Government

The primary race for the Indiana state house is taking shape.

Republican Don Lehe is seeking re-election, but in a newly drawn district.

He will face a primary challenge from fellow Republican Franklyn Voorhies in District 25, which includes parts of Tippecanoe, White, Cass, Carroll, and Clinton counties

In District 13, which touches parts of eight counties including Benton, Fountain, and Tippecanoe, three candidates filed for the Republican nomination.  Dan Young, Sharon Negele, and Stephen Aichner are all running.

A former Lafayette City Councilman is running for a seat in Indianapolis.

Democrat Rick Cornstuble announced he will pursue the House District 26 currently held by Randy Truitt.

Cornstuble says education, local government reform, and job creation are among his top priorities and areas he thinks the current leadership is falling short.

He sat on the city council for four years before losing his re-election bid to Jerry Reynolds in November.  Cornstuble says his time serving the city prepared him for the state legislature campaign.

West Lafayette’s Fire Department will continue to serve River Bend Hospital and Chemtura  Corporation.

The Board of Works agreed to contracts with the two.

But, Fire Chief Tim Heath says there is a three percent increase.

River Bend and Chemtura are the only organizations West Lafayette provides coverage to that are outside of the city limits.

The contract with the hospital is about $8,600 annually.  Chemtura pays roughly $8,400.

Both pay $250  for each fire run.

Heath says each make about one call per year.

Electricians must have a license if they hope to work in Lafayette.

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance implementing the requirement.

Members passed the bill after making six amendments to the original measure that was approved after a first reading last month.

District Three Representative Perry Brown doesn’t think the ordinance goes far enough.

There are a few exceptions, including not needing certification for projects that are less than 50 volts.

Tippecanoe County will operate its own hazardous waste district starting the end of this month.

Commissioners signed off on disbanding the Wildcat Creek Solid Waste District last month.

They gave initial approval to the establishment of the Tippecanoe County Solid Waste District today.

The county has contracted with Southside Landfill to handle hazardous waste.

Commissioner David Byers says a part-time position in the Soil and Water Conservation District will be elevated to full-time to coordinate the hazardous waste disposal and community outreach.

Ousted Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White plans to ask a judge to reduce his six felony convictions to misdemeanors at sentencing.

It’s uncertain whether that move would allow him to reclaim his job.

In the meantime, Governor Mitch Daniels has appointed White’s chief deputy, Jerry Bonnet, as interim secretary of state.

A jury convicted White of three counts of voter fraud, two counts of perjury and one count of theft.

He could face six months to three years in prison on each of the counts.

A sentencing date has not been set.

After deliberating for 10 hours, a Hamilton County jury found Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White guilty on six of seven charges.

Those are submitting a false voter registration, perjury, voting in another precinct, casting a false ballot and theft. White was found not guilty of the most serious charge, fraud on a financial institution.

Indiana is now the 23rd Right-To-Work state in the country.

The Senate signed off on the bill Wednesday just two days after it was approved in the House.

Governor Mitch Daniels put the final stamp on the measure.  He signed it into law Wednesday afternoon.

Bill sponsor Carlin Yoder says despite challenges in getting the bill through, he thinks it’s the right move for the state.

The law prohibits unions and companies from requiring dues from non-members.

The Senate passed the measure by a 28-to-22 vote.  Nine Republicans joined Democrats in opposing it.