One of the nice things about Organization Day is the chance to find out where lawmakers are on important issues.  While a lot of time has been consumed with the “right to work” debate, there appears to be real signs that something may happen with mass transit in Central Indiana. From what I was able […]

Although “right to work” dominated the talk around the State House Monday, Democratic Leader Pat Bauer got my attention when he unveiled the Democrats’ ‘Helping Hoosiers Now” plan.  The plan hits the usual Democratic themes of jobs, education and child protection services.  However what stopped me in my tracks was Bauer calling for vouchers for […]

Indiana Statehouse Republicans Monday threw down the political gauntlet and said they were bringing “right to work” legislation to a vote and making it a priority this session. Democrats, as expected cried foul and said they will do whatever is necessary to stop the measure. Brian Bosma and David Long say they’re ready for Pat […]

Over the weekend it was announced that Democrats had chosen District 7 City-County Councilor Maggie Lewis as President for next year.  Brian Mahern was chosen to fill the Vice-President slot and Vernon Brown will be the majority leader.  A couple of things.  First, if you subscribed to my political cheat sheet you already knew the […]

As Indiana lawmakers get ready to return to the Statehouse for Organization Day this Tuesday,  the big 800 lb. gorilla in the room is “right to work” (RTW).  Speculations and rumors have run amok over whether Republicans will take up the measure this session and whether Democrats will try to use every procedure in the […]

The usual problem with zealotry is its inability to compromise, especially when it is getting 90-percent of what it wants.  Most reasonable people understand that in politics, when you are working toward a goal there comes a point where what you get is as good as it will get so you take it and move […]

As State officials get ready to remove the remaining Occupy Indy protestors from the Statehouse grounds, audio obtained by Indiana Barrister & IndyPolitics.Org  shows a group that is disorganized and realizes it poses a threat to public safety and security, even though only a handful of protestors occupy the south side of the Capitol. According […]

Outgoing City-County Council President says he will introduce a smoking ban ordinance that Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will sign.  The proposal bans smoking in bars and taverns but leaves exemptions for cigar bars, tobacco shops, hookah bars and private clubs. More importantly he ordinance can be passed in time for the Super Bowl.  Under Indiana […]

Indianapolis homeless advocates are pushing for a sales tax increase for programs they say will help combat the problem.  In a draft copy of a report slated t to be released this week, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) says a one-eighth percent increase in the Marion County’s sales tax would generate $9.6 […]

Now that the election is over we move into the speculative phase of what’s next for the Indianapolis City-County Council.  Democrats are getting ready to assume control of the body come January 1, and while they have a 16-13 majority, they do not control the Mayor’s office which will make their agenda tough to push […]