Friend Report During halftime at a sporting event, the coach usually announces some offensive and defensive adjustments and then tells the team it needs to play smarter, better and harder. The coach will say, "We have to play to win. No shortcuts or let-ups allowed. Go, team, go." The General Assembly's halftime is similar. The surviving House and Senate bills are sent to the opposite chamber, and the players decide which ones participate in the rest of the game. The coaches will motivate, and the players must execute. In theory, it's pretty simple. In reality, it is difficult and unpredictable. The three one-year budgets produced by House Democrats will certainly be at the top of the list for strategic changes. Look for the Senate finance committees to put the budgets back together and make it a biennial product. The short session of the legislature was implemented in the 1970s to address financial emergencies and budget shortfalls. One more consideration: Doing a budget every year could turn the General Assembly into a full-time legislature. Indiana will look much like its neighbors - Ohio, Michigan and Illinois - as these states have full-time legislatures. Those states are also broke. There are some bills passed by the House in this first half that can best be described as nanny-state legislation. Bills that provide for a statewide smoking ban, limits on cell phone use, animal cruelty and nutritional information requirements may seem to be worthy goals. However, questions arise about enforcement of the laws, personal freedoms, property rights and personal responsibility. The ultimate question that follows from all others is, "Do we really need another law?" Sometimes we all need to step back and ask ourselves that question. The federal government is now beginning to release some of the stimulus money to state governments. Indiana has received $247 million for the Family and Social Services Administration to be used in welfare programs. It has also been announced INDOT will receive $440 million soon. There are more projects being unveiled by the administration to be funded by the money. How the money can be used is still being released. There are requirements to be met as Washington rolls out the money. Our second half of session has now begun. Time will tell if the coaches and players have listened well. We haven't been in a game like this one before, but I am confident we will have a positive outcome. It's your government. Pay attention and get involved. More later,
Bill Friend |
