Indiana Lawmakers Tackle Formalities On Organization Day

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana lawmakers are meeting for one day to tackle formalities before starting full-time work on their 2015 session in January.

The General Assembly will technically start its new session Tuesday on its Organization Day.

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said Monday he will not take up any legislation or proposals during the one-day meeting, despite many requests from House members. Bosma will preside over a newly strengthened Republican supermajority in the House.

Republican Rep. Eric Turner is also expected to submit his resignation Tuesday after being sworn in. Turner won re-election, but announced before the election he would step down to take a job with a church group in Atlanta. Turner's secret efforts to protect his family's lucrative nursing home business spurred a promise of ethics reform this session.