Editorials

This is not a time to be critical of organizations that make what might seem like drastic decisions “out of an abundance of caution.” They are not panicking.

If IndyGo is to move forward with the next phases of its rapid-transit system—which we believe is crucial to the economic vitality of a huge swath of the city’s workers—it must shore up the community’s confidence in its ability to operate effectively and avoid future political gaffes.

Ideally, a broad look at alternatives, with input from diverse stakeholders, would have come sooner in the process of planning the reconstruction of a roadway that was controversial to begin with.

Utilities are making the switch to other alternatives, including natural gas and solar, because they are cheaper and cleaner. Those are positive changes for Indiana economically—in both the sheer cost of power and the potential for improvements in health that come from cleaner air.

One point everyone can agree on is that, over the past two years, construction costs have skyrocketed, thanks to higher prices for materials and a severe labor shortage. But other developers who spoke to IBJ say those setbacks alone would not explain a nearly 50% increase in the project’s cost.

The allegations in question—which involve a scheme to illegally funnel campaign contributions to an Indiana congressional campaign—are the type that should be especially concerning to a regulatory agency. If true, they demonstrate no respect for the law, government structure and regulation.

Let’s not allow climate change to become as partisan an issue at home as it is on the national level. Home is where climate change is felt, after all. It’s where weather extremes take their toll, where extreme heat buckles roads and torrential rains overwhelm our sewer system.

We think the endowment’s primary focus should be maximizing its own financial firepower and operational impact.

So many big stories of 2019—Roger Penske’s purchase of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, big acquisitions by Eli Lilly and Co. and Elanco, the launch of the Red Line—were as much about the future as they were about the past.

In its campaign to win back control of three schools, IPS implied that all three buildings would continue to serve Indianapolis families. We hope that was more than lip service.

The council’s discussion next year should not be whether to approve a pay raise. That’s a slam dunk. It should be about choosing an amount that’s fair and determining how to avoid this kerfuffle in the future.

House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said at a Nov. 18 panel discussion convened by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce that they will support legislation raising the smoking age.
That’s welcome news in the face of estimates that more than 90% of adult smokers start as teenagers.

Hogsett has set the table to tackle both problems by balancing the city’s budget during his first term. It’s time to use that fiscal stability to more aggressively attack the problems that keep Indianapolis from growing and achieving at the same level as some of its peers.

We’re confident that IMS and the racing series will benefit from having Penske, a proven businessman known as “The Captain,” at the helm. But that alone isn’t enough to ensure a new era of prosperity for the iconic, 110-year-old venue.

All four projects are worthy of funding. But what makes them special as a group is that they will serve such a diverse group of people—tech workers and startups, ex-offenders, homeless families and the African American community—while enhancing all of Indianapolis.

State legislators should be receptive. It’s a reasonable follow-up to the 2015 Regional Cities Initiative, which split $126 million in tax amnesty funds among three regions.