I’ll have some thoughts about this over the weekend, but more than 100 employees of the Indianapolis Star protested Wednesday over pay and work conditions. I interviewed Newspaper Guild spokesman Robert King. I asked if a strike was possible. I found his response interesting. You can hear it below. It runs about 7 minutes total.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools just sent out the following e-mail regarding a lawsuit that they failed to prevent bullying against a student which resulted in suicide.
*******
We wanted to share a message with you first that we will also be sending to our parents via a Skylert email as well as our media contacts:
You may have heard that HSE is the target of a lawsuit claiming that we did not react appropriately to accusations of bullying. Our teachers and administrators took multiple steps to assist the student and his family. We will not discuss the details of our actions in the media, but we believe there are factors that are very different from the ones alleged in the lawsuit and portrayed in the media. We are prepared to present these matters to the court, which is the proper forum for this discussion.
We value the safety and security of all our students. The faculty and staff at Hamilton Southeastern Schools are respectful, earnest and diligent in their daily efforts to provide a safe and encouraging environment for all of our students. Their personal dedication and support for our students is exemplary, and we are grateful for their service to the schools and community. We also appreciate the support we receive from our parents and community.
Dr. Brian Smith
Superintendent of Schools
I was e-mailed this the other day. It started airing Sunday in Indianapolis and Ft. Wayne on the morning public affairs shows. It will also be running on cable TV in the Indy-metro area. This tells me the GOP is serious bout passing right to work legislation.
The following is reprinted from a news release from the Indiana Supreme Court.
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has issued a Public Admonition to Marion Superior Court Judge Rebekah F. Pierson-Treacy. The admonition is the result of language in an August 2011 invitation to an election fundraiser that gave the appearance that monetary campaign contributions would result in favorable court rulings.
Judge Pierson-Treacy admits the invitation included inappropriate statements and accepts the Public Admonition. She admits to violating Rule 1.2 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires judges to act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the judiciary.
More than six-hundred invitations to a fundraiser for Judge Pierson-Treacy’s re-election campaign were mailed to Indianapolis area residents. The invitations included “Suggested Contributions,” with the following recommended monetary amounts and legal monikers:
$150 “Sustained”
$250 “Affirmed”
$500 “So Ordered”
$1000 “Favorable Ruling”
Recipients of the invitations were directed to make checks payable to the “Re-Elect Judge Becky Committee.” Judge Pierson-Treacy stated the intention was to list the donation levels in an entertaining fashion.
Media reports related to the fundraiser suggested the invitation gave the appearance that “justice was for sale” in the judge’s courtroom. While there is no evidence the judge intended to barter rulings for contributions, the invitation presented a negative view of the judiciary.
The Commission determined the invitation likely gave the impression to the public that the judge’s rulings could be influenced by campaign contributions. As a result of the behavior, the Commission has issued a Public Admonition of Judge Pierson-Treacy and concluded its investigation into her conduct.
The 7-member Commission on Judicial Qualifications investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges. Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard chairs the Commission. The Indiana Supreme Court has final authority over judicial discipline. The Court gives the Commission discretion to issue a Public Admonition instead of filing formal charges against a judge when it determines a Public Admonition sufficiently addresses the misconduct and the judge consents to that resolution. The official censure from the Commission, the Public Admonition, is kept on file with the Commission and is posted online.
*******
Pierson-Treacy is the wife of Marion County Democratic Chairman Ed Treacy.
Some of my Democratic friends on the Indianapolis City-County Council are not happy campers right now. They are upset that outgoing Council President Ryan Vaughn is moving forward with a plan to draw new council maps. The first public hearing was held Monday. In-coming Council Vice President Brian Mahern called the move an act of war on bi-partisanship and think it is a power grab by the GOP. Not to monsoon on anyone’s political parade, but sometimes a cigar really is a just a cigar (sorry Angela, I couldn’t help myself). And I do think if Mahern and the Democrats took a closer look at the maps they would want to buy election attorney David Brooks dinner.
You see, instead of drawing a map that diluted Democratic voting strength and impaired minority voting powers, the maps (which I spent a good chunk of time Monday pouring over) not only meets the legal requirements set down by the state and federal governments and doubles the amount of minority participation by creating six Council districts with minority populations of more than 50% and two with more than 45%; one of them is 24% Hispanic.
In addition, based on 2010 recorder race numbers the maps at best create 10 districts each where Democrats and Republicans have a baseline of 55% of the voters and 5 districts which could be considered competitive. If you increase that number to 60% baseline, Democrats actually do better than Republicans.
The Districts are straight squares anymore, however, don’t forget that when the Indiana Supreme Court drew the maps 10 years ago there were about 900 precincts, now there are 600. I would also point out that in 2001 when new maps were drawn, then Mayor Bart Peterson spent about $170,000 on the process, adjusted for inflation in today’s dollars that would be about $210,000. The contract was for about $225,000.
This is why I am somewhat confused at my Democratic friends’ outrage. I am assuming that if these maps were to be pulled that Democrats would draw better maps with equal minority participation and competitiveness? It would be one thing if the Republicans pulled a Texas and purposely diluted minority and Democratic voting strengths, but from everything I as able to gather by actually sitting down and pouring over the data, Marion County is still as Democratic as it was last year. And if Democrats can field credible, intelligent, thoughtful candidates, they can win.
So once again, what’s the big deal?
I just spoke to Indianapolis Attorney David Brooks regarding the new proposed district maps. It’s in two parts. In part one, Brooks explains the process of drawing the new maps. In part two, he says the new maps increase minority participation on the Council and don’t give Republicans an advantage. the run time is about 7 minutes on each segment.
You can see the proposed new maps in our slideshare window on the right side of your screen. I’ll have more tomorrow, but I’m off to go teach.
While at the Statehouse on Organization Day, I took some time to speak to some of the protesters in the hallways about potential ‘Right to Work” (RTW) legislation. I made it a point to keep an open mind and listen to their arguments against RTW. After speaking to about half a dozen or so, I have come to the conclusion that the arguments against RTW are not based on logic, but based on emotion; albeit the emotion is fear and it is the most powerful of emotions, but it still a pathos-driven argument.
I reached the conclusion that the arguments were emotionally-based, because the “logical” arguments against RTW aren’t very logical at all. Allow me to walk through the main points.
Right to Work is really right to work for less
RTW is a way to break the unions
RTW allow non-union workers to “freeload” off the union.
RTW interferes with an employer’s right to contract
As you can see, most of the anti-RTW arguments ring hollow. The only argument anti-RTW proponents can make is the interference with an employer’s right to contract. But like I said, it’s a little late to find Jesus on this issue when these are same people who want to overregulate business in just about every other aspect, so please forgive me if I don’t take that argument too seriously.
And for the record, union membership in this country has been declining for years. Membership was about 23% in 1983, now it’s hovering about 10%. And who was it that cut off its nose to spite its face when the GM Stamping plant had a chance to stay open? Seems to me that the unions worst enemy isn’t RTW, it’s a mirror.
Watching the news this weekend about the silliness associated with Holiday shopping, this song immediately came to mind. The sad part is that it is more than 50 years old and still applies like it was yesterday. It also makes me glad I don’t celebrate Christmas.
I just wanted to take a quick moment and wish all of you Happy Thanksgiving! As heated as some of the debates get on this website we should all be thankful that we live in a country, despite it’s current problems, that allows us to freely debate these issues without political repercussion. Enjoy your day. I’ll be back Monday and I’m sure I’ll have something up that will get your blood boiling.
Outgoing City-County Council President Ryan Vaughn has unveiled his new proposed council district maps. By law new maps must be redrawn every ten years in accordance with the census. The move has been controversial as Democrats have complained Vaughn exceeded his authority in drawing the new maps and he should not have contracted with Election attorney David Brooks to do the work.
Vaughn says he was within his authority to do the new maps. He says the new maps create an even number of safe Republican and Democratic districts, protect minority representation and create about a half dozen competitive district while meeting state and federal requirements of keeping together communities of interest and compactness.
The maps are embedded below…
Vaughn plans to hold four public hearings on the maps and a vote could come at the December 19th City-Council Meeting. The meeting times are listed below.
November 28th 6-8pm
Wayne Township Fire Headquarters, 700 N. High School Rd. (2nd floor classroom A) (Elevator is available).
December 1st 6-8pm
John Boner Center, 2236 East 10th Street.
December 6th 6-8pm
Sterrett Center, 8950 Otis Avenue.
December 8th 6-8pm
City County Building, Public Assembly Room.
