Monroe County Democratic Party

Our Democratic candidates for City Council have recorded statements for CATS' Candidates on Demand. We've put together a playlist at our YouTube Channel. Or, you can watch the videos below.

Chris Sturbaum, District 1

Tim Mayer, At Large

Andy Ruff, At Large

Susan Sandberg, At Large

Last night, President Obama addressed the nation about the effects of the Congressional stalemate on our economy.

So the debate right now isn’t about whether we need to make tough choices. Democrats and Republicans agree on the amount of deficit reduction we need. The debate is about how it should be done. Most Americans, regardless of political party, don’t understand how we can ask a senior citizen to pay more for her Medicare before we ask a corporate jet owner or the oil companies to give up tax breaks that other companies don’t get. How can we ask a student to pay more for college before we ask hedge fund managers to stop paying taxes at a lower rate than their secretaries? How can we slash funding for education and clean energy before we ask people like me to give up tax breaks we don’t need and didn’t ask for?

A full transcript of the President's remarks on the debt ceiling is available from the White House.

The Indiana Senate Democrats are asking for your feedback on proposed redistricting maps of Indiana:

Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson (D- Ellettsville) will host a public meeting to discuss proposed changes to the State Senate and U.S. Congressional districts now under consideration as part of the 2011 redistricting process. New districts will be redrawn by the General Assembly to account for changes in Indiana's population as recorded by the 2010 U.S. Census.

The meeting will be held at Ivy Tech-Bloomington in Lamkin Hall, room C131, on Saturday, April 16 at 11:00 a.m. Senator Simpson invites the public to attend and provide feedback on the current and proposed district maps.

Current and proposed maps and an opportunity for public input are also available online at www.Redistricting.IN.gov.

For more information, check out the maps at redistricting.in.gov or leave your feedback at the INRedistricting Facebook page.

Here's State Senator Vi Simpson addressing the media last Thursday, March 3:

For more about Senator Simpson's comments, or to listen to audio of her remarks, check out the Indiana Senate Democrats' Briefing Room blog.

Our own state representative, Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington), tries to explain to Fox News' Neil Cavuto why House Democrats are caucusing in Urbana, IL.

As usual, Matt presents his case in a cool and calm manner, while ignoring Cavuto's interruptions, false analogies, and partisan bromides.

On Sunday, Evan Bayh issued a statement saying that he will not run for Governor in 2012:

“I’ve been flattered by the speculation about me running for governor in 2012. I was honored to serve as our Governor for eight years. It was a job I cherished every day. Working with a wonderful team, we established a record of creating jobs, cutting taxes, balancing the budget, improving education, reforming welfare and much more of which I am very proud.

“After careful consideration, I have concluded that the appropriate decision is not to be a candidate for governor of Indiana in 2012.

“The principle reason for my decision is the welfare of my twin sons. As I’ve said since the day my children were born—when I was governor—my most important job is being a good father. My boys are now in high school, and in my judgment, a run for governor at this time in their lives would be potentially very disruptive.

“While Susan and I prefer Indiana to Washington, D.C., at this time, a statewide campaign would require relocating our children; it would require a change of schools, separation from their friends and athletic teams—all during a formative time in their lives. In addition, while adults seeking public office knowingly accept the rigor and occasional nastiness of modern campaigns, imposing the process on children—particularly teenagers—would be especially onerous.

“Nick and Beau are proud ambassadors for Indiana. They wear their Colts, Pacers, Notre Dame, Purdue and IU apparel with enormous pride, and I know they always will. I’m a fifth generation Hoosier. The boys are the sixth. Nick and Beau have already asked if we can attend the Old Oaken Bucket game in Bloomington next year. I told them we’ll be there.

“Another factor in my thinking is whether I want to be in politics my entire life. I’ve been privileged to be in elective office for 22 years and was first elected when only 30 years old. Serving the people of Indiana has been the honor of my life.

“But as I said when I announced my retirement from the Senate, there are many honorable ways to contribute to society—creating jobs, growing a business, helping guide an institution of higher learning, or helping run a worthy charitable endeavor. I’ll continue to serve, but my contributions will take a different form and on a different stage. I will reassume the most important role any one can play in a democracy—involved citizen.

“Hoosiers can always count on me, much like they have my father, who has made service to Indiana an integral part of his post-electoral career. For example, I will speak at Notre Dame in January on the global economy, and Beau will accompany me. And our family has established a scholarship at IU. These are just the first of what I am sure will be many examples of our ongoing commitment to our state.

“Susan, Nick and Beau join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the many Hoosiers who have supported us over the years. We are grateful for your friendship and your prayers and look forward to seeing each of you again soon. Thank you for the privilege of serving and for so many fond memories. May God bless you all.”

Last Wednesday, the Republican appointee to the Monroe County Election Board, Judith Smith-Ille, voted against creating satellite sites for early voting. Both Democratic Board member Jan Ellis and Republican County Clerk Jim Fielder voted for the measure, which needed unanimous approval to pass. The County Commissioners and County Council had previously authorized $12,000 in funds to pay for the satellite voting sites.

In the 2008 election, more than 4400 people in Monroe County voted early at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, at the Ellettsville fire station, and on the IU campus. A group of students from IU, led by Kelly Smith, made a factual and impassioned pitch to again have a satellite early voting center at IU. Other community members also made the case for the early voting sites, and a letter from County Commissioner Patrick Stoffers was read into the record:

Dear Election Board Members,

I respectfully request the election board to authorize satellite voting to take place during the fall election in Monroe County. Satellite voting was quite successful in 2008 with 4,486 voters participating at the three sites (Ellettsville 998, Campus 2,263, and Sherwood Oaks 1,225). Former election board member Jack Schmit (R) noted in his comments to Bethany Nolan of the Herald-Times (10/25/2008) "they’ve [satellite sites] done their job this cycle by drawing off voters to lessen the pressure at the polls on Election Day". I couldn't agree more.

As you know the Monroe County Council last night appropriated $12,000 for satellite voting purposes for this years election. And the commissioners are by this letter today publicly committing to making our TSD staff available to our election officials to facilitate satellite voting.

Historically, our county election board has found a way to collaborate and work together to put voters first in past election cycles. And I expect nothing less from our current election board.

But despite the overwhelming support of the crowd in attendance, satellite voting did not receive the unanimous consent it needed to move forward. GOP Board member Judith Smith-Ille told the standing-room-only crowd, "I don’t think there’s a lot of interest" in this election. Thanks to CATS, you can watch the entire Election Board meeting online, or download a video of the meeting. [Link] (CATS will also broadcast the meeting several times throughout the week.)

This fight is not over.

Please join us for a rally in support of satellite voting centers tomorrow - Monday - in the Courthouse Rotunda at 11:30am. Speakers will include elected officials, member(s) of the voting systems advisory council, and more. Topics will include satellite voting in Indiana election law, the Commissioners's and Council's request to the Election Board, and the impact of satellite voting in 2008.

The Election Board meets again on Monday, August 30, at 5:15pm in the Justice Building at 301 N College Ave - and satellite voting sites are again on the agenda.

For more information on the Election Board, including agendas and minutes of past meetings, see monroedems.org/electionboard