Category: Indiana Writers Group Archive

Andrea Neal column for Nov. 5, 2003710 words INDIANAPOLIS — If you spend any time at all watching TV, you’ve no doubt heard the clever marketing slogans of the agricultural industry: "Ah … the Power of Cheese." "The Incredible, Edible Egg." "Cotton … the Fabric of Our Lives." "Got Milk?" "Pork. The Other White Meat."…

Andrea Neal column for June 15th and thereafter730 words INDIANAPOLIS — Time for a pop quiz on Indiana politics. Guess which political party includes the following statements in its 2004 platform. 1. "To combat public corruption and end the cycle of scandal, fraud and theft in state government, we support the creation of an Office…

Andrea Neal column for Nov. 9 and thereafter730 words INDIANAPOLIS — Gov.-Elect Mitch Daniels is taking a victory lap around the state to thank voters for their support. Before he puts RV1 to pasture, I hope he’ll come to my neighborhood on Indy’s north side. We were among those hard hit by property tax reassessment…

Andrea Neal column for April 27 and thereafter735 words (Editors: Please note graf 8 and revise with newspaper-specific information if appropriate. Neal will update the NPAT response figures in occasional columns between now and Nov. 2). INDIANAPOLIS — Twenty lashes with a rain-soaked yard sign for Joe Kernan, Mitch Daniels and Eric Miller. All three…

Andrea Neal column for March 3 and thereafter760 words (EDITORS: For newspapers that run Neal column later in week, this is a revised version, updated with legislative action and adjournment). INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Bars" life was short and full of pain. His death may save others from similar tragedy. With time running out on this…

Andrea Neal column for release June 8 and thereafter700 words INDIANAPOLIS — Politicians dead-set on a prescription drug benefit for seniors are faced with two options: Maintain their foolish plan for a new Medicare entitlement that will bankrupt future generations, or follow in the footsteps of Indiana. In a refreshing change from the norm, Indiana…

Andrea Neal column for release Nov. 4 and thereafter690 words INDIANAPOLIS –- If one message stands out as defining Mitch Daniels and his quest to be governor, it was this: "Every garden needs weeding at least every 16 years." On Tuesday, Indiana voters weeded the garden, making Daniels the first Republican governor since Robert D.…

Andrea Neal column for March 24 and thereafter740 words INDIANAPOLIS — What would happen if you took one of the most rigorous private high schools in your city, moved it to one of your most blighted blocks and issued an open invitation to neighborhood kids to attend — free of charge? That far-fetched idea comes…

Andrea Neal column for March 17 and thereafter750 words INDIANAPOLIS — As they develop their policy initiatives for Indiana schools, candidates for governor should take a page from Rod Paige’s playbook: Be bold, be creative and don’t be afraid to take on the teachers" union. Though Paige’s sense of humor backfired last month when he…

Andrea Neal column for Oct. 19 and thereafter730 words Editors: This is the last of three columns focusing on specific issues in Indiana’s governor’s race. INDIANAPOLIS – By now, every Hoosier has heard the statistic. The average Indiana worker earns only 88 cents for every dollar earned by the average American. The challenge for Indiana’s…