House Bill 1483, which required drug tests for recipients of public assistance, passed the House 78-17 and the Senate 38-12, but failed at the 11th hour in conference committee. However, given the level of support, it can be expected to return in future sessions.
The debate over cutting the state income tax was settled for this year, but the subject isn’t put to rest.
Keep the hope alive, I tell myself, keep the hope alive.
A study by the Violence Policy Center reveals shocking statistics about Indiana. More Hoosiers were killed by gun violence than traffic accidents in 2009—735 gun deaths versus 715 traffic deaths, according to the Washington, D.C.-based center.
We meet in a time of continued economic stagnation. Economic growth in 2012 was a depressing 1.5 percent, half the historic average. Three million fewer Americans are employed than when this so-called recovery began. Economic inequality is growing, and unprecedented trillions in transfer payments have not reversed the trend. It was well said that, "We need a recovery from this recovery."
Early in the season in baseball, you can be leading the league in home runs because you can really hit a fastball, even if you can’t hit a curveball. But in the major leagues, soon all you will see is curveballs. You either adjust or you are gone.
The [April 1] Forefront column by Louis Mahern discussed a zoning case in the Fletcher Place Neighborhood “called down” by City-County Councilor Jeff Miller. Mahern’s column incorrectly assumes that neighborhood opposition to the project relates to its affordable housing aspect.
How would IBJ allow John Zody [April 1 Forefront] to write, “The governor’s 10-percent income tax cut, which would cost taxpayers more than a half a billion dollars …”?
With super-majorities in both chambers, there’s been plenty of chatter about whether Republican lawmakers will stay focused on their campaign promises to build our economy and create jobs.
Complacency and overreach are certainly real concerns any time a political party has the type of success the Indiana Republican Party has had in recent election cycles.
The main thing wrong with the term limits movement is the “s” at the end of the word “limit.”
A recent Ball State University study showed a growing movement of Marion County residents to Hamilton County and triggered a series of columns pinning a lot of the blame on poor-quality city schools.
Hoosiers are often thought of as resistant to change (daylight-saving time, anyone?).
In these pages last fall, I complained about gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence playing politics with the implementation of federal health reform. Unfortunately, now that he’s been elected governor, the game-playing continues and uninsured Hoosiers continue to be pawns in Pence’s game with federal officials.
One-sixth of our economy has a big question mark around it. It’s OK to call “it” Obamacare now, but we still don’t know what it is.
The local business guys and gals I talk to watch the coming full implementation of Obamacare with a sense of angst.
Fresh analysis released last month on the economic impact of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the satellite industries attracted by its location in Indiana make it clear the General Assembly is on the right track in moving legislation to bolster the track and the jobs it helps create.
Indianapolis is a long way from reaching its potential. Yes, we have advantages with cost of living (compared to both coasts), and great professional sports franchises and an array of quality cultural institutions like the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and many more.
As the end of the annual meeting of our General Assembly draws nigh, it is not inappropriate to once again view both the legislation considered and the general health and well-being of the system itself as it works in the Great Hoosier Heartland.
I’m optimistic about the future of Hoosier Democrats, particularly at the state level and in Marion County. Why, you ask?
