Andrea Neal column for July 20 and thereafter670 words (Note to editors: This is an updated version of this week’s column for newspapers that publish it later in the week). An Indiana congressman has emerged as the leader of the latest effort to block gay marriage. Instead of changing the Constitution with an amendment, he’s trying to use the Constitution to achieve his goal. The U.S. House voted 233-194 Thursday to approve the Marriage Protection…

Andrea Neal column for May 11 and thereafter745 words INDIANAPOLIS — Help wanted. Applicants must be willing to work long hours for low pay for just two days a year. The successful candidates will be good communicators, patient with the public and willing to buy donuts on their way to the job site. Indiana needs more poll workers. That’s one of the lessons from last week’s primary election. Across the state, party officials report chronic…

Andrea Neal column for May 4 and thereafter700 words INDIANAPOLIS — Let’s hope the Indiana Gaming Commission is less impressionable than some Orange County residents, who’ve been hypnotized by Donald Trump’s grand vision for a casino complex in French Lick. "We’re not supposed to say, but we want Trump," one of those residents, Geneva Street, was quoted saying in the April 28 Indianapolis Star. "I don’t care if the other two drop out as long…

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 failed to complete the National Political Awareness Test, one of the finest tools there is for gauging a candidate’s accessibility…

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 amazingly close to what’s about to happen at the Meadows, an Indianapolis neighborhood where the murder rate gets far more…

Andrea Neal column for Feb. 3 and thereafter (EDITORS: Please note ellipsis should go inside quote in graf 5) 725 words INDIANAPOLIS — Given a choice, which would you rather pay: income tax or property tax? That’s the question posed by House Bill 1008, which would allow county, town and city governments in Indiana to raise local income taxes in exchange for property tax reductions. Ask Hoosiers to take sides and you’ll find nothing close…

Andrea Neal column for Jan. 27 and thereafter770 words (Editors: Please note spelling of Markt Lytle in graf 3 is correct. Also, date of House vote referenced in lead sentence was Jan. 22). INDIANAPOLIS — House Bill 1008, which passed the House on a 52-47 vote, is the best idea so far to come out of the property tax reassessment mess. The Senate owes it a careful look. The bill reflects what ought to be…

Andrea Neal column for Jan. 20 and thereafter790 words INDIANAPOLIS — My definition of road rage: The way I feel when my Ford Escort and I are forced into a defensive maneuver by an Escalade whose driver is changing lanes while talking on a cell phone. Count me in as a supporter of Sen. Rose Ann Antich-Carr1s bill to ban mobile phone use while operating a vehicle. And don1t tell me that personal anecdotes like…

Andrea Neal column for Jan. 13 and thereafter720 words (Note to editors: Publication is especially timely for Tuesday Jan. 13 because Gov. Joe Kernan will deliver his State of the State address that evening). INDIANAPOLIS — Buried deep in a news article about Gov. Joe Kernan’s all-day kindergarten plan was this comment from Republican governor candidate Mitch Daniels: "Given the state"s bankruptcy, it is not clear that a sustainable program can start now, but let"s…

Andrea Neal column for Jan. 6 and thereafter (Editors: Please note that graf 3 assumes Jan. 7 publication. Edit as needed) INDIANAPOLIS — The rhetoric leading up to this year’s General Assembly sounds a lot like the advertising war over indigestion tablets. To address rising property tax bills, the Democrats are offering Tums for "fast relief." Republicans are touting Pepcid AC. It controls acid to prevent heartburn. Relief versus control. That’s a summary of the…