Competing interests to collide in final days of session
The two principal matters that all agree must be resolved are the biennial budget and a plan to return the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to solvency.
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General Assembly is shame of Indiana
When we read that all the Democrats in the House voted against all the Republicans in the House on a given issue, we know independence has been cruelly killed by the leadership of each party. The same applies to the Senate.
Mayor hopes to fix budget by offering naming rights to city-owned properties
City officials want to raise money by selling sponsorships, advertising and possibly even naming-rights deals for city-owned
properties as they attempt to chip away at a projected $23 million deficit in the municipal budget.
Obama’s reforms could bite Lilly
When it comes to health care reform, Eli Lilly and Co. has its derriere exposed more than its drugmaker peers.
The tax system has fluctuated throughout the ages
Let’s reflect on the origins of the current income tax system to help understand it better.
Life sciences stand to gain from stimulus spending
Indiana and Purdue universities are well-positioned to take advantage of the $11.5 billion available for life sciences and
biotech research from the federal stimulus package.
Taxes, fees should be determined case-by-case
If an honest case for the general good cannot be made (as in the case of most education services, and, sports, entertainment and tourist facilities), government revenue streams should not be used to support private enterprises.
Daniels strangely quiet as fiscal issues fester
The Indiana General Assembly session will end with a focus on what has dominated discussion since Organization Day back in November: fiscal issues.
Detroit reminds us not to squander what we have
My prevailing thoughts upon returning from Detroit were how fortunate Indianapolis is when it comes to hosting these kinds of events, and how a thriving downtown is essential to (A) success of the region and (B) national perception.
CIB rescue plan counts on new hotel being big success
The Marion County Capital Improvement Board’s bailout depends on the success of Indianapolis’ new downtown JW Marriott convention hotel.
Hopeful news about the nukes aimed at your head
Because President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev have now dared to raise that tired and trivial matter of nuclear disarmament, you must focus on mundane matters of mass destruction.
Erosion of capitalism undermines market
A healthy economy can only be sustained under a true free-market capitalist society of producers and savers.
Colts, Pacers or Indians ticket stumbles would trip up Kenley plan
Sen. Luke Kenley’s CIB bailout plan counts on the Indianapolis Colts to keep up their sellout streak, and assumes the Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Indians will maintain at least their current popularity.
Youth program may promote sense of purpose
Though I’m an economist, and not much skilled at matters of the heart, it seems to me there’s something amiss in today’s national psyche. There’s no real sense of purpose or unity. For those of us old enough to have had very close relatives who lived through the Great Depression, today just feels different from […]
General Assembly pushes statewide trauma system
Indiana lawmakers are considering legislation to create a network that would coordinate hospital trauma programs and bring
the centers to underserved cities and rural areas.
CIB solution may be wrapped into state budget
The Legislature has been behaving as expected lately: little public sound and fury, but action beginning to stir behind the
scenes.
Central Canal needs green space
The Indiana War Memorials Commission’s proposal to build a USS Indianapolis submarine memorial on the east bank of the Canal just north of the existing
USS Indianapolis (cruiser) National Memorial would unwisely occupy nearly the last piece of green space on the Canal.
Ballard trip to explore clean energy
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and other city officials will travel to Brazil in May to explore renewable-energy production,
in hopes of making the city a leader in the technology.
Focused, clear direction is needed to end recession
The solution to ending the current recession is not more trillion-dollar debt on future social health care, education and energy ideas, nor any increase in taxes.
April 17 revenue forecast to drive final days of General Assembly session
Most of the critical work of this state legislative session will occur after April 20, because only then will the General
Assembly have a revenue projection for the next biennium.