Commentary
Health care costs are out of control; at least the General Assembly is trying to help
I hadn’t planned to write about health care today but as I sat at at the keyboard, the strain of the last two weeks kicked in: the doctors, the tests, the waiting, the nurses, the hospital, the lack of sleep. So, I hope you don’t mind if I get a little personal. To start with, […]
Housing is not a human right in Indiana
Those of us in the housing advocacy world had high hopes for the 2023 General Assembly. Speaker of the House Todd Huston organized a Housing Task Force this summer. While it looked like the task force would focus solely on home ownership and home building, task force members Dee Ross, tenant rights advocate and CEO […]
There’s still time to do right for students and teachers
We have a crisis on our hands! Last year, Indiana didn’t have enough trained and fully licensed teachers and was forced to provide emergency licenses to 10% of its teacher workforce. This, combined with the thousands of teacher vacancies in the state, is cause for alarm, but not despair. There are real, proven solutions for […]
From one parent to the legislature: “Show me where it hurts.”
If you are a parent, I’m sure you have had the experience of seeing your child laying on the ground crying hysterically over what appears to be nothing. “Show me where it hurts,” is often the command that most effectively breaks through the noise. Amazingly, more often than not, nothing hurts at all. In this […]
Supreme Court unlikely to ‘break the internet’ over Google, Twitter cases
“These are not, like, the nine greatest experts on the internet,” noted Justice Elena Kagan – a reference to herself and fellow colleagues on the Supreme Court. Depsite this, the justices are being asked to negotiate complex arguments that could have wide implications for online providers and ultimately everyone who uses the internet. Their rulings […]
Tracking some impactful education bills that aren’t made for the headlines
So far this session, a number of education bills have focused on controversial measures involving outing transgender youth to their parents, controlling race discussions and even non-existent furries. Journalists simply can’t ignore these measures. They must be covered because they impact Hoosiers. But I am going to use my column space today to let you […]
Preserving vital revenues tops legislative priority list for cities and towns
I am frequently asked about the number one priority Aim is following during the legislative session. The obvious choice this winter, of course, is property taxes. Specifically, the concerns about how last year’s bump in assessed values will impact this year’s property tax bills and the continuous threats to eliminate or partially eliminate the business […]
Tenants and housing advocates will have to wait — again
Last week hundreds of tenants, neighbors, and community partners gathered at the Statehouse for the launch of the Indiana Tenants Association and to celebrate that Senate Bill 202 by Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, and Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, was scheduled for a committee hearing. Spirits were high, as the bill would finally bring badly-needed mechanisms […]
During Oscar season, Pence and Fox News act afraid of the same truth
“You can’t handle the truth!” That’s the famous line spoken from the witness stand by Jack Nicholson in his portrayal of Colonel Nathan Jessup in the 1992 hit movie, “A Few Good Men.” That was thirty years ago, in a make-believe story of a governmental cover up, and long before the line became so true […]
Indiana’s energy plan needs improvement on climate change
Indiana was ranked as the 8th highest state for overall greenhouse gas emissions, emitting 176.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, outstripping the state’s population rank (17th). This is disheartening for anyone considering the societal costs and global instability from human caused climate change. Indiana only generated 10% of its electricity use from renewable sources […]
Allen County racial tensions should inform anti-CRT debate in General Assembly
In one corner of the state, Fort Wayne education officials are coming face to face with the very real tensions around race — fighting to make sure all students feel safe and protected. But here in Indianapolis — cloistered in the grand Statehouse — lawmakers are trying to legislate these uncomfortable conversations and sweep them […]
Indiana’s Constitution is getting a workout
The Indiana Constitution is having a moment. Abortion bans are pitted against “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Governor’s constitutional prerogatives were recently vindicated, and the General Assembly is actively considering no fewer than four proposed constitutional amendments. One proposal, Senate Joint Resolution 1, would restrict an ancient liberty that predates the United […]