In a long-expected decision, the Club for Growth announced Tuesday it is endorsing state Treasurer Richard Mourdock in his challenge to unseat Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind.INDIANAPOLIS – Remember when there was supposed to be a moratorium on alcohol issues this session?
Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, told reporters during the first week of the 2009 session that “all alcohol bills are doomed” – including a petition attempt to allow Sunday sales of alcohol.
Long said legislative leaders had agreed to the moratorium because a two-year interim study committee was under way and said alcohol issues would be ripe again for discussion in 2010.
Fast forward almost three months, and lawmakers are suddenly considering doubling the alcohol tax in Indiana. The idea arose last week as legislators intervened to help the city of Indianapolis with a deficit in running its sports and convention facilities.
And there are only a few weeks left in the session to vet the hike.
Long said Friday that the alcohol issues he was referring to were questions about distribution that come up every year.
“We wanted some relief from the relentless alcohol bills that year after year pour down on us,” Long said.
And he pointed out that the “path of the alcohol tax is far from certain.”
Bloggers and concerned citizens also have criticized the secrecy of the plan – which was unveiled to reporters the evening before the initial vote on the bill.
Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville – the architect of the proposal – deflected criticism about whether the public has been involved enough in the late-moving policy decision by saying legislators could have instead slipped it into the budget at the last minute with no warning at all.
Casino foes vigilant
When the possibility of a casino moving to Fort Wayne was announced earlier this year, it spurred the creation of an opposition group called the Coalition for a Better Fort Wayne – usually referred to as CasiNo.
The group’s existence made sense while a casino seemed a distinct possibility a month or so ago. Now it appears the legislature won’t act to even grant Fort Wayne a referendum on casino gambling this year. But that hasn’t stopped the opposition group from sending out news releases and holding events to attack a seemingly dead issue.
Last week it released figures showing the social costs of a casino, and it plans to host a news conference and public speech later this month on the topic.
They definitely get credit for staying vigilant on the issue, but after you hit blackjack, you can stop betting.
Raising cash
2009 might be an off year for elections, but area political groups are still hoping to raise money. Here is a sampling of events released to Political Notebook:
•The 3rd District Democratic Central Committee will host its annual dinner April 25 at Eagle Glen in Columbia City. Rep. Baron Hill, D-9th, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event. It will also feature Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez.
Tickets are $30 and the cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner an hour later. Interested people should call Carmen Darland at 260-237-1199 for more information.
The 3rd Congressional District covers Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, Elkhart, LaGrange, Kosciusko and Whitley counties.
•The Whitley County Republican Party will host its Lincoln Day Dinner on April 24 at Eberly Hall in South Whitley. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi and Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges will be the speakers.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and costs $25 per person. Contact Laurell Hodges at 260-723-4495 to attend.
•The Allen County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner will be May 11 at Ceruti’s, 6601 Innovation Blvd. Rep. Mike Pence, R-6th, will be the keynote speaker.
The 5:45 p.m. pre-dinner VIP reception costs $150 per person. The 7 p.m. dinner costs $55 per person. Precinct officials get a discount to both events. For additional information, call 260-422-1554.
