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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
May 2001 |
Comments for the Indiana Statehouse:
Down to the wire: many ways for a bill to die
By Jane Fribley
Of the over 1,700 bills filed in the 2001 General Assembly, only a small percent have survived for various reasons: never heard or voted down in assigned committee; combined with similar bills or dropped; negative vote on floor; or amended to point that author withdrew the bill; not heard or else voted down by other chamber; not reported out of compromise committee; sponsor delayed final presentation to the chamber while trying to muster enough support votes; time ran out before final adjournment on April 29.
From our point of view, a big success may be found in a failed bill. Noteworthy this session is the failure of proposed legislation that would legalize dockside gambling and escalate gambling in Indiana. (see related story)
We dare not celebrate, however. Remember, casino gambling, defeated in the regular session a few years ago, slipped by in the extra session convened to approve the budget. Unbeknownst to most legislators, it had been added to the budget copies, which were given to them just before the vote with no time for review. According to the Indiana Constitution, it is illegal to insert in a bill an unrelated topic. However, the courts have never acted on this common occurrence saying it is up to the General Assembly to clean up its act.
The Senate Finance Committee removed the $5 nursing home bed tax from the Medicaid Funding Bill.
Bills on their way to the governor's desk:
Governor is expected to sign:
- Lowering the alcohol level at which a driver is considered intoxicated to 0.08 from 1.10.
- No Call List -- would create a list of Hoosiers whose home, mobile and pager numbers are off limits to certain telemarketers.
- Ombudsman bill -- would establish a liaison for inmates and the Department of Corrections.
The governor is expected to veto:
- Legislative Privacy -- would shield lawmaker's e-mail, Internet activity and communications with constituents (including lobbyists) from public record. Opponents see this as in conflict with open records laws and tried to amend it to shield only letters dealing with very personal problems of constituents.
Many other bills have passed both houses, but their fate depends on the budget. At the time of this report, the House, Senator and Governor had not reached an agreement. Also unresolved are differences between parties on the redrawing of House, Senate and Congressional voting district maps. The need for a called extra session is very possible.
Watch in a future issue of Hoosier UM News for the final outcome in the 2001 session of the Indiana General Assembly of bills featured in this column.
What you can do:
If there is a special session, voice your opinions to your legislators and others in leadership, including the governor. Express your appreciation to them for their hard work and long hours spent trying to do, we hope, what is best for Indiana. If you disagree with their position(s), tell them why. Never get antagonistic. You may be on the same side next time, and anyway that is not the Christian way to treat people.
Make your voice heard by contacting:
- House of Representatives: 800/382-9842 or 317/232-9600
- Senate: 800/382-9467 or 317/232-9400
- Gov. O'Bannon: 317/232-4567; e-mail: fobannon@state.in.us
- To learn up-to-date status of a bill, call 317/232-9856
Last updated January 14, 2004