Lawmakers have gone to caucus to consider proposals that are not yet printed out.  Long says he plans to wrap up the work for the year yet tonight.

On the key bill to delay the bailout of the unemployment insurance system Republicans have agreed to drop demands for a 2-year delay.  The bill will mandate a 1-year delay.

President Pro Tem David Long declined to talk to the media, saying that only, “We’re talking.  We need to let things percolate.”

Long promised more information later and said he wouldn’t shut reporters out of the process.

The Indiana House passed a motion to adjourn until 1:30 tomorrow just before Senate President Pro Tem David Long headed into the office of House Speaker Pat Bauer.   On his way in the door I posed a one word question to Long, “Tomorrow?”   “Apparently,” was the answer.

Republican leaders met with Mitch Daniels for about an hour after the governor met with Democratic House Speaker Pat Bauer.

Long says House Democrats canceled a negotiating session this morning but the two sides can solve things if they just sit down and talk.  He wouldn’t predict a timeline.

There is no progress being reported but also no apparent animosity.

On that front, Bauer lunched yesterday with Senate President Pro Tem David Long and both appeared cheerful when returning seperately to the Statehouse.

Sen. Hershman, who is running for Congress, left the Statehouse to attend the Boone County Lincoln Day Dinner this evening at a time when, Bauer says, “We had some rhythm going.  I don’t know if we can restore it.”

Senate GOP Leader David Long bristled at the suggestion calling Bauer’s remarks “a falsehood.”  Long says Hershman’s absence had “zero impact” on negotiations.  “That’s one of the most unfair comments I’ve ever heard in my political career,” said Long.

Meantime, Long says it make sense for lawmakers to come back tomorrow to finish up the 2010 Session.  Bauer says Democrats have done everything to be able to go home tonight.

-The bill eliminates the revolving door for legislators seeking to become lobbyists.  If the bill becomes law they must now wait one year before lobbying former colleagues. 

-It requires university lobbyists to register for the first time.  

-All lobbyists must meet stricter reporting guidelines.

-And, it includes the Rokita provision.  It eliminates the appearance of state officeholders in public service ads, a trick Secretary of State Todd Rokita has mastered.

Senate President Pro Tem David Long says he expects the Indiana House to agree to changes made in the bill and send it on to the governor’s desk.

Steele says it’s unenforceable even though it passed the Indiana House 95-to-3.  Some Senators who support the bill also support the committee chairman’s right to choose which bills get heard.

Long says the issue is off the table for this year.

Democrats take it seriously as they are already attacking the Coats record (including his votes in Virginia as recently as November),  though Bayh is the last guy to challenge someone on residency requirements.

State Senate Leader David Long, meantime, made it clear he is still for Marlin Stutzman in the GOP primary, so while this may no longer be confusing, it is complicated, even if Coats can make the signature requirement to get on the ballot.  It will be tough.

Long issued one other news release today.  It announces the hiring of Adam Harrison as a GOP Senate Policy Analyst.  Is there a disconnect here?