With slightly more than a week remaining in this year’s session of the Indiana General Assembly, it’s fair to ponder what has been accomplished and what issues failed.
Since all 100 seats in the House and 25 seats in the Senate are up for election, Hoosiers shouldn’t have expected any groundbreaking legislation. The Republican Party leadership didn’t want to rock the political boat this election year.
The much ballyhooed Sunday sales of alcohol legislation was sped through the two houses of the Legislature, rushed to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk for his signature and instead of waiting like all other bills to take effect on July 1, takes effect today.
This was such an important issue that Republicans had to rush the provision into law.
Some people will consider that to be an accomplishment — probably the liquor store owners who were able to stave off cold beer and wine sales at convenience and grocery stores. All they had to do is agree to Sunday sales.
The list of what hasn’t been accomplished is longer and potentially will have a greater impact on Hoosiers than buying beer on Sunday or celebrating the state insect.
Many lawmakers, along with concerned citizens and employees of the Indiana
Department of Child Protective Services, are awaiting results of an audit of the agency to determine how to better protect at-risk Hoosier children.
Once the audit is completed, after the session ends, there should be a special session to address the findings.
Lawmakers failed to pass a hate crimes bill that could have an impact on whether or not the state lands the second Amazon headquarters.
Although a study committee two years ago recommended the creation of a non-partisan commission to draw the boundary lines for the Indiana General Assembly and Congressional districts, any hope of passage has died for 2018.
The drawing of district lines is a battle being played out in numerous states around the country, and in some instances the courts are starting to play a role.
There is only one reason the GOP leaders in the House and Senate won’t bring the legislation to a vote: their desire to retain supermajorities in both chambers. When you draw the lines, it’s hard not to win on Election Day.
Any effort to reform the state’s gun laws died this past week when House Speaker Brian Bosma wouldn’t call down a bill because
of the large number of amendments filed for and against tighter gun controls in the state.
It’s hard to believe that Indiana lawmakers were considering making the purchase of a gun permit good for a lifetime when we have to renew our driver’s licenses every six years.
Following the shooting at Marjory Stonemason Douglas High School in Florida, retailers are leading the way to change the way Americans can purchase guns by limiting sales to people age 21 and over and deciding not to sell assault-type weapons.