INDIANAPOLIS – You would think that on such a contentious issue as fixing the state’s unemployment insurance system, a little good will might be in order.

But that wasn’t on display at last week’s Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee meeting.

First, Senate Republicans unveiled a plan that included tax increases on businesses, changes to the system and benefit cuts for unemployed Hoosiers.

But Senate Democrats didn’t receive the amendment in time to suggest changes to the plan. So they listened intently and asked numerous questions during the four-hour hearing.

When it came time for a vote, Sen. Tim Skinner, D-Terre Haute, was the first name called. He said “yes,” prompting a Democratic colleague to whisper in his ear. Skinner mistakenly thought the committee was voting to accept the amendment rather than pass the amended bill out of committee.

He quickly asked Chairman Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, whether he could change his vote. No other senator had been called on, but Hershman refused, saying there is no procedure allowing that in Senate rules.

But there actually is. Senate rules for standing committees say that before an announcement of the final vote, a member may change his or her vote, subject to the discretion of the chairman. But no vote may be changed after a final vote is announced.

It seems Hershman wasn’t in a magnanimous mood (he also refused to allow another Democrat to “pass” and vote later). Or he didn’t know the rule.

Nomination stalls

The nomination of Hoosier Dawn Johnsen to lead the Office of Legal Counsel in the Obama Justice Department has run into snags. At Johnsen’s confirmation hearing last week, Republicans said they were uncomfortable with her views and qualifications.

Johnsen, a professor at the Indiana University School of Law, was acting chief of the office during the Clinton administration.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, called her a “hardened partisan.”

The department issues legal opinions for the executive branch, and its opinions are binding unless the president or attorney general overturns them.

During the Bush administration, Johnsen criticized the office for issuing opinions that justified President Bush’s policies on detainee interrogations and warrantless spying on Americans.

The Judiciary Committee recommended Johnsen’s confirmation to the full Senate, but Cornyn and others said they will try to block it.

Appointments

Gov. Mitch Daniels recently made public a number of appointments to various state boards and commissions. Here is a look at the members named from northeast Indiana:

•Matthew Rekeweg of Wabash was appointed to the State Fair Commission. He is vice president of Halderman Farm Management.

•Oren Skinner of Angola will serve on the Education Employment Relations Board. He is a former principal and superintendent of the Metropolitan School District in Steuben County.

•William S. Konyha of Wabash was appointed to the Indiana Bond Bank. He is president and CEO of the Economic Development Group of Wabash County.

Post-flood safety

Officials in Fort Wayne, Allen County and elsewhere recognized flood safety awareness week from March 16 to March 20.

Of course, the awareness week came as most area residents were already keenly aware of the dangers of flooding. Heavy rains deluged city rivers and streets this month, with water approaching numerous homes.

The theme for the week was “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” which urged drivers not to enter standing water during floods.

Hopefully, people followed the advice before it was given.

District Democrats

The Democratic Central Committee of Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District elected its officers this month in Kendallville. The district covers Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, Elkhart, LaGrange, Kosciusko and Whitley counties.

Carmen Darland of Noble County was elected district chair, and Charles Mumaw of Elkhart County was elected vice chair.

Pat Moore and Randy Schmidt of Allen County were elected secretary and treasurer. Moore ran unsuccessfully this year for the Allen County party chairmanship.

As chair and vice-chair, Darland and Mumaw become members of the Indiana State Central Committee.

Dodge honored

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce gave Rep. Dick Dodge, R-Pleasant Lake, the 2009 Small Business Champion Award for his efforts in small-business advocacy and growth.

Dodge has owned several small businesses, including Howard Dodge and Sons, an air conditioning and ventilation company, for 35 years. He also owned a dry cleaning service and still owns a storage unit facility and home rental property – all in Steuben County.

Washington editor Sylvia A. Smith contributed to this report.