Hoosier State Press Association - The Indiana Publisher
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/56850
Indiana The Volume 77, Issue 5 • March 1, 2012 Publisher Published alternate Thursdays Access legislation barely alive The Hoosier State Press Association is locked in discussions with House and Senate Republican leadership over a potential amendment that would clear the way for pro-public access legislation. The bill would add a civil fine for deliber- ate violations of the Open Door Law and Access to Public Records Act. Senate Republican fears over the impact of S.B. 92 (authored by Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield) and H.B. 1093 (authored by Rep. Kevin Mahan, R-Hartford City) on its ability to protect certain legislative records lead to the death of both bills in the Senate. At press time Feb. 29, the legislation remained alive because H.B. 1093 was passed by the House. This means it can be added to a surviving bill that's eligible for a conference committee in the waning weeks of the General Assembly. Legislative concern was sparked by an Indiana Supreme Court decision to listen to a lawsuit filed by House Democrats attempt- ing to block the imposition of fines by the House Republicans over the Right to Work walkout by the Democrats earlier in the ses- sion. If the Supreme Court deviates from its past stance of not getting involved in the internal workings of the legislature under the separation of powers doctrine, that could impact the Masariu decision of 1993. In that case, the Supreme Court said it would not enforce the state's public access laws against the legislature. In other words, the court won't tell the legislature how to conduct legislative See Legislation, Page 3 State Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard, center, received the Frank O'Bannon Sunshine Award during HSPA's Legislators Luncheon on Feb. 16 in Indianapolis. Shep ard was nominated by Jon O'Bannon, right, publisher of The Corydon Democrat. Former Indiana first lady Judy O'Ban - non, left, presented the award named for her late husband. Chief justice honored for sunny perspective T Newspapers get more free state stories Butler University's Eugene S. Pulliam School of Journalism and the Hoosier State Press Association are partnering to provide coverage of state government and politics for Indiana newspapers. Student journalists have government news beats that include coverage of the Indiana General Assembly, Gov. Mitch Daniels and his final legislative agenda and public education. During the pilot year of this partnership, Butler journalism students will produce weekly multimedia stories, including news and analysis and a wrap-up of the short ses- sion. Stories were available starting Feb. 28 and will continue for six weeks. In addition, more in-depth enterprise sto- ries will be available the week of April 24. Stories will be available through HSPA's online content-sharing service, HSPAInfo.net, as well as on the website IndianapolisNewsBeat.com. All HSPA-member newspapers may use the stories, according to Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel. "This project provides content on state government activity for newspapers that might not have the resources to send a See Stories, Page 3 Distinguished Service Award winner Max Jones, editor of the Tribune-Star (Terre Haute), right, and his wife, Helen, talk with George Garties of The Associated Press during a reception at the HSPA and HSPA Foundation Annual Meetings & Government Conference on Feb. 16 in Indianapolis. he Hoosier State Press Association honored Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard with a Frank O'Bannon Sunshine Award for his support of open government. With many state legislators observing, Judy O'Bannon, the late governor's wife, presented the clear glass award symboliz- ing transparency in government to Shepard during a luncheon at the HSPA Annual Meetings and Government Conference at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown on Feb. 16. Shepard's efforts to help citi- zens understand how the court system works were lauded by Judy O'Bannon, an owner of The Corydon Democrat, which nomi- nated the jurist for the honor. See Justice, Page 4 Service award goes to editor Above left: State Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield, right, talks with Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, during the Legislators Luncheon portion of the Annual Meetings. Above right: Randall Shields, publisher of The Daily Reporter (Greenfield), shares a revenue idea that won him an iPad 2. Pat Lanman, editor and general man- ager of Vevay News papers, speaks during round-table discussions at the Annual Meetings. To see more photos, visit hspa.com. M ax Jones, editor of the Tribune-Star (Terre Haute), has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Hoosier State Press Association. The award, given annually during the association's Annual Meetings and Government Conference, recognizes someone who has: • Made a significant impact on the newspaper industry in Indiana through service to HSPA in committee work, board membership, lobbying efforts or legal action. • Performed outstanding ser- vice to the newspaper industry See Service, Page 4 ANNUAL MEETINGS AND GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE