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Undocumented drivers, school board politics hot topics for legislators
Driving privilege cards and school board elections dominated the discussion Saturday morning at the second Putnam County Farm Bureau Legislative Update session of the 2023 Indiana General Assembly.
State Sens. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) and John Crane (R-Avon), who jointly represent Putnam County, addressed about 20 individuals in the Farm Bureau board room in Greencastle, commenting on the progress of a portion of the some 1,200 bills before Indiana lawmakers this session.
Senate Bill 248, concerning driving privilege cards, provides that an individual who is an Indiana resident and cannot provide proof of identity and lawful status in the United States may apply for a driving privilege card to obtain driving privileges.
A number of undocumented workers are routinely employed on Indiana farms and drive vehicles like grain trucks on public roadways, the legislators noted.
“What seems to happen now,” Bray explained, “is that these individuals get involved in an accident and just take off.”
The situation has produced “some lengthy conversations,” Sen. Crane reported. “Are we encouraging people to just skirt the law? One thing we all agree on, the system at the federal level is broken.”
The Senate bill, which has been passed over to the House now, provides that a driving privilege card may not be used as identification for any state or federal purpose other than to confer driving privileges, for the purpose of voting or to verify employment.
It also requires an individual who holds a driving privilege card and operates a motor vehicle to verify and maintain financial responsibility on any motor vehicle operated by the individual. It also provides that the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles may not disclose certain information unless presented with a lawful court order or judicial warrant.
“Full disclosure,” Crane added, “I was one of the ones who voted against it.”
The Avon senator noted that “the very things that make the United States the United States is what draws people here. When they stop looking to the U.S. to better themselves, that’s when we have a problem.”
Bray, who serves as Senate president pro tempore, asked audience members how they feel about the issue.
There were but a couple of brief responses, most notable of which was Barbara Boese saying, “They’re driving already. It’s a no-brainer.”
Meanwhile, the idea of school board candidates attaching political affiliations to their campaigns again reared its head Saturday morning.
Bray noted that are two versions of the bill, one in each chamber. The Senate bill is not moving, he said, adding that he was unsure that the House will send its version on to the Senate for consideration.
A proposal under consideration in the current session would instead create a blanket requirement for school board candidates to identify as a Republican, Democrat or Independent. The bill has yet to advance from the Senate elections committee, however.
“I don’t think it’s going to pass if I read the tea leaves correctly,” Bray predicted.
Meanwhile, House Bill 1428, authored by Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) seeks to add political party identifications to what are now nonpartisan school board elections throughout the state.
The bill establishes a process for a school board or the voters in a school corporation to change the method by which the members of the school board are nominated and elected. It provides that the members of a school board may be nominated and elected by one of three processes: (1) Through nonpartisan election (as is the case under current law). (2) Through nonpartisan nomination (under the current process) and designation of a candidate’s political affiliation or independent status on the general election ballot. (3) Through nomination and election in a partisan process as other candidates for elected office are nominated and elected.
The House Elections Committee has adopted an amendment to the bill, allowing voters in a school corporation to decide on the elections via a ballot referendum.
Supporters suggest it is all about transparency for the voters — to provide as much information as possible before they cast their vote.
Whether through a school board vote or voter-led public question, school board candidates would either have to run in partisan primaries in order to be nominated for the general election, or forgo a primary altogether but have to use a partisan label in the general election.
The Indiana State Teachers Association, the state’s largest teachers union, has said it opposes partisan school board elections because “keeping the labels out helps people come together at the local level.”
Bray, however, stressed, “You can’t say you’re keeping politics out of schools. It’s been there a long time.”
Moderator Steve Cash said declaring a party affiliation would have altered his decision to run for school board at South Putnam.
“I would not have served 23 and a half years if I had to put my party down,” he said of indicating his party on all advertising and being listed on the ballot as such.
Audience member and local attorney John Zeiner agreed.
“In a county like this, local voters are going to know who the candidates are,” Zeiner said. “For us to elect school board members, we don’t need political parties involved. I strongly encourage the Senate not to pass it.”
Meanwhile, it was noted that Senate Bill 177 would move the candidate filing deadline for school board races up by 60 days. And House Bill 1036 requires candidates for school board offices to be nominated in the same manner as candidates for all other elected offices are nominated.
Bray said the shift would give constituents more time to get to know candidates.
As it now stands, Crane pointed out, voters have just six weeks from the time candidates are nominated to when they have to vote to vet and evaluate them.
The bill has unanimously advanced from the Senate chamber and now heads to the House.
District 44 State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) was absent Saturday, opting to attend a town hall meeting in another county.
The third and final Legislative Update for 2023 is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 18.