The most important task facing the Indiana General Assembly this year was the adoption of a new state budget. It is appalling that the state lawmakers failed to accomplish this essential task in its regular session.
Blame for the mandatory overtime session falls squarely on the shoulders of House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend.
Bauer proved himself to be a ruthless obstructionist in the regular session.
Legislation that would have brought local government reform -- saving the taxpayers money as well as making government more efficient -- was dead on arrival in the House. State Rep. Dan Stevenson's bid to abolish township government didn't even get a hearing. Bauer made sure other local government reform proposals died a horrible death at the hands of a clownish freshman committee chairman.
Rep. Linda Lawson's bill on expanding merit selection for judges in Lake County wasn't assigned to the Judiciary Committee she chairs, and her bill didn't get a hearing.
Sen. Frank Mrvan's push to require financial reports by casino-funded groups was thwarted. The Democratic leadership's lame excuse was that a recent Indiana Supreme Court ruling will allow the Indiana attorney general's lawsuit against East Chicago's Second Century development firm to continue. The Democrats led by Bauer wanted to see how that plays out first. Meanwhile, we're still waiting to see how millions of dollars in public money was spent by Second Century.
In the budget battle, Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, and Bauer were at odds over how much money should be kept in reserve. Daniels should have been more clear on what levels of spending and reserves he considers acceptable. But Bauer should see the wisdom of keeping the safety cushion in place until it's clear how far the state's economy will far before the downturn clearly is reversed.
The Legislature's rules call for a long session in years in which the biennial budget is crafted.
Lawmakers had plenty of time to reach agreement on a budget that is sufficiently frugal yet funds essential government services and invests in the state's future.
Shame on Indiana lawmakers for not getting the job done in the time allotted. And shame on Bauer for being such an obstructionist.
The special session has not been called yet. The governor and legislative leaders should work together on a suitable proposal so the lawmakers aren't just spinning their wheels when they return to the Statehouse.
The regular session's abysmal performance must not be repeated.
