Gun Laws: Who’s Afraid of Paul Helmke?
For release at noon Tuesday April 6 and thereafter (631 words) “This latest tragedy, at a heavily fortified army base, ought to convince more Americans to reject the argument that the solution to gun violence is to arm more people with more guns in more places.” — Paul Helmke, former mayor of Fort Wayne now Read the full article…
It’s Never ‘Too Late’ for Redistricing Reform
For release Tuesday noon March 30 and thereafter (655 words) The 2010 legislature came and went without reforming the redistricting process, but lawmakers aren’t off the hook. If electoral maps to be drawn in 2011 are to have any credibility with voters, legislators will have to follow a more transparent and honest process than has Read the full article…
The Governor’s ‘Press Release’ Economics
For release noon Tuesday March 23 (651 words) by Tad DeHaven A stint as an Indiana budget official gave me a first-hand view of how policymakers use taxpayer money to serve their political self-interests. So when an Indianapolis news channel discovered that the state’s economic development agency was taking undeserved credit for job creation, I Read the full article…
Neighborhoods Battling Alcohol Permits Have an Uphill Fight
For release Tuesday noon March 16 and thereafter (700 words)Three years ago, neighborhood residents cheered when the state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission denied a request by an Indianapolis Circle K to sell beer and wine along with traditional fare: gas, pop and food items. Greg Silver served as attorney for the Nora Community Council, which Read the full article…
A Failed Session : Politicians Come and Go but Public Employees Rule
For release Tuesday noon March 9 and thereafter (702 words)The proven job- and wealth-creating policies were dismissed early this session as “non-starters,” to use a bit of legislative lingo. There was never any chance of reforming the Collective Bargaining Act, for instance, or introducing a right-to-work law or opting out of wage controls. Instead, we Read the full article…
Indiana Alcohol Regulations Are in a State of Confusion
For release noon Tuesday March 2 and thereafter (680 words)It is the public policy of Indiana “to regulate and limit the manufacture, sale, possession and use of alcohol and alcoholic beverages.” The words sound old-fashioned but there’s more than Prohibition-era thinking behind them. We limit access to alcohol to protect children and to reduce side Read the full article…
