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Gail Riecken
| Gail Riecken | ||
 | ||
| Indiana House of Representatives District 77 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 2008 - Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| November 20, 2012 | ||
| Years in position | 5 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $22,660.46 per year | |
| Per diem | $138/day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 2, 2010 | |
| First elected | November 4, 2008 | |
| Next election | November 6, 2012 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | Indiana University | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Personal website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
Riecken has worked as a Neighborhood Coordinator for the Community Action Program, Business Relations Specialist with the Indiana Workforce Development, Real Estate Broker/Branch Manager/Corporate Relations, and a Riverboat Captain on the Winnie Mae.
She is Co-founder/Co-Honorary Chair of the Ark Crisis Prevention Nursery, President of Citizens Against Rape in Evansville, Conrad Baker Foundation Director, Coordinator/Chair of Eco Tour, President/Volunteer Manager with the Evansville Dance Theatre Board, and Sunday School teacher/Membership Directory Committee at the First Presbyterian Church.[1]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Riecken has been appointed to these committees:
- Family, Children and Human Affairs
- Financial Institutions
- Judiciary
- Veterans Affairs and Public Safety
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Riecken served on these committees:
- Education
- Family, Children and Human Affairs
- Financial Institutions (Vice Chair)
- Veterans Affairs and Public Safety
Legislative walkout
Riecken and 36 other Democratic representatives participated in a legislative walkout on Tuesday, February 22, 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. [2] 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. [2]
On March 7, House minority leader B. Patrick Bauer revealed the Democratic caucus' hideout to be the Comfort Suites in Urbana, Illinois.[3] 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. [4] 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, which is $152/day. [3] 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. [3]
Tuesday, 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. [5] Rep. Winfield Moses, Jr. (D) called the increase "a poke in the eye," and promised that it would do nothing to break the impasse. [6]
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.[4] 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. [4]
The absence of the Democrats did not only hold up changes to worker's rights, but also the passage of a new state budget. The legislature has until April 29 to pass the new budget, however, if no budget passes, Gov. Daniels will be forced to call a for a special session. The current budget is set to expire June 30, 2011.
Elections
2012
Riecken is running in the 2012 election for Indiana House of Representatives District 77. Riecken ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on May 8, 2012. Levon Dozier and Alan Leibundguth ran in the Republican primary. The general election takes place on November 6, 2012. [7]
2010
Riecken won re-election to the 77th district seat by defeating Republican candidate Cheryl Musgrave. Riecken won by a margin of 7,547 to 7,379. [8] The general election took place on November 2, 2010.
In the May 4th primary, Riecken ran unopposed and received 1,329 votes. [9]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 77 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Gail Riecken (D)
|
7,547 | |||
| Cheryl Musgrave (R) | 7,379 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Democrat Gail Riecken won election to the Indiana House of Representatives District 77 receiving 19,126 votes.[10]
| Indiana House of Representatives, District 77 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Gail Riecken (D)
|
19,126 | |||
Campaign donors
2010
In 2010, Riecken collected $162,692 in donations. The top contributors are as follows:[11]
| Indiana House of Representatives 2010 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top contributors to Gail Riecken's campaign in 2010 | |
| Indiana Democratic Party | $62,824 |
| Indiana House Democratic Caucus | $5,863 |
| Evansville Teachers Association | $4,500 |
| International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers | $3,600 |
| Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 136 | $3,500 |
| Total Raised in 2010 | $162,692 |
2008
In 2008, Riecken collected $29,978 in donations.[12]
Listed below are those that contributed most to her campaign.
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Committee to Elect Phil Hoy | $3,000 |
| Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 136 | $1,150 |
| AT&T | $1,000 |
| Indiana Trial Lawyers Association | $1,000 |
| Inland Marina Inc. | $1,000 |
| Jonathan Weinzapfel for Mayor Committee | $1,000 |
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Gail + Riecken + Indiana + Legislature
- All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.
Gail Riecken News Feed
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External links
- Gail Riecken's personal website
- Indiana House of Representatives - Gail Riecken
- Project Vote Smart legislative profile
- Project Vote Smart biography
- Campaign contributions: 2010, 2008
- Gail Riecken on Facebook
References
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Riecken
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 IndyStar.com, Indiana Democrats trigger Statehouse showdown over anti-union legislation, 22 Feb. 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Fox 59, Fines begin for absent House Democrats, 7 March 2011
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 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
- ↑ Indiana Secretary of State, List of May 8, 2012 primary candidates
- ↑ Official Indiana General Election Results
- ↑ Official Indiana Primary Election Results
- ↑ Indiana House of Representatives official election results for 2008
- ↑ Indiana House 2010 Donors
- ↑ Riecken Campaign Donors
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Indiana House of Representatives District 77 2008–present |
Succeeded by NA |
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State of Indiana Indianapolis (capital) |
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- 2012 incumbent
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- Current member, Indiana House of Representatives
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