Indiana

50-50

Posted on June 27, 2009
My very reliable sources are telling that as of this morning, there’s a 50/50 chance Indiana lawmakers can avoid a government shutdown next week. Some Indiana lawmakers are meeting this weekend in order to work out a budget deal. When asked on a scale of 1 to 10 the likelihood of avoiding a government shutdown, my source [...

Don?t Cry for Mark Argentina

Posted on June 25, 2009
Here we go again! Conservative Politician A, with Presidential aspirations and who loves to preach family values, gets caught with his hands, or other parts of his anatomy, in somebody’s cookie jar. When will these people learn? Whether it’s South Carolina Governor Mark Sandford, John Ensign, John Edwards, Elliot Spitzer, the list goes on, it never changes...

Indiana Democrats Get Offensive

Posted on June 25, 2009
In response to Governor Mitch Daniels statement yesterday that he will not be “blackmailed into bankruptcy” by House Democrats when it comes to the budget  the State Democratic Party put out the following news release this afternoon. INDIANAPOLIS — This afternoon, Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker released the following statement in response to Governor Mitch [...

The King of Pop Is Dead

Posted on June 25, 2009
I will freely admit to not being the biggest Michael Jackson fan in the world while he was alive,  but I had a ton of respect for him as a performer.  And his life story was tragic and you have wonder how it would have turned out if he was allowed to have a normal [...

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Budget Talk

Posted on June 24, 2009
I did a quick sprint through the Statehouse yesterday as lawmakers were about to enter into the home strech of the current budget phase.  I spoke to several of them both on and off the record.  The on the record interviews are below.  Off the record many lawmakers think that this has gone beyond disagreements [...

Is IPS Worth Shutting Down State Government?

Posted on June 24, 2009
Will someone please tell me if the Indianapolis Public School system worth shutting down the government of Indiana? At the end of the day, this is what this budget deadlock is coming down to.  Some folks in the legislature want to protect the state’s largest school system; and I would argue to the detriment of everything [...

Return to Sender

Posted on June 23, 2009
I will freely admit to not spending as much time at the Legislature during this special session as I thought I would have.  I’ve still managed to keep tabs on everything via watching lawmakers on the Internet, a few phone calls and some text messaging...

When Bauer Speaks?

Posted on June 22, 2009
House Democratic Leader Pat Bauer was one of the speakers at Saturday night’s Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in Indianapolis. The speaker went after the Governor on schools, the budget and accused him of engaging in a “hostile takeover” of state government during the special session...

Do 7,000 IPS Students Now Have a Choice?

Posted on June 22, 2009
Although many legal scholars are paying attention to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Voting Rights Act, there was another opinion today that could have a big impact on Indiana’s largest school district. From the SCOTUS blog… The U...

From the files of Politico?

Posted on June 22, 2009
Rep. Dan Burton: trying to keep Congress safe? Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) seems afraid of being on the House floor. Burton offered an amendment to H.R. 2918 that said the following: “Would require the Comptroller General to submit a report to the Committee on House Administration within 6 months of enactment analyzing the security arrangements of the [...

Watch It!

Posted on June 20, 2009
Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Follow Me

Posted on June 20, 2009
In case you’re interested, there are some new ways to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  I’ve attached the links below.  Become a Facebook friend and follow us on Twitter.  What have you got to lose? Indiana Barrister on Facebook Indiana Barrister on Twitter Abdul’s Facebook Abdul’s Twitter

My Dinner with Democrats

Posted on June 20, 2009
I’m at the Indiana Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner.  I’ll be live blogging tonight.  You can see my remarks at my Twitter feed.  Meanwhile, here’s some audio from a few lawmakers I’ve run  into this evening...

The Next Few Days?

Posted on June 19, 2009
Okay, for all of you who really care,  here’s the rundown for the next few days at the Indiana Legislature. Today - Senate introduces its version of the budget.  The appropriations committee will vote it out. Monday - Senate takes up budget for second reading amendments...

What?s the Damage?

Posted on June 18, 2009
If you are in Marion County your property tax bills should be hitting your mailboxes. Assessor Greg Bowes says 65 percent of property taxpayers should see a decrease or no change in their tax bills. However Decatur Township residents should see the biggest increase in their bills...

Kenley to the Rescue?

Posted on June 18, 2009
Although he didn’t say the House version of the budget will be dead on arrival, Republican State Senator Luke Kenley says his chamber will write its own version and it will be much closer to the Governor’s vision. Kenley says they’ve been writing their version and are building on the Governor’s plan...

Does The ?C? in C.I.B. Stand for ?Clusterf****??

Posted on June 17, 2009
I spent a good chunk of yesterday watching the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Capital Improvement Board.  As I Twittered the proceedings I was trying to imagine which was more painful?  Watching the hearing or sliding down a long giant razor blade and into a pool of alcohol?  Upon reflection, the alcohol [...

Not So Special Session

Posted on June 16, 2009
I’m looking at the budget plan Indiana House Democrats will pass today on a party-line vote and trying to figure out what’s different than the last budget plan lawmakers couldn’t pass the last time around. It’s a one-year spending plan, which won’t pass the Senate...

When IPS Drops the Ball Bad Things Happen, Allegedly

Posted on June 16, 2009
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi has filed formal charges against Lee Tibbets, who is accused of molesting a 13-year od John Marshall student. Although everyone is innocent until proven guilty, the affidavit is pretty harsh.  And a lot of this could have probably been avoided had IPS administrators done their job...

By the Numbers

Posted on June 15, 2009
Gallup polling has some new data out on America’s political landscape.  40 percent of Americans are identifying themselves as conservative.  While 35% call themselves moderate and 21% liberal. When broken down in more detail, moderates are the largest group at 35%, conservatives - 31%, liberal - 16%, very conservative - 9%, very liberal - 5%...

Indiana Barrister Celebrates 20,000 Comments

Posted on June 14, 2009
Indiana Barrister reached a nice milestone this week. Our little blog has received more than 20,000 comments from you faithful readers. With 1,841 posts, that averages to about ten comments per post.  It?s hard to imagine that in only four years we?ve received over 20,000 comments about Indiana issues important to you...

It?s Deja Vu All Over Again

Posted on June 13, 2009
Although it’s only been a few days since Indiana lawmakers came back in special session, I am already believing this is a big giant waste of time. Already,  my very reliable sources are telling me that Black Democrats in the House are pretty much united that if there is no plan for a casino in Gary, they [...

Happy Early Baby?s Daddy Day

Posted on June 12, 2009
Since Indiana lawmakers aren’t accomplishing anything and still costing you money, I thought I’d give you another story to express your shock and outrage.  Enjoy!!! From The Huffington Post Desmond Hatchett, a 29 year old who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, has fathered 20 (maybe 21) children with at least 11 different mothers...

I Told You So

Posted on June 12, 2009
As much as I hate to say I told you so, but  I told you so.

Special Session = Special Questions

Posted on June 11, 2009
As Indiana lawmakers convene for the first day of the special session, here are some questions I think are worth asking… With one side wanting a two-year budget and the other a one-year budget, how will lawmakers reach a compromise? When will they leave? Will lawmakers adopt a school funding formula that allots more money to schools per [...

Delay, Not Denial

Posted on June 10, 2009
Before critics of Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock get too excited over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to not block the sale/merger of Chrysler with Fiat, it’s important to look at a couple of facts. This was not a decision based on the merits, this was based on procuedure...

Wanna C.I.B. Something?

Posted on June 10, 2009
If you’re interested in reading the Governor’s anaylsis of the Capital Improvement Board and its operations.  Feel free to download a copy. CIB Anaylsis #1 CIB Analysis #2

A Merger Moratorium

Posted on June 09, 2009
I hope you’re sitting down because you are not about to believe what you are about to read. After January 1, the city of Indianapolis should cease all efforts to consolidate with anymore township fire departments.   I’ll give you a moment to catch your breath...

Does the Anti-Charter Understand This?

Posted on June 09, 2009
The following are the words of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan… ?States that do not have public charter laws or put artificial caps on the growth of charter schools will jeopardize their applications under the Race to the Top Fund.? There are $4...

Look for the Union Label

Posted on June 08, 2009
Higher union dues and a possible sale of their downtown headquarters are on the table in order to cover the costs of the Indiana State Teachers Association long-term disability obligations. ISTA says it will pay out benefits to more than 600 members enrolled in its now defunct long-term disability insurance fund...

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