Political Notebook - The blog | Journal Gazette

12% of bills reach Pence

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Now that the 2013 legislative session has wrapped - including gubernatorial action on all the bills - it's time to review the term by the numbers.

Stutzman revives push to bring gun producer to Indiana

Brian Francisco — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:24:47 EST

Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-3rd, announced Thursday he has renewed his invitation for gun manufacturer Beretta USA to move from Maryland to Indiana.

Parties agree to weekly addresses

Niki Kelly — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:55:25 EST

A Huntington-based online radio station announced this week that all three major political parties in Indiana will offer a 3-5 minute weekly radio address each Saturday on www.indianatalks.com starting this weekend.

Ag panel approves Donnelly amendments

Brian Francisco — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:01:20 EST

Two amendments advocated by Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., were part of the five-year farm bill approved Tuesday by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Local telecom leader to testify on patent laws

Brian Francisco — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:15:21 EST

Mark Grady, founder and president of INdigital Telecom in Fort Wayne, is scheduled to testify Wednesday on patent laws at a hearing of the U.S. House Small Business Committee.

Legislative session by the numbers

Niki Kelly — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:56:11 EST

Now that the 2013 legislative session has wrapped -- including gubernatorial action on all the bills -- it's time to review the term by the numbers.

Councilman tries to delay project already in works

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 12 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

At Tuesday's Fort Wayne City Council meeting, John Shoaff, D-at large, went out of his way to derail an otherwise routine matter.

Two lawmakers honored by Chamber

Niki Kelly — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:30:07 EST

The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, now part of Greater Fort Wayne Inc., on Wednesday honored two northeast Indiana legislators with annual awards.

More honors for Lugar

Brian Francisco — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:17:49 EST

Former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar will receive two more awards this week for his 36-year career on Capitol Hill.

New Libertarians leadership at the helm

Niki Kelly — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:06:46 EST

Indiana Libertarians recently elected a new statewide leadership team at its 2013 convention. The men will serve two-year terms.

Pence ready to ramp up Sagamore honors

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Gov. Mike Pence could give more Sagamore of the Wabash awards in one year than former Gov. Mitch Daniels did in his entire eight years in office.

Donnelly on visit to Pakistan

Brian Francisco — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:08:40 EST

Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., reportedly led a congressional delegation on a visit to Pakistan this week.

Remark still hounds Mourdock

Brian Francisco — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:39:51 EST

Six months after his election defeat, Richard Mourdock cannot shake his reputation as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate who seemingly grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory.

Save your cutting for the budget

Dan Stockman — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:09:51 EST

Fort Wayne City Council President Tom Didier, R-3rd, has a new perspective on the pestilence decimating the region's ash trees: Tuesday, he appeared at the City Council meeting with his hand bandaged.

Pence sets Sagamore rules

Niki Kelly — Wed, 01 May 2013 08:47:45 EST

Gov. Mike Pence could give more Sagamore of the Wabash awards in one year than former Gov. Mitch Daniels did in his entire eight years in office.

House lawmakers enjoy old-style vote

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

As the last evening of the legislative session was wearing on Friday night, lawmakers got a peek into life as a legislator before computers and other technological advancements.

Common council to comment on common wage

Dan Stockman — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:56:50 EST

Technically, Fort Wayne City Council members have Tuesday off. But for the past several years, the council has used the fifth Tuesdays that occur four times a year for in-depth discussions of various topics.

Donnelly gives maiden speech in Senate

Brian Francisco — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:36:04 EST

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly called for an “opportunity agenda” based on “Hoosier common sense” to create American jobs during his maiden speech Wednesday afternoon on the Senate floor.

Mourdock not gone but forgotten

Brian Francisco — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:47:38 EST

U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor mentioned a 2012 national election that didn't go our way during his speech Monday at the Allen County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day Dinner.

Lugar honored for transparency efforts

Brian Francisco — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:19:59 EST

Former Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., has been named this year's recipient of the Integrity Award given by Transparency International-USA.

Lawmaker likes expungement

Niki Kelly — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:42:53 EST

Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, might be the only lawmaker who gets to take advantage of an expansive expungement bill passed Monday.That's why he had a very specific question when the legislation came up for final vote.

GOP dinner speaker prompts back-and-forth

Brian Francisco — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:57:35 EST

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody has weighed in on the choice of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., to speak at Monday evening’s Allen Country Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner.

End of session nigh

Niki Kelly — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:27:28 EST

The 2013 legislative session has only a few days remaining, though the end date is a bit in the air.

Delph's tweeting tweaking Zoeller

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

The war of words between Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, and Republican Attorney General Greg Zoeller escalated last week.

And the rookie scores...

Dan Stockman — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:11:05 EST

You can forgive Ben Groeneweg if he looked a little nervous as he took a seat at the end of the City Council table Tuesday. After all, this was the City Utilities engineering program manager's first time ever coming before the council.

Constitutional amendments wither in Indiana

Niki Kelly — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:14:29 EST

Several proposed constitutional amendments have met their demise this year.

Misleading ad can send wrong reply

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Some Hoosiers might unwittingly be supporting Gov. Mike Pence's proposed income tax cut thanks to a deceptive online ad by Americans for Prosperity. The ad has been popping up on local blogs as well as other websites, including those of The Journal Gazette and The Chicago Tribune.

Lawmakers come up short in blood drive

Niki Kelly — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:16:18 EST

The legislative branch competed in a good old-fashioned blood drive last week, with bragging rights going to the men and women behind the scene.

Tax cut ad misleading

Niki Kelly — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:48:14 EST

Some Hoosiers might unwittingly be supporting Gov. Mike Pence's proposed tax cut thanks to a deceptive online ad by Americans for Prosperity.The ad has been popping up on local blogs as well as other sites, including The Chicago Tribune.

Formula pegs 3rd District as most Republican in state

Brian Francisco — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:53:58 EST

The latest edition of Indiana Legislative Insight reports that the nonpartisan Cook Political Report is calling the 3rd District the most Republican congressional district in Indiana.

House carrying on while Bosma mends

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

GOP House Speaker Brian Bosma is healing well from an unexpected surgery last week.

Criticized trip to India minus Stutzman: Office

Brian Francisco — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman has been under media scrutiny for a trip to India that his office says he did not take.

Wolkins finds his kind of tie

Niki Kelly — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:28:53 EST

Everyone has heard of clip-on ties.Some men who dread the tight fabric around their necks relish in them.

Gay-marriage advocates petition Donnelly

Brian Francisco — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST

Online petition drives are urging Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., to support same-sex marriage.

Donnelly staffer takes North Carolina job

Brian Francisco — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:27:30 EST

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly’s press secretary has left his post for a job on the staff of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Hoosiers bounced from 'Senate Madness’

Brian Francisco — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:38:16 EST

Both Indiana entrants in the Senate Madness tournament were one-and-done.

County chafes at city oversight

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

The Allen County Council had all kinds of things to say about the Fort Wayne City Council's examination of its options for plugging a $5 million hole in its budget, especially its proposal to raise income taxes.

Dueling videos: Indiana tax cut war continues

Niki Kelly — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:42:08 EST

The clash between House Republicans and Gov. Mike Pence continued Thursday when the caucus released a video meant to defray criticism over the governor's proposed tax cut.

Indiana 16th-best for freedom, think tank says

Brian Francisco — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:15:16 EST

Indiana ranks 16th nationally in fiscal, regulatory and personal freedom, according to a study released Thursday by a conservative think tank at George Mason University.

I know you are, but what am I?

Dan Stockman and Vivian Sade — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:29:41 EST

The Allen County Council had all kinds of things to say about the City of Fort Wayne's examination of its options for plugging a $5 million hole in its budget, especially its proposal to raise income taxes. None of them were nice.

No gun-control events planned in city

Brian Francisco — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:27:21 EST

Fort Wayne apparently will not be among cities where Mayors Against Illegal Guns will have advocacy events or gatherings Thursday as part of the group’s National Day to Demand Action.

Indiana gets a C+ for government spending transparency

Niki Kelly — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:38:52 EST

"Indiana's falling score does not mean spending has become less transparent. It means most states are improving faster."

2 from state in political tourney field

Brian Francisco — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:27:15 EST

Tournament brackets are available to political history buffs as well as to college basketball fans.

Pence: Keep bills to single subject

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Way back before Mike Pence was governor or even congressman, he was a citizen who challenged state legislators for violating the single-subject provision of the Indiana Constitution.

Pence on guard for 'logrolling'

Niki Kelly — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:39:04 EST

Way back before Mike Pence was governor or even congressman, he was a citizen who challenged state legislators for violating the single-subject provision of the Indiana Constitution.

Will experience pay off?

Dan Stockman — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:27:15 EST

On Sunday, Allen County Democratic Party Chairman John Court announced that attorney and former Fort Wayne City Councilman Tim Pape had been appointed to fill the party's seat on the three-member, bipartisan Allen County Election Board.

Long hears own bill

Niki Kelly — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:54:23 EST

The Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee got a rare workout Tuesday -- hearing a bill.

Daniels among voices for GOP plan

Brian Francisco — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:17:49 EST

Former Gov. Mitch Daniels gets a shout-out in the Republican National Committee’s Growth and Opportunity Project, the party’s new blueprint for attracting more voters from among women, minorities and young people.

Holcomb re-elected as GOP chairman

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Indiana Republican Party State Chairman Eric Holcomb was re-elected last week during the first meeting of the State Central Committee following county and district reorganization. Vice Chair Sandi Huddleston, Secretary Barb McClellan and Treasurer Peter Deputy were also re-elected.

Pence salary hits new height

Niki Kelly — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:07:52 EST

Gov. Mike Pence is now the highest-paid Indiana governor ever.

Pence to speak to Noble County GOP

The Journal Gazette — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:03:22 EST

Gov. Mike Pence will be the keynote speaker Tuesday evening at the Noble County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner in Kendallville.

Easy come, easy go

Dan Stockman — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:01:19 EST

The Allen County Democratic Party raised $72,219 in 2012 and spent all but $5,673 of it, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Allen County Election Board. It began the year with $5,120 on hand.

GOP women take over the Statehouse

Niki Kelly — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:01:52 EST

The Allen County Republican Women's Club had a full day at the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday, arriving at the Capitol following a 5:30 a.m. start time in Fort Wayne.

Democrats give GOP mixed grades

Niki Kelly and Brian Francisco — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

House Republicans received mid-term grades Thursday from their House Democratic brethren.

Bosma jabs at renovation costs

Niki Kelly — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:13:00 EST

The Indiana House spent about $74,000 on new carpet this past summer.