Indiana

It?s Deja Vu All Over Again

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

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 will also not vote for the budget, nor the CIB plan.   They make up seven of the 52 House Democratic members.  Both Governor Mitch Daniels and Senate Pro Tempore David Long have maintained lawmakers should simply deal with the budget and the Capital Improvement Board.

Speaking of CIB, my sources are also informing me that Marion County Democrat, Cherish Pryor in particular, is offering, with Bill Crawford’s blessing, an amendment to the Daniels-Ballard plan that would completely alter the proposal.

The plan would eliminate the Facilities Management Board of Marion County, whereby all Marion County government properties would all be under the same governing board.  The CIB properties would still be under one board, but the Governor would have no appointments, instead the County Commissioners (all Democrats) would get two more appointments.

I am also told the Crawford-Pryor plan would eliminate the admissions tax and replace it with a Marion County food and beverage tax, thus putting pressure on City-Council Republicans to pass a countywide food and beverage tax and making them more vulnerable in the 2011 elections.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,  because Monday will be here sooner than you think.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on June 13, 2009 (boomark / email).