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…

Andrea Neal column for Nov. 26710 words Look for a lawsuit any day now challenging the President¹s authority to declare a national day of thanksgiving and prayer. If people take offense at the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, they surely won¹t stand for a holiday whose purpose is to thank the Almighty for blessings bestowed on America. Take your pick of the three different stories of the first Thanksgiving. No matter which…

Andrea Neal column for Nov. 12, 2003710 words INDIANAPOLIS — Fellow parents of Indiana teen-agers: We need to talk. We all know that the tragedy that occurred in Morgan County could have happened anywhere. We all realize that the Mooresville football player killed in a crash after drinking could just as easily have been one of our kids, from our school, our street, our neighborhood. If we are to learn anything from the death of…

Andrea Neal column for Nov. 5, 2003710 words INDIANAPOLIS — If you spend any time at all watching TV, you’ve no doubt heard the clever marketing slogans of the agricultural industry: "Ah … the Power of Cheese." "The Incredible, Edible Egg." "Cotton … the Fabric of Our Lives." "Got Milk?" "Pork. The Other White Meat." But did you know that Indiana farmers are forced to help pay for these ads, whether they like them or…

Andrea Neal column for March 3 and thereafter760 words (EDITORS: For newspapers that run Neal column later in week, this is a revised version, updated with legislative action and adjournment). INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Bars" life was short and full of pain. His death may save others from similar tragedy. With time running out on this year"s Indiana General Assembly, lawmakers voted unanimously Thursday to approve a conference committee report on House Bill 1194, sending it…

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…