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Government
NOTIONS: Will House protect Hoosier families?
January 30, 2006
Bruce HetrickLast fall, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce invited members to an event called "Pancakes and Politics." The invitation
said that Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma would preview the upcoming legislative session. Ever curious, I e- mailed the
Chamber and said I'd attend. When I arrived, I was puzzled. There were, indeed, pancakes. Bosma was working the crowd. But
instead of signaling a legislative overview, the PowerPoint slide on the screen said we'd be hearing about the accomplishments
and goals...
MoreBills push for health incentives: Measures dangle carrots to quit smoking, shape up
January 30, 2006
Tom MurphyA couple of state senators want to tame rising health care costs by delivering extra motivation to help government workers
get in shape and other employees quit smoking. Sen. Vi Simpson, DEllettsville, has introduced a bill that would knock $100
off the annual health insurance premiums of state employees who complete a yet-to-be-designed wellness program. Sen. Beverly
Gard, RGreenfield, is pitching legislation making it easier for employers to dangle incentives to curb smoking. That could
lead to cash rewards for...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: Let's revisit the State of the State
January 30, 2006
Morton MarcusQuite appropriately, Gov. Mitch Daniels did not make any claims about "a revitalized Indiana economy" in his recent State
of the State speech. He stuck to the theme that we are on track to turning the economy around rather than proclaiming any
victory. This restraint was well-warranted. Indiana ranked 45th among the 50 states in its rate of employment growth for the
past year (November-to-November figures). The nation added jobs at a 1.5-percent rate. Our 0.3-percent increase beat out only...
MoreSTATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Lawmakers will get serious when the dancing ends
January 30, 2006
Ed FeigenbaumIndianapolis may still be waiting for its first significant snowfall of 2006, but the legislative session zips along at breakneck
speed. Jan. 23-27 marks the final week in which committees may consider legislation in their respective chambers of origin.
We've warned you this session would consider matters of substance despite its short fuse-lawmakers will adjourn no later than
March 14. So how do things shape up so far? If someone from another planet were to peer in underneath the Statehouse...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: Let's revisit the State of the State
January 23, 2006
Morton MarcusQuite appropriately, Gov. Mitch Daniels did not make any claims about "a revitalized Indiana economy" in his recent State
of the State speech. He stuck to the theme that we are on track to turning the economy around rather than proclaiming any
victory. This restraint was well-warranted. Indiana ranked 45th among the 50 states in its rate of employment growth for the
past year (November-to-November figures). The nation added jobs at a 1.5-percent rate. Our 0.3-percent increase beat out only...
MoreSTATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Lawmakers will get serious when the dancing ends
January 23, 2006
Ed FeigenbaumIndianapolis may still be waiting for its first significant snowfall of 2006, but the legislative session zips along at breakneck
speed. Jan. 23-27 marks the final week in which committees may consider legislation in their respective chambers of origin.
We've warned you this session would consider matters of substance despite its short fuse-lawmakers will adjourn no later than
March 14. So how do things shape up so far? If someone from another planet were to peer in underneath the Statehouse...
MoreNOTIONS: Will House protect Hoosier families?
January 23, 2006
Bruce HetrickLast fall, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce invited members to an event called "Pancakes and Politics." The invitation
said that Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma would preview the upcoming legislative session. Ever curious, I e- mailed the
Chamber and said I'd attend. When I arrived, I was puzzled. There were, indeed, pancakes. Bosma was working the crowd. But
instead of signaling a legislative overview, the PowerPoint slide on the screen said we'd be hearing about the accomplishments
and goals...
MoreBills push for health incentives: Measures dangle carrots to quit smoking, shape up
January 23, 2006
Tom MurphyA couple of state senators want to tame rising health care costs by delivering extra motivation to help government workers
get in shape and other employees quit smoking. Sen. Vi Simpson, DEllettsville, has introduced a bill that would knock $100
off the annual health insurance premiums of state employees who complete a yet-to-be-designed wellness program. Sen. Beverly
Gard, RGreenfield, is pitching legislation making it easier for employers to dangle incentives to curb smoking. That could
lead to cash rewards for...
MoreBiz-incentive plan may be beefed up: Legislators seek to strengthen EDGE program by doubling retention tax credit to $10 million
January 16, 2006
Peter SchnitzlerIndiana's showcase business incentive program is about to go through another tweaking. At the request of the Indiana Economic
Development Corp., legislators are considering changing the EDGE tax credit program to give it more teeth to retain existing
jobs. Since 1994, Indiana has used the Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE credit, to spur private-sector
job growth. The program allows budding companies to abate state payroll taxes for new employees. Over the last 12 years, Indiana
has authorized...
MoreVIEWPOINT: Foreign study deserves government support
January 16, 2006
Robert GervasiThe goal of "crosscultural understanding" is now practically a mantra at every university, and the federal government has
joined the chorus. President Bush has proclaimed, "America's leadership and national security rest on our commitment to educate
and pre pare our youth for active engagement in the international community." And in November, the U.S. Senate designated
2006 as the "Year of Study Abroad." The Senate resolution maintains that education abroad promotes the nation's "security,
stability and economic vitality." It notes with...
MoreSTATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Daniels may not wield as much influence this session
January 16, 2006
Ed FeigenbaumWe've only made it through the first few days of activity, but already we can get a feel for what this session of the Indiana
General Assembly will focus on. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels made it clear in his Jan. 11 State of the State Address that
he believes lawmakers should devote the bulk of their attention to a legislative agenda revolving around highway construction,
education, and local government reform and flexibility. House Republicans last week unveiled a broad series...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: Indiana turning toward Houdini plans
January 16, 2006
Morton Marcus"What should the Indiana General Assembly do during this session?" The question came from Ralph Write, a newly minted reporter.
"I'm glad you asked," I replied. "Simple solutions from simple people would be simply spectacular. But the issues are complex
and I don't know if the legislators have the information they need to decide intelligently any of the major questions before
them. "For example," I expounded, as Ralph took more notes than were warranted by my remarks, "there is the...
MoreBanking players on rise: Despite flood of mergers, area competition heats up
January 16, 2006
Matthew KishBig-ticket bank mergers grabbed plenty of headlines in the past two years. Just don't let the splashy news stories fool you.
The number of players in the Indianapolis banking market is expanding, even amid consolidation in the industry nationwide.
Over the past 10 years, the number of banks taking deposits in the metropolitan area has grown from 41 to 56, according to
annual data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Analysts attribute much of the growth to smaller banks and...
MoreAearo aiming for IPO: Giant in safety equipment wants to raise $230 million, plans overseas expansion
January 16, 2006
Chris O\'malleyAn Indianapolis company that makes earplugs, hard hats and other protection gear used by everyone from soldiers to construction
workers has laid the foundation for an initial public stock offering. Aearo Technologies Inc. plans to raise up to $230 million
in the offering and list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, according to its registration statement filed late last
year with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. But the filing leaves blank a number of key details-such as...
MoreNOTIONS: Failing to learn from the past, condemned to repeat it
January 16, 2006
Bruce HetrickIt was raining in London the morning before New Year's Eve. As we emerged from the St. Paul's tube stop to a gust of wintry
air, my friend Cheri wrapped her black topcoat a bit tighter, I buttoned my Navy blue, and we pulled on our gloves and scarves,
and opened umbrellas to ward off the cold and damp. We walked briskly past the north churchyard of St. Paul's Cathedral, turned
the corner and climbed the front steps. Inside, we...
MoreFrom FFA to DNA: Businesses view convention as more than a gathering of corn growers
January 16, 2006
Matthew KishDon't call it the Future Farmers of America. That went out of style with pastel suits and parachute pants. The organization
is now known as the FFA. And it's no longer just a gathering of crop jockeys. The change in moniker partly illustrates why
business leaders are so excited for the first of at least seven annual conventions the organization will stage in the Circle
City starting in late October. "FFA is a premier, if not the premier, youth organization...
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: Making money by neutering history
January 9, 2006
Morton MarcusI drove north last week from the Caesar's gambling facility in Harrison County. Instead of taking the usual roads, I twisted
up the cliffside overlooking the Ohio River via Doolittle Road. Then I went through New Middleton to Corydon before I joined
the state highway system. It was a delightful drive that I never would have known about from anything on the state's tourism
Web site. Yes, I can hear the usual lament: "Wait, we're working on improving our materials....
MoreChurch's business savvy extends financial ministry: New Life helps members become self-sufficient
January 9, 2006
Tracy DonhardtOndalere Helm has struggled to stay on solid financial footing since being laid off about four years ago. The 32-year-old
mom got behind on her bills and was living in a governmentassisted apartment building with her 7-year-old daughter. "I had
been praying for a home for my daughter," Helm said. "I tried to buy a house, but my credit wasn't good enough." Then about
two months ago, the pastor at New Life Worship Center-where Helm and her daughter attend religious...
MoreECONOMIC ANALYSIS: We want to spur economy, but what's the best way?
January 9, 2006
Patrick BarkeyIf you want to get an idea just how hot the topic of economic development is in Indiana these days, take a stroll over to
the Department of Insurance's Web page. Instead of finding notices of regulatory proceedings or a lineby-line listing of the
insurance code, you'll get a spirited, enthusiastic rundown of all of the reasons Indiana is a great state in which to locate
your insurance company. If you happen to own one, that is. That's a little...
MoreGrowing numbers facing 'rich' tax: Alternative minimum tax reaching middle class
January 9, 2006
Scott OlsonThe number of Americans subject to the alternative minimum tax is expected to skyrocket this year unless Congress passes a
retroactive safeguard. The tax, designed to prevent the rich from skirting taxation, threatens more middle-class families
every year because of inflation. But because federal lawmakers failed to extend a "patch" that normally protects the less-than-wealthy
from the AMT, it is estimated that 16 million more taxpayers could fall into its grasp this year. The AMT is catching many
local taxpayers...
MoreLegislators fight over green rules: Biz lobby: Indiana standards should not exceed EPA's
January 9, 2006
Peter SchnitzlerBusiness interests and environmentalists are squaring off in the Indiana General Assembly. It's unlikely they'll see eye-to-eye
anytime soon on this year's ripest green issue: whether to hold Indiana to a higher environmental standard than the rest of
the nation. In one corner, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is leading a push for legislation to bind the state to environmental
rules "no more stringent than" those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Framing the debate around economic development,
the Chamber...
More'Crammers' facing big fines: Two firms accused of billing phone customers for directory assistance services not ordered
January 9, 2006
Chris O\'malleyAs in $1,071,000. That's how much the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor wants the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
to ring up in fines against Casper, Wyo.-based Micronet Inc. It also requests that the commission turn over the case to Indiana
Attorney General Steve Carter for prosecution under the state's deceptive practices act. Micronet is accused of billing hundreds
of Indiana business, residential and state government lines in late 2004 and early 2005 for directory assistance service callers
never requested or...
MoreBig bank heading for sale?: Union Fed, parent firm mum as talk of mergers intensifies
January 9, 2006
Matthew KishOfficials with the companies in Fort Wayne and here aren't saying one way or the other. "We have nothing to announce," said
Alvin "Kit" Stolen, CEO of Union Federal since 2002. "We officially wouldn't comment or address those kinds of rumors or speculation."
The privately held companies are among the largest financial firms headquartered in Indiana. Union Federal has more than $3.4
billion in assets and ranks as the city's third-largest bank. Waterfield ranked 51st nationwide in mortgage originations in...
MoreBRIAN WILLIAMS Commentary: High school dropouts are hard on city
January 9, 2006
Indiana has made significant progress in establishing some of the most demanding standards for primary and secondary students.
However, Indiana's and the nation's educational system can also be characterized by low high school graduation rates; no standard
for calculating graduation rates; persistent achievement gaps along racial and economic lines; a decline in "second chance"
opportunities for high school dropouts; a general inability to attract and retain highquality teachers, especially in underperforming
schools; and a bureaucratization of school structure that undermines...
MoreSlow start predicted for Roth 401(k) plans: Many companies, employees likely to take wait-and-see attitude regarding new retirement-savings
vehicle
January 9, 2006
Scott OlsonSo when the Roth 401(k) debuted Jan. 1, he gave his 24 employees at Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. the opportunity
to sink a percentage of their earnings in the new option. The idea draws upon the standard 401(k) plan that is the vehicle
of choice for millions of working Americans saving for retirement. But a distinct difference between the two might scare some
employees away. Unlike a traditional 401(k), the money diverted into a workplace Roth is...
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See, I told u Indyman and Dipsicle....this 8 days is overkill. It's barely worth a weekend....great job Tony George! Your dream has been fulfilled....he fans want the I r l back. Thats how good it was.....and that sucked.
I have been in training for a short time now but right off I can see that safety and quality are the number one issues, my experience as of late has been a positive one, the employees along with Jeff the plant manager and the operation supervisor as well as the engineers are a highly motivated group of people, what an asset for the area to have and for company's in need of a quality metal products.
Pimlico
While I understand the severity of their actions as well as everyones eagerness to hold them responsible for thier lost funds, these gentlemen did know how to make money. Dispite thier poor decisions over the ownership of Fair they had made several wise investments which paid them greatly. This proves they do have the potential to rebuild so they can repay. I do not feel they should live the life of luxuary but given an opportunity could they find ways of repaying the debts? They are doing nothing now but being a burden on tax payers. Just a thought!!!!!
You guys have some "interesting" comments to say the least. I hope you will call in and share those opinions starting June 1. I'm looking forward to having you on the air.