EDITORIAL: City government in financial bind
The solution to the property tax fiasco that swept Republican Mayor Greg Ballard into office in 2007 is making his job harder, and
it could lead to his undoing.
Editorials
Articles
EDITORIAL: Teacher certification proposal deserves OK
Indiana’s top education official, Tony Bennett, ruffled feathers last month when he proposed increasing teacher expertise
in math, science and other subjects, and stripping red tape from teacher certification and hiring of administrators.
EDITORIAL: Next ISO conductor should live here
Venzago was essentially an absentee conductor. He didn’t
live here and never seemed fully engaged with the city.
EDITORIAL: An economic silver lining
The local eateries are suffering along with everyone else, but those that have
the wherewithal are taking a chance by expanding into bargain-priced locations.
EDITORIAL: Partisan games plague council
The City-County Council wisely averted disaster for the Capital Improvement Board Aug. 10 by voting to raise the city’s
hotel tax from 9 percent to 10 percent, but the razor-thin vote was another disappointing case of elected officials making
decisions based on partisanship rather than good judgment.
EDITORIAL: Restore Winona to city tax rolls
If Denver-based Ecolonomic Realty Group decides it wants to pursue a $25 million redevelopment of the old Winona Memorial Hospital site and presents a solid proposal, the city is in no position to turn down the tax revenue it would generate.
EDITORIAL: Susan Bayh’s tangled web puts cloud over senator husband
Corporate boards need more women, but not people such as Susan Bayh, wife of Sen. Evan Bayh. It’s not
that she isn’t up to the task. The former attorney at Eli Lilly and Co. and visiting professor at Butler University
is by all accounts capable. So we’re not surprised she regularly receives invitations to serve on boards. But
we are surprised she accepts.
EDITORIAL: Wishard’s smart planning shields taxpayers
A referendum this fall on Wishard Health Services’ plans to build a $754 million hospital will tell a lot about the
mood—and savvy—of Marion County voters. In this economy, and with government at all levels strapped
for cash, the knee-jerk reaction might be to reject such a proposal.
EDITORIAL: City’s fiscal creativity deserves support
In trying times, people and businesses often have to get creative to make ends meet. The same should hold true for local government. That’s why we commend city leaders for thinking outside the box in considering two initiatives to cut costs and generate public revenue.
EDITORIAL: School funding has fatal flaws
A state budget was passed June 30, but it’s balanced on the backs of poor children. Legislators
deserve praise for at least slightly increasing overall education funding, but because of a flawed funding
formula, urban districts such as Indianapolis Public Schools actually will lose money in the next two
years.
EDITORIAL: Leadership void stymied special legislative session
The legislative session that concluded June 30 with passage of a two-year budget left a bad taste in our mouths. For starters,
legislators lacked the courage to tackle local government reform—even though cash-strapped units of government
desperately need the millions of dollars in savings they would generate. In short, they put political cronyism ahead of the
interests of the state.
EDITORIAL: Health reform’s time has come
Lawmakers must take action but also ensure that any plan incorporates four basic principles.
EDITORIAL: Project near MSA may be worth the risk
The city has unveiled a dramatic plan for new housing and retail development to revitalize the old Market Square Arena site.
Despite some shortcomings, the project deserves a chance to give the stagnant area a boost.
EDITORIAL: Daniels budget should be OK’d
Overtures Gov. Mitch Daniels has extended to the General Assembly should be sufficient to end squabbling over the budget.
Legislators ought to take the offer, pass a budget, and leave the Statehouse before they throw any more sand in the gears.
Transit can be economic engine
We applaud the efforts of those who are laying the groundwork for viable mass transit in the Indianapolis area.
Pay for diplomas is smart incentive
Incentives have long been used as an effective tool in business to improve employee performance. But can a concept that helps
companies motivate workers also work in public education?
Visible progress in the city hides other troubles
Indianapolis still looks like a city with momentum, despite the dismal economy. But appearances can be deceiving.
Embracing risk key to economic revival
A strong economy requires risk-takers, and it is the bold and brash who will seize opportunities as the economy rebounds.
System meltdown at the Statehouse
Lawmakers sometimes do their best work right after an election, when they have a fresh victory in hand and can think beyond
their political self-interest. Not this time.
CIB’s deficit is a state problem, not a local one
Casting the CIB’s deficit as an Indianapolis problem is simplistic and inaccurate because it overlooks the millions of dollars in state tax revenue generated by those venues and an endless list of vendors that do business with them.