“The current House bill is the worst version yet, with truly awful consequences for Indiana.” 

That’s what Governor Mitch Daniels wrote in a letter to the Indiana Congressional delegation today.  The letter goes on to say that the bill would expand Medicaid, eliminate the Healthy Indiana Plan, and kill jobs.

He encourages Congressmen to follow the lead of Senator Richard Lugar who says now is not the time for health care reform.

There were two people in front of me when I stopped to vote this morning.  One more arrived before I left the parking lot.  That’s at a location where two precincts vote.  Turnout is obviously low for the Wishard Referendum.

The most interesting tactic of the campaign, meantime, has to be the big screen ad in support of the referendum for a new hospital during the Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday.  Will that lead to candidate ads during timeouts next year?  How far can we be from negative ads that include endorsements from Colts players?

If the Wishard folks don’t win this one they don’t deserve it.

Republicans in the Indiana House have finally found an opponent for Terri Austin.

The Anderson Democrat was viewed as vulnerable by some observers during the 2008 cycle including Republicans who hung a billboard in downtown Anderson challenging her positions, but the GOP failed to find a candidate to take her on the last time around.  Now Kim Builta, an Anderson mother, grandmother, and small buisness owner will take the plunge.

It’s just one more example of what’s at stake in a census year when the winning party will get to redistrict.

State Representative Ed DeLaney is home recuperating from the serious injuries suffered in a murder attempt on Saturday.

Ann DeLaney reports that her husband is still in considerable pain and will return for surgery after swelling goes down.   Accused attacker Augustus Mendenhall admitted today that he acted out of revenge for a 1980’s lawsuit involving his father and DeLaney.  Full details on 24 Hour News 8 at 5&6.

Ann DeLaney reports that her husband Ed is “remarkably better” as he recovers from a brutal attack on Saturday.  The state representative is eating for the first time but still hospitalized as the result of a murder attempt in Carmel. 

Ann DeLaney plans to meet with the media this afternoon.  Meantime, accused attacker Augustus Mendenhall will make his first court appearance today and is also planning to talk with the media.  Police will release a probable cause affidavit this morning.

State Representative Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) is being treated at Methodist hospital after an apparent murder attempt this afternoon.  Ed’s wife Ann reports that he was lured to a meeting in Carmel under false pretences by a man who pulled a gun on him.  When the gun jammed, the attacker used it to beat DeLaney, who suffered two broken bones in his face, as well as cuts, and bruises.  He will require surgery.

A passing motorist called police who stopped the beating, according to Ann DeLaney.

Reasons for the attack are unclear.  The attacker is under arrest.  More on WISH-TV @6.

We will have an interesting poll result today in response to the question with regard to the charitable foundation operated by a Congressman:  ”Has Steve Buyer been criticized unfairly?” 

Other topics:

-The proposed delay in the bailout for Indiana’s unemployment insurance fund

-Speaker Pat Bauer’s ethics reform proposal

-David Plouffe’s book account of Evan Bayh coming within a coin toss of being the VP

-5th District GOP primary maneuvering

-Centaur Gaming financial troubles

-Bloomington tree ordinance

Tim Ping has announced that he will oppose Mike Speedy in the GOP primary in House District 90 on the south side.  It’s the seat being vacated by Mike Murphy.

That’s a compound headache for Republicans.  Murphy leaves a safe seat to take part in a contested Congressional primary (5th CD) and a contested primary pops up in his wake.

State Senator Scott Schneider and state Representative Phil Hinkle will step up the opposition to the Wishard Hospital referendum this afternoon.

They plan a news conference in front of the new downtown library.  Look for them to suggest that Wishard could become a boondoggle on the level of the library construction.

Centaur Gaming, the owner of Hoosier Park Casino, reports that it didn’t make interest payments to senior lenders this week.

In a news release Centaur promises business as usual in Anderson but makes it clear that debt restructuring is ongoing.