Here's the scoop on last week's "incident" at the Statehouse. As well as a couple of other items.

1. The Cheat Sheet, Vol. 10, Issue 4 – February 2020
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Who are You Calling A Racist?
Well, as you know, there's always that time
after Valentine's Day, but before St.
Patrick's Day that something happens at the
Statehouse that sort of throws everything
off-kilter. We're not sure if this is it, but it's
the frontrunner for now.
As you all are aware, there were allegations
of racism put out on Thursday by members
of the Black Legislative Caucus against
members of the Republican supermajority in
the House of Representatives. We spent the
weekend doing some checking and talking
to folks, and here's the real story.
It centered around HB 1367, which was
legislation sponsored by Jake Teshka that
would have de-annexed part of the South
Bend School Corporation and allowed
some kids to attend the John Glenn School
Corp. The logic being that many kids in
that area already attend John Glenn, and this
would make it easier for them to get
transportation because, as some of you may
be aware, kids can attend any school district
in the state as long as they can find a way
there. With the kids being part of John
Glenn, they would be eligible for bus
transportation instead of their parents
driving.

2. The Cheat Sheet, Vol. 10, Issue 4 – February 2020
Did you know the Cheat Sheet and our parent company Indy Politics is a certified MBE with
the state of Indiana? Yup. Let us help you diversify your supply chain network by helping
you with advertising, marketing, and public outreach. Shoot us an e-mail and let's see what
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Seems like pretty simple stuff,
right? Wrong.
This, in turn, had some members of the
black caucus yell racism and that this was
part of white, rural families trying to leave
an urban school district, particularly State
Representatives Greg Porter and Vernon
Smith. When they brought that up, some
GOP caucus members did do some booing,
which was in bad form. However, State Rep
Jim Lucas, who was accused of booing and
saying some derogatory remarks wasn't one
of them. Instead, Lucas did stand up to call
for a point of order. The logic is that
accusing the legislation of being racist is
impugning the bill's sponsor's integrity,
which is against the rules.
At this point in time State Rep. Sean
Eberhart, who sits in the very back of the
chamber, got up to walk out of the room as
he was annoyed with the racism allegations.
When he went out in the hallway, he saw
Lucas getting into it with State Rep.
Vanessa Summers, who can fly off the
handle at times. Summers and Lucas got into
it. Lucas had his hands behind his back to
not take an aggressive posture against
Summers.
Summers then turned her attention to
Eberhart. She was cursing him out, used
some pretty harsh language directed at
Lucas, "bitch and motherfucker" were a
couple of the words she used. That’s when
State Rep. Bob Morris stepped in and led
Eberhart away from Summers, who kept
following them. He pulled Eberhart back,
and Eberhart lost some of his footing.
Eventually, they went into the men's room
so that Summers wouldn't follow them.

3. The Cheat Sheet, Vol. 10, Issue 4 – February 2020
Did you know the Cheat Sheet and our parent company Indy Politics is a certified MBE with
the state of Indiana? Yup. Let us help you diversify your supply chain network by helping
you with advertising, marketing, and public outreach. Shoot us an e-mail and let's see what
we can do for you. Abdul@indypolitics.org.
The big problem here is Republicans being
accused of being racists, particularly
Eberhart, who doesn't have a racist bone in
his body. He was one of six Republicans
who voted against RFRA, and he did not
have an issue with same-sex marriage. We
can say the same thing about Lucas. He
may occasionally be a little on the
insensitive side, but he is not a racist.
Summers, on the other hand, has a temper.
She slapped Lucas after a committee hearing
a few years ago. She called former House
Speaker Brian Bosma a
“motherfucker” back in the 2005-2006
session. And she once called former State
Rep. Jud McMillin’s baby a racist because
the baby didn’t want to go to her, a stranger.
In a nutshell, was Thursday one of the best
days for the Indiana General Assembly, no it
wasn't. Republicans should not have booed
and gotten somewhat loud when
Representatives Porter and Smith made their
statements. But to call individuals racist
when the person who started the incident
was black was a bit much.
Hopefully, things will calm down a bit. We
know Eberhart wants to talk to Summers
and see if the two of them can make peace
with each other. Good luck.
A Couple of Other Items
So who is, or who are, the front runners in
the race to replace Connie Lawson for
Secretary of State. TCS hears State Rep.
Holli Sullivan and former Holcomb Deputy
Chief of Staff Danny Lopez are the top two
contenders for the position. Also
considering a run is State Rep. Tim
Wesco. Former Pence aide Diego Morales
has already declared his candidacy.
Joe Elsener, Holcomb Deputy Campaign
manager filed this morning for the race for
Marion County Chairman. If elected, a third
of his salary will be picked up by the State
Party to help them rebuild. He will face
Eastside City-County Councilor Michael
Hart, John Schmidt and Alex
Henby. Cindy Mowry has dropped out of
the race.

4. The Cheat Sheet, Vol. 10, Issue 4 – February 2020
Did you know the Cheat Sheet and our parent company Indy Politics is a certified MBE with
the state of Indiana? Yup. Let us help you diversify your supply chain network by helping
you with advertising, marketing, and public outreach. Shoot us an e-mail and let's see what
we can do for you. Abdul@indypolitics.org.
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
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