Indiana

Saturday Slatings

Posted on February 13, 2010
In a rare joint blogging venture I asked Chris Worden of Indy’s Painfully Objective Political Analysis to tag team with me in covering the local slating conventions of both the Marion County Democratic and Republican parties.   He hung out with the Democrats while I was with the GOP...

Friday?s Followings

Posted on February 12, 2010
It’s a good thing I gave my wife her Valentine’s Day presents yesterday, because I have a lot of things to follow this weekend. Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes is formally announcing his candidacy for County Prosecutor this morning.   He plans to run against the slate...

The Coats Challenge

Posted on February 11, 2010
While interviewing Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dan Coats on the radio yesterday, I had a flashback to the 2004 U.S. Senate race in my home state of Illinois.  I was doing the same talk show/political commentator gig and covering Alan Keyes’ entrance into the race against then U...

Minimum Rage

Posted on February 10, 2010
A new study by Ball State University gives creedance to anyone who thinks the minimum wage is a bad idea. The study shows that more than half a million jobs have been lost over the past 10 years because of minimum wage increases. Anyone who has ever run a business knows that when the minimum wage goes [...

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Labor Pains

Posted on February 09, 2010
Although things have quieted down over at the Indiana General Assembly, there are still some bills of interest worth paying attention to, one of which deals with the start of school. Last week the Senate approved a bill that would push the start of school back to after Labor Day in 2012 and schools would end [...

What I?m Watching

Posted on February 08, 2010
Now that the Indianapolis Colts have lost the Super Bowl (31-17),  I can let you know what else is on tap for this week… In the race to challenge Evan Bayh, you would think that former U.S. Senator Dan Coats was already in the race the way the ads have been popping up all over the [...

Weekend Getaway

Posted on February 06, 2010
Since most of you are probably more interested the Super Bowl than local issues, I’m taking a weekend hiatus from blogging. I’m also behind on my college teaching responsibilities so I’ll need the weekend to catch up. I’ll probably throw something back up late Sunday or Monday morning...

For What It?s Worth

Posted on February 04, 2010
Today has been an odd day to say the least.  I’ve been tracking down the story regarding City-County Councilman Lincoln Plowman and his administrative leave (with pay) from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Here’s what I know so far and you can take the information for what it’s worth...

Thursday?s Thoughts

Posted on February 04, 2010
Is it my imagination or has this week just been non-stop politically?!  Here’s the latest… City-County Council Member Lincoln Plowman is on administrative leave from IMPD pending an internal investigation.  It’s unclear exactly what Plowman is under investigation for, but it appear its is related to his duties as a Council Member...

So Will He Or Won?t He?

Posted on February 03, 2010
Here’s Dan Coats statement on challenging Evan Bayh. After much thoughtful consideration, I have authorized my supporters to begin gathering signatures as I test the waters for a potential challenge to Evan Bayh in 2010. Over the next few weeks, I will be talking to Hoosiers from all walks of life, and I will make a [...

Back to School

Posted on February 03, 2010
Indianapolis Public School students might not get most of the morning off the day after the Super Bowl. IPS is planing to delay school by two hours on Monday because of the big game, but the Indiana Department of Education tells Indiana Barrister News that state rules  mandate students must be in school the entire time [...

Help Wanted

Posted on February 03, 2010
Although Uncle Sam wants you to be a census taker, but not a lot of people want to take Uncle Sam up on his offer.  The census needs about 45,000 people to be census takers in Indiana, but they are having the hardest time finding anyone. For example, a good friend was in one of the [...

Packin? in the Park

Posted on February 02, 2010
Libertarian City-County Council member Ed Coleman has introduced an ordinance that would allow guns to be brought into city parks and playgrounds.  Proposal 39 would allow anyone who is licensed to carry a gun to bring the weapon into any of the city’s more than 200 parks as well as the Monon Trail...

Mr. Saturday Night

Posted on February 01, 2010
I did a little comedy this past weekend in downtown Indy.   Here’s an audio clip.  Hope you find it somewhat humorous. comedy More political analysis tomorrow.

Monday Morning Musings

Posted on February 01, 2010
Here are a few political items to start you day off right… 4th and Rokita? I’m hearing from reliable sources, again, that Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is very likely to run for the Republican nomination for the 4th Congressional District...

In & Out

Posted on January 31, 2010
You have to admit that as  far as politics go, last week was a giant roller coaster here in Indiana.  Let’s recap. Mike Pence is out as a possible to challenger to Democrat Evan Bayh for the U.S. Senate.  Secretary of State Todd Rokita might get in the race or he might get in the race for [...

From ?Bang Bang? to ?Blackface?

Posted on January 30, 2010
More controversial remarks have surfaced regarding  marginal U.S. Senate candidate Richard Behney.  In the Spring of last year Behney expressed his outrage with the national Tea Party movement and his letter was published at DailyPaul.com.  Behney objected to the idea of  Tea Party members bringing canned goods to local rallies as a way to generate positive [...

Buyer Bowing Out?

Posted on January 29, 2010
My very reliable Republican source are telling me that 4th District Congressman Steve Buyer is announcing this morning that he is not running for re-election.  There’s been no official confirmation from Buyer’s campaign. Buyer, a gulf war veteran, was elected in 1992...

More News You Can Use

Posted on January 29, 2010
It’s nice to be back after a day trip to the Land of Lincoln.  I had a few things waiting for me upon my return so I figured I’d share them with you. Early Retirement? There is talk this morning that an Indiana Congressman is going to announce his retirement today...

Shameless Self-Promotion

Posted on January 28, 2010
Even when I’m out of town, my presence is felt. If that’s not enough, you can catch me this weekend on Inside Indiana Business.

News You Can Use

Posted on January 27, 2010
It never fails, the day I have to go back to Illinois and practice law is the day anything and everything breaks lose.  Let’s do a quick run down… Pence off the Fence 6th District Congressman Mike Pence has decided to make my political pundit life a lot less interesting by deciding not to run for the [...

Bar Wars III

Posted on January 26, 2010
Supporters of a measure that would change the way alcohol is sold and distributed in Indiana admit changes will have to be made to the legislation amidst growing opposition from a number of places. Currently, the bill requires an alcohol wholesaler to be reimbursed if they lose a contract with a supplier to another wholesaler...

Bar Wars II

Posted on January 25, 2010
Editor’s Note:  If you haven’t read Sunday’s post, Bar Wars, you may want to do that first before going through this one. As I wrote Sunday, there is legislation pending in the Indiana General Assembly that could potentially give a virtual monopoly on alcohol distribution to one Indiana company, thus leading to potential higher prices and a [...

Bang! Bang! Behney!

Posted on January 25, 2010
When a candidate for the U.S. Senate talks about polishing his gun and taking up arms (offensively) against the Government (at 1:40) it’s time to be concerned.

Bar Wars

Posted on January 24, 2010
Is the Indiana General Assembly attempting to pass a bill that would create an illegal and possible unconstitutional monopoly when it comes to alcohol sales in the state?   It depends on who you ask.  A coalition of alcohol-related businesses say ?yes? others say it?s a way to protect Hoosier jobs...

Five Questions For Friday

Posted on January 22, 2010
I’ve got some work to do today so I’ll just throw out a few issues for you to discuss amongst yourselves, hopefully in an intelligent manner. Schools say it would cost millions of extra dollars to do remedial education for 3rd graders who don’t know how to read...

Money Matters and Other Stuff

Posted on January 21, 2010
It’s amazing what you come across when you’re playing on the Internet and scanning through local campaign finance reports.  For the record, I do have a life, I was just killing time before meeting up with friends for cocktails. You come across the usual things; Greg Ballard raised more than $1...

Two For Tuesday

Posted on January 20, 2010
Two big items from Tuesday, the Massachusetts Senate Race and Governor Mitch Daniels State of the State Address.  We’ll knock out Massachusetts first. Massachusetts Miracle Although it “sent shock waves” through political world, anyone who was paying attention to the dynamics of the race between Republican State Senator Steve Brown and Democrat Attorney General Martha Coakley saw [...

Poll Watching

Posted on January 19, 2010
With a hours to go before Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels delivers his State of the State address, a new poll shows that he and property tax caps are getting high marks from Hoosiers. The poll commissioned by the Indiana Association of Realtors shows Daniels total approval rating at 65 percent, while only 29 percent disapprove of [...

Morning Update

Posted on January 19, 2010
I’m at the Statehouse this morning waiting on the Senate to do a vote on tax caps.  Here’s some good political news I’ve managed to pick up so far. The Indiana State Teacher’s Association unveiled a plan this morning they say will make state budget cuts to education unnecessary...

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