The Journal Gazette, 600 W. Main St., Fort Wayne IN

Interim study committees of the Indiana General Assembly sometimes serve as the burial grounds for unpopular legislation, and sometimes for good reason. This year’s committee work, however, demands serious study before some legislation resurfaces – notably an immigration bill.

Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, and Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, will co-chair the committee, which will look at the financial effects of illegal immigrants on government services, wages and jobs, and – importantly – federal limits to state measures regarding immigration.

Kruse played an important part in blocking an ill-considered immigration bill in the last session, raising questions in conference committee about the unintended consequences of stiff penalties included in the bill. His questions and those of another Republican senator prompted the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, to angrily accuse them of corruption. He later apologized.

Delph’s outburst was emblematic of the emotion the immigration issue packs and demonstrated why a cooling-off period is sometimes needed. Sound questions about the bill were raised by interests as diverse as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and immigration attorneys, but the legislation still cleared both chambers.

The summer study committee should result in more reasoned debate if a bill is filed in the next session, which is almost certain. The groundwork laid by the Commission on State Tax and Financing Policy last year undoubtedly shaped and improved the property tax reform debate; the contentious and complex immigration issue demands the same attention.

Immigration isn’t the only issue getting a worthy airing this summer:

•Alcoholic beverages – Reps. Matt Bell, R-Avilla, and Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, are among the committee members who will look at issues involving alcohol sales, including the history of the state’s alcoholic beverage laws. Stateline.org reports that lawmakers across the country are examining laws that date back to the repeal of Prohibition. This past week, Colorado became the 35th state to allow residents to buy alcohol on Sundays.

•Adult education – Rep. Dan Leonard, R-Huntington, will serve on a committee studying funding for adult education. The state’s Department of Education now oversees most programs, but there are efforts to move more money to the Department of Workforce Development, where some critics believe rural communities will be overlooked and basic skill programs will be lost in favor of job-training programs.

•Graduated driver’s licenses – Rep. Joe Micon, D-West Lafayette, has proposed raising the minimum age for obtaining a license and also requiring 50 hours of driving experience. Based on the experience of other states, he believes it will cut vehicular deaths among 16-year-olds by 40 percent in the first year. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens.