In my continuing efforts to present all points of view, I recently had three of my “liberal blogger” friends on the morning show. The guys from The Bilerico Project and Chris Warden of iPOPA. It was a fun discussion over state and local issues.  We obviously disagreed, but it was a lively, spirited and respectful […]

Indiana lawmakers moved another step closer Thursday to giving Hoosiers a chance to vote on putting property tax caps in the Constitution.   HJR-1 came up on second reading and three amendments were offered to the proposal, none of them passed. HJR1-01 – William Crawford, Failed 31-68 Deletes the St. Joe and Lake County provision  exempting […]

I’m dealing with weather today so this morning’s post is more of an open forum.  Here are some topics for discussion. Have local governments failed to make a case against property tax caps? Will ethics legislation create real reform or bigger loopholes? Will tax caps pass and by what margin? How much government reform will […]

Indianapolis Water officials told me this morning the problem with non-working hydrants are likely the result of them being opened and closed improperly. Communications manager Paul Whitmore says when hydrants aren’t accessed and closed right it can result in drainage which can cause them to malfunction. Fire destroyed three businesses on East Michigan Road Tuesday night.  IFD […]

If you’ve ever had any interaction with House Speaker Pat Bauer, you know it’s important to know when to read between the lines.  Yesterday was one of those days. The Speaker said local governments hadn’t made the case against implementing property tax caps.  He pointed out that the locals have had a year or so […]

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is entering the second half of his first term in office. And like any midterm it’s time for a grade.  Overall, I give the Mayor a solid B.  Listed below are some of the pluses and minuses… Pluses Crime is down six percent since 2007.  The number of criminal homicides was […]

I’ve been glancing at some of the proposals being introduced in the Indiana General Assembly.  Here are some of the more interesting ones. SB 18 – Ban sending a text message while driving, says nothing about reading them. SB 25 – Bans property owners from prohibiting firearms on their land if the weapon is locked […]

Indiana lawmakers are tripping over themselves to offer up ethics reform proposals. House Speaker Pat Bauer offered up a plan last year and Senate Republicans put out a proposal as well. The measures include “cooling off” periods where lawmakers would have to wait for a year or so before going to professionally lobby their former […]

Happy New Year!   Here is my list of the 10 things to look at in 2010, not necessarily in any particular order. Will Republicans take the House of Representatives this November? Will any incumbent Democratic Congressman lose? How many local governments will be forced to consolidate due to tax caps and declining home value […]