Defining Marriage in Indiana
There appears to be some confusion over a companion bill to the proposed constitutional amendment that would further define marriage in Indiana.
When the amendment was officially introduced in the General Assembly on Thursday, introduced alongside it was House Bill 1153. That bill seems to be designed with critics of the marriage amendment, now known as HJR-3, in mind. While the marriage amendment limits marriage to heterosexual couples and also appears to outlaw same-sex civil unions, the companion bill states that the amendment is not intended to get around any local discrimination laws or prevent employers from offering benefits to same-sex partners of employees.
David Orentlicher, professor at the McKinney School of Law at IU, isn‘t sure whether companion bills to constitutional amendments have been introduced in the past, but he says one reason for it is supporters‘ efforts to hold a referendum this November. “If they added language to the marriage amendment, it would restart the clock on the amendment. You have to go through two separate sessions of the legislature before it can go to the electorate.”
Another reason supporters may be using a companion bill is that, unlike Congress and some other states, the Indiana legislature does not record legislative history. “So, when courts are looking at ‘what does this constitutional amendment mean‘, they have to rely largely on the language of the statute. This is an attempt to create an official record,” Orentlicher said.
Another constitutional law expert predicts a long fight in court over the amendment if the companion bill is passed. “The constitutional amendment includes the following sentence: “A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.” The companion bill suggests that language isn‘t as broad as it sounds, and lists things “not prohibited or restricted,” said Joel Schumm, clinical professor of law at the McKinney School.
If a referendum does take place, Schumm also doesn‘t know if it is legal to provide voters will only the language from the constitutional amendment and not the language of HB 1153. ” I think the companion bill raises more questions and confusion than answers or clarification.”
Eliminating Property Tax on Business Equipment
There‘s now a third proposal on the table for reducing Indiana‘s property tax on business equipment.
Instead of phasing out the tax as Governor Pence has proposed, Senate Republicans are calling for exempting businesses with less than 25-thousand dollars in equipment. That would eliminate the tax for 70-percent of Hoosier businesses.
Tax and Fiscal Policy Chairman Brandt Hershman would pair that change with the second cut to the corporate income tax in four years. He says the two-point cut approved in 2011 still leaves Indiana in the middle of the pack. He‘s proposing a further reduction to four-point-nine-percent – second-lowest among states which have a corporate income tax.
Hershman argues the corporate income tax is a bigger obstacle to economic development than the business personal property tax, and would cost less to reduce.
While income tax money flows to the state, property taxes go to local governments. Pence has acknowledged abolishing the tax as he‘s proposed would require finding a way to make up a billion dollars in revenue. Hershman says the 25-thousand-dollar threshold would help most businesses while limiting the cost to local government to 30-million.
House Republicans have proposed making the business personal property tax a local option.
Salem Lady Lions cruise past Bluejackets; 64-48
The Salem Lady Lions topped the Bluejackets last night at Brooks Memorial Gymnasium, 64-48.
Alex Davidson poured in 35 points and collected 10 rebounds as the host Lions (5-8, 0-3) cruised past the Bluejackets (4-8, 2-0). Sadie Soliday also contributed 13 points for Salem.
Swap Shop Podcast 01-09-2014
Swap Shop Podcast 01-09-2014
Beef Management Seminar to Discuss Factors Affecting Meat Quality
A Purdue Extension beef management seminar will give cattle producers the chance to learn about factors that affect meat quality and how local beef producers can influence those factors on their own farms. Speakers for the day’s program include Warren Beeler, Dr. Troy Wistuba, Dr. Gregg Rentfrow and David Newsome, some of the area’s top experts on this topic.
The Beef Management Seminar will be Saturday, January 18 in Bedford and will include discussions about “The Value of Carcass Evaluation to Beef Producers,” “Fetal Programming,” “Genetics, EPD’s and Animal Selection Influence on Meat Quality” and “Carcass Evaluation Characteristics.”
“It is important for producers in all sectors of beef production to understand, evaluate and improve carcass characteristics. Raising cattle is a business and if consumers are not happy with the quality of the end product, we will all be out of business.” said Danielle Walker, Purdue Extension educator in Washington County. “It is always important for us to stay up-to-date on any improvements we can make to our operations.”
Local cattle supply dealers will be on hand to visit with seminar participants.
The seminar will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds, 11265 state Route 50 W., Bedford. Registration is $30 per person, students are $25. All registrations would be appreciated by Tuesday, January 14. The fee includes meals, snacks and take-home reference materials.
Continuing education credit for veterinarians is available at no extra cost.
More information or to register contact the Purdue Extension – Lawrence County office at 812-275-4623 or the Purdue Extension – Washington County office at 812-883-4601.
Troopers Need Help Identifying Robbers
This past Friday, January 3rd, at approximately 6:30 am, an elderly male retrieved money from an ATM machine located at the New Washington State Bank on Main Street in Henryville, (Clark County).
As the elderly male walked away from the machine he was approached by two white male subjects demanding the money he withdrew. One of the subjects even pointed a hand gun at the elderly male. The elderly man gave them the money and the two robbers quickly got into a black SUV and fled the scene going north towards County Road #160, (Old State Road #160).
One of the white males was approximately 5’-10” to 6’-01” tall with a close cropped beard and mustache. He was wearing a black baseball style hat turned backwards, a gray hooded sweat shirt or jacket, with a dark colored shirt under the hooded sweat shirt or jacket. He was wearing dark colored pants and his shoes were of an unknown type.
The other white male was approximately 5’-10” to 6’-1” tall wearing a tan colored baseball style hat. He was wearing a pair of Carhart style bib overalls with a black crew neck shirt underneath and work style boots. This subject allegedly pointed a hand gun at the elderly male while the robbery was taking place.
Anyone with information on this robbery is encouraged to contact Detective David Makowsky at the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg at 1-800-872-6743 or outside of Indiana at 812-246-5424.
Callers can also contact Crime Stoppers of Kentuckiana at 1-502-582-CLUE, (2583), for up to a $1,000.00 reward.