Republican and Democratic leaders of the City-County Council say they want the opportunity to fully debate a bill that would funnel state and local tax revenue to an 18,000-seat stadium that would be part of a larger mixed-use development.
Indianapolis leaders want to encourage businesses to pay livable wages. The City-County Council’s president says that’s a tough sell when the city hasn’t done that for all of its own employees.
The nonpartisan group of business, government and philanthropic leaders will manage the mayoral administration’s transition efforts and help advise on policy.
Indianapolis City-County Council President Maggie Lewis received more than $10,000 from her campaign over the past three years as reimbursement for various expenses. Her campaign reported almost all of the payments with no other description of purpose than a one-letter code, “O” for operations, as required by law.
Indianapolis doesn’t have a long-term street paving plan, and as political leaders look to spend at least $300 million more on infrastructure, the city appears more vulnerable than its peers to partisan bickering.
John Barth replaces Brian Mahern, a fierce opponent of some of Mayor Ballard’s policies, as council vice president.
Public safety and criminal justice are the only places left in the city-county budgets to look for ways to close a $27 million spending gap for 2013. Sheriff, police, fire and court budgets account for 85 percent of the $569 million general fund.
