More support for Senate Democrats’ Open Government Initiative

Support for the Senate Democrats’ Open Government Initiative is spreading, with House Speaker Pat Bauer, the Hoosier State Press Association, the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette and the South Bend Tribune recently weighing in on the issue.

The Open Government Initiative, announced by Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson earlier this month, will call for greater transparency in state government and will be proposed during the 2011 legislative session. Read more from the June 1 announcement >>

In the most recent show of support, several Republican state senators have asked Gov. Mitch Daniels to create a website where the public can access budget and spending information. Simpson said she was pleased to hear that there will be Republican support for the Democrats’ initiative, which includes a website but will be much more far-reaching.

LISTEN to Simpson’s full audio statement>> or select comments from June 24:

A new website alone, without legislative mandate, does not mean a change in attitude. And it won’t by itself break through the culture of secrecy that has been eminating from this current administration.

LISTEN to the audio clip>>

Simpson said the Democrats believe that legislative action is absolutely necessary.

To make government more open and more accessible to the public it is going to require more than posting budget figures and agency totals. We also want to shine the light on what programs have been cut within the individual departments and how much those programs have been cut, some have been eliminated…

LISTEN to the audio clip>>

Through a series of requests, Simpson has already begun the process of gathering this information and plans to post the information online.

We’ll be doing our part to make the information available to the public and practice the principles of open government, which we believe in very strongly… We’ll be doing that whether the governor decides to cooperate or not.

LISTEN to the audio clip>>

Senate Democrats push for immediate legislative redistricting reform

Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson offered an amendment to Senate Bill 80 today that would have established an independent commission to suggest new legislative district maps to the General Assembly for ratification. Simpson says the change would not require an amendment to the state constitution and could take effect immediately, impacting the 2011 redistricting process.

The amendment was defeated by a 16-33 party line vote, with Republicans voting against the measure. Sen. Simpson also proposed the same language in SB 289, which has not been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Elections Committee.

Last week that committee heard testimony on a similar proposal by Sen. Sue Landske (R-Cedar Lake) that would create a redistricting committee to study proposals on amending the state constitution to allow redistricting by an independent commission. The study committee and constitutional amendment process, however, would delay reform to the 2021 redistricting at the earliest.

Several who testified before the committee last week said they supported the intent of Senate Bill (SB) 136, but don’t believe the process should include amending the state constitution, which would take several years to accomplish. They expressed that the commission needs to be and could be established now so recommendations could be presented to the legislature for consideration prior to redrawing district lines in 2011.

Twenty other states have commissions that have the primary responsibility for drawing new districts or function as an advisory body for redistricting.

The debate over redistricting reform will continue in the General Assembly, with several other proposals still moving through the process and future opportunities for negotiations likely.

Listen to Senator Simpson’s comments from the floor debate today:

Simpson featured on Indiana Lawmakers

This week WFYI Public Television’s Indiana Lawmakers features leaders from each of the four caucuses including Senate Democrat Leader Senator Vi Simpson, Speaker of the House Pat Bauer, House Republican Leader Brian Bosma, and Republican Senator Jim Merritt.

In Indianapolis and Central Indiana, the show will air on Friday at 9:30 pm and Sundays at 1:30 pm on WFYI 1 (Ch. 20). It can also be heard Saturdays at 6:30 am on WFYI Public Radio 90.1FM

The show will available online at www.wfyi.org on Friday evening.

Read more about the 29th season of Indiana Lawmakers from the Indianapolis Star >

In the news: Simpson’s push for 2011 redistricting commission gains support

Last week Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson said she has supported for many years the concept of using an independent commission in the legislative redistricting process, as recently proposed by Senate Republicans. What she does not support, however, is the delay in implementing that concept for another decade.

In a statement on Nov. 12 Simpson said, “There is no reason that we cannot adopt the independent commission this year and improve the 2011 redistricting process,” Sen. Simpson said. “If this is a good idea for 2021, then why not institute it now?”

The idea is gaining support. From the Evansville Courier & Press Nov. 20 editorial:

But we tend to agree with Sen. Vi Simpson of Ellettsville, Democrat leader in the House, and with minority House Republicans.

They support the idea of an independent commission but do not want to wait another 10 years before seeing its creation.

In the news: Simpson weighs in on state layoffs

Senator Vi Simpson was featured on Indianapolis 6 News on Monday, November 16

Read the story and watch the video here >