By Eric Bradner, Evansville Courier & Press
Here's a look at who came out on top and who didn't get what they wanted as this year's regular session of the Indiana General Assembly came to a close, as well as some of the key players who made differences.
Most valuable
Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn - The Republican point man on the bankrupt unemployment insurance fund did the impossible when he negotiated a plan that gave House Democrats enough of what they wanted for it to pass that chamber, yet also kept enough Senate Republicans on board for it to pass there too.
Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond - Lawson accomplished a goal that appeared nearly impossible late in the session.
She worked out major differences with Senate Republicans in order to get a bill passed to regulate large-scale dog breeding operations, which sometimes have been called "puppy mills."
Winners
Evansville, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis - With a plan to bail out the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board faltering, Evansville and Fort Wayne lawmakers switched language that allows tax shifts for new local arenas into an unrelated bill, which passed at the last minute. Meanwhile, Indianapolis gets another shot at getting its bailout passed during the coming special session.
Rep. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend - and all of the labor unions and seasonal workers, whose water he carried during negotiations over how to fix Indiana's bankrupt unemployment insurance fund. Niezgodski kept current jobless benefits the same and guaranteed construction workers still will be able to draw benefits in the winter.
<BP>Losers
Indiana Chamber of Commerce - Its lobbyist, George Raymond, was unable to sway lawmakers to decrease unemployment benefits and tighten restrictions as a part of the unemployment fund fix. Also losing were the Indiana Manufacturers Association and lobbyist, Ed Roberts.
Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville - Democrats and Republicans heaped praise on the Senate Appropriations chairman for his tempered but dogged approach to crafting a budget and a bailout plan for the struggling board that runs Indianapolis' professional sports stadiums. But all Kenley's work was for naught, as neither the budget nor the bailout passed.
Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Elletsville - The new Democratic Senate leader faced an impossible task, with her party stuck in a 33-17 minority. Senate Democrats did little in end-of-session negotiations.
Rookies of year
Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle - The first-term lawmaker steered a teen driver bill that nearly everyone claims will save lives.
Rep. Gail Riecken, D-Evansville - In her first year at the Statehouse, Riecken, member of the House Financial Institutions Committee, got legislation passed to give the Indiana Attorney General's office more authority to combat mortgage foreclosures.
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