January IDC Meeting Notes
The meeting was opened at 7:39pm at the Julia Carson Government Center in Indianapolis by club President Ken Kern. It was noted that the IDC is beginning it’s 105th consecutive year. Last month’s secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were typed up and handed out and accepted as presented.
This month’s guest speakers were supposed to be State Sens. Vi Simpson and/or Robert Young, but unfortunately last minute cancellations changed the program to include guest speakers Jeff Harris and Angie Nusmeyer. Jeff is Deputy Chief of Staff and Press Secretary for the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus. Angie works for the Indiana Democratic Senatorial campaign. The topic was what is in store for the 2006 legislative session.
Jeff:
last year’s budget that was passed was one of the worst in the history of the state. It cut funding to 143 schools (including IPS) and included the largest property tax increase in Indiana history. Democratic proposals of all day kindergarten and a plan to provide a free book per month to ever child in the state (a surprisingly cheap program) did not even receive hearings from the Republicans in charge of the Senate. The only thing the GOP did to try and fake an all day kindergarten program was a tax voucher for those 200% below the poverty level. Unfortunately, that doesn’t cover nearly enough people and the tax voucher only comes at the end of the year and assumes they could pay any up front costs to begin with.
Toll Road Privatization: This is a huge boondoggle. Among many points that were brought up, there is a non-compete clause so that any improvements on ANY road within 10 miles of the toll road would have to be cleared by the foreign company buying the roll road. Also, the prevailing wage for jobs on the road would not apply to the privatized road!
The biggest negative of the toll road privatization is that it would be a 75 year lease that would take in money to be spent in the first 10 years under the Daniels plan. Where’s the other 65 years worth of money come from? Just the math of the privatization doesn’t add up.
This isn’t the only privatization in the works, the Indiana GOP is out to privatize just about everything. They just introduced a bill that night to privatize all BMV branches in the state.
In the area of health care, the Senate Democrats have a plan to allow Indiana citizens to buy into the state health care plan that is made available to state employees at a reduced rate. Again, the GOP did not even allow a hearing on this issue.
Angie:
The Democrats have a 2010 Plan to pick up 9 seats in the next four years to take back the Senate. This year there are two open seats due to 2 Democratic Senators retiring. This is VERY important. One is in Posey and Vanderburg counties and the other is in Delaware County. Senate District 4 is also open this year. They also have a goal to raise $1 million this year.
The GOP could be very weak along toll road counties due to that issue, as well as weak along the proposed I69 counties.
If you want to volunteer for the State Senate Democratic Campaign, call state party headquarters at 317-231-7118.
Key points from Q&A:
*Write letters to the editor wherever you can.
*The governor said of the privatization that it is the single largest outsourcing in the history of the US and he stood behind it!
*The governor is apparently holding other road projects hostage, telling senators that unless they pass his road program, they won’t see a road crew in their district for the rest of their term.
*There is no “prevailing wage” when no federal dollars are in a project. There’s always been a gentleman’s agreement to do it anyway, but the governor is planning not to follow it in his plan.
*There was a question if there would be proposals to forbid political contributions from the company buying the road. This was proposed and again, the GOP did not give it a hearing.
*Another bill never given a hearing by Senate Republicans? One to extend voting hours in the state. Indiana is 1 of 2 states to close the polls so early.
*The governor has a non-profit called “Aiming Higher Inc” that can take unlimited funds from private contributors and there is no disclosure. A bill to close this loophole was…not given a hearing.
*A bill was proposed last year to give the Secretary of State sole power to rule on voter eligibility. Combined with the draconian Voter ID bill, this puts far too much power in one man’s hands as to who can and cannot vote. The Senate Dems walked out over this bill last year to defeat it, but it’s being resurrected again this year.
*The House GOP tried to amend the Eminent Domain bill with an unrelated amendment that would not allow local governments from passing ordinances like 622 was passed in Indianapolis.
*There are plans for holding more low dollar fundraisers so as not to be totally dependant on big donors.
Other Discussion:
The 2006 officers and board members of the Indiana Democratic Club were sworn in.
Melissa Lear of Julia Carson’s campaign was there to tell us about Congresswoman Carson’s re-election announcement the following day.
The incumbent judges running for re-election were there to thank the IDC for its support.
New candidates for Marion County Superior court in attendance included Heather Welch, Israel Cruz, Angela Davis, Karen Horseman and Jose Salinas.
Kate Sweeny-Bell, candidate for Center Township (Marion County) Assessor was there.
A representative of State Senator Billie Breaux was there to talk about Senator Breaux’s candidacy for Marion County Auditor.
Russel Brown, a candidate for Indiana Senate in the northeast part of Marion County, was in attendance.
Indianapolis City/County Council member Greg Bowes was in attendance to tell us of his candidacy for Marion County Assessor.
Catherine Fox-Carr is running for Congress in the 5th district and was also in attendance.
Paul Woods was in attendance and running for Wayne Township (Marion County) Constable.
New Business:
New Member: Paul Woods
Letty Oliver informed us of two new bills that were to be introduced the day after the meeting. SB322 would cause the forfeiture of pension funds of state employees for misconduct even if they are accused of something in their past after they have retired. Accused, not convicted. Also SB108 would cut down late payment interest for employers late paying employees from 10% per day to 1.5% anually and would also allow employers to take up to $200 out of a paycheck for pretty much anything, from uniforms to tools to anything else.
Split The Pot was $13.50 and won by Ron King.
Resolutions: Resolution to oppose privatization in general, but specifically the toll road privatization. To be sent to all members of the Indiana House and Senate.
Moved by: Dave Neiwart
Seconded by: Bobby Jackson
Passed voice vote unanimously. Text of resolution will be posted once it is written and officially accepted.