By Lesley Weidenbener
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosier lawmakers said Friday they look forward to new veterans affairs leadership after Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned under pressure over problems involving cover ups and wait times for care at government-run hospitals.

But lawmakers said the resignation doesn’t solve the VA’s problems.

“Congress and the American people must not lose sight of the work the still lies ahead,” U.S. Rep. Todd Young, R-9th District, said in a statement.

“The problems that have recently come to light in Phoenix and elsewhere only serve to underscore what most of us already suspected was true: The level of care our country provides to our veterans is not commensurate with the sacrifices they’ve made on behalf of their country,” Young said. “The resignation of one man does not change the fact that we must make bold reforms to address these serious problems.”

U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-7th District, called Shinseki’s service “honorable” but said a change was necessary.

“We need to clear the air and move toward long-term solutions to the systemic problems within the VA that have resulted in substandard service for the men and women who have served our country in uniform,” Carson said in a statement.

Carson was among several Indiana lawmakers who acted quickly Friday to commend Shinseki’s lifelong service.

But a number of House and Senate members had also been calling for his resignation, a chorus that had been growing since an interim report found the VA’s problems are systemic, rather than isolated at a hospital in Phoenix where they were first discovered.

Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks, R-5th District, called for Shinseki’s resignation last week.

“Fixing the current systemic problems within the Department of Veterans Affairs clearly requires new leadership with in-depth health care system experience,” Brooks said. “The next secretary must comprehensively retool the VA’s health care system to ensure veterans receive the quality treatment they deserve.”

President Barack Obama, who accepted Shinseki’s resignation Friday, said that Sloan Gibson, the agency’s deputy secretary, will take over until a permanent replacement is named.

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Indiana, said he’s pleased to have a “fresh pair of eyes on this calamity.”

“This isn’t just about one man — it is about a culture change. We need to hold accountable those who were carrying out or encouraging these practices day to day, and we must ensure that the VA health system provides the responsiveness and quality care our veterans deserve,” Donnelly said.

U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Indiana, said he supports continued investigations into the VA issues.

“The culture of the VA must change, and we need to look at solutions outside of government-run facilities,” Coats said. “My focus remains on ensuring Hoosier veterans receive the care they not only earned, but deserve.”

TheStatehouseFile.com is a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com              

A special judge appointed in a paternity case ruled correctly that matters in the case remanded by the Court of Appeals should be heard by the prior judge who heard the evidence, the appellate court held in a second appeal on the matter.

In In re the Paternity of V.A., (Minor Child), R.A. v. B.Y., 39A04-1310-JP-512, father R.A. requested a change of judge under Trial Rule 76(B), which was granted. He appealed a prior trial court ruling to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings.

Jefferson Circuit Special Judge James B. Morris took the case after Judge Ted Todd granted father’s change-of-judge motion. When Morris received the matter on remand, he ruled that Trial Rule 63(A) requires a judge who hears evidence to make all rulings relating to that evidence.

“On appeal, Father contends that Trial Rules 76(B) and 63(A) conflict, and his right to a change of judge under Trial Rule 76(B) trumps Trial Rule 63(A)’s preference for the judge who heard the evidence,” Chief Judge Nancy Vaidik wrote for the panel. “We conclude that the rules do not conflict; rather, they govern different aspects of Father’s case — Father’s change-of-judge request under Trial Rule 76(B) applies prospectively to his modification petition, and Trial Rule 63(A) operates retroactively to ensure that the remanded issues are considered by the judge who heard the evidence, Judge Todd. We affirm.”

A separate appellate panel heard another appeal from the same case, affirming Morris’ denial of father’s motion to correct error and an order reinstating his visitation time with a child he had in 2003. He and the child’s mother never married, and their relationship ended in 2011.

In In Re: The Paternity of V.A., a Minor Child, R.A. Father v. B.Y., Mother, 39A01-1307-JP-304, as prior appeals were pending, father filed a motion to modify support and custody the same day that Morris assumed jurisdiction. Morris denied the motion on the basis that he lacked jurisdiction to rule.

“(W)e cannot hold the court abused its discretion when it denied Father’s motion to correct error,” Judge Melissa May wrote for the panel in this appeal. “We accordingly affirm the denial of Father’s Motion to Correct Error regarding the dismissal of his petition to modify custody and support.”

By Paige Clark
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – Democrats will pick nominees for state treasurer, auditor and secretary of state this Saturday in downtown Indianapolis – although none of the nominations will be contested.

“Were going to have about 1,800 folks in attendance that are delegates,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody. “I expect a lot of energy and a lot excitement moving this fall.”

The nominations will include:

Mike Boland, treasurer

Boland was a longtime Illinois state representative fromm 1995-2010. He is most known for speaking out about a scandal involving admissions at the University of Illinois. Boland left the Illinois House to run for lieutenant governor in 2010 but lost the bid. In 2011 he ran for the state senate and lost again. He moved to Fishers with his wife Mary to be closer to his kids and grandchildren. He said he is running to bring balance and accountability to the state.

Mike Claytor, auditor

Claytor graduated from Ball State in 1974 and became a licensed certified public accountant shortly after in 1979. In 1983 he obtained a law degree from the Indianapolis School of Law. In 1989, Claytor began work at Crow Chizek, now Crow Horwath. Three years later, he became a partner. Claytor said he is running to balance the books of the state auditor and balance the political power in Indiana.

Beth White, secretary of state

A Bloomington native, White is now the clerk in Marion County, the state’s largest county. She is also the secretary of the local election board and a member of the Indiana Public School Education Foundation Board. White created yVote!, a voter education program to encourage eligible high school students to vote and has registered more then 2,5000 student voters. She also attends naturalization ceremonies and has helped registered 6,000 new Hoosiers to vote.

Zody predicted Saturday’s nominating process will be a smooth one.

“We’ve got great candidates, people with professional experience running for statewide office,” he said.

Democrats will meet from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center following a number of caucuses and other meetings. Republicans are planning a convention later this month, where delegates will also nominate candidates for secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.

Neither party will have a statewide candidate seeking reelection in the fall – although Secretary of State Connie Lawson will be the incumbent in her race. She was appointed to the post after the GOP’s last nominee – Charlie White – had to resign after his election following a conviction on voter fraud charges.

“I think the playing field is a little more even than some people might think,” Zody said. “So we’ll keep the energy up.”

Paige Clark is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.