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1. The Cheat Sheet, Vol 3, Issue 44 – 9 Sep 2014
The Cheat Sheet. A Publication of Indy Politics. Be sure to catch “Abdul at-Large”
weeknights at 6 p.m. on WIBC-FM, 93.1 in Indianapolis.
Turner Troubles Just Beginning?
TCS is hearing that life for State Representative Eric Turner is about to get really complicated. As you know Turner was at the center of the controversy regarding the nursing home moratorium legislation last session. He was accused of using his influence to kill legislation that would have put a moratorium on new nursing homes in Indiana. There was an ethics investigation which found no wrongdoing, but said there should be tighter rules. Later it was revealed that Turner made money on a deal to sell Main Street properties to an Ohio nursing home company. That had the Speaker remove Turner as Speaker Pro Tempore, the number two spot in the House.
Well now TCS is hearing that law enforcement may be looking at the transaction to see if criminal prosecution might be in order. It’s still unclear whether it is the state or the federal government at this time. We’re told Turner still doesn’t think he did anything wrong and was operating within the rules of the House as well as state law. And he feels like he’s being unjustly attacked.
Regardless, we can honestly say here at TCS, this storyline is not over by a longshot and it’s probably going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

2. The Cheat Sheet, Vol 3, Issue 44 – 9 Sep 2014
The Cheat Sheet. A Publication of Indy Politics. Be sure to catch “Abdul at-Large”
weeknights at 6 p.m. on WIBC-FM, 93.1 in Indianapolis.
HJR-3 in Jeopardy?
Well, because of Turner’s troubles we’re hearing that HJR-3 (the marriage amendment) chances of coming back next session are getting smaller and smaller. Since Turner is attached to it, a lot of lawmakers want nothing to do with it. Also there are the “minor” details that this issue is likely to go before the U.S. Supreme Court and the fact that in the most recent opinion in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals hinted the amendment would be unconstitutional has a lot of lawmakers.

3. The Cheat Sheet, Vol 3, Issue 44 – 9 Sep 2014
The Cheat Sheet. A Publication of Indy Politics. Be sure to catch “Abdul at-Large”
weeknights at 6 p.m. on WIBC-FM, 93.1 in Indianapolis.
Movin’ On Up
So what’s likely to happen with House Republican leadership now that Turner is no longer Speaker Pro Tempore? One scenario TCS is hearing involves House Floor Leader Bill Friend moving up to take Turner’s spot. Kathy Richardson who is caucus chair would take over as floor leader. David Frizzell who is Republican Whip would take Richardson’s spot and Assistant Floor Leader Jud McMillin would assume Frizzell’s post. Had Rebecca Kubacki not lost the primary the word is she would have also been a contender for leadership as well. Of course, all this won’t be decided until Organization Day, but it’s still fun to speculate.
Shella to Channel 4?
TCS wasn’t sure to believe this one when we first heard it too. But apparently as WTTV gets ready to become the new CBS affiliate next year, plans are in the works to create a news operation. It’s unclear whether Channel 4 will absorb the news team at WISH-TV, but the one thing we are hearing is that management is really interested in Jim Shella to head up its political coverage. The “Shella brand” is a pretty good one and some folks think it gives instant credibility to whatever happens with the news operation. Stay tuned.

4. The Cheat Sheet, Vol 3, Issue 44 – 9 Sep 2014
The Cheat Sheet. A Publication of Indy Politics. Be sure to catch “Abdul at-Large”
weeknights at 6 p.m. on WIBC-FM, 93.1 in Indianapolis.
Holden Never Stops
As if being passed over for State Treasurer and losing the primary in the race for Boone County judge weren’t enough, TCS is hearing Jim Holden just doesn’t know when to quit. TCS hears Holden is looking at getting into the race to fill the House seat being vacated by Steve Braun who left to head up the Department of Workforce Development. We will save him the trouble of thinking any further as not only are most of the precinct committeemen who fill that spot are in Hamilton County, but his slate of PCs in Boone County all got defeated in the last election, so his support would be between slim and not a chance in hell. Of course, he could always run for Mayor of Zionsville next year if the town and Perry Township (not the Marion one) approve a reorganization plan which would create the post of Mayor.
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5. The Cheat Sheet, Vol 3, Issue 44 – 9 Sep 2014
The Cheat Sheet. A Publication of Indy Politics. Be sure to catch “Abdul at-Large”
weeknights at 6 p.m. on WIBC-FM, 93.1 in Indianapolis.
Short End of the Stick
You likely know Washington Township Trustee Frank Short suspended his race for Mayor of Indianapolis last week, however what you probably don’t know is the real reason why. Our reliable rumor mill tells us that Short was “encouraged” to leave the race by folks with close ties to Evan Bayh. We hear he was told that if he didn’t get out of the race “things would be bad for business” if he lost. Short was having a hard enough time getting traction. And as a Democratic lobbyist, the last thing he would want is to have to do his full- time elected job as Washington Township Trustee in Marion County.

6. The Cheat Sheet, Vol 3, Issue 44 – 9 Sep 2014
The Cheat Sheet. A Publication of Indy Politics. Be sure to catch “Abdul at-Large”
weeknights at 6 p.m. on WIBC-FM, 93.1 in Indianapolis.
Some More Mayoral Musings
Apparently there is a poll out there showing Indy Mayor Greg Ballard has an 8-point lead over Democratic “front runner” Joe Hogsett. By the way, don’t expect any Hogsett attacks over the increase in the public safety tax, because that would mean going after Council President Maggie Lewis and the other Democrats who voted for it.
You gotta give State Representative and Indy Mayoral candidate Ed DeLaney credit, he wouldn’t let a little thing like laryngitis stop him from talking. Delaney cancelled a news conference Tuesday morning because he lost his voice, but rescheduled that afternoon to quash rumors that he was getting out of the race.
We hear there is a growing chorus of Black Democrats who want State Sen. Greg Taylor to run for Mayor, but TCS is told he’s being threatened with a primary challenger by some white Democrats if he loses and runs for re- election in the Senate.
Evansville Democrats are reeling after the death of former candidate Richard Davis. TCS is told he was there best shot at defeating incumbent Lloyd Winnecke.
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard may find his toughest challenge next year. TCS hears the opposition is going to try and center around one candidate this time in effort to defeat Brainard as opposed to splitting the opposition as in 2011.

7. The Cheat Sheet, Vol 3, Issue 44 – 9 Sep 2014
The Cheat Sheet. A Publication of Indy Politics. Be sure to catch “Abdul at-Large”
weeknights at 6 p.m. on WIBC-FM, 93.1 in Indianapolis.
A Few Other Items of Note
The Indiana GOP move from its current headquarters on Meridian has been delayed a few months. It looks like they won’t be out until December at the earliest.
Indy Mayor Greg Ballard and wife Winnie have been named International Citizens of the Year by The International Center.
House Ways & Means Chairman Dr. Tim Brown received the distinguished Public Service Award from the Indiana Rural Health Association.
It turns out Richard Mourdock wasn’t the only state employee resigning at the end of August to save his pension, TCS also hears Indiana Democratic Chairman John Zody’s Dad Also, retired from his Vigo County job on that Friday as well.
Indy City-County Councilor Jose Evans has been invited to give the keynote address at an International Education Conference in South Africa later this month.
Speaking of Councilors we hear Republican Christine Scales might have crossed a line that could get her removed from the Public Safety committee. Details in the next edition of The Cheat Sheet.

8. The Cheat Sheet, Vol 3, Issue 44 – 9 Sep 2014
The Cheat Sheet. A Publication of Indy Politics. Be sure to catch “Abdul at-Large”
weeknights at 6 p.m. on WIBC-FM, 93.1 in Indianapolis.
The Usual Disclaimer Stuff:
The Cheat Sheet is a publication of IndyPolitics.Org. This is a compilation of pure gossip, rumor and blatant innuendo. We assume no liability if it is wrong, we only take credit for it when it’s right!
If you’ve got something you want to share, (good, bad or ugly) send it to abdul@indypolitics.org. We promise to take all the credit.