RedBlue America

The Evansville Courrier Press brings us news of a potentially exciting new website.  It is called RedBlueAmerica.com and it promises;

The site will serve as an ongoing public forum for a full array of user-generated content, including blogs, personal profiles, videos and more. While focusing at the outset on the 2008 election campaigns, RedBlueAmerica intends to provide the public with an open forum for a wide range of cultural and political views long after the votes have been counted.

RedBlueAmerica is a free online service that delivers timely political news, provides subscribers with an e-mail service and conducts a daily public opinion poll on selected topics. The site also will include a feature called “Truth or Not” that will challenge, among other things, the veracity of factual claims made by high-profile newsmakers and others.

The Blogmeister is on his way to check it out, but see for yourself by following the link.

Ethics: Inside SB 65, SB 159, & HB 1063

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has an editorial this morning regarding three different ethics bills in the legislature.  These bills would place limits, or require reporting, on legislators regarding what they accept and what goes on in the world of lobbying.  Here are the bills:

Senate Bill 59: Reduces from $100 to $25 the minimum reportable amount for total daily gifts to a legislator or a legislative employee given by a registered lobbyist or a single gift received by a legislator or legislative candidate.

Senate Bill 165: Provides that an individual who has served as a member of the General Assembly may not register as a legislative branch lobbyist during the period that ends one year after the date the legislator leaves.

House Bill 1063: Provides that a member of the General Assembly, a candidate for a legislative office, an officer or employee of the General Assembly or a member of the immediate family of any of those individuals may not accept a gift from a lobbyist. Provides that a lobbyist may not give a gift to any of these persons. Provides that violations of any of the prohibitions on giving or accepting gifts is a Class B misdemeanor. Provides that an individual who has served as a member of the General Assembly may not register as a legislative branch lobbyist during the period that ends two years after the date that the individual ceases to be a member.

The article also goes on to state:

The odds aren’t good for the legislation. The Senate lobbying bill, with only a one-year “cooling-off” period, met opposition Wednesday in the Commerce and Public Policy Committee. The committee chairman said the bill needed its own cooling-off period. He didn’t call it for a vote, essentially assigning it to oblivion.

Stricter ethics laws need no more consideration. Legislators who think otherwise should look to the lobbyist scandals in Alaska and Tennessee to see how their own reputations might be tarnished by misdeeds in their midst. They can enhance the General Assembly’s reputation with voters by first approving strict and straightforward restrictions on gifts and lobbying. Then they can get to the hard work of fixing property taxes.

New Info on Phoenix Apartments

The Indianapolis Star has an excellent report on the owner(s) of troubled Phoenix Apartments this morning.  It details the rise of the company that owns the apartment complex and it’s founder.  The article is really long and worth reading, but it is difficult to summarize it here.  So read the story for yourself and come on back.

However, in the Blogmeister’s opinion, the people more to blame for the living conditions at Phoenix are the Housing and Urban Development Inspectors who continued to improve the complex’s ratings over the last three out of four years.  From the story:

The complex got new roofs and new windows and scored steadily higher in annual health and safety inspections by contractors working for HUD. The apartments, graded on a scale of 1 to 100, averaged 44 in 2004 when Belfonti took over, then 68 in 2005 and 91 in 2006.

In 2007 it went down to 77 according to the story.  The Blogmeister continues to wonder how a facility can score this high, even at 77, when local officials who toured the facility are quoted as saying it was “unlivable”.

Drug Test Welfare Recipients?

The Evansville Courrier Press has a good story about a Kentucky lawmaker who wants to start drug testing people who rely on various welfare programs.  The argument for this seems to be that many people in the private sector have to undergo drug tests for their money, so why shouldn’t welfare recipients.  The argument against it is what do you do with the children of parents who test positive?  In addition, there is this bit of history:

Michigan briefly required drug tests for welfare recipients in 1999, but was ordered by a federal judge to stop just weeks into the program when the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit. After a federal appeals court in Cincinnati ruled the law unconstitutional in 2003, Michigan officials reached an out-of-court settlement with the ACLU, agreeing to stop the drug-testing program.

So, this legislation probably won’t go anywhere in Kentucky, but if it does, it may come our way soon.

State Rep. Cleo Duncan to Run for 8th Term

From the Columbus Republic comes this story about State Representative Cleo Duncan:

State Rep. Cleo Duncan, R-Greensburg, announced Friday that she will seek an eighth term as the District 67 representative.Duncan, 66, said she is motivated by the chance to contribute to several local and statewide projects she considers important.

“I’m very excited about the prospect of working on permanent, meaningful property tax reform,” she said.

Shifting school operating and transportation costs, and child welfare costs from local governments to the state will create significant change.

“In the past we talked about reducing property taxes by cutting a percentage, but that has been a Band-Aid approach,” Duncan said.

She also wants to make sure that a new three-region water district among Decatur, Jennings and Ripley counties gets established solidly so that it is lasting.

With the Honda manufacturing pant set to open later this year, Duncan is concerned about rail safety.

Of the 200,000 Civic sedans that will be produced annually, 80 percent will be shipped by Rail America to Cincinnati.

Duncan wants to work with Indiana Department of Transportation and Rail America to know where all crossings are and to raise awareness and develop a safety program.

“We are not used to trains. I want to have an ongoing rail safety program in schools and the community to get people’s mindset, and to allow extra time,” Duncan said.

She also is concerned about education, and wants to make post-high school education affordable and accessible. The goal is to have a better educated work force that can compete for jobs.

Duncan was first elected in 1994. She represents Decatur, Franklin, Ripley and Rush counties.

Bayh to Name Post Office

This from the Indianapolis Star.  Sen. Evan Bayh will ask that an Indianapolis Post Office branch be named for the late U.S. Rep. Julia Carson.  Here is the story:

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., announced Saturday that he plans to introduce legislation to rename the Mapleton annex post office in Indianapolis as the Julia M. Carson Post Office, in honor of the late congresswoman.

Carson advocated for the construction of the Mapleton branch, 2650 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., which opened on July 15, 2005, and she attended the building’s dedication ceremony, Bayh’s office said in a news release.

Bayh plans to introduce the legislation when the Senate reconvenes Tuesday. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., has agreed to co-sponsor the bill, the release said.

Carson, a Democratic member of the U.S. House from Indianapolis, died Dec. 15 after a battle with lung cancer.

She served in public office for more than 35 years as a member of the state House of Representatives and state Senate and as Center Township trustee.

IN Lawmakers File 770 Bills

Think property taxes are the only thing legislators are discussing?  According to the Indianapolis Star, Indiana Lawmakers filed 770 bills and resolutions this cycle.  The story correctly points out most will not get past the filing stage and fewer still through committee.  They point out a few, such as;

SB3:  Pharmacist Refusal

Pharmacists could refuse to fill a prescription for contraceptives or a drug that induces abortion under Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Drozda, R-Westfield. The bill was approved 6-5 by the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee and is now ready for action by the full Senate.

HB1211:  Home Buyers and Owners

would require that people buying a home get all the papers they must sign 48 hours before closing, so that they have a chance to read all the fine print. Among other steps, the lengthy bill would require lenders to make reasonable inquiries into someone’s ability to repay the loan, and require lenders to work with homeowners to avoid foreclosure if the mortgage payment is 60 days overdue.

Smoking: SB28, HB1057

So-called “fire-safe” cigarettes would be sold in Indiana under Senate Bill 28, which passed the Senate Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation Committee 6-0.

The bill, authored by Drozda, would make Indiana the 23rd state to require that cigarettes be self-extinguishing if dropped or left unattended.

Another piece of legislation, HB 1057, would ban smoking in all public places, with the exception of bars, bowling alleys and casinos. But the bill’s author, Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, said he plans to change the bill so a ban would apply to bowling alley and bars. He said he hasn’t decided whether to include casinos.

“Smoking, is smoking, is smoking. In those three places, I’m more concerned about the employees and the majority of people who frequent those places who aren’t smokers,” Brown said. “So why do we give in to the minority and say we need to smoke in this given place?”

The bill will get a hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the House Public Policy Committee. State law already allows local jurisdictions to pass smoking bans.

Military SB56

Flags would be flown at half-staff for 24 hours at the Indiana Capitol to honor each Indiana member of the military who is killed while on active duty, under Senate Bill 56. The bill was approved 7-0 by the Senate Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation committee and is awaiting a vote by the full Senate.

Bills and Resolutions Updated

Here are the current bills and resolutions filed in the statehouse this week.  The master list has been updated and is here.  This should be the all the filings for this legislative cycle, if the state web site is up to date (and thats a big if). 

House:

HB 1218 — Eminent domain issues.

HB 1219 — Unemployment insurance.

HB 1220 — Transportation tax area.

HB 1221 — Operating a vehicle recklessly.

HB 1222 — Death taxes.

HB 1223 — Sales tax exemption for road material recycling equipment.

HB 1224 — Transfer fees.

HB 1225 — Illegal alien matters.

HB 1226 — State licensure of towing services.

HB 1227 — Shoreline development commission.

HB 1228 — Sheriff’s compensation.

HB 1229 — Fresh start income tax credit.

HB 1230 — Redistricting commission.

HB 1231 — Mechanic’s liens.

HB 1232 — Criminal history checks.

HB 1233 — Grandparent visitation.

HB 1234 — School attendance records and enforcement.

HB 1235 — Deduction for postsecondary tuition.

HB 1236 — Local spending caps.

HB 1237 — Extra heavy duty highway route.

HB 1238 — Year to year tenancy on land used for agriculture.

HB 1239 — School improvement progress and awards.

HB 1240 — Restrictions on public benefits to illegal aliens.

HB 1241 — Lottery advertising.

HB 1242 — Business tax matters

HB 1243 — Retractable tire studs.

HB 1244 — Common school fund; certification fee.

HB 1245 — Transit districts.

HB 1246 — Student graduation plan and online learning.

HB 1247 — Taxes on motor fuel; mass transit funding.

HB 1248 — Law enforcement continuing education program court fee.

HB 1249 — Tuition exemption for Purple Heart recipients.

HB 1250 — State park development and funding for the NAIAC.

HB 1251 — Various property tax matters.

HB 1252 — Property tax relief.

HB 1253 — Manual on uniform traffic control devices.

HB 1254 — Animal cruelty.

HB 1255 — Valuable metal dealers.

HB 1256 — Distributed generation facilities.

HB 1257 — Judges’ pensions.

HB 1258 — Methadone clinic drug testing and minors.

HB 1259 — Child safety and CHINS.

HB 1260 — Encoded ammunition.

HB 1261 — Study commissions.

HB 1262 — Police enforcement of federal immigration laws.

HB 1263 — Lake County innkeeper’s tax.

HB 1264 — Limitation on school starting date.

HB 1265 — Land surveyor registration.

HB 1266 — Eligibility criteria for Medicaid waiver.

HB 1267 — LIFE Scholarships.

HB 1268 — Regulation of cigarette retail sales.

HB 1269 — Employee classification.

HB 1270 — Greendale local taxes.

HB 1271 — Inmate credit time.

HB 1272 — City legislative bodies.

HB 1273 — Compensation for emergency or disaster training.

HB 1274 — Illegal alien matters.

HB 1275 — Local government copying fees.

HB 1276 — Bail.

HB 1277 — State economic development incentives.

HB 1278 — Reporting tax violations.

HB 1279 — ISTEP for students with disabilities.

HB 1280 — Energy efficient buildings.

HB 1281 — Property tax exemptions.

HB 1283 — Unemployment insurance benefits fees.

HB 1284 — Group insurance.

HB 1285 — Limit on sex offender as guardian or custodian.

HB 1286 — Library services authorities.

HB 1287 — Home health agency expenditures.

HB 1288 — Certification for behavior analysts.

HB 1289 — Electronic waste.

HB 1290 — Older youth foster care.

HB 1291 — Unauthorized aliens.

HB 1292 — Flags on public buildings to be made in USA.

HB 1293 — Homestead deduction application.

HB 1294 — County option dog tax on kennels.

HB 1295 — Fees for spinal cord and brain injury fund.

HB 1296 — State funding of child welfare services.

HB 1297 — Publication of notices.

HB 1298 — Communications and public safety answering points.

HB 1299 — Sex offender residency.

HB 1300 — Labeling standards for milk.

HB 1301 — Expungement of certain felony conviction records.

HB 1302 — Custodial interrogation recording.

HB 1303 — Contracts for operation of animal shelters.

HB 1304 — Diesel fuel inspection program.

HB 1305 — Public safety funding.

HB 1306 — State spending cap.

HB 1307 — State spending cap.

HB 1308 — College readiness program.

HB 1309 — Repeal of valuation method for certain property.

HB 1310 — Faculty member on university boards of trustees.

HB 1311 — Medical care for town firefighters.

HB 1312 — County drain maintenance funding.

HB 1313 — Inmate employment counseling and searches.

HB 1314 — Expungement of certain conviction records.

HB 1315 — Automated traffic control systems.

HB 1316 — Sales tax holiday.

HB 1317 — Spinal manipulation.

HB 1318 — Funding for spinal cord and brain injury research.

HB 1319 — Assessment of forest land for taxation purposes.

HB 1320 — BMV fees for law enforcement academies.

HB 1321 — Veterans’ jobs tax credit.

HB 1322 — Mandatory ethanol level in gasoline.

HB 1323 — Dialysis treatment coverage.

HB 1324 — Disclosure of event data recorders.

HB 1325 — Contractor performance bonds.

HB 1326 — Commission on Hispanic/Latino affairs.

HB 1327 — Property tax deductions.

HB 1328 — Testing of special education students.

HB 1329 — Sex offenses and children.

HB 1330 — Eliminate sales tax on gasoline.

HB 1331 — Expense advances to driver employees.

HB 1332 — Trustee duties concerning life insurance.

HB 1333 — State reimbursement of child services costs.

HB 1334 — Annexation.

HB 1335 — Child visitation and electronic communication time.

HB 1336 — County government reorganization.

HB 1337 — Elimination of property taxes.

HB 1338 — Property tax elimination.

HB 1339 — Drug testing of welfare recipients.

HB 1340 — Privatization review committee.

HB 1341 — Ports of Indiana.

HB 1342 — Electronic health records system.

HB 1343 — Health insurance coverage for children under age 24.

HB 1344 — 1985 judges pension fund.

HB 1345 — Trespass.

HB 1346 — Loan broker commission.

HB 1347 — Excise tax on recreational vehicles and campers.

HB 1348 — Review of total debt and lease burden on taxpayer.

HB 1349 — State spending cap.

HB 1350 — Police enforcement of federal immigration laws.

HB 1351 — Game preserve licenses.

HB 1352 — Appraisals and assessment reviews.

HB 1353 — Property tax benefits for seniors.

HB 1354 — Disaster relief fund.

HB 1355 — Donations by local units to community foundations.

HB 1356 — Donor withdrawal of property from institutions.

HB 1357 — Marion superior court magistrates.

HB 1358 — Civil rights.

HB 1359 — Various financial institutions matters.

HB 1360 — Mortgage lending issues.

HB 1361 — Nutritional information at food establishments.

HB 1362 — Nonprofit and county hospitals.

HB 1363 — Solid waste management districts.

HB 1364 — Long term care coverage.

HB 1365 — High school athlete steroid testing.

HB 1366 — High school IEP diplomas for students with a disability.

HB 1367 — Reclassification of manufactured homes as real property.

HB 1368 — Industrial waste products.

HB 1369 — Defenses to controlled substance offenses.

HB 1370 — State forests.

HB 1371 — Marion County airport authority.

HB 1372 — Selection of superintendent of public instruction.

HB 1373 — School board elections at general election time.

HB 1374 — Public works projects.

HB 1375 — Judges pensions.

HB 1376 — Drug courts and children in need of services.

HB 1377 — Crimes of violence.

HB 1378 — Indemnification requirements in state contracts.

HB 1379 — Viatical settlements.

HB 1380 — Distribution of Lake County Income Tax.

HB 1381 — Annexation.

HB 1382 — Redistricting commission.

HB 1383 — Lobbying by former legislators.

HB 1384 — Various economic development matters.

HB 1385 — Restrictions on public benefits to illegal aliens.

HB 1386 — Validating certain law enforcement actions.

HB 1387 — Personal needs allowance.

HB 1388 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1389 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1390 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1391 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1392 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1393 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1394 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1395 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1396 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1397 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1398 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1399 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1400 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1401 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1402 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1403 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1404 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1405 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1406 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1407 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1408 — Vehicle Bill.

HB 1409 — Vehicle Bill.

Sentate:

•  
  • SB 0336 — Stroke prevention task force.
  • SB 0337 — Direct wine sales.
  • SB 0338 — Electronic registration and titling of vehicles.
  • SB 0339 — Various motor vehicle matters.
  • SB 0340 — Prosecuting attorney pensions.
  • SB 0341 — Explanation of proposed constitutional amendments.
  • SB 0342 — Exemption of nonbusiness personal property.
  • SB 0343 — Theft of copper and other valuable metals.
  • SB 0344 — Police officer and firefighter appointments.
  • SB 0345 — Collection of unemployment contributions.
  • SB 0346 — Property tax circuit breaker.
  • SB 0347 — Dangerous communicable diseases.
  • SB 0348 — Child product safety.
  • SB 0349 — Sales tax increment financing feasibility study.
  • SB 0350 — Funding for community mental health centers.
  • SB 0351 — Property tax limitations and procedures.
  • SB 0352 — Various financial institutions matters.
  • SB 0353 — Office of the child advocate.
  • SB 0354 — Parole eligibility.
  • SB 0355 — Cemeteries.
  • SB 0356 — Possession of handguns on public property.
  • SB 0357 — Expungement of criminal offenses.
  • SB 0358 — Voter deception.
  • SB 0359 — Enhanced 911 systems.
  • SB 0360 — E85 fueling station grants.
  • SB 0361 — Treasurer of state.
  • SB 0362 — Interstate enforcement of protective orders.
  • SB 0363 — Uniform emergency health practitioners act.
  • SB 0364 — Child abuse or neglect reports.
  • SB 0365 — Law enforcement training funding.
  • SB 0366 — Standards for tutoring services.
  • SB 0367 — Financial responsibility for carriers of property.
  • SB 0368 — Teacher professional development days.