Although the Kernan-Shepard report focused on local government efficiencies, it is also clear that the management of Indiana’s
public resources and assets at the regional and state level has not kept pace with the technological and socioeconomic advances
of the last century.
Whether it’s structuring local government to fit the 21st century, financing sports stadiums, achieving property tax reform or putting the state’s unemployment fund on sound footing, our leaders consistently show their failure to lead.
We’re generally supportive of a plan to merge the state’s two largest public pensions in an effort to save money, but it’s
hard to know exactly what to think considering the lack of detailed information available about the performance of the funds.
I am not at all sure that a merger of two public pension plans is not a good idea, possibly just not under current investment management auspices.
Whether or not the Indiana Public Employees’ Retirement Fund and the Indiana State Teachers’ Retirement Fund consolidate,
their primary financial consultants are merging.
Dr. Jeff Wells is moving on from the Indiana Medicaid program even as a $40 million cost-savings plan he spearheaded faces
a threat in the Legislature.
Leaders on both sides of the aisle have called for streamlining township government, and it’s time to demand that our legislators
make those changes.
Experts worry that if unemployment worsens, even more companies could be forced to cut benefits, especially health insurance.
It was not World War II that moved America out of the Great Depression.
After years of torrid gains in the number of wireless phones it handles, Brightpoint has had two consecutive comparable-quarter
declines.
Raising Indianapolis’ tax on hotel rooms — already one of the highest rates in the nation — could be the tipping
point that causes conventioneers to bypass Indianapolis, some industry experts say.
Henri and Shelley Najem, who own The Bella Vita restaurant in Geist, represent the scores of Indiana restaurant operators
feeling financial pressure, given the severe economic slump.
The state’s two biggest pension funds are poised to combine into one Indiana Public Retirement System, with a single executive
director and board.
As job losses accelerate in the worst recession in a generation, it’s becoming tougher and tougher for even well-educated,
experienced professionals to find work �¢?? or at least to find a job in the area and at the pay they want.
Raising the taxes to 5 percent-6 percent for a company like mine would be devastating, even though I have few employees.
Retired people living on a fixed income have no way to raise extra money to pay for property taxes.
Replacing all sales taxes with an import tax/tariff is among several reforms that would solve the nation’s economic crises.
The Indiana state budget will continue to be a work in progress for many more weeks.
Markets, no matter how imperfect, not government programs, manage the economy.
Shoring up the state’s jobless-fund shortfall likely will cost employers and employees more.
