Open Statehouse seats are a rare election treat – especially since legislative leaders discovered the political advantage of contests settled in caucus to give a candidate the benefit of incumbency without first facing the electorate. So, kudos to retiring Sen. Tom Wyss for allowing voters to choose his District 15 successor. The choice is all the more appealing because the candidates, Liz Brown and Jack Morris, offer striking contrasts. Each has a law degree, but the similarities end there. Republican Brown will continue the GOP majoritys course on education privatization and business tax cuts; Democrat Morris offers not just an alternative to those policies but detailed proposals for moving the state forward. A partner at the Fort Wayne firm of Benson, Pantello, Morris & James, Morris, 59, is a graduate of Ball State University, Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis and Trinity Theological Seminary. He proposes a tax-credit plan for small businesses that create jobs paying more than the average state wage. He also offers a plan to provide two years of tuition-free community college or technical training to high school seniors. Morris, making his second bid for the District 15 seat, wants IPFW faculty to have more say in the regional campus governance. “From a state level, I would advocate for whatever legislation is needed to make that happen,” he said. “I think its a foregone conclusion that theres going to be more independence there, whether its full autonomy or not.” Brown, who runs a mediation business and teaches at the University of Saint Francis, said she doesnt have an opinion on IPFW governance issues. The campus is located within the Senate district. A former City Council member, Brown was previously a candidate for school board, mayor and Congress. The University of Notre Dame graduate and University of Iowa law school grad is the mother of seven grown children. Her commitment to public service is sincere. If Brown, 55, showed interest in championing issues important to women, in fact, it would be difficult to endorse Morris. The Indiana General Assembly is sorely lacking in female representation. With the primary election defeats of Reps. Kathy Heuer and Rebecca Kubacki, the lone female in the northeast Indiana delegation is Sen. Sue Glick, R-LaGrange. But Brown cites jobs and infrastructure as priorities. Those issues are important to all Hoosiers, of course, but theres no shortage of lawmakers eager to promote them. Whats missing are powerful voices to question why Indiana children have died in unregulated child care businesses or why the state ranks 45th in the nation for infant mortality. Indiana needs lawmakers prepared to challenge the administration on child-protection policies and the direction of so-called education reform. Brown, unfortunately, shows no inclination to address those topics. As her campaign indicates, she is more eager to spar over “family values” than over the central responsibilities of state government. Morris, however, wants to take on the legislatures education policy. His ads linking Brown with former state Superintendent Tony Bennetts policies would be harsh if they werent true. While Brown supports charter and voucher schools and dismisses questions about Gov. Mike Pences redundant Center for Education and Career Innovation, Morris opposes charter and voucher expansion and vows to target CECI, a “move to undercut the elected superintendent of public instruction.” “Were hurting kids when we fight this way,” he said. Morris shows a willingness to listen to constituents and to work toward compromise. Those skills and characteristics are sorely needed in a Statehouse gripped by partisan overreach, indifference to ethical lapses and a willingness to cower to tea party demands at the expense of low- and middle-income Hoosiers. journalgazette.net/article/20141023/EDIT08/310229907/1147/EDIT07
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:29:10 +0000
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