Archive for the ‘Legislature’ Category

I received a mail piece recently from State Senator Vi Simpson regarding how homeowners can avoid foreclosure. This mailer, sent to constituents across the 40th State Senate district, is not unusual. It just happened to arrive several weeks before Senator Simpson is up for re-election.

And there is the problem. In reality, these mailers are little more than taxpayer-financed campaign mailers for incumbent state legislators. In fairness to Senator Simpson, both parties in both houses take advantage of their ability to spend taxpayer dollars budget to send these “informational” mailers to their constituents. But the practice is still wrong, fiscally irresponsible and undemocratic. It needs to end.

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This morning we held a press conference in South Bend in which I officially announced to the public that I am running for the Indiana House of Representatives in House District 7. The South Bend Tribune and the Howey Report have both posted items about the event, and I expect more coverage from WSBT Radio, WSBT TV, ABC 57, the South Bend Tribune and perhaps others. For more information on my campaign check out my website at www.DanHerbster.com. On the website you can find out more about the campaign, and you can make a safe and convenient contribution (hint, hint) via paypal or via check.

I hope to have photos (and maybe video) of the event posted soon on the website and on our “Dan Herbster for State Representative” facebook group. Here’s the official press release:

Dan Herbster is honored to have Kip Wellin, his former high school government teacher and basketball coach, join the Herbster team as campaign chairman

Today, Dan Herbster announced his candidacy for the Indiana House of Representatives for House District 7. Dan is a new face in local politics, and wants to use his teaching experience and familiarity with legislative matters to serve the residents of our district.

He also announced Kip Wellin’s acceptance of the campaign chairman position. Kip was Dan’s high school government teacher and basketball coach. Kip also has years of experience in the business world and in the classroom.

Dan Herbster issued the following statement:

“Thanks to all of you for coming out today. I am excited to announce that I am running for the Indiana House of Representatives here in House District 7. I am here today because I believe the time has come for new leadership, and I want to use my core values and my experiences teaching in the public schools and in schools overseas to serve and represent the community where I grew up. The issues I am most concerned about are attracting good paying jobs to our area, fighting tax increases, strengthening education, and protecting traditional Hoosier values.”

“I am also pleased to announce that my former high school government teacher and basketball coach, Kip Wellin, has agreed to be my campaign chairman. Kip has years of experience in the business world and has spent the last twelve years impacting the lives of young people as teacher and coach. I will greatly benefit from his support and advice, particularly on economic and educational issues.”

Kip Wellin issued the following statement:

“Today it is my distinct pleasure to accept Dan’s request to chair his bid for the Indiana House of Representatives. Having known Dan and his family for many years I can honestly say that Dan represents all that is good about the Hoosier state, and in particular the core values that we hold dear like hard work, low taxation, faith, and responsible, representative government. This campaign for the 7th district is about a call for new leadership and fresh ideas. And our candidate will bring youth, energy and vitality to a people who deserve nothing less. I am pleased to chair Dan’s bid to be your state representative.”

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Governor Daniels spoke to a the Indianapolis Rotary Club yesterday and announced his “Taxpayer Protection Agenda” which is a two-step proposal which is to further strengthen Indiana’s protection of taxpayers.

In short this is what he’s proposing:

First, the governor called for final legislative passage of a constitutional amendment to make permanent the caps on property taxes contained in the landmark tax cut bill approved during the 2008 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

The second proposal, the Automatic Taxpayer Refund, would ensure that any tax revenues beyond those needed to maintain a balanced budget and adequate rainy day reserves be sent back to taxpayers in the form of a refund.

Audio of the Governor’s speech can be heard below.

 

 Governor announces taxpayer protection agenda: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I was sent a scan of a campaign flyer of Cherrish Pryor, Democrat candidate for HD94, and being the political hack I am I looked it over carefully. At first glance it seemed to be broad generalities. Upon closer examination I see that a lot of items listed as her “issues” were the exact issues put out by her Republican challenger Chad Miller. Is Cherrish Pryor so devoid of ideas she finds it necessary to find inspiration for her ideas from her opponent?

Keep in mind, Chad Miller had his website out there with much of this material posted near the time of the primary in May.

[More analysis below the fold]

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David Yarde won the caucus tonight to replace State Rep. Marlin Stutzman on the November ballot in House District 52.  Yarde won on the 6th ballot with 20 votes over Roger Diehm with 18 votes.  I emceed a candidate forum with 8 candidates who were seeking this vacancy last Thursday evening.  Here is the brief bio I was given to read about Yarde in the introductions.

Davis is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County and the fourth generation to live on the family farm.  He graduated from Garrett High School in 1969 and received his BS in Education and an MS in Administration from Indiana University.  David served in the school system as a teacher and administrator for 30 years.  He is married to Julie and they are the parents of two children, Justin and Dakota.  A small business owner, Davis is a fiscal and social conservative Republican.  Currently serving his fourth term on the Dekalb County Council, Davis is a former member of the Keyser Township Advisory Board, a veteran of 30 years as a Keyser Township Precinct Committee person and former DeKalb County Young Republican Chairman.

Congrats to David and good luck in the fall.

Press Release from Matt Bell for State Senate below.

This morning, State Representative Matt Bell (District 83, Republican) announced his candidacy to succeed Robert L. “Bob” Meeks as the Senator from Indiana’s 13th Senate District. Yesterday morning, Rep. Bell filed paperwork declaring himself a candidate for the caucus to fill the ballot vacancy resulting from Sen. Meeks’ announcement of his intention to withdraw from the November General Election ballot.

“I have been humbled and honored by the calls and comments from folks across the 13th Senate District asking me to represent them in the Indiana State Senate. My wife, Jackie, and I have carefully considered this decision, and we are committed to working as hard as we can to earn the opportunity to fill the ballot vacancy, and win the General Election in November so that we can help lead the fight for a better northeast Indiana in the State Senate.”

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Today State Representative Marlin Stutzman became the first Republican to declare for the Senate District 12 caucus to replace Senator Bob Meeks on the ballot for the fall General Election.  Sources tell me that State Representative Matt Bell, former State Rep. and current lobbyist Brad Fox, former Lagrange County Sheriff Greg Dheane, and Lagrange County Attorney Kurt Bachman are likely to join Stutzman in the race.  Press release below.

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It’s just sad it took the death of these two innocent children to potentally bring about legislation which increases the penalties for their murders.

The man who shot a pregnant teller during a bank robbery last week could face as little as two years in prison for killing her unborn twins.

But a penalty stretching several decades to 100 years would apply for the robbery and the attempted murder of the mother — an absurd gap, Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said. Today, he is expected to announce a proposal that would expand Indiana’s fetal homicide laws to include any unborn child.

The change would remove a condition that the fetus be viable, or have the ability to live outside the mother’s womb.

“I don’t see why we should be talking about viability,” Brizzi said Tuesday. “If somebody takes the life of an unborn child, they should be charged with murder, period.”

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Republican State Rep. Jim Buck won today’s caucus to replace State Senator Jeff Drozda, who resigned earlier this month, quite handily. Final count was:

Jim Buck 68
Dave Mueller 15
Monty Henderson 5

The Kokomo Tribune has the story below the fold. (more…)

Have you noticed how many primaries in big time districts there are going on in Indiana? Sure I give attention to Dan Burton’s 5th CD race (he is my Congressman after all), but senior Republicans across Indiana are taking it on the chin this primary season. From Luke Kenley and Teresa Lubbers in the State Senate to Cindy Noe and Mike Murphy in the State House, incumbents are in the fight for their elective lives. We may agree or disagree on whether those people should go or not, but I tend not to voice my opinion on those races because I don’t live in the District (though after interviewing Cindy Noe for HA Radio, I tend to be a big fan of hers).

But my State Senator, Beverly Gard, who represents SD 28 (Hancock and Henry counties with Fall Creek Township in Hamilton) is in a primary fight herself. I’m voicing my opinion on this race because I live in her district. It seems that one trait her primary shares with Congressman Burton’s is that most of her detractors don’t even live in her district. It is true that her opponent, Terry Michael is an openly gay Republican. He’s the only gay Republican elected in Indiana as Fall Creek Township Assessor in Fishers. Kudos to him for getting elected in Fishers as a gay Republican. I’m impressed.

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Precinct Committeemen in State Senate District 21 are about to have their phones ringing off the hook for the next two weeks getting calls from candidates courting their vote.  That’s because the date for the caucus to replace Senator Drozda has been set.  It will be taking place at 10:00am on April 26 at the Howard County GOP headquarters.  At this point, St. Rep. Jim Buck of Kokomo is the leading candidate to replace Senator Drozda who officially stepped down yesterday.

Earlier this year, State Senator Jeff Drozda surprised everyone as he announced he was resigning from the State Senate. It turned out his job was transfering him to South Carolina. Unknown was when he was going to officially step down. But reliable sources tell me that Senator Drozda is going to officially step down this coming Monday.

Still not known is when the caucus the replace Drozda will take place. But my guess is this will be something that they may want to take care of before the primary. The heavy favorite to replace Drozda is Jim Buck of Kokomo.