04/11/2008
Political hotbed?
When it comes to the presidential primary, "political hotbed" is not the phrase usually used to describe our fair state at this point in the process. "Snooze fest" would be a more appropriate description of our presidential primary in years past. We are usually a lowly afterthought, coming after the "important" state primaries. Indiana has not had a truly contested presidential primary for a long time. It's been so long that I can't even remember a time when we mattered.
All the activity makes this primary season most intriguing to those of us who are political junkies. No matter your political party affiliation, it is exciting to see presidential candidates and their families crisscrossing the state and returning week after week to campaign. With the influx of entourages, advance teams and the media here, it's not bad for the economy either. And just think of the cash those television commercials are pumping into Indiana. It's about time they spent some of those huge campaign war chests here in the Hoosier state.
Polls-a-plenty
Each day seems to bring results of another poll, or two, or three. Last week the results of the Research 2000 poll were announced. It was a sample of likely Democratic voters. This poll showed Hillary Clinton with 49 percent and Barack Obama with 46 percent of the Indiana vote. WISH-TV in Indianapolis reported that this poll also asked the question, "Which candidate has run the most negative campaign?" The result: Clinton 44 percent, Obama 21 percent.
And then there's the Democratic primary for governor. A WSBT-South Bend Tribune-WISH-WANE poll has Jill Long Thompson leading Jim Schellinger with a razor-thin 42-41 lead, with a whopping 17 percent undecided. Interestingly enough, this poll also indicated that if Obama wins in Indiana, so does Long Thompson.
One more tidbit: That same poll asked about top issues on the voter's minds. On top were the war in Iraq, the economy and healthcare. Surprisingly, one issue that was big at the statehouse this session did not make the list: illegal immigration. It may not be tops on this poll's hit parade, but expect it to come back for next year's state session in a big way.
Mandated privacy for moms
Another follow-up to the 2008 Indiana Session:
SB219, the lactation support bill, breezed through the House and Senate early this session on its way to the governor's desk. Many other issues got attention, while this one seemed way too hot to handle. No legislator wanted to take on nursing moms in an election year. This bill directs that employers with more than 25 employees, to the extent that it is reasonably possible, must provide a private location other than a restroom stall for an employee to express milk. They shall also provide refrigeration or cold storage or allow the employee to provide their own storage device. Except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith, the employer is not to be held liable for harm caused by expressing of milk or cold storage.
Now, I'm sorry, but I cannot imagine our small business owners not being accommodating to a new mother. We're the ones who treat our employees like family. As the mother of five and a former small business owner, believe me, I get this. But it seems to me that this is government mandating what we already do for our employees. A company with 25 employees is a small business. Is this a really big deal? No. Of course not. We do it anyway. But why do we have to legislate it? To quote John Stossel of ABC-TV, "Give me a break!"
NFIB Small-Business Summit Update
Washington, D.C., in June is the place to be this year. NFIB has invited all of the presidential candidates and we expect they will be there. A big reception to kick off the Summit is on Sunday night. This is always a fun start for the Summit. Political pundits Charlie Cooke and Stu Rothenberg will be on tap for lunch on Monday. There will be a special focus on healthcare involving a number of U.S. senators (Wyden, Bennett, Burr and Coburn invited) and then there will be the Monday evening event with Tony Snow at the new National Portrait Gallery.
Tuesday we storm the Hill and meet with your members of Congress. Tuesday night we're at Union Station with Roger Staubach and Meg Whitman, former CEO of eBay. Not all of these are confirmed, so they are not yet on the Web site.
Your NFIB/Indiana team would like to take a large delegation to D.C. Please check out the NFIB Summit Web site and sign up soon. This will truly be an experience of a lifetime. As a small business owner and member of NFIB (before I became Indiana state director this January), I attended every Summit but one since its inception. In some years I have traveled alone and sometimes I have brought my family. Either way, I would not miss it. Since this is a presidential election year, it will be even more significant to be an Indiana delegate to the Small-Business Summit. Let's send a message to Washington with a huge Indiana delegation!
The rumor mill
Strange talk at Butler:
The talking heads sure have had a field day with the Butler University student who questioned Chelsea Clinton about Monica Lewinsky. Evan Strange (yes, that's his name) has been all over the national media in recent days. NFIB members, what do you think? Should he have asked the question? Inquiring minds want to know.
Dates to remember
April 23, 2008
Note this date has changed! Fort Wayne Area Action Council meeting at Ehlerding Motor Sports, 4 p.m. Briefing from area legislators and NFIB.
May 1, 2008
NFIB/Indiana is sponsoring the Small Business Administration's Small Business Week Celebration. Location: Ritz Charles in Carmel.
May 13, 2008
Indiana Leadership Council meeting at the Skyline Club. Keynote speaker: Congressman Brad Ellsworth.
June 8-11, 2008
NFIB Small-Business Summit. Cost: Only $150 to attend. Many nationally recognized speakers. Presidential candidates are invited. Don't miss it!
Questions? Comments? I like to hear them. Please call me at the NFIB/Indiana office or drop me an e-mail. Thank you for taking the time to read this weekly report and thank you for being an activist for small business.
Barbara Quandt
NFIB/Indiana State Director
317-638-4447
Barbara.Quandt@NFIB.org
