What I’m Watching This Week
There are lots of items to be on the lookout for this week. Here are a few of the more interesting ones.
Expect new legislative maps to be unveiled, possibly as early as later this morning. Both the Indiana House and Senate have put their maps together based on new census data. Expect a new district or two in the Carmel-Fishers area which has grown like crazy, while consolidation in the Gary area due to population loss. Frankly, I’ll be checking to see if two Democratic lawmakers from the South Bend area who reportedly live within three miles of each other end up having to run against each other in a primary next year.
Don’t be surprised if there are some major changes done to Republican State Senator Mike Delph’s illegal immigration bill. A number of lawmakers have privately expressed concerns about a number of the provisions. Delph has responded by softening it a bit. Frankly, I think Indiana should go the Utah route and have tough provisions for illegal aliens who commit felonies, but also create a state worker permit program for those who are here and staying out of trouble and doing the work I have no intention of doing.
This will also be a big week for campaign finance disclosure reports. The two races I’m keeping the closet eye on are the races for the U.S. Senate and Indianapolis Mayor. Incumbent Dick Lugar has reportedly been a fundraising machine and challenger Richard Mourdock is expected to have a decent showing out of the gate and has been picking up some support from national tea partyesque groups. In the race for Mayor, it will be interesting to see which candidate gets closest to the $2 million mark. Remember, it was a couple weeks ago Melina Kennedy reportedly told her fellow Democrats in a private meeting that the fundraising was going well.
And expect some interesting news to break regarding Marion County Judge Louis Rosenberg’s decision to order the Indiana Recount Commission to rehear the Democratic challenge to Charlie White’s eligibility to be Secretary of State. I’ve picked up some information bout some other things that went into the judge’s decision making process that should prove to be quite entertaining. Definitely stay tuned for that one.
An local attorney Paul Ogden is looking for a few good school districts to sue the state of Indiana. After having his claim dismissed in Marion County Court over the state asset forfeiture law, Ogden sent out a letter to the Indiana School Board Association asking if any school boards wanted to file suit to get money he believes should go to the Common School Fund and not to law enforcement. We should know by the end of the week if anyone wants to take him up on his offer. I have to give Paul credit, at least this time he’s using someone who potentially has a real dog in the fight and not his law partner as a plaintiff.
There are a few other things on the radar screen for now, but that’s all for now.
