Indiana has never enjoyed a reputation for strong ethics rules. So it was promising when then-Gov. Mitch Daniels instituted guidelines that seemed to raise the bar.Election Day
The Richard Lugar-Richard Mourdock race is clearly the biggest in Indiana today, and it will quite likely make national headlines as well.
Hoosier politicos will be looking at other congressional races as well, particularly the 5th District Republican primary. With incumbent Dan Burton not seeking re-election, no fewer than eight candidates are seeking the nomination. Among the favorites are Susan Brooks, David McIntosh, Wayne Seybold and John McGoff.
Incumbent first-term Republican Larry Bucshon of the southwestern 8th District faces, like Lugar, a competitive tea party candidate.
In northeast Indiana, Democrats will choose from among six candidates to run against incumbent Marlin Stutzman for the 3rd U.S. House District.
In Allen County, the commissioner’s race between Nelson Peters and John McGauley will be the big race. Both Democrats and Republicans will choose three candidates for County Council.
And major referendums will determine spending plans for into the future for both Fort Wayne Community Schools and East Allen County Schools.
Though the outcome is all but determined, Mitt Romney is now head to head against Ron Paul for the Republican presidential nomination. In addition to Indiana, Republican voters in North Carolina and West Virginia will weigh in on the presidential race.
Purdue energy
Purdue University officials announced their plans to improve the efficiency and environmental effects of its heating and cooling systems on the West Lafayette campus.
Purdue will close and demolish an old coal-burning boiler and convert another coal-burning boiler to natural gas. The plan also calls for installing a natural gas-fired heat and power unit.
Student loans
The Senate is scheduled to vote today on a proposal to keep interest rates on Stafford student loans from doubling July 1, but Democrats and Republicans are so divided on how to pay for it that it appears most likely no plan will pass.
Democrats want to raise payroll taxes on wealthy stockholders; Republicans want to eliminate a health care fund.
