hopelegislature edonefor usrishawnbiddle.org/RRB/Starfiles/Gets_more_done.pdf · Actually, you know...
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OUR VOICES E2 SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2007 3RD THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR WWW.INDYSTAR.COM Voices KUDOS With Michael McRobbie, Indiana University plucked one of the best and brightest to serve as its next president. It’s encouraging to see such talent emerge from within the university’s own ranks. OUTRAGE A woman was abducted, robbed and raped while putting items in her car in a Downtown parking ga- rage at 3:45 p.m. on a workday last week. The attacker forced the woman to drive through Down- town as rush hour was beginning. He made her withdraw money from a Chase Bank ATM, about a block from the police department’s West District headquarters. He later raped her. Crime doesn’t get any more brazen. NIGHTLINES Jay Leno: Last night on Fox they had the premiere of “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?” Or as President Bush calls it: “Jeopardy.” ◆ Al Gore taking a little global heat today after it was revealed that his home in Tennessee uses 20 times the energy as the average household. That is an inconvenient truth. He lives in a mansion in Tennessee that has eight bath- rooms. And three of them are indoors. ◆ Actually, you know why (Gore) is using so much energy. Have you seen Al lately? I think he’s been keep- ing that refrigerator door open a little too long. That’s what happens. Every time that light comes on. . . Conan O’Brien: A new poll finds that President Bush’s father, George Bush, is the most popular living ex-president. Apparently voters were just excited to hear the words “George Bush” next to the phrase “ex-president.’’ ◆ Since former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack dropped out of the presidential race a few days ago, Vilsack supporters are divided about which candidate to support now. Apparently one guy likes Obama, the other guy likes Hil- lary. Indiana’s national ranking in the educa- tion level of its work force, according to a new report from the Ewing Marion Kauff- man Foundation. Why it matters: A well-trained work force is vital in helping the state transition from an economy based on traditional manufac- turing to one built around technology and entrepreneurism. The low ranking in educa- tion is a strong indicator that too many Hoo- siers are not prepared for the demands of the modern economy. 43 Pea shakes and lottos Funny contradictions abound when it comes to Hoosiers and gambling. As much as Hoosiers proclaim that they op- pose the stuff, it con- tinues to ex- ist and gain government sanction. Amid the Glenn How- ard affair, a debate has been ignited over pea shake houses and their role in the mostly black com- munities in which they’re generally located. For those who oppose pea shakes, the argument is that they’re il- legal, attract nuisance activity and breed criminality. Yet, op- ponents fail to realize that the problem isn’t pea shake gam- bling itself, but their status as illegal operations, which makes them prey to criminal- ity and nuisance problems. Meanwhile, there are those who oppose franchising the state lottery to a private op- erator on grounds that it would expand gambling. That argument doesn’t stand con- sidering that the state had, until last year, broadcast a show on television promoting the lottery and is now offer- ing new games. The argument also is undermined by the fact that Hoosiers already can go to a bingo parlor, a horse race track or a riverboat casino to place bets. The solution is to legalize and regulate all forms of gam- bling, creating a competitive market and weeding out the criminality that tends to latch onto otherwise victimless ac- tivity when rendered illegal under law. – RiShawn Biddle Discovering Mammon Ol’ Cal Thomas just can’t find it in his heaven-bound heart to forgive the Clintons their earthly success. The latest denunciation from the religious right’s reigning pillar of fire con- cerns the brisk earnings Bill has realized from his popular speechmaking. While Cal, in his column printed in the Feb. 28 Star, assures us he’d never sink to the sin of envy (“un- like liberal Democrats’’), he does find cause for “investiga- tion’’ in the former presi- dent’s “greed,’’ particularly as it relates to “foreign gov- ernments and inter- ests’’ who paid for some of this highly- sought-after eloquence. OK, no global economy when it comes to Slick Willie the Civilian. But how about Cal’s hero, Ronald Reagan? I recall he was taking down $30,000 to $50,000 a pop for Greatly Communicating after his presidency. Most famously, he raked in $2 million for a sin- gle visit to Japan to address “interests’’ seeking advice on how to better compete against domestic businesses back in the U.S. Most conspicuously, Thomas was silent. If anything, Thomas opened his mouth too much for his own good when it came to the Clinton post- presidency. His column noted that Bill has taken only (Cal doesn't say “only’’) 20 percent of his fees for personal in- come, the rest of the talks be- ing delivered free or for dona- tions to Clinton’s foundation, which does frivolous things such as fighting AIDS. Whence this blind bitter- ness that follows this political family? Verily, it cannot be called Christian. – Dan Carpenter Biddle Carpenter Go to IndyStar.com/ opinion to read the Ex- presso blog. EXPRESSO A quick shot of opinion from The Star Editorial Board and local columnists Eugene C. Pulliam 1889-1975, Publisher 1944-1975 Eugene S. Pulliam 1914-1999, Publisher 1975-1999 Barbara A. Henry President and Publisher [email protected] (317) 444-8131 Dennis R. Ryerson Editor and Vice President [email protected] (317) 444-6169 Tim Swarens Editor of the Editorial Pages [email protected] (317) 444-6176 Pamela B. Fine Managing Editor [email protected] (317) 444-6168 S o far this year’s legislative session has consisted of one step forward and two steps back when it comes to improving the lives of Hoosiers. For instance, defeat of property tax reform and abandonment of financing of health care for low-in- come Hoosiers followed moves to pay for full-day kindergarten. The Star Editorial Board offers an update on bills and issues selected for its legislative agenda at the start of the session. Let’s hope all sides will achieve more on behalf of Hoosiers than they did in the first half: Reforming education ◆ Bill: Senate Bill 567, along with the state budget plan, House Bill 1001, would wholly finance full-day kindergarten over a three-year period. The bill also creates accountability standards to assure effective- ness. The Star’s position: A key to reducing the number of dropouts is to improve early childhood education. Halftime status: SB 567 awaits House approval af- ter the Senate passed it, 37-12. The budget awaits much needed revisions in the Senate. What should be done now: The House should pass SB 567, while senators should amend the budget to assure that charter schools, cut out by the House, are included in full-day kindergarten funding. ◆ Bill: SB 56 would allow aspiring teachers with masters or doctorate degrees and some teaching ex- perience to obtain licenses upon passage of the PRAXIS teaching exam. The Star’s position: Pruning away needless bureau- cratic rules can help with hard-to-fill math and sci- ence teaching spots. Halftime status: Awaits House approval after sena- tors passed it 39 to 7. What should be done now: House Democrats should give the bill a hearing and pass it. Streamlining local government ◆ Bill: HB 1007 would grant new taxing options to local governments to wean them from property taxes. It also would revive property tax review boards. The Star’s position: The legislation contains key steps to reducing the tax burden on homeowners and making local government spending more trans- parent. Halftime status: Failed in the House 49-48 for lack of a constitutional majority. What should be done now: The Senate should amend the budget in HB 1001 to include a similar property tax reform plan crafted by state Sen. Luke Kenley. ◆ Bill: HB 1568 would allow the consolidation of Marion County’s township fire departments into the Indianapolis Fire Department upon City-County council approval. The Star’s position: Mayor Bart Peterson should be given permission to yield further savings and effi- ciencies from merging departments and improving services. Halftime status: Seven Republicans — none from Marion County — joined House Democrats in pass- ing the bill 58-39. The Senate will now take up con- sideration of the proposal. What should be done now: The Senate should pass it. Improving health and society ◆ Bill: Gov. Daniels’ health-care plan for low-in- come Hoosiers, contained in HB 1008, would have been paid for with a proposed 55-cent per pack in- crease in the cigarette tax. The Star’s position: The bill would provide more working Hoosiers with access to health care and re- duce the number of people killing themselves with nicotine. It would help create a healthier population, which in time translates into lower insurance pre- miums and taxes for the general public. Halftime status: Defeated in the House, 52 to 44. What should be done now: This is another worthy plan that senators should amend into the budget bill currently in their chamber. ◆ Bill: HB 1435 would have added 400 new case- workers to the Department of Child Services. The Star’s position: The proposal was another key step in overhauling the state’s child protection sys- tem. Halftime status: Died on deadline day without re- ceiving a hearing. Nor was it funded in House Demo- crats’ budget proposal. What should be done now: Senators should add funding for those caseworkers in the budget. Resuscitating the economy ◆ Bill: HB 1007 would move toward property tax reform by freezing the child welfare portion of prop- erty taxes. The Star’s position: Action is long overdue on re- forming this broken system. Halftime status: Failed to pass in the House for lack of a constitutional majority. House Speaker Pat Bauer didn’t attempt to revive the bill for reconsider- ation by the deadline. What should be done now: The property tax reform should be incorporated into the budget. ◆ Bill: SB 132 would allow registered voters to re- monstrate on bond issues. The Star’s position: An acknowledgement that everyone pays for this antiquated system. Halftime status: Approved 47-1 by the Senate; awaits a hearing by the House Ways and Means Committee. What should be done now: With property taxes soar- ing in part because of school construction bonds, it’s long past time to allow everyone to decide whether such moves are necessary. The House should pass it. EDITORIAL Let’s hope legislature gets more done for us ONLINE: CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION What action would you most like to see the legislature take this year? Add your comments on- line and we’ll publish responses in Sunday’s Voices section. Go to www.IndyStar.com/opinion, click on the editorial headline and then post a comment at TalkBack.
Transcript of hopelegislature edonefor usrishawnbiddle.org/RRB/Starfiles/Gets_more_done.pdf · Actually, you know...
OUR VOICES
E2 SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2007 3 R D THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR } WWW.INDYSTAR.COMVoices
KUDOSWith Michael McRobbie, Indiana
University plucked one of the bestand brightest to serve as its nextpresident. It’s encouraging to seesuch talent emerge from withinthe university’s own ranks.
OUTRAGEA woman was abducted, robbed
and raped while putting items inher car in a Downtown parking ga-rage at 3:45 p.m. on a workday lastweek. The attacker forced thewoman to drive through Down-town as rush hour was beginning.He made her withdraw moneyfrom a Chase Bank ATM, about ablock from the police department’sWest District headquarters. Helater raped her. Crime doesn’t getany more brazen.
NIGHTLINESJay Leno: Last night on Fox they had the premiere of “Are You
Smarter than a 5th Grader?” Or as President Bush calls it: “Jeopardy.” ◆ Al Gore taking a little global heat today after it was revealed that
his home in Tennessee uses 20 times the energy as theaverage household. That is an inconvenient truth. Helives in a mansion in Tennessee that has eight bath-rooms. And three of them are indoors.
◆ Actually, you know why (Gore) is using so muchenergy. Have you seen Al lately? I think he’s been keep-ing that refrigerator door open a little too long. That’s
what happens. Every time that light comes on. . . Conan O’Brien: A new poll finds that President
Bush’s father, George Bush, is the most popularliving ex-president. Apparently voters were justexcited to hear the words “George Bush” nextto the phrase “ex-president.’’
◆ Since former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsackdropped out of the presidential race a fewdays ago, Vilsack supporters are divided aboutwhich candidate to support now. Apparentlyone guy likes Obama, the other guy likes Hil-lary.
Indiana’s national ranking in the educa-tion level of its work force, according to anew report from the Ewing Marion Kauff-man Foundation.
Why it matters: A well-trained work forceis vital in helping the state transition froman economy based on traditional manufac-turing to one built around technology andentrepreneurism. The low ranking in educa-tion is a strong indicator that too many Hoo-siers are not prepared for the demands ofthe modern economy.
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Pea shakes and lottosFunny contradictions
abound when it comes toHoosiers and gambling. As
much asHoosiersproclaimthat they op-pose thestuff, it con-tinues to ex-ist and gaingovernmentsanction.
Amid theGlenn How-ard affair, a
debate has been ignited overpea shake houses and theirrole in the mostly black com-munities in which they’regenerally located. For thosewho oppose pea shakes, theargument is that they’re il-legal, attract nuisance activityand breed criminality. Yet, op-ponents fail to realize that theproblem isn’t pea shake gam-bling itself, but their status asillegal operations, whichmakes them prey to criminal-ity and nuisance problems.
Meanwhile, there are thosewho oppose franchising thestate lottery to a private op-erator on grounds that itwould expand gambling. Thatargument doesn’t stand con-sidering that the state had,until last year, broadcast ashow on television promotingthe lottery and is now offer-ing new games. The argumentalso is undermined by the factthat Hoosiers already can goto a bingo parlor, a horse racetrack or a riverboat casino toplace bets.
The solution is to legalizeand regulate all forms of gam-bling, creating a competitivemarket and weeding out thecriminality that tends to latchonto otherwise victimless ac-tivity when rendered illegalunder law.
– RiShawn Biddle
Discovering MammonOl’ Cal Thomas just can’t
find it in his heaven-boundheart to forgive the Clintonstheir earthly success.
The latest denunciationfrom the religious right’sreigning pillar of fire con-cerns the brisk earnings Billhas realized from his popularspeechmaking. While Cal, inhis column printed in the Feb.28 Star, assures us he’d neversink to the sin of envy (“un-like liberal Democrats’’), hedoes find cause for “investiga-tion’’ in the former presi-dent’s “greed,’’ particularly as
it relates to“foreign gov-ernmentsand inter-ests’’ whopaid forsome of thishighly-sought-aftereloquence.
OK, noglobaleconomy
when it comes to Slick Williethe Civilian.
But how about Cal’s hero,Ronald Reagan? I recall hewas taking down $30,000 to$50,000 a pop for GreatlyCommunicating after hispresidency. Most famously, heraked in $2 million for a sin-gle visit to Japan to address“interests’’ seeking advice onhow to better compete againstdomestic businesses back inthe U.S. Most conspicuously,Thomas was silent.
If anything, Thomasopened his mouth too muchfor his own good when itcame to the Clinton post-presidency. His column notedthat Bill has taken only (Caldoesn't say “only’’) 20 percentof his fees for personal in-come, the rest of the talks be-ing delivered free or for dona-tions to Clinton’s foundation,which does frivolous thingssuch as fighting AIDS.
Whence this blind bitter-ness that follows this politicalfamily? Verily, it cannot becalled Christian.
– Dan Carpenter
Biddle
Carpenter
Go to IndyStar.com/opinion to read the Ex-presso blog.
EXPRESSOA quick shot of opinion
from The Star Editorial Boardand local columnists
Eugene C. Pulliam 1889-1975, Publisher 1944-1975Eugene S. Pulliam 1914-1999, Publisher 1975-1999
Barbara A. HenryPresident and [email protected](317) 444-8131
Dennis R. RyersonEditor and Vice [email protected](317) 444-6169
Tim SwarensEditor of the Editorial [email protected](317) 444-6176
Pamela B. FineManaging [email protected](317) 444-6168
So far this year’s legislative session hasconsisted of one step forward and twosteps back when it comes to improvingthe lives of Hoosiers. For instance, defeatof property tax reform and abandonmentof financing of health care for low-in-
come Hoosiers followed moves to pay for full-daykindergarten.
The Star Editorial Board offers an update on billsand issues selected for its legislative agenda at thestart of the session. Let’s hope all sides will achievemore on behalf of Hoosiers than they did in the firsthalf:
Reforming education◆ Bill: Senate Bill 567, along with the state budget
plan, House Bill 1001, would wholly finance full-daykindergarten over a three-year period. The bill alsocreates accountability standards to assure effective-ness.
The Star’s position: A key to reducing the numberof dropouts is to improve early childhood education.
Halftime status: SB 567 awaits House approval af-ter the Senate passed it, 37-12. The budget awaitsmuch needed revisions in the Senate.
What should be done now: The House should passSB 567, while senators should amend the budget toassure that charter schools, cut out by the House, areincluded in full-day kindergarten funding.
◆ Bill: SB 56 would allow aspiring teachers withmasters or doctorate degrees and some teaching ex-perience to obtain licenses upon passage of thePRAXIS teaching exam.
The Star’s position: Pruning away needless bureau-cratic rules can help with hard-to-fill math and sci-ence teaching spots.
Halftime status: Awaits House approval after sena-tors passed it 39 to 7.
What should be done now: House Democrats shouldgive the bill a hearing and pass it.
Streamlining local government◆ Bill: HB 1007 would grant new taxing options to
local governments to wean them from property
taxes. It also would revive property tax reviewboards.
The Star’s position: The legislation contains keysteps to reducing the tax burden on homeownersand making local government spending more trans-parent.
Halftime status: Failed in the House 49-48 for lackof a constitutional majority.
What should be done now: The Senate shouldamend the budget in HB 1001 to include a similarproperty tax reform plan crafted by state Sen. LukeKenley.
◆ Bill: HB 1568 would allow the consolidation ofMarion County’s township fire departments into theIndianapolis Fire Department upon City-Countycouncil approval.
The Star’s position: Mayor Bart Peterson should begiven permission to yield further savings and effi-ciencies from merging departments and improvingservices.
Halftime status: Seven Republicans — none fromMarion County — joined House Democrats in pass-ing the bill 58-39. The Senate will now take up con-sideration of the proposal.
What should be done now: The Senate should passit.
Improving health and society◆ Bill: Gov. Daniels’ health-care plan for low-in-
come Hoosiers, contained in HB 1008, would havebeen paid for with a proposed 55-cent per pack in-crease in the cigarette tax.
The Star’s position: The bill would provide moreworking Hoosiers with access to health care and re-duce the number of people killing themselves withnicotine. It would help create a healthier population,which in time translates into lower insurance pre-miums and taxes for the general public.
Halftime status: Defeated in the House, 52 to 44. What should be done now: This is another worthy
plan that senators should amend into the budget billcurrently in their chamber.
◆ Bill: HB 1435 would have added 400 new case-workers to the Department of Child Services.
The Star’s position: The proposal was another keystep in overhauling the state’s child protection sys-tem.
Halftime status: Died on deadline day without re-ceiving a hearing. Nor was it funded in House Demo-crats’ budget proposal.
What should be done now: Senators should addfunding for those caseworkers in the budget.
Resuscitating the economy◆ Bill: HB 1007 would move toward property tax
reform by freezing the child welfare portion of prop-erty taxes.
The Star’s position: Action is long overdue on re-forming this broken system.
Halftime status: Failed to pass in the House forlack of a constitutional majority. House Speaker PatBauer didn’t attempt to revive the bill for reconsider-ation by the deadline.
What should be done now: The property tax reformshould be incorporated into the budget.
◆ Bill: SB 132 would allow registered voters to re-monstrate on bond issues.
The Star’s position: An acknowledgement thateveryone pays for this antiquated system.
Halftime status: Approved 47-1 by the Senate;awaits a hearing by the House Ways and MeansCommittee.
What should be done now: With property taxes soar-ing in part because of school construction bonds, it’slong past time to allow everyone to decide whethersuch moves are necessary. The House should pass it.
EDITORIAL
Let’s hope legislaturegets more done for us
ONLINE: CONTINUE THE CONVERSATIONWhat action would you most like to see the
legislature take this year? Add your comments on-line and we’ll publish responses in Sunday’s Voicessection. Go to www.IndyStar.com/opinion, click onthe editorial headline and then post a comment atTalkBack.
