I Smell Bacon...

House Speaker Brian Bosma is finally taking the first steps towards being a fiscal conservative. In a plan proposed this week, the Speaker is eliminating the health benefits received by any representative elected or re-elected in the upcoming 2006 elections. Instead they will pay into the state health plan, like any other public servant.

Some representatives agree with this while Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis) said she may retire from the House in order to keep the benefits. The Indianapolis Star story goes on to tell the feelings of the various elected officials.

I applaud Speaker Bosma for his efforts, and I hope that Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Garton (R-Columbus) will do the same thing in his chamber. Subsidizing healthcare for elected officials is not a function of government.