Political Notebook - The blog

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    A Huntington-based online radio station announced this week that all three major political parties in Indiana will offer a 3-5 minute weekly radio address each Saturday on www.indianatalks.com starting this weekend.
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Notes from Org Day

If you missed Organization Day at the Indiana legislature, don't worry -- we have it covered for you.

In the Senate, members were met with a bright new video screen -- the old one was on its last leg and no one could read the votes. Now the bulbs are bright enough to burn retinas, but at least everyone can see it.

Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, handled the presiding duties instead of outgoing Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, who already said her goodbyes to the chamber earlier this year.

Incoming Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann watched from the rostrum to get an idea of her new duties in January.

And some senators were so busy taking pictures and chatting they missed taking their own oath.

Over in the House, seven members of Congress joined the festivities, including U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Howe.

House Speaker Brian Bosma also introduced a handful of kids and parents who used Indiana vouchers in the gallery, ala when Indiana governors do so during the State of the State address.

And Rep. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, watched the action quietly from his new second-row seat after being ousted as the leader of the small caucus.

To contact Niki Kelly email her at nkelly@jg.net or follow her on Twitter @nkellyatJG.

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