January 11, 2005
Indiana Government - Availability of Executive Orders and Other Documents
Several stories today report on executive orders Governor Daniels already has signed, or will sign today. The Evansville Courier&Press has a list today of the 13 Executive Orders that the new Governor signed yesterday:Create the post of Secretary of Commerce....
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
10:24 AM
Indiana Government - Daniels' resignation request surprises education panel members
"Daniels' request surprises education panel members" is the headline to this story today in the Indianapolis Star that begins:Hoosiers serving on boards setting policy for public schools and universities were troubled and surprised by news Monday that Gov. Mitch Daniels...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
10:06 AM
January 10, 2005
Indiana Government - [Updated] Open the door on votes in committees
"Open the door on votes in committees" is the heading to a letter to the editor today in the Indianapolis Star. The letter:Opening up Indiana government to the people is a very worthy idea, but I'm not sure that video...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
04:01 PM
Indiana Government - Authority of the Governor over Executive Branch appointees
"Members of gaming panel face uncertain future" is the headline to Lesley Stedman Weidenbener's Sunday column in the Louisville Courier Journal. She writes:Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels, who takes office tomorrow, said last week he expects that Hoosiers serving on state boards...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
07:24 AM
January 09, 2005
Indiana Government - Editorial writes new administration should get up to speed on public-access laws
The Evansville Courier&Press writes today:Because Daniels will be the first Republican in 16 years to head state government, his administrative makeover is extensive. There will be a whole new team of administrators, department heads and policymakers running the executive branch...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:03 PM
January 07, 2005
Indiana Government - Legislative Investigation into Trump Casino Deal Takes Interesting Turn
Earlier this week a number of papers reported on the legislative interest in the state Gaming Commission's selection of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc. for a casino in Orange County. Here is a quote from Jennifer Whitson's story Wednesday...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
08:12 AM
Indiana Government - Revised IEDC bill now available
House Bill 1003, the 195-page bill proposing revisions to the current Indiana Economc Development law, is now available as reprinted 1/7/05 to incorporate the amendments made by the House Committee earlier this week. Go to the last page (p. 195)...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
07:37 AM
January 06, 2005
Indiana government - Daniels names two more men to state positions
An AP story just posted on the Indianapolis Star website reports that Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels has filled the Commissioner of Labor post and the Workforce Development post with men from Cummins and Lilly, respectively. Some quotes:Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels has chosen...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
05:24 PM
Indiana Government - More on IEDC changes
Yesterday the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development and Small Business finished its consideration of HB 1003, the proposed revisions to the IEDC law, and voted the bill out Do Pass Amended. A number of papers had reports today...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:55 PM
January 05, 2005
Indiana Government - [Updated] Kentucky Man to Head Corrections
"Kentuckian to lead state prisons" is the headline to a story just posted on the Indianapolis Star website. A quote:Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels has named a Kentucky prisons official to be Indiana's new commissioner of the Department of Correction. J. David...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
04:01 PM
Indiana Government - Watch your General Assembly Online
Well, the House anyway. A video setup now sends live feeds while the House of Representatives is in session. You can watch from your web browser, providing you tune in when the General Assembly is in session. Nothing is archived....
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
01:11 PM
Indiana Government - More on Toll Road
Yesterday's entry quoted a story from the South Bend Tribune. Today an AP story in the Indianapolis Star reports "No Toll Road sale proposal, but Daniels interested in its worth." And the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette editorializes: "Don’t sell the...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:48 PM
Indiana Government - Curtain rises on Commerce overhaul
"Curtain rises on Commerce overhaul" is the headline to the Indianapolis Star story today (in the business section) on the House committee meeting yesterday to consider Gov.-elect Daniels' proposed changes to the Indiana Economic Development Commission (IEDC) law. The committee...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:29 PM
January 04, 2005
Indiana Government - Toll Road for sale?
"For sale? Daniels' idea to sell Toll Road fires debate" is the headline to this story today in the South Bend Tribune. Some quotes:INDIANAPOLIS -- With the state facing a $600 million budget deficit, Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels is mulling plans...
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02:30 PM
Indiana Government - More on annual property tax updates
Yesterday (scroll down 4 entries) the ILB reported on a new rule from the Department of Local Government Finance that was recently approved by Governor Kernan. Here is a copy of the rule, LSA #02-297. Yesterday's report quoted from the...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:33 PM
Indiana Government - General Assembly convenes today
There are a number of stories on the convening today of the "long" session of the Indiana General Assembly, plus Gov.-elect Daniels' press conference yesterday unveiling more specifics on his legislative agenda. Starting with the Louisville Courier Journal, Lesley Stedman...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
09:54 AM
January 03, 2005
Indiana Government - Annual property tax updates
A story in the South Bend Tribune today by James Wensits, headlined "New rule lets valuations be revised yearly: Property value updates to minimize change between reassessments," includes these quotes:Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan, though expressing concerns about long-term effects on...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
03:05 PM
Indiana Government - Daniels transition vs. Bush transition
I thought of the transition to the Daniels administration this morning when I read this story from the Washington Post titled "Transition Is Easier Second Time Around: For Bush, Fewer Jobs to Fill and Less Fuss." The story begins:In at...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
01:55 PM
January 01, 2005
Indiana Government - Problems facing governors across the country
"Vexing Issues Await States, New Leaders in 2005" is the title to this story today from the Kansas City infoZine. Some quotes:A cast of first-time governors will bring a fresh approach to their inaugurations in 2005, including a no-frills swearing...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
04:54 PM
December 31, 2004
Indiana Government - Daniels names Indianapolis man to fill INDOT spot
Governor-elect Daniels today appointed Thomas A. Sharp as Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation. Here is the brief Indianapolis Star story posted this afternoon. Here is the Daniels press release. Here is the updated ILB organization chart for the...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
02:58 PM
Indiana Government - Commentary on diversity in Daniels' appointments
Yesterday this Indiana Law Blog entry included quotes from a story in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on the paucity of women-appointees to high-level positions in the new Daniels' administration. Today the Journal Gazette has an editorial titled "Daniels and...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
08:01 AM
Indiana Government - East Chicago transition is abrupt
East Chicago has a new mayor as of the election on Tuesday, Dec. 28. George Pabey readily defeated long-time mayor Robert Pastrick in a special court-ordered election following evidence of widespread corruption in the mayoral primary. (Type "Pabey" in the...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
07:51 AM
December 30, 2004
Indiana Government - More on most recent Daniels' appointees
Insurance Commissioner. Updating our report from yesterday (scroll down three) of Gov.-elect Daniels' appointment of Harold Calloway as insurance commissioner is this expanded story today in the Indianapolis Star. The Evansville Courier&Press headlines its story today "Daniels names Evansville businessman...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
09:01 AM
December 29, 2004
Indiana Government - More on dealing with language differences in courts and government agencies
Yesterday we posted an entry quoting from an Evansville Courier&Press story titled "Interpreters' new legal requirements present another challenge in driver's license quest." Today the C&P has several related stories. "Cultural differences complicate police work," is the title to this...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
05:43 PM
Indiana Government - Details of state computer purchasing scandal
Jennifer Whitson of the Evansville Courier&Press has reviewed the federal court documents and has a very detailed account of the felony charges released Tuesday. (Scroll down six entries for the ILB report earlier today.) Here is a quote located well...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
05:20 PM
Indiana Government - Evansville man named new insurance head
The Indianapolis Star website is reporting this afternoon:Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels today named an Evansville insurance agent to be the new commissioner of the Department of Insurance. Harold Calloway, 58, owns an insurance agency, which he started in 1985. * *...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
02:10 PM
Indiana Government - Yet another scandal story
Another scandal story today, this one on the front page of the Indianapolis Star, headlined "Official overbilled state for equipment, police say: Amid lax oversight, affidavit says, engineer may have triple-billed for computer gear." Again, the cause looks to include...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
09:57 AM
December 28, 2004
Indiana Government - Stories today
"Interpreters' new legal requirements present another challenge in driver's license quest" is the headline to this story today by Roberta Heiman in the Evansville Courier&Press. Some quotes:On a typical Tuesday or Friday, there might be as many as eight to...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
10:48 AM
December 27, 2004
Indiana Government - Locals bemoan loss of state's tax chief
This interesting story from today's Munster Times is headlined: "Locals bemoan loss of state's tax chief: Even GOP officials laud Democratic government finance commissioner." Some quotes:CROWN POINT | Both Lake County Democrats and Republicans bemoan the likely replacement of the...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:00 PM
December 26, 2004
Indiana Government - Recent stories
Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has a major story today titled "Budget top priority for legislature: Gambling, daylight-saving time, education prominent on agenda." The " five major items Hoosiers should keep their eye on this session" include,...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
10:13 AM
December 23, 2004
Indiana Government - [Updated] Daniels appoints IDEM head
A press release this afternoon from Daniels' headquarters:Governor-elect Mitch Daniels Names Northwest Indiana Business/Environmental Professional Commissioner of IDEM INDIANAPOLIS - Today Governor-elect Mitch Daniels announced the appointment of a longtime environmental expert from Northwest Indiana to lead the Indiana Department...
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02:53 PM
Indiana Government - More on latest Daniels' appointments
Updating our entry yesterday titled "Daniels appoints four more men to top state positions" (scroll down three entries) are several stories in this morning's publications. "Daniels names scandal buster: Clay County prosecutor to become state watchdog; governor-elect also fills 3...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
06:49 AM
December 22, 2004
Indiana Government - Daniels appoints four more men to top state positions
The Indianapolis Star is reporting on its website:Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels today named four key public safety positions in his new administration. Paul Whitesell, 53, of Fort Wayne, will be superintendent of the Indiana State Police, Daniels said. Whitesell is a...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
10:20 AM
December 21, 2004
Indiana Government - Daniels Taps Muncie Native as Senior Advisor
[Update] Here is a revised organization chart, prepared by the ILB, including today's announcement.] Per a press release dated 12/20/04, but just posted on the Daniels' website:Governor-elect Daniels Taps Muncie Native to Handle Big Economic Development Projects INDIANAPOLIS - Governor-elect...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
02:53 PM
Indiana Government - Indiana prisons
The Evansville Courier&Press has an editorial today with this heading:The Issue: Department of Correction wants design funds for new prison. Our View: State not yet paying for what it has.The editorial begins:Indiana's criminal justice system continues to be caught up...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
10:29 AM
December 20, 2004
Indiana Government - Keeping Up
The Indiana Law Blog recently began categorizing stories about both the upcoming Mitch Daniels administration and about the upcoming General Assembly under a new heading - Indiana Government. What that means for you is that if you click on that...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
01:19 PM
Indiana Government - Development tools top cities' wish list
Martin DeAgoostino of the South Bend Tribune has an important article today headlined "Development tools top cities' wish list: Mayors leery about automatic abatements." Sme quotes from the lengthy piece:Two tax programs for economic development top the wish list of...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:53 PM
December 19, 2004
Indiana Government - Details on Daniels' Transition Team
The Indianapolis Star, at the end of its weekly "Behind Closed Doors" column, published a list today of names it describes as "who's leading [Gov.-elect Daniels'] transition efforts." The list consists simply of the individual's name and a state agency...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
07:00 AM
December 16, 2004
Indiana Government - [Updated] Agriculture/Lt. Gov. aides named
Two persons were named today to serve in the agriculture area and Lt. Gov. Skillmen named her chief of staff - per this AP story today on the Indianapolis Star website. Some quotes:Daniels said today that Andy Miller, 35, will...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
04:46 PM
Indiana Government - Mixed review for new child services agency and agency head
An editorial in the Fort Wayne Jounral Gazette today opines:Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels’ decision to split up the giant Family and Social Service Administration and create a separate agency responsible for the welfare of children is a sound move that has...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
07:30 AM
December 15, 2004
Indiana Government - More on video gambling
Updating the Louisville Courier Journal's two-day series (Dec. 12 and 13) on video gambling (access ILB entry here) is this story today titled "State leaders take new look at illegal gambling devices." Some quotes:Indiana Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels said yesterday that...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
06:11 AM
Indiana government - [Updated] More on Payne appointment to new Indiana Department of Child Services
"Maverick judge to lead child welfare department: Appointment of juvenile court jurist starts breakup of FSSA" is the headline of this morning's story in the Indianapolis Star. Some quotes from the beginning of the long story:James W. Payne is a...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
05:59 AM
December 14, 2004
Indiana Government - Judge Payne expected to take over child welfare system
"Judge expected to take over child welfare system" is the headline to this story this afternoon on the Indianapolis Star website. Some quotes:Marion County Juvenile Court Judge James Payne said in an email to his staff that he will be...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
02:27 PM
Indiana Government - New role for Lt. Gov.-elect
Lesley Stedman Weidenbener, writing for the Louisville Courier Journal, as a feature today titled: "Traditional role revised for Skillman: Daniels' lieutenant governor to guide legislative agenda." It begins:INDIANAPOLIS — At a small conference table surrounded by mismatched office chairs, Lt....
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
08:18 AM
December 13, 2004
Indiana Government - GOP eyes school funding changes
"GOP eyes school funding changes: Allocations would be based on need" is the headline to this AP story today in the Louisville Courier Journal. Some quotes from the beginning of the story:INDIANAPOLIS — Republicans are considering changes to the way...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
08:25 AM
Indiana Government - Courier Journal series on video gambling
The Louisville Courier Journal has a two-day series, yesterday and today, on video gambling in Kentucky and Indiana. Here are links to the stories:Video gambling is thriving in the open, outside the law - Lead story, Sun. 12/12/4. Addiction: Gambling's...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
08:14 AM
December 12, 2004
Indiana Government - Campaign contributions by Daniels' appointees
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports the following today in its "Political Notebook" (2nd item):A brief review of campaign finance records finds that at least nine of Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels’ appointments so far gave a collective $41,000 to Daniels’ warchest....
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
04:53 PM
Indiana Government - Inefficient distribution of Efficiency Reports
A brief item today at the end of the Indianapolis Star's weekly Behind Closed Doors column caught my eye. It reads:A book and its cover A reader couldn't help but remark upon the faux-leather bound, gold-lettered report of the Indiana...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
09:55 AM
December 10, 2004
Indiana Government - [Updated] Daniels names head of Department of Administration
Per a just issued release:Governor-elect Mitch Daniels Taps Retired Telecommunications Company President as Commissioner of the Dept. of Administration INDIANAPOLIS - Today Governor-elect Mitch Daniels announced that retired GTE President Earl Goode agreed to leave his retirement and join state...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
03:01 PM
December 09, 2004
Indiana Government - Stories today on Daniels' appointments
No new appointments today, so far, but several noteworthy stories about recent selections. The Elkhart Truth has a long editorial titled "Daniels' team looking good, " containing both praise and cautions. Some quotes:Besides impressive resumes, the eight share something else...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
04:55 PM
December 08, 2004
Indiana Government - More this morning on Daniels' appointments
This Indianapolis Star has a front page story this morning, bylined by Mary Beth Schneider and Tim Evans, on Gov.-elect Daniels' appointment yesterday of Mitch Roob to head the troubled FSSA. Some quotes:E. Mitchell "Mitch" Roob Jr., 43, known as...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
07:41 AM
December 07, 2004
Indiana Government - Daniels Names Former Hospital President to FSSA
According to a press release issued this afternoon:Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels Names Former Hospital President Director of Family and Social Services Administration INDIANAPOLIS - Today Governor-elect Mitch Daniels named Edward Mitchell ("Mitch") Roob, Jr. (pronounced Robe) as Director of Indiana's Family...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
05:09 PM
Indiana Government - Governor-elect Mitch Daniels Names Technology Leader Indiana's Chief Information Officer
According to a press release issued this afternoon:Governor-elect Mitch Daniels Names Technology Leader Indiana's Chief Information Officer INDIANAPOLIS - Today Governor-elect Mitch Daniels named business technology leader Karl Browning as Indiana's Chief Information Officer. Browning, 56, will lead efforts to...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
02:43 PM
December 06, 2004
Indiana Government - [Updated] Daniels Likely to Answer Critics of Appointments
"Daniels Likely to Answer Critics of Appointments" is the heading to this Jim Shella report on the WISH TV 8 news site. Some quotes:Mitch Daniels is learning, as if he didn’t already know it, that criticism is hard to avoid....
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
05:57 PM
Indiana Government - Farm Bureau pushes for central office for state’s farmers
"Farm Bureau pushes for central office for state’s farmers" is the headline of a story posted yesterday by the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, that gives some pros and cons of such a reorganization....
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:55 PM
December 05, 2004
Indiana Government - More on Daniels' early appointments
Lesley Stedman Weidenbener of the Louisville Courier Journal has a story today headlined "Daniels busy luring businessmen to public service." Organization chart. I have prepared a useful organization chart of the Daniels' administration, so far. Access it here. The Indianapolis...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
10:20 AM
December 04, 2004
Indiana Government - More on Trump Casino Contract
According to an AP story yesterday (reported in this ILB entry):The Indiana Gaming Commission has agreed not to award a final contract allowing Donald Trump's casino company to operate a casino in Orange County until the deal is reviewed by...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
08:34 AM
December 03, 2004
Indiana Government - Gov.-Elect Daniels appoints BMV and IEDC heads
Per a press release today:Governor-Elect Mitch Daniels Names Two Indiana Business Leaders to Top State Positions INDIANAPOLIS - Today Governor-elect Mitch Daniels filled two top positions in his administration with two prominent Indiana business leaders. Daniels announced that former Galyan's...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
12:38 PM
Indiana Government - Trump casino contract delayed
According to an AP story:INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Gaming Commission has agreed not to award a final contract allowing Donald Trump's casino company to operate a casino in Orange County until the deal is reviewed by Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels, the...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
06:18 AM
December 02, 2004
Indiana Government - Gov.-Elect Daniels names general counsel
Via a press release issued this afternoon:Governor-elect Mitch Daniels Names Columbus Attorney Steven Schultz as General Counsel INDIANAPOLIS - Today Governor-elect Mitch Daniels named Columbus attorney Steven Schultz as the Governor's General Counsel. Schultz joins the Daniels administration from the...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
03:10 PM
November 30, 2004
Indiana Government - Daniels' team crafting legislative agenda
A story in the South Bend Tribune by Martin DeAgostino reports:INDIANAPOLIS -- Preliminary drafts of the Daniels administration's legislative agenda are expected soon, after meetings last week between the incoming Republican administration and the state agency that drafts legislation. Lt....
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
08:12 AM
November 29, 2004
Indiana Government - Stadium funding
A heads up on tonight's Nightline show on ABC, following Monday Night Football. Their description:There's a raging dispute about how to fund huge new sports stadiums in cities around the country. The question: should public money be used because they...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
04:10 PM
Indiana Government - Daniels to keep I-69 on fast track
"Daniels to keep I-69 on fast track" is the headline to this story today in the Evansville Courier & Press. Some quotes:INDIANAPOLIS - While Republican Mitch Daniels won a decisive Election Day victory with promises to change much in state...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
07:37 AM
November 28, 2004
Indiana Government - Daniels plans to overhaul ethics rules
"Daniels plans to overhaul ethics rules: Clarifications of lobbyists designed to slow down state’s ‘revolving door’" is the headline to this story by Niki Kelly in Sunday's Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Some quotes:[Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels] has proposed a series of...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
05:38 AM
Indiana Government - Daniels' agenda slowly but surely taking shape
"Daniels' agenda slowly but surely taking shape" is the headline to this Lesley Stedman Weidenbener column this morning in the Sunday Louisville Courier Journal that talks about what may be the first proposed changes from the new administration. Alert readers...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
05:28 AM
November 27, 2004
Indiana Government - Gov-elect Daniels names new head of State Personnel Dept.
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette is reporting this morning that:Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels announced Debra Minott, who was once general counsel and secretary of Fort Wayne’s Essex International, will head the State Personnel Department. A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Minott...
Posted by Marcia Oddi at
07:32 AM