Indiana

The Durham Indictment

Posted on March 16, 2011
We all knew it was coming, Tim Durham of Fair Finance was indicted today on numerous charges in what federal prosecutors called the biggest case of white collar crime in the history of Indiana.  Durham is accused of bilking more than $230 million from more than 5,000 investors...

Whoops, There It Is!!!

Posted on March 15, 2011
Either someone jumped the gun this afternoon  or Indiana Congressman Andre Carson had a change of heart on a continuing resolution to keep the federal government running. His Office sent out a news release shortly after the House of Representatives passed the resolution...

Political Potpourri

Posted on March 14, 2011
The saga that is Indiana’s political scene continues to play itself out.  Here’s today’s assessment of events… House Democrats are entering into their fourth week of self-imposed exile.  A number of us in the media think they will return this week, although it won’t be Tuesday...

The Charlie Syndrome

Posted on March 13, 2011
On Saturday morning I was having breakfast with a few political friends, when I had gotten word that Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White might be stepping down. As someone who trades in political gossip and rumor, this was good stuff. Let?s face it...

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Hizzoners

Posted on March 12, 2011
As someone who really enjoys covering and writing about local government, I was like a kid in a candy store Friday night at the University of Indianapolis watching the former and current mayors of  Indianapolis address the city’s past, present and future...

Learn Your Lessons Well

Posted on March 11, 2011
Here are a few observations following this week’s news events… Never say how many people are going to show up at your rally.  At the very least, low-ball it.  There’s nothing worse than saying 25,000 people are going to show up and only 8,000 (at best) actually do...

What Is a ?Working Family??

Posted on March 10, 2011
As I sat down at my computer getting ready to write another blog post, I dreaded writing about the stalemate at the Indiana General Assembly.  Now granted this one would have been a little different as House Speaker Brian Bosma and Democratic leader Pat Bauer both seemed to agree that progress had been made in [...

Check It Out

Posted on March 09, 2011
My monthly column appears in the Indianapolis Star today.  It’s on unions and collective bargaining. Check it out. I’ll give you a political gossip update tomorrow.

Look For the Union Labels

Posted on March 09, 2011
Check this out.  As you know there’s a big rally slated for the Capitol tomorrow by the unions to protest the Republican agenda.  Protests are fine, that’s what America is all about.  However, when your goal is to do harm to the Indianapolis economy, we have a problem...

Capital Concessions?

Posted on March 08, 2011
As the Statehouse Standoff enters into its third week, soon to be followed by its fourth, I noticed something interesting during the daily media availability with Democratic Leader Pat Bauer, a most interesting concession. Yes, I know there’s a lot of talk about concessions and compromise but this one was a little different...

Planned Parenthood

Posted on March 08, 2011
A number of people wanted to hear my interview with Betty Cockrum of Planned Parenthood of Indiana.  Luckily, I have it right here. Betty Cockrum – part 1 Betty Cockrum – part 2 Betty Cockrum – part 3 And in case you were wondering, I do plan to sit down soon and talk with a representative from Indiana Right [...

Monday?s Musings

Posted on March 07, 2011
Lots of things to talk about this morning, so let?s get started… If anyone thought having a few days to think would change embattled Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White mind and he would step down, not so much.  I communicated with White this weekend via text messaging and when I asked if he was going [...

The Stalemate Continues

Posted on March 07, 2011
Another day of no quorum at the Indiana House of Representatives.  Only two absentee Democrats showed today, State Representatives Terry Goodin and Peggy Welsh.  Democratic State Representative Steve Stemler did not participate in the walkout. When asked whether they woould be back anytime soon, Goodin said they would stay gone for as long as it takes, [...

Did They Get Permission?

Posted on March 06, 2011
A legitimate question has been asked regarding the absentee Indiana House Democrats.   If their pay is being docked because they have unexcused absences at the legislature, does that same rule apply for those who work for other units of  government? According to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Directory, the following State Reps hold the following positions… Kreg [...

And Now, a Word or Two From Pat Bauer

Posted on March 05, 2011
I recently received a copy of this e-mail sent out by Indiana House Democratic Leader Pat Bauer regarding the Statehouse Stalemate.  I thought it was worth reprinting here. ********* On Wednesday, I met face to face with the leader of the Indiana House Republicans...

We?re Back!!!

Posted on March 03, 2011
Editior’s Note: No, Indiana Barrister was not hacked by the unions nor the Executive Director of the Marion County Democratic Party, we moved to a new server and it took longer than we planned.  Lucklily, the Indiana House Democrats haven’t come back yet, so you haven’t missed too much...

Some Friendly Advice

Posted on March 03, 2011
There’s nothing like having your blog back up and running just when the two big political stories of the year (so far) are breaking.   Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White is indicted on seven counts (several of which relate to voter fraud)...

Death of a Party

Posted on February 28, 2011
This post originally appeared on the Capitol & Washington blog by my friend Cam Savage.   I thought it was worth re-posting here.  While partisan, Cam does make some very salient points that are worth considering. ****** With the announcement that Indiana House Democrats will not return to their duties at the Statehouse Monday, it is [...

Constituent Service?

Posted on February 28, 2011
Check out this e-mail from an Indiana Statehouse lawmaker to a constituent regarding the Democratic walkout.  The constituent wanted to know why the lawmaker wasn’t back at the Capitol. Get informed! This isn’t all about the Right to Work bill, where have you been! The worst legislation is the so called education “reform”...

Won?t You Come Home

Posted on February 28, 2011
Alright, who didn’t figure this was going to happen? Aiming Higher Ad

Follow the Money

Posted on February 28, 2011
This was original posted at Capitol and Washington by Mike O’Brien.  You can call him a partisan, but it does raise some interesting questions. ******** As we pointed out yesterday, and Jim Shella?s blog alluded to today, questions are starting to be asked around how the Indiana Democratic Party can afford to foot a $2,500-per-day hotel bill [...

Some Rules to Live By

Posted on February 27, 2011
I saw this posted in the comment section of the on-line edition of the Springfield State Journal-Register regarding a news story about Indiana Democrats who are hanging out in my home state of Illinois.   I thought they summed things up pretty well with respect to the Statehouse Stalemate...

Carpe Per Diem

Posted on February 26, 2011
It looks like the Indiana “Statehouse Stalemate”  will continue through Monday.   House Democratic leader Pat Bauer put out the following statement Friday afternoon… “Our members will be staying in Urbana, Illinois, this weekend...

Back Home Again, In Indiana?

Posted on February 25, 2011
It looks like some Indiana House Democrats may be back in town this weekend.  I just pulled this information off the Indianapolis Education Associations website. Click below for flier! Rally Tear Offs[1].pdf A RALLY FOR Public Education will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 11:30a...

Declare Victory and Retreat!!!

Posted on February 24, 2011
I know this is going to sound weird coming from me of all people, but sometimes you need to know when to stop talking, declare victory and immediately run like hell.    This advice I give to Indiana House Democrats who are holding out in my mom’s hometown of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois...

Four Day Weekend

Posted on February 24, 2011
House Speaker Brian Bosma says he’s been told by Democrats that they won’t be back today or tomorrow, denying the chamber a quorum.   House Democrats Scott Pelath, Cherish Pryor and Steve Stemler were present.   The Speaker, Governor and Senate leader have all agreed to extend the passage date of all bills to next Friday...

State of the City

Posted on February 24, 2011
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard delivered his State of the City address tonight.  If you’re a Republican, you liked it.  A Democrat, you probably boycotted it.  I’ve embedded the speech here so you can read it for yourself. I’ll have some thoughts later this weekend...

Make a Run For the Border

Posted on February 23, 2011
I have to give Indiana House Democrats credit.  If you?re going to bolt to my home state of Illinois to put the brakes on legislation that you can?t stand, head to Champaign-Urbana, IL.  Unlike their Wisconsin counterparts who hid out in Rockford, Urbana is a pretty cool place...

Will Democrats Decide?

Posted on February 22, 2011
Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock is scheduled to announce this morning that he’s running for the U.S. Senate and will challenge incumbent Richard Lugar in the 2012 May primary. I find this entire dynamic fascinating.   Both candidates will bring their own strengths and challenges to the race...

State of the Unions

Posted on February 21, 2011
Sometime this week you will turn on your television and see thousands of people taking to the streets making demands on their governments.  If you’re watching Al-Jazeera the demonstrators will be demanding change.  If you’re watching an Indiana news channel,  the protesters are demanding the status quo...

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