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Commentary: Barrett And The Conversation That Didn’t Happen
Commentary: Barrett And The Conversation That Didn’t Happen
By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Two years ago, when the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings were ripping this country apart, I tried to get a few minutes to ask U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, a question.
It was about Amy Coney Barrett.
I wanted to know why the GOP leadership had decided to throw its weight behind Kavanaugh, rather than Barrett.
Kavanaugh had a history of political hatchet work that was bound to enrage Democrats and trouble independents. Any competent background investigation would – and eventually did – turn up troubling incidents in his personal history.
All of this might have been acceptable if Kavanaugh were one of the great legal minds of his generation. But he isn’t. He’s bright enough, but not much more likely to arrive at an original insight or thought than a cinder block is.
Barrett is a different story.
I’ve never met her, but I know people who do know her – including some who disagree with her thinking on law and politics. To a person, they all tell me she is kind, hardworking and smart.
Off-the-charts smart.
Her personal life apparently is without significant blemishes. She and her husband have seven children, including two from Haiti they adopted.
More important, unlike Kavanaugh, she is one of the finest legal thinkers of this time. She finished at the top of her class at Notre Dame’s law school and has dazzled people with the force of her intellect both as a law school professor and as a judge.
She’s as conservative as Kavanaugh, but a whole heck of a lot smarter and more capable.
If Republicans wanted to have a debate about principle, why weren’t they advancing Barrett – someone who represents the values of personal responsibility and advancement based on merit that conservatives, at least in theory, champion – rather than Kavanaugh?
Wouldn’t the GOP rather have had a battle about something other than the notion that might makes right – and, at the same time, forced Democrats into making uncomfortable votes against elevating a woman to the nation’s high court?
That’s what I wanted to ask Young.
But, in the hothouse atmosphere of the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing, my request to a Young staffer for a few minutes to talk with the senator was politely, oh so courteously, ignored.
Kavanaugh went on to be confirmed through a process that disregarded precedent and by a vote that was heavily partisan.
His elevation split the country.
Republicans paid a price for it.
Two years before Kavanaugh’s nomination, President Donald Trump lost the popular vote by just under 3 million votes. A few weeks after Kavanaugh’s confirmation, when Americans trooped to the polls, the Democrats’ popular vote advantage in House races across the nation swelled to 10 million. Longtime GOP bastions such as Orange County, California, fell into Democratic hands.
Republicans lost the House. Kavanaugh remains a divisive figure on the bench.
We’re in another election year now.
Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, and other GOP heavyweights don’t seem to have learned much along the way.
The death of legendary Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg opened a vacancy on the bench.
Trump and McConnell have rushed to fill it. They want Barrett named before election day.
This is unfortunate, for several reasons.
The GOP’s hypocritical stance on naming justices will further taint the Supreme Court’s standing and undermine Barrett’s reputation.
It also likely will backfire on Republicans politically. Polls indicate that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden doesn’t whip up much enthusiasm among voters on his own, but Trump and McConnell have so energized the opposition that the president trails in almost every battleground state and GOP Senate seats presumed safe now are up for grabs. Voters opposed to the GOP cite the heavy-handed court-packing attempts as a major reason for their antipathy.
But one reason this haste to appoint is so unfortunate involves Barrett herself.
Unlike Kavanaugh, she’s a serious figure – one who deserves thoughtful and unhurried consideration. Maybe many Americans will end up not liking some of her positions but hearing her argue her reasons for adhering to them is likely to be illuminating, because, again, she’s off-the-charts smart. We will learn something from hearing her out.
It’s a pity we didn’t get to have that kind of conversation two years ago.
It’s an even greater pity that we won’t get to have it now.
FOOTNOTE: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
The City-County Observer posted this article without bias, opinion, or editing.
Gov. Holcomb Appoints Local People To Various Boards and Commissions
Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced several appointments to various state boards and commissions.
 Governor’s Workforce Cabinet
The governor made six reappointments to the cabinet, who will serve until September 30, 2022:
- Sue Ellspermann (Indianapolis), president of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
- Chuck Johnson (Owensville), president of Vincennes University
- Teresa Lubbers, commissioner of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education
- Blair Milo, Secretary of Career Connections & Talent
- Fred Payne, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development
- Jim Schellinger, Secretary of Commerce
 The governor also made five new appointments to the cabinet, who will serve until September 30, 2022:
- Jason Callahan (Wabash), superintendent of Wabash City Schools
- Jody French (Leopold), principal of Perry Central Jr./Sr. High School
- Anne Hazlett (Indianapolis), senior director of government relations and public affairs at Purdue University
- Joyce Irwin (Indianapolis), president and CEO of the Community Health Network Foundation
- Ronald Rochon (Newburgh), President of the University of Southern Indiana
 Indiana Arts Commission
The governor made two reappointments to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2024:
- Alberta Barker (Lafayette), vice president and personal trust administrator at 1st Source Bank’s Lafayette Wealth Advisory Services
- Greg Hull (Indianapolis), interim Dean and Valerie Eickmeier Professor in Sculpture at the Herron School of Art + Design
The governor also made three new appointments to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2024:
- Lisa Abbott (Fishers), global employee communications leader at Allegion, PLC
- Kelsey Paper (Indianapolis), assistant school leader at KIPP Indy Public Schools
- Sofia Souto (Carmel), assistant professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Butler University
- Indiana Board of Pharmacy
The governor made two new appointments to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2024:
- Mark Bunton (West Lafayette), divisional professional practice leader at CVS Health
- Jason Jablonski (Mishawaka), pharmacy director at Saint Joseph Health System
 Indiana Finance Authority
The governor made one reappointment to the authority, who will serve until September 30, 2024:
- Rudy Yakym III (South Bend), director of growth initiatives at Kem Krest
 Indiana Gaming Commission
The governor made one reappointment to the commission, who will serve until September 30, 2023:
- Michael McMains (Fishers), attorney and former state director for former-Senator Dan Coats
The governor also made one new appointment to the commission, who will serve until September 30, 2023:
- Charles Cohen (Bloomington), vice president of NW3C, Inc. and managing member of Cohen Training & Consulting, LLC
Indiana Parole Board
The governor reappointed Gwen Horth (Indianapolis) to the board and continued her designation as chair, with a term expiring June 30, 2024.
Indiana Public Retirement System Board of Trustees
The governor made one reappointment to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2024:
- Michael Pinkham (Fort Wayne), retired firefighter with the Fort Wayne Fire Department
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until June 30, 2024:
- Vivienne Ross (Greenwood), vice president and treasurer, Prefab Solutions Inc., and senior tax advisor at Bottom Line Advisors LLC
 State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers
The governor made two reappointments to the board, who will serve until July 31, 2024:
- Stephen Gilman (Indianapolis), retired from Eli Lilly & Company
- Opal Kuhl (Lafayette), former director of the Tippecanoe County Highway Department
The governor also made five new appointments to the board, who will serve until July 31, 2024:
- Jason Durr (Mishawaka), director–Northern Indiana for Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LLC
- Tim Jensen (Indianapolis), principal at The Veridus Group
- Greg Morical (Indianapolis), vice president, general counsel and secretary of Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P.
- Samuel Reed (Indianapolis), Chief Strategy Officer/Compliance Officer at BSA LifeStructures
- Susan Zellers (Indianapolis), senior project manager and aviation planning lead at Hanson Professional Services Inc.
State Employee Appeals Commission
The governor made one reappointment to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2024:
- Tom Hanahan (Indianapolis), partner at Wooden McLaughlin, LLP
The governor also made two new appointments to the commission, who will serve until June 30, 2024:
- Veronica Schilb (Indianapolis), associate with Barnes & Thornburg LLP
- Barbara Trathen (Noblesville), a former deputy prosecutor with Marion and Hamilton counties
 Statewide 911 Board
The governor made five reappointments to the board, who will serve until September 30, 2023:
- John “Greg†Hohlier (Carmel), an executive with AT&T Indiana
- Brad Meixell (Jeffersonville), executive director of the Clark County Consolidated Communications Center
- Mark Myers, Mayor of the City of Greenwood
- Stephen Reid (Avon), senior manager of Network Assurance at Verizon Wireless World
- Jeff Schemmer (Carmel), executive director of Hamilton County Public Safety Communications
Vincennes University Board of Trustees
The governor made three reappointments to the board, who will serve until October 1, 2023:
- J.R. Gaylor (Noblesville), president & CEO of Associated Builders & Contractors of Indiana
- Eric “Rick†Schach (Evansville), Executive Vice President & COO at Vectren Corporation
- Don Villwock (Edwardsport), president, CEO, and owner of Villwock Farms
The governor also made one new appointment to the board, who will serve until October 3, 2021:
- Conner McKinney (Sumner, Illinois), second-year Biological Biomedical Sciences major
CenterPoint Energy Announces 10-Year Fleet Electrification Goals
The company continues to take significant steps to reduce carbon emissions and use innovative technology to transition toward a cleaner energy future
Leading energy partner CenterPoint Energy today announced a goal to replace 100 percent of its current electric operations light-duty fleet vehicles, such as cars, vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), with electric vehicles in Houston and Evansville, Ind., by 2030. The company has an ongoing commitment to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy while leveraging innovative technology to continue reducing emissions and transition the communities it serves to a clean energy future.
“CenterPoint Energy has continued to offset our carbon footprint and promote cleaner air by replacing fossil-fueled vehicles and equipment with alternative power choices since 2011,†said Kenny Mercado, CenterPoint Energy’s Senior Vice President, Electric Utility. “We strive to lead by example and have steadily increased our fleet electrification as suitable vehicles and technology have come available.â€
The company has a plan to replace 50 percent of current electric operations light-duty fleet vehicles by 2025 and complete the replacement by 2030. In addition, 5 percent of electric operations heavy-duty vehicles will be replaced by 2025 and 10 percent by 2030. As the market evolves, emission reduction goals for all classes of vehicles will be re-evaluated.
To reduce emissions, CenterPoint Energy continues to invest in infrastructure modernization, as well as research and development projects. At the same time, the company remains committed to supporting the communities where it operates with their climate action goals, focusing on driving lower emissions across the natural gas value chain to ensure its continued role in supporting the transition of the nation’s power generation fleet to meet lower carbon emission goals.
This year, CenterPoint Energy introduced its Carbon Policy with a goal to reduce its operational emissions by 70 percent by 2035 and emissions attributable to natural gas usage in heating, appliances and equipment within the residential and commercial sectors by 20 to 30 percent by 2040. The company is among the first energy delivery companies to make an emissions-reduction commitment across a multi-state footprint.
CenterPoint Energy’s fleet electrification plan aligns with the City of Houston’s Climate Action Plan goal to electrify 100 percent of the non-emergency light-duty fleet by 2030. The company is a founding member of EVolve Houston, a coalition of sustainability-minded civic, business, and academic leaders who seek to accelerate clean transportation through electrification in the Greater Houston area. CenterPoint Energy is also collaborating with the City of Evansville on the creation and implementation of its Climate Action Plan. By 2050, Evansville will be a regional leader in addressing climate change and a zero-waste community, powered by renewable energy, where all people have access to efficient transportation alternatives, public green spaces, clean air and water, and locally sourced, fresh food.
Cybersecurity Experts Praise AG Curtis Hill’s Proposed Data Protection
Attorney General Curtis Hill on Wednesday joined cybersecurity experts at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce virtual event to discuss his intent to establish a rule in Indiana that would better protect Hoosiers from cyberattacks, the fastest-growing type of crime in the United States.
Attorney General Hill’s proposed safe harbor rule would give businesses operating in Indiana a better understanding of how to protect consumers’ data and reward businesses who comply with steps laid out in the rule. Should the rule be implemented, Indiana would be the first state in the U.S. to approach this issue via regulation.
“Hoosiers’ data is at risk because some businesses do not take proactive measures to protect themselves and the consumers they serve from cyberattackers, and some simply do not know what precautions they ought to take,†Attorney General Hill said. “Our safe harbor rule would both protect Hoosiers from data breaches and incentivize businesses that take steps to prevent them from happening in the first place.â€
Not every company that experiences a data breach is irresponsible, Attorney General Hill said. For this reason, the rule would protect and encourage continued investment by companies that have already taken precautions, while clarifying expectations to all companies that maintain Hoosiers’ data.
The cybersecurity experts who joined Attorney General Hill at the event applauded this approach to data protection. Matthew Eggers, vice president of cybersecurity policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, praised the proposed rule, saying it gives businesses a clearer understanding of how to protect consumers’ data.
Alexis Cocco, a privacy, data security and consumer class-action defense lawyer at Reed Smith, said the proposed rule will allow businesses to direct resources toward compliance with the rule, as opposed to the costs of a class-action lawsuit that could follow a data breach. Data breaches, on average, cost millions of dollars, Cocco said.
“We need a way to separate the businesses that are taking important steps to secure data from those who are not,†Attorney General Hill said. “This rule would provide businesses a playbook on how to protect data, and would protect the businesses that follow the playbook. It’s a win for both consumers and businesses.â€
In the last three years, Attorney General Hill has obtained settlements with several companies after data breaches exposed consumers’ personal information. Most recently, Attorney General Hill secured a $19.5 million settlement with Equifax following Indiana’s lawsuit against the company over its massive 2017 data breach. That data breach impacted 3.9 million Indiana residents.
Hoosiers who were impacted by the Equifax data breach should watch for an important announcement about obtaining a restitution payment in light of the breach. More information about obtaining a payment will be available soon.
Attorney General Hill said the Equifax data breach is a perfect example of why businesses must invest additional resources into data protection.
“Equifax did not take the precautions necessary to protect the personal data of millions of consumers,†Attorney General Hill said. “Much of the damage from this data breach could have been mitigated had Equifax followed the steps outlined in this rule. It is our hope that this proposed rule prevents data breaches of this scale from happening again in the future.â€
In July, the Office of the Attorney General filed a notice of intent to adopt the proposed rule. The proposed rule is expected to be published by the Indiana Register, after which there will be a period for public comment followed by a public hearing on the rule. The public hearing will be advertised and available virtually. It is expected that the proposed rule will take effect by the end of the year.
AG Curtis Hill Defends Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron’s Handling Of Breonna Taylor Case
In an op-ed published Saturday at FoxNews.com, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill defends Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron against charges that Cameron is insensitive to the concerns of his fellow Black Americans.
“Quite simply, Cameron properly defended the deliberations of a grand jury that considered the circumstances of a police action that so, unfortunately, ended in Breonna Taylor’s death,†Attorney General Hill writes. “Judging from the protests, however, many Black Lives Matter activists would have preferred that Cameron blindly pursue vengeance against police officers involved in the incident, regardless of whether they broke laws or not.â€