Long on new power in the Senateand Potch Wheeler retired, followed by the 2004 primary upset of...

New Pro Tem bringsin female leadershipBy BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-AbustofPresidentAbrahamLincolnpeeredovertheshoulderofSenatePresi-dentProTemporeDavidLonginhisStatehouseoffice this week.Hehadjustpassedthehalfwaypointof the first ses-sionsince1980withoutRobertGartonsittinginthatchair,callingtheshots,decid-ingwhichbillslivedordied. HPRhadwatchedLong’scareermorethanadecadeagowhenheservedontheFortWayneCityCouncil.Inthe1992racebetweenSen.JohnSinksandGeoffPaddock,Longhelpedthelong-timesenatorfendoffthechallenge,onlytofollowSinksintotheSenatefouryearslater.By2002,thechangeofthe

guardintheIndianaSenatehadbegunwhenMorrisMills

Long on new power in the SenateThursday, March 15, 2007V13 N29

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By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-Youwouldhavethought,whenPresidentBushlaunchedtheU.S.onmilitaryadventuresinAfghanistanandIraq,thatsomewhere,someonelikethepresidenthimself,orVicePresidentCheney,orDefense

SecretaryRumsfeldwouldhaveputthememoout:Wearetherichestnationinthehistoryoftheworld;wehavethegreatest military; we have the finest medicalsystemintheuniverse.Un-dernocircumstanceshouldanyofourwoundedsoldierseverreceiveanythingbutthebest,mosttechnologicallyad-vanced,timely,cleanandcompassion-atehealthcare.Period.Don’tslipupor

“I’ve got this new lady I want to have some life with, and I can’t even see her. ” - U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, answering criticism of missing a committee hearing on Walter Reed Medical Center

Head trauma of war

Thursday, March 15, 2007

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headswillroll. IfWashingtonsoundslikeabowlingalleythesedays,it’sbecauseheadsatthePentagonarerolling.TheWalterReedMedicalCenterscandalisthelatestdespicablechapterintheon-goingcluster-screwupofIraq. AcoupleofweeksaftertheWashington Post brokethestory,U.S.Rep.JoeDonnellytouredfourbuildingsoftheWalterReedcom-plexandreported,“inmorethanonebuilding,wefoundmold,peelingpaintandnon-functionaloroldventilation,heatingandairconditioningsystems.TheproblemsarenotuniquetoBuild-ing18,thebuildingthatwasthefocalpointoftheWashington Poststo-ries.Itiscrystalclearthatextensiverenovationsareneeded.” The thing that puzzlesmethe most about this Iraq fiasco is that manyHoosiersandotherAmericansaresowillingtoapplaudthepoliticalleaderswhogotusintothismess,andwhodidsolittletoequipourmenandwomenproperly,andnowthroughcollectivemalfeasancehaveallowedthesewoundedsoldierstolanguishinslumwards. We may be getting the first glimpseofthepoliticalfalloutinIndi-ana’s5thCD,whereDr.JohnMcGoffischallengingU.S.Rep.DanBurtonintheMay2008Republicanprimary,unleashingwitheringcriticismoverthecongressmanmissingcongressionalhearingsonWalterReed. After “winning” ourbomb-ingcampaignoverSerbiawithoutacasualty,andtherelativecakewalkthroughKuwaitandSouthernIraqin1991,perhapsAmericans,CongressandtheBushadministrationgotdrunkonthenotionofearlyandeasyvic-toryinIraq.AfterseveringtheheadoftheSaddamregime,therewasnoplanandthevoidallowedalethalinsurgency to flourish. It was mission accomplishedandbring‘emon. TheWMDrationalecanatleastbeassignedtomulti-nationintel-ligencefailure.Butthelackoftroopsfortheoccupation,orsealingtheborders,orprovidingourtroopswith

propervehicleandbodyarmorisanoutragethatcontinuestoclaimAmeri-canlifeandlimbtothisveryweek. Therecanbenoexcuses.Thesemenandwomenwhovolun-teeredforourmilitaryarecomingbacknotonairlinersorinbodybags.TheyaresurvivingheadtraumasthatdecadesagowouldhavemadethemeligibleforArlington.Theyarecom-ingbackwithouteyes,arms,legs,andsometimeswithbrainsthathavebeensavagedbyg-forceandshrapnel.Therehavebeenmorethan25,000wounded,buttheNew York Timesnotesthatthe“signatureinjuryofthiswar”isbraintraumawith1,882casesbeingtreatedtodate,accordingtotheDefenseandVeteransBrainInjuryCenter. LastSundayonABC’sThis Week,moderatorGeorgeStepha-nopolousinterviewedformerU.S.Sen.BobDole,whowasappointedbyPresidentBushtoinvestigatethisnationalshame.Thisisnotasituationthatisgoingtofade.“You’llbedealingwiththisbraininjuryfor30,40,50years,”Stephanopolousnoted. Dole,whoearnedaPurpleHeartduringWorldWarII,answered,“Right.AndIhaven’tmadeanyjudg-ments,butitseemstomethat,iftheVAisnotequippedandDepartmentofDefensehospitalsarenotequippedtodealwiththeseverycomplexbraininjuries,thentheyoughttogotosomeprivatehospitalwheretheyareequippedandwherethey’vebeendo-

ingitfor30,40,50years.” Besidesexpressingyouroutrage-areyououtragedbyhowourbraveveteransandtheirfamiliesarebeingtreated?-thereisonethingHoosierscando...now. Deep in HB 1001,Indiana’sbiennialbudget,Section65callsforan $18 fine (though supporters want it at $10) on some moving traffic viola-tionsthatwouldfundbraintraumaandspinalcordinjuryresearch.Thereisadirectcorrelationbetweenmotorvehicleaccidentsandtraumaticspinalcordandbraininjuries,particularlyamongthoseages16-24,whichis,ofcourse,theageofmanyofourwoundedsoldiersfromIraq. Duringaperiodendingin2003,of194researchprojectgrantsawardednationally,Indianareceivedonlyoneforbrainandspinalcordinju-ryresearch.Indianadidn’treceiveanyNationalInstitutesofHealthgrantsfortrainingandcareerdevelopment. Hoosiersneedtobepreparingforthedecadesofcarethatsomeofoursoldiersaregoingtoneed. ManyamongusweregunghotogoontheoffensiveintheWaronTerror.Buttherewillbeanongo-ing price to pay for the sacrifice these menandwomenarepaying. Andthereisnoexcusefortheirrecuperationinanythingbutthebestandmostadvancedmedicalfacili-tiesourrichnationhastooffer.v


andPotchWheelerretired,followedbythe2004primaryupsetofSenateFinanceChairmanLarryBorst,theequallystunninglossofGartontwoyearslater,andSen.JoeHarrison’sretirement.Duringthisperiodoftransition,LongsteeredthroughacoupleofpalacecoupattemptsbySens.MurrayClarkandLukeKenleytobecomeGarton’smajor-ityleader,thenmaneuveredthroughthemessyissuethatdoomedGartonandBorst-legislatorhealthcareforlife-thatincludedacoupleofwinter2006pressconferencesthat almost defied logic. WithGarton’sdefeatinMay2006,LongspentsixmonthsplayinggolfwithpotentialrivalssuchasStateSen.TomWeatherwax,andinintensedialoguewithothercaucusmembers.ItwasanOctobermeetingwiththesixfemalecaucusmembers-Sens.TeresaLubbers,SueLandske,BeverlyGard,Con-nieLawson,VanetaBeckerandPatriciaMiller-andtheirsubsequentblocendorsementseveraldayslaterthatdeliv-eredLongtotheProTem.ItisnocoincidencethattheOldManOldGuardhasgivenwaytoLong,AssistantProTem-poreLandske,MajorityFloorLeaderLawsonandAssistantMajorityFloorLeaderLubbers.Neverinthestate’shistoryhastherebeensuchaconspicuousdisplayoffemalepowerinaplacewhereitcanmatterthemost-theIndianaSenate. Anditcompletedavir-tualwholesalechangeoflead-ershipintheIndianaexecutiveandlegislativebranchessince2004:Gov.MitchDanielsfromJoeKernan;Lt.Gov.BeckySkillmanfromKathyDavis;SpeakerB.PatrickBauerfromBrianBosma.Ways&MeansChairmanBillCrawfordfromJeffEspich.Sens.LukeKenleyandBobMeeksfromLarryBorst. ButthemostdramaticchangeistheemergenceofGov.Daniels,andnowLongintheSenate,takingthereinsfromtheautocratic,protectiveGarton.HPRsatdownwithProTemporeLongonTuesdaymorningtoassessthechangeoftheguardinthisexclusiveHPRInterview.

HPR:Didyoueverdreamyou’denduphere? Long: WhenIwasontheCityCouncil,IthoughtIwouldserveonemoretermandgobacktopracticelaw.ThenSen.Sinksdecidedhewasgoingtoretire.Idecidedthatwouldbesomethinginteresting.Ihadhelpedhimwithhiscampaignin1992.SoIknewandunderstoodmoreaboutthisprocess.ButwhenIcamehere,mygoalwasnottobecomethepresidentoftheSenate.Iwantedtodogoodandserveeightyearsandthengobackandpracticelaw.I’vebeenveryfortunatetobeinthispositionwhereIcandothemostgoodforthepeopleofIndiana,thepeopleof my district and my kids and grandkids. I’m a firm be-lieverthatwehaveanobligationtoleavethisstateinmuchbetter shape financially, economically and any other way wecan,bythetimeweleavehere.

HPR:Asajournalist,Ifeelthesameway.Wearestewardsoftheprocessandwehopetohanditoffinbettershapethanwhenwecame. Long: Because,otherwise,whyareyouhere?Right?Wedothebestwecanandalsoappreciatehavingtheopportu-nity.That’smyfocus.Ididn’tseemyselfhere,butnowthatIamhere,IintendtodotheverybestIcan. HPR:Whenyouarrivedin1996,itlookedlikethetwotitans-Sens.BorstandGarton-wouldbeherealong,longtime.ItappearsthattheSen-atehasbeenthroughalotofshock,grief,denial,angerandreconciliationinthewakeoftheirdefeats.Howhasthatchangedtheprocess? Long:Mostofthereactionwasshockforthosewhohadbeenherealongtime.Therewereagroupofsenatorsherewho,justlikeIhad,grownupwiththissamegroupleadingtheSenate.SomeofthemhadbeenheretwiceaslongasIhad.Tohavethatleadershipgroupchange,andit’snotjustSen.Garton,itwasSen.Har-rison,Sen.Wheelerwhoretiredin‘02,Sen.Millswholeftin‘02Ibelieve...thatgroupofsena-torsreallyranthingsherewithan iron fist. With this leadership group,thereisasubstantial

The faces of new Senate leadership include (from top left) assistant Pro Tempore Sue Landske, Majority Floor Leader Connie Lawson, Assistant Majority Floor Leader Teresa Lub-bers, and Senate President Pro Tempore David Long.


leadershipchangeintheSenate.Itistrulyashockwhenpeople reflect on that and how quickly it changed. I had thegreatestrespectforeachofthoseindividuals.ItisafactoflifethatchangedoescomeandhopefullyIcanaddsomethingsthatareeffectiveandovertimewillimprovethingsfortheSenate,formysenators,andforthepeopleofIndiana.Ithinkwecantakethingstothenextlevel.That’smychargeandIhavetheopportunitytodothat.Anytimeyouchangelong-termleadersthere’sanopportu-nitytochangethingsinapositiveway. HPR:I’veheardfrommorethanoneofyourcol-leaguesthatwhenSen.Gartontookpower,theSenatewasembattledaftertheEdwards-Gutmanscandals.Inaway,hewashandcuffedtoitshistoryandthatledhimtoruleinacertainway.Youdon’thavethatkindofbinding.Obviouslyyouwanttomaintainthedecorumandtheintegrityoftheprocess.Butdoesthatputyouonadif-ferenttrack? HPR:BobGartoncameinduringverytryingcircum-stancesandhealwaysfeltitwashisjobtokeeptheSen-atefromslippingbackdownintothatabyssagain,oftwoleadersbeingindicted.Ithinkheupheldthat.Hewasaboveboard,withoutquestion,butIthinkovertimeSen.Gar-tonestablishedhisownstyle.Ultimatelyitwasastylehewascomfortablewithandinmanywayswasaveryeffectiveprocess.IwillbealittledifferentthanBob.Ihavemyownstyleofdealingwithpeople.Anybodywho’ssatinthischairwillhavetheirownstyle.Peoplewouldexpectthat.Iwanttorespectthebestthingshedidandmaintainthat,hopefully,makeimprovementswhereIthinktheyneedtobemade.I’mmorecomfortablewithtechnologythanSen.Garton.It’sagenerationalthing.IwasusedtostaringatacamerawhileIwasontheCityCouncil.IfIhadn’thadacamerastaringmeinthefaceeveryday,Imighthavebeendiffer-ent.ButI’mcomfortablewithitandhavingtheSenateontheInternet.There’screatingthestatenetworkthatI’mworkingonforallHoosiersthatcanbeapositivething.Itwillbringgovernmentclosertothepeople.That’smyap-proachtoitanyway.Thereissomefear,somepeoplesay“whywouldyouwanttodothat?Peoplewilluseitagainstyou.”IthinkSen.Gartonwasveryprotectiveofhisfellowmembers.Ithinkthatthreatisoverstated.Moderntech-nologycontinuestoevolveinsuchawaythatmakesit

easiertodo.I’mcomfortableputtingusasmuchaspossibleontheInternet.Hopefullywe’llhaveallourcommitteesontheInternet,whichiswherewe’reheadedwithallofthisinsuchawaythatpeopleinFortWayneandGaryandSouthBend,EvansvilleandLafayettecangetthesamekindofcoveragethattheygettodayinIndianapolis.Thereismuchmoresaturatedcoverageofthelegislaturehere.TheTVstationscoveritandtheStarcoversitandthepeoplearemuchmoreeducateddownherebecauseofthat.InFortWayneandelsewhere,thecoverageisunderstandablylighter. There’s one reporter from the Journal (Gazette) and

occasionallytheTVstationsgetdownhere.Butyoudon’thavethesamecoverageandthesameunderstand-ing.Ifwecanbringtechnol-ogytothepeopleandbringthelegislaturetothem,weshouldtryanddothat.Sen.Ford,asourtechnol-ogyguru,isworkingonthatandwe’llworkwithwhoevertheSpeakerdesignates.It’sbecomingcrystallizedastowhatcanbedone.ThishasbeenmentionedtotheexecutivebranchandthejudicialbranchandIhopethatwecould.ItwouldbelikeCSPAN. HPR: WhenItalktosena-tors,Ihearwordslike“openmind”andthatit’seasiertostateacasewithoutworryingpreciselyaboutlanguagethatSen.Gartonwouldturnback

onthem. Long: That’ssomethingthathastodowiththegermainessrule.HewasledonbytheConstitutionthatrequired a single subject matter. When I first came in as a senator,Ithoughtitwasbeingwieldedasaweapon.ButItrulybelievehewaskeepingtheSupremeCourtfromcominginandinterveninginourbills.Ithinkthat’salwaysaveryrealdanger.TheConstitutionsaysthatlegislationshouldbesingle-subjectmatteronly.MyattorneyandIarefollowingagermainessapproach.Wearetryingtobecon-sistentwiththat,butIdobelievethat,perhaps,I’mslightlylessanxiouswithcertainverbiagethanSen.Gartonmighthavebeen.I’mmorerelaxed,butIamstillquitevigilant. HPR:Manypeoplearewatchinghowyoudelegateyourauthorityandresponsibility.Whatisyourphilosophy? Long: The people who came in with me are reflec-tiveofthetalentedcaucusthatwehave.Insomecases,therearepeoplewithgreattalentsthatwewanttoutilize.I’llgiveyouanexample.Sen.Lubbersisknownforeduca-

Then-Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Garton (left) and Long during a February 2006 press conference in which Garton defended the health care for life perk for legislators. Long said he was there to support the caucus position, but as Pro Tem, advocates an above-board approach to wages and benefits. (HPR Photo by Brian A. Howey)


tion,butshehasarealacumenforcommunications.IcametounderstandthatoverthelastcoupleofyearswhenIworkedwithher.SoIaskedhertobecomethenewas-sistant majority floor leader for communications. We had an openingforthecommunicationsjob.Ichargedherwithgo-ing out and filling this, starting from the top with the right people,andshe’sdoneanoutstandingjob.Weneededtomodernizesubstantiallyandindoingthat,shemadeagreathireinScottMinier.That’sanexamplewhereIgavetalentedpeopleajobtodoandletthemdoit.Iamnotlaissez–fairebyanymeans.Iwanttoknowwhat’sgoingon,butIdon’tmicromanagepeopledoingtheirjobs.DavidFordisourtechnologygurubutheknowsagreatdealabouteconomicdevelopmentaspectsoftechnology.Therearetwoexamples.BrandtHershmanisarisingtalentinourcaucusandIcreatedthewhipjobtobecomemoreinlinewithhowtheydoitinWashington.Igavehimmoreresponsibility.Hechecksonamendmentsdaily.IcameinwiththeClassof‘96withConnieLawson.Shegoesabouthertasksinawaythatisthorough,com-pleteandeffective.She’sthekindofpersonwhospendsextrahoursatherdeskthat’srequiredofleadership,particularlyherjob. HPR: Duringthe2004campaign,Gov.Danielsconstantlyremindedpeoplenottomistaketheedgeoftherutforthehori-zon.WiththechangeinSenateleadership,istherenowatendencytoletbygonesgoandnotworryaboutthepaybacksthatoftensteeredlegislation?Istheremoreofacleanslatenow? Long: IhaveagoodrelationshipwithPatBauer.IrespecthimandIthinkthefeelingismutual.I’mnotsuggestingtherewon’tbetoughtimes,astherealwaysare.Idounderstandthatthingsgetpoliticalnowandthen.ButIalsobelievethelinesofcommunicationwillbeopenbetween us, as it will be with the governor’s office. I think it’sincumbentonmetokeepitthatway.Wecandisagreeanddisagreestrongly,butshowingrespectforeachotherisincrediblyimportanttotheprocess.Iwillalwaystryandmaintainthathere.Weallhavedifferentvisionsonwhatneeds to get done and we’ll try and find common ground. My job is to get people together and find out what’s pos-sible.Alotofthingsgetdoneinthat12thhourbecauseyoustickwithitandyoudon’tworryaboutwhatsomebodythinksofyou.IdobelievethatSpeakerBauerandIwillbeabletoworkthatway. HPR: I just finished reading Doris Keans Goodwin’s bookonLincoln“Team of Rivals”... Long: That’sagreatbook. HPR: Goingintothissession,therumorsinthebuildingwerehowSen.Longwasgoingtohaveahardtime

workingwiththeconservativesandhowfractiousthemajor-itycaucuswouldbe.ButI’vetalkedtosomeoftheconser-vativesinthecaucusandI’mnothearingalotofangst. Long: Youneedtotreatsomebodyfairlyandnotcategorizetheminacertainway.Sometimespeoplearela-beledinacertainway.Sometimespeopledon’tbelievetheirleadershipisgoingtogivethemafairshake.Thatmayor

maynotbeaccurate.IbelieveintreatingpeoplewithrespectandIexpectthatinre-turn.Youhavetohaveavisionofwhatyouwanttodohere,makeitmeaningfulwhenyouarehere.That’spartofbeingaleaderandhopefullythatrubsoffintherightway.Peoplewillhavetheirsay.We’reheretogetthingsdone.That’smybottomline.They are elected officials. They fought hard togethere,theyhaveatoughjobtodoand it’s my job to help them find success in thatjob. HPR: OneoftheotherbigchangesasSen.Borst’sdefeatin2004wassplit-tingSenateFinanceintotwocommittees.HowisthatworkingwithSens.KenleyandMeeks? Long:Ithinktheyaredoingagreatjobtogether.ThatwasoneofthethingsIwaslookingtosee,whetherthatwouldcontinuetoevolve.Theyarebothtalentedguys,theybringdifferenttalentstothejobandtheycomplimenteachother.Wehavea fiscal analyst in Dan Noverske who works beautifullywiththosetwoguys.Sen.Ken-

leyisworkingveryhardonapropertytaxbillthatisvision-aryandwillgivetrue,meaningfulpropertytaxreform.Thatopportunitywillbethere.Sen.Meekshashisarmsaroundthisbudgetrightnowandisfocusedonwhereheneedstogowithit.They’rebothworkingonthebudgetwithSen.Kenleyworkingontheschoolfundingformula.Itworkswellforus.It’sworkedmuchbetterthanmanypeoplethoughtitwould. Sen. Garton had two guys who wanted finance and hesplitthejobinhalf.Butitworks.Itreallyhas. HPR:WhatshouldweexpectoutofSen.Kenley’spropertytaxreforms? Long: Thebasicconceptisthatyouhavetoincludeschools.Ifyou’renotincludingschools,you’renotgettingatmeaningfulpropertytaxreform;you’renotreallyattack-ingitthewayitneedstobeattacked.Lookforschoolstobeincludedinhisproposal.Asfarastaxcontrols,IthinkweagreewiththeHouse,thoughwhatthatlookslikeremainstobeseen.Buttherewilllikelybesomekindoflocaltaxcontrolboard.Somebody’sgottolookoutforthelittleguyoutthere.Somemanagementoftheprojectsthatdoesn’texisttodayandthat’sbestdoneatthelocallevel.Indiana’spropertytaxes,andmanypeoplewon’tbelievethis,arelowerthaninmostplacesinthecountry.Thatisanadvan-


Long:Istillambasicallyahomeruleguy.Istillbelieveinthat.Wearefarfromthattoday.Localgov-ernmentscandecidewhat’sbestforthem.I’vealwaysbelievedthat.Ijustdon’tbelieveingivingthemablankchecktodoit.Ithinkthereneedtobesomecontrols.Becausewehavetheabilitytohelpsetupbettercontrols,itwouldberesponsibletohelpsetthatup.Thatwouldgivemunicipalities flexibility for what they need and they are lessreliantonpropertytaxes. HPR:Willthisbeunveiledinthenextweekorso? Long: Itshouldbeoutsoon.MeeksandKenleyarethehardestworkingguys.Theirstaffsarecoordinating

Young gives Long good marksBy BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-SenateMinorityLeaderRichardYoungbelievesthatPresidentProTemporeDavidLongisofftoagoodstart. “IhavetremendousrespectforSen.Garton,”Youngsaid.“Iunderstandwherehecamefrom,whyhedidwhathe did. A lot of it came from when he came in, filling in for GutmanandChipEdwards.Hefelthewascalledupontoprotectthebody.Thatdidimpactonhiswholecareerandwhathewastryingtoaccomplish.Daviddoesn’tcomeinwiththatlegacy.Tosomeextent,it’sfreedhimupalittlebit.Sofarourrelationshiphasbeenverygood.” YoungusedanexampleofwhenhewenttoLongrequestingastaffattorney.“Hesaidgoahead.We’regettingbillsheard.We’vetalkedaboutthoseissues.Tothedegreethathecan,he’llworkwithus.He’stalkingtothemembers.We’regettingbillsheardincommitteenow.Idon’tknowallof the difficulties he has working with the people who sup-ported him and those who don’t. There’s got to be conflict there because there’s conflict always with me. I know it’s there,Ijustdon’tknowtheinnerdynamics.He’sfeelinghiswaythroughsomeofthese.” Young has been concerned aboutRulesCommit-tee.“I’vetalkedtohimaboutsomechangesintherulesthatIwouldliketosee,”Youngsaid.“Oneisthatwewouldn’thavetheRulesCommitteewherewewouldhaveoneperson-thePresidentProTem-reportitout.Wewouldhavefull-blownhearingsoneverythingexceptwhenheandIwouldagreethatwewouldmovesomethingifitwasatthelastminuteandweneededtochangetherulestogetsomethingmovedforwardthatwouldkeepusgoingintospecialses-sion.Butotherthanthat,therewouldbefull-blownrulescommitteehearingsforeverythinggoingintorules.Althoughhewasreceptivetotheidea,hewasn’tsurewhattheimpli-cationsofitwereandhewasn’tquitesurewhatpowerhe

wouldbegivingupornot.Hemightwantto.Hesaid,‘Letmehaveitforayear.LetmeseehowmyjobworksandwhetherIwanttochangethat.Idon’twanttogiveitupuntilIknow.’” Young also said it is easier tocommunicatewithLongasopposedtoGarton.“Sofarwehavehadaverygoodworkingrelationship.Hecomesovertovisitme;Igoovertovisithim,”Youngsaid.“Heissoopenminded.IfIhavesomeconcerns,hecanbeveryforth-right.Idon’thavetobecreativeinhowImightpres-entitbecauseI’mnotworkingagainstsomeprecedentthat’souttherethatBobmighthavebeenafraidtobreak.Daviddoesn’thavethoseprecedents,soIdon’thavetobecreative.SometimesIhadtobeverycreativeinhowIpresentedaparticularsituationwithBob.WithDavid,I don’t have to do that. A fish is a fish, what can we do aboutit?Onallthings,he’swillingtotalkaboutit;con-siderthepointofview.Onsomeofthem,he’spointedouttome,“Wedon’twanttodothemthatway.”It’sbeenaverygooddialogue.”v

tageforuseconomically.AstatelikeIndianacanbecometheleadernationallyandIthinkthatwillmakeuslookmuchmoreattractive.Thisallplaystoouradvantageifwearevigilantandmaintainthat.Keepingthecostofgovern-mentlowisaveryimportantgoal.Ithinkwecanbevery,veryattractivetocompaniesthatusedtolookonlyattheSunbelt.It’sincumbentuponustokeepourtaxeslow.Thepropertytaxproposalwillbeaverykeyelement.Obvi-ouslythatgetsintowhetherthestatepicksupanyservices.We’restillseeingcircuit-breakerdiscussions.Ithinkifwe’regoingtohavesuccesswithpropertytaxes,LukeKenley’sconceptisgoingtobeclosetoit. HPR:HowdoesyourlocalgovernmentexperienceontheFortWayneCityCouncilcoloryourperceptionsandgoalsasweheadintothis?

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Senate Minority Leader Richard Young


andthereareonlyacoupleweekslefttodoit. HPR: You’vebeenonaleadershiptrackforseveralyearsbeforeSen.Garton’sdefeat.YetwatchingyouandSen.KenleyduringthosepressconferencesonthehealthcareforlifeissuelastFebruarymademewince.Sen.Gar-tonandBorstpaidapoliticalpriceforthat.Whatdidyoulearnfromthatwholeprocess?Diditmakeyouabetterleader? Long: Sen.KenleyandIwereupthere,wewereinleadershipanditwasthecaucusposition.Ourcaucusmadethatcall.Allalong,IfeltthatiftherewasevergoingtobeabridgetoMedicare,whichiswhatthisoriginallystartedoutas,Ithinkitgotofftrack,there’snoquestion.Ifwe’regoingtodoanything,weshoulddoitforallstateemployees.We’retryingtodothatwiththepayraiseissue,whichyoucriticized.Youdidn’tliketheideathatwewouldgetanautomaticpayraiseifthestateemployeesgotit. HPR: ThatwastheIndiana Law Blog.IraisedsomehelloverthecigarettetaxdefeatintheHouse.Idothinkthatlegislatorsareunder-paid.Itjustshouldbeaboveboard,noneofthis11thhour,sneakitintoabillwithoutanyoneknowing. Long: We’ve modified the health care statuto-rily.Ourpayistiedtothejudgespay.That’swhatallfourcaucusesagreedon.Itusedtobetiedtothegovernor’spay, but (House Speaker) Bob Dailey decoupled it in ‘85. Whatmattersisthatwegetasetamount.Wehavetogothroughanotherelection.Itwon’tbeeffectiveuntil2009.Ifstateemployeesgetapayraise,legislatorswillonlygetwhattheyget.Aslongasthereisasystemlikethat,Idon’tthinkpeoplewillhaveaproblemwithit. HPR:Idon’tthinktheywilleither. Long: WhenIwasonthecitycouncil,wedidthesamesortofthing.Ultimatelywe’reusingthatsamesortofconcepttoday.Theywouldratherseeyougetasalary,keepitthereandtieittothecostoflivinglikeeverybodyelse. I think it is politically short-sighted (to do nothing). Thatputsusrightbackwherewewere.IbelievetheotherthreeleadersbelievethisjustasmuchasIdo.Weoweittothefutureofthelegislaturetomakesurethatwehaveenoughofawageheretoattractpeoplefromallwalksoflifeandnotjustretireesandwealthypeople.Ibelievethatfromthebottomofmyheart.Icouldn’tdisagreewiththatpersonfromtheIndianaLawBloganymore;thatweshouldhavetocomebackforpayraises. HPR:Whatdoyouthinkwillhappentothegovernor’shealthcareplan?Propertytaxreform?Full-daykindergarten? Long:Onethingweneedtofocusonisweneedtokeepourbudgetbalanced.MichiganGov.Grandholmis

facingalmostabilliondollarbudgetthisyearand$1.5bil-lionnextyearandthere’snoconsensusonhowtodealwithit.Theyarespendingalotmorethantheyaretakinginandtheyarepayingapriceforit. HPR: Andifwehavearecessionnextyear? Long:Theyareinbigtrouble.That’swhyitissoimportanttostaythecoursenowthatwehavegottenbacktocontrollingourspending.Wehavetodothat.It’sneverahappysituation,butit’sincumbentonustofollowthepathnowthatourbudgetisbalancedandourspendingisundercontrol.WearenotinthepositionthatMichiganisinandwecantalkaboutdoingsomeofthesenewthings,buttodothat,wearegoingtohavetolookatalternatives.

Thegovernorhastalkedaboutleasingthelottery.It’scontroversialafterMajorMoves,butyouknowwhat?ThewayLukeKenleyhasreworkedthatbill,work-ing with the governor’s office, it is dealing withsomeseriousproblemswehavehereinIndiana.Itcouldreally,reallyhave tremendous influence on the Indi-anaeconomy.Thoseideasareimportant,buttheycan’tbepartofthebudget;wedon’thavethemoneyforthat. HPR: Whataboutfull-daykin-dergarten? Long:Ifitcomesin,itwill

comeinincrementally.We’vegot40percentofourkidsonfulldayK.Wehavefederaldollarsthatmatchthat,that’simportanttoremember.Wewanttomakeitnon-mandatoryandmakesureweareintelligentinthewayweimplementit.Districtsareconcernedaboutthecostsrightnow.Idoseesomethinghappening,Iamhopefulitwill,butIdothinkitwillbeincremental.That’sthebestIcanseerightnow. HPR: WhatisyourphilosophyontheRulesCom-mittee.ThewaySen.Gartonhadit,itwasthechairmanwhoreportedbillsout,meaningitwasmostlyagraveyardforbills. Long: I’mnotusingitverymuchtostickbillsinthererightnow.Sen.Gartonuseditasmuchasawaytokeeptrackofeverything.HetraineditthroughthecaucusandtheRulesCommittee,andIthinkthat’simportant.It’sawaytomakesuretherearenosurprises.That’swhyatthispoint,I’mgoingtouseitthesameway,butasacontrolmechanismsoweknowwhat’sgoingonwithallthethingsthatcomeoutofconferencecommittee. HPR: Democratsarepleasedthatmostofthebillsaregettingheard. Long: Yes,Ibelieveinthat.Ihaveuseditforadaylight-savingtimebillandlegislationthatwouldhavepeeledoffMajorMovesmoneyforlocaluse.Bigprojectscouldn’tgetdoneotherwise.Ifwedon’tsticktothat.... HPR:YouendupwiththeBuildIndianaFund. Long: Yougotit.v


Okeson views Long’s ascensionas a ‘seamless transition’By BRIAN A. HOWEY INDIANAPOLIS-WorkingintheStatehousetrenchesforGov.MitchDaniels,seniorlegislativeliaisonJohnOkesonhaswatchedtheIndianaSenateintenselyforasecondtime. Lastyear,hehadtodealwithSenatePresidentProTemporeRobertD.Garton,whotheprevioussummerhadlashedoutattheDanielsadministrationovertheclosingoftheHope,Ind.,licensebranch.Yet,whenitcametopushingMajorMovesthroughtoasuccessfulconclusionwithtwoDemocraticvotes,DanielscouldrelyonGarton.AttimesduringtheGovernor’smaiden2005session,hefoundhimselfout-of-syncwithGar-tonandthen-HouseSpeakerBrianBosma.In2006,“Thegov-ernorverymuchlookedtothoseguysasthepro-cessunfolded.Sometimesyoudidn’tknowwhatwascom-ingnext,buttheyprovedtobeveryastute.” AlittlemorethanamonthafterMajorMovespassed,theStatehousees-tablishmentwasgreetedwithitssecondstunningMayprimarydevelopmentintwoyears:GregWalker’sdefeatofProTemGarton. With the emergence ofPresidentProTemDavidLong,Okesonhaswitnessedtheinevitablechange.“IthaschangedinawaythatisconsistentwiththewaysthingschangeintheSenate,”saidOkeson,whohailsfromFortWayneandhaswatchedLong’spoliticalcareerprogressfromitsbeginning.“Ithasn’tcome...perceptibly.Changehascome...notgradually...”Okesonponderedforamin-ute,lookingforthecorrectword. Incrementally? “Yes,”Okesonsaid.“Incrementally.Davidisanextremelyastuteleader.DavidhasmadechangesthatIsuspectthecaucuswasreadyfor.Morebillsarebeingheardanddiscussed.He’snotjustchangingjusttoputhisstamponthings.”

“Thecurrentleaderisleadinginthebesttradi-tionofSenateleaders.Thecaucusinsistsondecorumandplaceshighvalueondebate.” Okeson described therecentdeliberationonSB577-thehighlycontroversialHoosierLotteryfranchisingbill.“Theywereproudofthequalityofthedebateinthatchamberasthey’veeverbeen.Theyarehearingandcon-sideringthingstheymightnothaveheardorconsideredinthepast.” Okesoncharacterizedtheleadershipchangesasa“seamlesstransition,”whichisnoteworthyinachamberthathadn’tseenmuchturnoverbetween1980whenGar-tontookchargeand2002. Askedaboutthechangeoftheguardthathasincludedfourfemales-Lt.Gov.Skillman,MajorityLeaderConnieLawson,AssistantProTemporeSueLandske,and

AssistantFloorLeaderTeresaLubbers-givingtheSenateahistoricgendertwist,Okesonsaidhehadhardlythoughtaboutthatpartofthetransition,inthatitseemedsonatu-ral, certainly a hallmark of credibility and finesse. Okeson said that Pro Tem LongandGov.Danielshaddevelopedagoodworkingrelationshipbeforeeitheronehadreachedtheircurrentstation.“Theydohaveagoodrelationship,”Okesonsaid.“ThatgoesbacktowhenitwascandidateDanielsandSen.Long.” Ultimately,theearliestscrutinyofLong’sleader-shipwillbegintofomentafterthisbiennialbudgetsessionends,presumablyonApril30.“Thepaceofthissessionisalittledifferentthan2005and2006,whenitwasveryfastpaced,”Okesonsaid.“Thisismorethepaceoftraditionalsessions.Ithinkthey’llgetalotdone.”v

Senate President Pro Tempore David Long with Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and Gov. Mitch Daniels just prior to the State of the State address in January. Since 2004, there has been a wholesale change of leadership in Indiana’s executive and legislative branches, capped by Long taking the top position in the Senate late last year. (HPR Photo)


2008 Indiana Governor Governor 2008:Republican:Gov.MitchDan-iels.Democrat:SenateMinor-ityLeaderRichardYoung,JimSchellinger.1996 Results: O’Bannon (D) 1,075,342, Goldsmith (R) 997,505, Dil-lon (L) 35,261. 2000 Results:O’Bannon (D) 1,230,345, McIn-tosh (R) 906,492, Horning (L) 38,686.2004 Results: Daniels (R) 1,302,912, Kernan (D) 1,113,900, Gividen (L) 31,644. 2008 Forecast:StateSen.Vi SimpsonsaidMondayeveningthatshewillnotseektheIndianaDemocraticgubernatorialnomina-tionin2008.“Ispentalotoftimetalkingwithpeoplewhoreallycare-family,friends,support-ers.Therewasalotofencouragement.That’sveryhumbling.”ButSimpsonsaidthatwithherhusbandretired,athirdgrandchildontheway,“Atthispointinmylife,thetimingwasnotright.Forme,therealquestionisaboutpriorities.IbelieveIcandomoreasastatesenator.Thisdoesn’tmeanI’mwalkingawayfrompublicservice.”Asforinterestinapossiblelieutenantgovernornominationin2008,Simpsonresponded,“Youneverclosedoors.”Simpsoncalledherbrief2003campaignforthe‘04nomination“Thehighlightofmylife.”SimpsondroppedoutofthatracewhenGov.JoeKernanre-entered,decidingtoseekafullterm.ThompsonwasmeetingDemocratsfrom around the state this week. An official candidacy an-nouncementfromSchellingercouldtakeplacenextweek.SchellingertoldusMondaynightafteradayinFortWaynethathehadtalkedwithSen.Simpson.FormerFirstLadyJudy O'Bannon willhostafundraiserforYoungat5:30p.m.Tuesday,April3attheScholar'sInnindowntownIndianapolis.DonorstoYoung'sgubernatorialcampaignareaskedtogive$500and$1,000.Primary Status: Tossup.General Status:LEANSDANIELS.

2008 Congressional Congressional District 5: Republican:U.S.Rep.DanBurton,Dr.JohnMcGoff. Geography: Media Market:Indianapolis,FortWayne,SouthBend.

People: Urban/rural73/27%;medianincome$40,381;Poverty9.5%;Race84%white,8%black;5Hispanic;Blue/whitecollar:34/50%.2006RepublicanPrimaryResult:Burton61,150,Alfred6,869,Wakley4,822.2006 General Result: Burton (R) 133,118, Carr (D) 64,362, Sharlow (L) 7,431, Miller (I) 18. 2008 Forecast: HPRbe-lievesthatBurtoncouldbeinrealdangerofanupset.In Dr. McGoff, he is facing his first significant primary chal-lenge since 1982 when he came out of a crowded field and upsetGOPChairmanBruceMelchert.Burtonhasn’thadtosweatacrediblegeneralelectionbattlesincetakingwhatisconsideredoneofthemostRepublicanseatsinthenation.ButMcGoffappearstoberaisingmoneyandhehasputBurtononthedefensiveovermissedhearingsandvotes.AfterbeingplaguedallweekwithquestionsaboutwhyhemissedacongressionalpanelhearingonsubstandardconditionsforwoundedU.S.troopsrecoveringatWalterReedMedicalCenter,BurtonwasquotedintheIndianapolisStarsaying,"I'vegotthisnewladyIwanttohavesomelifewith,andIcan'tevenseeher."HedefendedhimselfatayouthleadershipconferenceinKokomo,explainingtostudentsthereasonhemissedahearinglastMondayinWashingtonwasbecausehespenttheweekendinIndiana."AndItalkedtothechairman,becauseIcouldn'tgetbackforthathearingthatquicklyandsoIaskedhimtogivemeacompletereportonthehearing,"explainedBurton.ItwouldbeanunderstatementtosaythattheBurtoncon-gressionaloperationisnotprimedincrisiscommunicationandifthatdoesn’tchange,hecouldbeheadedforthepoliticalgraveyardthathasclaimedStateSens.BobGartonandLarryBorstduringthelasttwoprimarycycles.Thislackofcommunicationcomesfromthetop-Burtonhimself-whowasindenialoverhowpotentanissuethiscouldbecome.“Whowouldn’twanttospendmoretimewiththeirfamilyratherthangoingtowork?”McGoffresponded.“Intheemergencydepartmentatthehospital,Iworkastrangeschedulethatsometimesrequiresmetoworkatnights,weekendandholidays.ThatcutsintothetimeIgettoseemywifeanddaughter,butI’veneverskippedashifttodosobecausetherearesickandinjuredpeoplethatneedmetobethereforthem.ButcanyouimaginewhatourmilitarywouldbelikeifsoldierswentAWOLbecausetheywantedtogohomeforafewdaystoseetheirwives?”McGoffsaid.“Yetwehaveacongressmanwhothinksheshouldhavetheluxurytoskiphearingsonveteranservicesatmilitaryhospitalsbecausehewantstoseehis?AllthereportsindicatethattheconditionsatWalterReedarepathetic,andourtroopsdeservemuchbetter.IstillbelieveitisinexcusableforBurtontohavemissedthemeeting,becauseweneedtoaddresstheproblemsasquicklyaspossible.”CanBurtonbedefeated?“TheonlythingIcansayisI’malwayswell-preparedformyopponents.Sure[McGoff] is starting early, but I think he’ll find us even betterpreparedthananytimebefore,”BurtontoldWTHR-

Sen. Simpson during her 2003 gubernatorial campaign with the late congressman Frank McClos-key shortly before his death. (HPR Photo by Brian A. Howey)


TV.Whilehesayshewillbeprepared,giventheanti-Washingtonclimatethesedays,webelievethiscouldbeacloseraceandRep.Burtonishighlyvulnerable. Primary Status:LeansBurton

2007 Legislative Caucus Senate District 8: Democrat:JimArnold,LakeCountyDeputyProsecutorRobNeary,RobinOs-hinski,LynneKaser,LaPorteCountyCouncilmanMarkYagelski,DebraBirkholtz,MichiganCitySchoolBoardPresidentJeffJones. 2007 Caucus Forecast: Follow-ingTuesday’sSchoolBoardmeeting,BoardPresidentJeffJonesdistributedapressreleasetoannouncehiscandidacyfortheseatleftvacantafterthedeathofStateSen.AnitaBowser.Jones,53,isanassistantvicechancelloratPurdueUniversity-NorthCentral.Hesaidhehasbeeninterestedinthesenateseatforseveralyears.Arnold,theformerLaPorteCountysheriff,spenttheearlypartoftheweektampingdownrumorsthathewaspreparingtounseatthelateSen.Bowser.Yagel-skisuggestedthatBowserwantedhimtosucceedher.Neary’sfather,Dennis,heldtheseatfrom1976to1992.Birkholtz,retiredpresidentoftheofficeandtechnicalworkersunionatNIPSCO,appearstobefavoredbysev-eralpartyleaders.ThecaucuswilltakeplaceonMarch25inLaPortewith2ndCDChairmanButchMorganpresiding.Caucus Status: TOSSUP.

2007 Mayoral Fort Wayne:Republican:AllenCountyCom-missionerNelsonPeters,MatthewKelty,IvanHood,Wil-bert“Duke”Brown.Democrat:TomHenry,FredSteinke,TomCook.2003 Results: Richard (D) 27,251, Buskirk (R) 19,701. 2007 Forecast:AllenCountyCommission-erNelsonPetersopenedupthe2007TVadcampaignwarsthisweekasheseekstheFortWayneRepublicanmayoralnomination."There'salotofthingsyoucancallNelsonPeters,"theadsays,includingsuccessfulsmallbusinessman,father,principledconservativeandproventaxfighter.Theadsays,"There'sonlyonethingyoucancallhim:Mayor."TheadendsbysayingPetersis"guidedbyprinciple,provenbyresults."PetersisinaprimarybattlewitharchitectMattKelty,aformeraidetoU.S.Sens.DickLugarandDanCoats.Primary Status: LEANSPETERS;SAFEHENRY. Gary: Democrats:MayorRudyClay,KarenFreeman-Wilson,ChuckHughes,DarrenWashington,John Henry Hall, Larry Anderson, Ulysses (Lish) Burnett, LarryEvans,NormanL.Roby,PierreStrickland,Theresa

MosesSturdivant.Republican:JaysonReeves,CharlesR.SmithJr.2003 Results: King (D) 10,028, Smith (R) 1,201. 2007 Forecast:Freeman-WilsonhascalledforanauditofGary finances and for debates. Status:LIKELYCLAY Jeffersonville: MayorRobWaiz.TomGalligan.Republican: 2003 Democratic Primary:Waiz2,187,Galligan1,708,Muncy252,Ogden166.2003 General Results: Waiz (D) 3,711, Raymond (R) 2,354, Fisher (L) 118.2007 Forecast:Jeffersonville'sBoardofEthicswillinvestigatewhetherthecampaignofMayorWaizviolatedthecity'sethicsordinancewhenitboughtseveralInternetaddresseslikelytobeusedbythecampaignofformerMayor Tom Galligan (Louisville Courier--Journal).BotharerunningintheMayDemocraticprimary.Theinvesti-gation would be the first for the Ethics Board, which was appointedlastfall.EthicsBoardmemberRachelBrownesaidshewantstoknowifRogerHardy,Jeffersonville'sdirectorofinformationtechnologyandtheWaizcampaign'scomputerconsultant,boughtthesitenamesoncitytimeorusingcitycomputers.Eitheractionwouldviolatetheethicsordinance. "I want to know if (Hardy) felt he was required to do this to keep his (city) job," Browne said. Primary Status: LEANSWAIZ. New Albany:Democrat:MayorJamesGar-ner,DougEngland.Republican:RandyHubbard. 2003 Democratic Primary Results: Garner2,512,Scharlow814,Clemons714,Goldberg552,Kersey68,Tuttle48. 2003 General Results: Garner (D) 5,971, Overton (R)

3,893, Hughes (L) 196. 2007 Forecast:TheaudiencesatinstunnedsilenceastheNewAlbanyCityCouncilmeetingendedlastweek,afewofthemshakingtheirheads(Louisville Courier-Journal).A"factsheet"madepublicatMonday'smeetingbycouncilmanJackMessercriticizedFireChiefRonToranonhowherunsthedepartment,angeringToranandMayorJamesGarner.Amongotherthings,thedocumentsaid,firefighters were not being trained so they

couldworkontheambulanceandreducetheovertimeneeded to run the service. "Many of our firefighters," the two-pagereportcontinued,wantto"takeavoteofcompe-tencyonChiefToran."ThatwastoomuchforGarner,whostrodeintotheroomandshoutedthatthereportwas"alotofbull"andwaspoliticallybased."Getoverit,Jack,"Gar-nershoutedtoMesser,whohasacknowledgedhesupportssomeoneelseintheMay8Democraticprimaryformayor.Duringthepastthreeyears,otherangrymomentshaveledtotenserelationsbetweentheDemocraticmayorandthecouncil,madeupofeightDemocratsandoneRepublican.Butthelatesteruptioncouldfurtherstrainmatters,espe-ciallywiththeprimarylooming.Primary Status: LEANSENGLAND.v

GARNER


CAP Council up for sale By BEVERLY PHILLIPS WhiledrivingbytheUAWCAPCouncil’sthree-acrecampusnear30thandEmerson,HPRrecalledarecentconversationthatweshouldbeonwatchfora“forsale”signonthefrontlawn.ThoughnosignwasinplaceasofHPRdeadlineonThursday,we’retoldthislongtimeral-lyingpointandphonebankcentralforMarionCountyDemocratswillsoonbeonthemarket.Why?Appar-entlymembershipisdwindlingandtoughchoiceshadtobemade.Itcamedowntotwoundesirableoptions–losethebuildingorpermanentlyletgoofstaff.

Officials Dot Parade Landscape TheIndySportsFoundationboardthatincludesJack Moriarty,Michael O’ConnorandBob Welch,finish up a year’s worth of planning St. Patrick’s Day fes-tivitiesthattakeplacetomorrowinIndy.Theirtwo-hourparadebeginsFridayat11:30a.m.Expectedtopartici-pate are state officials Secretary of State Todd Rokita,AttorneyGeneralSteve Carter,TreasurerRichard MourdockandAuditorTim Berry.That’sasolidRepub-lican lineup; Marion County officials participating, with the exceptionofProsecutorCarl Brizzi,aresolidDemocrats,includingSheriffFrank Anderson,PublicSafetyDirec-torEarl Morgan,CenterTownshipTrusteeCarl Drum-mer,RecorderJulie Voorhies,AuditorBillie BeauxandClerkBeth White.AccordingtoeventdirectorBryan Apolskis,thenewepicenterofbipartisanSt.Patfunandnetworkingwillbeatentpartyfrom10a.m.to3p.m.onVermontStreet,smackinthemiddleoftheparaderoute.Foracompletescheduleoftheday’sevents,includingthe6:50a.m.greeningofthedowntowncanalbyMayorBart Peterson,gotowww.indystpats.com.

LaBrecque Resigns at Medicaid Jeanne LaBrecquehasresignedasIndianaMedicaiddirector."It'sahardjobandshehaddoneitfortwoyears,"saidFSSADirectorMitch Roob in confirming herresignation."Sheaccomplishedalotoftheagendashehadsetouttodo."Thatincludedmoving600,000Hoo-sierstoadifferentrisk-basedmanagementsystem.Roobsaidthatwithanumberoflargeprojects,includingthegovernor'shealthcareinitiative,looming,"thiswasprob-

ablyasgoodatimeasany"forthechange.RoobsaidthatLaBrecquehadalsobeendealingwithhealthandfamilyissues."It'sbeenaverystressful6to8monthsforher,"Roobsaid."Shedidanicejob.We'llmissher."

Commissioner Bodle’s new job St.JosephCountyCommissionerCynthia Bodlehasresignedtobecomedeputycountyauditor.

Mary Godsey’s final bar exam Mary Place Godsey,thelong-timedirectoroftheIndiana Board of Law Examiners, will direct her final bar examthisJuly.“MaryGodseyhasbeenamarvelousrockofstabilityandcharacteramidtheeverchangingchallengesfacingattorneytestingandaccreditation,”saidChiefJusticeRandall Shepard.

Skillman’s Little Red Corvette Lt.Gov.Becky SkillmanregaledStudentLeader-shipSummitconfereesinKokomobysaying,“itneveroc-curred to me I couldn’t - or shouldn’t - seek public office.” Recallingherownhighschooldays,Skillmantalkedofherlove for drag racing. “My first car was a 1964, cherry red, CorvetteStingray,andIknewhowtodriveit,”SkillmanwasquotedintheKokomo Tribune.“TheboysIracedneverexpectedmetoleavetheminthedust,butmanytimesIdid.”v

Got a tip for the Boar’s Nest? Send it to: [email protected]

Last week we showed you a North Central HS photo of Gov. Mitch Daniels (left) dating to 1967. He is co-hosting the Washington Township MSD’s Legacy gala on Saturday with Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, shown at right in 1976. It was only fair to show the mayor in his younger form.


Rich James, Post-Tribune-Mitch,you’vegotaproblem.No,I’mnottalkingabouttheleaseoftheIndiana Toll Road to that Aussie firm. If Indiana University cannameanAustralianasitspresident,who’sgoingtoworryaboutwhorunsaroad?AndI’mnottalkingabouttheproposedIllianaExpressway.It’safine idea as long as the proper route is selected. AndI’mnottalkingaboutplanstoleasetheIn-dianaLottery,althoughIthinkImustpartcom-panywithyouonthatone.WhatI’mtalkingabout is one of those in your flock -- that gag-gleofRepublicansyou’llneedtogetre-elected.I’mtalkingaboutSecretaryofStateToddRokitaandhisScherervillesidekick,DanDumezich,theformerstaterepresentativewhofunnelsmegabucksintotheGOPtreasury,largelybecausehehopesonedaytobemoreimportantthanhethinksheisnow.ItwasRokitaandDu-mezich,withhelpfromKlein,whoengineeredNiemeyer’sefforttooustJohnCurleyascountyGOPchairmanayearorsoago.Itellyou,Mitch,thelastthingtheLakeGOPneedsismoredivision.Oneotherthing,Mitch.Thepeopleattendingthisthing,forthemostpart,willbethesameoldnameswhoattendedearlierRokita-Dumezichfunctionsatupto$2,500aticket.Theotherproblem,Mitch,isthatthisisawine-tastinggala.IfyouwanttobuildtheRepublicanPartyinLakeCounty,trybeerandbratsat$5ahead. v

Gary Gerard, Warsaw Times-Union-Now,IknowthatAnnCoulter,asyndicatedcolumnistthatwecarryinthisnewspaper,isnostrangertocontroversy.AndIalsoknowthatshereallylikestostirthingsup.Buthonestly,heruseofagayslurtodescribeU.S.SenatorJohnEdwardswasjustabitunnecessary.Nowdon’tgetmewrong.Asastrongproponentoffreedomofspeechandexpression,Iwouldheartilydefendheruseofwhat-everlanguageshewants,butIguessIjustdon’treallyseetheneedtobequitethatoffensive.What’sshetryingtodo,giveconservativesabadname?Trustme,conser-vativesdon’tneedanyhelpwiththatthesedays.Andasoff-the-wallasthecommentwas,theforuminwhichitwasmade-theConservativePoliticalActionConference-madethingsevenworse.Whenyou’respeakingatashindiglikethat,there’sthisperceivedtacitapprovalofyourviewsbythegroupyou’readdressing.Soshesortofdragsallcon-servativesdownthesamesnottylittlepath.v

Jack Colwell,South Bend Tribune -Presi-dentBushwouldn’tlistentoSen.DickLugarwhentheIndi-anaRepublicanurgedadministrationfocusonwhattodoinIraqafterthetroopsreachedBaghdad.ButifSen.BarackObamawinsthepresidency,thesituationcouldbediffer-ent,withaDemocraticpresidentholdingLugar’sadviceinhigherregardthanBushdid.Namesofthetwosenatorsare affixed to the Lugar-Obama initiative to curb prolifera-

tionofconventionalweaponsandtohelpdetectandinter-dict weapons of mass destruction. That’s a significant piece oflegislation,patternedafterthesuccessfulNunn-LugarprogramtogetridofnuclearweaponsintheformerSovietUnionthatoncewereaimedatus.PraiseforLugaris

profuseinObama’sbestseller,“TheAudacityofHope.”ObamacitesthebipartisancooperationofLugarandformerSen.SamNunn,aGeorgiaDemocrat,toconfrontdangerofloosenukesasanexampleofworkingtogether“beforecrisisstrikes”andproviding“oneofthemostimpor-tantinvestmentswecouldhavemadetoprotectourselvesfromcatastrophe.”v

William Greider,The Nation-Consid-eringtheformidableadvantagesHillaryClintonhasas-sembledfor2008,whyshouldanyonefeelsorryforher?BecausetheSenatorisinatrap,andmanyofherassetshaveswiftlyturnedintoliabilities.Clinton’sgreatvulner-abilitywascapturedbrilliantlybyBarackObamainasinglesentence,withoutamentionofhername.“It’stimetoturnthepage...”Peoplearelookingforward,notback,hedeclares.Peoplelongforapromisingnewgenerationinpolitics. Let’s not turn back to old fights, the acrimony of decadespast.Nothingpersonal.ButHillaryClintonisthepast.v

Stuart Rothenberg,Roll Call-Eachpresidentialelectioncycleisunique,butyoucancountoncertaindevelopmentseverytime.Therearecandidateboomlets,questionsaboutthefrontrunners,talkofdead-lockedconventionsandmultiplescenariosofvariouscred-ibility.Scenariosarealotlikeopinionsorblogs--prettymucheverybodyhasone.TheRepublicanracehasmetotally flummoxed. Arizona Sen. John McCain should be thefavoriteandthefrontrunnerintheraceforhisparty’snomination.Icertainlythoughthewas,butI’mnotsurerightnow.McCainearnedtherighttoberegardedasthenextRepublicanhopefulinlineforhisparty’snomination,andinthepast50yearsorsothat’sbeenaverygoodpredictorofthenomination.Heranwellinthe2000GOPbattle,andsincethenhehasbeensupportiveofthemanwhobeathim,GeorgeW.Bush.AnumberofimportantBushpoliticaloperativesandfundraisershavesignedonwithMcCain,andtheSenatorhastheexperience,stature,demonstratedfundraisingabilityandpersonalstorytobetheclearleaderforhisparty’snomination.Instead,McCainishavingtroublebeingacceptedbyconservatives,whoseehimasneitherentirelydependablenorentirelyconserva-tive. Even though he is a nationally known political figure whohasrunforpresident,McCaintrailsaliberalformerNewYorkCitymayorfortheGOPnominationinnationalpolls.Andhetrailshimconsistently.Themarginisn’tallthatclose.v


searchforanewpresident,aprocessthathasbeendisruptedbycomplaintsofsecrecyandpoliticalbackbiting.TrusteeKayeWhitehead,aDela-wareCountyfarmerandthecounty’sRepublicanPartychairman,criticizedthesearchcommittee’sfailuretoforward its official list of finalists to trustees,whoareexpectedtovotefora new president next week (Muncie Star Press).“I’mverydismayedbythefactthattheonlywayI’vefoundout who the final candidates are is throughtherumormill,”Whiteheadsaid.“Atthispointintime,thereisnowayweshouldmoveforward.Thisdecisionistoobig,andnotjustforIvyTech.It’sabigdecisionforthestateofIndiana.”Membersofthepresi-dentialsearchcommitteethisweekconfirmed the names of two finalists: ThomasJ.Snyder,chairmanofFlag-shipEnergySystemsCenterinAn-derson,andAirForceCol.ThomasD.Klincar.MissingfromthelistwasCarolD’Amico, the school’s high-profile No. 2administrator.D’Amico,aformeraidetoPresidentBush,hadbeenviewedasalikelyreplacementsincePresidentGeraldLamkinannouncedhisretire-mentplanslastfall.SearchcommitteemembershavedeclinedtosaywhyD’Amico,anearlycontenderforthepresidency,wasleftofftheshortlist.ButIvyTechsupporterspointtoapoliticalclashbetweenthecommitteeandtheboardoftrustees.

Stilwell seeks newmine safety standards INDIANAPOLIS-IftheSagoMinedisasterinWestVirginiahadhappenedinIndiana,itwouldhavebeenan“embarrassment”forthestatebecauseofIndiana’sinfrequentmine-safetyinspections,stateRep.RussStilwelltoldaSenatecommit-tee Wednesday (Evansville Courier & Press).ThecommitteeapprovedStilwell’sbillrequiringIndianatoadoptnewfederalcoalminingsafetystan-dards. To get their mining certifica-tions,minersalsowouldhavetobeproficient in English. Communicating

undergroundduringaminerescueisdifficult enough without miners be-ingunabletounderstandeachother,Stilwelltoldsenators.Stilwell,D-Boon-ville,workedasacoalminerformanyyears.Hislegislation,HouseBill1335,wouldcreateaduallevelofsafetybyhavingIndianaadoptfederalregula-tions.

Governor’s Council lauds free St. Pat’s Day rides INDIANAPOLIS-EastsideCollisionCenterandBudgetRentalCarareofferingfreeridesthisSaturdayforthosewhodrinktoomuchgreenbeer (HPR).TheCenterhasprovidedasimilarrideprogramforNewYear¹sEvethepastthreeyearsandaveragesabout800rideseachyear.Partygo-erscanarrangefortransportationtoandfromtheirhomesbetweenthehoursof6p.m.onSaturdaythrough5:00a.m.onSunday.ThreeshuttlesstaffedbyvolunteeremployeeswilltravelanywherewithinMarionCounty.“Thisisawayforustogivebacktothecommunity.Ifwecansaveonelifeorpreventaseriousinjuryit’sworththetimeandeffortweputintoit,”saidEastsideCollisionCenterownerChuckAlley.TheGovernor’sCouncilonImpaired&DangerousDrivinglaudedAlleyforhisdesignateddriverprogramatamid-morningnewsconference.Call899-5307toreservearide.

Daniels says 84% of contracts go to state firms INDIANAPOLIS-Stategov-ernmenthasmadesweepingadvancesinitscommitmenttoBuyIndiana,GovernorMitchDanielssaidtoday,andhechallengedIndiana’sbusinessesandotherpublicentitiestodothesame.Thegovernortodayreleasedthe2007BuyIndianaProgressReportthatshows84percentofthestate’scontractingdollarsarenowgoingtofirms defined as Indiana companies. BeforeBuyIndiana,anestimated60percentofcontractdollarsweregoingtoIndianabusinesses.v

Ligonier mayoral candidatebooted off primary ballot ALBION-TheNobleCountyElectionBoardvoted3-0TuesdaynighttoremoveDonaldR.MagnusfromtheballotintheupcomingLigoni-er Republican mayoral primary (Ken-dallville News-Sun).Thedecisioncameaftera35-min-utehearingduringwhichthethree-personboardheardcharg-esagainstMagnusleviedbytheothertwoRepublicancandidates:incumbentMayorGaryBishopandLigonierbusi-nesswomanPattyFisel.BishopandFiselcitedthreeobjectionstoMagnus’candidacy,andintheend,thedecid-ingfactorusedtoremovehimfromtheballotsurprisedsomeobservers,includingMagnus,whovowedtoap-pealtheboard’srulinginNobleCountyCircuitCourt.Thechallengeswerebasedonthelocationandzoningsta-tusofMagnus’residence;hislengthoftimelivinginLigonier;andhisvotinghistoryasaRepublican.

Smokers protest againstcigarette tax INDIANAPOLIS-SouthernIndianaopponentsofaproposedcigarette-taxincreasewenttotheStatehouseyesterdaywithhand-let-teredsignssearchingforlawmakers.About100peopleboardedbusestoIndianapolistotrytocounterastronglobbyinfavorofGov.MitchDaniels’plantoboostthetaxbyatleast25centsapackandusetherevenueforhealthprograms.

Ivy Tech search consumedin politics, trustee says INDIANAPOLIS-AnIvyTechCommunityCollegetrusteesaidWednesdaythatshewantstohaltthe

Long on new power in the Senateand Potch Wheeler retired, followed by the 2004 primary upset of...

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