>Otherwise, please sit quietly and let someone else do the heavy lifting.
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Or just keep generating these sound bites for the willful ignorant. They love these sort of things. It’s easier to be told what is happening in the world versus having to make an effort to learn.
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Example: There are still some people in Indiana who thinks Mitch “…gave away” the toll road. I had a conversation with such a person last week. My response: You never really bothered to understand that entire transaction…did you?

Abbie, keep on entertaining me.

Did somebody forget IndyWorks as a way to save money? I think that was back in 2004-2005. And wasn’t that a D issue that was shot down on multiple fronts. I (the willfully ignorant) didn’t see Guv. Mitch back that proposal. Or did I miss that and “not bother to understand that entire transaction”?

Or how about the Kernan/Shepard Report which in many ways was a continuation of the IndyWorks report but on a statewide basis?

I encourage you to re-visit this report again.
http://indianalocalgovreform.iu.edu/assets/docs/Report_12-10-07.pdf

Oh how have we forgotten. And the laughs continue.

As evidenced by the examples of President-elect Obama and Governor Blag, you don’t need a real specific plan if you’ve got lots of money. J-u-ust specfic enough to get elected. Remember Nixon “had a plan” to get us out of Vietnam? Yeah, right.

I am a D, but I agree with holding the line on spending in tough economic times. We shouldn’t go into debt if we can avoid it, because that will limit our options down the road. The governor should, though, be very aggressive in seeking federal money, especially when Obama gets in office and passes (hopefully) his stimulus plan. Indiana is good for roads, but Daniels has done nothing for mass transit. There are good transit projects in Indiana that are “shovel ready.” I will give Daniels much props if he can manage to hold the line on spending and still get those essential projects done.

David, Indiana is forbidden by law from going into debt. Except for certain construction bonds only, and the revenue to pay those bonds must be proven. (i.e., university dorm bonds, paid by student housing fees).

Abdul:: why do you feel the need to be such a Daninels cheerleader? And with some pretty sharp elbows under the basket, too (…”heavy lifting”?)

It’s fair to point out, that this governor touted Indiana as an island of calm in a sea of despair…that is a direct quote from one of his commercials. And it’s just not (entirely) true.

Granted, the Ds didn’t do a good enough job to convince voters there was no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But Mitch has to take the heat now…and, for the record, it comes at a time when the state has promsied ot take over more K-12 spending, and Indianapolis police pension expenses.

Dawg, I understand the toll road transaction, and I favored it, for selfish reasons. But any thorough anlaysis will tell you: we took less than we could’ve gotten (ala Fred Glass negotiations…no one “owns” the title of “bad negotiator”) and the revenus stream loading. It’s not good.

The devil’s in the details.

Abdul, you are correct it’s time for some heavy lifting. But was it not Governor Daniels just a few years ago calling Governor Kernan and his team of forecasters bad at governing when their estimates came in low?? Where is that same bravado? What about actually putting the money in Major Moves to work right away by modifying the legislation to allow it to be used on some other infrastructure, any thing we may need in Indiana other then just pavement? Along with freezing salaries at state government how about shutting it down on Friday’s and have everyone work from home? What would that save everyone in gas ect? And here is an idea how about getting rid of all the political appointee’s in state government, you know, the ones with big salaries that don’t do much? And maybe the Gov can just run FSSA from his office and not replace Roob when he leaves.

Peace

Really, how soon we forget. The former mayor’s proposal of “Indy Works” was a simple attempt to grab the township monies as quickly as possible to cover his and his administration’s mismanagement. So far, Mayor Ballard has not needed to jump on the money grab bandwagon. It really isn’t hard to fathom the fact that Bart was simply going after more money to misspend.

The D plan is “change” so we can be more like Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

My only criticism of the Governor’s plan is if we can scale back and function with less money, why haven’t we been doing that all along? Several hundred million dollars is big money. Probably enough for a 10-15% property tax cut, elimination of the stadium tax for certain or cutting income or sales taxes by 10 to 15%.

Otherwise though, I am pleased that they didn’t do the dumb thing like raise taxes during an economic downtown. This approach was smarter and I appreciate the sacrifices the leaders of the two incumbent parties took.

True and lasting economic recovery is going to depend on government budgets being sound, taxes being low and citizens starting to save again.

Right on Abdul.

You’re right, Sean. It’s time for a comprehensive review of all state agencies, their mission, their effectiveness and their funding stream.

It is possible that some agencies need more money, if their mission is critical. But anyone who deals with state government cna tell you, there are loads of economies to be had.

Many states have “Sunshine” laws. Every agency is up for review every 5-7 years, and if it cannot justify its existence, it’s gone.

Statler, your recollection of Indy Works is way off. Not even in the ballpark. Mayor Peterson beleived township government was duplicitous, unnecessary and costly. Folding worthless units fo government into larger, in this case, would’ve made for more efficient government.

Grabbing township money. That’s hilarious.

Hey guys,

A couple of points.

1. Bart did not want the township money. I spoke to him directly about that. Oddly enough with the current economic climate the same people who fought consolidation tooth and nail are now really taking a close look at for their own survival.

2. This was a “Mitch is Great, Democrats are bad” post. This was about the classic case where one side offers a plan, the other criticism and no substitute.

Frankly, I’d like to see the Governor use more of his Executive authority to get this state in line. But Democrats can’t just offer criticism while the Gov does the heavy lifting.

Granted he will get the blame of things go south, but if they work, don’t expect him to share the credit.

This is crap. The Republicans in the City complained about Bart Peterson for 8 freaking years ALL the time without offering a damn solution to the problems facing this city.

And guess what: Kent Ballard STILL hasn’t come up with any solutions for anything.

And whomever said that Indy Works was a plan to grab the township’s money is stoned. That money was going to be returned to the township taxpayers JUST LIKE IT WAS IN WARREN TOWNSHIP. Check the books and the facts, then talk.

And finally, the one thing I do appreciate about you Abdul is that you have seemed to realize that Bart Peterson is no longer mayor. Most of your readers STILL have nothing new to offer but to bash the guy whose been out of office for a year.

Time is running out guys, and that dog don’t hunt no more….

Maybe the State of Indiana can sell more of if its assets. Hmmm. I always wanted to buy a state park.