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Book banning, reshelving has reached ridiculous heights
For several years I have heard ridiculous allegations that school and public libraries’ shelves are brimming with pornography and obscenity. But I think it’s clear now the censorship goes much further than that — to the detriment of society as a whole. Concerned parents are pushing the issue too far under the guise of protecting […]
Holcomb backs delegate choice for lieutenant governor
Gov. Eric Holcomb supports GOP delegates choosing the lieutenant governor candidate — even if it’s against the gubernatorial nominee’s wishes. “I always have,” he told reporters Tuesday. The process has become an issue after conservative pastor Micah Beckwith announced he is running independently for lieutenant governor as a Republican, which will be chosen at the […]
Holcomb names new Secretary of Commerce
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday named David Rosenberg as the state’s Secretary of Commerce effective immediately. Rosenberg had been chief operating officer and chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). He takes over for Brad Chambers, who recently left and is rumored to be running for governor. “David has been instrumental in […]
An ode to the Indiana State Fair (without the rhyming)
I know it’s the end of summer and kids are headed back to school. But if you have one more hurrah in you, I encourage you to head to the Indiana State Fair — especially if you live outside central Indiana. I am spoiled living with the state fair in my backyard. As I have […]
Citizens, including in Indiana, should have direct ballot power
Ohio is in the midst of a ballot initiative melee that can only be described as pulling the rug out from under its citizens. But the fight there has made we wonder if Indiana should have some sort of citizen-driven ballot initiative process for when legislators simply ignore resident wishes and beliefs. A Buckeye by […]
No more textbook fees for parents but some districts will see losses
Parents are getting a big win as their kids go back to school this year: no more textbook fees. But as the details unfold, school districts around the state are preparing for a shortfall between what the state is going to give them and what the actual costs are. Lawmakers, pushed by GOP Gov. Eric […]
Digging deeper into campaign finance records
When campaign finance deadlines hit, journalists dig into the reports for the key numbers: who raised the most and how much do they have left in their coffers? But there are tons of smaller interesting details to be found as well. Did you know the Hoosier PAC affiliated with — and giving hundreds of thousands […]
New, $50 million multi-use swine barn opens at Indiana State Fairgrounds
State and agriculture officials gathered Thursday to officially open the long-awaited renovation of the century-old swine barn. Now called the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, the barn and public safety center at the Indiana State Fairgrounds underwent a $50 million dollar renovation through the last 18-months and will host its first event at the 2023 […]
Time to blow up Indiana’s fireworks law
Watching a great fireworks display — punctuated by bright colors and trailing sparks — is a delight. But Indiana’s wild west approach to fireworks is wreaking havoc and needs to be changed. There is a middle ground between a month-long barrage of booms in tight quarters and a complete ban, and it’s time for state […]
State policy and politics increasingly fought in courtrooms, not just the statehouse
To cover government and politics these days you almost need a law degree. That’s because virtually every controversial issue ends up in court. It wasn’t this way when I first arrived at the Indiana Statehouse in 1999. The House and Senate margins were closer and passing significant legislation required compromise. But Republicans have had supermajorities […]
Gas tax increases are as predictable as fireworks in July
When fireworks and flags roll around, so do Indiana’s gas tax hikes. Yet another one-cent increase goes into effect Saturday, part of an inflation-related automatic “adjustment” approved by legislators in 2017. That means for every gallon of gas Hoosiers will now pay 34 cents in state fuel taxes. That is 88% higher than the 18 […]
To endorse or not to endorse
There is a funny thing about endorsements. On one hand, there is little empirical evidence that they actually make a difference. And yet, when an endorsement doesn’t come, it creates a vacuum. That is where we are now in the 2024 race for the GOP nomination for governor. Gov. Eric Holcomb initially told reporters he […]