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 likened the National Education Association to a terrorist organization, the U.S. secretary of education gets high marks for speaking out…

Andrea Neal column for March 10 and thereafter725 words INDIANAPOLIS — Lawmakers left town with few notable accomplishments. Thank goodness. Accomplishments cost money. Indiana is running a billion-dollar deficit. A few months from now, the failure to pass all-day kindergarten will be a distant memory. Instead, we’ll be engaged in budgetary second-guessing. Should legislators have reopened the budget to cut costs? Can the governor make enough trims to keep government functioning? Make no mistake: The…

700 words For publication on Monday Feb. 16 or thereafter (EDITORS: PLEASE NOTE COLUMN SHELF LIFE IS LIMITED DUE TO PRESIDENT"S DAY FOCUS) INDIANAPOLIS — As a President’s Day exercise, I asked the 30 students in my 8th grade U.S. history course to write a paragraph on a president of their choice — someone they considered "worth honoring" on a holiday that most people celebrate by shopping for bargains. Four selected George Washington and five…

Andrea Neal column for Oct. 22, 2003700 words INDIANAPOLIS — Blow up the child welfare system and start over. That was an idea touted by Republican Steve Goldsmith during his unsuccessful 1996 campaign for governor. A great idea that backfired. Family and Social Services Administration workers took Goldsmith"s suggestion as a personal affront. Their union used it to mobiliz opposition against the Indianapolis mayor. Goldsmith was soundly defeated by Frank O" Bannon that November. Political…

700 words by ANDREA NEAL With a month to go before the election, yard signs are disappearing and political tensions rising in French Lick. The Nov. 4 referendum on whether to allow a casino in the historic southern Indiana resort town is viewed as a "do-or-die" issue by both supporters and opponents. Tempers are hot, accusations flying. To those who have been lobbying for a casino for years, the referendum represents a desperate last chance…

725 words INDIANAPOLIS — Why vote? It"s a question many in Lake County are asking in the wake of a voting fraud scandal that essentially invalidated their choices in last May"s primary election. It"s a question that hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers answered with inaction and apathy during the last two general elections. It"s a question that has forced party leaders to rethink how Indiana chooses candidates for statewide office; even to consider returning the…

Available for immediate publication INDIANAPOLIS — Albert Schweitzer said, "The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." By that measure, Frank O’Bannon lived a rich and purpose-filled life. During 33 years of elective office, his purpose never wavered. Perhaps that’s why, when asked to recall the best of O’Bannon, folks rarely mention a piece of legislation, a veto message or any official act of government…

by Andrea Neal INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana's always had tax protesters, including some who consider the property tax confiscatory under Article 1, Section 21, of the state constitution. Until now, that's been a small if vocal group of nutballs. Not anymore. With some residents' tax bills rising by 300 percent in a single fell, mild-mannered Hoosiers have become raucous activists. Politicians are seeking cover. In Indianapolis, center city homeowners formed an Indiana Tea Party. In Evansville,…

by Andrea NealEmbargoed for 2 p.m. Sept. 2, 2003 INDIANAPOLIS — School"s back in session, which means teachers are hard at work helping students bone up for ISTEP. Is this any way to start a school year? Just when teachers ought to be presenting fresh lessons and new material to eager, young students, they are forced to offer extensive and redundant review of the previous year"s subjects. Depending on where your child attends school, he…

705 words (Editors please note: subject is time sensitive and could be affected by breaking news) INDIANAPOLIS — Here’s some advice for Indiana Republicans awaiting word of Joe Kernan’s election ambitions: Relax. No matter what Kernan does, your strategy is the same. Here’s some advice for Joe Andrew and Vi Simpson, the two Democrats with the most to fear from Kernan’s decision: Stop pacing. He"s the best candidate. If he decides to run, do as…