Indy’s Top 2000*
This post is a little tricky as I’ve only been hanging around Indianapolis since the Fall of 2004. But I think I’ve done enough research to fill in the gaps for the biggest news stories of the decade (although the decade doesn’t end until December 31, 2010). If I missed something, let me know.
2000 – Bart Peterson sworn in as first Democratic Mayor of Indianapolis in years.
2001 – 9/11.
2002 – Economy takes major toll on state, calamity slated to repeat in six years.
2003 – Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon dies in office after suffering massive stroke in Chicago.
2004 – Mitch Daniels elected Governor of Indiana. Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature.
2005 – Indiana lawmakers join 20th Century by passing Daylight Savings Time.
2006 – Indiana voters turn state congressional delegation more blue, throwing out three Republican Congressmen. State delegation goes from 7-2 (R) to 5-4 (D).
2007 – Political novice Greg Ballard rides wave of taxpayer discontent into office sweeping out two-term incumbent Bart Peterson. Election also becomes catalyst for property tax reform. Julia Carson passes away.
2008 – Mitch Daniels easily re-elected to second term at the same time Barack Obama becomes the first Democrat to win Indiana since 1964.
2009 – Slow, stagnant economy wipes out a lot of jobs and Indiana’s billion-dollar plus surplus.
2010 – Property tax caps fully kick-in. Chaos ensues at local level, could consolidation be far behind?
