Right now the Statehouse is under some sort of quarantine.
The entire building seems to be shut down because of an unknown powder that was mailed to the Speaker’s office and came in contact with an employee there.
The Indianapolis Star now has a small update here.
From what I can gather, people inside the building aren’t being allowed to leave, and those outside aren’t being allowed in.
Update (1:38pm): People are now being allowed back into the Statehouse.
Update (4:45pm): The Star article has been updated as of 3:00pm to reflect that a second envelope with powder was found in the Statehouse mail system, but it had not been delivered. Test results on both envelopes indicated neither contained any hazardous substances. The rest of the day at the Statehouse has proceeded with business as usual.
I was working in Washington, D.C. for former Congressman Tim Roemer at the time of the anthrax attacks there. Speaking from experience, I can say that having your building shut down, sealed off, and entered by troops of men in bubble suits while you are walking out is not a fun experience. For that matter, neither is process of being tested for anthrax exposure - which involves a very long nasal swab and lots of jabbing.
I am very glad that today’s events were not harmful. However it is worth noting that Indianapolis does have a direct link to the anthrax attacks that followed Spetember 11th. This article talks about anthrax spores that were found at the time at the Indianapolis International Airport, and a postal facility in Idianapolis.
February 15th, 2006
Most business in the House this week is taking place in the committees, as bills that have been sent over from the Senate are being considered.
Yesterday, the Environmental Affairs Committee unanimously passed two bills. SB 22 applies pipeline safety laws to hazardous liquids and carbon dioxide fluid, and SB 146 deals with property transfer disclosure forms.
A third bill, SB 234, was held over for a vote at the next committee meeting. The bill deals with several aspects of environmental rulemaking, but it needs a few technical amendments, and Chairman David Wolkins (R – Winona Lake) indicated he would like time to consider more possible amendments for the bill.
Today I will be working in two more committees. The Committee on Courts and Criminal Code has the following bills on the calendar:
SB 5 – Makes disorderly conduct within 500 feet of a funeral a Class D felony.
SB 6 – Modifies several sex offense provisions, including lifetime parole and GPS monitoring for some offenders.
SB 83 – Creates a mandatory D Felony for some classes of resisting law enforcement with a deadly weapon and some motor vehicle offenses resulting in death or injury.
SB 168 – Allows a county prosecutor to refer some Medicaid related crimes to the Attorney General for prosecution.
SB 246 – Expands definition of “sexually violent predator” among other issues. (This bill has been carried over from the last committee meeting and will be amended.)
Later in the afternoon, the Committee on Utilities and Energy will be considering these bills:
SB 69 – Changes governance provisions of rural telephone cooperatives.
SB 72 – Allows the IURC to meet in executive session in some instances.
SB 353 – Creates several incentives and deductions for biodiesel and ethanol.
Some of the bills listed above may end up being held over for additional consideration, pending the outcome of committee discussion.
February 15th, 2006