Indiana

Statehouse Update - 3:00 p.m.

Posted on April 29, 2009
I spoke with House Ways & Means Chairman Bill Crawford this afternoon and got his reaction to the anticipated additional $200 million budget shortfall. Crawford says he doesn’t trust those numbers and thinks someone has been “cooking the books...

Statehouse Update - 2:00 p.m.

Posted on April 29, 2009
I’m not totally sure what impact this little bit of news will have on today’s events at the Statehouse, but it can’t be a good one. I just got confirmed from the Governor’s office that Indiana’s actual revenue intake will fall in the ballpark of $200 million below the last forecast...

Halftime Report

Posted on April 29, 2009
With 12 hours left to go, here’s what I know so far. Governor Mitch Daniels is saying he will veto the current budget unless lawmakers can find $100 million in cuts.  House Speaker Pat Bauer says the Governor is moving the target because they are meeting his goal of having more than $1 billion in the [...

State House Update - 11:25 a.m.

Posted on April 29, 2009
The House was supposed to convene nearly an hour ago, but nothing has happened and lawmakers are still milling around on the floor.  Senate Republicans are still in caucus. I am hearing however that the Black Legislative Caucus may not sign onto the budget if the Capital Improvement Board and some Gary economic development matters are [...

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State House Update - 10:25 a.m.

Posted on April 29, 2009
I’ll be filing these updates over the course of the day as little tidbits of information come in.  Please note everything is fluid and could change at a moments notice so take the information for what it is worth. I am hearing that the votes are not there in the House of Representatives to pass an [...

Now It Really Is Dead

Posted on April 29, 2009
Just got word that the CIB bailout legislation really is dead.  Supporters hoped they could have found a vehicle bill before midnight to put it in but they were unsuccessful.  Now the city of  Indianapolis is really on the hook for $47 million operational shortfall costs...

C.I.B. Bailout Legislation All But Dead

Posted on April 29, 2009
Unless something happens in the next 90 minutes, legislaion that would have help bailout the Capital Improvement Board is dead.  House-Senate Conference Chair Phil GiaQuinta said the legislation could not get the four signatures it needed to move forward...

Indiana House Passes Unemployment Insurance Bill, 52-47

Posted on April 29, 2009
Indiana House members followed the lead of the Senate and passed an unemployment insurance bill.  The vote was 52-47, along party lines.  Democrats chided Republicans on their claim it would raise taxes, saying businesses that don’t use the system as much would enjoy a lower tax rate...

Senate Passes Unemployment Insurance Bill, 46-3

Posted on April 29, 2009
The State Senate passed what some lawmakers called sweeping reform to solve the state’s unemployment insurance problem.  The bill passed 46-3.  It increases taxes on employers but over a longer period of time than earlier versions.  It also provides more administrative tools for employers to challenge workers who file for unemployment...

Statehouse Update - 7:15 p.m.

Posted on April 29, 2009
I’m back from the Club, only one martini though. The Democrats just got out of caucus.   I hear everything is still up in the air so the next posts you get from me will be either the bills that passed or an analysis of what happened.  I will say this, both the Speaker and Legislative Black Caucus  [...

Statehouse Update - 6:15 p.m.

Posted on April 29, 2009
The House is on a dinner break.  The Senate is still in caucus.  I’m going to the Columbia Club for a martini.  Back at 7ish.  

Statehouse Update - 5:45 p.m.

Posted on April 29, 2009
The House is still working through bills.  The Senate is still out.  I’m going to go see if I can find a copy of the new budget. There are 6 hours and 15 minutes left until adjournment.

Statehouse Update - 4:30 p.m.

Posted on April 29, 2009
The House is in session.  They are going through committee reports.  I am still waiting to get my hand on a copy of the budget lawmakers will work with tonight. I do feel a sense that they might actually get out of here on time, mainly because they don’t have a choice and either way the Governor [...

48 Hours

Posted on April 28, 2009
With 48 hours to go here’s your latest statehouse update, more to follow later today so check back regularly. 2:35 p.m. This Can’t Be Good Just heard from a key lawmaker that things are spinning “wildly out of control” behind closed doors...

Ain?t Life Grand? Yeah, About 250 Grand!

Posted on April 28, 2009
As Indiana lawmakers continue to work out a deal on solving the Capital Improvement Board $47 million operational shortfall, I thought I would take a few minutes to talk about Jim Irsay’s perpetual argument that he pays $250,000 in rent for Lucas Oil...

Budget Briefing

Posted on April 28, 2009
In case you care, here are copies of both the House and Senate versions of the budget plans. Senate Version of 1001 House Bill 1001  

30 Hours and Counting

Posted on April 28, 2009
With about 30 hours to go before lawmakers adjourn (maybe), House Speaker Pat Bauer and Republican Brian Bosma both offered their thoughts on the final hours.  Here they are.  Draw your own conclusions. House Speaker Pat Bauer Republican Brian Bosma

Ticket Tax, Anyone?

Posted on April 27, 2009
I just had another idea. Since the Indianapolis Colts are balking at contributing to close the Capital Improvement Board $47 million shortfall, I have another idea and Jim Irsay is the one who provided it. In an interview this weekend with the Indianapolis Star, Irsay said a deal was deal and he has no desire to renegotiate [...

Payback Is a You-Know-What

Posted on April 27, 2009
Indiana lawmakers are scrambling behind the scenes this morning looking for a way to deal with the news that the Colts have no desire to contribute to the Capital Improvement Board shortfall.  As one lawmaker put it, the Colts are dealing with us like they do players; driving a hard bargain...

Statehouse Update

Posted on April 27, 2009
I’m at the Statehouse and will try to blog regularly throughout the day on what’s going on here. 1:30 p.m. I spoke the Speaker right before lawmakers went to lunch to get his thoughts on the final 72 hours of session (i.e. the Budget, Unemployment Insurance and the Caapital Improvement Board)...

Ain?t Life Grand? Yeah, About 250 Grand!

Posted on April 27, 2009
Colts owner Jim Irsay is quick to point out these days that he pays $250,000 in rent for Lucas Oil Stadium.  Well, he’s half right.  He does pay $250,000 in annual rent, but has gotten back $5 million, most of which has nothing to do with the Colts...

My C.I.B. Solution

Posted on April 26, 2009
Okay, everybody and his mom has offered up possible solutions to solve the Capital Improvement Board’s operational shortfall so it’s only fitting that Indiana Barrister (IB) gets into the act as well. And like any good comedian, I have no problem stealing ideas from others and improving on them...

Irsay: Colts Ain?t Givin? Up Jack!!!

Posted on April 26, 2009
Pardon my bad grammar, but the Indianapolis Star this morning is reporting Colts owner Jim Irsay is saying the Colts have no intention of ponying up any cash to help cover the $47 million operational shortfall with the Capital Improvement Board. He repeated the line that the Colts have “contributed” $100,000,000 to the building of Lucas [...

In Their Own Words

Posted on April 25, 2009
Indiana lawmakers are feeling more positive that a solution can be reached on the Capital Improvemerddnt Board, however they aren’t so sure if the Indianapolis Colts will contribute.  I spoke to three lawmakers on the CIB conference committee as well as Mayor Greg Ballard...

Colts Fumble Getting Their Facts Straight

Posted on April 24, 2009
Although, the Indianapolis Colts are saying they never asked for a new stadium as part of a deal to stay in the city, the facts seem to indicate otherwise. Here’s the excerpt from today’s post at the Colts website. The Colts never asked for a new stadium...

In His Own Words

Posted on April 24, 2009
Governor Mitch Daniels today called the budget lawmakers are currently considering unacceptable, but denied he was using a veto as a threat.  Daniels says the budget spends to much and leaves Indiana in a more vulnerable position down the road.  He says he wants to give lawmakers flexibility, but they need to be aware of shrinking [...

Has the Tea Cup Dried Up?

Posted on April 23, 2009
Indiana lawmakers are in a giant holding pattern on the budget, unemployment insurance and the CIB, so since there really isn’t anything to report right now, I figured I’d turn my attention to something else, last week’s tea parties...

Pony Up or Shut Up!

Posted on April 23, 2009
Here is a statement put out today by the Indianapolis Colts.  If these guys aren’t going to contribute to keep Lucas Oil open, the least they could do is STFU. Thursday,April 23 COLTS STATEMENT ON THE CIB By Colts.com Dear Colts Fans: Much has been reported and communicated about the Colts over the past several months, including several statements which [...

To Make a Long Story Short

Posted on April 23, 2009
Senate Pro Tempore David Long seems to be getting impatient with Marion County when it comes to addressing the Capital Improvement Board shortfall. The City-County Council is on record as opposing any broad-based tax increase to cover the CIB shortfall, however Long says the shortfall is predominately a Marion County problem and Marion County should solve [...

Help Wanted

Posted on April 22, 2009
As Indiana lawmakers look for ways to solve the state’s unemployment trust fund shortfall, I have a thought I’d like to share with them.  Maybe the state should get out of the unemployment benefit business altogether.  Before you call me crazy there are some benefits to such a move...

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