Michael Leppert: When in doubt on social policy, start with economics
Passing a hate crimes law is a no-risk economic proposition for the state.
Opinion
Articles
Christina Hale: Coats demonstrates integrity with report to Congress
Clearly, he should be commended for his willingness to step out in contradiction to the U.S. president that appointed him.
Pierre Atlas: It’s about how you play the game
Congressional members of the party Trump now leads have largely abdicated their duty to protect our constitutional system.
Jennifer Wagner: Government shutdown produced no winners
We moved on to the next hot topic while those folks were still wondering how to make last month’s mortgage payment.
Dr. Richard Feldman: Marijuana could be part of answer to opioid abuse
There is more evidence that THC, especially when used in addictive patterns, may actually make it harder for some patients to stop using opioids and other addictive drugs.
R. Andrew Chambers: More study needed for THC to be treatment option
There is more evidence that THC, especially when used in addictive patterns, may actually make it harder for some patients to stop using opioids and other addictive drugs.
MARY BETH SCHNEIDER: Pregnant, young and alone? Tough luck in Indiana
At 16, Indiana law considers a girl old enough to consent to sex, but not old enough until she is 18 to consent to medical care for its consequences.
MIKE LOPRESTI: Hoosier Hoops Tour has plenty of bad karma—and a few bright spots
The Pacers, IU, Notre Dame and Butler all struggle as Purdue and IUPUI win.
BOHANON & CUROTT: Lawmakers shouldn’t shut door on marijuana reform
Pro-reformers say new users will be opioid addicts who ditch opioid prescriptions or heroin for marijuana. Anti-reformers say new users will be vulnerable teenagers. Who is right? Probably both.
HAHN: Sudden windfall creates problems, opportunities
People mistakenly believe a large windfall will solve their problems, but if they are not prepared, it can have a dark side.
GREG MORRIS: Indy Bar leadership worth celebrating
The team even went to bat for furloughed federal workers by donating legal advice.
Editorial: Hoosier businesses have role in developing ‘sense of place’
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.
Letter: Give, but give wisely
Simply responding to requests may feel good in the moment, but it isn’t the most effective approach.
Letter: Cuts were unnecessary
If Congress cannot stop overspending, the tax revenue has to come from somewhere and it has to come from where the money is at.
Steve Key: Legislature should defeat attempts to kill public notice
Since the founding of our country, paying newspapers to publish public notice has been the most cost-effective way to disseminate information that state legislatures deem important. The payment isn’t a subsidy; it’s payment for a service.
Sheila Suess Kennedy: Ford bill would reverse 2017 law’s harm to clean energy
An important bill has been sent to the Senate Utilities Committee, chaired by Sen. Jim Merritt. Senate Bill 430, introduced by Sen. J.D. Ford, would repeal the provisions of last year’s controversial measure phasing out net metering.
Ed Feigenbaum: Lawmakers’ decisions could guide path of gambling for years to come
The number and nature of the moving parts involved in the gambling issue in this legislative session are numerous and complex; the opportunities and problems presented are endless.
MARY BETH SCHNEIDER: Paid family leave insurance? Yes, please
A proposal by a Democratic lawmaker to create a voluntary paid-family leave insurance program has a Republican co-sponsor this year—and maybe a chance to become law.
BOHANON & CUROTT: An economist’s remedy for toxic masculinity
the discussion of self-command by famous economist Adam Smith in “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” offers some useful insights.
KIM: Have index funds become ‘Frankenstein’s monster?’
Jack Bogle, the inventor of index mutual funds, said just weeks before his death on Jan. 16 at age 89 that index funds had become the “most successful innovation in modern financial history”.