ICYMI: On CNBC, Kelly Discusses New Bill to Train More Workers in Microchip Manufacturing Jobs

Posted on by Yellow Sheet Report Staff
In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly talked to CNBC this week to highlight his new CHIPS Training in America Act , bipartisan legislation to boost the microchip manufacturing workforce by ensuring American workers have the necessary skills to take on good-paying jobs in the growing industry, many of which don’t require a four-year degree.   Kelly introduced this bill with Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) .  “We’ve got to expand the middle of the pipe,” said Kelly. “We’ve got people that want to get in there, the demand is on the other side. There’s a bottleneck in the middle, and that’s the training.”  The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) estimates that, without changes, the United States will fall short of meeting growing demand for microchip manufacturing workers, with the majority of unfilled jobs being technician positions that do not require a four-year degree.   The CHIPS Training in America Act will require a national microelectronics workforce development strategic plan and establish a grant program to increase workforce development partnerships between industry and localities and community colleges, such as those already started in Arizona.     Click here to watch the full CNBC segment.

Subcommittee Chair Sinema’s Bipartisan Bill Delivering $7 Million for Tucson’s Morris Air National Guard Base Clears Senate Appropriations Committee

Posted on by Yellow Sheet Report Staff
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved bipartisan legislation that Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema introduced investing $7 million to complete Morris Air National Guard Base’s new entry complex. Sinema also included language in her bipartisan legislation that supports the stationing of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Power Projection Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. “I’m proud my legislation earned strong bipartisan support to help ensure a seamless transition of the new military mission at Davis-Monthan and deliver $7 million for Tucson’s Morris Air National Guard Base,” said Sinema, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. The $7 million that Sinema secured in her legislation provides the necessary Cost to Complete (CTC) funding for the Morris Air National Guard Base Entry Complex currently under construction that the Senator secured funding for in Fiscal Year 2024. The current gate poses traffic safety and security issues, creating congestion on Valencia Road in Tucson. These funds will ensure timely completion of the project to relocate the existing installation entrance to a new site in order to meet security standoff and traffic requirements. Sinema’s legislation also includes language supporting the stationing of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Power Projection Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The Air Force has announced plans to base the 492nd Power Projection Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, following the end of the A-10 mission in Fiscal Year 2026. Sinema included language in her legislation that urges the Air Force to timely identify any new military construction requirements and notify Congress of any authority and funding needs to ensure adequate facilities are available to support the seamless transition of the new military mission at Davis-Monthan.

Education department expands teacher training options for literacy endorsement

Posted on by Jarred Meeks

The Indiana Department of Education has expanded the number of training options available to teachers who, under state law, must earn an early literacy endorsement.

In May, teachers overtook the public comment portion of a State Board of Education monthly meeting, questioning whether training they had already undergone during the school year would count toward the endorsement’s 80 required hours. Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner, in response, said education officials would work with teachers and providers to continuously update a list of approved training options.

To date, the department has verified more than 50 training program options, with more being added almost daily, according to department officials. In addition, dozens of other training options have been approved but are still being assessed to determine which of the endorsement’s requirements they meet.

“We heard teachers loud and clear,” Rebecca Estes, the department’s assistant secretary of educator talent, told State Affairs.

In recent years, state legislators passed laws requiring educators to teach the “science of reading.”

A 2023 state law requires some teachers — those who teach reading to students in pre-K through fifth grade — to get an early literacy endorsement. New educators will be required to have the endorsement starting July 1, 2025. Working teachers who renew their licenses on or after July 1, 2027, will also need the endorsement.

In March, the state began offering stipend-supported professional development through Keys to Literacy, which provides courses designed to help teachers earn the endorsement.

This month, registration opened for four additional Keys to Literacy course options, which came after a new state law went into effect, allowing teachers to complete the professional development hours asynchronously. Prior to July 1, teachers were required to complete 40 of the professional development hours in person.

“There are still live options available, but they [teachers] can do it anytime, anywhere from any location and complete the requirement now,” Estes said.

The state offers up to $1,200 stipends for teachers who complete all of the endorsement requirements through Keys to Literacy. For those completing fewer than the 80 required hours, stipends are scaled to match the number of hours completed: A teacher who completes a 40-hour course could receive a $600 stipend, for example.

During the board’s May meeting, educators argued a Praxis exam — which, by state law, teachers must pass before earning the endorsement — shouldn’t be required for licensed professionals, some of whom have spent decades in the classroom. Jenner has previously acknowledged the teachers’ Praxis exam concerns have been “the most tricky to solve.”

The department continues to meet with teachers across the state to address those concerns, Estes said.

Contact Jarred Meeks on X @jarredsmeeks or email him at [email protected].

Attorney General Rokita told to respond to new misconduct grievance

Posted on by Tom Davies

The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has directed state Attorney General Todd Rokita to respond to a new professional misconduct grievance while others filed against him last fall remain pending.

The latest grievance against Rokita involves allegations that during an April news conference he invited the public to file lawsuits against the state Department of Health over its decision to stop releasing individual abortion reports.

Commission Executive Director Adrienne Meiring notified Rokita in a July 1 letter that the grievance was under investigation and gave him 30 days to respond.

The new grievance, first reported by The Indiana Citizen, was submitted by William Groth, an Indianapolis lawyer who frequently represents Democrats in politically tinged court cases.

Rokita’s office did not comment Friday to State Affairs on the allegations made in the latest complaint, which comes after the Supreme Court reprimanded Rokita in November over his public comments about Dr. Caitlin Bernard after she provided an abortion to a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim.

Dispute over release of abortion reports

Rokita held the April news conference with Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington, to publicize an advisory opinion prepared by the Attorney General’s Office arguing that terminated pregnancy reports submitted by doctors are disclosable under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. 

That opinion differed from one provided to the Health Department by Public Access Counselor Luke Britt finding that those reports should be regarded as private medical records.

Doctors providing abortions are required by law to submit the reports that include information such as the patient’s age, marital status, race and education, along with the date and location of the abortion.

Groth argued in his grievance filing, which he provided to State Affairs, that the Attorney General’s Office has a responsibility to defend the Health Department in court and Rokita’s remarks were a “breach of trust” by taking a legal position adverse to the department.

“While there is no case directly on this point, this is no doubt because no former attorney general has or would even think of publicly encouraging or suggesting that members of the public sue an agency of the state which that attorney general has a statutory duty to represent,” Groth wrote to the commission.

The anti-abortion group Voices for Life filed a lawsuit against the Health Department less than three weeks after Rokita’s news conference. The lawsuit seeks to force the department to resume releasing the individual abortion reports that had previously been made public before Britt’s December 2023 opinion.

The private law firm Lewis and Wilkins of Indianapolis is representing the Health Department and asked a Marion County judge last month to dismiss the lawsuit.

Investigations amid Rokita reelection bid

Rokita, who was first elected attorney general in 2020, is seeking a second term in November’s election and formally won the Republican nomination at last month’s state party convention.

The Attorney General’s Office did not comment Friday on the allegations in the latest grievance.

A Rokita spokesman, however, criticized the allegations coming from Groth, who has unsuccessfully pursued a lawsuit seeking to force the public release of an ethics opinion over whether Rokita could keep working for a private corporation while serving in office.

“It’s very, very telling that there are more than 15,000 licensed attorneys in the State of Indiana — and yet two-out-of-the-​three of these complaints have come from the SAME activist Indianapolis attorney — one who our office has crushed in separate, simultaneous legal battles,” Rokita spokesman Benjamin Fearnow wrote in an email to State Affairs.

Other pending misconduct grievances

The Disciplinary Commission opened an investigation in November into allegations that Rokita committed professional misconduct with his defiant response to the Supreme Court’s reprimand over his comments in a Fox News interview about Bernard as the young Ohio girl’s abortion drew national attention. 

Those grievances were filed by Groth and Paula Cardoza-Jones, a retired Supreme Court staff attorney. 

Rokita’s statement following the reprimand order called his comments about Bernard “truthful.” He criticized “liberal activists” for the “failed attempt to derail our work” and said he had agreed to the reprimand to save “taxpayer money and distraction.”

The grievances alleged those comments contradicted Rokita’s sworn admissions submitted to the court of professional conduct rule violations.

The Disciplinary Commission has taken no action against Rokita regarding those grievances, Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathryn Dolan said Friday. Such investigations are confidential unless the commission files a misconduct complaint with the Supreme Court.

Tom Davies is a Statehouse reporter for State Affairs Pro Indiana. Reach him at [email protected] or on X at @TomDaviesIND.

State sues Monroe County over alleged ‘sanctuary city’ law

Posted on by Rory Appleton

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit Friday against Monroe County alleging the county has refused to rescind a “sanctuary city” policy — the second such legal action the state has taken this week. 

“After filing a lawsuit against East Chicago earlier this week, I am now taking similar action in Monroe County over an ‘immigration and citizenship status’ policy, which we find also violates state law,” Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a news release. “After multiple conversations with the sheriff’s office to rescind its illegal policy, it didn’t work, and now my office is taking the next step to enforce state law as passed by the General Assembly.”

An attempt to reach the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for comment was not immediately successful. 

Rokita is referencing a new state law, Senate Enrolled Act 181, which went into effect July 1. It specifies the Attorney General’s Office may bring legal action against municipalities the office found not to be in compliance with a 2011 law banning sanctuary cities in Indiana.

In a May 31 news release, Rokita defined a “sanctuary city” as “a local unit of government that has adopted a policy to deliberately and intentionally disregard federal law and not cooperate with federal immigration authorities.”

The new lawsuit, filed in Monroe County, uses similar language as the one filed against East Chicago. It accuses the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office of adopting a policy, MCSO-12, in June that limits employees from cooperating with federal immigration officials. 

The lawsuit also claims Monroe County’s policy prohibits the county from entering into any agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement division. 

This week’s legal actions came after the Attorney General’s Office sent letters in May warning East Chicago, Gary, West Lafayette and Monroe County of alleged violations. 

An Attorney General’s Office spokesman told State Affairs last week that West Lafayette had amended its policy, which is now compliant with state law. 

“My office acted in East Chicago and Monroe County, but we are not stopping there,” Rokita said in the Friday news release. “We will continue evaluating other local units of government and ensuring the law is followed.”

Contact Rory Appleton on X at @roryehappleton or email him at [email protected].

Wake Up Call for Friday, July 12, 2024

Posted on by Yellow Sheet Report Staff
Abortion ballot measure heads to court Arizona Capitol Times Arizona for Abortion Access filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to push back on what they call “politicized language” in the publicity pamphlet summary for their citizen initiative, which would permit abortions up to fetal viability. Mayes wants answers on school voucher rules, procedures Arizona Capitol Times The Arizona Attorney general is investigating Arizona Department of Education procedures allowing school voucher funds for “supplementary materials” untethered to any curriculum or documentation justifying the purchase as an educational expense.  Arizona State Senate candidate accused of removing opponent's flyer on residence Arizona’s Family New video appears to shows Arizona State Senate candidate Leezah Sun taking down a political opponent’s flyer at a Valley home, tossing it on the ground and replacing it with her own. Kari Lake Gets Good News in Arizona Senate Race Newsweek Controversial Senate candidate Kari Lake has closed a polling gap in Arizona, where she previously trailed by 13 points to progressive Democrat Ruben Gallego. Arizona U.S. Rep. Stanton calls on Biden to withdraw from the race Axios U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) called on President Biden to step down as the party’s presumptive nominee Thursday, joining a growing chorus of congressional Democrats publicly urging him to end his campaign. Ex-Mormon artist pulls exhibition from Arizona museum over concurrent Mormon art show The Art Newspaper Arizona’s Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum (MCA Museum) has revised its seasonal exhibition programme after an artist cancelled a show slated to run concurrently with a survey of artists affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormon church. Feds allow cattle to harm imperiled species in Arizona, lawsuit says E&E News Two environmental groups sued the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday for failing to shield three federally protected species from livestock grazing activity along the Big Sandy River in western Arizona. Biden will be a disaster for Arizona Democrats if he sticks this out The Arizona Republic Arizona is now two for four in Democratic members of the congressional delegation calling on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential cage fight. Rep. Raul Grijalva is brave and blunt about it: Biden has to go The Arizona Republic Earlier this month, Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva became the second Democrat in Congress to call on President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. Sen. Wendy Rogers' smear campaign is low, even for her. And that's saying something The Arizona Republic “You’re really playing with fire here,” Sen. Wendy Rogers warned the young Republican legislative candidate in December.

Early voting for Aug. 1 primaries gets underway in Tennessee

Posted on by Andy Sher

Early voting for the  Aug. 1 state and federal party primary elections began across Tennessee on Friday with a number of state House and Senate incumbents facing stiff challenges from the GOP’s right wing, while first-term Republican U.S. Rep.  Andy Ogles is up against Metro Nashville Councilwoman Courtney Johnston.

Democrats, meanwhile, will choose a U.S. Senate nominee to go up against incumbent Republican Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood, who is seeking a second six-year term. 

State Rep. Gloria Johnson, a Knoxville Democrat, leads a four-woman group of candidates in terms of fundraising, netting $3.6 million and reporting $2 million cash in hand as of March 31. Blackburn disclosed a little over four times that amount in cash on hand, $8.5 million. 

Johnson won fame among Democrats when she joined in a gun protest on the Republican-dominated House floor following the deadly shooting and the Covenant School in Nashville. Two of her colleagues were ejected from their seats, but Johnson avoided a similar fate by a single vote.

When Democrats held majorities in both chambers, they pushed through a bill creating early voting through the legislature. Suspicious Republicans universally opposed it. 

These days, many Tennesseans, regardless of party, like the convenience. During the 2020 primary, which featured a ballot similar to this year’s, nearly 48% of Tennesseans cast their vote during the early voting period. Excluding Sundays, it runs through July 27.

It’s also impacted how campaigns are run, with candidates or their political handlers adjusting to step up their TV, radio and digital ads as well as campaign mailers to reach them.

Blackburn, who is close to former President Donald Trump, has drawn a challenge from Tres Wittum, a former state Senate Finance Committee staffer as an opponent. He is criticizing Blackburn over massive runups in the national debt as well as eventually voting yes in 2021 to confirm the results of the presidential election, which was won by now-President Joe Biden. Wittum’s 1st quarter disclosure shows he raised $66,200 in contributions and loaned his campaign nearly $12,000.

Besides any number of legislative contests and Democrats’ U.S. Senate primary, the ballot includes school board contests as well as property assessors, a sprinkle of judicial races and a mishmash of municipal office match ups across the state.

While Johnson out-distances her rivals in name ID and funding, she hasn’t taken the primary contest for granted and is campaigning across the state.  

That’s not a bad course to take. Four years ago, Democrats and political observers were stunned when their expected nominee, James Mackler, a Nashville attorney and former Army helicopter pilot who was endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign committee among others, lost to Marquita Bradshaw of Memphis. 

An environment activist from Memphis, Bradshaw spent virtually nothing to capture the nomination. While Mackler raised significant funds, he had been banking much of the money for the general election.

Bradshaw went on to lose to Republican Bill Hagerty, who had served in Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration as the state’s economic development czar before joining then-President Donald Trump’s administration as U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Hagerty won with 63% of the vote to Bradshaw’s 35%.

And Bradshaw is running again this year. Her first quarter report shows she had spent $26,800 and had $7,130 in cash on hand as of March 31. 

Another Democrat in the running is Fayette County educator Civil Miller-Watkins, who has received $2,924 in contributions and debts or loans totalling $7,424.

The fourth candidate is Lola Denise Brown. Her name is not listed on the Federal Election Commission website where candidates report fundraising and spending. 

The last time Tennessee Democrats won a U.S. Senate contest was in 1990, when Al Gore carried every county in his reelection to a second term. Gore became Democrat Bill Clinton’s running mate in 1992. Eight years later, the vice president famously lost his home state when he ran in 2000 to succeed Clinton. In 2018, popular former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen ran for Senate, losing to Blackburn.

Kansas Daily News Wire July 12, 2024

Posted on by State Affairs

Welcome to the Kansas Daily News Wire, your daily roundup of top state and political stories from newsrooms across Kansas. — Hawver’s Capitol Report/State Affairs

STATE

Betting generates $8.8M in FY24 for attracting pro sports fund: The Attracting Professional Sports to Kansas Fund increased by nearly $8.8 million as the state seeks to grow a revenue source for a stadium project for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. (Richardson, State Affairs)

Youth sports mecca, with hockey and zip lines, to open in Overland Park this fall: Late last month in southern Overland Park, construction workers spent the morning preparing to install 1,500 arena seats looking down on what will become an NHL-sized hockey rink. (The Kansas City Star)

State ed board to create task force on student cell phone use: The Kansas State Board of Education is directing a new “blue ribbon” task force to take a closer look at student cell phone use in schools. (Stover, State Affairs)

 United Kansas files lawsuit to challenge state law banning fusion voting: United Kansas is suing the state in a quest to legalize fusion voting on the grounds that invalidating the party’s candidate nominations violates the state Constitution. (Richardson, State Affairs)

Astronaut Joe Engle, pioneer of winged spacecraft — Kansas native, dies at 91: Astronaut Joe Engle, the first astronaut to fly in space aboard two different winged vehicles, died on July 10, 2024 at 91. (Salina Post)

LOCAL

Remains found in search for missing Kansas man; murder suspected: The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office have located remains during their search for a missing Blue Rapids man. (KSN)

Food, music, dancing and rides among activities at 2024 Fiesta Topeka: Topeka Fiesta, an annual celebration of Mexican culture and food, will take place next week on the grounds of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 201 N.E. Chandler. (Topeka Capital-Journal)

Wichita-area Cheney Reservoir hits lowest water level in a decade: Continuing drought conditions have made a significant impact on a popular Kansas lake that helps provide Wichita’s drinking water. (The Wichita Eagle)

As Montessori phases in, New York Elementary teachers left without jobs leave the district: Almost every traditional classroom teacher at New York Elementary has left the district this year as the school phases in the Montessori method, leaving teachers who can’t afford expensive training without a job at the school.  (The Lawrence Times)

City of Wichita warns of low air quality: Air quality in Wichita is at 105 on Thursday afternoon and the city of Wichita is warning people with lung diseases like asthma to reduce their exposure. (KAKE)

Howey Daily Wire July 12, 2024

Posted on by Howey Politics Indiana

Happy Friday!

Brian Howey of State Affairs writes that Micah Beckwith has yet to be conspicuously featured as the running mate for GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun. Also, two of Indiana’s Democratic leaders aren’t talking as the party grapples with whether to support the embattled president. And, Tom Davies reports former state Rep. Sean Eberhart was sentenced for illegally influencing casino legislation. More news below. — Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs

Beckwith ‘sort of’ part of Braun campaign: Asked if Micah Beckwith has been integrated into the Mike Braun for Indiana campaign, the gubernatorial nominee’s camp told Brian Howey of State Affairs: “Sort of.”

Hoosier Democrats monitor the Biden storm: In the world of Indiana Democratic politics, the two leaders who would face the most profound impacts of whether President Biden stays in the race against Donald J. Trump aren’t talking: U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan and state party Chairman Mike Schmuhl. (Howey, State Affairs)

Ex-Rep. Eberhart gets prison time in casino conspiracy: Former state Rep. Sean Eberhart was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison after pleading guilty to federal felony charges of influencing casino legislation in return for the promise of a $350,000-a-year job. (Davies, State Affairs)

STATE

Reinventing high school will come at a ‘short-term’ financial cost, officials say: The Indiana Department of Education anticipates the plan to “reinvent” high school to increase costs primarily by stoking demand for work-based learning, student transportation and school counseling services. (Meeks, State Affairs)

Attorney General files lawsuit in Monroe County over ‘sanctuary city’ policies: In an email to Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs, the office of Attorney General Todd Rokita announced it has filed a lawsuit “in Monroe County over an ‘Immigration and Citizenship Status’ policy, which we find also violates state law.” The office filed a similar lawsuit in East Chicago earlier this week.

Crouch, IHCDA launch crowdfunding campaign for amphitheater at Porter County nature preserve: Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign to raise $50,000 to construct an amphitheater, bandshell and concrete benches and to improve roadway access at the Meadowbrook Nature Preserve. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

IDHS asks Posey County residents to report severe storm damage: A news release from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security asked residents to report severe damage from the July 9 storm by calling 866-211-9966 or visiting the Indiana 211 website. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Biden administration awards $325M to upgrade Indiana plants for EV components production: Cummins Inc. and Stellantis are among the manufacturers in eight states that will receive a total of $1.7 billion in federal grants to help restart or expand electric vehicle manufacturing and assembly sites. (Orr, IBJ)

Indy to host every major men’s college basketball championship in 2026: The Indianapolis-based NCAA announced plans to conduct both the Division II and Division III men’s basketball championship games and the semifinals and final of the National Invitational Tournament in the city, in conjunction with the 2026 Division I men’s Final Four. (Shuey, IBJ)

Clark Smith to head state’s grain buyers division: The Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced the hiring of Clark Smith as director of the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

LOCAL

Clay County officials issue disaster declaration over ongoing cyberattack: Officials in Clay County have issued a disaster declaration as they continue to experience a cyberattack crippling the courthouse and community corrections. (Essex, WTHI-TV)

Delphi murder suspect’s attorneys say judge hasn’t responded to motions, requests Supreme Court appoint new judge: The defense team for the Delphi murders suspect said the judge in the case hasn’t ruled on its motions in an appropriate period of time and is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to appoint a special judge. (WTHR-TV)

CONGRESS

Young measure aims to combat unemployment insurance fraud: The Unemployment Insurance Integrity and Accessibility Act would focus on program administration and integrity to combat fraud and improve access for eligible workers, according to a news release from U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Young calls for protections for Hawaii under North Atlantic Treaty: Sen. Young, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined others in urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take steps to rectify Hawaii’s exclusion from the North Atlantic Treaty as military threats in the Indo-Pacific grow, according to an email to Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs.

Braun’s Federal Prison Oversight Act headed to president’s desk: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., announced the bipartisan Federal Prison Oversight Act will require the Department of Justice’s Inspector General to conduct inspections of correctional facilities, provide recommendations to fix problems and assign each facility a risk score, with higher-risk facilities required to be inspected more often. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Braun offers 5 proposals to address the national debt: Sen. Braun, a member of the Senate Committee on the Budget, introduced five bills to increase transparency on the spending levels in the federal government and to address the national debt, according to a news release. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Hoosier delegation split by party on SAVE Act vote: During a vote in the House on the SAVE Act, Indiana’s delegation split along party lines, with Hoosier Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing the measure that would require individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Banks, Cotton introduce joint resolution to overturn ‘Designated Placement’ foster care rule: U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., announced he and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced a Congressional Review Act to overturn a Biden administration rule requiring “Designated Placements” to commit to affirming a child’s gender identity and sexual orientation regardless of their biological sex. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Committee passes Baird legislation to forbid U.S. funding for organizations that recognize Palestinian Authority, PLO: The NOPE Act, authored by U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind., passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee, a news release announced. The proposal updates existing funding prohibitions to include organizations that offer the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization “any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status.” (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Pence touts $75M grant for Cummins: Cummins Inc. has been awarded a $75 million grant to support the U.S. automotive supply chain, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind. The grant is expected to support creation of 250 jobs. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Yakym testifies in support of his ‘Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act’: U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym, R-Ind., announced he testified in support of his legislation, H.R. 8854, the Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2024, at a House Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee hearing. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

Spartz to appear in court in September for weapons violation at DC airport: According to documents filed in the Loudon General District Court in Virginia, U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., is charged with carrying a weapon in a terminal at Dulles International Airport, a misdemeanor in Virginia. She is scheduled for an arraignment hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 20. (Howell, Jr., WRTV)

Congressional schedule: The House and Senate are out.

CAMPAIGNS

Today: INDEM convention begins —  Business at the Indiana Democratic Party’s state convention begins at noon at the Indiana Convention Center, with the Hoosier Hospitality Dinner set for 7 p.m. at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Congressional district meetings are scheduled for tomorrow morning, with constituency caucus meetings and permanent convention committee meetings in the afternoon. The general session is slated for 3-6 p.m. tomorrow. (Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs)

PRESIDENTIAL 2024

Biden remains defiant, forceful about staying in race: President Joe Biden held a high-stakes news conference in which he was forceful and defiant, vowing to pursue reelection and finish the job he started, but he also made some flubs as he tried to slow a stream of Democratic defections that risked turning into a mutiny. (The Wall Street Journal)

Pelosi moving behind the scenes to get Biden to reconsider presidential run: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is working furiously behind the scenes to put pressure on President Biden to reconsider his place at the top of the 2024 ticket, according to a number of Democratic lawmakers familiar with her efforts. (The Hill)

NATION

White House schedule: President Joe Biden will receive the Daily Brief at 10 a.m. The president will fly to Wayne County, Mich., in the afternoon for a 6 p.m. campaign event. Following, he will travel to Rehoboth Beach, Del. Vice President Kamala Harris will receive briefings and conduct internal meetings with staff.

‘Only the facts,’ she insisted

Posted on by Morton Marcus

Cousin Maribelle was in town, and she takes no prisoners.

“Tell me about Indiana,” she demanded.

“Oh,” I responded, “we’re a collection of small businesses in small and midsize cities, living in harmony with nature.”

“You’re a foul, polluted cistern in the industrial heartland. And you’ve less small business than that of the nation,” she sneered.

I objected. “Fully 63% of establishments where Hoosiers work have fewer than 20 employees.”

Maribelle made a gargoyle face. “That figure is over 70% nationally. Worse, Indiana firms have 183 workers for every 100 establishments. Nationally the figure is 158. That smells like an excess of labor to me.”

“Well,” I paused, like President Reagan, trying to think my way through this. “Must be we have tougher jobs that require more workers. You’ve seen the saying on the wall of the state office building: ‘A State That Works.’”

Now Maribelle did something very strange — she laughed. “Yes, and a rational person would ask, ‘Works for whom?’”

Now my blood began to boil. “Anyway, that sign is gone now. It’s been replaced by ‘Indiana for the Bold.’”

That tidbit broke her up. When she caught her breath, she said, “Yes, for the bold and the old. Bold enough to stay and earn 82% of what the typical private sector American earns. Even the highly paid workers in Indiana establishments with more 5,000 employees average $59,184, again just 82% of the average ($72,386) for similarly placed workers in the U.S.

“And don’t forget,” she added, “in 60 of your 92 counties, the median age is over 40. It peaks in good old Brown County, where more than half the population is over 50, just a-rockin’ ’n’ a-waitin’ for da Great Come-and-Get-It Day.”

“That’s mean-spirited,” I cried out.

“Be that as it may,” Maribelle replied, “Hoosiers see ghosts when they talk about your economy. They’ll argue about how important agriculture is to the state, largely because farming is so visible and of great consequence in antiquity.”

“You are on dangerous ground there, Cousin,” I warned her.

“Right,” she said. “I’ve heard that if you eat, you’re part of agriculture. But then, if you have to relieve yourself, you’re part of plumbing.”

Now she was rolling and unstoppable. “What else do I hear? They talk about manufacturing, as another ghost, dead or in decline.”

“Get to the point,” I demanded.

“It’s so simple it’s embarrassing,” she said. “Manufacturing in Indiana is 22% of business payrolls with 18% of the jobs. Nationally, it’s 9.5% of payrolls and 9.1% of jobs.”

“So?” I said.

“So, more Hoosiers need to think about the housing and health care needs of our times. Those will be satisfied more and more by materials for building and for monitoring health conditions. That’s where Indiana is going.”

And with that, she was gone.   

Mr. Marcus is an economist. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him and John Guy on the “Who Gets What?” podcast, available at mortonjohn.libsyn.com.

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