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…

Andrea Neal column for Oct. 26 and thereafter730 words Note to editors: In order to provide timely commentary on the statewide elections, Andrea Neal’s column next week will move on Wednesday Nov. 3 for Thursday, Nov. 4 release. INDIANAPOLIS — As my pastor pointed out in his Sunday sermon, even Jesus and the Pharisees engaged in mudslinging. The rabbis called the upstart preacher a "troublemaker" and a "scoundrel." Jesus replied with an equally sharp tongue,…

Andrea Neal column for Dec. 17702 words INDIANAPOLIS — Last session of the legislature, lawmakers tabled a bill that would have banned soft drink sales from school vending machines during regular school hours. Since then, Hoosier youngsters have only gotten fatter. Look for Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, to push even harder this session for legislation to address the disastrous state of child nutrition and physical fitness in Indiana. Brown, as chair of the legislature1s Commission…

Andrea Neal column for Dec. 10, 2003710 words INDIANAPOLIS — One of the myths of education reformers is that there is no such thing as a silver bullet. They insist it will take a variety of innovative approaches over many years to effect real change in low-performing schools. News bulletin: There is a silver bullet at the primary level that can work its magic in test scores pretty quickly. It¹s phonics and it improves math…

Andrea Neal column for Dec. 3, 2003710 words INDIANAPOLIS — The headlines warned of a crisis in public schools. An Indiana Chamber of Commerce brochure called on lawmakers to take action, noting that too many communities were "unable to offer high-standard schooling without encountering unreasonably high costs." The Indiana General Assembly promised Hoosiers that education reform would be job one. The year? 1959. The crisis? Too many school buildings, too few tax dollars. The solution?…

Editors: Available for publication on Organization Day, Nov. 18700 words INDIANAPOLIS — When Indiana lawmakers convene today (Nov. 18) for a mini-session on property tax relief, they¹ll get an earful from Jeffery J. Cole and other unhappy Hoosiers. Cole, of Elwood, is Indiana state coordinator for the We the People Congress, a national group dedicated to limited government and lower taxes. Cole has a permit for a Property Tax Abolishment Rally from 6 a.m. to…

Andrea Neal column for release Feb. 10 and thereafter780 words INDIANAPOLIS — As if Indiana’s economy didn’t have enough problems, a new one looms with potentially disastrous consequences for taxpayers. An epidemic in methamphetamine use and production is taxing our law enforcement agencies, pushing hundreds of children into the child protection system and filling up county jails. Here are the chilling facts:  Indiana ranks sixth in the nation in the number of meth labs seized…