When the governor returns from a nine-day trade mission to France, Belgium and Germany, we hope he’ll not just testify in favor of a stronger bill but meet with legislative leaders one on one to emphasize the importance of passing the hate crimes bill that the business community wants.
Indiana is currently one of a few states without a hate crimes law and getting off that list is important to the state’s economic development and talent-recruitment efforts.
Too many legislators are afraid of being attacked in the next election for raising taxes. Fear of being “primaried” over a tax hike—even one most people support—is one of the sad byproducts of a system where gerrymandered “safe” districts in too many instances make general-election results a foregone conclusion.
The push to create a stronger sense of place in central Indiana could benefit the community at large, of course. But the biggest advocates of such efforts are business leaders concerned about attracting the best talent, and we love the idea that each one of them could take on a little of the responsibility for making the city a more attractive place to live and work.
But Hoosier startups still need greater supply of ‘oxygen.’
More than just brick-and-mortar projects, Eastern Star’s good work depends on the dedication of parishioners who are committed to making a difference one person at a time. The emphasis on interpersonal relations is a quality usually missing from big government programs.
While we are glad to see the current efforts to spruce up the 23-year-old mall, it will continue to decline without a new master plan that shifts much of the space to alternative uses, such as office and residential.
But opposition to that particular provision should not derail passage of the legislation.
It’s preposterous that Republicans find themselves in this predicament. There are plenty of issues on which Hogsett should be vulnerable, from last spring’s pothole catastrophe to his continued struggles to combat violent crime.
But it will be important to see where the Capital Improvement Board sets its priorities before IBJ endorses a final plan.
Business and health interests are calling once again for common-sense legislation to help Hoosiers quit.
Our Holiday Wish List, published weekly from Dec. 7 through Dec. 21, itemizes the needs of Indianapolis-area not-for-profits, giving companies a place to find worthy recipients of their cast-offs.
We encourage the city to not only complete implementation of the site but to fully fund continual upgrades. The public’s expectation of being able to interact with city government online, without a trip downtown, will only grow.
A proposed public-private partnership to build two convention hotels with 1,400 more rooms as well as a $120 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center will give downtown and Visit Indy a big boost.
Indiana has had a series of fiscally responsible administrations that have maintained strong reserves and spent them down only when faced with especially tough times. But there’s no guarantee such conscientious leadership is in the state’s future.
IBJ urges leaders from Downtown Indy and the city to continue looking for ways to better fund infrastructure improvements both on the Circle and its Meridian Street and Market Street spokes. That must be a funding priority.
Republicans and Democrats couldn’t come together on education policy in recent years, but they should be able to agree that there’s no good reason to hold an election just for old time’s sake.
Mayor Joe Hogsett should take the lead on implementing a multi-year plan to end homelessness and take the lead on solutions to curb panhandling.
We think the city’s plan to provide $16.7 million to help finance construction for two Keystone Realty Group projects downtown totaling $141 million stands up to scrutiny about using public money to help private investment.
Finding the money to pay for infrastructure is a trick in an age when “no” is the default answer to any request for across-the-board tax increases.
