EDITORIAL: New economic incentives strategy is product of collaborative effort
We’re behind the effort, but can’t overemphasize the need for follow-up.
Editorials
Articles
EDITORIAL: Long-vacant Marsh locations pose big challenge for neighborhoods
The demise of Marsh Supermarkets two years ago continues to vex neighborhoods across central Indiana, which are stuck with gaping anchor holes in their strip shopping centers.
EDITORIAL: National Urban League event tees up important conversations
In a few days, some of the nation’s most important African American leaders—in business, politics, entertainment and philanthropy—will descend on Indianapolis for the National Urban League Conference.
Editorial: Fiasco over virtual charter schools raises big oversight questions
With freedom and choice comes responsibility. And so as Indiana has expanded the types of schools that students and their families can attend on the state’s dime—from traditional public schools to specialty schools called charters to even private and religious schools—so too has it created new obligations for those involved in the system.
Editorial: Voters in Hamilton County deserve choices from both parties
We don’t expect Hamilton County to become a hotbed of liberalism. Nothing in the county’s past or present suggests that could or should happen. But Democrats should be able to offer legitimate alternatives to the dominant party.
Editorial: Protect unemployment fund before the next recession hits
The federal government has recommended—and Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration has suggested—increasing the premiums pay into the state’s unemployment fund to help build its surplus for the next economic downturn.
Editorial: Fresh thinking on ex-offenders will strengthen our economy
Businesses, confronting an unemployment rate around 4 percent, are struggling to hire. Meanwhile, the formerly incarcerated, who face an unemployment rate about five times higher than the general population, need work to help sustain themselves and their families.
Editorial: Congress should approve Sen. Todd Young’s bill to boost smoking age
The measure is especially important after the Indiana General Assembly’s failed to act on a similar proposal as well as a bill that would have significantly increased the cigarette tax. That’s despite strong support for both bills from a broad spectrum of business, religious, health and not-for-profit organizations.
Editorial: Lawmakers made right call in fully funding 21 Fund
The 21 Fund’s purpose has meandered a bit since it was created in 1999, but it always has been dedicated in some way to encouraging research, technology and innovation. And that investment is key to maintaining the state’s efforts to create a vibrant tech community.
Editorial: Public kept in dark on Pacers deal until 25-year pact was fait accompli
On the morning of April 12, the Capital Improvement Board voted unanimously to approve a Pacers deal that will cost the quasi-governmental entity nearly $800 million over the next 25 years. But until that morning, there had been no public discussion hinting that a deal would be so costly.
EDITORIAL: Hate crimes law is practical move, although it’s far from perfect
We are less pleased that many Republican lawmakers did everything they could to ensure the law did not include specific language about gender identity.
EDITORIAL: Innovative companies like TMap help hobbled Hoosier recruiters
With the Legislature more inclined these days to reject proposals the business community say will boost the state’s economy, companies are forced to compensate in any way they can.
Editorial: Community needs to act to on income inequality problems
Local companies—be they big corporations or small startups—need a strong talent pool from which to draw their workers. State and local governments need a healthy tax base from which to pull revenue to keep the region’s infrastructure—roads, mass transit, internet access and more—strong enough for business. And the region needs residents who invest time, money and energy into their homes, their schools and their community at large. None of that can happen when a large percentage of the population is economically drowning.
Editorial: Hoteliers’ objections up pressure on city to be more transparent
It’s time for the Hogsett administration to put all the numbers on the table. They may be justifiable. But keeping the public in the dark isn’t.
EDITORIAL: With move to Circle, IBJ recommits to boldly cover city’s challenges
We are excited to now be doing OUR work with the Soldiers and Sailors Monument right outside our window—the view a constant reminder of our obligation to aggressively and accurately cover our community and hold elected officials and business leaders accountable.
Editorial: A more forceful governor is only hope for hate crimes bill
When the governor returns from a nine-day trade mission to France, Belgium and Germany, we hope he’ll not just testify in favor of a stronger bill but meet with legislative leaders one on one to emphasize the importance of passing the hate crimes bill that the business community wants.
Editorial: Legislature must strengthen hate crimes bill before session ends
Indiana is currently one of a few states without a hate crimes law and getting off that list is important to the state’s economic development and talent-recruitment efforts.
Editorial: Support for cigarette-tax hike should be too strong to ignore
Too many legislators are afraid of being attacked in the next election for raising taxes. Fear of being “primaried” over a tax hike—even one most people support—is one of the sad byproducts of a system where gerrymandered “safe” districts in too many instances make general-election results a foregone conclusion.
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.
Editorial: Indiana making progress in quest to boost venture capital funding
But Hoosier startups still need greater supply of ‘oxygen.’