Senate President Pro Tem David Long just announced two new committee chairmanships.  Luke Kenley takes over the Appropriations Committee post vacated by the retirement of Bob Meeks.

Brandt Hershman gets Kenley’s old post at Tax and Fiscal Policy.

That puts Kenley in charge of the new state budget.

Mary Mendel left the staff of the State Senate today becoming the most recent of the Bob Garton loyalists to depart.

As Secretary of the Senate she held on longer than most after the 2006 defeat of the then-longtime Senate President Pro Tem.  Her departure coincides with an effort by new Senate Leader David Long to create a more open administration.

Reporters fatigued by Mendel’s attempts to shut down the Senate information flow on occasion literally danced in the halls today.

Senator David Ford will be remembered as a bright and independent legislator willing to buck his party and his governor when he felt it necessary.

Sen. Ford was tough and determined and proved it in his final days.  Just last Thursday Sen. David Long told me that Ford intended to return to the Statehouse for one final vote this week or next.  Word came to the Statehouse just yesterday that his health had taken a turn. 

Governor Mitch Daniels had a Sagamore of the Wabash delivered to his home yesterday.

What if the immigration bill now before the Indiana House of Representatives dies?

I asked that question at a news conference this morning and Senate President Pro Tem David Long said, “It will not be the end of the world.”

So, I asked Governor Mitch Daniels what he thought of Long’s remark.  He said, “I defer to the Senator.”

Bill author, Sen. Mike Delph meantime,  says the future of the bill aimed at employers who hire illegal immigrants is in the hands of legislative leadership.

I just received a copy of a letter to the editor jointly authored by Senate President Pro Tem David Long and Senate Minority Leader Richard Young. 

The letter promises property tax relief and tax reform, but that’s not what’s interesting.  What’s interesting is that Republicans and Democrats continue to work together both in public and behind the scenes to give taxpayers what they want.  (Whether schools and public officials get what they want is another thing.)

This short session of the General Assembly continues to be one-of-a-kind with public input that began in the summer and bi-partisan problem solving that causes disorientation for those of us who began watching this process long ago.  (You know, I remember when it took three days to pick a House Speaker.)

The governor reported meetings with legislative leaders last week and Senate Republicans began negotiating with House Democrats weeks ago, evidence that the end game began very early this year.

There’s an old theory in the hallways that you need a blowup before you get an agreement on major issues like property tax reform.

This could be the year that theory doesn’t hold up.