I’m finishing up some teaching commitments today, but Brian Howey and DePauw University have the latest in the Lugar-Mourdock race. I’ve reprinted their news released with the latest polling data.  I’ll have some perspective this weekend. ******** INDIANAPOLIS – U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar’s iconic career of elected public service appears to be in great [...]

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma admits that while the Indiana General Assembly  has had to deal with some “side issues” he tells the Statehouse press corps he is generally pleased with what lawmakers have done and thinks they can workout their remaining issues like the smoking ban and a Hoosier’s right to resist an unlawful [...]

The Associated Press is reporting this morning that Indiana Unions are making a desperate bid in shops and labor halls across the state to keep their members from bolting.  I say, good, and I wish them luck. This stems from the passage of “right to work” which now makes it illegal  for an employer to [...]

Smoking bans will get taken up on both ends of  Market Street Monday.  The Indiana House of Representatives will vote on a proposal that would ban smoking in most public places except casinos and racinos, cigar bars, private clubs, and hookah bars.  It would also grant an 18-month exemption to bars and taverns in order [...]

I was already to scribble down a thought or two tonight about the latest on the walkout (TRO issued on fines, whether Dems will be back next week, Super Bowl protests, etc).  And then this came across my laptop.  Enjoy… Call it a threat or promise.  A letter sent out by the IBEW #725 in [...]

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma says if Democrats don’t show up for work at 9 a.m. Wednesday, he will start levying $1,000 a day fines.  Democrats say they have no intention of paying. The fines are the result of a tumultuous afternoon at the Statehouse where Democrats refused to come back from an afternoon caucus [...]

Don’t be surprised if you wake up on March 15th (the same days as the Ides of March, ironically) and find yourself in the 23rd “Right to Work” (RTW) state in the country.   RTW for Indiana is inevitable.  A full House vote is coming, and RTW will pass.  It won’t be a sweeping majority, I [...]

As Indiana lawmakers get ready for the joint House and Senate committee hearing on “right to work” (RTW) today, I got to thinking about the Ball State poll that was done on the subject.  It has been the only independent poll on the subject.  As part of its 2011 survey, the Bowen Center for Public [...]

Will someone please tell me why most unions and labor are afraid of “right to work”?  It’s almost like a phobia.   Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels released a statement Thursday in support of “Right to Work” and is expected to reiterate that support today in a speech in downtown Indianapolis.   His argument is basically that an [...]

As Indiana lawmakers get ready to return to the Statehouse for Organization Day this Tuesday,  the big 800 lb. gorilla in the room is “right to work” (RTW).  Speculations and rumors have run amok over whether Republicans will take up the measure this session and whether Democrats will try to use every procedure in the [...]