WAGNER: Local politics transcend partisanship
Everyone loves to say that all politics is local, and it’s largely true that people get the most riled up about things they see or that affect them on a daily basis.
Opinion
Articles
TAFT: Invest through TIFs for brighter future
The disagreement between Mayor Ballard and City-County Council Democrats over the use of tax increment financing sounds like a wonky tax policy debate, but behind this conflict are far more fundamental questions of how we use our city’s resources to prepare for its future.
MAHERN: Ballard’s lieutenants serve him poorly
Dear Mayor Ballard: You need to talk to your guys. They are not giving you the best advice.
RIVERA: On to the next huge sporting event
According to @IUBloomington, the Twitter account of my alma mater Indiana University, our alumni have won 50 gold medals throughout Olympic history.
STYRING: Daniels could turn the tide at Purdue
Nearly everyone claims to have a strategic window into Mitch Daniels’ head. In truth, no one, including me, knows his plans for Purdue University when he assumes the presidency. Perhaps he, himself, isn’t entirely certain at this point.
BECK: Still lagging on early childhood education
When Melina Kennedy ran for mayor of Indianapolis last year, childhood education was a cornerstone of her campaign. The issue caught the attention of parents, employers, educators and the media, and Kennedy made a compelling case for investing in our community’s human capital.
MUTZ: Break up the school building monopoly
Indiana school corporations no longer have a monopoly on public school programming because the charter movement has given families a choice. But charter schools do not have financial support from state or local government to build, remodel or lease locations for their schools.
RITZ: ‘Reforms’ strip essence of public school system
The definition of reform is to “make changes in a system to improve it.” The “reforms” under the Indiana Department of Education are not changes to improve our education system.
BENNETT: Sweeping reforms empower local districts to succeed
When I took office in 2009, the Indiana Department of Education set high expectations for our children. My staff and I set ambitious goals for student achievement: improving ISTEP+ pass rates and high school graduation rates, having more students taking Advanced Placement exams, and increasing the number of college credits and technical certifications students earn in high school.
KRULL: Health care law now a reality for pols
Mitch Daniels’ letter inviting the candidates who want to succeed him as governor to weigh in on how Indiana should implement parts of President Obama’s health care reform law demonstrates at least two things.
SWAYZE: Coats is key figure in federalism battle
As pressure mounts from states pushing back on federal decisions and mandates, representation by their congressional delegations becomes increasingly important.
HOWEY: Incensed voters shoving pols to the exits
You say you want a revolution? You believe we need constitutional term limits?
ALTOM: Death of paper has been greatly exaggerated
When I was a kid, eager futurists predicted what wonderful technologies we’d all have someday.
DINING: Beyond deep-fried State Fair fare
Reviewer Lou Harry set out this year to find the best of the freshman foods at the Indiana State Fair, with the stipulation that they didn’t emerge from a vat of hot oil.
LOU’S VIEWS: Studio Vonnegut
A new CD combines Kurt Vonnegut’s voice with eclectic music with worthwhile results.
HETRICK: Don’t believe everything people say that American people say
Politicians like to presume national unanimity…usually for their own ends.
BENNER: Why Michael Phelps laps other great Olympic athletes
Thoughts on this, that and the other while watching the world’s athletes.
Benner again misses mark
Once again, Bill Benner [July 30] misses a key point in the NCAA’s handling of Penn State when he applauds the NCAA’s “courage and swift response” in his hypothetical reaction to it being his son subjected to sodomy in the Penn State locker room showers.
AHLRICHS: Embedding strategy in the ranks
Multiple organizations, from St. Vincent Health to Emmis Communications Corp. to Buckingham Cos. to Riley Children’s Foundation, have added a “chief strategy officer” to their ranks.
KENNEDY: Respect the process, and people
One of the things I try to explain to students is the importance of process. This is, of course, a central principle of civil liberties.