Weekend Thoughts
Governor Mitch Daniels today announced that he doesn’t have bill sponsors lined up yet for some of his major initiatives, Full Day Kindergarten, the Commerce Connector and Lottery Privatization.
I spent the afternoon talking to Democratic and Republican sources and here’s what I’ve come up with so far, noting this is the government so it’s subject to change…
FDK — This will pass, with a lot of debate, but without many conservative votes. The trick will be in how it’s paid for.
Commerce Connector — Likely to pass. Republicans like it. Although it doesn’t pass through any Democratic districts, there’s no real reason for Democrats to oppose it. Since the project doesn’t involve an existing road, there is no selling or leasing of a state asset. However, I can see this being used as a bargaining chip for something else (like an increase in the minimum wage) later in the session. But this will be the issue to watch.
Lottery Privatization — This was dead before it was announced. Democrats don’t like it. Republicans can’t stand it. As one lawmaker put it, it’s one thing to take a state asset that’s losing money and privatize it, but the lottery is making money. Another interesting theory surrounding privatization of the lottery is that any company who took the agency would be governed more by contract than the legislature, so they could operate with 150 people getting in their business, but that’s just a theory.
That’s what I know this afternoon. It could change by tomorrow night.
