Vernon Smith
| Vernon Smith | ||
 | ||
| Indiana House of Representatives District 14 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 1990 - present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| November 5, 2014 | ||
| Years in position | 23 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $22,660.46/year | |
| Per diem | $152/day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | November 6, 1990 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | Indiana University, 1966 | |
| Master's | Indiana University, 1969 | |
| J.D. | Indiana University, 1978 | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | April 11, 1944 | |
| Profession | Professor | |
| Religion | Baptist | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
Smith's professional experience includes working as an Assistant Professor of Education at Indiana University Northwest, Principal of Gary Community Schools, and teacher.
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Smith served on the following committees:
| Indiana Committee Assignments, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Education | ||||
| • Judiciary | ||||
| • Local Government | ||||
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Smith served on these committees:
| Indiana Committee Assignments, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Courts and Criminal Code | ||||
| • Education | ||||
| • Local Government | ||||
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Smith served on these committees:
| Indiana Committee Assignments, 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Courts and Criminal Code | ||||
| • Education | ||||
| • Insurance | ||||
Issues
Legislative walkout
Smith and 36 other Democratic representatives participated in a legislative walkout on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 in opposition to proposed legislation limiting union powers in Indiana. The Democratic departure left the House void of a quorum, leaving only 58 of the 67 Representatives needed to establish a quorum. [1] Terri Austin, Steven Stemler, and Vanessa Summers stayed behind to provide, if necessary, a motion and a seconding motion, which would enable them to stop any official business from proceeding should the Republicans try to do so.[1]
On March 7, House minority leader B. Patrick Bauer revealed the Democratic caucus' hideout to be the Comfort Suites in Urbana, Illinois.[2] According to the Indiana Constitution, Article 4, sections 11 and 14, the House may enforce fines and other methods to compel absent members to return. Beginning on March 7, the Democrats were subject to a fine of $250, to be withheld from future expense or salary payments, for each day they were not present in the statehouse. [3] Regarding their actual pay, House Speaker Brian Bosma announced that the 37 lawmakers were required to be physically present in the chambers to receive their per diem payment of $152/day. [2] This move came as a result of the approximated $40,000 in per diem payments automatically made to the legislators during their first seven days of absence. According to reports, the representatives promised to either return the money, or donate it to charity. [2]
March 22 marked the start of the fourth consecutive week of Democratic absenteeism, complete with an increased incentive to return. Governor Daniels and House Republicans upped the ante with daily fines increasing from $250/day to $350/day, effective Monday, March 21. Despite the increased penalties, Democratic resolve remained intact. House Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer stated that Democrats "will remain steadfast" in their opposition to bills hurting wages and education in Indiana. [4] Rep. Winfield Moses, Jr. (D) called the increase "a poke in the eye," and promised that it would do nothing to break the impasse. [5]
The Democrats ended the standoff after 36 days, returning on March 28. The two sides agreed to compromise on a number of issues, including shelving the controversial "right-to-work" bill.[3] Although the Democrats returned with some of their wishes granted, their actions were not without consequence. Each absent member accrued a total of $3500 in fines given by Republicans. [3]
The Legislature ended up passing "right-to-work" legislation on February 1, 2012, becoming the 23rd state to do so. Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) immediately signed it into law.[6]
Elections
2012
Smith won re-election in the 2012 election for Indiana House of Representatives District 14. Smith defeated Sherman D. Carson in the May 8 Democratic primary [7]and ran unopposed in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012. [8][9]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 14, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Vernon G. Smith Incumbent |
100% | 19,308 | |
| Total Votes | 19,308 | |||
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 14 Democratic Primary, 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|
Vernon Smith |
83.9% | 4,678 |
| Sherman Carson | 16.1% | 900 |
| Total Votes | 5,578 | |
2010
Smith defeated Republican candidate Catherine Campbell by a margin of 9,404 to 1,446 in the November 2 general election. [10]
In the May 4 primary election, Smith ran unopposed and received 5,041 votes. [11]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 14 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Vernon Smith (D)
|
9,404 | |||
| Catherine Campbell (R) | 1,446 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Democrat Vernon Smith won re-election to the Indiana House of Representatives District 14 receiving 17,033 votes, ahead of Republican Catherine Campbell who received 2,168 votes.[12]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 14 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Vernon Smith (D)
|
17,033 | |||
| Catherine Campbell (R) | 2,168 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Vernon Smith won re-election to the Indiana House of Representatives District 14.[13]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 14 (2006) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Vernon Smith (D)
|
8,281 | |||
| Catherine Campbell (R) | 1,240 | |||
Campaign donors
2012
Campaign donor information is not yet available for this year.
2010
In 2010, Smith collected $10,354 in donations. The top contributors are as follows:[14]
| Indiana House of Representatives 2010 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top contributors to Vernon Smith's campaign in 2010 | |
| Indiana Beverage Alliance | $1,000 |
| Nisource Inc | $500 |
| AT&T | $500 |
| Hoosiers For Accountable Local Officials | $500 |
| Eli Lilly & Co | $400 |
| Total Raised in 2010 | $10,354 |
2008
In 2008, Smith collected $13,224 in donations.[15]
Listed below are those that contributed most to his campaign.
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Indiana Beverage Alliance | $1,000 |
2006
In 2006, Smith collected $12,010 in donations.[16]
Listed below are the top 5 contributors to his campaign.
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Indiana Trial Lawyers Association | $2,250 |
| Margaret Ward | $575 |
| Indiana State Chiropractic Association | $550 |
| Indiana Beverage Alliance | $450 |
| Frobel Alumi of 1962 | $400 |
Personal
Smith is the founder of a number of organizations, including the African American Achievers Youth Corps, Incorporated, Gary Indiana City-Wide Festival Committee, Indiana University Dons, Inc, Indiana University Gents, Inc, Young Citizens' League, and Youth Ensuring Solidarity. He is also a member of Brothers Keeper Shelter for Homeless Men, Criminal Justice Institute Board of Trustees, Handgun Control, Incorporated, Medical Center of Gary Board, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Northwest Indiana Urban League Board, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.[17]
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Vernon + Smith + Indiana + Legislature
- All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.
Vernon Smith News Feed
- Community college professor allegedly tells students: support gay rights or else - Daily Caller
- Sen. Alexander: Dems who destroy the filibuster will live to regret it - Daily Caller
- Four gifts that will make dad's day on Fathers Day - Daily Caller
- Gary leaders call for proactive approach for next General Assembly - Post-Tribune
- Elected officials discuss 2013 State Legislative Session - nwitimes.com
- GUEST COMMENTARY: Use ISTEP debacle to rethink education aims - nwitimes.com
- Politicians, friends remember Clay for passion, faith - Post-Tribune
- More state campsites getting plugged in - Green Bay Press Gazette
- Portrait of an Abomination - Right Side News
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
External links
- Indiana House of Representatives - Rep. Vernon Smith
- Project Vote Smart legislative profile
- Project Vote Smart biography
- Watchdog Indiana Candidate Ratings
- Campaign contributions: 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 IndyStar.com, Indiana Democrats trigger Statehouse showdown over anti-union legislation, 22 Feb. 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fox 59, Fines begin for absent House Democrats, 7 March 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Wall Street Journal, Pressure Mounts on Absent Democrats in Wisconsin, Indiana, 3 March 2011
- ↑ IndyStar.com, Dems' walkout drags on, among nation's longest, 23 March 2011
- ↑ WFIE.com, Indiana Republicans say they're done negotiating, 17 March 2011
- ↑ Reuters, "Indiana becomes 23rd "right-to-work" state," February 1, 2012
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedap - ↑ Indiana Secretary of State, List of May 8, 2012 primary candidates
- ↑ Indiana Secretary of State, “Election Results – Indiana General Election, November 6, 2012,” accessed January 24, 2013
- ↑ Official Indiana General Election Results
- ↑ Official Indiana Primary Election Results
- ↑ Indiana House of Representatives official election results for 2008
- ↑ Indiana House of Representatives official election results for 2006
- ↑ Indiana House 2010 Donors
- ↑ Smith Campaign Donors
- ↑ 2006 Campaign Donors
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Smith
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Indiana House of Representatives District 14 1990–present |
Succeeded by NA |
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State of Indiana Indianapolis (capital) |
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