We normally don’t spend much time on the Indianapolis City County Council, but be sure to catch an article in this morning’s Indianapolis Star that profiles newly elected City County Councilor Angel Rivera, who was elected in caucus to replace Kent Smith.  The article focuses on Rivera’s goal of bridging the gap between Hispanics, their local government, and the Republican Party.

Spanish is Angel Rivera’s first language. He still has strong ties to his native Puerto Rico. And he talks to his parents almost every day.

The traits that he shares with many Hispanics — a language, ties to home thousands of miles away and importance of family — could present Rivera, 27, with a golden opportunity.

As the newest member of the City-County Council and its first Hispanic Republican, he’s looking to bring Indianapolis’ growing Hispanic population closer to city government and to a party that historically hasn’t been successful in winning Hispanics’ votes. — Indianapolis Star

That’s easier said than done, read on to discover the challenges faces Rivera and his eagerness to get to work.

Efforts to bring fairness and end gerrymandering in our state’s redistricting process are dead for this session thanks to Democrat House Speaker Pat Bauer.  The Henderson Gleaner Editorial Board takes him on and makes the case for a redo in 2011.

An effort to convince state lawmakers to create a credible plan for the way Indiana designs legislative and congressional districts is likely dead for this session.

Legislators, already meeting later than planned, have been working against time on a few critical issues, among them unemployment insurance taxes paid by businesses. Apparently, some House Democrats do not regard redistricting as critical. At one point during the session, House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, who does have the power to place redistricting on the active agenda, referred to it as a “distraction.”

He is patently wrong. — Henderson Gleaner

Read on and discover that Republican Leader Brian Bosma has already committed to bring the issue back in 2011, when Republicans are likely to be in the majority.  Since Republicans will control the House, Senate, and Governor’s Office, Bosma has little reason to do so, other than to bring fairness and equity to redistricting, an objective that is clearly lost on our current speaker.

What a beautiful day! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, bees are trying to have sex with them…as is our understanding.  Here it is, your FH Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 9, 2010.

– Bipartisan negotiations on school funding and student reading progress continued yesterday and Democrats and Republicans are close to reaching an agreement.  (Indianapolis Star)

– We’re really starting to enjoy this train wreck caused by Congressman Eric Massa.  He is now claiming that leadership is pushing him out of office because of his opposition to the public option.  Scorched earth, Congressman.  (Washington Post)

– Gov. Mitch Daniels is supporting a bistate commission to oversee the construction of the Illiana Expressway and plans to meet with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn this week.  (Gary Post-Trib)

– Debate over a delay in unemployment insurance fund increases slogs ahead today.  Senate Republicans have made several concessions to House Democrats who are seeking ‘jobs’ provisions… or at least stuff they can put in a press release.  (Evansville Courier & Press)

– The Saints flag that was flown outside of Gov. Daniels’ office since the Super Bowl is on its way to Louisiana.  A business won the flag that was auctioned on Ebay, with the nearly $7,000 in proceeds benefiting charity.  (WFIE)

State lawmakers are back at the statehouse today working to find resolution on a proposed delay to unemployment fund assessment increases and resolve education funding questions.  Both issues are being driven by a down national economy.  Gov. Mitch Daniels said what everyone was thinking:

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has been critical of House Democrats for hampering negotiations by adjourning until Wednesday afternoon.

“Senate Republicans, typical of them, are here and ready to work, and unlike their House counterparts, have offered a host of concessions,” Daniels said.

Still, Daniels is hopeful that the two sides will find common ground before the official deadline date.

“It’s too bad that the early deadline wasn’t met, but there’s plenty of time, and they could still end early as far as I could tell very quickly if both sides would come to work.” — WIBC

As legislators continue to meet, a historic number of primary and general election challengers are working away back home while the clock ticks in Indy.

We were out of pocket last week, what’d we miss besides the Boone County Lincoln Day Dinner?  Here it is, your FH Morning Briefing for Monday, March 8, 2010.

– We get busy for two days and miss Pat Bauer’s most recent temper tantrum.  He bailed on taxpayers Thursday evening and blamed Senate Republicans.    Shocking, really.  We’ve seen this movie before, and it ends with a bunch of Democrats losing an election.  (Indianapolis Star)

– Besides the unemployment insurance issue, education funding is a big issue getting a lot of press.  Legislators are debating how to fund schools, what portion the state should support, and what flexibility to give to local districts to move money.  (Evansville Courier & Press)

– Legislation to allow microbreweries to sell carryout beer on Sundays is headed to the governor’s desk for his approval.  Where’s the closest microbrew?  (Gary Post Tribune)

– Axelrod sad.  President Obama’s “message maven” David Axelrod has fallen on tough times since his boss’ popularity started to plummet.  He should probably be talking to Democrats, instead of The New York Times.  (NYT)

– The Oscars were last night.  Since you asked, we were wearing Gap jeans, a v-neck sweater from Banana Republic, and a baseball cap studded with rhinestones, on loan from our friends at Bedazzler.

Howard County Republican Chairman Craig Dunn threw this nugget up on their website yesterday, and we can’t remember if we’ve ever seen anyone pull off what Rep. Ron Herrell did for 2009:

Democrat State Representative Ron Herrell continued his claim to the title of “King of The Special Interests” when he filed his campaign finance report for 2009. Absolutely none of his campaign money came from individuals. Every last dime came from a special interest group with legislation pending in the Indiana Legislature.

Impressive. For an entire year, he raised $0 (0%) for his campaign from individuals, and about $5,000 (100%) from businesses and unions who were lobbying the general assembly this year. Lest you think he only got a few checks written last year, it’s worth noting that most of that came in $250 chunks. We’re not opposed to them giving to his campaign, but what does it say about you when the actual people in your district don’t give you cash?

Is it time to golf yet?  Here it is, your FH Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

– The General Assembly has passed an ‘ethics’ bill that is being hailed as a “starting point” in the neverending quest to legislate unlegislatable behavior.  Who wants to grab drinks and celebrate?  (Indianapolis Star)

– Legislation to enable the construction of the Illiana Expressway is on its way to the governor’s office for final approval.  The project, which had its fair share of hurdles to overcome, is expected to create 10,000 jobs.  (NWI Times)

– President Obama declares that Democrats will use reconciliation to ram health care reform down our throats… to the surprise of no one.  (ABC News)

– You’ve got to love any WSJ editorial that begins like this: “A string of electoral defeats and the great unpopularity of ObamaCare can’t stop Democrats from their self-appointed rendezvous with liberal destiny…”  Fantastic.  (Wall Street Journal)

– The short session of the Indiana General Assembly is wrapping up this week and only has a loose string or two to tie up before finishing a full 10 days earlier.  (Courier & Press)

The US Telegraph, err, Postal Service is hitting hard times again.  After posting a $3.8 billion loss in 2009 and experiencing a 12.7% drop in volume, thanks to the magic of the interweb, the USPS is proposing to end Saturday mail service.

The U.S. Postal Service plans to propose Tuesday an adjusted mail service schedule, which will likely cut Saturday delivery. The agency will also suggest closing some branches and expanding its use of self-service kiosks in grocery stores and other popular retail spots, as part of its effort to work its way out of a mountain of debt.

The Post Office was $10 billion in debt as of Sept. 30 — not far off from its $15 billion debt limit, which the agency expects to hit in its 2011 fiscal year. — CNN

We’ve been singing this tune for nearly two years (Since May 12, 2008 to be exact) and we’ll say it again: the post office is in need of a good leasing.  Going to five-day a week service only saves the USPS $1.9 billion per year.  Assuming volume and debt continue on their current downward trajectory, the post office needs more than a two-day weekend.