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 ISNA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Vol. 25, No. 1
© 2005
by Ernest Klein, CAE
Executive Director and Lobbyist

Welcome back to another addition of the ISNA Legislative Update. This publication is protected by federal copy write law and may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Views stated may not represent those of the Indiana State Nurses Association.

This first issue is being posted on the public section of ISNA's Web site.  All subsequent issues will be posted on a members-only site. ISNA members will be notified via the ISNA listserve on how to access the online ISNA Legislative Update.

I guess that you’ve noticed by now the we had an election in November. For the first time in years, the Republicans control both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly (House 52 – 48 and Senate 33-17) and the Governor’s office. While it may seem that any piece of Republican introduced legislation would be a slam-dunk to get it passed, don’t count on it. The main issue that dominated the General Assembly last year is still around – the huge budget deficit. It will now be the Republicans’ turn to take the heat and the credit for solving the State’s financial crisis.

Changes in the House
Brian Bosma, Republican, Indianapolis, was elected the Speaker of the House on Organization Day on November 16th. He announced a new committee structure and procedures and the creation of a special standing committee on Government Reform and Regulatory Relief. Major changes include a reduction in size of the committees and the requirement that a committee member must actually be present to vote – no proxies allowed.

Following is the House Public Health Committee. All of the members except for Rep. Dodge were on the committee last session so we look forward to a good working relationship with the committee. Notable by their absence are John Day, D-Indianapolis and ISNA member Rep. Peggy Welch, RN, D-Bloomington. They both however are members of the important Ways and Means Committee, which will have to craft a new biennial budget for the State.

House Public Health Committee
Republicans
Vaneta Becker, Evansville, Chair
Tim Brown, MD, Crawfordsville, Vice Chair
Bob Behning, Indianapolis
Mary Kay Budak, LaPorte
Dick Dodge, Pleasant Lake (Steuben County)
Dave Frizzell, Indianapolis
Don Lehe, Brookston

Democrats
Charlie Brown, Gary, Ranking Minority Member
Craig Fry, Mishawaka
Carolene Mays, Indianapolis
David Orentlicher, MD, Indianapolis
Scott Reske, Pendleton

Changes in the Senate
The Republicans maintain firm control of the Senate 33-17. If they pick up one more seat, they will have the 2/3-majority quorum to transact business even if the Democrats were to walk out. Robert Garton, Columbus, is once again President Pro tem, which I believe is a national record for tenure in this position.

There have however been major changes in the Republican leadership. Larry Borst, former chair of the Finance committee was defeated in the primary elections by newcomer Brent Waltz. This session the Finance committee was divided into two committees: Appropriations chaired by Sen. Bob Meeks, LaGrange and Tax and Fiscal Policy chaired by Luke Kenley, Noblesville.

James Merritt replaces Becky Skillman (who was elected Lt. Governor) as Majority Caucus Chair.

The Senate Health and Provider Services remains pretty much the same as last session with the replacement of Sue Landske, Cedar Lake by newcomer Ryan Mishler, Bremen.

Health and Provider Services
Republicans
Patricia L. Miller, RN, Indianapolis, Chair
Gary Dillon, MD, Columbia City
Beverly J. Gard, Greenfield
Connie Lawson, Danville
Ryan Douglas Mishler, Bremen
Marvin D. Riegsecker, RPh, Goshen
Gregory D. Server , Evansville

Democrats
Billie Breaux, Indianapolis, Ranking Minority Member
Vi Simpson, Bloomington
Connie W. Sipes, New Albany
Timothy D. Skinner, Indianapolis

Legislation
At this writing (12/30) only 175 Senate bills and 50 some House bills have been posted on the General Assembly website. We can expect that to change when the Assembly reconvenes on Tuesday January 4, 2005. We, of course, will see many bills that we saw last session but did not make it through the process. We will have a more detailed list in the next issue of the ISNA Legislative Update the week of January 10th.

ISNA Conferences
Mark your calendars now for the 2005 ISNA Legislative Conferences.

Public Policy 101 will be February 15th and repeated on February 17th.

The Advanced Conference and the PAC reception for the Legislators will be on March 15, 2005.

For registration information go here.

 

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