Senate Democrats call for governor to overturn decision limiting Hoosiers’ rights at Statehouse

Democrats say limiting public access to Statehouse a concern for every citizen

Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville) and Assistant Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson), on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus, are calling on Governor Mitch Daniels to overturn his decision to limit public access to the Statehouse beginning January 1, 2012.

“This is an unnecessary restriction on Hoosiers’ rights to peacefully assemble and to petition their government, and we hope the governor will reconsider this decision,” Sen. Simpson said. “We also hope our Republican colleagues in the General Assembly will join us in standing up for the rights of Hoosiers and stop this.”

The two Democratic leaders from the State Senate, along with other members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, say they are concerned the restrictions will limit the public’s access to meet with their elected representatives. The Daniels administration announced Friday morning that the Statehouse capacity will be limited to 3,000 people, limiting public access to just over 1,000. Approximately 1,700 employees and credentialed press and lobbyists are already in the building on an average day.

“It’s bad enough to trample on the rights of working people and their right to associate and collectively bargain,” Sen. Lanane said, “but it is completely inexcusable that they would trample on every Hoosier’s First Amendment rights to free speech and to redress grievances with the government. It’s being done because of the ‘Right to Work for Less’ bill, but the impact is going to be much larger than that.”

“It’s an effort to silence the voices of those who disagree with them,” Sen. Simpson added.

Sen. Simpson said earlier today that the officials who work in the Statehouse are the employees of the citizens. “We should never forget that. I am sorry that some elected officials in charge have forgotten our mission – to serve the people of Indiana by listening and acting on their behalf. Restricting public access to the People’s House limits their ability to speak and our ability to listen.”

“We don’t allow this in a free society, and we shouldn’t allow it at our Statehouse,” Sen. Lanane added.

NOTE: The new Statehouse restrictions are available at http://www.in.gov/isp/files/Statehouse_Security_Policies.pdf.

Simpson decries effort to silence public through closing Statehouse

Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville) released the following statement in response to this morning’s announcement that public access to the Statehouse will be limited beginning January 1, 2012.

“The people of Indiana should be outraged to learn of the decision to unnecessarily restrict their right to peacefully assemble and to petition their government.

“The action of this administration is symbolic of a closed, elitist government which seeks to silence the voices of persons who disagree with them. This is neither about security nor safety…it is about not wanting to hear from working families who have made the effort, at their own expense, to come and speak with their elected representatives about issues that will directly impact them.

“The administration is, however, maintaining access to special interests – the people who are highly paid to be at the Statehouse. Lobbyists are guaranteed a voice for their clients, but the average Hoosier has no such guarantee.

“If they can silence working people now, then they can silence anyone on any issue with which they disagree. Who will be next?

“I have always been very proud that our Statehouse is open to the public. It has given me great pride to welcome groups of Hoosiers of all kinds to the People’s House. The officials who work in the Statehouse are the People’s Employees, and we should never forget that. I am sorry that some in charge have forgotten our mission – to serve the people of Indiana by listening and acting on their behalf. Restricting public access to the People’s House limits their ability to speak and our ability to listen.”

View the new Statehouse access/security policies from the Indiana State Police: http://www.in.gov/isp/files/Statehouse_Security_Policies.pdf

“Right to Work” proposal expected to dominate debate

Senators Skinner, Arnold and Tallian hear testimony during committee hearing the "Right to Work" bill.

The 2012 legislative session begins January 4, and legislators are expected to devote much of their time to debate over controversial employment issues – namely the so called “Right to Work” bill. Despite Indiana’s high unemployment, limited access to early education and full-day kindergarten, and increasing threats to voter rights, Republican leaders in the Indiana House and Senate announced in November that passing a “Right to Work” law will be a top priority in the 2012 legislative session.

Myths and facts: The proposed law would make it illegal for employees to negotiate with their employer an agreement that requires everyone who benefits from a union contract to pay their share of the negotiation costs.

Though proponents of such legislation say the policy is needed to remove all barriers to job creation, the benefits of such a law are far from certain. In fact, a Minority Report filed in record of the 2011 Interim Study Committee on Employment Issues stated that there is a “distinct lack of statistically valid information proving any true benefit of Right to Work policies on Indiana’s economy.”

Indiana currently ranks 5^th in the nation for overall business climate and 2^nd overall for per capita manufacturing employment. When business leaders are asked what factors most influence their decision to locate their businesses, Right to Work has not cracked the top 10 most often cited factors in the past five years. Furthermore, when asked for a specific example during the Interim Study Committee’s hearings, the chairman of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation was unable to name one employer who did not locate their business in Indiana because the state lacks such a Right to Work law.

Corporations benefit, not employees: Undoubtedly, Indiana’s economy continues to struggle with high unemployment and underemployment; our state is the only state in our region to not see job gains in the past year.  However, restricting employee rights and depressing wages for the benefit of out-of-state corporations will not solve these problems.

Most importantly, this legislation will harm working men and women in our state. Disallowing employees—after a majority vote—from entering into negotiations with their employer about pay, working conditions, and safety is a troubling precedent.

We should instead be focusing on solutions that benefit employers and employees, like encouraging hiring through tax breaks for companies that hire new employees, giving employers more options to weather low production periods (known as “Work Share”), and giving first priority to contractors who employ Hoosiers for in-state public works projects.

Impact on wages and local economies: A Right to Work law would decrease personal wages in Indiana by an estimated $1,500-$5,500 per year. This would have a devastating impact on our local communities and businesses.

Likewise, research by the Economic Policy Institute has shown that in Right to Work states fewer employers offer health care benefits, pension plans and other employee benefits. Having thousands of Hoosiers lose access to these benefits would threaten their health, financial security and possibly shift additional costs to the state.

What’s next: Expect to hear more about this issue as the session progresses. If you would like to stay up to date on the Right to Work debate during the 2012 legislative session, stay tuned here in The Briefing Room.

Skinner supports teaching cursive in Indiana classrooms

State Senator Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute) says he plans to support a measure in the General Assembly to make sure Hoosier children have the opportunity to learn to write in cursive. In January, legislation is expected to be considered by the state legislature that would compel Indiana’s public schools to include cursive writing instruction as a part of the school’s curriculum.

“Learning to write is a fundamental skill, and reading and writing in cursive is still an essential part of that,” Skinner noted. “I am interested to hear what Hoosier parents want for their children, and if they feel this should be mandated in the curriculum.”

Indiana joined a number of states in adopting common core standards earlier this year to simplify standards and make requirements consistent across states. The new standards however no longer required Indiana schools to teach cursive writing.

What do you think?

For more information on Sen. Skinner’s legislation, visit www.IN.gov/S38.

Indiana’s unemployment rate holds at 9%

On Tuesday, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced that Indiana’s unemployment rate for November 2011 stood  at 9 percent, while the U.S. rate declined significantly to 8.6  percent.

Indiana’s unemployment rate remains lower than neighboring states Illinois (10 percent), Kentucky (9.4 percent) and Michigan (9.8 percent) however, is now higher than the unemployment rate in Ohio (8.5 percent).

• County with the highest unemployment rate: Fayette 11.9%
• County with the lowest unemployment rate: Dubois 5.9%

Employment Report (LAUS)

• Labor Force Estimates for U.S., Indiana, MSAs, Counties, Cities
• Ranking of Indiana Counties by Unemployment Rate
• Indiana County Map with Unemployment Rates

Jobs Report (CES)

• Seasonally – Adjusted Employment Table for Indiana
• Non-Seasonally – Adjusted Employment Table for Indiana
• Detail Employment Listing – Statewide & MSAs

Tree Trimming 2011: “Made in Indiana”

On Wednesday, December 14 approximately 300 students spanning grades 2 – 6 gathered at the Indiana Statehouse to trim the holiday tree.  Students were encouraged to create ornaments that depicted anything made or originating in Indiana.  View photos of the festive event below:

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Follow this link to see ornaments selected as “outstanding” by First Lady Cheri Daniels>>

Independent audit rejected by Republicans

The State Budget Committee met on Wednesday and Republican members twice rejected a motion by State Senator John Broden (D-South Bend) calling for an independent audit of how $320 million was misplaced for over five years. The misplaced funds have sat unaccounted for in a Dept. of Revenue account since FY2007.

Sen. Broden offered two motions during the meeting calling for an independent audit of the matter, saying the audit was needed to restore the public’s faith and credibility in the state’s accounting and budgeting practices.

Senate Democrats’ 2012 legislative priorities: jobs, education and voter protection

The members of the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus released their 2012 legislative agenda today, highlighting the pressing need to fuel job creation, strengthen early education and protect Indiana voters as their top priorities.  Below are a number of the key legislative initiatives Senate Democrats will carry in the upcoming session.

Download the full report (PDF)

Hear more from Senator Simpson: “Again this year the Senate Democrat Caucus has put forward a package of several bills laying out the priorities…” (00:39)

Democrats call for independent audit of misplaced funds

Released Dec. 8, 2011

Senator John Broden (D-South Bend) and Representative Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) held a joint news conference today requesting that the State Budget Committee direct an independent audit into the recent discovery of $320 million in unaccounted for state funds. Sen. Broden and Rep. Pelath say an independent audit is needed to restore creditability in the state’s accounting and budgeting practices and to ensure to the public that a similar error won’t happen again.

Sen. Broden and Rep. Pelath were joined by Sen. Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute), Rep. William Crawford (D-Indianapolis) and  Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis)  on a letter to the Republican leaders of the State Budget Committee asking that the matter be added to the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting, Wednesday , December 14.

Copy of the letter sent to Rep. Jeff Espich (R-Uniondale) and Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville):

http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/files/blog/Budget.Committee.Ltr.12.8.11.pdf

For more information on Sen. Broden, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.SenateDemocrats.IN.gov.

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AUDIO AVAILABLE:

SENATOR JOHN BRODEN’S OPENING STATEMENT:

SEN. BRODEN: “Certainly there may be an ongoing role for the auditor’s office….”

(00:50)

Senate Democratic Leader calls for investigation in misplaced state funds

Released Dec. 6, 2011

Sen. Simpson says $300M oversight more than accounting error, harmful to children and families

INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville) released the following statement in response to Governor Daniels’ announcement earlier today that $300 million in funds had not been transferred from a Department of Revenue account to the state’s General Fund, an error that has existed since 2007.

“Public school funding was cut by $300 million in this past budget over the previous appropriation. What a coincidence! The Governor suddenly found $300 million in misplaced state dollars.

“This wasn’t just an accounting error. Children got hurt by this, families have suffered. And it all could have been avoided.

“The first question we should be asking is, How did this happen?

“Was this incompetence or were the people of Indiana intentionally misled? The budget was based on the numbers reported by the Budget Agency. Was the Budget Agency asleep at the wheel? How can we trust checking account balances in the future?

“The citizens of the state deserve answers.

“In general, a lot of important services were cut in the last state budget; one of the most important was public education.

“The budget cuts have meant thousands of laid off teachers and support staff, overcrowded classrooms, and cuts to extracurricular activities. We’ve lost a whole year of educational opportunities for our children because of this misplaced money.

“The Legislature should begin an investigation immediately to determine how this ‘mistake’ occurred and how the people of Indiana can be assured that this will never happen again.”

For more information on Sen. Simpson, her legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.SenateDemocrats.IN.gov.

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AUDIO AVAILABLE:

 SEN. SIMPSON: “In general, there were a lot of important services cut in this last budget…”

SEN. SIMPSON: “The most recent budget cuts to public schools amounted to $300 million dollars…”