John Byrne

So we're deep into political season in Northwest Indiana, and party apparatuses and local officials are lining up behind candidates for everything from county surveyor to president of the United States.

Several local mayors have endorsed either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

Every few days, a municipal Democratic organization will announce the results of its "slating," endorsements for all the offices on the May 6 primary ballot.

But does the average voter really give a hang?

The House Environmental Affairs Committee adopted the Senate's version of the Great Lakes Compact by a unanimous vote Wednesday, bringing the water conservation deal a step closer to becoming law.

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said Tuesday he wants the ability to pull out of the Regional Development Authority, because he doesn't want Gary locked into paying for the South Shore commuter rail extension if the project won't benefit Gary.

Now, if the $1 billion project includes a rail spur linking the South Shore line to the Gary airport, the mayor would be much more likely to look on it favorably.

The RDA bill the General Assembly approved in 2005 includes no language about how a funding entity like Gary can back out. The bill does stipulate payors will fund the RDA for 10 years.

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky of Merrillville will testify Feb. 12 at a hearing of the Senate Tax Committee about the benefits of a $1 billion extension to the South Shore commuter rail line.

The powerful Tax Committee and its chairman, Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, will determine whether the South Shore bill has any legs this session.

Kenley has expressed problems with a funding plan for the South Shore project that would rely on $350 million in state sales tax revenue.

Visclosky argues the time to act is now, when he can promise $500 million in federal matching funds.

Calumet Township Trustee Mary Elgin was at the Statehouse Tuesday. Elgin said she was there to show solidarity with members of the United Steelworkers as they lobbied lawmakers, and to speak to members of Northwest Indiana's delegation about a move to do away with township government.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today on a bill to fund extensions of the South Shore commuter rail line.

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott is in the Statehouse today, talking to the local delegation about the plan. McDermott said he would not be supportive of any proposal in which trains travelling north and south along the proposed line to Lowell and Valparaiso do not stop in Hammond.

The House and Senate must complete third readings on all bills this week, so they can send the proposals over to the other body for consideration. This leads to long days in both houses of the General Assembly, as property tax overhaul packages vie with dozens of more specialized bills for the finite time left for each body to act.

This is also a week for legislators to eat terribly. The House in particular sets out an artery-calcifying array of sausage chunks, donuts, pizza and candy to give its members the energy to keep going until work is done each day.