I just came across the Indiana Law Blog’s quote of a story by John Byrne in the Gary Post-Tribune:
Glorified broom closets often host the legislators and crowds of interested officials, lobbyists and citizens (aka noncombatants) there to testify about the merits of a particular bill.
Chairs are fought over jealously in these meetings, with VIPs sending flunkies ahead to stake claims, and ostentatious briefcases left on seats as territorial markers long before testimony begins. * * *
The handful of remaining chairs were quickly snatched up, leaving a man who had made a special trip to the Statehouse for Daniels’ appearance griping about getting cut out of the governmental process.
“I drove up here from Evansville for this?” the guy shouted. “So I can stand out in the hall and watch on TV? Where are the seats?”
I haven’t been to a committee hearing in years, so I don’t know exactly how things are today. But, the committee rooms in the early 2000s were significantly improved from those in the late 90s. There was a fair amount of renovation during that time period. While still not opulent, the committee rooms shortly after I stopped working for the legislature were much improved from the way the committee rooms were when I was working at the State House.
As for seating, my recollection was that a few of the higher profile bills might cause seating shortages; but the vast majority of bills passed through committee with a lot of empty chairs in the room.
If I were the legislature, I guess I wouldn’t rush out to spend a bunch of tax money to improve facilities just at the moment. The renovations in the early 2000s were necessary — I recall a conference room with wires hanging down from the ceiling. And the study carrels that served as “offices” for the rank and file House members were a little embarrassing.
Actually, Doug if they want to do renovations they better hurry so they won’t be subject to referendum.
Oh, never mind, the referendum only applies to the locals.