Topics to be discussed on Indiana Week in Review today:

Evan Bayh’s voting record.  Is there a shift to the right this year?

Cap and Trade opponents rally in Indianapolis

Baron Hill’s Tele-town hall plans

André Carson’s lack of town hall plans

Dress Code protest at Richmond High School

Mitch Daniels’ misunderstood remarks about motorcycle helmet use

The City County Council votes on hikes in hospitality taxes Monday to fund the Capital Improvement Board and pay for the upkeep of professional sports stadiums and the convention center.  Will Republicans have to bear the burden alone? 

Democrat William Oliver said today that he’s still waiting to hear from Governor Mitch Daniels and Mayor Greg Ballard while indicating that he will be a “no” vote.   Democrat Paul Bateman says he will follow the caucus lead with his vote. 

That can’t be a good sign for supporters of the bailout.

#fb

Thoughts I felt I should share based on recent and upcoming news events: 

-The recent firing of two Republican ward chairs supports my theory that GOP leaders  worry about the conservative direction of the party at a time where is opportunity for growth in the middle of the political spectrum.

-Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-California) planned subcommittee hearing in New Albany tomorrow points up that Rep. Baron Hill (D-9th District) really does have clout in the health care debate.  Will the hearing convince Hill to support President Barack Obama, or give him political cover to vote against him?

-Sarah Palin’s exit from office causes Mitch Daniels national profile to rise even more.

With all the speculation about Mitch Daniels place in the GOP, the encouragement for him to run for President, and his stated desire to return to private life after 2012, here’s a question:  Why does the governor maintain a political website?

mymanmitch.com is up to date with video of speeches, news accounts, lists of accomplishments.. and .. a place to donate money. 

It could be that Daniels needs the money to help out other candidates and not himself, maybe candidates for the Indiana House in 2010.   He has a huge interest in the battle for control there.

But, could he be leaving a door open?

That’s the way Democratic lawmakers portrayed portions of the state budget debate:   more money for prisons in exchange for higher education funding. 

Today we learned that Indiana University President Michael McRobbie is recommending tuition hikes of 4.6% after getting no increase in funding.   Tomorrow we will learn of steps being taken to better use prison facilities.  In a radio interview recently Mitch Daniels expressed a desire to avoid new prison construction for a couple of years while spelling out the need for new cells.

Several of us in the Statehouse press corps hold a ritual post mortem each legislative session and we name the session, among other things.

This year’s choice is The Blade versus the Boss.  

The Blade, Governor Mitch Daniels, was asked this morning if he had spoken to the Boss, Speaker Pat Bauer, since passage of the budget.  Said the governor, “No, he hasn’t called.”

Bauer’s response to the same question:  “He hasn’t called, he hasn’t written.”

Bauer called it his most frustrating session.  It was his 39th.  The governor said his feelings about the session don’t matter.

Governor Mitch Daniels called reporters into his office on short notice to declare that steps are being taken to shut down state government at midnight Tuesday.

Daniels says that the prisons will operate and state police will stay on the road but most other functions of government will stop.

Unemployment and welfare checks will be issued.

Jane Jankowski in the governor’s office reports that Mitch Daniels will not pursue chairmanship of the RGA.  Haley Barbour of Mississippi has been asked to take the post.

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford resigned this afternoon as Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association after admitting an affair.

Is Mitch Daniels a possible replacement?  Look for some at the national level to suggest it.

Special Session facts:

-The budget conference committee in the General Assembly is meeting and hearing testimony.  That means that members are not engaged in negotiations. 

-Governor Mitch Daniels and Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman are on the road selling the GOP budget plan.  That means they are not engaged in negotiations.

-Republicans stand by a 2-year spending plan, Democrats stand by a 1-year proposal.  

-In many significant ways the standoff has not changed since late April.

-Time is running out.

-The one good sign is that there is an increase in tension between the Parties today.  The old Statehouse bromide is that you need a blowup before you can reach a compromise.  Maybe one is building.