FARGO: Thankful for the Chick-fil-A tempest
I was hesitant to weigh in on the Chick-fil-A controversy, but I decided not doing so would be chicken. (Sorry—couldn’t resist.)
Forefront
Articles
VANE: Help more veterans start businesses
In an economic climate that can at best be deemed uncertain, and at worst catatonic, it is critical that the public and private sectors encourage and aid small-business entrepreneurs.
BONIFIELD: Government needs best, brightest, too
Government, perhaps even more than most private-sector industries and business models, is reliant upon human capital to thrive. Even as the tenor of most modern discourse on government has to do with its size, the people behind it are the single most important element in successful public policy.
MYERS: A good mayor takes a cause too far
I like Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City. He says what he thinks and thinks about what he says.
WAGNER: Local politics transcend partisanship
Everyone loves to say that all politics is local, and it’s largely true that people get the most riled up about things they see or that affect them on a daily basis.
TAFT: Invest through TIFs for brighter future
The disagreement between Mayor Ballard and City-County Council Democrats over the use of tax increment financing sounds like a wonky tax policy debate, but behind this conflict are far more fundamental questions of how we use our city’s resources to prepare for its future.
MAHERN: Ballard’s lieutenants serve him poorly
Dear Mayor Ballard: You need to talk to your guys. They are not giving you the best advice.
RIVERA: On to the next huge sporting event
According to @IUBloomington, the Twitter account of my alma mater Indiana University, our alumni have won 50 gold medals throughout Olympic history.
STYRING: Daniels could turn the tide at Purdue
Nearly everyone claims to have a strategic window into Mitch Daniels’ head. In truth, no one, including me, knows his plans for Purdue University when he assumes the presidency. Perhaps he, himself, isn’t entirely certain at this point.
BECK: Still lagging on early childhood education
When Melina Kennedy ran for mayor of Indianapolis last year, childhood education was a cornerstone of her campaign. The issue caught the attention of parents, employers, educators and the media, and Kennedy made a compelling case for investing in our community’s human capital.
MUTZ: Break up the school building monopoly
Indiana school corporations no longer have a monopoly on public school programming because the charter movement has given families a choice. But charter schools do not have financial support from state or local government to build, remodel or lease locations for their schools.
RITZ: ‘Reforms’ strip essence of public school system
The definition of reform is to “make changes in a system to improve it.” The “reforms” under the Indiana Department of Education are not changes to improve our education system.
BENNETT: Sweeping reforms empower local districts to succeed
When I took office in 2009, the Indiana Department of Education set high expectations for our children. My staff and I set ambitious goals for student achievement: improving ISTEP+ pass rates and high school graduation rates, having more students taking Advanced Placement exams, and increasing the number of college credits and technical certifications students earn in high school.
KRULL: Health care law now a reality for pols
Mitch Daniels’ letter inviting the candidates who want to succeed him as governor to weigh in on how Indiana should implement parts of President Obama’s health care reform law demonstrates at least two things.
SWAYZE: Coats is key figure in federalism battle
As pressure mounts from states pushing back on federal decisions and mandates, representation by their congressional delegations becomes increasingly important.
HOWEY: Incensed voters shoving pols to the exits
You say you want a revolution? You believe we need constitutional term limits?
MEREDITH: Arts instruction reaches far beyond coursework
It seems that policymakers have created just enough direction to create stress over how to weave test scores into the evaluations of arts teachers.
HARRIS: Evaluating all teachers is critical, regardless of subject
When compensating teachers based on test scores and other performance measures, how should teachers in fine arts be reviewed?
BROOKS: Replace the onerous act with common-sense policies
Like many Hoosiers, I was disappointed that the Supreme Court upheld the mandate provision of the Affordable Care Act.
RESKE: Law brought huge protections but needs improvement
While the top priorities for Congress must be improving our economy and creating jobs, it is also important to ensure the implementation of the Affordable Care Act does not lead to counterproductive results.