Workers are busy in the state Senate chamber today in advance of Organization Day in the General Assembly tomorrow.  They must restore order to the space that was renovated over the summer.  This morning the activity included moving furniture and testing the sound system.   Some of the offices are still uninhabitable.

The new wallpaper and carpeting, meantime, are striking.   The blue carpet bears 19 star designs designating Indiana’s status as the 19th state.  The wallpaper is YELLOW!  One Republican staffer says it’s also the same wallpaper you find at MCL Cafeteria.

The immigration bill passed by the Indiana House Public Policy Committee didn’t get recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee, according to Chairman Bill Crawford, despite the fact that it has a $1.5 million appropriation in it.

Now its too late.  Crawford announced this evening that his committee is done with its work for the session.  According to House Rules re-committal was not mandatory but it is customary.

Questions:

Will someone object to a vote on the House floor? 

What happens then? 

Is this a strategy to kill the bill?

State Representative Dick Dodge (R-Pleasant Lake) joined Sen. David Ford and Sen. Glenn Howard on the hospital list today. 

Rep. Charlie Brown announced during a committee hearing that Dodge fell ill and is undergoing tests.  These may well be three isolated occurrences, but I think a case can still be made for the pressure lawmakers are under.  The property tax furor combined with Election year stress makes this year different than most under the dome.

There is talk about threats on lawmakers from angry voters, but the stress alone could be their biggest threat.

Lawmakers may well pursue bi-partisan solutions to the property tax crisis this year, but that won’t stop Democrats who control the Indiana House from going their own way on occasion.

Those Democrats started the 2008 session today with a veto override of a bill that gives tax credits to filmmakers.

It may be little more than a gesture with the Republican controlled state Senate standing by to protect Governor Mitch Daniels, but, coming on the first day day, it sends the message that Democrats want their views addressed.