July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Signs of hope in 2010 session

Editorial

Don't hold your breath, but it looks as if the Indiana General Assembly could make some significant steps toward better government in the next session.

For the first time, the notion of ethics reform - ending the revolving door between the legislature and lobbying firms, stricter limits on lobbying, and greater transparency - has found a champion.

In fact, it's found not one but three.

House Speaker Pat Bauer, Gov. Mitch Daniels, and Sen. David Long have all gone on record in support of reform efforts. And that's a trio that will be tough to beat.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Todd Rokita has called for removing politics from the process of drawing legislative district maps; and Sen. Long has been supportive of the idea.

For years, the worst sort of political pettiness has driven the process.

When the Republicans drew up the maps, the intent was to shaft the Democrats. When the Democrats drew up the maps, the intent was to shaft the Republicans.

The idea of serving the voter or making sure that maps represented cohesive communities of shared interests or concerns was never a part of the equation. It was all about political advantage.

If either one of these proposals were on the table, it would be a reason for proponents of good government to be hopeful. To have both of them on the tentative agenda for the next session is truly extraordinary.

As we said, don't hold your breath.

Plenty can go wrong when the maneuvering starts in the Statehouse. But we'd like to think that maybe this time a couple of important things can go right. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
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