Indiana

Suicide or Rebirth?

Posted on February 17, 2009
In a room full of more Libertarians than media, At-large City-County Councilor Ed Coleman today officially cast aside his Republican label for a Libertarian one. Coleman says he left the GOP because the “party had changed” and was not “the same party he joined years ago...

Party of One?

Posted on February 16, 2009
Expect an announcement tomorrow morning from the Marion County Libertarian Party that At-large City-County Councilor Ed Coleman is joining their ranks. Coleman would not comment on the move when I spoke to him tonight at an east side forum over a proposed city-wide smoking ban...

More Statehouse Stuff

Posted on February 16, 2009
I’ll make this quick… SB 452 is the first local government reform bill to pass the State Senate.  It gives counties the option to choose either a county-council form of government with a chief executive or a county board with a city manager...

Statehouse Stuff

Posted on February 16, 2009
I’m at the Statehouse today keeping an eye on things.  Here’s what I’ve seen or heard so far… Stadium Stuff As lawmakers are trying to find ways to plug a $43 million operating deficit, there is private praise for the Indianapolis Pacers and frustration with the Colts...

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Pick Your President

Posted on February 16, 2009
It’s President’s Day, so I’m off to go buy a mattress.  In the meanwhile, C-SPAN has compiled a pretty interesting list of Presidential rankings; Lincoln came in first while James Buchanan came in last.  Care to add your best and worst?

Ballard Endorses Tom John for County Chairman; Conspiracy Theorists and Political Wannabes Foam at the Mouth!!!

Posted on February 15, 2009
Although this really shouldn’t surprise anyone, Republican Mayor Greg Ballard endorsed Republican County Chairman Tom John this week.  Here’s the full text of the Mayor’s letter to precinct committeemen… Dear _________: Thank you for all you do for the City of Indianapolis and our Republican Party...

Sports Sunday

Posted on February 15, 2009
The man who gave me my first news job back in 1993 once told me, “Abdul we’re all ignorant, just about different things.”  For me that usually applies when talking about something sports-related.   However, I honestly think my ignorance of sports just might be surpassed by the ignorance of the Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts...

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Posted on February 14, 2009
It’s not every day the director of mysmartgov.org gets into a heated exchange with a radio talk show host who accuses local government reform advocates of backhanded racism during a Friday morning news conference with the Governor standing by. But when it does happen, you have to put it out there so everyone can give it a listen...

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Posted on February 14, 2009
My Dad always told me the best time to look for work is when you don?t need it.  Between my broadcasting, legal, teaching, consulting and stand-up comedic obligations, I?m not hurting for employment so I figured now would be a good time.  And after this past week at the Statehouse,  I have found the perfect [...

Graduation Day III

Posted on February 13, 2009
I got some of  the charter school data for the Mayor Sponsored Charter Schools, here it is… Charles Tindley - 63.2 %. Indianapolis MET - 57.6 %. They do better than most IPS schools, but not as well as the township schools.  But Tindley has the best college attendance rate out of all schools in Marion County and [...

Graduation Day II

Posted on February 13, 2009
Here are some more stats on graduation rates.  These are for the township schools and excluded cities. I’m expecting the Charter data later this morning.  Just like last time, the first number is the graduation rate, the second number is the percent change from last year...

How To Launder Taxpayer Money Without Even Trying

Posted on February 13, 2009
If you’ve ever wondered how township government  stays in business at the General Assembly, here’s how… Join the Indiana Township Association. Payment of your ITA annual dues or your special assessments should all be made from “Other Services, & Charges, Dues and Subscriptions...

Smoke Em Out

Posted on February 12, 2009
Are you for or against a total smoking ban in Marion County?   We you’ve got a chance to voice your opinion.  City-County Councilor Kent Smith is holding one of three town hall meetings a comprehensive smoking ban on next week. The meeting will be held Monday, February 16 from 5:30 p...

Graduation Day

Posted on February 12, 2009
In case you missed it last month, the graduation rate and academic performance results are in for Indiana schools.   Here they are for IPS. The first number is the rate.  The number in parenthesis is the percentage change from last year… Arlington H...

Ponder This!

Posted on February 12, 2009
The last time township government really mattered in Indiana, Abraham Lincoln was still alive.  

Let Them Eat Caps!!!

Posted on February 12, 2009
As I sat in the Senate Chambers for several hours listening to testimony from township officials trying to save their jobs all I could think of was how some good brie would go well with their whine.   I will spare you the usual “we’re government closest to the people”, “we live in a rural area”, [...

Township Tales

Posted on February 11, 2009
I’m in the Senate chamber watching a committee hearing on consolidating township government functions to the county level. It’s all testimony and there won’t be a vote today. But it’s easy to tell the pro-township crowd doesn’t like change, just look at how 90-percent of them came dressed today.

Wednesday Wire

Posted on February 11, 2009
Here’s some news from the Statehouse this morning. A House Committee this morning approve  a statewide smoking ban, with exemptions. If the bill passes the legislature smoking will still be allowed in bars, taverns, casinos and private clubs. The Colts and Pacers are reaching out to the state in an effort to look for ways to close [...

Thanks for the Memories

Posted on February 10, 2009
The worst thing you can have in politics is a good memory. In late 2004 I remember watching then Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson announce to thousands of screaming football fans that the city and the Colts had reached a deal on a new stadium, even though no funding mechanism had been worked out to pay for [...

Out of Work, Out of Luck

Posted on February 10, 2009
I’m not sure if this is a good idea, but I’m sure this is more than likely a starting point.  The House Labor and Employment Committee today passed, 9-3, legislation that would have employers pay more to cover Indiana’s bankrupt  unemployment insurance fund...

Pop a Cap In Them

Posted on February 10, 2009
The Indiana State Senate Monday approved putting property tax cap into the state Constitution.  It was basically a party-line vote, 34-16.  The measure heads to the House where it failed earlier on a procedural test vote. House Democrats say they want more time to study the proposal...

City Stuff

Posted on February 09, 2009
Here are some interesting tidbits and information regarding matters affecting Indianapolis and Marion County. Capital Improvement Board officials say they won’t use property taxes, and other taxes and fee increases are the last items on their list, as they try to plug a near $50 million operation deficit...

Nice To Be Back

Posted on February 09, 2009
It’s nice to be back after a weekend of the old song and dance routing.  Here’s what I’ll be paying attention to this week. What will the impact of the federal stimulus package be on Indiana now that the Senate has cut funding to state and local governments and to education; two areas Indiana lawmakers have [...

Sunday Funnies*

Posted on February 08, 2009
Abdul’s Comedy Act *The above link may contain material considered unsuitable for people with no sense of humor or perspective.

Comedy Tonight

Posted on February 07, 2009
I’m on the road in Illinois playing comedian this weekend.  The show went very well and I will try to upload some of the audio when I get back to Indianapolis.  I can tell you one the best lines of the night was when I told the audience that as I crossed the border back [...

Hello, I Must Be Going

Posted on February 06, 2009
I’m heading out of town to go be a comedian, but here are a few things to ponder while I am away. State officials are privately saying Indiana’s unemployment rate could hit 10% before it’s all said and done. It looks like the Mayor cleared more than $200,000 at his latest fundraiser...

Indiana Unemployed

Posted on February 06, 2009
I’m making a stop on the way back to Illinois and wanted to share these latest unemployment figures for Indiana by metropolitan area.  The statewide average is 8.1%.  It’s what you would think, the further north you go, the worse it gets. Indianapolis-Carmel - 6...

IPS Potential Scandal Grows

Posted on February 05, 2009
I told you the other day about a possible scandal flying under the radar screen at Indianapolis Public Schools concerning Title I funds. Well there are a few more details starting to creep out.  I’m hearing that apparently over the last few years Title I money has been used for staff lunches and junkets...

Ticket Tax, Anyone?

Posted on February 04, 2009
One of the architects of the original Lucas Oil Stadium financing plan says a ticket tax or user fee might be the way to go to make for the stadium’s nearly $45 million operational shortfall.   Capital Imporvement Board officials reported last week that Lucas Oil would run millions in operational deficits...

More On That Moratorium

Posted on February 04, 2009
I told you yesterday about how the House Ways & Means Committee amended legislation to put a moratorium on charter schools in Indiana and cap their funding so they can’t grow.   This is about two things.  First, political posturing.  Second, the argument that charter schools take money from traditional public schools (I will refer to them [...

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