From the Indianapolis Star:
"For the second year, the Indiana House has refused to consider legislation that would rein in redevelopment commissions like the one Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard has used to fund his city's massive redevelopment.
Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, authored Senate Bill 25, which would stop the mayor-controlled commissions from spending large amounts of taxpayer money without approval from their city councils. The Senate has overwhelmingly approved the legislation the past two years, only to see it die in the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee without so much as a hearing.
Kenley says it's a matter of protecting taxpayers. But House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and committee Chairman Kevin Mahan, R-Hartford City, say mayors throughout the state oppose the bill.
Mahan, a freshman lawmaker in his first year as chairman, said it was his decision to deny the bill a hearing. Kenley, though, placed the onus squarely on Bosma's shoulders.
...
Mahan also won't call a related bill -- Senate Bill 105 -- for a vote. The Senate passed legislation 48-2 to add a school board member to redevelopment commissions. Mahan gave that bill a hearing, but -- as with Kenley's bill -- he said lawmakers viewed it as targeting one community."
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012202250316
