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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Ind. Gov't. - Still more on: "State Sen. Tom Wyss wants Indiana’s attorney general to issue an opinion on the legality of the bill before Fort Wayne City Council that would ban city contractors from making political donations to city politicians."

Updating this ILB entry from yesterday, an editorial today in the FWJG begins:

Advocates for an ordinance to ban city contractors from contributing to the campaigns of candidates for city government offices are ignoring sound legal advice from all sides of the political spectrum.

Authorities in the best position to know are clear: Campaign finance is one area where Indiana cities are not permitted to pass local ordinances that trump state law. End of story. Or it should be.

And ends:
[City Council members Liz Brown and Mitch Harper], it has become clear, really like to argue their points, especially if they think it makes Mayor Tom Henry look bad. But like it or not, state law overrules city law on this issue, no matter how loudly or often those two lawyers argue otherwise.

Lawyers have a saying: If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If both the law and facts are against you, pound the table.

That sound you hear is Brown and Harper pounding away.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 21, 2011 01:34 PM
Posted to Indiana Government