“We should error on the side of openness and hope there’s not a problem. If one develops, then we’ll look at that.”
— Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels
It took almost a week, but Gov. Daniels finally stepped up and did the right thing on Wednesday, rescinding new rules aimed at restricting the number of people allowed in the Statehouse during this session of the General Assembly.
The expressed intent of the restrictions was public safety, but the result would have limited citizens’ access to the state’s center of government and stifled the ability of people to support or protest what their elected officials are doing. That was unacceptable, and Hoosiers let Daniels know about it.
Safety, of course, does matter. Yet there are ways to address legitimate concerns without shutting off free access to the “people’s house” just in time to quell what is expected to be a raucous and controversial legislative session. From the start, the restrictions on the number of visitors allowed in the Statehouse reeked of politics.
The declared 2012 legislative priority for the Republican Party, which controls all aspects of state government this session, is adoption of a so-called “right-to-work” law banning businesses and private unions from signing contracts that require all workers to pay union dues. It will be one of the most contentious issues in decades, and labor union members were expected to protest at the Statehouse in large numbers.
Daniels and state officials found out that while their party may now have all the power, there is a limit to what the people will tolerate. They found that limit this week.
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As an aside, we agree with Daniels’ recent recommendation that political forces abstain from using the upcoming Super Bowl media stage to promote their causes. Let our state enjoy the national spotlight without dimming it with unnecessary controversy.
Specifically, we urge Indiana Democrats not to use the Super Bowl stage to oppose “right-to-work” legislation. They should keep their fight in the Statehouse.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: Back from the access brink
Governor is right to keep Statehouse open to all
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
• Cream of the crop
• Keep the ideas flowing
• Remembering fallen officers
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EDITORIAL: Hazards of the spring abundant now on I-70
A major holiday weekend is approaching. The weather has been consistently inviting for travel and outdoor activity. Gas prices are even inching downward.
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EDITORIAL: Embrace the Sycamores
Terre Haute should understand the rarity of an opportunity to celebrate a championship.
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EDITORIAL: Good choice for stability
For the first time in 25 years, Indiana will have a new chief justice for its Supreme Court. For those who value stability on the state’s highest court — and we count ourselves among those who do — the appointment Tuesday of longtime Justice Brent Dickson is good news.
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EDITORIAL: Correcting the prison imbalance
Terre Haute will no longer count federal prisoners when the city slices its population into six equal City Council districts. That decision by the City Council last week to remove the inmates at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex from the council district mathematical formula may not make waves, but it makes sense.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the News
• Sometimes bureaucracies do listen
• April hours bring May flowers
• Getting our airport off the ground
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EDITORIAL: When it’s IU vs. UK, there’s got to be a way
If the annual Indiana-Kentucky basketball game was not significant, would the coaches of the two universities be talking like this?
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EDITORIAL: Sen. Lugar’s compelling message
Richard Lugar, no stranger to reading political tea leaves, undoubtedly knew for weeks that defeat was coming Tuesday night in his primary fight for re-election against a more-conservative-than-thou opponent. A statement Lugar released just hours after his loss of titantic proportions indicates that the six-term incumbent saw the reality even before he knew Richard Mourdock was to be his opponent this May.
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EDITORIAL: Reviewing the landscape
The compelling story line surrounding the race between Richard Lugar and Richard Mourdock dominated most of the local primary election chatter. With those stunning results now in the books and Mourdock heading toward a showdown with Democratic Party nominee Joe Donnelly of South Bend (the current U.S. House rep from the 2nd District), it’s time to survey the landscape for other general election races that will be worthy of attention.
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EDITORIAL: GOP changed; Lugar didn’t
Six terms. Overwhelming popularity. A statesman and a gentleman. A visionary. An icon in the annals of U.S. Senate leadership, even world leadership. So dominating on the political landscape that the opposing party did not even produce a candidate in the last election.
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EDITORIAL: An exercise in democracy
Primary elections rarely draw the same levels of participation as general elections.
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EDITORIAL: Fight against child abuse demands ongoing attention
As with many of our nation’s most maddening and perplexing social problems, one hardly knows how to fathom the egregious wrongs that occur when a child is abused.
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EDITORIAL: A ‘giant’ for his hometown
Home is where the heart is. That’s true for all of us. In addition, your heart can take you home.
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EDITORIAL: Curbing corruption a worthwhile crusade
If you are cynical about government, down to its most local levels, you may think it is overrun — or even controlled — by corruption.
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EDITORIAL: The politics of Primary 2012
In less than a week, voting Hoosiers get a chance to make a statement about the future of politics in their state and beyond. But whatever that statement turns out to be, the final punctuation marks won’t be added until November. It’s possible that nothing will be settled by the end of the night May 8.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
• Their footsteps can lead us
• It would be music to his ears
• Feeding a genuine need
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EDITORIAL: Hoosier Republicans should stick with Richard Lugar
Until late 2008, most Hoosiers were quite pleased — and in many cases, darn right proud — to call Richard Lugar their senior U.S. senator.
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EDITORIAL: Matt Branam: 1954-2012
The sudden death of 57-year-old Matt Branam on Friday morning continues to leave an air of sadness hanging over the community.
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EDITORIAL: A transplant from St. Ann’s
It would be understandable, for most of us, if we were madder than the opposite of heaven if a beloved, historic, personal part of our lives was to be taken away against our will.
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EDITORIAL: Pragmatic approach to downtown development benefits community
Terre Haute has known for some time now that Indiana State University’s master plan includes creation of student residential centers off-campus in the nearby downtown area.
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TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORIAL: A salute to pride of ’55
Terre Haute gets the chance to witness and appreciate the extent of its rich baseball legacy this Saturday. Its past and present will merge at Bob Warn Field.
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EDITORIAL: A match of Mitt and Mitch?
Not every Indiana governor’s endorsement of a presidential candidate has made instant national news as did Mitch Daniels’ support for Mitt Romney on Wednesday.
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EDITORIAL: Drilling for fairness
Consistency and fairness were on trial Monday as the Vigo County commissioners grappled with a controversial rezoning request from a property owner who wants to drill for oil on his land near Hawthorn Park northeast of Terre Haute.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
Cheers, jeers and tears
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EDITORIAL: Be fair, consistent, but keep smokefree ordinance on track
The steps toward a healthier, more vibrant community should continue moving forward.
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EDITORIAL: Inspired by tradition, celebration
With the observance of Orthodox Easter on Sunday, the spring holy holidays for Christians and Jews will have passed for another year.
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EDITORIAL: No need to sing the blues
The words from Terre Haute Board of Works President Bob Murray on Monday afternoon were as sweet to the ear as a blues riff from an electric guitar: “The bottom line is, [Blues at the Crossroads] should be able to operate just as it has before. It will get worked out.”
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EDITORIAL: Traps abound in online world
For parents, guardians, civil authorities and those who supervise and nurture children of all ages, there is nothing new in the notion that the online world of digital communications is fraught with danger.
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EDITORIAL: Primary reaches critical junction
This is a key week in the highly competitive Republican U.S. Senate primary race between six-term incumbent Sen. Richard Lugar and state Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
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EDITORIAL: Don’t dismiss it, use it
There’s almost always a difference between how a community sees itself and how outsiders see it. That was apparent anew this week after a study called “Indiana Community Asset Inventory and Rankings 2012” came out and began to draw reactions across Indiana’s 92 counties.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Remains of Veterans Found in Basement Are Buried
New Medicine. Can IPads Help Spot Dementia Risk?
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
White House Cautiously Optimistic on Iran
Chicago Police: 90 Arrested in NATO Protests
Ex-Rutgers Student Gets 30 Days in Webcam Case
Daisy Sizzles in Sexy Swimwear
Officers Use Deadly Force on Mountain Lion in Santa Monica
Lea Michele Shows Major Skin
Why Cee Lo Thinks 'The Voice' is So Popular
Burlesque New Orleans
Mike Posner Talks Sneakers: Bamboozle 2012
Howard Stern Makes Kid Cry on AGT
Neighbor Feud Results in Dog Poop in Mailbox
Tiger's Ex-Wife Bares Her Bod
VIDEO | Zoo Chimp Charges Children
Child locked in washing machine after father put him there
Incubus On Working With Odd Future: Bamboozle 2012
'PLL' First Look Clip!
Fired for being 'too hot'
Ashley Olsen is a Bikini Babe
'Part of Me' Details 'Bumpy' Marriage, Says Katy
Music downloader owes nearly $700K in fines
Kardashian Sisters Pose in Lingerie
Raw Video: Man Saved After Niagara Falls Plunge
