Op-Ed: A TIF Scandal in Marion
by David Penticuff Fifty years ago the great character actor Strother Martin uttered what could be the epitaph for the relationship of my city council and the city administration. It was in the movie “Cool Hand Luke.” Martin, who played a prison warden, knocked prisoner Paul Newman, wearing chains, down a tall hill after Newman’s character Read the full article…
Backgrounder: A TIF Comes Home to Roost
by Craig Ladwig There were howls of anguish when a proposal was made to change municipal bidding practices in Indiana to limit the influence of campaign donations. One mayor called the plan disrespectful. A development official took umbrage that anyone would use the word “corruption” in connection with his city. Today, though, David Penticuff of the Read the full article…
Schansberg: Middle Class Forgotten in Tax Law
by Eric Schansberg, Ph.D. Death and taxes may be inevitable, but there’s no need to make them any more painful and unjust than necessary. Taxes are required to finance government spending. (The types and the extent of government spending are important too, but those are topics for another day.) Revenues can come through various taxes. Read the full article…
The Outstater: Undiversified Diversity
(For the use of the membership only; not for publication, distribution or reproduction.) “As Indiana universities tout their diversity awards, initiatives and inclusiveness, some black faculty members are bringing lawsuits saying they were denied opportunities because of discrimination. — Dwight Adams, the Indianapolis Star THE STAFF of the Indianapolis Star in connection with its ongoing campaign Read the full article…
Op-Ed: Battle of the Sideline Philosophers
In this media frenzy it is not certain who elected or appointed Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts and one of the princes of the National Football League, as the philosophical interpreter of American exceptionalism. The appointment has been made, nonetheless, and his words must be taken seriously; indeed, they must be compared with other Read the full article…
The Outstater: City Halls Have Fallen Down the Rabbit Hole
by Craig Ladwig Mad Hatter: “Why is a raven like a writing-desk?” Alice: “What’s the answer?” Mad Hatter: “I haven’t the slightest idea.” ONLY FOOLS AND THE CORRUPT say democracy in itself will save us. Like a bad riddle, the question of why today’s political representation, even at the most local level, is unresponsive to the Read the full article…
