The Consolidation Two-Step
Last Wednesday I posted about dueling bills in the statehouse providing for consolidation of Evansville and Vanderburgh County. The community group leading the charge for consolidation – a group on whose board I serve – has officially endorsed House Bill 1344, filed by Rep. Phil Hinkle, R-Indianapolis, over House Bill 1394, filed by Rep. Dennis Avery. Hinkle’s bill specifically provides for consolidation under a mayor and single legislative body, whereas Avery’s bill only generally calls for consolidation within the county.
It is no secret that the vast majority of the area’s legislative delegation opposes consolidation, in whole or in part. Avery’s bill permits them to feign support while still offering an “out” from consolidation after its inevitable passage. Therefore you can imagine the Evansville delegation was perturbed by Rep. Hinkle’s involvement in the issue. “I just think it’s not very considerate for people from other areas to file legislation that affects (Vanderburgh County),” Avery said. But Hinkle was chairman of a summer legislative study committee on government efficiency and an understandable ally of consolidation efforts.
