Director Needs A Barber; Chamber Scores Legislators; Hill’s Future
May 15, 2020 at 7:23 p.m.
Director Needs A Barber; Chamber Scores Legislators; Hill’s Future
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At the Kosciusko County commissioners meeting Tuesday, Community Corrections Director Barry Andrew asked Commissioner Bob Conley (a barber, if you didn’t know) if the barbershop was open. Conley said it was.
“You look like you’ve been there already,” Commissioner Brad Jackson pointed out.
Andrew said the only barbershop he’s been at was the bathroom at his house.
“Have you ever tried to cut your own hair?” Andrew asked, and Jackson replied he has a friend that does.
“It’s backwards. It took me 45 minutes,” Andrew said.
Conley jokingly told Andrew his haircut was upside down, which Andrew denied. “Upside down backwards,” Conley prodded.
“Upside down and backwards? I don’t look upside down and backwards, I hope,” Andrew said.
Jackson warned him not to look at the back at his head. “Moving right along ...,” Andrew responded.
SCORING LEGISLATORS – Indiana Chamber of Commerce released its annual report Thursday scoring state legislators on how they voted on key business legislation in the recent General Assembly. The overall marks are lower this year – ranging from 33% to 90%, according to a news release the Chamber sent out.
“The purpose of the Legislative Vote Analysis is to show citizens and employers how their lawmakers voted on issues vital to the state’s economy,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “The lower scores reflect that this General Assembly simply passed on too many economic opportunities by outright defeating vital legislation or letting the measures die. In addition, an unusually large number of bad bills were filed and moved through at least portions of the legislative process, diverting time and focus away from important business community priorities.”
Bills included for examination in the Legislative Vote Analysis can be traced back to the Indiana Chamber’s economic development plan, Indiana Vision 2025 (www.indianachamber.com/2025). The plan contains 37 goals in the four driver areas of outstanding talent, attractive business climate, superior infrastructure, and dynamic and creative culture, the release states.
Among the legislation included in the report that became law: tobacco reforms to decrease the state’s smoking/vaping rate, health care cost transparency, unemployment insurance rate schedule certainty (before the current pandemic) and a model for enhancing regional development efforts.
“Lawmakers rightly got credit for passing these priority measures, but the report also held them accountable for what they left on the table,” Brinegar notes.
The scores are available on the Indiana Chamber’s web site at www.indianachamber.com/lva.
We looked local legislators up and here are the scores we found.
In the Indiana House (name, 2020 score, 4-year aggregate %): Curt Nisly, 75%, 68%; David Wolkins, 74%, 85%.
In the Indiana Senate: Stacey Donato, 80%, 90%; Blake Doriot, 81%, 81%; Ryan Mishler, 86%, 88%.
THE BANKS – Anyone who has read interviews with U.S. Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) or watched him on Fox News or just talked to him in person knows he’s talked about China being a big threat for some time now.
Now, apparently, the Chinese Communist Party is threatening sanctions against him.
According to a news release we received Thursday from Banks’ office, “The Chinese Communist Party is mulling adding more than a few U.S. lawmakers to their sanctions list, according to a story published by the Chinese government’s propaganda outlet, the Global Times.” Banks is named alongside seven other Republicans as some of the lawmakers China is most concerned about in Congress.
“The Chinese government is lashing out at those in the U.S. who are appropriately trying to hold them accountable for intentionally misleading us about the nature of the novel coronavirus, where it was spreading and how quickly things were getting out of control. I consider their threats a badge of honor,” said Banks.
DEMO A.G.? – Could the next Indiana attorney general be a Democrat?
On Monday, a unanimous state Supreme Court ruled that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill will have his law license suspended for 30 days over allegations that he drunkenly groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party. The decision said that the state’s attorney disciplinary commission “proved by clear and convincing evidence that (Hill) committed the criminal act of battery.”
Hill, who has denied the claims despite a number of eyewitnesses at the party, bucked Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s and others’ call for him to step down throughout the whole ordeal and instead is still seeking the Republican Party’s nomination as attorney general at its convention later this summer.
Attorney general candidates are nominated in a convention, not by voters in a primary. Due to necessary restrictions on large gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday the Indiana Republican Party announced that the 2020 Indiana Republican State Convention will shift to a virtual format.
Holcomb on Tuesday filed an emergency motion to intervene and request for clarification from the Indiana Supreme Court in response to the recent ruling. Lawyers for Hill argued Friday that he has the legal right to remain in office even while serving a 30-day suspension of his law license for groping a state legislator and three other women.
Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter and Indianapolis attorney John Westercamp are trying to deny Hill the nomination for the November election ballot by winning the nomination themselves.
Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer released this statement after the Indiana Supreme Court announced its disciplinary action against Hill: “The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously confirmed that Curtis Hill committed battery against four female victims. Hoosiers would be best served by having a new attorney general. I have faith in our delegates."
Word is that the “far-right conservatives” of the GOP – which Hill is considered to be himself – think Hill was railroaded and they have enough pull to make Hill the Republican nominee at the convention.
In this era of the #MeToo movement, and in this case in which many people attending that party are said to have witnessed Hill’s drunken behavior, that could backfire.
On the Democrat side, State Sen. Karen Tallian of Ogden Dunes and former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel are seeking the Democratic nomination, according to The Tribune out of Seymour. We’ve heard that Weinzapfel is a strong contender for the job, especially if the GOP goes with Hill as its nominee.
On Monday, Weinzapfel sent out an email, which said, in part: “Earlier today, the Indiana Supreme Court found ... Hill committed criminal battery against women and suspended his law license for 30 days. However, since his law license will be reinstated within a month, Hill will still be eligible to seek renomination at the Republican Party's state convention in June. Let me be clear: Curtis Hill's behavior is inexcusable. If anyone should exhibit a strong moral compass, it's our attorney general. Hoosier voters deserve better than this; they deserve an attorney general who respects women and women's rights. We must ensure women's voices are heard and make every effort to restore honor, integrity and purpose to the attorney general's office. That's why I will continue to work every day through Election Day to ensure Hill is held accountable.”
Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) released a statement following the Court’s decision, which said, in part: "The decision of the Indiana Supreme Court to suspend Curtis Hill from the practice of law reinforces the need for Mr. Hill to resign his position. ... The result is now a host of unresolved legal issues as to the legality and operation of the office of attorney general which would best be cleared up by Mr. Hill finally doing the right thing. He must resign."
Indiana Democratic Party Executive Director Lauren Ganapini issued the following statement after Hill’s law license was suspended for 30 days: “Curtis Hill is a disgrace. His conduct as an elected official was repulsive and will be a lasting stain on the office and the Party he serves. Now the uncertainty created by his punishment could tip the state into a constitutional crisis. Over and over, Indiana Republicans failed to remove him. They now own his shameful conduct and the crisis it’s created.”
This is an evolving story. It’ll definitely be interesting to see how it all plays out. We don’t have a crystal ball, obviously, but if enough voters turn out this fall who are upset with Hill, and if Hill is the GOP nominee, the state could get its first Democrat in state office since Glenda Ritz was the superintendent of public instruction from 2012-16.
CDC DISTRIBUTION – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) on Friday announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will distribute more than $183 million to Indiana to boost coronavirus testing and reduce further spread of the virus. The funding is provided by the latest round of coronavirus emergency relief, which passed the Senate on April 21.
“Enhancing testing capabilities is necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep Hoosiers safe. This additional funding to help our state and local governments purchase and administer tests is critical as we begin taking steps to safely reopen our economy,” said Young.
Indiana has now received a total of more than $209 million from the CDC.
PELOSI’S BAILOUT – Ahead of the expected vote on H.R. 6800, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) released the following statement:
“Cash-strapped Americans don’t want to pay for abortions, send cash to illegal immigrants or have their hard-earned cash used to subsidize coastal elites and failing blue state pension systems! If passed, this bill would dramatically grow the size of government, meaning higher taxes, joblessness and an economic depression for up to a decade. I emphatically oppose Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s ‘Blue State Bailout!’”
CASE COUNT – Indiana’s presumptive Democratic nominee for governor, Dr. Woody Myers, is concerned about an increase in the number of Hoosier coronavirus cases amid the governor’s reopening plan, a release Friday afternoon stated. The Indiana State Department of Health reported the number of positive coronavirus cases in the state rose to 26,655 Friday, up 602 from the day before. That’s the highest number of new cases since May 8.
In part, he said, “The increase in cases is concerning as Indiana reopens businesses and restaurants with restrictions and eases social distancing guidelines. I’ve been concerned that Governor Holcomb was giving in to pressure and reopening too soon. The rise in cases shows that fear was justified. We are far from flattening the curve. IUPUI’s Fairbanks School of Health study showed there is far more infection in Indiana than previously expected and it validated the need for more testing. I urge Hoosiers to continue avoiding large gatherings and staying home to socially isolate as much as possible. The asymptomatic spread of coronavirus is rapidly moving forward. Governor Holcomb’s decisions mean more people will become infected - and some will not survive.”
At the Kosciusko County commissioners meeting Tuesday, Community Corrections Director Barry Andrew asked Commissioner Bob Conley (a barber, if you didn’t know) if the barbershop was open. Conley said it was.
“You look like you’ve been there already,” Commissioner Brad Jackson pointed out.
Andrew said the only barbershop he’s been at was the bathroom at his house.
“Have you ever tried to cut your own hair?” Andrew asked, and Jackson replied he has a friend that does.
“It’s backwards. It took me 45 minutes,” Andrew said.
Conley jokingly told Andrew his haircut was upside down, which Andrew denied. “Upside down backwards,” Conley prodded.
“Upside down and backwards? I don’t look upside down and backwards, I hope,” Andrew said.
Jackson warned him not to look at the back at his head. “Moving right along ...,” Andrew responded.
SCORING LEGISLATORS – Indiana Chamber of Commerce released its annual report Thursday scoring state legislators on how they voted on key business legislation in the recent General Assembly. The overall marks are lower this year – ranging from 33% to 90%, according to a news release the Chamber sent out.
“The purpose of the Legislative Vote Analysis is to show citizens and employers how their lawmakers voted on issues vital to the state’s economy,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “The lower scores reflect that this General Assembly simply passed on too many economic opportunities by outright defeating vital legislation or letting the measures die. In addition, an unusually large number of bad bills were filed and moved through at least portions of the legislative process, diverting time and focus away from important business community priorities.”
Bills included for examination in the Legislative Vote Analysis can be traced back to the Indiana Chamber’s economic development plan, Indiana Vision 2025 (www.indianachamber.com/2025). The plan contains 37 goals in the four driver areas of outstanding talent, attractive business climate, superior infrastructure, and dynamic and creative culture, the release states.
Among the legislation included in the report that became law: tobacco reforms to decrease the state’s smoking/vaping rate, health care cost transparency, unemployment insurance rate schedule certainty (before the current pandemic) and a model for enhancing regional development efforts.
“Lawmakers rightly got credit for passing these priority measures, but the report also held them accountable for what they left on the table,” Brinegar notes.
The scores are available on the Indiana Chamber’s web site at www.indianachamber.com/lva.
We looked local legislators up and here are the scores we found.
In the Indiana House (name, 2020 score, 4-year aggregate %): Curt Nisly, 75%, 68%; David Wolkins, 74%, 85%.
In the Indiana Senate: Stacey Donato, 80%, 90%; Blake Doriot, 81%, 81%; Ryan Mishler, 86%, 88%.
THE BANKS – Anyone who has read interviews with U.S. Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) or watched him on Fox News or just talked to him in person knows he’s talked about China being a big threat for some time now.
Now, apparently, the Chinese Communist Party is threatening sanctions against him.
According to a news release we received Thursday from Banks’ office, “The Chinese Communist Party is mulling adding more than a few U.S. lawmakers to their sanctions list, according to a story published by the Chinese government’s propaganda outlet, the Global Times.” Banks is named alongside seven other Republicans as some of the lawmakers China is most concerned about in Congress.
“The Chinese government is lashing out at those in the U.S. who are appropriately trying to hold them accountable for intentionally misleading us about the nature of the novel coronavirus, where it was spreading and how quickly things were getting out of control. I consider their threats a badge of honor,” said Banks.
DEMO A.G.? – Could the next Indiana attorney general be a Democrat?
On Monday, a unanimous state Supreme Court ruled that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill will have his law license suspended for 30 days over allegations that he drunkenly groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party. The decision said that the state’s attorney disciplinary commission “proved by clear and convincing evidence that (Hill) committed the criminal act of battery.”
Hill, who has denied the claims despite a number of eyewitnesses at the party, bucked Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s and others’ call for him to step down throughout the whole ordeal and instead is still seeking the Republican Party’s nomination as attorney general at its convention later this summer.
Attorney general candidates are nominated in a convention, not by voters in a primary. Due to necessary restrictions on large gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday the Indiana Republican Party announced that the 2020 Indiana Republican State Convention will shift to a virtual format.
Holcomb on Tuesday filed an emergency motion to intervene and request for clarification from the Indiana Supreme Court in response to the recent ruling. Lawyers for Hill argued Friday that he has the legal right to remain in office even while serving a 30-day suspension of his law license for groping a state legislator and three other women.
Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter and Indianapolis attorney John Westercamp are trying to deny Hill the nomination for the November election ballot by winning the nomination themselves.
Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer released this statement after the Indiana Supreme Court announced its disciplinary action against Hill: “The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously confirmed that Curtis Hill committed battery against four female victims. Hoosiers would be best served by having a new attorney general. I have faith in our delegates."
Word is that the “far-right conservatives” of the GOP – which Hill is considered to be himself – think Hill was railroaded and they have enough pull to make Hill the Republican nominee at the convention.
In this era of the #MeToo movement, and in this case in which many people attending that party are said to have witnessed Hill’s drunken behavior, that could backfire.
On the Democrat side, State Sen. Karen Tallian of Ogden Dunes and former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel are seeking the Democratic nomination, according to The Tribune out of Seymour. We’ve heard that Weinzapfel is a strong contender for the job, especially if the GOP goes with Hill as its nominee.
On Monday, Weinzapfel sent out an email, which said, in part: “Earlier today, the Indiana Supreme Court found ... Hill committed criminal battery against women and suspended his law license for 30 days. However, since his law license will be reinstated within a month, Hill will still be eligible to seek renomination at the Republican Party's state convention in June. Let me be clear: Curtis Hill's behavior is inexcusable. If anyone should exhibit a strong moral compass, it's our attorney general. Hoosier voters deserve better than this; they deserve an attorney general who respects women and women's rights. We must ensure women's voices are heard and make every effort to restore honor, integrity and purpose to the attorney general's office. That's why I will continue to work every day through Election Day to ensure Hill is held accountable.”
Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) released a statement following the Court’s decision, which said, in part: "The decision of the Indiana Supreme Court to suspend Curtis Hill from the practice of law reinforces the need for Mr. Hill to resign his position. ... The result is now a host of unresolved legal issues as to the legality and operation of the office of attorney general which would best be cleared up by Mr. Hill finally doing the right thing. He must resign."
Indiana Democratic Party Executive Director Lauren Ganapini issued the following statement after Hill’s law license was suspended for 30 days: “Curtis Hill is a disgrace. His conduct as an elected official was repulsive and will be a lasting stain on the office and the Party he serves. Now the uncertainty created by his punishment could tip the state into a constitutional crisis. Over and over, Indiana Republicans failed to remove him. They now own his shameful conduct and the crisis it’s created.”
This is an evolving story. It’ll definitely be interesting to see how it all plays out. We don’t have a crystal ball, obviously, but if enough voters turn out this fall who are upset with Hill, and if Hill is the GOP nominee, the state could get its first Democrat in state office since Glenda Ritz was the superintendent of public instruction from 2012-16.
CDC DISTRIBUTION – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) on Friday announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will distribute more than $183 million to Indiana to boost coronavirus testing and reduce further spread of the virus. The funding is provided by the latest round of coronavirus emergency relief, which passed the Senate on April 21.
“Enhancing testing capabilities is necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep Hoosiers safe. This additional funding to help our state and local governments purchase and administer tests is critical as we begin taking steps to safely reopen our economy,” said Young.
Indiana has now received a total of more than $209 million from the CDC.
PELOSI’S BAILOUT – Ahead of the expected vote on H.R. 6800, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) released the following statement:
“Cash-strapped Americans don’t want to pay for abortions, send cash to illegal immigrants or have their hard-earned cash used to subsidize coastal elites and failing blue state pension systems! If passed, this bill would dramatically grow the size of government, meaning higher taxes, joblessness and an economic depression for up to a decade. I emphatically oppose Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s ‘Blue State Bailout!’”
CASE COUNT – Indiana’s presumptive Democratic nominee for governor, Dr. Woody Myers, is concerned about an increase in the number of Hoosier coronavirus cases amid the governor’s reopening plan, a release Friday afternoon stated. The Indiana State Department of Health reported the number of positive coronavirus cases in the state rose to 26,655 Friday, up 602 from the day before. That’s the highest number of new cases since May 8.
In part, he said, “The increase in cases is concerning as Indiana reopens businesses and restaurants with restrictions and eases social distancing guidelines. I’ve been concerned that Governor Holcomb was giving in to pressure and reopening too soon. The rise in cases shows that fear was justified. We are far from flattening the curve. IUPUI’s Fairbanks School of Health study showed there is far more infection in Indiana than previously expected and it validated the need for more testing. I urge Hoosiers to continue avoiding large gatherings and staying home to socially isolate as much as possible. The asymptomatic spread of coronavirus is rapidly moving forward. Governor Holcomb’s decisions mean more people will become infected - and some will not survive.”
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