Do it for the children

It seems there are a couple of children in the State legislature, and as a result, Indiana's children in schools are being put on the slow burner. \nThe Indianapolis Star reported that House Bill 1864 and Senate Bill 385 are stuck in committees thanks to a couple of chairmen who have a lasting feud. Despite incredible support for these two practically identical bills, both of which would make it easier to discipline the state's 60,000 public or private school teachers and revoke their licenses if they engage in inappropriate relationships with students, they are not being heard.\n Both passed their respective chambers unanimously. Respected voices and groups support its progression, from Gov. Frank O'Bannon and the powerful Indiana State Teachers Association to the Indiana Department of Education.\nHouse Education Committee Chairman Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, says he refuses to hear the Senate's bill because the Senate refuses to hear his. Sen. David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said his Criminal, Civil and Public Policy Committee is too busy to hear the bill coming from the house. \nIf they don't stop bickering, we're going to turn this car right around.\nIt seems that these two grown men can't put their differences behind them, whether they are party politics or personal problems. They are men and they have a job to do. That job requires them to support initiatives backed by the public and their fellow leaders. These two bills, securing safety for our children from sexual predators, fit that description to a T. \nIt is this display of arrogance by our elected officials that has resulted in the apathy of our youth toward politics. When such an open and shut piece of legislation is having difficulty making its way smoothly through the legislative process because of two male egos, it's not surprising that few trust the effectiveness of our system.\nThe Star reveals that both bills would expand the list of felonies for which a teaching license is revoked. It would include kidnapping and criminal confinement. Districts could conduct background checks on all employees -- those already hired and those who have applied.\nWe wonder how substitute teacher Christian O. George's 17 year-old victim would react to the two legislators' behavior. In early March, George tied the handicapped student's waist to a doorknob and taped his mouth shut. \nBut perhaps passing tougher legislation for the safety of people like that doesn't seem to be a high priority. After all, Porter is mad, and Long is just "busy." \nWe feel that these men should get over their issues and start doing their job. Why don't they try removing the stigma that the House and the Senate are merely grounds for bickering, backstabbing and currying favor? Perhaps they could make it a place where something gets accomplished. It's a lot to ask, but we think they can give it a shot.\n-- JP Benitez for the Editorial Board