Is Thompson right on jobs?

March 6, 2008
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Earlier this week, Jill Long Thompson, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, said Gov. Mitch Danielsâ?? approach to economic development has focused on individual companies to the detriment of big-picture policy changes that could improve the business environment.

In addition to writing economic development incentives into the tax code, she said she would award incentives based at least partly on whether companies offer health care, add technology, improve productivity and cut environmental impact.

Companies also should be allowed to buy health insurance through pools, and individuals should be given permanent tax deductions to help finance their health care and ongoing education, she said.

And Thompson called for a renewed emphasis on vocational training in high school.

What do you think?
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  • berwickguyMarch 6, 2008 4:48 PM
    Once again, we have a politician that wants to define the way in which businesses focus and what their priorities should be. If I'm the CEO of a company looking at Indiana, I tell Ms. Thompson to stick it and I go somewhere else.

    It's not necessarily wrong that the state should have input into how the state invests its employer partnership dollars, it's just the definition that Ms. Thompson would make - likely wrong headed in every direction.

    She needs to stick to polishing her nails.
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  • AgreeMarch 9, 2008 2:10 PM
    I agree, I am a Dem, and I am not particularly fond of Thompson. Hear approach of writing tax incentives for Economid Development into the State Constituion is WHACK. Great lets spend 4 legislative sessions trying to get it writen in code since it has to go through 2 different legislative assemblies to change anything to the constitution. Meanwhile - the whole paradigm shift of Economic Development will occurr and then we wil spend 2 more legislative session tryuing to get it out of the constitutional code.

    I'm not saying there aren't some broader policies that could be implemented, but I think as we go one business or oe industry at a time is better then lets help all at once. groups are going to be left out, feel they have been purposly singled out, get upset and then leave.

    Of course, I'm not sure schellinger is the answer either. If thompson wins the primary - here comes a vote for Daniels. If schellinger wins the primary - I might still vote for Daniels it will just have to depend on what Schellinger does.
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  1. First, the Athenaeum is going to have to get past the hurdle with the Lockerbie residents and the agreement that the parcel would be residential. Second, and in my opinion, this prime piece of property should include parking, PLUS, a black box theater(s), some market rate and affordable artist housing and a plan to renovate and reconfigure the second story theater. I would negotiate to add the DeHaan property surface parking lot into the development mix, place a one story surface parking garage on the DeHaan lot on the street level (for the Dehaan tenants use during the daytime) and add a second story to the garage that would become an addition to the current second story theater and then change the direction of the theater by moving the stage across the alley and on top of the DeHaan lot parking. You can add all the stage elements that are currently missing from the Athenaeum stage to make it more attractive for use by Ballet, Opera and traveling productions. Plus, the theater changes would probably help solve some of the soundproofing issues. Alas,it does not seem to be a part of the strategic plan to conduct a study to determine best use of the property. Seems like the current plan is a quick and easy move that ignores the property best use/potential and any strategic property planning for the effect on future generations.

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  3. Accoriding to their website there is no deadline to the Do Not Call list. What is this article referring to??

  4. On what planet are they entitled to this largesse from the stockholders? These people make multi-million dollar salaries: Pay for your own personal travel.

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