There are nine Indiana House of Representatives districts in Lake and Porter counties with competitive races this time. Today we'll examine the first four.
Among the issues the winners will have to deal with is implementation of the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform's recommendation for streamlining local government. That bipartisan panel was led by former Gov. Joe Kernan and Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard.
That group proposed sweeping changes to restructure local government, bringing it from an 1850s model into one more suited for the 21st century.
Other major decisions facing the General Assembly include extension of South Shore passenger rail service and approving a referendum on a constitutional amendment to lock in the property tax caps.
District 1
Democrat Linda Lawson, the incumbent, deserves credit for her work in the General Assembly, especially in the courts and criminal justice field.
She is working on legislation to help Lake County consolidate the courts in Crown Point and on expanding the merit selection process for judges. We endorse Lawson.
Republican Fernando Urzua, asked about the South Shore extension, said, "I don't care what happens in Lowell or Valpo." But state representatives must consider the needs of the entire region and the entire state, not just those in their district.
District 4
Democrat Larry Chubb is opposed to the property tax caps but keen on phasing out property taxes. He's cool toward the Kernan-Shepard recommendations. He seems to shoot from the hip.
Republican Ed Soliday, a former United Airlines vice president, understands about business and transportation needs. He wants to make government more accountable -- as the Kernan-Shepard commission recommends -- and wants the South Shore extension to go forward.
Soliday points to Houston, where the city grew but the infrastructure didn't, as an example of what could happen. Inertia must not continue in Northwest Indiana.
We endorse Soliday.
District 10
Democrat Chuck Moseley isn't an ideal candidate. He won't commit to much of anything.
He is very concerned about health issues, which makes sense considering his service as director of public relations for NorthShore Community Health Care Center.
But he isn't committed to maintaining the cuts required by HB 1001. He's even less committed to the South Shore extension.
We endorse Moseley, but not wholeheartedly.
Republican Ken Kaminski likes to tell how he uses his clout as an international businessman to make things happen. But a legislator isn't able to function solo like an executive.
Kaminski wasn't familiar with the Kernan-Shepard recommendations during his recent interview with The Times' editorial board, which says a lot about his readiness to serve.
District 11
This is a tough choice.
Incumbent Dan Stevenson, a Democrat, deserves credit for filing legislation to eliminate township government, picking up the flag from Bob Kuzman. He also deserves credit for carrying the legislation to create the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Training Academy.
But he isn't as gung-ho about the Kernan-Shepard recommendations as we would like.
Republican Cy Huerter is pledging to push for adoption of most of the Kernan-Shepard recommendations and prosecutorial powers for the Indiana attorney general.
Huerter says he wants to permit recall of public officials, but so does Stevenson. He wants a constitutional administration to cap property taxes, to which Stevenson has committed as well.
Huerter gets the edge for his position on the Kernan-Shepard recommendations and his eagerness to serve. Stevenson said he considered not running so he could spend more time with family. Give him that opportunity sooner than he expects.
We endorse Huerter.
