If a story authored by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz at Indy Politics is true, State Sen. Jim Smith (R-Charlestown) becomes the second member of the Senate Republican caucus to face expulsion after being accused of sharing information publicly that was discussed in caucus. Shabazz claims information Smith posted on his Facebook page about the LGBT civil rights legislation introduced yesterday on November 5 led to his expulsion. "The Indiana senate republican leadership is pushing a homosexual civil rights bill . . . What to do you think?" Smith is quoted as posting on his Facebook page.
In 2014, Senate Republicans stripped State Sen. Mike Delph (R-Carmel) of his leadership position and expelled him from the caucus after he was accused of sharing information discussed in caucus regarding the heated debate over the leadership's plans with respect to a proposed amendment to the Indiana Constitution banning same-sex marriages. Delph was later re-admitted to caucus the following year.
Senate President David Long and House Speaker Brian Bosma said they were perplexed when Advance America's Eric Miller put out a video recently claiming Republican leaders planned to move on an LGBT rights bill on Organization Day in what he described as a "sneak attack." In fact, Senate President Pro Tem David Long unveiled legislation introduced on Organization Day which adds protections to the state's civil rights law based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Gay rights advocates immediately assailed the bill, claiming it was a "wolf in sheep's clothing" because of provisions in the bill protecting some organizations, businesses and individuals from claims of discrimination while exercising their religious beliefs.
Regardless of your political beliefs, everyone should be concerned when people are censored while exercising their free speech rights. Because of the super majority Senate Republicans hold in the Senate, what is decided behind closed doors in the Senate is the de facto outcome in public deliberations on the Senate floor. I would argue that caucus meetings should be subject to Indiana's Open Door Law. Caucus leaders adopt these rules of confidentiality to which it subjects caucus members with the threat of expulsion for violating. The truth is that virtually ever caucus member, including the leadership, leaks information to friends and lobbyists in the State House hallways. Someone in the caucus couldn't wait to leak Smith's expulsion to Shabazz as a case and point. It's only when the leader takes personal offense to a leak that a member is punished for leaking those caucus discussions.
10 comments:
If Long is so concerned about caucus leaks, why doesn't he punish the Senate staff member who leaks like a sieve?
Senator Long, did he deny Eric Miller's claim about Organization Day surprises? Brian Bosma's reactions to the Eric Miller revelation were quite intemperate. Are these guys lying to us? Senator Long was wrong on the Delph matter, in my view. He is wrong about Senator Smith as well. Having accomplished Liars in high places is not a new thing but the combination of lying and acting out in Indiana seems to be. The Senate also lacks Senator Waterman due to machinations Republican in nature. Dots might not connect but it seems that Senator Long is proving to be an enemy of the people.
If the Republican caucus thinks this is a "homosexual civil rights bill" then they have a lot more to fear then a leaky caucus. This legislation is poorly written, offensive and expressly provides for discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. I am horrified and embarrassed that Indiana's legislature is about to drag Indiana back into negative headlines. To all my LGBT friends, I apologize for the ignorance demonstrated by this bill and certain legislators and assure you, I did not vote for any of the fools who are pushing this legislation.
I am a Republican, and would love to be expelled by these idiots. This caucus BS is a way to fix the vote before it happens. What happened to transparency? Long loves these secret meeting where he wheels power & pressure with no public scrutiny.
I agree with what Veracity said at 8:43. This is no civil rights bill. Its a discriminatory religious freedom bill. It makes second class citizens of the State's gay citizens. And it makes a mockery of the fairly noble attempt to add lgbt to existing civil rights legislation, which is what the community wants. Bosma and Long are just playing games. This legislation is an insult. It won't satisfy the corporate community or our fine Universities. It actually preempts other, more complete non discrimination laws with this horrible monstrosity. I'm offended. And I want the Republicans to take this thing off the table. They said they would deliberate adding lgbt protections into civil rights legislation in good faith. This will make national news. And it will further embarrass Mike Pence, who shouldn't have to have this awful legislation put on his desk.
I'm not opining one way or the other, but the bill unveiled by Sen. Long does seem to create a balance. If the side pushing for total inclusion won't accept a bill like this, then it's possible that no bill will pass.
Thank you, John Accetturo for a spot-on comment. I no longer label myself "Republican" although when I have genuine candidates offering me a genuine choice leading me to actually go to the polls (I sat out the recent muni elections for the lack of aforementioned) I do vote "R".
I am sickened by the so-called Republican leaders in the Legislature; they are a total abomination to the Party of Lincoln. These attorney and non-attorney legislators are in it for privilege, power, prestige, and money and they all need to go.
No, this is not a "balanced" law. Not by a long shot. I often vote Republican, so this is a statement against interest I suppose, but this bill is offensive to those of us who support our gay family members. I just read it. Their primary goal is to resolve conflicts in favor of religious exemptions and against enforceability of the protections for LGBT people.
The bill squarely aims to guarantee the right of some medical, social services and other institutions to discriminate against married same-sex couples, and to do so with taxpayer dollars. It aims to write separate, lesser protections for LGBT people into state law. It aims to make LGBT people the vehicle for lessening damages for workplace discrimination for everyone except veterans—and it overrides local nondiscrimination policies that provide more protection for LGBT people.
In my opinion its as badly written as the first, completely objectionable rfra law that got Pence into so much trouble, and I suppose it will be just as controversial. I don't support it. And I think Republicans who try to claim this is an honest non-discrimination bill are being intellectually dishonest. It is a roadmap for discrimination. A real dog. I don't think many rank and file Republicans are going to like it. And I know the business community will blast it. It makes us look like Mississippi or Alabama. Why don't they just put on white hoods and gather round Pence on a stage to present it.
Governor Malloy rips Pence a new one, calls him a homophobe this morning. The story picked up by the national news. Beginning of the end for Pence, who unbelievably is putting us all thru this again. Of course, the Syrian family Pence wouldn't allow in Indiana gets sent to Connecticut. Malloy says God would insist on accepting refugees, just lays into Pence.
So what First Amendment protections would you include? Without narrow tailoring, the statute is unconstitutional on its face.
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