Republicans pick Bosma as next speaker

INDIANAPOLIS -- Republican legislators unanimously chose Rep. Brian Bosma of Indianapolis on Thursday to be the next speaker of the Indiana House.\nBosma has been House minority leader for the past four years, but Republicans won control of the chamber by a 52-48 seat margin in Tuesday's election. Democrats went into the election with a 51-49 advantage.\nThe House will confirm Bosma as speaker when legislators meet for an organization day Nov. 16. Republicans also chose Rep. Bill Friend of Macy, Ind. as floor leader and Rep. Kathy Richardson of Noblesville, Ind. as caucus chairwoman.\nBosma said his caucus would work with Republican Gov.-elect Mitch Daniels and the GOP-controlled Senate to meld a common agenda that addressed Indiana's budget deficit, economic development and government reform.\nHe said he expected his members to cooperate with Daniels on writing a new two-year budget, and hoped they could introduce one plan together during the session that starts in January. Budget bills must originate in the House.\nBosma and Daniels are both from Indianapolis, but Bosma said the state's capital city would not get preferential treatment at the expense of other parts of the state.\nIndianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, a Democrat, is expected to push some major proposals next session, including a plan to consolidate local government in Marion County and one to secure funding for a new stadium for the NFL's Colts and an expansion of the downtown convention center.\n"Every corner of the state will receive the attention that it needs -- none more than others," Bosma said.