Memorial Day Weekend Update
Since it’s Memorial Day Weekend and the Abdul birthday is tomorrow, I’m doing my gossip, rumor and innuendo posts today. Enjoy the info and take it for it’s worth. I’ll be back in on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
More ISTA Issues
It looks like financial troubles over at the Indiana State Teachers Union had been long in the making. ISTA’s insurance trust fund is under investigation by the FBI and the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office for incurring more than $67 million in losses in the fund. The organization is being taken over by the National Education Association. However, according to forms filed last year with the Internal Revenue Service, ISTA was running a deficit of more than $4.2 million in 2006-07. The Union took in more than $20 million; $18 million came from dues. But ISTA had expenses to the tune of $24.2 million; with about half, $12.5 million, going to salaries and benefits. More than $4 million went to pay for early retirement. The IRS documents also show that ISTA’s Insurance Trust Fund was running a structural deficit of nearly $3 million. The records also show former ISTA Executive Director Warren Williams was being paid more than $204,000 in salary and benefits.
Good Cop, Bad Cop
I’m hearing complaints are up to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, but crime is down. I’m not sure if complaints are up because they are easier to file or because the cops are getting more aggressive in keeping crime down. I hope it’s the latter.
Give Me Libertarians
Might there be a Libertarian on the ballot in every statehouse race next year? Could be. The L’s are planning an aggressive campaign to make sure they have a candidate in every race. We’ll see.
Budget Delay or Denial
The budget revenue forecast date is being moved to Wednesday or Thursday of next week. A day may not make a difference because it’s not expected to be pretty.
SD 30 Update
In the race for Senate District 30 I’m hearing Ryan Vaughn is ahead in Marion County amongst precinct committeemen, but John Ruckelshaus is ahead in Hamilton County. I asked incumbent Teresa Lubbers if she was backing anyone. Her reply was she supports the candidates who support education reform.
No Grudge
City-County Council Democrats aren’t holding a grudge over two appointments the Council made this past week. The Council voted to confirm Matt Symons, former Carl Brizzi spokesman, to the Zoning Board of Appeals. And Paul Mullins, former law partner with current Marion County GOP Chairman Tom John, to the criminal board.
Name That D
Speaking of Council D’s, word has it one of them was intoxicated and got into an altercation with a mailman. The cops were called, but no report filed. I wonder which one it could have been?
Hey, remember, this is a post about gossip, rumor and good old fashioned political innuendo. If you got some, send it. Have a good Memorial Day weekend.
