Michael B. "Mike" Murphy served as a Republican member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 90th District from 1994-2010. A pragmatic conservative with profesional oratory skills, Murphy was known for his principled speechs on behalf of free markets, adherence to the10th Amendment, and elimination of government regulation. Murphy authored the most sweeping de-regulation of the telecommunications industry (2006) for its time. His bill, signed into law by Governor Mitch Daniels, spurred nearly $2-billion in investment in Indiana, and created an environment in which nearly 6,000 jobs were created. Murphy also led the effort to cut the Indiana Inheritance Tax in half (a necessary compromise), and authored an amendment to the Indiana Constitution (Article 5, Section 10), which set up a succession order in Indiana state government. The citizens of Indiana approved the amendment in the November, 2004 election.
Murphy may be best known for his fierce defense of the rights of immigrants to constitutional and humane treatment. In 2006, he stood nearly alone as he gave an inspired speech against HB1383, which among other things, sought to deny some immigrants even emergency medical care. The bill was overwhelmingly defeated. Murphy was nominated in 2007 for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
In 2010, Mike Murphy ran for the 2010 Republican nomination to Indiana's 5th congressional district seat currently held by Dan Burton. He released several detailed policy position papers to the public through his website. Murphy lost his 2010 bid for Congress in Indiana's 5th District. He came in 4th in the 7-way race, receiving 9,805 votes (approx. 9% of the vote)
In 2011/2012, Murphy led Rick Perry's presidential effort in Indiana. He continues to be a major fundraiser and advisor to Republican candidates across Indiana.
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“I believe in Michael Angelo, Velasquez, and Rembrandt; in the might of design, the mystery of color, the redemption of all things by Beauty everlasting, and the message of Art that has made these hands blessed.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“Narcotics have been systematically scapegoated and demonized. The idea that anyone can use drugs and escape a horrible fate is an anathema to these idiots. I predict that in the near future, right wingers will use drug hysteria as a pretext to set up an international police apparatus.”
—Gus Van Sant, U.S. screenwriter and director, and Dan Yost. Father Tom Murphy (William S. Burroughs)