Bosma elected as new speaker of Indiana House

INDIANAPOLIS -- Republicans formally took control of the Indiana House for the first time since 1996 on Tuesday, electing Rep. Brian Bosma of Indianapolis as the new House speaker.\nRepublicans gained three seats in the Nov. 2 election to win a 52-48 majority in the House. The change of majority in the House, along with Republican Mitch Daniels' victory over Gov. Joe Kernan, and the continued GOP majority in the state Senate, gives Republicans control of the major Statehouse positions.\nBosma said the state's economic and budgetary troubles would be the top priority.\n"We face a budget that is a billion dollars short to start with," he said. "It is a tough task."\nBosma said he believed the Legislature had a "unique opportunity" with united control of state government and that he wanted the House to lead the way on reforms.\n"Our governor told us to buckle up," he said. "I'm gonna tell you to hang on."\nBosma replaced Democrat Patrick Bauer of South Bend as speaker -- the person holding greatest control over the House agenda. Democrats selected Bauer as the chamber's minority leader.\nThe start of the House session was delayed for about 45 minutes as Democrats met privately to discuss rules changes proposed by the Republicans. The rules were later adopted without controversy.\nRep. Matt Whetstone, R-Brownsburg, said Tuesday he expected the Legislature to work closely with Daniels on many issues.\n"We've got a governor now who's going to lead the Legislature," said Whetstone, who will be the new Rules Committee chairman. "All of us feel an obligation to that person."\nSenate President Pro Tem Robert Garton, R-Columbus, also was confirmed Tuesday in his position, which he has held since 1980.\nGarton said Monday he believed the budget would be the single biggest issue facing the Legislature.\nThe state is facing an $830 million deficit and owes more than $710 million in back payments to schools, universities and local governments.\nSenate Minority Leader Richard Young, D-Milltown, said Republicans should stay away from a handful of contentious issues and focus on the large number of bills that can help Indiana residents.\n"If they can manage to stay away from those issues, I think we can have a very, very productive session," Young said.\nBut Republicans pledged weeks ago to pursue a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. House Democrats denied GOP attempts to even debate the issue last session, and several Republicans made it a campaign issue.