ture? well. Bosma: I will just restate that we HPI: The 54 mpg vehicles understand that locals have a concern are supposed to be on the market here as well, and a need. Some took the by 2020, right? governor’s omission of local road fund- Bosma: The engineers ing plank as a slap. It wasn’t. It was aren’t saying that but the President focused on the state need. He acknowl- does. edged the local need as well. It’s a big HPI: So in five years, we need, probably $1.5 billion is what we’re are supposed to have a wave of 54 talking about. We’ll have a short-term mpg vehicles. solution in the short session and then a Bosma: Where are those longer term solution in 2017. flying cars? Popular Science said they were supposed to be here Teacher shortage by now. That plays into it. If we HPI: On the teacher shortage, do nothing else, we have to in- Michael Hicks says there isn’t one. DOE dex on our gas tax so it does take says there is. Frame how you’re going into account the increased mile- to approach this. age efficiency, and then we need Bosma: Well, first I think Dr. to figure out a way for those who ‘Attracting some of the Hicks’ point is there are a lot of licensed drive alternative vehicles pay their licensed folks back to the teachers who aren’t in the classroom, fair share as well. If you drive an classroom is an interest- for a variety of reasons. Some, like my electric vehicle, you pay nothing for daughter, get a degree and then de- our roads. If you drive a hybrid like ing prospect, but we also cide to do something else other than my wife, you pay less. We address need to attract the younger elementary ed. Some take time off. to a certain degree compressed Some don’t care for it and find another natural gas vehicles. We’re also tak- people from the top of their opportunity. So attracting some of the li- ing a hard look at the work neces- class . . . ‘ censed folks back to the classroom is an sitated by big, over-road truckers. interesting prospect, but we also need Those vehicles really do damage. They are essential to our to attract the younger people from the top of their class economic welfare but they do damage to our highways, into the classroom while retaining those we already have. in fact, a majority of it. We have to ensure they are in the We are going to have several bills this year. I will carry one funding flow, too. myself; it will provide a scholarship to Hoosier high school HPI: IACT is calling for a sustainable source of students from the top of their class who would be attract- local road funding. They talked to me about allowing cities ed to teaching and who would remain in the classroom for and towns, without county council approval, to provide for five years. I feel that will be an great attracter. I’ve already a local wheel tax. What’s the problem with that idea? If a talked to the folks at Ball State who are interested in it. local city councilman or town board member wants to raise That idea came to me from Gordon Hendry of the State local wheel taxes, where is the political danger to a legisla- Board of Education last year. So we’re going to work with tor or governor? all of those folks to make it happen. The Ball State presi- Bosma: We do need to give locals more opportu- dent wants to make that happen; I haven’t chatted with IU nities and tools to self-fund all kinds of projects, including and Purdue yet. infrastructure. I’m a fan of giving them more flexibility with HPI: Loan forgiveness? the existing tools that are out there, most of them local Bosma: Either loan forgiveness or perhaps we option income taxes. Some require that they be dedicated just pay for their education upfront. If they don’t stay in only to property tax relief, but our residential property the classroom for five years, then the loan comes back to taxes are the lowest in the nation, so I’m not certain that life. There are other ideas. If you are a teacher certified in is as critical as when it was enacted in 2007. Some of another state, you can barely find out if you can teach in these tools we just have to make more flexible. We’ll have Indiana. On the Georgia Department of Education website, a good conversation about that. We’re trying to decouple you can find out with one click what you have to have. In some of those coupled requirements. That will run into Indiana, you can’t find clearly whether you can teach here. some headwind by the author of the coupling. We need to make that more welcoming. There are plenty HPI: Who would that be? of talented folks in business and academia who need to Bosma: That would be Sen. Kenley. I’m sure receive some alternative certification. In high-need areas there will be discussions. I’m confidence he understands we need to make that as simple and easy as possible. Page 7

HPI: There is a lot of just. By every measurement, Indiana fear in teaching circles about education has improved over the past the evaluation process. Last decade, look at SAT scores, graduation week Gov. Pence suspended the rates, performance on NAEP and it’s A-F accountability teacher raise up, up, up. These are all good things. situation. Is that a correct ap- It’s painful to go through change, but proach? it’s appropriate and we’re on a good Bosma: There is always trajectory. angst when there is change. I think it is important we have Meth and heroin evaluations. I’ve heard from ad- HPI: I want to segue into public ministrators that it’s a great tool. health because there’s a connection Should we toss that system? Ab- between what’s happening with fami- solutely not. Every other profes- lies and performance in classrooms. sion has a formalized evaluation There’s a growing meth, heroin and process and it’s appropriate. It the HIV crisis. We have some huge needs to be fair and it needs to public health issues that dovetail into be conducted in a manner where the quality of parenting and the cali- there is teacher buy-in. Much of ber of students. this depends on the superinten- Bosma: This is a difficult prob- dents and principals. We need ‘I would be more than pleased lem. You would presume . . . as to concentrate on having strong to have pseudoephedrine as unemployment increases, there would leaders in those offices. Those be a surge in similar social problems. are really the key to empowering a prescription drug because But with historic high employment, teachers. We need to emphasize even with our sophisticated we’re experiencing these, especially in that. tracking system in place, they the rural areas and in the urban areas. HPI: The switch from I have no silver bullet, no magic bul- Common Core to what I call are getting multiple purchas- let. Clearly we have a supply issue. We Common Core 2.0 seems to ers . . . .’ have a fairly major drug supply zone have created the situation the right here in Indianapolis. governor dealt with last week. Is HPI: These suppliers are ingesting (heroin) in that a correct assessment? balloons and flying into Indy International. Then they’re Bosma: No. That is the way those who don’t like driving to Dayton and it’s ending up in places like Conners- accountability like to spin it. We all knew. The standards ville and Richmond. That’s stunning. are uniquely Indiana standards. They are not totally op- Bosma: It is. And honestly, I don’t know how to posite Common Core. We had the most strong reviews in stop it. Increased law enforcement is not magic bullet. We Indiana history where a diverse, broad board of educators talked last year with law enforcement agencies about coor- compared Common Core to our own 2011 standards. We dination efforts: Getting communication, making sure com- picked the best. We have to have a test specific to those munication is taking place at the highest levels. We were standards. In every state that has done this, in the year assured it was. My ears are wide open on this. If there’s a of transition the scores have gone down. There will be an hopeful solution we can adopt in the General Assembly, I’ll adjustment period. It would seem to me as an ex-engineer be all over it. that you could just move the bell curve and compensate HPI: Former HPI writer Matthew Butler and I for it, but apparently there are federal regulations that have asked you about this last year, but should pseudo- need to happen. It was appropriate for the governor to ephedrine be a prescription drug? say, “Hey, we’re going to take a pause on the grading Bosma: I am a fan of putting it on a prescription. being incorporated into teacher bonuses for a year and I know that it’s controversial with many folks, but I would see how it shakes out.” It was anticipated. We hoped it more than pleased to have pseudoephedrine as a prescrip- wouldn’t be as deep a drop as it was. When you raise tion drug because even with our sophisticated tracking standards, grades are going to go down. Everyone who system in place, they are getting multiple purchasers to has been involved with it from the board of education to travel from spot to spot. the superintendent knew that there was going to be an HPI: It’s not working. adjustment. Bosma: It’s not working. HPI: Will it be a one year blip? Or five years? HPI: You’re the Speaker of the House. Is this an Bosma: One or two years to work our way issue where you say “Hey, I can take my political clout through it. The schools will adjust to the higher standards and make a difference.” Is this the kind of issue where you and the teachers will adjust, and the students will ad- should do that? Page 8

Bosma: It might very mental instability. We need to be on well be. But it’s a controversial alert for these things. Parents need to solution. The state police think be on top of what their child is doing. it’s a great idea. The pharma- HPI: I’ve looked at the Indiana ceutical people obviously do not. funding for mental health services There is some disagreement in and it is low nationally, like 38th. the law enforcement community Should we be looking at a more as to whether it would be an ef- comprehensive approach to mental fective step. Even those who say illness? yes, frequently say maybe. There Bosma: Yes. No doubt, as a na- are other sources of supply all tion we need to. There’s an epidemic around us. there as well. There are a variety of factors. School shootings HPI: What steps can the General HPI: The United States Assembly take on this? Should there had its 48th school shooting this be a summer study committee on year, the latest last weekend in school violence and mental health North Carolina. We are fortu- resourcing? Are we getting close to nate, other than the murder at that type of thing? Purdue, where we haven’t had a Bosma: That would be a possi- mass shooting here. As someone ‘Cheryl and I went to a movie bility. I’m uncertain a summer study in a position of power, someone committee would illuminate that, but with a bully pulpit, what are your the other night and I chose it might. The recent investment in thoughts on this? What should we my seat a little differently than additional resource officer training be doing to prepare? I would have five years ago. was wise by the governor. We have Bosma: I’m not sure. I to make those resources significantly can tell you some things in the The reality of our kids having more available than they were five works that need to happen. K-12 to deal with it on campus is years ago. campuses, the resource officer HPI: If we have a Newtown or training, the training of school shocking.’ a Columbine here, that will change personnel is going on right now. a lot of things politically and policy It’s a very different approach. And the close the door, hide wise. Does that keep you up at night? and be quiet program is changing. Bosma: If you thought about it, sure it would HPI: It was jarring to me that the state police keep you up at night. The randomness of violence, wheth- would advocate run, hide or fight. It seems to me we’ve er it is drug related or mental health related or grudge crossed a threshold where we can no longer assume our related, is not new to our country or state. We’ve been kids will be safe at school. Did it have that kind of impact blessed not to be the site of one of these. on you? Bosma: You have to be careful how many alleged Redistricting commission school shootings there have been. I’m not saying there HPI: You’ve been supporting an independent have been too many, but I’ve seen numbers where those redistricting commission. Now that the study process is un- who are looking for a gun control solution are pumping the derway, any thoughts? numbers at us. Bosma: I think it’s a healthy discussion. I hap- HPI: I’m not trying to do that. When you and I pened to meet with Ted Boehm last Friday. He is one of were in junior high, high school or college, I never thought my appointees to the commission and is, of course, a fan about a shooting rampage. It never dawned on me that of nonpartisan redistricting. There are fans and detractors someone might show up at Ballentine Hall and start shoot- on the committee. That’s good. That’s how public policy is ing. These days, kids do think along those lines. discussed. I think it’s too early to make a call. It’s good to Bosma: Our culture has definitely changed. Cher- have the debate begin. yl and I went to a movie the other night and I chose my HPI: Walk me through the time line. It’s 2015. seat a little differently than I would have five years ago. Could we have an independent commission in place by The reality with our kids having to deal with it on campus 2021? is shocking. Solutions are not easy to find. Again, we’re Bosma: There is the possibility. It either requires listening. Our ears are wide open. The extremes of trying a transitional year without a constitutional change, or a to confiscate guns on one side and arming everybody on constitutional change that could be done in time. It can the other, there has to be something in between that is happen. sensible. Not all of these issues, but many of them, involve Page 9

Civil rights extension middle ground between “four words HPI: We’ve been dealing and a comma” folks and Curt Smith with the gay marriage issue now for, saying that there are no grounds for what? 15 years? reconciliation and compromise. What Bosma: That issue has left do your colleagues need to know? the port. I still have people who Bosma: My hope is that we can want to talk about it. Honestly, I had reconcile two deeply held Hoosier be- somebody from an important position liefs: No. 1, everyone should be free talk to me about disregarding the Su- to live in accordance with their own preme Court’s decision. My response conscience. And, 2, Hoosiers don’t was, whether I agree with it or not, like discrimination. It doesn’t matter it’s the law of the land. This is a what class you’re in, what category person who’s been around for a long you’re in, you’ve got these two very time and has taken several oaths deeply held beliefs. No. 1, I shouldn’t himself about upholding the constitu- have to do anything my conscience tion, the laws of the state and the dictates I shouldn’t, and No. 2, we nation. Until there’s a decision that’s shouldn’t allow anyone to be discrimi- not the law, it’s the law. nated against, no matter who they HPI: On the civil rights are. So, my hope is that we can find extension, there was news about you ‘No. 1, everyone should be a position where responsible conser- meeting with Greg Louganis after he vative Republican leaders can stand was asked to leave the governor’s free to live in accordnance together, recognizing the freedom of press conference at the State Library with their own conscience, conscience, as well as recognizing we last April at the height of the contro- and No. 2, Hoosiers don’t shouldn’t be discriminating against versy. He’s an American hero. Did he people based on who they are. have an impact on your perspective like discrimination. It’s my HPI: Define the phrase “freedom following RFRA? hope that the House and of conscience.” Bosma: Hopefully I may Bosma: This is where the rec- have impacted his perspective, in Senate leaders and the onciliation gets a little difficult. Most all honesty. When I was told he had governor can end up on the people I have spoken with agree a been asked to leave the press confer- same page. It may not be same-sex couple shouldn’t be asked ence, we reached out. I was horri- to leave a restaurant or be denied a fied. He’s an American hero. possible.’ hotel room. Where the rub begins is HPI: I was there and saw it. It was a press con- where (people are) required to participate in a marriage ference for the news media. He had his dog with him. ceremony they disagree with. That is the place where we Bosma: They (Gov. Pence’s staff) didn’t know are going to have difficulty finding the right spot to land. who he was. My team clearly did. We invited him over so Reasonable minds would say, “Gee, if they don’t want to he understood and knew how we view him as a human do the flowers at my wedding, some people will, so that’s being. It’s ironic, we talk about how Indiana is welcoming where I’m going to spend my money.” Not everyone is or not, he felt very unwelcome. We let him know right on reasonable. So we have to find the spot where there is an the spot. We let the governor know. The governor met exemption for that kind of public accommodation or one with him the following day, and his parents. The gover- based on size of operation, restrictive means of accom- nor didn’t know about it personally, that he was asked plishing it. That’s the delicate spot to find. It’s my hope to leave. So yeah, it was good to have a chance to meet that the House and Senate leaders and the governor can with him. I think he was shocked we reached out to him end up the same page. It may not be possible. But I don’t so quickly. We had a good conversation. We watched the think it’s positive to divide the party on the issue. governor’s press conference on TV. A parade of people on HPI: But it’s already happening, from the 5-4 my team and my office who wanted to meet him. It was Carmel City Council vote, to the Elkhart and Goshen city good. I think it underscored that while debates are difficult councils. It’s dividing the Republican Party at more of a we are all people and hopefully there is room in our state micro local level. It’s divided the economic and social con- to disagree on issues and still be treated with respect. servative wings, the Baby Boomers from the Millennials. HPI: My analysis over what’s been happening is Bosma: If I believe my numbers, Hoosiers are that everyone is digging in. Sen. Delph told me about the exactly, equally in favor of no discrimination and not forc- Utah Compromise where all the key stakeholders gathered ing people participating in a ceremony they disagree with. and found a solution. But I’m seeing all the stakeholders 47/48%. It couldn’t be any more divided. digging in, from the family groups to Freedom Indiana. HPI: Christine Matthews did that poll for Howey I think it’s better to get people to the table. Is there any Politics Indiana that showed 54% favored civil rights ex- Page 10 tension to include sexual orientation and 34% opposed. Is rural town, who has gay neighbors and he talked with his that consistent with your internals? pastor about HJR-3, who advised him “love they neighbor.” Bosma: Yes. That doesn’t surprise me. When Bosma: Yeah. I’ll reiterate what I said earlier, it’s you drill down into should you make someone participate my goal to have a civil discussion about it. I don’t think in a ceremony, Hoosiers don’t care for that one either. policymakers are going to be blackmailed into a decision. That’s where we have to find common ground. It may be I’m certainly not going to force a decision or a solution on a uniquely Indiana solution. We may not be able to find a my caucus members. It’s my hope we have a civil, thor- solution a majority of elected officials can agree on. If we ough policy discussion to do what’s right for Indiana. do find one, it may be a uniquely Indiana solution. You’re talking about four words and a comma? You’re talking Statewide broadband about one of the most conservative states with Republican HPI: I did a column last week advocating univer- super majorities. My experience is when people say they sal broadband for all of Indiana. Is that a good idea? aren’t going to compromise, when it comes down to it, Bosma: Yes, it sure is. We’ve tried a variety they are willing to compromise. means of making that happen. The state has an organiza- HPI: Have you and Sen. Long and the governor tion that bought dark optic cable with the hopes of bring- met on this? ing broadband everywhere, or at least the vast majority. Bosma: We’ve had several conversations. The problem is that last mile or two and the cost of that is HPI: Over the phone? In Gov. Pence’s office? extensive, and it also puts government in the position of Bosma: Over a variety of issues. We’ve met in competing with the private sector. It’s a sticky solution. person. We do that throughout, HPI: Is it fair to even in the interim. So, yes, ‘We’ve had a long string of strong policy compare this to rural we’ve had a number of discus- electrification and phone sions. victories over the last 12 to 15 years. In service? HPI: So this is a work that 15-year period there’s only been one Bosma: Yeah, in progress? Nothing has been certainly the rural elec- determined? I had informed key leader all the way through . . . ‘ trification. A lot of our and reliable sources tell of a REMCs are getting into business meeting with the governor where the topic didn’t this business. They run that last mile of electric wire to come up until late in the meeting, and the governor didn’t farms and rural homes. In my district Nine Star is making think the issue was a priority in rural Indiana. Do you think the investments and others are as well. Hopefully that will he is where he needs to be on this? Whatever decision he be part of the solution. We’ve made investments and we makes on this will have policy repercussions and political need to make more. Our goal is to have broadband access repercussions. Am I overstating this? to every school, and in every community. There are poten- Bosma: I don’t think you are. tial solutions. HPI: Are you comfortable where Gov. Pence is? Bosma: I don’t disagree with his point that this is 2020 gubernatorial race much more of a prominent discussion in urban and subur- HPI: Gov. Pence won’t be on the ballot in 2020, ban areas, as opposed to rural areas. unless he loses next year and tries to come back. Is a HPI: But 70% of the population lives in a city or gubernatorial candidacy something you will look at? town. Bosma: Sure. Yeah it is. We’ve had a long string Bosma: Is that right? But 70% of the represen- of strong policy victories over the last 12 or 15 years. tatives don’t come from the cities. I met with the guys And great part it’s been our team to help put Indiana in a from Salesforce right here two weeks ago. Great folks. strong position it is in today. In that 15-year period there’s They were talking and they were asking what the chal- only been one key leader all the way through. So I would lenges were in all of this. I have gay friends, I have a lot love to have the opportunity to maintain those great poli- of acquaintances, some are same sex couples, some are cies that make Indiana a great place to live, work, create married, so I feel fairly acquainted with the community. jobs. A lot can happen between now and then. There are plenty of folks in rural Indiana who may not be HPI: Would that be the career capstone? able to point to a single person in their community they Bosma: It’s always been something I’ve hoped to know who is gay. So there is just a perspective issue on be able to do. There’s a lot of time between now and four it. I would say the more rural areas, it’s going to be more years from now. It depends on my ability to bring strong true. It makes it a challenge when most of your policymak- solutions, innovations to the table, as we have for the last ers come from rural areas. decade. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity if it HPI: When we were in high school, kids weren’t should occur. I’ve worked personally with six governors in coming out of the closet. Now, many of us have an uncle, both parties, and many others. v a nephew, a niece, a brother or sister who has. Maureen (Hayden) did that story on Rep. Saunders, who lives in a Page 11

career. Pence still suffers The post-RFRA polling sequence commenced with an April 16 Howey Politics Indiana Poll conducted by Bellwether Research’s Christine Matthews, which showed from RFRA debacle the initial damage to Pence after he signed RFRA on March 26. In the first head-to-head matchup with Gregg, Pence in 2015 Hoosier Survey had a 43-37% lead over Gregg. On the question of wheth- er civil rights should be extended to include sexual orienta- By BRIAN A. HOWEY tion, the HPI Poll showed 54% favored and 34% opposed. INDIANAPOLIS – The 2015 version of the Ball In September, multiple informed and reliable State Hoosier Survey conducted by the Bowen Center for sources told HPI that Pence’s reelect was the lower 30th Public Affairs and WISH-TV shows that Gov. Mike Pence is percentile. In the HPI Interview with Bosma in this edi- still suffering political damage from the Religious Freedom tion, he said that HRCC polling showed Pence’s reelect Restoration Act. was in the 40th percentile over the summer. Bosma also It shows that Pence’s job approval said the internal polling shows the public split on balancing is at 47%, down from 62% from “freedom of conscience” with non-discrimination. the 2014 survey. “And this is where In a second Bellwether Poll conducted for Bill RFRA — and some of the other Oesterle in June, Pence’s numbers were similar to the April issues that we’ve also polled on — HPI survey. He trailed Gregg 41-40%, his job approval show that Pence really got hurt,” stood and 46/46% approve/disapprove, and his fav/un- said Ball State political science professor Ray Scheele. favs stood at 34/43%. Pollster Christine Matthews said in In a head-to-head with Democrat John Gregg, June, “We have not seen any evidence of recovery for Gov. Pence had a 41.6 to 37.2% lead. Pence since the poll we conducted in mid-April for Howey The Hoosier Survey comes as Pence and Repub- Politics. In fact, the numbers for him are worse, suggest- lican legislative leaders are grappling with how to handle ing that even though RFRA is no longer making headlines, the call for civil rights expansion to include sexual orienta- it has not been forgotten.” tion from the business, moderate and Millennial wings of So the Hoosier Survey numbers show little re- the Republican Party, Democrats and LGBT activists. covery in the past eight months. And there’s still a slight The Indiana Chamber of Commerce announced chance that Pence could face a primary challenge from this morning that its board had voted “overwhelmingly” to Indianapolis Mayor Gregg Ballard, who was asked Wednes- support the expansion, coming just hours after Gov. Pence day about running for office again. “I’m not there yet,” gave remarks at its awards annual dinner. said Ballard, who was a vociferous critic of RFRA. “We believe this expansion is a necessary action Gregg told Howey Politics Indiana on Wednesday for the General Assembly to take,” said Indiana Chamber afternoon that the RFRA sequence has “defined” Pence, President and CEO Kevin Brin- something he believes could stick egar. “After the negative percep- with the governor. tion of our state generated by “People are done with the Religious Freedom Restora- the politics of personal ideology,” tion Act in the spring, we need to Gregg said. “All I’m hearing is get this right in order to secure they want problem solving, they the reputation of Indiana as a want a pragmatic leader, they hospitable and welcoming place.” want a leader who can bring Pence’s dilemma is that people together.” his social conservative base is “This is going to come digging in, saying there is no down to Mike Pence’s record room for compromise. and our vision, and our ability Senate Minority Leader to bring people together and Tim Lanane has already pre- govern in a bipartisan fashion,” pared legislation for the expan- Gregg said. “He’s got to run on sion, and as you’ve read in the his record. This race is all about HPI Interview with Speaker leadership, because moderates Brian Bosma, no decisions on in Indiana are going to decide how the Republicans and Pence this race." will respond have been reached. The Pence campaign Bosma described the coming could not be reached for showdown as the “heaviest comment.v lift” of his legislative leadership Page 12

The current city counci is 4-3 Democratic. Indiana Recount, council vote Code says this tie must be broken by Dec. 31, with the new council and mayor sworn in on Jan. 1, 2016. The new council is 4-3 Republican. could break Jasper tie Seitz was unsure about whether he or Schuetter By BRIAN A. HOWEY will seek a recount. “The candidate has to pick up the INDIANAPOLIS - With elections, there’s nothing cost,” he said. “We are evaluating that, looking at state worse than a recount. statutes and the scope of it, the cost of it. We’ll let it run I remember sitting on the French Lick Hotel its course. Ultimately I’m still working to make sure the veranda with U.S. Rep. Frank McCloskey in August 1994. city functions.” He was in a tough race with Republican John Hostettler I told him about McCloskey’s aversion to any- and the national tide was running thing associated with the word “recount” and Seitz re- strongly against the Democrats. sponded, “I can’t disagree with him on that.” McCloskey knew deep down he Schuetter, a retired social studies teacher, told was in trouble. the Associated Press he expected the voting results to be But the thing he kept close. “This is another good indicator as to why everybody repeating was this: “I just don’t needs to get out and vote,” Schuetter said. want a recount. I just don’t want a City Council President Tom Schmidt, a Democrat recount.” who didn’t seek re-election, said he was surprised that the McCloskey’s angst was driven by his 1984 race council could decide the mayoral race. “I never dreamt against Republican Rick McIntyre, who trailed by 72 votes, that it would come down to this,” Schmitt, a council mem- initially, and then when two precincts were double count- ber since 1976, told AP. “It’s a tough thing. I don’t know ed, actually had a 34-vote lead. It commenced months what the protocol will be on this.” of haggling and consternation, ultimately settled in a party line vote by the U.S. House. In 1986, I covered a recount for the Elkhart Truth in the old 3rd CD, where Democrat Tom Ward and Republican U.S. Rep. John Hiler were essen- tially tied. The ensuring recount conducted by rookie Secretary of State Evan Bayh, and aided and abetted by Republican Elec- tion Board member Rex Early, who at one point affixed a sign predating Forest Gump in the recount meeting room that aptly described the entire process: “Shit happens.” Democrat challenger Wayne Schuetter (left) and Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz on elec- After watching little old tion night. The two ended up in a tie, which could be broken by a recount, or a ladies in the bowels of the Elkhart vote from the current city council, which is 4-3 Democratic. (DuBois County Herald County Courthouse boiler room Photo) counting ballots hand by hand, anyone associated with the pro- cess or covering it in the media could only conjure one Asked what his relationship has been with the four Demo- word: Excruciating. crats on the council, Seitz told HPI, “I’ve had a good And that’s how I found Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz relationship with a majority of the council. We’ve disagreed last Wednesday afternoon. Having barely survived a Re- with on some issues, but we’ve also had a number of 7-0 publican primary challenge last May, when the ballots were votes.” counted Tuesday night, he ended up in a 1,856-1,856 tie Seitz, who was headed to Indianapolis today to with Democratic challenger Wayne Schuetter. consult with the Indiana Republican Party, is philosphical Howey Politics Indiana has been publishing for 21 about his predicament, telling the DuBois County Herald, years, and this is the first mayoral tie in my memory. “I have a feeling there is a life lesson in this. It is interest- Recounts can be filed in the next two weeks, and ing to be part of history.” v if the totals don’t change, it’s up to the city council. Page 13

certainty at the federal level over whether fantasy sports Fantasy Football gaming is even legal. But he fears a tougher obstacle in convincing colleagues that fantasy sports are big enough for the state to tackle. prompts legislation “I don’t know if people realize how big it’s really By MAUREEN HAYDEN become,” he said. “Years ago, it was just some nerds sit- CNHI Statehouse Bureau ting in their mom’s basement, playing it with their friends.” INDIANAPOLIS – Lawmaker and sports fan Alan In September, the Wall Street Journal valued FanDuel and Morrison watched online fantasy sports grow into a multi- DraftKings, the biggest daily fantasy sports operators, at billion dollar industry. Now, he wants the state to regulate more than $1 billion each. and tax it like other legal forms of gambling. Players are generally college-educated men Morrison, a Republican from Terre Haute who in their 30s with money, according to the Fantasy Sports plays fantasy sports, said he’s drafting legislation to regu- Trade Association. The average player spends $465 on the late sites including DraftKings and FanDuel, turning over games a year. In addition to the allure of creating hypo- control of their operation in Indiana to the state’s licensed thetical teams that succeed or fail with the results of real casinos. “We’ve got an existing professional players, fans are attracted by the sites’ big gaming industry here that has to prizes. DraftKings expects to pay close to $2 billion in cash play by our rules,” he said. “For prizes this year. another entity to come in and play Lucrative partnerships with sports teams and by a separate set of rules isn’t broadcasters such as ESPN have lent the online industry fair.” legitimacy. The industry is gaining publicity as it dumps Morrison’s proposal, which hundreds of millions of dollars into advertising. would be filed in the coming year, reflects a growing inter- Some of the attention is negative. Federal pros- est nationally to rein in, and capitalize on, the big-money ecutors in New York are looking into allegations that a sites. At least 15 states have moved to control the fantasy DraftKings employee used proprietary information to play leagues engaging in massive online transactions that, until on another fantasy site, a charge that the company de- recently, have escaped federal oversight. nies, according to the Wall Street Journal. Proposals in several states – includ- The sites are drawing attention from ing Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana and members of Congress and others who Washington – move to ban outright the question their legality. Under the Unlawful Web-based contests as illegal gambling. Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act Other states are looking for ways to pull the of 2006, sports betting is illegal is most sites into their legal gaming frameworks, to states. But the law opens a window for protect players and generate much-needed fantasy leagues, based on an argument revenue for their budgets. that they involve more skill than luck. “States aren’t waiting for the fed- That argument is being increasingly tested eral government to act,” said Morrison, who as money generated by online games failed last year to push forward a similar bill escalates. Last month, the Nevada Gam- to legalize sports betting. His colleagues, ing Commission banned the fantasy sports already engaged in a losing battle with Gov. websites, then ordered their operators to Mike Pence over measures to boost casino apply for a state gambling license. revenues, weren’t interested in taking on Morrison is looking to Penn- another gaming fight. sylvania for a similar model. Lawmakers Morrison is convinced the stakes there are debating whether to put the are higher now. The fantasy sports indus- fantasy leagues under control of state’s State Rep. Alan Morrison seeks to try is growing rapidly – some 56 million gaming commission. That would compel regulate fantasy betting. (HPI Photo players are now involved – as the state’s them to partner with already established, by Mark Curry) tax revenue from brick-and-mortar casinos and regulated, casinos and pay a licensing is projected to continue a steady decline. fee to the state. Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, Players would log into a casino website and be R-Noblesville, hasn’t endorsed Morrison’s plan. But he’s directed to fantasy sports league sites to play their games. heard about from the bill’s likely co-sponsor, Sen. Jon Ford, Morrison said most wouldn’t notice a difference. R-Terre Haute, and would like to see it debated. Morrison said hitching the fantasy leagues to casi- “The rest of our gaming businesses are subject to nos also enables the state to build in financial safeguards taxes,” said Kenley. “It seems appropriate that this should for players and to collect a wagering tax, akin to one that be, too.” casinos already pay whenever someone places a bet, Mor- Morrison’s measure may face long odds given un- rison said. Page 14

The fantasy leagues are likely to resist such a understands the desire of states, and casino operators, move. Jeremy Kudon, a national lobbyist for DraftKings to capture some of the flood of dollars generated by the and FanDuel, said the industry opposes legislation that industry. forces them to partner with casinos, calling it “tantamount Casinos, with traditional slot machines and rou- to a ban.” He warned that adopting the proposed Pennsyl- lette wheels, have largely failed to attract technology- vania model would cause the fantasy sports companies to savvy Millennials who play fantasy sports online. “Casinos pull out of Indiana. That could infuriate 1 million or more know they can’t bring this generation into their casinos as Hoosiers who patronize the sites, according to the trade their regular customers,” he said. “They know they’ve got association. capture them in some other way.” v Ed Feigenbaum, publisher of Indiana Gaming Insight, calls Morrison’s proposal “premature,” given the Maureen Hayden covers the Indiana Statehouse legal issues surrounding online sports gaming that have for CNHI’s newspapers and websites. Reach her at yet to be sorted out at the federal level. Still, he said he [email protected]

opment incentives have been dramatically over-deployed. Mayor elections and Indiana’s local governments sacrifice almost $1.5 billion per year on development incentives, abatements and other local economic development efforts. That is more than primacy of place we spend locally on anything but public schools. Serious By MICHAEL HICKS scrutiny of property tax abatements are just beginning. MUNCIE – This is election week in Indiana, and Both candidates back some incentives, primarily the most visible seat is that of the Indianapolis mayor. those involved with quality of place efforts inside the city. Most of what transpires in a campaign is of little interest Like most Hoosiers, they both understand there are some to the author of an economics column, but the discussion good uses for local government incentives. But like most about local economic develop- Hoosiers, they also apprehend that most local economic ment matters a great deal. Com- development spending is wasted, yielding little or no ben- ments by candidates Brewer and efit for taxpayers or communities while depriving schools, Hogsett offer a window into the cities and towns of much-needed revenue. broader debate that is now ani- This policy shift isn’t confined to our larg- mating Indiana and lots of other est city. In many places outside of Indianapolis, a focus places. Let me explain. on quality of place seems to be taking hold. The state’s In a series of debates, Regional Cities Initiative was bold enough that 70 per- both candidates talked about cent of the state’s residents now live in regions with an local economic development ef- honest and realistic plan to attract more people to their forts, and TV ads for both feature areas. That alone is a monumental policy achievement, as a discussion about development. significant as anything that has been tried by any state in But this has not been a rehashing a couple decades. of the past. Both candidates have been talking about 21st It is hard to have a conversation about the revolu- century economic development policies, not outdated 20th tionary thinking about local economic development without century efforts, and that is a splendid turn of events. mentioning Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. His experi- Most visibly, Mr. Hogsett’s TV ads talk about com- ences and success would fill a textbook on how to execute munity development, including a clear description of how 21st century economic development. he would enforce ordinances to fix up neighborhoods. This The debates within the Indianapolis mayoral is exciting stuff that ought to be part of every municipal campaign offer clear and cheerful evidence that Indiana election conversation, although it is not something that is finally embracing the need to make our communities can be done in every city and town in Indiana. Our capital aspirational places to make a home. v city has been seriously in the business of fixing its down- town for 40 years. That success allows it to focus on some Michael J. Hicks, PhD, is the director of the Cen- decaying peripheral neighborhoods in ways that most cit- ter for Business and Economic Research and the ies cannot yet consider. George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of Most courageously, Mr. Brewer last week called economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball for the virtual end of property tax abatements in the city. State University. He acknowledges, as does everyone without a financial in- terest in them, that abatements and other economic devel- Page 15

W. Bush’s speechwriting office. Mike now is an influential Coats staffing tree national columnist with the Washington Post, commenta- tor, and author. Ziad, after serving as my first COS, went to Sen. Coverdell’s office and then when Bush was elected, is very influential ran his Senate legislative operations. To illustrate the small Publisher’s Note: With David Hoppe being world of Washington politics, Z, who first worked for Dave named chief of staff to House Speaker Paul Ryan, and in the Kemp for President campaign while Z was a college Sharon Soderstrom the chief of staff for Senate Majority student, went from the White House to vice president of Leader Mitch McConnell, the staffing tree originating from Ford’s national government relations. One of Hoppe Strate- the office of U.S. Sen. Dan Coats has had an out-sized gies’ major clients, which was founded and run by Dave, is influence on Capitol Hill. “I was blessed to have an excep- Ford. Angela also went to work for me when I won, first tional staff, all of whom have gone on to major accom- as press secretary and then COS. She later moved over to plishments in their careers,” Sen. Coats said. “They helped the Bush Administration as deputy political director. me greatly to be an effective senator In the next room was the representing our state and working press operation headed by Curt Smith, for a stronger America.” Former con- later COS to Congressman Hostet- gressman and Howey Politics Indiana tler and currently head of the Indiana contributor Mark Souder writes about Family Institute. Assisting Curt was the extended Coats staffing tree: Tim Goeglein, who also held a senior position in the Bush White House, and By MARK SOUDER currently represents Focus on the Family FORT WAYNE – David Hoppe in Washington. There were a number of had been a long-time friend of Dan able assistants in the press office over Coats going back to when Coats was the years, but one of particular note was district director for then Congress- Rob Schwarzwalder, now executive vice man Dan Quayle. Dave was dating president of the Family Research Coun- Karen Davis, a top legislative staffer cil. for Quayle, whom he later married. We had an incredible staff when Dave was also a University of Notre Dave was COS (I was deputy chief) Dame grad, his direct tie to Indiana. throughout the whole system, and also Dave worked as chief of staff (COS) many outstanding interns who have for Trent Lott, when Lott was House remained politically active in Indiana, whip, and then for Jack Kemp, when Washington and many other states. One Kemp was conference chairman. of the young staffers was Chris Donesa When Dan Coats was ap- of Fort Wayne. Chris, also later was a pointed to the United States Senate COS of mine and chief counsel for the by Gov. Bob Orr to replace incoming House Intelligence Committee (among Vice-President Dan Quayle, Coats had U.S. Sen. Dan Coats’ staffing tree includes other posts), is now deputy chief of staff to get a staff up and running after the (from second row to right) David Hoppe of Chairman Trey Gowdy’s House Beng- Senate was already in session. He se- now COS to Speaker Ryan, Sharon Soder- hazi Select Committee. lected Dave as his chief of staff. Coats’ strom now COS to Sen. McConnell, Wash- One staffer of particular inter- House allies – Curt Smith, Mark Ahearn ington Post columnist Michael Gerson, est to this story is Judith Kemp Nolan. and I – were soon on board officially. former Rep. Souder, and Curt Smith of the Jack Kemp had called Dave to ask him to It was a powerful Coats Indiana Family Institute. hire his daughter, Judith, and Dave asked staff. In the room next to Dave’s, me to handle the request. After talking Sharon Soderstrom and I shared a small office. Sharon is through her goals, she took a job with Congressman Chris now chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McCon- Cox of California. She soon came back to me, and said she nell. She was COS to Sen. Coats when he chose not to run had decided she’d rather work for us. So Dave asked me for reelection back in 1998. She then joined Dave in the to take her as my aide, which I was pleased to do. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott’s office, when Dave was A staffer who worked just down the hall at Lott’s COS. Sharon later became Lott’s COS and McConnell, the Senate Small Business Committee was named Paul because of her skills, kept her on when he took over the Ryan. Like Dave, he was from Wisconsin. Dave was from Leader position. Baraboo, the circus town by the Wisconsin Dells, and Paul In that same larger room with Sharon and me, was from Janesville. Both were Packers fans. Jack Kemp just outside our office, were key aides Michael Gerson, was also Paul Ryan’s political hero. Paul used to drop into Ziad Ojakli and Angela Flood. Michael ran President George our office regularly, sometimes to see Dave but usually to Page 16 talk politics and economics with our high-powered staff. was COS. And I doubt that never before in history, have Though I and others also suspected he had a crush on the most powerful staffer in the United States Senate and Angela Flood at the time. the most powerful staffer in the United States House both Sen. Coats’ staff was a “hot shop” especially for come from one Indiana Senate office. v the conservative movement during those years when Dave

tion. And members get frustrated when they can’t vote Deep-seated Congress on issues they know their constituents want Congress to address. Giving members of the House and the Senate a fair shot at addressing the nation’s challenges would deal problems are fixable Congress back into the policy-making arena. By LEE HAMILTON Second, Congress over the years has devel- BLOOMINGTON – The American people don’t oped several bad habits that it needs to fix. These include expect a solution to everything. But they do expect a Con- huge bills that become vehicles for special-interest provi- gress that’s capable of developing creative approaches to sions and leadership wish-lists; bypassing the committee the major problems of the day. process; concentrating power in the leaders; curbing the A lot of ink is being spilled about the speakership participation of most members; and limiting debates and drama in the U.S. House, the demands by members of the amendments. The most pernicious of these is the practice conservative Freedom Caucus, and of legislating by omnibus bills. These consist of hundreds the turmoil besetting the Republi- of provisions – usually drafted in the dead of night by cans who run Capitol Hill. There is leadership staff, not members of Congress – brought to a pervasive sense in Washington the floor with scant time for anyone to read them, limited that Congress has gone, at least time for debate, and few amendments allowed. They’re temporarily, off the rails. Even usually timed to come up just before a key deadline on a members of Congress are saying single up-or-down vote, so that the leadership can threat- it. “I think the House is border- en a government shutdown if the bill fails. ing on ungovernable right now,” The sad part here is that there are a lot of mem- one prominent Republican told bers who’ve never known anything different. An entire NBC earlier this month. I’ve been generation on Capitol Hill thinks that bills they had no part around congressional politics for in shaping, are unable to debate, and have no choice but over 50 years, and I can’t ever re- to pass are the way Congress runs. member hearing a member of Congress say such a thing. It’s not. There’s another way, and it brings me All this attention on the crises of the moment sug- to my third point. We have over 200 years of experience gests that resolving them will fix Congress. It won’t. There on Capitol Hill that have taught us how to run a legisla- are three deep-seated issues that have to be addressed ture so that the voice of the people can be better heard, before Congress can play a constructive role in sustaining multiple viewpoints get considered, and ordinary legisla- our place in the world and tackling the tough economic tors get a fair shot at influencing the results. It’s called the and social issues we face at home. “regular order,” and it involves committees with authority The first sounds simple, but it is not: Congress holding hearings, debating issues, and reporting bills to should work its will by letting its members vote on the the floor, where members get several chances to shape major issues of the day. In legislatures, whoever controls the legislation through amendments. The regular order procedure usually controls results. In Congress, leaders requires negotiation and compromise, and gives members and sometimes followers in both parties for years have a fair crack at crafting policy for the nation. manipulated the process to get the results they want. The American people want Congress to work. Omnibus bills and continuing resolutions are They don’t expect a solution to everything, and they part of this. Leaders try to avoid tough issues if their certainly don’t expect miracles. But they do expect a caucus members don’t want to vote on them. The 60-vote Congress that tries to make progress and that’s capable of requirement to avoid a filibuster in the Senate plays a role. developing creative approaches to the major problems of So does the “Hastert Rule” in the House, under which a the day. The frustration for me is that we know how to do majority of the majority caucus has to give its approval things better with a time-tested process, but members of before a measure moves forward. Congress simply ignore it. v These all carry a cost. Crucial issues facing the American people don’t get addressed. Congress moves Lee Hamilton head Indiana University’s Center on from crisis to crisis. Americans give up on the institu- Congress. Page 17

The humanity of their return was an extraordinary The World War II juxtaposition of time. As these veterans were wheeled in by their volunteer guardians who accompanied them on the flight to Washington, they held photos of who they Honor Flight faces had been: Sailors, Marines, GIs, radio men, paratroopers, pilots and navigators, gunners, submarine commanders we can never forget and crew. As they wheeled by, you watched their grizzled faces, now adorned with the red lipstick of a V-E Day style By BRIAN A. HOWEY kiss, contrasting with who they were. PLAINFIELD -– On a rainy Saturday night, they These were the faces you would never forget rolled into the Plainfield HS gymnasium. There was a GI from basic, even if you never knew their names. There who had stormed Utah Beach on D-Day. There was survi- was a searing innocence in these young faces, unclouded vor from the USS Indianapolis, which was destroyed after by TV, or narcotics, cynicism and the greed that followed delivering the atomic bombs that would end the war. There the great war. They were the faces of promise, aspiration was my father, Jack Howey, drafted in 1943, rejected due and duty. to his bad eyesight, who toiled on Great Lakes ore freight- Seven decades plus had passed. These men and ers for U.S. Steel that women returned to Amer- forged the Arsenal of De- ica, married, raised family mocracy, then redrafted (some raising livestock and in 1945 as the Pentagon crops on farms), started began mustering what businesses and factories, was to be a one million worked assembly lines, man invasion of Japan. delivered mail, committed These were the serious journalism, and men and women, black helped forge the next rivet- and white, who took the ing chapter as members World War II Honor Flight of what Tom Brokaw has to Washington on Satur- famously described as the day, where they visited “Greatest Generation” in the World War II Memori- the epic American experi- al. The mission is simple: ence. The precursor to “To transport America’s their struggles in Europe, Veterans to Washington, Africa and the Pacific The- D.C., to visit those memo- ater was the Great Depres- rials dedicated to honor sion, which hardened them their sacrifices. into humanity’s greatest “Of all of the military. Some would come wars in recent memory, face to face with the Nazi it was World War II that concentration camps that truly threatened our very attempted to wipe out the existence as a nation — Jews of Europe and redefine hu- and as a culturally diverse, free manity in the most sinister way. society,” the Honor Flight mission As Hanks and Spielberg states. “Now, with over 900 World would put it in “Band of Broth- War II veterans dying each day, ers” (which debuted shortly after our time to express our thanks to Sept. 11, 2001), “This is why we these brave men and women is fight.” running out.” They went from the There have been waves greatest military to create an of these flights from Indiana and economic, scientific, spiritual and various points across the na- technological juggernaut that has tion. Some 200 veterans on this emphatically reshaped two cen- day were greeted by former U.S. turies amidst a millennial divide. Sen. Bob Dole, who was critically To witness an Honor Flight is to never forget the wounded in at battle near Castel d’Aiano, and has become faces, young and old, that make today’s life possible, who a chief advocate of Americans who, literally, saved civiliza- literally saved civilization. v tion. Page 18

for attorney general. Arredondo is a retired Lake Circuit Lake Democrats rally Court judge. Gregg clearly was the star of the show. In his By RICH JAMES typical southern Indiana style, Gregg thanked the crowd MERRILLVILLE – Although the role of precinct for the impressive turnout. “There are more people in this committeemen has changed considerably over the years, room than there are in my township back home,” Gregg Lake County Democrats still know how to turn out an elec- said. Gregg touched on a number of issues, each time tion eve crowd. Such was the case last week when some saying he was “tired” of a host of things that Gov. Mike 700 Democrats turned out for a rally called by county Pence and the Republican majority in the Legislature have Chairman (and sheriff) John Buncich at St. Constantine done, or in some cases, not done. But not one of issues and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathe- drew the kind of response as did a reference to the Cline dral in Merrillville. Avenue Bridge that hasn’t been rebuilt since the state At $100 a ticket, the party closed it in 2009. When Pence spoke to the Gary Chamber raised a good bit of money. But of Commerce a couple weeks ago, he was asked about because there were few highly the bridge. Pence quickly deflected the query and told the contested races in Lake County questioner to contact the Indiana Department of Transpor- on Tuesday, including the lack of tation. a competitive mayoral race, the A local Democratic elected official who serves crowd didn’t show up with a prior- on the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commis- ity of boosting the Election Day sion spoke to Cline Avenue as well. He said that he often turnout. mentions the lack of progress to the head of the Indiana While there was brief talk Department of Transportation at the planning commission about the Nov. 3 municipal elec- meetings. And he is told each time to contact the gover- tions, this rally was clearly about 2016, with emphasis on nor. Talk about passing the buck. the statewide ticket. In fact, some of the likely statewide Gregg, Ritz and Hill also took on rock star status nominees, led by governor candidate John Gregg, were on with the local crowd as they posed for photographs for hand. about an hour after the program ended. v Also in attendance were Superintendent of Pub- lic Instruction Glenda Ritz, U.S. Senate candidate Baron Rich James has been writing about state and local Hill and local favorite Lorenzo Arredondo, who is running government and politics for more than 30 years.

of the votes cast. Three of those were won by Republicans Indy council races a and two by Democrats. The other 20 council seats were won in landslides, as defined by politicians (more than 55 percent of the vote to the winner). tossup? Or ho-hum? One of the landslides winners, a Republican By MORTON MARCUS candidate, was unopposed. Another eight seats were won INDIANAPOLIS – Was the 2015 election for 25 in dominant form (over 80% of the votes) by 7 Democrats seats on Indianapolis-Marion County Council hotly con- and 1 Republican. Un-competitive races (60 to 80% for tested? Or was it just another ho-hum exercise of political the winning candidate) numbered 7, split 4 for Democrats power contested only at the fringes? and 3 for Republicans. Four seats, all won by Republicans, At first glance, it was a toss-up. were potentially competitive, coming in over 55% but Democrats won 13 of the 25 seats under 60%. Some commentators will say these results with 50.4 percent of the votes cast. show the balance between the parties in Marion County. Republicans won the other 12 seats Other will find that the council districts are drawn to offer with 48.6 percent of the votes, while little inter-party competition. There appear to be 16 safe minor candidates garnered 1 percent. seats (over 60% of the vote to the winner) assured in the This slim margin of victory by Council 25 districts; 11 for Democrats and 5 for Republicans. Democrats (1 seat and 1.8 percent of Ultimately, the question will not come down to the vote) is in stark contrast to the 24 safe seats or wins for Democrats vs Republicans. Rather, percent margin in the mayor’s race we will seek to have districts drawn with impartiality, (62 percent for Democrat Hogsett vs without the intent to favor one party or certain incumbent 38 percent for Republican Brewer). office holders. Nor will the districts be set to create an ar- While close in the aggregate, only five seats were tificial balance between the major parties. Isn’t that what competitively contested, that is won by 55 percent or less we expect in a fair election? v Page 19

Matthew Tully, IndyStar: The turnout was low, disease, and that infected women can transmit it to their and the campaigns were just as low-key. But the stakes unborn babies. State Health Commission Jerome Adams is — for Indianapolis as well as Central Indiana and the concerned about the increase in cases of this preventable entire state — could hardly have been higher. With the and curable disease. This isn’t the only disease attract- exception of governor, there is no more important politi- ing the attention of public health professionals. Drug cian in Indiana than the mayor of Indianapolis, and that abuse in Indiana is rampant, too. U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly job soon will belong to Joe Hogsett. The former secretary and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy held a conference call of state and high-profile U.S. attorney on Tuesday won for journalists last week to discuss what Murthy calls an his first election in 25 years, erasing the sting of three “epidemic” of opioid abuse in Indiana. “We need to stop consecutive high-profile losses on his resume and return- treating addiction as a moral failing and see it as what it ing the mayor’s office to the Democratic Party for the first is, which is an illness,” Murthy said. Murthy praised Indiana time in eight years. His landslide victory means Hogsett Gov. Mike Pence, Attorney General Greg Zoeller and health in less than two months will take control of a city that has commissioner Adams for their efforts on this issue. v experienced a tremendous rebirth in many ways, with rejuvenated neighborhoods and a sense of momentum, Frank Gray, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Tues- but also a capital city hit relentlessly by violent crime and day was what you could call a medium-scale function of one with many neighborhoods locked in crisis. The truth is democracy. People in little bitty towns and medium cities this: How Indianapolis goes, Indiana goes. More than ever. and big cities went to vote. In St. Joe in DeKalb County, 29 And another truth: More than any other figures over the people voted to make Allison McKean their clerk-treasurer. past five decades, the city’s five most recent mayors have And in Fort Wayne, the people chose a mayor and City driven the city forward, taking the Central In- Council members. The troublesome part is that diana suburbs and the rest of the state along in Allen County overall, not even 1 in 4 people for the ride. It’s a big job. “Remember after bothered to vote. If you study political science, you are elected that you have become mayor you’ll be told, rightly or wrongly, that when voter for all the people,” former four-term mayor Bill turnout is high, sky high, it shows that there are Hudnut wrote via email, “and not just those problems, that people are unhappy or worried. On who helped you get elected.” Stephen Gold- the other hand, if turnout is low, it shows that the smith, who followed Hudnut into the mayor’s office, said a people are apathetic, that they don’t care or they’ve given mayor must build a spirit of optimism in the city and con- up. When only 1 in 4 of the people who have bothered to vince residents and others that great things are possible. register to vote show up, it makes one wonder. Is the pub- “The mayor,” he wrote, “sets the tone for that vision with lic engaged? Do they care? Or are the politicians running aspirational goals, by eschewing partisan politics and by for office not engaging the public?v representing those who are not at the table or in the room when a decision is being made.” “Make sure you hear from Washington Post: The news that all sorts of different people, with different points of view, Greg Sargent, Tea Party Republican Matt Bevin snatched the Kentucky on a regular basis,” former Fort Wayne Mayor Paul Helmke governor’s mansion away from Democrats is a particularly suggested, “and then do what you think is the right thing stark reminder of how deep a hole Democrats have dug for the city.” v for themselves at the state level, and of the consequences that could have for the long-term success of the liberal Doug Ross, NWI Times: The 2015 election is all and Democratic agenda. Bevin will replace Democratic over but the whining, so it’s on to the one people have governor Steve Beshear, who was perhaps the lead- been talking about for months – 2016. With the president, ing evangelist for the Affordable Care Act in the South. governor, U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Indiana House and Beshear famously set up a Kentucky health insurance some state Senate races on the ballot, along with a num- exchange and opted in to Obamacare’s Medicaid expan- ber of county offices, there are a lot of issues to examine. sion amid a region of hostility towards the law. Bevin has Among them should be public health. Just last week, we pledged to transition people off of the exchange to the learned there’s an “alarming increase” in the number of federal one, and to shut down the state’s Medicaid expan- infectious syphilis cases reported across Indiana. Prelimi- sion. But in Kentucky, the law has succeeded at its primary nary data show 357 early syphilis cases, meaning newly goal: Early on it successfully brought health coverage to diagnosed, reported between Jan. 10 and Oct. 3. That’s some of the state’s (and the country’s) poorest and un- an increase of nearly 53 percent from the 234 diagnosed healthiest counties, and Gallup found earlier this year that during the same period in 2014. Most, but not all, cases Kentucky boasted the second largest drop in the uninsured involve men having sex with men. The number of cases rate of any state in the country. Now those policy gains of congenital syphilis among pregnant women also has may be in some doubt. It remains to be seen how the increased. I’ll spare you the details of the symptoms. state battle over rolling back Obamacare will play out or You probably already know this is a sexually transmitted whether people will actually end up losing benefits.v Page 20

While turnout results are not yet final- Services Administration’s division of Tallian bill after ized, it appears Tuesday’s election will mental health and addiction. be the fourth in a row where fewer dismal turnout than 3 in 10 registered Hoosier voters SBOE delays new cast a ballot. INDIANAPOLIS – After yet diploma standards another Indiana election marked by Record low turnout INDIANAPOLIS — The State dismal voter turnout, state Sen. Karen Board of Education voted Wednes- Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, believes the in Indy, doughnut day to delay adoption of stricter new diploma standards amid worries from General Assembly has a responsibil- INDIANANAPOLIS – For the ity to make it easier for Hoosiers parents and educators that the over- second consecutive year, Hoosier haul could limit the career potential to participate in their government voters stayed away from the polls in (Carden, NWI TImes). “We can cross of students who are struggling to find record numbers (IndyStar). In Marion their way in the world (Associated our fingers and hope County, 22.69 percent of things get better or we Press). “We’re talking about 14- and voters showed up to elect 15 years-olds and not kids that are can make some com- Democrat Joe Hogsett as mon sense reforms and wizened and have a great career path mayor over political new- set in front of them,” said Todd Bess ensure Hoosiers can comer Chuck Brewer. The exercise their right to of the Indiana Association of School previous low for a municipal Principals. The proposed standards vote without jumping election was 26.32 percent through hoops,” Tallian said. Tallian would have eliminated a fine arts in 2007, according to Marion County requirement while beefing up math announced Wednesday that she will data online going back to 1991. Just propose legislation enabling county requirements for some. Meanwhile, four years ago, 30 percent of voters the number of diplomas offered would clerks to keep polling places open elected Republican Greg Ballard to his past 6 p.m., establishing more sat- have been narrowed, including the second term. Locally, it ranged from elimination of a “general” high school ellite early voting sites, easing the 7.63 percent in Hancock County, which process of voting by mail and permit- diploma in favor of a “workforce had no mayors on the ballot, to 27.95 ready” diploma.Members of the board ting Election Day registration for new percent in Boone County, which fea- voters. “It is difficult to say whether showed concern about a number of tured a three-way race for mayor of the proposed changes. But in particu- low voter turnout is due to busy lives, Lebanon. Tuesday’s lack of interest is procedural difficulties or voter apathy,” lar they balked at the idea of eliminat- an echo from last November. Indiana’s ing the general high school diploma. Tallian said. “However, as legislators, it 30 percent turnout in 2014 was the is our obligation to do as much as we lowest in the nation. can to minimize the obstacles caused Newspaper chain by the first two sources and that is State seeks to sold to Texas firm what I intend to address.” Under her plan, which could be considered by divert offenders COLUMBUS - The longtime the Legislature in January, all Hoosiers family-owned company that owns sev- automatically would be registered INDIANAPOLIS – The state eral community newspapers in central to vote when they obtain a driver’s plans to divert more criminal offend- Indiana—including The Columbus Re- license, unless they choose to opt out. ers with mental health or substance public, the Franklin Daily Journal and She also wants lawmakers to study abuse issues to treatment through the Greenfield Reporter—has been the idea of shifting elections online the Recovery Works initiative (NWI sold to a Texas-based media company. to save money and make it easier for Times). The program provides $30 AIM Media Indiana LLC, a subsidiary Hoosiers to participate. “More than million over the next two years for of AIM Media Texas LLC, announced 120 million Americans filed their taxes designated agencies that treat felony Wednesday it has purchased the print online last year,” Tallian said. “If it is offenders for mental illness or drug and online newspaper and commercial possible to make that process safe addiction in lieu of their being incar- printing assets from Columbus-based and secure, then I believe we should cerated. Porter-Starke Services, based Home News Enterprises LLC. HNE take a serious look at what it would in Valparaiso, is the only participating publications in the transaction include take to move elections firmly into the agency so far in Northwest Indiana. the daily newspapers in Columbus, 21st century.” State Sen. Greg Walker, “Lots of courts across the state have Greenfield, Franklin and Seymour, R-Columbus, the chairman of the diversion programs or community weekly newspapers in Pendleton and Senate Elections Committee, did not correction programs, but their access Nashville. immediately return a request for com- to services was limited because of a ment on Tallian’s proposal. lack of funding,” said Kevin Moore, the director of the state Family and Social