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GAS PRICES REACH $4 A GALLON: Gas prices continued to climb Tuesday, reaching more than $4 a gallon in some parts of the Lafayette area. Prices increased by about 20 cents from Monday (Lafayette Journal & Courier). Prices varied greatly depending on where drivers went to fill up. .jpg)
According to the consumer-driven Web site gasbuddy.com, the price of gas in Lafayette ranged from $3.73 per gallon to $3.99 on Tuesday afternoon. A year ago, the average price in Lafayette was $3.17. In Brookston and Monticello, just north of Lafayette, prices at some stations were reported at $4.05 for a gallon on regular unleaded.
HPI TO TAKE A RESPITE: After a trip to Russia, an intense publishing schedule, the death of a congresswoman, the Iowa presidential caucus, 7th CD caususes, a special election, a legislative session, two poll briefings and a six-week presidential campaign, Howey Politics Indiana needs to take a respite to recharge, collect thoughts and kayak. This will be the last Daily Wire this week. The Daily Wire will return on Monday, May 19 and the next weekly will be published on May 22. The HPI website at www.howeypolitics.com will be updated during the hiatus with breaking news.
Presidential
VISCLOSKY ENDORSES OBAMA: U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky , D-Merrillville, announced his endorsement of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President early Wednesday, the Times of Northwest Indiana reported. Visclosky’s office issued the following statement by the congressman explaining his choice: “When our country was in its darkest hour at the height of the Great Depression, it required presidential leadership from the likes of Franklin Delano Roosevelt to set the nation on the right course. After two terms under President Bush, we are engaged in a calamitous war in Iraq, unemployment is rising as our jobs are outsourced overseas, gas prices are out of control, foreclosures are decimating our communities, and access to healthcare is diminishing by the day. Our country is once again in a dark hour and we need a new President to bring Americans together and change the country for the better. One choice is Senator John McCain. He would continue the war in Iraq for 100 years, tax our healthcare benefits, and make no effort to stop outsourcing jobs. A McCain presidency would equate to four more years of the Bush Administration, which our country cannot afford. My choice is Senator Barack Obama who promises to bring Americans together to reach pragmatic, progressive solutions to the problems we face. I have faith in Obama to redeploy our troops from Iraq, and to do it quickly. I believe that Obama, a former community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, would stand up for our steel industry. I have confidence that Obama’s energy plan will go a long way toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil by increasing our ability to produce renewable, non-carbon energy sources. I trust that Obama’s healthcare plan will begin moving us toward guaranteeing a minimum level of coverage for all. And I know that Senator Obama will respect the constitution and restore the rule of law. Right now, America needs a President who offers a vision of the future comprised of sensible solutions to today’s problems. We need a president who will bring people together, give them hope, spur change, and set the U.S. back on a course toward progress, prosperity, and global leadership." Visclosky’s endorsement came a day after U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly endorsed Obama. Only U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth is uncommitted in Indiana.
CLINTON TROUNCES OBAMA IN WEST VIRGINIA: Hillary Rodham Clinton coasted to a large but largely symbolic victory in working-class West Virginia on Tuesday, handing Barack Obama one of the worst defeats of the campaign yet scarcely slowing his march toward the Democratic presidential nomination (Associated Press). "The White House is won in the swing states. And I am winning the swing states," Clinton told cheering supporters at a victory rally. She coupled praise for Obama with a pledge to persevere in a campaign in which she has become the decided underdog. "This race isn’t over yet," she said. "Neither of us has the total delegates it takes to win." Obama looked ahead to the Oregon primary later in the month and to the general election campaign against Republican John McCain, but the West Virginia defeat underscored his weakness among blue collar voters who will be pivotal in the fall. "This is our chance to build a new majority of Democrats and independents and Republicans who know that four more years of George Bush just won’t do," Obama said in Missouri, which looms as a battleground state in November. "This is our moment to turn the page on the divisions and distractions that pass for politics in Washington," added the man seeking to become the first black presidential nominee of a major party. With votes from 69 percent of West Virginia’s precincts counted, Clinton was winning 66 percent of the vote, to 27 percent for Obama.
BUSH WARNS OF TERROR IN IRAQ PULLOUT: President Bush warned in an interview Tuesday that the Democratic presidential candidates’ plans to withdraw abruptly from Iraq could "eventually lead to another attack on the United States" and would "embolden" terrorists. In a White House interview with Politico and Yahoo News — a president’s first for an online audience — Bush said his doomsday scenario for a premature withdrawal “of course is that extremists throughout the Middle East would be emboldened, which would eventually lead to another attack on the United States." "The United States pulling out of Iraq or pulling out of the Middle East or not maintaining a forward presence would send all kinds of signals throughout the Middle East," he said in the Roosevelt Room. "And it would shake everybody’s nerves, and it would embolden the very same people that we’re trying to defeat.
Indiana Governor
FOOD WORKERS ENDORSES JLT: The United Food and Commercial Workers Union endorsed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson. Composed of approximately 11,700 members, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) represents retail, manufacturing, meat packing and processing, hair care and health care workers throughout the state (Howey Politics Indiana). "After four years of Mitch Daniels and policies that cost us thousands of good-paying jobs and hurt working families, Hoosiers need a change in the Governor’s office," said UFCW Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning. "We need Jill Long Thompson. As our next Governor, Jill will fight for our jobs and for our families. She’ll work with us to rebuild the economy, lower the cost of healthcare and improve the educational opportunities for our children," added Chorpenning. "We are proud to stand with Jill and pledge to do everything we can to help elect her Governor."
REP. CROOKS ON LG SEARCH: State Rep. Dave Crooks told Howey Politics Indiana he talked with gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson the day after her primary win, though the lieutenant governor nomination was not discussed. HPI included Crooks on its "long" list. Crooks said he believes that Thompson’s search will likely look into a Southern Indiana legislator. "I do believe it will be a current or former legislator from the South," Crooks said.
Indiana Republican Convention
HOWARD COUNTY GOP CHAIR ENDORSES COSTAS: Howard County Republican Chairman Craig Dunn endorsed Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas for attorney general (Howey Politics Indiana). "The 2008 General Election will not be easy for the Republican Party. Many forces are at work to make the election of Republican candidates a difficult task in November," Dunn said. "The Governor’s election is not the only critical race at stake. Legislative battles will be tough and so will local races involving Commissioners, County Council, Treasurer and Auditor. How Governor Daniels fares in his race will directly impact all of our Republican team throughout the ticket. Our state-wide ticket will require the necessary geographical balance and campaigning ability to assure our victory in every part of Indiana. From Lake County to Evansville, we will need every single vote we can garner. I have known Jon Costas for over twenty years. I first met Jon while serving as Finance Chairman for Jim Butcher’s Congressional campaign. Jon provided that campaign significant energy and was a continued source of sage advice."
Nation
3RD DEMOCRAT HOUSE WIN HAS IMMENSE IMPLICATIONS: Democrat Travis Childers of Mississippi won a long-time Republican Congressional seat, the third pick up of the year, signalling a potential Democratic wave developing. The GOP tried to tie Childers to Barack Obama.
30% HOUSEHOLDS USE ONLY CELLPHONES: For nearly three in 10 households, don’t even bother trying to call them on a landline phone. They either only have a cell phone or seldom if ever take calls on their traditional phone (Associated Press). The federal figures, released Wednesday, showed that reliance on cells is continuing to rise at the expense of wired telephones. In the second half of last year, 16 percent of households only had cell phones, while 13 percent also had landlines but got all or nearly all their calls on their cells. The number of wireless-only households grew by 2 percent since the first half of last year. Underscoring the rapid growth, in early 2004 just 5 percent had only cell phones. Households with cell phones who rarely if ever use their landlines grew by 1 percent since the first half of last year.
Indiana General Assembly
MEEKS ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT: Longtime public servant Robert Meeks, R-LaGrange, said Tuesday he is “going out on my terms,” ending his 20-year tenure in the Indiana Senate by announcing he would not seek re-election. He has served Senate District 13, which covers parts of LaGrange, Noble, DeKalb, Kosciusko and Steuben counties, since 1988 and was set to seek his sixth term (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). But recent health problems have led him to withdraw from the fall election while serving out the remainder of his term this year. “I don’t want to do this. This is not my first choice. I would prefer to stay here,” Meeks said in an emotional Statehouse news conference. “The job in the Senate requires 110 percent of your body. My body is no longer able to provide that.” He missed several weeks during the 2008 legislative session after suffering a stroke on his right side. And since the session let out in mid-March, he suffered another stroke and spent several days in a Fort Wayne hospital after a fainting spell. A caucus of precinct committee members will choose a Republican replacement candidate to fill Meeks’ slot on the November ballot within 30 days of when he officially withdraws, which will be June 6. Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said he wouldn’t name a new Appropriations Committee chairman until after the November election.
DANIELS CALLS MEEKS A ‘ROCK FOR TAXPAYERS’: Statement from Gov. Mitch Daniels about Senator Bob Meeks’ decision to remove his name from November’s general election ballot: “Bob Meeks has been a great friend, and more importantly, a rock for taxpayers. We could not have brought Indiana from bankruptcy to today’s strong fiscal position without him. He’s the best partner a governor could have when it comes to helping the state live within its means.” (Howey Politics Indiana)
SKILLMAN STATEMENT ON MEEKS: Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman statement regarding Senator Bob Meeks’ decision to remove his name from November’s general election ballot: “I had the pleasure of working with Bob Meeks during my 12 years in the Senate, in addition to working with him on state budgets since Governor Daniels and I assumed office. Hoosier taxpayers were the real winners under Senator Meeks’s leadership. He had a firm grasp of the legislative process as well as a firm grasp on the state’s pocketbook, as he played a key role in keeping state spending to a minimum.” (Howey Politics Indiana)
SOUDER LAUDS MEEKS: U.S. Rep. Mark Souder released the following statement today regarding the retirement of Indiana State Senator Robert Meeks: “Senator Meeks has been dedicated to serving the needs and hopes of this area for many years. His powerful leadership in the Indiana Senate has combined responsible budget stewardship with strong advocacy for our region. We will all miss his presence in our Indiana government.” (Howey Politics Indiana)
CORRECTION: In reporting of Sen. Meeks’ impending retirement announcement on Tuesday, HPI incorrectly said that State Sen. Ronnie Alting was cued up to become a budget committee adviser. State Sen. Brandt Hershman was actually appointed to that position; Alting has been designated the chair the Senate Commerce Committee. HPI reported those changes last month.
REPS. BELL, STUTZMAN LIKELY TO PURSE MEEKS’ SEAT: HPI Republican sources say that State Reps. Matt Bell of Avilla and Marlin Stutzman of Howe will likely pursue SD 13 nomination vacated by State Sen. Robert Meeks. Stutzman has been in the House since 2003 and Bell since 2005 (Howey Politics Indiana).
Congress
LUGAR WARNS OF GROWING FOOD CRISIS IN 40 COUNTRIES: U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar warned of a growing global food crisis in his opening Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today. Lugar cited a drop in U.S. assistance for rural development and agricultural productivity (Howey Politics Indiana). "The U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Food Program, and the Food and Agriculture Organization estimate that people in nearly 40 countries are now facing food shortages and potential social unrest because of the increase in food prices and the decrease in the global availability of some cereal grains," Lugar said. "The current crisis has developed from a complex web of factors. Expanding affluence in emerging economies like China and India has improved diets for hundreds of millions of people and led to increased global demand for food. Simultaneously, the highest oil prices on record have driven up food costs all along the farm-to-market chain. The surge in oil prices has increased transportation, packaging, and fertilizer costs; and provided the impetus for developing alternative fuels, such as ethanol. We have also experienced droughts in some food exporting countries, expanded trade barriers, a weakening of the U.S. dollar, increased commodities speculation, and market-distorting subsidies. These factors have come together to make the current food problem particularly acute. But we should be clear that food shortages are likely to recur frequently if the United States and the global community fail to open agricultural trade and invest in agricultural productivity in the developing world." Lugar said that it was "unfortunate" that the United States and other international donors have de-emphasized assistance for rural development and agricultural productivity. In 1980, agricultural projects accounted for 30 percent of the World Bank’s lending. By 2007, they represented less than 13 percent. "U.S. foreign assistance for agriculture has declined from an average of a little over $1 billion annually in the 1980s to an average of $328 million since 2000," Lugar said.
SOUDER WANTS RELEASE OF STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE: U.S. Rep. Mark Souder voted today for House passage of H.R. 6022, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008, which would temporarily suspend oil shipments to the federal government’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The bill passed the House by a majority of 385-25 (Howey Politics Indiana). “Gas prices are skyrocketing at the pump, and we’re all feeling it,” Souder said. “Moreover, Hoosier employers, especially those manufacturing pick-ups and RVs, need help, too. The federal government has been growing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for years, and I believe that we can afford to halt further deposits in the reserve given the current, extreme circumstances. The current situation, however, shows that we desperately need a long-term solution to our nation’s energy problem,” Souder added. “Congress needs to pass an energy bill that actually produces energy. We can—and should—reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lower gas prices by increasing our domestic energy resources, including nuclear power, alternative energies, coal, and domestic oil drilling and refining capacity.”
BAYH URGES PROTECTION OF STEEL JOBS: Senator Evan Bayh today called on the International Trade Commission (ITC) to continue to take steps to protect American jobs and the U.S. steel industry from imports of unfairly traded steel pipe from China (Howey Politics Indiana). During his testimony, Bayh pointed out that American steel producers, including hot-rolled steel and pipe and tube manufacturers in Indiana, are being undercut by circular welded steel pipe sold in the United States at as much as 85 percent below fair market value. In November, the U.S. Department of Commerce determined that Chinese companies producing circular welded steel pipe are subsidized by their government, giving them an unfair advantage in the world market over U.S. producers.
State
ROKITA NOTES PROVISIONAL BALLOT DEADLINE: Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita would like to remind those Hoosiers who cast provisional ballots during this year’s primary election, that they have until noon this Friday, May 16, to appear before their county election board to present documentation or other evidence that their provisional ballot should be counted (Howey Politics Indiana). The common thought among those who cast provisional ballots is that their ballot "won’t count," because the election results have already been posted. The Indiana Election Division does not certify the election results until the 10-day provisional ballot process has passed, giving Hoosiers an opportunity to complete their individual voting process. "For those Hoosiers who cast provisional ballots this year, I urge you to take the next step and verify your ballot," said Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita. "Per Indiana Election Law, you have until noon this Friday to present a documentation or other evidence to your county election board. If you are in need of a Photo ID, one can be obtained through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles."
DANIELS BREAKS GROUND ON US231: Gov. Mitch Daniels, together with local and state officials, broke ground today on two additional segments of the US 231 Corridor in Spencer County (Howey Politics Indiana). In all, the US 231 Corridor, which will improve access between Kentucky and Interstate 64, is a $146 million project. Contracts totaling $47.7 million have been awarded for this portion of corridor. “Because, and only because of the Major Moves transaction, our wait for a bigger, better US 231 is over. And because we have the dollars to build it now, it will cost millions less than was expected, and we’ll invest those savings in more roads and more jobs,” said Daniels. The original estimated cost of the corridor was nearly $163 million, with a projected completion date of 2014. But because the project has been accelerated by three years, the Indiana Department of Transportation has been able to reduce its cost. The US 231 corridor project will fulfill a long-standing commitment by the state, local government, regional planning commissions, and citizens to improve US 231 between the Ohio River and Interstate 64. Studies on improvements to US 231 were initiated years ago for safety and economic development reasons.
INDIANA REMOVES BALD EAGLES FROM ENDANGERED LIST: Bald eagles have been removed from Indiana’s endangered species list, and state wildlife biologists released one of the birds to mark the event (Associated Press). The eagle that was released Tuesday at Monroe Reservoir had been "rehabbed" after its rescue from an emaciated condition early last month. It grew from 6 pounds to 9 pounds while being looked after by the nonprofit Wild Care Inc. The state began trying to restore the eagles in 1985 and today has about 100 nesting pairs, said biologist John Castrale of the Department of Natural Resources. The bird was removed from the national endangered species list last June and from Indiana’s list early this month. "The eagle, once a sign of imperiled wildlife, will now be the sign of conservation success," DNR Director Robert E. Carter Jr. said in a statement. "Thousands of Hoosiers now have a good chance of seeing one of these majestic birds in the wild in our home state." The agency reintroduced 73 young eagles from 1985-89. The first successful nests in the state in more than 90 years were documented in 1991. The state now classifies the bald eagle as a ’species of special concern,’ meaning monitoring and management will continue to a lesser degree. The birds also are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
SKILLMAN TO UNVEIL TOUR ONLINE PROMOTION: Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman is expected to make an announcement this morning about a new, online summer promotion from the Indiana Office of Tourism Development. The promotion is meant to draw attention to three different travel opportunities in Indiana this summer (Inside Edge).
MOBILE BMV COMES TO CHESTERTON: With gasoline closing in on $4 a gallon, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles saved Duneland area residents money by parking the new BMV2You mobile license branch in front of the Town Hall on Tuesday (Post-Tribune). The first customer arrived 20 minutes before the 9 a.m. opening and the office remained open 50 minutes after the scheduled 4 p.m. closing to take care of everyone who came in for driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and titles and voter IDs. "This saves me a trip to Portage for car and truck plates. I just found out about it while I was eating breakfast at Peggy Sue’s," said retiree Ben Hittle, standing first in line. Standing behind him, Melanie Knight, also from Chesterton, said, "I just purchased a new car and have to get my driver’s license renewed. I was on my way to the license branch in Michigan City and saw it as I drove by." Most of the 10 people there at the opening said they learned about the visit from newspapers. A few said they remembered the closing of the Chesterton BMV office in July 2005.
STATE APPROVES LAKE REBATES: The Lake County Auditor’s Office acted correctly in withholding property tax rebate checks from homeowners who had already benefited from a county property tax cap, state finance officials said Tuesday (Post-Tribune). Thousands of property owners in Lake County have been incensed in recent days upon opening their mail to learn they got no money back as part of the General Assembly’s massive statewide 2007 tax relief program. The county instead plans to send $9.8 million to local governments which lost that much in property tax revenue because of the tax cap. State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, called Tuesday for Attorney General Steve Carter to rule on whether the county interpreted the law correctly. "This isn’t what I voted for," Brown said. Lake County Auditor Peggy Katona said she was instructed by the State Auditor’s Office to treat the property tax rebates like homestead credits, and issue them only to homeowners whose rebates exceed the amount of property tax savings they enjoyed from the county’s 2007 property tax cap. Katona’s office did distribute about $28 million in rebates to homeowners.
GAY BSU STUDENTS ATTACKED: A gay Ball State University student said he and his friends were attacked because of their sexuality, leaving him with a scratched cornea, a swollen eye, cuts and bruises (Associated Press). Kyle Flood, 21, of Indianapolis said the attack occurred around 3 a.m. Friday as he and four friends were leaving Moe’s bar. Two college-age men on foot approached the group and started cursing Flood and his friends, referring to their sexuality. Pushing and shoving ensued, and Flood said he was knocked to the ground and punched in the face. "I consider it a hate crime," said Flood, who was treated for his injuries at Ball Memorial Hospital. No arrests had been made as of Monday.
Cities
KOKOMO GROUP TO FIGHT ANNEXATION Opponents of the proposed annexation by the city of Kokomo have an uphill battle that will be waged on two fronts at the same time (de la Bastide, Kokomo Tribune). To stop an annexation, 65 percent of effected property owners must sign a petition in opposition, the signatures must be notarized and presented to a circuit or superior court within 90 days of the ordinance being approved. Because the city’s proposed annexation of 14.2 square miles is divided into two separate ordinances, one covering east of the city limits and the second covering the area west of the city limits, it appears two annexation remonstrances will have to be undertaken. Local attorney Dan May intends to take an active role in the remonstrance effort as both a property owner in Stony Brook subdivision and by representing others opposed to the annexation.
SHELBYVILLE OKs TIF DISTRICT: Despite the impassioned pleas of about 80 county residents inside City Hall and a smattering of picket signs on sidewalks outside, the Shelbyville Redevelopment Commission voted unanimously Monday night to create a tax increment financing district at the Fairland interchange of Interstate 74 (Shelbyville News).
Education
CLARK SCHOOLS LAY OFF 15: The Greater Clark County School Board voted yesterday to lay off 15 teachers as part of a $2.5 million budget cut as long-running contract negotiations with the system’s teachers union continue. In addition to the layoffs, seven other teachers have decided to retire, resign or take a leave of absence, and their positions won’t be filled, said Sandy Lewis, Greater Clark’s general counsel (Louisville Courier-Journal). The jobs of three teachers aides also were eliminated. Superintendent Tony Bennett said he still hopes to avoid layoffs if the Greater Clark Education Association and the school system can agree on an early retirement plan.
Economy
PFIZER LEAVING TERRE HAUTE; 800 JOBS GONE: Pfizer Inc. will shut down its Terre Haute plant by mid-2009 and put its manufacturing site up for sale (Terre Haute Tribune-Star). “We don’t have any other products to put here,” Pfizer spokesman Rick Chambers said Tuesday. “We will look at whether or not there are parties out there interested in buying it. We will be exploring that,” Chambers said. The closure will complete a total loss of nearly 800 jobs at Pfizer since 2007. Pfizer had previously announced it would keep 140 workers through the end of this year, yet local officials had hoped Pfizer could bring in a new long-term use for its facility.
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES UP 65%: More U.S. homeowners fell behind on mortgage payments last month, driving the number of homes facing foreclosure up 65 percent versus the same month last year and contributing to a deepening slide in home values, a research company said Tuesday (Associated Press). Nationwide, 243,353 homes received at least one foreclosure-related filing in April, up 65 percent from 147,708 in the same month last year and up 4 percent since March, RealtyTrac Inc. said.
LISTEN TO FORECLOSURE CRISIS ORIGINS: Chicago Public Radio’s This American Life did one of the best jobs in explaining the mortgage foreclosure crisis last week with its story, "The Giant Pool of Money." You can listen to it at http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=355
CORRECTION: CORRECTION: In Mark Schoeff’s column in the May 8 edition of Howey Politics Indiana, the last name of Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama was inadvertently misspelled. He was referred to as "Osama." Schoeff regrets the typo.
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