Activity at the Statehouse proceeded as normal for the second consecutive week following the House Democrat walkout.  Both the House and Senate moved third reading deadlines to Thursday, April 21 leaving only a week for conference committees.  However, this could be viewed as a positive development since conference committee time is notorious for legislation appearing in other bills unbeknownst to others.

On Thursday, Speaker Bosma announced the House would be in session on Friday of this week and that legislators should expect a full workday.  After conferring with Minority Leader Bauer, Speaker Bosma announced session would begin at 8:30 am hearing only third reading bills.  Until late Thursday evening, President Obama planned on visiting Indianapolis to tour the Allison Transmission plant and present information on his energy agenda.  However, with the looming federal government shutdown due to a budgetary impasse, the trip was canceled.

Indiana tax revenue continues to improve showing signs of a recovering economy.  In March, total revenue collections were $977 million, $32 million above the revenue forecast recently updated in December 2010, but still $13 million below the amount assumed in the June 2009 budget as passed.  Sales tax collections totaled $484 million, 5.1 percent more than the same period last year and 0.5 percent more than had been forecast in December.  Individual income taxes also were up by 16.9 percent over the same period last year and 3 percent more than had been forecast.  A detailed revenue report can be found by clicking here.

A few key pieces of legislation are moving along in the process.  SB 473 would give the Governor sole authority to create toll roads.  Specifically, the language of SB 473 permits, without legislative recognition, the location of certain tollways, converting part of I-69 to a tollway, issuing requests for proposals, and entering into a public-private agreement for certain highway projects until July 1, 2015 and restores the need for legislative recognition as of July 1, 2015.  This bill passed the House Roads and Transportation Committee by a vote of 7-5 and now will move on to the full House for amendment and consideration.

Smoke-Free Indiana witnessed their legislation fail in the Senate Public Policy Committee this week as HB 1018 was voted down by the committee 8-1.  This version as it passed the House included exemptions for bars, taverns, casinos and fraternal clubs.  Nevertheless, as in years prior, the American Cancer Society adamantly pursued legislation with zero exemptions.  This all-or-nothing approach spelled the failure of this bill that seemed to have some legislative support as it passed the House by a vote of 68-31.

Governor Daniels lived up to his nickname “The Blade” as the former federal budget director this week during a fundraiser for two legislative staffers diagnosed with cancer.  Rep. Milo Smith stopped shaving the day House Democrats walked out and five weeks later when they returned, an auction was held for the right to shave Smith’s beard.  More than $5,000 was raised to benefit the individuals.

Next week, we anticipate the redistricting maps to be released as the sine die deadline of April 29 looms. 

To view the entire report click here.

To view the tracklist click here.