V14 N43 Thursday, July 9, 2009 Legislature a shallow talent pool Former Gov. Oxley’s painful fall Edgar Whit- underscores shift away comb (left) and U.S. Sen. Evan from Statehouse for Bayh at the Statehouse dur- gubernatorial timber ing Gov. Frank O’Bannon’s By BRIAN A. HOWEY funeral in 2003. INDIANAPOLIS - The sad The two repre- story about the fall of 2008 Demo- sent contrasting cratic lieutenant governor nominee eras when the Dennie Oxley II since February un- Indiana General derscores an emerging Assembly was trend when it comes a gubernato- to power politics: rial breeding The Indiana General ground. (HPI Assembly is losing its Photo by Brian station as a breeding A. Howey) ground for guberna- torial tickets. When Democratic gubernato- 1996 won the rial nominee Jill Long Thompson won the primary in May nominations, with roots going back to the Indiana Senate. 2008, it was the eighth time out of the last 10 nomination In that time frame, the two major parties have slots that went to an individual who didn’t have roots in the relied on two mayors, a congressman, a former congress- Indiana General Assembly. The two exceptions occurred when Lt. Gov. John Mutz in 1988 and Frank O’Bannon in Continued on Page 3 Kenny Rogers session By DAVE KITCHELL LOGANSPORT - Collectively, 151 people played out their hands last Tuesday in the Indiana Statehouse. In the end, they all left with something, which after all is the goal of any card player when they leave the table. “I’m looking forward to maybe Gov. Mitch Daniels left with $1 billion in reserves he wanted. House riding a motorcyle by Harley- Speaker Pat Bauer left with more K-12 and higher education funding than Davidson in New Delhi.” Daniels proposed. Senate President - Tim Roemer, envoy to India David Long of Fort Wayne left with the reputation of being able to pull off designate, to the Senate Foreign a special session compromise at the 11th hour. Relations Committee Along with 148 other officials, they HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 2 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, July 9, 2009 all virtually sang the Kenny Rogers Howey Politics two years. standard, “The Gambler.” They knew 4. Did anybody get what Indiana when to hold the line on the budget they wanted? The answer is yes and priorities. They knew when to fold no. Everyone got something, but no is a nonpartisan news- when it became apparent a two-year one got it all, and that may lead to budget was going to overrule calls for letter based in Indianapolis calls to reopen the budget next year, a realistic one-year budget. They knew which probably won’t happen. and published by NewsLink when to walk away when the clock 5. Was the Capital Im- was ticking in April in the final days provement Board saga too much Inc. It was founded in of the long session when the revenue of a distraction? The answer is yes. 1994 in Fort Wayne. forecast was not optimistic. Future legislatures may explore ways And in the final days when it of allowing Indianapolis more flex - became apparent a government shut- ibility in establishing its own taxing Brian A. Howey, publisher down was a stark reality that could authorities. Under Unigov, it’s unclear Mark Schoeff Jr.,Washington cost many of their jobs, they knew why state officials even have to be when to run. Jack E. Howey, editor involved. Now, as Rogers crooned, we 6. Will this cost anyone a Beverly Phillips, associate can count our money because the career? The answer is probably not, editor dealing’s done. The winner in this ses- unless you’re one of the state em- Katie Coffin, intern sion was K-12 education, the largest ployees who will lose a job because piece of the Indiana budget pie. In- there isn’t enough money. creased funding Subscriptions: is coming, but at a rate less $350 annually HPI via e-mail; than inflation $550 annually HPI & HPI Daily unless a trigger Wire. kicks in next Call 317-627-6746. year, given an economy that Howey Politics Indiana emerges from a 6255 N. Evanston Ave. recession. Indianapolis, IN 46220 The questions Hoosiers have Contact Us to be asking are www.howeypolitics.com these: 7. Will Indiana have to 1. Had Indiana not had [email protected] rely on more gambling revenue in the federal stimulus billions and the future? The answer is, for now, Main Office: 317-202-0210. the Major Moves transportation funds, the issue is moot because of the new Howey’s Mobile: 317-506-0883. how bad would the next biennial Hollywood Casino docked in Lawrence- Indianapolis Fax: 317-254-0535. budget have been for Indiana? The burg which should hike state revenue answer: It probably would have been all by its lonesome. That beats raising Washington: 202-256-5822. the worst case scenario, with layoffs, taxes on bingo games in Bluffton and Business Office: 317-627-6746. shutdowns and state bonding and bor- Bean Blossom. ©2009, Howey Politics rowing. 8. Can we expect more 2. Was it all about party Indiana . All rights reserved. contentious sessions in 2011? labels? The answer, to some degree The answer: With redistrict- Photocopying, Internet forwarding, yes, but party labels carry mean- ing and a budget to deal with, are you faxing or reproducing in any form, ing, and it was clear Daniels and the kidding? Place your chips on a special in whole or part, is a violation of Indiana Senate were not on the same session then as a farewell gift to Gov. page. Daniels. v federal law without permission from 3. Is this budget good the publisher. enough? The answer is, for now it Kitchell teachers journalism at will have to be, and by now, I mean Ball State University. HOWEY Politics Indiana Page 3 Weekly Briefing on Indiana Politics Thursday, July 9, 2009 legislature. But with the possible exception of Skillman, from page 1 none is considered a lock for the 2012 nomination. Doc Legislature, Bowen in 1972 was the last Republican to emerge from the House. In 1996, Senate President Pro Tem Bob Garton woman, an attorney general, a secretary of state and a sought the governorship, but his campaign didn’t last long. White House budget director to fill their gubernatorial If a Senate president’s gubernatorial campaign doesn’t nomination. clear the field and falter, it’s an easy consolation prize to Contrasting that is the period between 1948 and return to Senate power. 1972 when seven of the eight gubernatorial nominees If Skillman passes on a run, as Lt. Gov. Richard hailed from the legislature. Between 1964 and 2004, five Folz did in 1972, the odds are that it would be U.S. Rep. of the seven lieutenant governors came from the Indiana Mike Pence who becomes the frontrunner if he chose to Senate. run statewide, although Secretary of State Todd Rokita, The legislature is also a breeding ground for Con- Treasurer Richard Mourdock, former attorney general Steve gress, having produced people like Ed Pease and Julia Car- Carter and possibly U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer might also take a son, but out of Indiana’s 11 Members, only Reps. Baron Hill look. and Dan Burton have General The last time a Assembly backgrounds. GOP nominee presented When Thompson legislative credentials was nominated Oxley a year ago, 1988 when Lt. Gov. John we asked a number of old Mutz was nominated and Statehouse hands this ques- lost. Since then, it’s been tion: Do you see Oxley as Attorney General Linley a potential governor? The Pearson, Indianapolis answer was a resounding Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, “no.” And this was before his U.S. Rep. David McIntosh two legal episodes, the lat- and White House Budget est occurring in June when he Director Mitch Daniels sought legislative “immunity” who have secured nomi- after police found him with an nations. Between 1988 unconscious female intern in and 1993, the party’s an alley behind a gas station. lieutenant governor Essentially, Oxley was fished out nominees came from of a low pool after Evansville outside the legislature. Mayor Weinzapfel, former House The last two Speaker John Gregg and others nominees are instruc- reportedly turned down Thomp- tive. In 1999, Republi- son’s offer to join the ticket. can legislators rallied in Now take a look at Muncie in a successful the emerging 2012 gubernato- attempt to convince rial field and it is dominated by McIntosh to seek the potential candidates outside of governorship. In 2003, the legislature. On the Democratic Daniels returned from side, Evansville Mayor Jona- Washington and quickly than Weinzapfel served several muscled State Sens. Murray Clark terms in the Indiana House, as did and Luke Kenley (along with McIntosh) out of the nomina- Rep. Hill. But both of those potential candidates have tion race, with wide blessing from the party’s establish- burnished their recent statewide political reputations in ment. Congress and city hall. U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth, former Are there other legislators who are potential gu- Indianapolis mayor Bart Peterson, Lake County Sheriff Roy bernatorial or LG candidates? Certainly Long and Bosma Dominguez and Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. belong on that list, though Long has made no utterances have no legislative experience. about interest in a gubernatorial run. We’d add Senate On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, Minority Leader Vi Simpson, who ran for governor briefly House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, and Senate President in 2003, though she doesn’t appear to be looking at 2012.