Search Results from The Indiana Law Blog
Ind. Law - Words matter, regardless of a legislator's, or legislature's, intent
An important editorial today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:Controversy over two key state laws adopted in recent years serves as a reminder that the language in a given law is everything, regardless of the legislature’s intent. In the end,...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on September 23, 2009 03:03 PM
Court - "Fighting Over Child Support After the Pink Slip Arrives"
Julie Bosman reports today in a story on the front page of the Sunday NY Times. Some quotes from the lengthy story:The same story echoed a dozen times through Room E8 of Manhattan Family Court in a single day: fathers,...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 29, 2009 08:20 AM
Legislative Benefits - Still more on: "Miller to seek lobbying curbs again"
Updating this ILB entry from Dec. 7, this item in the Indianapolis Star's "Behind Closed Doors" column this Sunday:Lobbying legislation on tap Momentum is building behind legislation that would require a one-year cooling-off period for lawmakers who want to take...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 28, 2008 01:27 PM
Courts - More on "California Supreme Court says same-sex couples have right to marry"
The California Supreme Court decision Thursday finding that gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry in California (see ILB entry here) has led to two stories giving an Indiana take on the decision. Mike Smith of the AP...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on May 18, 2008 12:50 PM
Ind. Decisions - More on: 7th Circuit denies rehearing in legislative prayer case
Updating yesterday's ILB entry on the 7th Circuit's vote to deny rehearing of its decision in Hinrichs v. Speaker House Rep IN, the legislative prayer case, the AP reports today:The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined yesterday to reconsider...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 16, 2008 07:33 AM
Ind. Decisions - 7th Circuit decides one, and denies rehearing in legislative prayer case [Updated]
In Hammer v. Ashcroft (SD Ind., Judge Tinder), a 16-page opinion, Judge Rovner writes:David Hammer, a federal prisoner on death row, sued various Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) officials alleging that they violated his First Amendment and equal protection rights by...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 15, 2008 11:58 AM
Ind. Decisions - Yet more on: 7th Circuit decides legislative prayer case, dismissing for lack of standing
Updating earlier ILB entries on the 7th Circuit's legislative prayer decision (start here for recent ILB entries) in the case of Hindrichs v. Bosma, Bill Ruthhart of the Indianapolis Star reports this afternoon that the plainitffs' representative, ACLU of Indiana,...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on November 14, 2007 03:47 PM
Ind. Decisions - Still more on: 7th Circuit decides legislative prayer case, dismissing for lack of standing
Coverage this morning of the 7th Circuit's 2-1 decision yesterday in the legislative prayer appeal includes: "House prayer ban falls on appeal: Court finds plaintiffs have no legal right to sue," reported by Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on October 31, 2007 08:27 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on: 7th Circuit decides legislative prayer case, dismissing for lack of standing [Updated]
Updating this ILB entry from earlier today, Bill Ruthhart of the Indianapolis Star reported this afternoon:All prayers, including those to Jesus, once again can be given from the podium of the Indiana House. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on October 30, 2007 06:09 PM
Ind. Decisions - 7th Circuit decides legislative prayer case, dismissing for lack of standing
The 7th Circuit has issued its long-awaiting decision today in the legislative prayer case, dismissing it for want of jurisdiction. [For background, see this long list of ILB entries.] In Hindrichs v. Bosma [now styled Speaker of the House...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on October 30, 2007 12:37 PM
Ind. Decisions - Trumping legislative prayer case, another Indiana case has been awaiting an opinion from the 7th Circuit for more than two years
Referencing the ILB entry yesterday headed "How long has it been since the 7th Circuit heard oral arguments in the legislative prayer case?", a reader writes to point out:While the legislative prayer case has been post-Oral Argument for more than...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on October 11, 2007 06:30 AM
Ind. Decisions - A new twist on: How long has it been since the 7th Circuit heard oral arguments in the legislative prayer case?
On July 3rd the ILB posted an entry that began: "The 7th Circuit heard oral arguments in the case of Hindrichs v. Bosma on September 7th, 2006." Here is a long list of other ILB entries on legislative prayer. Today,...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on October 10, 2007 03:46 PM
Courts - More on local Louisiana school board prayer decision by the 5th Circuit
The ILB has had entries Feb. 12th and Jan. 20th, 2007, on a "three-year legal battle over prayers at Tangipahoa Parish School Board meetings." [Following the Jan. 20th entry, the ILB wrote: "Oral arguments were held in Indiana's legislative prayer...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on July 26, 2007 10:06 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on: How long has it been since the 7th Circuit heard oral arguments in the legislative prayer case?
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette's weekly Political Notebook picks up today on the ILB entry from July 3rd on the legislative prayer case, still awaiting a ruling. From today's papers: Prayer case lingers on Statehouse insiders are still awaiting a...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on July 8, 2007 09:53 AM
Ind. Decisions - How long has it been since the 7th Circuit heard oral arguments in the legislative prayer case?
The 7th Circuit heard oral arguments in the case of Hindrichs v. Bosma on September 7th, 2006. See the ILB entry here. Here is a direct link to the oral argument in the case, if you'd like to listen to...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on July 3, 2007 01:42 PM
Not Law but Interesting - College students succeed in the new media world
But it was their own initiative that made it happen. Two stories, one from each coast: From the LA Times, a front-page story by Jim Puzzanghera headed "The political guru wore tennis shoes: A recently graduated college student who made...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on June 17, 2007 07:58 PM
Law - "Ohio House members warned to tone down prayers by guest ministers"
An AP story today picked up by the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports:Guest ministers leading prayers in the Ohio House are violating guidelines by evangelizing and speaking on political topics, the House clerk warned. The issue reached a tipping point...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on May 19, 2007 11:20 AM
Ind. Gov't - More on the $1,000 bonuses the Senate President Pro Tem put in the budget to reward each of his committee chairs
"Long raises bonuses; critics raise fuss" is the headline to an item in the Political Notebook, the weekly column by Niki Kelly and Benjamin Lanka in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:INDIANAPOLIS – Fort Wayne Republican Sen. David Long had a...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on May 6, 2007 11:10 AM
Ind. Law - More on "State expected to defend Soliday in residency dispute" [Updated]
Updating this ILB entry from Feb. 27th, Bob Kasarda of the NWI Times writes today:The Indianapolis law firm of House Minority Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, is seeking to dismiss the local lawsuit challenging the residency of state Rep. Ed Soliday,...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 2, 2007 08:14 AM
Ind. Gov't. - "Remember the controversy in the Indiana General Assembly [in 2004] when House Speaker Pat Bauer attempted to permit an absent member to vote via computer?"
"Remember the controversy in the Indiana General Assembly [in 2004] when House Speaker Pat Bauer attempted to permit an absent member to vote via computer?" That is a quote from this ILB entry last Sunday. The entry was about an...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 25, 2007 08:10 AM
Courts - Motion to reconsider filed by both sides re local Louisiana school board prayer decision by the 5th Circuit
David J. Mitchell of The Advocate of Baton Rouge, Louisiana today reports:In court petitions filed Friday in the three-year legal battle over prayers at Tangipahoa Parish School Board meetings, both sides asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 20, 2007 01:18 PM
Ind. Decisions - "Speaker's was voice of reason on prayer issue"
Matt Tully, of the Indianapolis Star, has a quite good column today on Speaker Bauer's handling of the legislative prayer issue. A quote:Someone also must have prayed for common sense, because Bauer showed plenty of it during his prayer and...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 14, 2007 12:16 PM
Ind. Law - The Indiana Law Year in Review
Here it is, the Indiana law year in reivew - highlights from the December 2005 and the Jan.-Dec. 2006 entries to the ILB. This is the draft I submitted to Res Gestae as my first column for the New Year,...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 31, 2006 06:10 PM
Ind. Gov't. - General Assembly names acting director of Legislative Services Agency
Here is the press release:ROWINGS NAMED ACTING DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend) and Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore David Long (R-Fort Wayne) announced today that John Rowings of Indianapolis has...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 19, 2006 05:11 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on November 26, 2006 08:07 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on November 16, 2006 09:43 AM
Ind. Gov't. - Suggestions for the new legislative leadership - Part I: The Video Archives
A new Indiana General Assembly will convene November 20th (organization day). It will have a new Speaker of the House and a new President Pro Tem. There are some concerns that the ILB strongly believes should be addressed. Here is...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on November 8, 2006 04:11 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on October 14, 2006 12:15 PM
Ind. Courts - Indiana doesn't keep annual divorce numbers
Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports today:[T]here is no annual divorce rate for Indiana; no way to accurately tell how many people got divorced in Indiana last year or any other year. In fact, national reports on...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on September 10, 2006 08:02 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on 7th Circuit argument in legislative prayer case
Odd. The 7th Circuit has now posted the oral arguments for today, September 8th. And it had already posted those for Wednesday, September 6th. But none for yesterday, September 7th, and so no MP3 for Hindricks v. Bosma. Does anyone...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on September 8, 2006 10:36 AM
Ind. Decisions - Yesterday's arguments before the 7th Circuit in the legislative prayer case
Most of the stories the ILB has read yesterday and this morning about the oral arguments yesterday before the 7th Circuit in Hindrichs v. Bosma do not really cover the oral arguments, but simply rehash older reports. An exception is...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on September 8, 2006 08:21 AM
Ind. Decisions - Evansville paper editorializes on school prayer case
The Evansville Courier& Press has this strong editorial today on the school prayer case:A federal appeals court will hear arguments today on the question of whether legislators and clergymen can lead sectarian prayers in the Indiana House of Representatives. A...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on September 7, 2006 07:57 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on: 7th Circuit to hear oral arguments in legislative prayer case Thursday
Updating yesterday's entry are additional stories today on the oral arguments scdeduled before the 7th Circuit tomorrow in the case of Hinrichs v. Bosma. Bryan Corbin has this story in the Evansville Courier& Press; Niki Kelly has this story in...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on September 6, 2006 07:31 AM
Ind. Decisions - 7th Circuit to hear oral arguments in legislative prayer case Thursday [Updated]
Mary Beth Schneider of the Indianapolis Star reports, in a story just posted headed "Lawmakers seek donations for prayer appeal," that:The Indiana House of Representatives will soon start raising money to help pay for the cost of appealing a federal...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on September 5, 2006 03:18 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on July 8, 2006 10:18 AM
Ind. Law - Star editorial urges "obvious solution" for redistricting
An editorial in today's Indianapolis Star states: "Opening door to perpetual redistricting makes need for nonpartisan map-making all the more urgent." It concludes by urging the General Assembly to pass a bill to create a redistricting commission:The obvious solution is...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on July 3, 2006 07:58 AM
Ind. Law - Bosma says GOP won't redistrict next year
"Bosma says GOP won't redistrict next year" is the headline to a story today by the Louisville Courier Journal's Lesley Stedman Weidenbener. This is the first story I've seen on the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on July 1, 2006 07:38 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on June 1, 2006 08:24 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on May 31, 2006 12:39 PM
Ind. Decisions - A number of briefs are available in legislative prayer case
In addition to the Appellant's brief, a number of amicus briefs have now been filed in the case of Hinrichs, Anthony v. Bosma, Brian. Access them all here, via the 7th Circuit website. Appellees' brief is not due until June...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on May 25, 2006 02:53 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on May 24, 2006 06:49 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on May 23, 2006 02:51 PM
Ind. Courts - Don't you just love it?
It used to be that stories in the papers would talk about a piece of legislation, but not give any clue as to the bill number. Or they would report that "a court ruled today" without a clue as to...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on May 17, 2006 03:21 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on May 14, 2006 09:06 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on: Bosma's attorneys file their brief this week in legislative prayer ruling appeal
In this entry yesterday, I wrote that I hoped to post the brief filed with the 7th Circuit this week on behalf of Brian Bosma by his attorneys, Winston & Strawn, and the Attorney General's office. Here it is, 68-pages....
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on May 13, 2006 11:38 AM
Ind. Decisions - Bosma's attorneys file their brief this week in legislative prayer ruling appeal
There have been several reports yesterday and today announcing that Speaker Brian Bosma has appealed or is going to appeal U.S. District Judge David Hamilton's decision in Hinricks v. Bosma. Well, yes, Speaker Bosma has filed an appeal with the...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on May 12, 2006 07:11 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on May 3, 2006 07:25 AM
Ind. Law - More on: Lawmaker to work for firm linked to Toll Road lease
Lesley Stedman Weidenbener of the Louisville Courier Journal writes today on the lack of any restrictions on Indiana legislators retiring and taking jobs as legislative lobbists. Some quotes:A lawmaker who announced earlier this year that he wouldn't be seeking a...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on April 16, 2006 08:18 AM
Ind. Law - Lawmaker to work for firm linked to Toll Road lease
"Lawmaker to work for firm linked to Toll Road lease: Rep. Luke Messer says he didn't know law firm was involved in deal." Patrick Guinane reports today in the Munster (NW Indiana) Times:A state lawmaker who last month helped legislation...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on April 14, 2006 09:21 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on March 17, 2006 09:55 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on March 5, 2006 10:38 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on Judge Hamilton's ruling in Hinrichs, et al. v. Bosma
An item in the Indianapolis Star's Sunday column, Behind Closed Doors:Prayer might get expensive. House Republicans said they would vigorously defend a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana that led to a federal court's decision to...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 5, 2006 08:09 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on: 7th Circuit denies stay of legislative prayer ruling
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has a comprehensive story this morning, by Niki Kelly, on yesterday's 7th Circuit decision in the legislative prayer case. Here is the answer to one question the ILB had. The appeal continues, the only issue...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 2, 2006 07:46 AM
Ind. Decisions - 7th Circuit denies stay of legislative prayer ruling [Updated]
Mike Smith of the AP is reporting, via the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:INDIANAPOLIS - A federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to temporarily lift a judge's order banning prayers during Indiana House proceedings from mentioning Jesus Christ or endorsing any...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 1, 2006 01:35 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on February 24, 2006 07:35 AM
Ind. Gov't. - Two editorials take General Assembly to task
Both the Evansville Courier& Press and the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette have editorials that strongly take members of this year's General Assembly to task. The Courier& Press writes:Legislation that would have banned public boards in Indiana from holding secret serial...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 23, 2006 07:41 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on February 19, 2006 02:57 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on February 19, 2006 09:40 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on February 18, 2006 07:16 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on February 17, 2006 06:57 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on February 16, 2006 05:52 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on February 13, 2006 06:27 AM
Ind. Gov't. - More on the Indiana General Assembly's video record
Charles Wilson of the AP story has a story today, published in the Lafayette Journal & Courier, headlined "Indiana one of growing number of states Webcasting Legislature." Some quotes:House Speaker Brian Bosma said his long-term goal is an "I-SPAN" channel...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 10, 2006 12:18 PM
Ind. Gov't. - More on the Indiana General Assembly's video record; concerns about the video record
Mary Beth Schneider of the Indianapolis Star has a front-page story today about cameras in the House and Senate Chambers, broadcasting each session day over the internet and, in the case of the House, archiving the video, at least for...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 8, 2006 08:21 AM
Ind. Gov't. - Two columnists today focus on House video record; concerns about the video record
Lesley Stedman Weidenbener of the Louisville Courier Journal has a column today headlined "Contentious General Assembly debates a sign of democracy in action" featuring debates available via the House video archive. Some quotes:[T]his year, particularly in the House, it's been...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 5, 2006 08:03 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on February 2, 2006 01:06 PM
Ind. Decisions - More on Judge Hamilton's ruling in Hinrichs, et al. v. Bosma
Fran Quigley, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana in Indianapolis, has an opinion piece today in the Indianapolis Star titled "Inaccuracies swirl around decision on state prayer." He begins:The recent ruling by U.S. District Court Judge...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 29, 2006 03:03 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 27, 2006 09:25 AM
Ind. Law - Redistricting bill passed House, future in Senate cloudy
Yesterday the Louisville Courier Journal had a story (see ILB entry here) headlined "Garton pans redistricting bill: Senate leader says change not needed." Today the LCJ reports, in a story by Lesley Stedman Weidenbener, that the bill (HB 1009) has...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 27, 2006 08:51 AM
Ind. Law - Anti-gay rights effort dies after brouhaha
"Anti-gay rights measure dies after brouhaha" is the headline to this brief story today by Niki Kelly in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Mary Beth Schneider of the Indianapolis Star has this story, headlined "Gay rights plan shelved: Sponsor withdraws...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 26, 2006 07:47 AM
Ind. Courts - HB 1419, to change appeals court selection process, is dead [Updated]
The minority committee report on HB 1419 was filed on Monday, shortly after the meeting of the House Rules Committee which passed out the rewritten bill by a vote of 6-4. See roll call. But the majority committee report, with...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 25, 2006 04:18 PM
Ind. Law - More on legislators' health care: What was the press reporting at the time? Conclusions
[This is Part II of the two entries posted today. Part I, from this afternoon, may be found here, or by scrolling down this page.] I watched WFYI's Indiana Week in Review last weekend. "Lifetime Health Insurance for Lawmakers" was...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 23, 2006 05:06 PM
Ind. Gov't. - Matt Tully on redistricting, and legislators' benefits
Indianapolis Star columnist Matthew Tully's column today is headlined: "The me-me-mes could kill districting bill." Some quotes:The bill [House Speaker Brian] Bosma is pushing would create a bipartisan panel to draw fair boundaries for Statehouse districts. It would end a...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 22, 2006 06:37 AM
Ind. Law - It's tough to separate politics, redistricting
"It's tough to separate politics, redistricting: Plan for bipartisan panel to draw boundaries gets 1st OK on -- surprise! -- a party-line vote" is the headline to this story today by Indianapolis Star political writer Mary Beth Schneider. Some quotes:A...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 20, 2006 06:48 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 20, 2006 06:20 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 19, 2006 10:34 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 19, 2006 07:07 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 18, 2006 03:12 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 18, 2006 08:31 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 18, 2006 07:04 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 17, 2006 07:35 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 17, 2006 04:27 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 16, 2006 04:19 PM
Ind. Courts - Rep. Peggy Welch faces dilemma over her husband's authority as juvenile judge
The Bloomington Herald-Times (paid subscription only, which means we don't often report on Bloomington stories) reports today that Indiana state Rep. Peggy Welsh, Bloomington, "must vote on bill that will affect her husband's authority as juvenile judge." A few quotes:The...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 16, 2006 09:24 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 11, 2006 07:38 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 10, 2006 09:10 PM
Ind. Law - Republican bill proposes four citizens plus Chief Justice draw legislative district boundaries
"GOP plan: New body should draw maps: Some legislators cool to proposal giving bipartisan commission redistricting authority" is the headline to a story in the Indianapolis Star today by Mary Beth Schneider. Some quotes:The drawing of legislative districts would be...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 10, 2006 08:59 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 9, 2006 08:42 AM
Ind. Law - Hurst bean factory in way of new Colts stadium; in Ohio, a standoff reaches state's highest court
There has been plenty of coverage here in Indianapolis on the question of whether "N.K. Hurst Co. will remain on the southeast corner of the four-city-block site of the new Indiana Stadium," including this John Ketzenberger Indianapolis Star business column...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 8, 2006 09:11 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 6, 2006 01:38 PM
Ind. Gov't. - How the House of Representatives began its 2006 session [Updated]
The Indiana House of Representatives convened today at 1:30 p.m. The ILB was watching, via the legislature's "Watch Video of the General Assembly Online" service, to see whether Speaker Bosma would defy Judge Hamilton's order. No way to tell. The...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 4, 2006 02:35 PM
Ind. Decisions - Judge Upholds Prayer Limits in Ind. State House - a Review and Preview
"Judge Upholds Prayer Limits in Ind. State House: Some in Both Parties Vow to Fight Ruling" is the headline to a lengthy story on page 3 of the Sunday, 1/1/06 Washington Post. Some quotes:In a spirited duel over prayer, members...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 1, 2006 08:08 AM
Ind. Decisions - Judge Hamilton denies motions to reconsider in House prayer case
Judge David Hamilton ruled late yesterday, Dec. 28th, denying the motions to stay and to reconsider his Nov. 30th ruling in Hinrichs v. Bosma. Here is yesterday's 18-page ruling. (Here, from Dec. 15th, is more on the motions to reconsider,...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 29, 2005 06:49 AM
Ind. Decisions - Bosma, House should focus on more down-to-earth issues
"Bosma, House should focus on more down-to-earth issues" is the title to an editorial today in the Munster (NW Indiana) Times. Some quotes:Indiana has many pressing needs to be addressed by the leadership of the Indiana General Assembly. Prayers in...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 18, 2005 09:11 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on: Bosma to ask judge to reconsider ruling
Updating this entry from yesterday: Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma is asking federal Judge David Hamilton to reconsider his ruling in Hinrichs v. Bosma. Here are the filings submitted by Attorney General Steve Carter: Defendant's Motion to Alter or Amend...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 15, 2005 06:36 AM
Ind. Decisions - Bosma to ask judge to reconsider ruling [Updated]
"Bosma to ask judge to reconsider ruling" is the headline to this story by Harold J. Adams in today's Louisville Courier Journal. Some quotes:Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said he will appeal a federal court order barring sectarian prayers to...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 14, 2005 10:15 AM
Ind. Gov't. - House Ways & Means committee meetings NOT online
On Nov. 21st the ILB published an entry noting House Speaker Brian Bosma's announcement that House Ways & Means committtee meetings would be online. The W&M Committee is holding three hearings in December (see W&Ms agenda), with important testimony that...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 9, 2005 06:58 AM
Ind. Decisions - Federal ruling on public prayer leaves Bosma in a quandary
"Federal ruling on public prayer leaves Bosma in a quandary" is the headline to a story by Lesley Stedman Weidenbener in today's Louisville Courier Journal. Some quotes:INDIANAPOLIS -- House Speaker Brian Bosma hasn't decided yet what to do about a...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 4, 2005 08:48 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on "Federal Court limits prayers in Indiana House"
"House prayers can't invoke Jesus: Federal judge declares that invocations advancing a specific religion are unconstitutional" is the front-page headline to this story by Richard D. Walton in the Indianapolis Star. (See, or scroll down to, this ILB entry from...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on December 1, 2005 08:14 AM
Ind. Decisions - Federal Court limits prayers in Indiana House [Updated]
Just posted on the Indianapolis Star website a few minutes ago:A federal court judge today barred the speaker of the House of Representatives from permitting the saying of sectarian prayers at the beginning of session days. Judge David Hamilton did...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on November 30, 2005 02:16 PM
Ind. Gov't. - More on the Indiana General Assembly's use of the internet
The Indianapolis Star has a story today on the State of Indiana website. Most interesting to me was this section near the end of the story:Given the amount of information that flows through the Indiana General Assembly each day in...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on November 27, 2005 12:16 PM
Ind. Gov't. - House to put Ways & Means Committee on Internet; implications
The Indianapolis Star has posted a report this morning that:Hoosiers who want to see more legislative action in the 2006 session will be able to watch hearings of the powerful House Ways and Means committee over the Internet. House Speaker...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on November 21, 2005 12:35 PM
nd. Courts - More on federal district court hears challenge to opening-day prayers in General Assembly
Richard D. Walton of the Indianapolis Star has a story today on the hearing yesterday. (Scroll down three for yesterday's report.) Some quotes:Where to draw the line was the theme of the hearing on the Indiana Civil Liberties Union suit...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on October 29, 2005 07:18 AM
Ind. Courts - Federal district court hears challenge to opening-day prayers in General Assembly
Martin DeAgostino reports today in the South Bend Tribune:INDIANAPOLIS -- A trial in federal court today will determine the future, if any, for legislative prayers in the Indiana General Assembly. U.S. District Judge David F. Hamilton has promised a ruling...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on October 28, 2005 12:14 PM
Enviroment - Stories today on seed preservation, hunting, and CAFOs [Updated]
"Preserving Indiana — Seeding plan helps prairie become self-sustaining" is the headline to a fascinating, long, and unsigned piece in today's Gary Post-Tribune. Some quotes (remember, the P-T does not archive):From U.S. 41, Kankakee Sands Nature Preserve looks just like...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on October 14, 2005 08:07 AM
Ind. Courts - More on Gov. Daniels' commutation of Baird's death sentence
Updating yesterday's ILB entry, there are a number of stories and editorials today on Gov. Daniels' action yesterday. The Evansville Courier& Press has a Mike Smith AP story here, and an editorial here that concludes: "We commend Daniels for having...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on August 30, 2005 08:07 AM
Ind. Gov't. - Local legislative meetings scheduled during the session praised
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has an editorial today praising local legislative meetings scheduled during the session, and asking that they: become a routine exercise for House and Senate members alike. The political process is improved when it includes voices...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on April 19, 2005 09:28 AM
Ind. Law - More on "Bringing daylight saving time back to life"
I love this headline to an AP story by Mike Smith today as published in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: "Alderman parts curtain to save daylight-time bill." It implies we are seeing the inner workings of the General Assembly, revealed....
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 25, 2005 03:32 PM
Ind. Gov't. - [Updated] Reactions to most recent version of inspector general bill
This ILB entry from March 15th reports on the compromise version of the inspector general bill, now found in SB 18. The Evansville Courier& Press has an editorial today about the bill. Some quotes:To the extent that an inspector general...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 20, 2005 01:38 PM
Ind. Law - Revised inspector general bill now likely to repass House in Senate bill
According to this story by Lesley Stedman Weidenbener in the Louisville Courier Journal today:Under the proposal's original language, the inspector general -- a new position created by Daniels -- could ask an appeals court judge for permission to prosecute a...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 15, 2005 08:16 AM
Ind. Gov't. - Star editorials reflect on recent stories
Two Indianapolis Star editorials today serve as companion pieces to recent Star reports. The Star's lead editorial today is on "Attorney General Steve Carter's outsourcing contract with a staff member," reflecting on the Star story last Saturday discussed in this...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 15, 2005 07:58 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on March 14, 2005 08:10 AM
Ind. Law - Inspector general bill, once "dead," may live again
Niki Kelly of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports today in a story headlined "Inspector general bill gains," that:Those for and against a bill regarding a state inspector general seem amenable to a small change in the legislation that could...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 11, 2005 08:22 AM
Ind. Law - More on "dead" House bills lawmakers hope to revive
There are a number of stories today on the bills lawmakers hope to revive. Lesley Stedman Weidenbener's story in the Louisville Courier Journal begins:House Republicans announced yesterday that they will work to revive at least 40 proposals that failed to...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 10, 2005 08:47 AM
Ind. Law - House Republicans identify key legislation
"House Republicans identify key legislation: Forty bills are targeted for passage among 132 that died during recent boycott by Democrats" is the headline to a brief story posted at about 11:30 a.m. on the Indianapolis Star website. Few surprises:House Republicans...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 9, 2005 12:57 PM
Ind. Law - More on Bosma's options in the event of a walkout
I've received another suggestion re how Speaker Bosma might handle another walkout of House Democrats -- one that, so far as I know, has never been tried. I've appended it to the end of the Wednesday, March 2 entry that...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 5, 2005 04:02 PM
Ind. Law - Part II. What might the Senate (and/or the House) do about the "dead" bills?
Options in the House. In House Committee. The committee could insert "related matters" into a Senate bill. House Rule 80 would apply:Germane. No motion or proposition on a subject not germane to that under consideration shall be admitted under color...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 4, 2005 07:19 AM
Ind. Law - Part I. What might the Senate (and/or the House) do about the "dead" bills?
Today's papers have a lot of stories and editorials about Tuesday's activity, or lack thereof, in the Indiana House. The Evansville Courier& Press' Jennifer Whitson begins her story:The day after 131 bills died because House Democrats walked out on the...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 3, 2005 02:55 PM
Ind. Law - Still more on "So, how 'dead' are these bills, really?"
I received this question from a reader this afternoon:The quorum count required in the Indiana House is set by rule, and the house is not helpless in the face of a walkout. Why did Bosma act like it was out...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 2, 2005 06:46 PM
Ind. Law - Dems' threat of boycott, legislation deadline loom
"Dems' threat of boycott, legislation deadline loom: Key state bills could die without a vote by today." That is the headline to this story today in the Indianapolis Star , reported by Michele McNeil. Yesterday was the last day for...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on March 1, 2005 07:53 AM
Ind. Gov't. - Several stories today in the inspector general bill
"Inspector general bill slows House to crawl: Minority tries to strip prosecutorial power" is the headline to this story today by Nili Kelly in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Some quotes:Bitter division over one of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ top legislative...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 25, 2005 09:12 AM
Ind. Gov't. - [Updated] More on the inspector general bill
Another story today on the inspector general bill, this time from the AP. The bill is HB 1002, eligible for second reading in the House. (See also this entry from Sunday quoting from a Fort Wayne Journal Gazette story). Some...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 21, 2005 04:54 PM
Courts - Marion County judges selection bill snarled
This ILB entry from Feb. 8th reported that HB 1703, under which "Marion County judges would be appointed by the governor instead of chosen by voters" according to a quote from the Indianapolis Star, had passed out of first house...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 16, 2005 08:31 AM
Ind. Gov't. - Inspector General bill moving with opposition
"Inspector General bill moving with opposition" is the headline to a brief item today in the Indianapolis Star. A quote:A bill creating the post of inspector general to investigate wrongdoing in state government [HB 1002] was approved Thursday by a...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 11, 2005 10:10 AM
Ind. Gov't. - Inspector general post irks county prosecutors
Buried in the obituary section on page B5 of my copy today of the Indianapolis Star is this Kevin Corcoran story headed "Inspector general post irks county prosecutors: Governor's proposal to create new position could cause misuse of authority, critics...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on February 4, 2005 07:24 AM
Ind. Law - One year cooling-off period before legislators switch sides?
"Panel OKs curbs on ex-legislators: House committee endorses bill to force former lawmakers to wait a year before taking lobbyist jobs," is the headline to a story today by Indianapolis Star political reporter Mary Beth Schneider. some quotes:Legislators with their...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 28, 2005 09:52 AM
Ind. Decisions - More on Court of Appeals ruling yesterday on same-sex marriage
Many stories today from around the state on the Court of Appeals ruling yesterday in Ruth Morrison, et al v. Doris Ann Sadler, et al (1/20/05 IndCtApp)[check here for initial entry]. Here are some quotes and links. "Indiana Court...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 21, 2005 09:15 PM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 10, 2005 04:01 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 in The Indiana Law Blog on January 4, 2005 09:54 AM
Indiana Government - Stories today
There are a number of stories today in Indiana papers relating to the issues facing the General Assembly, which is convening this Tueday, Jan. 4th, and the new administration -- Gov.-elect Daniels takes office Monday, Janu. 10th. Lesley Stedman Weidenbener...
Posted in The Indiana Law Blog on January 2, 2005 09:44 AM
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 in The Indiana Law Blog on December 28, 2004 10:48 AM