Merely voting "no" against the Indy Works government consolidation plan wasn't enough for a legislator to lose the endorsement of the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.
Shouting no, though, was.
"The more vocal opponents did not receive our support," said Mark Fisher, business advocacy manager for the Chamber.
This meant that Rep. Phil Hinkle (R), the chief author who controlled the consolidation legislation, and Rep. Mike Murphy (R), county GOP chairman, did not get an endorsement. But the man who really calls the shots in the House, House Speaker Brian Bosma (R), and who could have used the power of his leadership position to force the consolidation legislation through the House but did not, got the Chamber's endorsement and a check for $1,000. All other Marion Co. Republican legislators also got the Chamber's endorsement, even though they too voted against the consolidation legislation. The local chamber did not endorse any challengers, including Hinkle's and Murphy's, only incumbent legislators.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce was equally as perplexed by the local chamber's endorsements, which also included an endorsement of Bosma's fiercest foe, Rep. Pat Bauer (D), who is in line to become Speaker once again if the Democrats recapture the House as most observers now expect will happen. Schneider writes:
"Are you shocked?" Bauer asked with a laugh.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce was.
Michael Davis, vice president of political affairs for the state Chamber, said the Democratic leader votes against the Chamber's agenda more than 75 percent of the time.
"He's not even close to being eligible for an endorsement."
Fisher, with the Greater Indianapolis Chamber, said Bauer was endorsed because "we respect the position."
If Democrats win the House, he said, "he will have influence over who sits on what committee and what issues get heard."
In other endorsement news, Senate Democratic candidate Russell Brown picks up an endorsement from the state AFL-CIO, a federation of more than 800 local unions throughout Indiana. "I am so pleased to have earned the endorsement of the Indiana State AFL-CIO," said Brown, "The working men and women of the AFL-CIO are the backbone of our communities and to have their support means a great deal." In addition to the support of the AFL-CIO, Brown has also been endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 135, United Steelworkers Local 1999 and the United Autoworkers Region 3. Brown is opposing Sen. Jim Merritt (R).
13 comments:
What's f***ed up about that you do notice the name of Al Oak the CEO of Paul I. Cripe on there? As he is - now just wait for it - one of the investors in the scheme to put a BAR in a GOVERNMENT BUILDING!!
Those endorsements are just simply fouled up. Sounds like some handouts to Pals of Peterson with a few R's just to not make it so obvious. Because Peterson wants to be Guv in 2008 - too bad he'll lose being Mayor in 2007!
That's funny that you mention that Sir Hailstone. Mary Dezalan, a former lobbyist for the Indianapolis Chamber, was interviewed on Fox 59 News a couple of weeks ago advocating for the bar at 300 East on behalf of the neighborhood business association. Go figure.
Isn't it interesting that the MSM runs stories about the Chamber endorsements but not labor endorsements?
"neighborhood business association" ?? You mean the pawn shops in the 20's along Meridian? The convenience store at 30th & College? The starbucks? The Safeway at 25th & Central oh wait that closed.
And a bar is supposed to help HOW?
That's "Marty", not "Mary."
Good for Russell. He has worked very hard in a tough district. Teamsters don't often support Dems these days.
Here's hoping there will be more endorsements for Russell. I wish I lived in his district.
Ah, Bosma and Bauer, the two B's (insert your own "b" word here) of our wonderful General Assembly. The current leadership of this esteemed body would be laughable if it didn't make me want to cry.
On one side, we have a buffoonish blowhard, who skillfully keeps his horrible toupee in place even with his foot in his mouth and his head up his ass.
On the other, a pretend-pious pompous ass, who only REALLY prays that he doesn't get caught being the phony that he is.
It's no wonder we hooooosiers have the reputation we have. The leadership in our State Legislature is absolutely pathetic.
10:07 AM: A-MEN
Speaker Bosma hides a great deal, doesn't he?
It's delicate tightrope to walk. Sooner or later, he'll fail.
This is the wrong thread on which to post this, but thought you oughta knowm Gary:
The prosecutors and team are raiding the Coroner's Office as we speak.
They're hauling out boxes of data.
It was Pat Bauer that held together the Democratic Caucus against Eric Miller's Anti-Marriage Amendment. Republican Bosma with his new majority forced it through.
The next session will determine if there is a "2nd reading" of that Amendment. Bosma will push it, Bauer likely will kill or stall it.
The Indianapolis Chamber has been and continues to be a lame player on the legislative scene. This idiotic move will do nothing but perpetuate that fact. Can anyone name one single piece of legislation (never mind something significant) that the Indianapolis Chamber has pushed through in recent years? And now, insiders are reporting that their highest priority is the proposal for a downtown casino. Meanwhile, no leadership on taxes. No leadership on education. No effective leadership on government consolidation. No leadership on anything that really matters in this town. (Oh, maybe they did help with the Colts bailout, but I'm not sure they even played a big role there.)
If business leaders in this town would wake up, the Indianapolis Chamber could be the second or third most influential organization in the State House. But at their current pace, our business leaders could simply save a lot of money by letting the bloated, ineffective organization die a silent death.
That isn't so Wilson. The vote in the House on SJR 7 was 76 to 23 with a bare majority of Democrats voting against. Among the 24 who voted for it: Majority Leader Russ Stillwell, Dale Grubb and Carolene Mays.
Rishawn, I believe Wilson is refering to this.
http://www.gayindy.org/amendment/
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