INDIANAPOLIS - An antismoking bill got filtered but was not snuffed out. Township trustees fought for their turf, while Republicans and Democrats each took credit for offering a state-level economic stimulus.
Last week at the Indiana General Assembly was marked by serious public policy discussions as well as political theatrics, but it could be eclipsed by the week ahead, as state lawmakers face approaching deadlines to vote bills out of committees.
The recession, an 8.1 percent unemployment rate and disputes over the next state government budget underlie other debates at the Legislature. Here are the highlights:
Smoking: A proposal to ban smoking in workplaces and other indoor spaces where the public gathers, House Bill 1213, was passed by the House Public Policy Committee but with major changes. Bars are exempt from the smoking ban. Casinos are partially exempt - 20 percent of their gaming positions must be designated as nonsmoking. Also, if communities want to impose their own local "home rule" bans that are more restrictive than state law, they must do so before the end of the year.
Antismoking advocates fumed that the bill had been watered down. The Indiana Casino Association opposes the bill because, it says, that even in a modified form the ban would hurt business at riverboats.
House Bill 1213 moves next to the full Indiana House, where there will be attempts to amend it further. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday he is willing to sign such a bill into law. "Yes, if the Legislature decides to limit smoking, then I'm going to sign it," Daniels said. "We ought not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I have learned to accept compromise and concession as the legitimate price of progress."
Stimulus and roads: The Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday voted 88-11 to pass a state-level stimulus bill that would pump $1 billion into road and highway projects and university rehabilitation, in anticipation of an expected $6 billion Indiana could receive from the federal stimulus package Congress passed. Indiana House Bill 1656 goes next to the state Senate, where majority Republicans could rewrite it completely.
The bill keeps intact funding for current Major Moves projects, such as Interstate 69 construction, for now. But House Republicans complained that Democratic wording in the bill "raided" the $550 million Major Moves Next Generation Trust Fund. Until now, only the interest from that investment fund has been skimmed off for road construction, but the bill would use $500 million out of the principal to spend on county and local road-construction projects.
In response, a Senate committee approved a proposed state constitutional amendment. Senate Joint Resolution 2 would write the Next Generation Trust Fund into the constitution to permanently prevent the fund from being used for non-infrastructure projects. State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who is in charge of investing Major Moves funds, gave the amendment a strong endorsement.
Local government restructuring: Important votes are ahead this week on the Kernan-Shepard Commission proposals to streamline layers of government. A Senate committee could vote on Senate Bill 512, which would shift the duties of township-level government to county government. Township trustees are fighting the bill vigorously. Another Senate committee is to hear Senate Bill 521 that would mandate consolidation of the smallest school districts.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 506 that would replace the three county commissioners with a single elected county executive is eligible for action by the full Senate.
Mortgage reform: Two local legislators have bills moving through the Statehouse meant to curb mortgage fraud and reduce foreclosures. House Bill 1176, authored by Rep. Gail Riecken, D-Evansville, would prevent lenders from issuing loans without proof that borrowers can reasonably make monthly house payments. It would prohibit prepayment fees and penalties on adjustable-rate mortgages that now discourage homeowners from refinancing. Having passed in committee, the bill goes to the full House.
The House also passed House Bill 1374, co-authored by Rep. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper. For homebuyers and sellers, the bill would ensure that escrow transactions are valid and that funds are deposited as promised.
Bus stop safety: House Bill 1021 would enhance the penalties for drivers who ignore a school bus stop arm and hit a student. Authored by state Rep. Suzanne Crouch, R-Evansville, the bill passed the House, 98-0, and moves to the Senate.
Immigration: A Senate committee could vote on the "three strikes" immigration bill, Senate Bill 580, on Wednesday. Companies that commit three violations for employing illegal aliens could lose their licenses to do business in Indiana.