(Richmond, Ind.) – When their city got the nickname “dropout factory” a few years back, retired businessmen Vic Jose and Rick Ahaus decided to do something about it. Four years later, the Third Grade Academy — an intensive summer program for struggling readers — is nudging ISTEP scores higher. It’s also inspired the National Civic League to use its All-America City Awards to spotlight community reading programs nationwide. The academy, funded half by private donations…

For release Aug. 10 and thereafter (682 words) Low wages, earned part-time, are often ridiculed by those who do not have to justify their employment week by week. Most part-timers, though, maintain their skills, work legitimately, report taxable income and contribute payroll taxes. Their meager earnings buy groceries and pay for utilities. For many, part-time work is an entry or bridge to full employment. For others, it is a choice or the next best option.…

For release Aug. 3 and thereafter (680 words) It doesn’t take an economist to spot the common thread in these recent economic development headlines: Chattanooga, Tenn.: “Volkswagen hires 2,000th employee.” July 29 Shreveport, La.: “NJ-based bag manufacturer to build Louisiana plant.” July 28 Decatur, Ala.: “Polyplex to build $185 million plant.” July 21 West Point, Ga.” Kia builds vehicle No. 300,000.” July 7 All four stories have southern datelines. All come from states with right-to-work…

Time sensitive; for immediate release (838 words) The Congress is playing a dangerous political game with the lives of all Americans. Many in Congress will protest that that this is no game and that our children’s future is at stake. But the costs will ramp up well before the burden falls upon our children.  Indeed, the damage has already begun and at this point the issue is damage control, not damage avoidance. Moreover, the costs…

Time sensitive copy; for immediate release (660 words) In 1995 Congress came within one vote of passing a balanced budget amendment. Dan Coats and Dick Lugar voted in favor of the amendment and to this day lament the missed opportunity. “If this amendment had passed and been ratified by three-fourths of our states, we would not be faced with the dire financial situation that exists today,” Coats says. “Since that time, nearly $10 trillion has…

For release July 21 and thereafter (664 words) In this Great Recession it is sad to travel through this country and see the ranks of the unemployed crowded with so many youth. I think we can all agree that this is deplorable — and that we should endeavor to find an equitable and efficient method for improving the lives of our young people.   So, I have a proposal: Tuition and books at a public…

For release July 13 and thereafter (881 words) Two questions come to mind when considering recent public debt accumulation by Indiana state and local governments and the federal government: How did we get ourselves into this situation? How do we get out? Here we first consider the short-run alternatives to dealing with existing debt and then reflect on behaviors needed to avoid increasing public liabilities. In 2009, state and local debt per person in Indiana…

For release July 6 and threafter (695 words) Before taking the oath of citizenship last week at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 90 soon-to-be Hoosiers learned this fact from Judge Sarah Evans Barker. Five vice-presidents have come from Indiana: Schuyler Colfax, Thomas Hendricks, Charles Fairbanks, Thomas Marshall and Dan Quayle. Only New York has produced more. Our newest citizens know something most natives do not. And here are a few other little-known facts to suggest…

For release June 1 and thereafter (750 words) So the Indianapolis Star is in trouble with deep layoffs and a major restructuring. Some think we should bail out the big newspapers as we did the car companies. Not me. A delegation from Izvestia sat in our conference room one afternoon as the long-running totalitarian regime of Leonid Brezhnev came to a close. The Russians were eager to tell us why Soviet journalism was better than…