We were excited last week when state officials announced a public–private investment of nearly $75 million to accelerate literacy, expand high-quality summer learning, strengthen STEM programs, modernize and expand career advising, and maintain digital learning tools for Hoosier students.
Indianapolis voters need the ability to send a representative to Congress who will advocate for the city, its people and the many corporate headquarters—Eli Lilly and Co., Elevance Health, Roche Diagnostics, Corteva, Simon Property Group and others—located here.
The Indiana Department of Health also reported that enrollment in its smoking cessation program jumped nearly 40% over the same period.
There are plenty of other big issues—health care, education, workforce training and more—that state leaders could focus on.
We have another way to help nonprofits. IBJ’s annual Holiday Wish List gives businesses and individuals a way to contribute goods and services to nonprofits rather than giving money.
The reduced SNAP benefits delay and delay in providing them—not to mention the 24,000 federal workers in Indiana who are going without paychecks—mean there will be families who need help.
We said in August that redistricting mid-cycle would set a terrible precedent (one that could come back to bite Republicans in the future), and we still believe that to be the case. There’s just no reason for it.
We are concerned the tax changes will make it harder for communities to grow.
What seems evident is that Hogsett didn’t take the steps needed to ensure that his team was acting with integrity—and that’s the biggest problem of all.
The HQ decision has likely been made, but we hope to learn that the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana did as much as they could to keep those jobs local.•
And then there’s the undefeated Hoosiers to cheer for.
In 2023, state data shows that just 45% of Indiana’s male high school graduates went directly into a college program, compared with 58% of females.
IBJ is not opposed to the two-party system. We don’t think we’d go so far as to say that “politics in Indiana is broken.” But we’re interested in watching Independent Indiana’s progress.
These ratings matter when the state borrows money for public projects. A AAA rating gives the state readier access to capital at lower interest rates, meaning that projects are constructed for less.
Government doesn’t always move as quickly as the business community—and Elanco and Purdue have a vision for the kind of campus they want to develop.
For those watching from outside Indiana and for those who traveled here for the event, there is no Westfield or Hamilton County or Marion County. It’s Indianapolis. It’s all the Indianapolis region. And that’s a good thing.
We know it’s controversial, but moving kids on who can’t read and have, therefore, little chance of catching up doesn’t help anyone.
A similar idea was bad 20 years ago, and it’s not a smart move today.
The Indiana 250—the latest iteration of which was released in last week’s IBJ and at Indiana250.com—is packed full of leaders who aren’t just succeeding in business or at the organizations that pay them salaries.
Downtown was vibrant. And downtown was safe (that’s important given three recent weekends with shootings downtown). The energy was amazing.
