Monday, September 15, 2008
Legislative Benefits - More on: Lawmaker to lobbyist, yet again
Updating this ILB entry from Sept. 13th quoting an editorial from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, the Indianapolis Star today adds its editorial voice, under the headline "No plausible way to spin Statehouse revolving door." Some quotes:The issue is not...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Monday, September 15, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Legislative Benefits - Lawmaker to lobbyist, yet again
The editorial today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:What’s the best route to a secure and lucrative career? Most people will say it’s a college education. But here’s another: Win a seat to the Indiana General Assembly. Mike Ripley, a...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Ind. Gov't. - Still more on: "Indiana taxpayers contribute millions to lawmakers' generous pension plan"
Updating this ILB entry from August 15th, the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has an editorial today headed "In a different pension class." Some quotes:Are you among the growing number of workers whose employer does not offer a pension plan or...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Ind. Gov't. - Still more on: "Indiana taxpayers contribute millions to lawmakers' generous pension plan"
The Indianapolis Star's editorial today focuses on legislators' remuneration, as did its stories on August 15 (see ILB entries here and here). Today's editorial begins:Applause rang out far and wide in 2007 when the Indiana General Assembly made a deal...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Ind. Gov't. - More on: "Indiana taxpayers contribute millions to lawmakers' generous pension plan"
Here are some thoughts on the earlier ILB entry today based on Matt Tulley's Indianapolis Star story. Tulley wrote, in his story about the new pension law:Under the old law, the state contributed an amount equal to 20 percent of...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, August 15, 2008
Ind. Gov't. - "Indiana taxpayers contribute millions to lawmakers' generous pension plan"
Legislators passed a law in 2004 to make confidential the amount of their contributions, and the state's contributions, to their pension plans. Here are some ILB entries from that time:Indiana Law - More on PERF Privacy and the Star's editorial...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, August 15, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Legislative Benefits - More on: "Insulted" legislators; disrespected citizens
Updating this ILB entry from January 27th, several papers today weigh in with editorials about the Senate committee's reaction to testimony on SB 165. From the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, this editorial titled "Waiting for Scandal" :Pity the poor Indiana...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Legislative Benefits - "Insulted" legislators; disrespected citizens
Updating these earlier ILB entries on SB 165, dated Jan. 17th and Jan. 20th, Mary Beth Schneider reports today in a front-page story in the Indianapolis Star headlined "Insulted, senators kill legislator-to-lobbyist bill":State Sen. Patricia Miller started this legislative session...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Legislative Benefits - Still more on "Legislator to Lobbyist" slowdown bill gets cold shoulder
Updating this ILB entry from Jan. 20th, Indianapolis Star columnist Matthew Tully writes again today on the revolving door in Indiana between legislators and lobbyists. Aquote:The Statehouse is full of one-time legislators who now lobby their former colleagues. The phenomenon...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, January 25, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Legislative Benefits - More on "Legislator to Lobbyist" slowdown bill gets cold shoulder
Updating this ILB entry from Jan. 17th, the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette today has an editorial headed "Ethics: It's time to act." Some quotes:Lawmakers know how unhappy Hoosiers are about property taxes. Now they need to hear how we Hoosiers...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, January 20, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Legislative Benefits - "Legislator to Lobbyist" slowdown bill gets cold shoulder
Lesley Stedman Weidenbener reports today (2nd item) in the Louisville Courier Journal:A Senate proposal would require legislators to go through a one-year "cooling-off" period before becoming Statehouse lobbyists. But a committee gave the bill a chilly reception yesterday. Sen. Pat...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, January 17, 2008
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Legislative Benefits - "In Indiana, the gravy train is rolling on"
Here is an item from the Sunday Indianapolis Star's "Behind Closed Doors" column. The headline reads "The sky's the limit":There soon may be no such thing as a free lunch in Congress. But in Indiana, the gravy train is rolling...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, August 12, 2007
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Ind. Gov't - Indy Star opines on ethics and the General Assembly
From an editorial today in the Indianapolis Star:Let's hope the ethics reform legislation passed so decisively by Congress inspires similar action by Indiana's General Assembly. The proliferation of highly paid lobbyists in Washington and Indianapolis has created the perception that...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Saturday, August 04, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
Ind. Gov't. - "Indiana allows legislators to leap right into lobbying"
Patrick Guinane of the NWI Times reports today:The transition from Indiana legislator to lobbyist is a simple, lucrative leap that three region lawmakers have made in less than a year. Crown Point Democrat Bob Kuzman is the latest Statehouse power...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Monday, July 02, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Ind. Courts - Linking of judges' pay to that of legislators decried at both federal and state levels
On May 10th, the ILB had an entry titled "Linking judicial and legislative pay has led to a 25% decline in federal judges' salaries." Some quotes from that entry:This year the General Assembly passed a bill linking legislative salaries to...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, June 07, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Ind. Gov't. - More on: "But by resigning before July 31, Smith also qualifies for lifetime, state-subsidized health insurance"
Updating this ILB entry from earlier this morning, see also: this entry this morning from Mitch Harper's blog, Fort Wayne Observed and This entry this morning from Gary Welsh of the blog Advance Indiana. See also this March 4th ILB...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Ind. Gov't. - "But by resigning before July 31, Smith also qualifies for lifetime, state-subsidized health insurance"
John Byrne of the Gary Post-Tribune reports today:EAST CHICAGO -- State Sen. Sam Smith wants to pass his legislative seat to his wife. Smith, D-East Chicago, said he will resign, effective Wednesday. He said he has received commitments from Democratic...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Ind. Gov't. - Senate passes a non-transparent and convoluted pay raise bill
A few years back the General Assembly enacted a non-transparent and convoluted series of bills that gave members, their families and spouses heavily-subsidized health insurance for life; provided that the state would contribute to legislative pensions at the rate of...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, March 04, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Ind. Gov't. - "Pay raise is risky business for lawmakers"
Mary Beth Schneider of the Indianapolis Star has a comprehensive story today on legislative pay and benefits. For background, see this ILB entry from 11/26/06 and this one from 11/28/06. The latter entry includes a chart from the National Conference...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, February 04, 2007
Friday, December 08, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "Lawyers to Catch More Work with New Benefit Disclosure Rules"
This story from the National Law Journal, headed "Lawyers to Catch More Work with New Benefit Disclosure Rules: Public entities must detail what is owed and how they will pay for benefits." Some quotes:A far-reaching change to accounting rules for...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, December 08, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - More on: Could this be a coincidence?
Sunday morning the ILB posted an entry commenting that three different papers had items that day introducing the topic of raising the salaries of members of the Indiana General Assembly. That seemed odd, following directly on the heels of numerous...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Could this be a coincidence?
Could this be a coincidence? So far I've read three stories today, from different parts of the state, all making a point that Indiana legislators are poorly paid. From the Lafayette Journal and Courier, a story comparing the salary of...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, November 26, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "Senators’ perk appropriately terminated"
From the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette editorial this Sunday:One of David Long’s first acts as the new state Senate leader was to rightly undo a self-serving act of his predecessor: He ended the lifetime health-insurance perk for retired state senators....Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, November 19, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - More on: Senate's health care perks to change somewhat; retaining the General Assembly's video archives
Following up on new Senate Pro Tem David Long's announcement this week (see ILB entry here) that the Senate's generous health care perk will be pared somewhat, the Indianapolis Star opines today on other "areas ripe for reform":Long plans to...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Saturday, November 18, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Senate's health care perks to change somewhat
There are a number of stories today on new Senate Pro Tem David Long's announcement re the Senate's life time health care plan. Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette writes:INDIANAPOLIS – The first policy shift under the leadership...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, November 16, 2006
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Legislative benefits and the power of elections
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette opines today:The partisan power squabbles that seem so frustrating in the midst of a legislative session serve a different – and positive – purpose in the midst of a heated election season. Consider the campaign...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Saturday, October 14, 2006
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Should legislators should be allowed to serve as officers or directors of state universities and schools?
"Troubling ties with lawmakers" is the headline to this editorial today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Some quotes:There are dozens of recommendations and issues identified in a report on Indiana boards and commissions worth discussing. One that most certainly...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, October 08, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Are the Indiana Week in Review pundits going to be wrong again?
My thoughts: On January 23, 2006 an ILB entry began:I watched WFYI's Indiana Week in Review last weekend. "Lifetime Health Insurance for Lawmakers" was one of the topics discussed. The lead-in featured Rep. Billy Bright, who it was said won...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, September 03, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Legislative candidates squabble over who likes controversial health perks for lawmakers the least
Bryan Corbin of the Evansville Courier& Press has a a story today headlined "Flier is misleading, challenger says: Battles says he's criticized for nonexistent record." Some quotes:A Republican state legislator from Vincennes is taking credit for ending controversial health perks...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Saturday, July 08, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Louisiana Governor Blanco vetoes bill giving lifetime health and life insurance benefits to lawmakers
Baton Rouge's paper, The Advocate, reports today:After a firestorm of criticism, Gov. Kathleen Blanco vetoed a bill Thursday that would have given lifetime health and life insurance benefits to lawmakers forced out of office by term limits. “It doesn’t make...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, June 23, 2006
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - More on: Senate democrats reject retirement benefits
Supplementing the ILB entry from yesterday are these stories: Lesley Stedman Weidenbener of the Louisville Courier Journal writes that:INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Senate Democrats said yesterday they support a further reduction of health benefits for future legislative retirees and won't individually...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, June 01, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Senate democrats reject retirement benefits
The Indianapolis Star's Mary Beth Schneider reports in a story just posted: Indiana Senate Democrats said today they will not accept the current generous health care benefits for lawmakers, and will push for legislation that would provide health care insurance...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Garton and Borst victims of religious zealots? Or were they simply out of touch?
Sheila Suess Kennedy, whose writings I often admire, had a column Tuesday in the Indianapolis Star that concluded:For better or worse, however, political and civic life requires compromise. Thoughtful conservatives, libertarians and liberals can generally find some common ground that...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, May 25, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - More on: House Republicans vow to end health care perk, permanently
Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has a story today headed "Political foes vow to scrap job perk: Would eliminate their subsidized health plan." She writes:INDIANAPOLIS – Republican incumbents and challengers seeking to retain control of the Indiana...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - House Republicans vow to end health care perk, permanently
Mary Beth Schneider reports for the Indianapolis Star this afternoon:Republicans trying to keep the majority in the Indiana House today pledged to seek to permanently eliminate the controversial lifetime health insurance package for state representatives. House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis,...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Courts - Take note: Voter backlash continues in Pennsylvania
The backlash over the midnight pay raise in Pennsylvania, which in November led the voters to throw out a Supreme Court justice, apparently continues. The Pennsylvania primary was yesterday. NPR reports:A huge pay raise pushed through by legislative leaders last...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "Listen to the freshman"
"Listen to the freshman: Shape up legislature, or the voters will" is the headline to an editorial today in the Indianapolis Star. Some quotes:Robert Garton, knocked off after 36 years in the state Senate. Larry Borst, ousted after 36 years...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, May 14, 2006
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - More on: Senate leader ousted
Updating the ILB entry from May 3rd, a "My View" column in the Sunday Indianapolis Star is written by John Knull, director of Frankilin College's Pulliam School of Journalism. Titled "Because Garton broke trust, he lost votes," Krull writes:The week...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, May 07, 2006
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Senate leader ousted [Updated]
"Senate leader ousted" is the headline to a story in the Indianapolis Star today by Michele McNeil. Some quotes:COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Senate President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton, one of the most powerful men in the state, has lost the...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Friday, March 17, 2006
Ind. Law - Star criticizes Senator Garton
The Indianapolis Star's editorial cartoon today is a Gary Varvel drawing of Senator Garton walking away from the Statehouse with a large turkey tucked under his arm. The turkey is dropping golden eggs labeled "Health Care Perk" and "401k". The...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, March 17, 2006
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Two stories today on lobby reform in the Indiana General Assembly
"Bosma mum on lobby-reform plans" is the headline to this story today by Lesley Stedman Weidenbener in the Louisville Courier Journal. Some quotes:Even before the Indiana General Assembly finishes its work for this year, House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, is...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, March 05, 2006
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "State Senate stuck in neutral"
"State Senate stuck in neutral" is the headline to an editorial today in the Indianapolis Star. Some quotes:Our position: State Senate has become a barrier to making changes that will benefit Hoosiers. The Indiana Senate is fast becoming a place...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Ind. Law - South Bend Tribune on lawmakers' perks
The South Bend Tribune has an excellent editorial today headlined "Lawmakers should tell all about their perks." Some quotes:Members who retire from the Indiana General Assembly don't deserve better, cheaper health care benefits than other retired state workers. Other retired...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, February 26, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
Ind Law - Rep. Bauer, if elected House Speaker, would bring back House health care perks
That is the speculation. In a day of amazing stories, this may be the topper. And it is not yet 8:00 a.m. Matt Tully today, in his Indianapolis Star political column, reports:The tips had been coming in for several days....Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, February 24, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Ind. Law - More on legislators' life-time health care benefit
The Indianapoltis Star today has two Letters to the Editor on the health care perk. Some quotes:What a health-care deal for part-time legislators It is appalling that Indiana's part-time elected officials ever passed a law allowing themselves, their spouses and...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "Senate's health perk: They still don't get it"
"Senate's health perk: They still don't get it" is the headline to this editorial today in the Lafayette Journal & Courier. Some quotes:Listening to Indiana senators, Hoosiers might think our part-time lawmakers had come to their senses about a lifetime...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, February 19, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - More on legislative perks
The Sunday Indianapolis Star editorial is headlined "Some negative numbers: They add up to wastefulness." Some quotes:The Star Editorial Board explains why you should be concerned about some key figures. $1.1 million: The amount taxpayers contributed to an overly generous...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, February 19, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - More on legislative perks
The Evansville Courier& Press had an editorial titled "Lawmaker Benefits" on Friday that the ILB covered here (2nd item). It began:The Issue: Indiana Senate tinkers with health insurance for members. Our View: It's not enough.Today the paper published some of...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, February 19, 2006
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "State senators to keep controversial healthcare benefit"
"State senators to keep controversial healthcare benefit" is the headline to a story today in the Madison Courier. A Jan. 10th ILB entry began with this quote from the Madison Courier: State Rep. Billy Bright is publicly questioning a 2001...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Saturday, February 18, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Upcoming Indianapolis Star editorials
Well, the Indianapolis Star was somewhat slow out of the gate this year on these issues, but it looks to be catching up quickly. Here are the announcements for two upcoming editorials:THE SUNDAY EDITORIAL: Numbers that speak louder than words...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, February 17, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Columbus Republic poll on Senate health care perks
A trusted reader has sent me these poll results From the Columbus Republic, hometown paper of state senate leader Bob GartonInteractive Poll: Poll Result State Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton, R-Columbus, said he is considering changes to an insurance...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, February 17, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "Senators' perks come with lifetime hypocrisy"
Indianapolis Star political columnist Matthew Tully writes today, in a column headed "Senators' perks come with lifetime hypocrisy," that:A group of Indiana Senate leaders from both parties stood together Wednesday -- proud and united in their out-of-touch, inept selfishness. Republicans...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, February 17, 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "Senators will keep lifetime benefits"
Several papers report today on the changes to be made to the Senate health care perks. The bottom line, so far as the ILB has been able to determine:Current Senate retirees (including spouses and staff), and those eligible who retire...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, February 16, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Senate health care perk modified somewhat [Updated]
Bill Ruthhart has within the hour posted a story on the Indianapolis Star website that reports:The Indiana Senate today modified its health care coverage to lessen the burden on Indiana taxpayers. Under changes announced this morning, senators would have to...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Another article on Senator Garton and health care perks
Brian Howey, in his weekly column in the Decatur Daily Democrat, focuses on Senate President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton....Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "Sen. Garton, kill health care perk"
"Sen. Garton, kill health care perk" is the headline to today's Indianapolis Star editorial. It begins:Our position: Senate president pro tempore should end perk that gives legislators and their families subsidized health care for life. You're probably asking yourself, Sen....Posted by Marcia Oddi on Monday, February 13, 2006
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Ind. Law - Yet another story on legislative health care perks, state pensions, and Senator Garton
Matthew Tully's politics column today is headed "Old-school politician flunking government reform." Some quotes:I really had no intention of spending this year's General Assembly session taking whacks at Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton. Honest. * * * You might...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, February 12, 2006
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Ind. Law - Garton: Legislators' lifetime insurance "changes" considered
A 2/7/06 story by Dave Evensen in the Columbus Republic (and the first story I've seen on the issue from the Columbus paper), available online today, headlined "Garton: Legislators' lifetime insurance changes considered," reports:State Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton,...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, February 09, 2006
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - For most bills, it's a short life; Bill to abolish legislators' health care perks among the dead
"For most bills, it's a short life" is the headline to a Mary Beth Schneider story today in the Indianapolis Star. Some quotes:The deadline for bills to pass the Indiana House or Senate in the first round of legislative action...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, February 02, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Ind. Law - Editorials: Health insurance perk should be canceled
Two more papers have strong editorials today on the Indiana General Assembly's health care perks. From the Marion County Tribune, an editorial headlined "Health insurance perk should be canceled: Legislature should repeal the entire bill that enabled the plan." After...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, January 27, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Ind. Law - Health care perks and the 2006 elections
The Decatur Daily Democrat has an opinion piece today by Brian Howey headed "Health care perks and the 2006 elections." A quote:Asked by a reporter if he was worried about the perception, [Senator Bob] Garton said, “The staff is included...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Ind. Law - More on legislators' health care - voting records and questions re state employees' benefits
This is Part I of the two entries I hope to get posted today on the "legislative health care for life" issue. In this entry you will find: (1) an analysis of the voting records on the bills that...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Monday, January 23, 2006
Friday, January 20, 2006
Ind. Law - Tully re Senate health care for life: "Garton clearly doesn't get it"; "An affront to Indiana taxpayers" says editorial
Indianapolis Star columnist Matthew Tully's report today is headlined "Sen. Garton's fence-sitting on perk must be painful." Some quotes:[Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton] this week dodged and double-talked and did everything he could to defend the legislature's ridiculously generous...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, January 20, 2006
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Ind. Law - Still more stories today on legislative health care perks
Niki Kelly writes today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:INDIANAPOLIS – A day after Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma announced plans to end a questionable health insurance perk for his members, Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton tried to avoid...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, January 19, 2006
Ind. Law - A number of editorials today on the legislators' health perk; plus some observations
A number of Indiana newspapers this morning have editorials on the General Assembly's free health care benefits for life. The Indianapolis Star writes today, in an editorial titled "Cut lawmakers' perk permanently" that even though Speaker Bosma has promised to...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, January 19, 2006
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Ind. Law - Still more on Indiana legislators' free health care for life
Advance Indiana has just posted a commentary, headed "Garton Begins Deception Game On Health Care Perk," based on in part on this new Howey Political Report titled "Bosma cuts health care for life program; Garton and Long say changes coming."...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Ind. Law - State-subsidized House insurance changes coming
"State-subsidized House insurance changes coming" is the headline to a lengthy story by Lesley Stedman Weidenbener in today's Louisville Courier Journal. It begins:INDIANAPOLIS — House Speaker Brian Bosma said yesterday that, starting next year, he is ending state-subsidized, lifetime health...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Ind. Law - Speaker says he does not have authority to change the plan for those already retired.
"Bosma said he doesn’t have the authority to change the plan for those already retired." That is a quote from a story by Niki Kelly today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Perhaps not without changing the law. But he...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Ind. Law - Speaker may make major changes to lawmaker health benefits
"Speaker to make major changes to lawmaker health benefits" is the headline to an AP story by Mike Smith available at the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel website. Some quotes:Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said Tuesday he would soon make significant changes...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Ind. Law - Star reports House members health perk may be cut [Updated]
A story by the Indianapolis Star's Mary Beth Schneider, posted to the Star website at 3:28 PM, reports that:House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, is planning major changes to a costly taxpayer-subsidized lifetime health care plan for former lawmakers and their...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Ind. Law - "Kittle Blasts Legislator Health Care for Life; 'Needs to go back to Zero'"
"Kittle Blasts Legislator Health Care for Life; 'Needs to go back to Zero'" is the headline to a brief report today in Howey Political Report Online:As out-going Indiana Republican Chairman Jim Kittle Jr., was leaving his Friday press conference, he...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Monday, January 16, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Ind. Law - "Don't change it; end it" opines Evansville C&P on legislators' lifetime health insurance perk
The Evansville Courier& Press has an editorial today titled "Don't change it; end it." Some quotes:While serving in the Indiana Legislature requires time away from home, and presumably from job as well, it is a part-time venture. That's why we...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, January 12, 2006
Ind. Law - "A free, lifetime perk that has to come to an end"
"A free, lifetime perk that has to come to an end" is the headline to an editorial today in the Lafayette Journal & Courier. Some quotes:The consciences of lawmakers willing to push free health insurance through as a last-minute provision...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Thursday, January 12, 2006
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Ind. Law - A bill to end legislative branch health perks appears doomed; budget agency refuses to approve acturial study of costs of perks
Jennifer Whitson has a lengthy story in today's the Evansville Courier & Press, headlined "Lawmakers' insurance perk under fire." Some quotes:Legislative leaders are considering changes to a lifetime subsidized health insurance perk for lawmakers, but a bill that would end...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Latest on: Secrets of health care pact for legislators and staff may be revealed; plus recap/index to earlier entries
"Bright takes issue with health insurance plan for legislators" is the headline to this story posted Monday afternoon on The Madison Courier website. Some quotes:State Rep. Billy Bright is publicly questioning a 2001 law that gives many legislators nearly free...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Still more on: Secrets of health care pact for legislators and staff may be revealed
Don't miss listening to this NPR story from this morning on accounting for health-care benefits. Titled "State, Local Governments Face New Accounting Standard", the summary reads:State and local governments often have difficulties balancing their budgets, and this year it is...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Monday, January 09, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Lawmakers' benefits getting close look
"Lawmakers' benefits getting close look: Federal rules may lead to cut in state insurance package" is the headline to a story by Martin DeAgostino in the South Bend Tribune. Some quotes:INDIANAPOLIS -- New reporting requirements from the federal government are...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Monday, January 09, 2006
Friday, January 06, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - More on: Secrets of health care pact for legislators and staff may be revealed
Here is how it works (see also ILB entry from earlier today):Lawmakers' retirement health benefit wasn't created by a single piece of legislation. The benefit came together in four separate bills over two years, but only the first bill described...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, January 06, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - Secrets of health care pact for legislators and staff may be revealed
Howey's Political Report Online today contains this in a caption to a photo of legislative leaders Garton and Bosma:Auditor of State Connie Nass said the legislature’s cushy health care for life program includes the entire legislative branch. “It includes the...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Friday, January 06, 2006
Monday, March 14, 2005
Ind. Gov't. - Prerogatives of legislators and their staffs
Kevin Corcoran of the Indianapolis Star has a lengthy and important story today on some of the special benefits the General Assembly has voted for itself and its staffers. The story is headlined: "Bosma: Now not time to end costly...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Monday, March 14, 2005
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Indiana Law - Compensation of General Assembly members
The Indianapolis Star has an informative editorial today about legislative compensation, explaining that things are not precisely as they appear. The title is "Behind the curtain: legislators' compenation." It begins:John Bartlett * * *, chairman of the Public Officers Compensation...Posted by Marcia Oddi on Sunday, September 05, 2004