It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Indianapolis City-County Council tonight will pass an amended smoking ban that includes bars and taverns.  And I think it’s fair to say that unless there is some hidden ticking time bomb in the measure, Mayor Greg Ballard will sign it.  So when it is all said and [...]

In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been relatively quiet about the new smoking ban proposal making it’s way through the Indianapolis City-County Council.  Part of the reason has been taking care of the Lovely Mrs. Shabazz  who was injured a month or so ago in a car accident, she is recovering slowly and painfully,  but [...]

I learned a long time ago from a very wise man that the only problem with playing games in politics is sometimes you come across people who can play better than you.   I strongly suggest the Indianapolis City-County Council keep that in mind as it navigates the waters of Public Safety Director Frank Straub’s “confirmation” [...]

I was going to write something snarky about Monday night’s failed override of the smoking ban veto, but my parents told me to never speak ill of the dead, so I won’t.

With Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard expected to veto the current smoking ban passed by the City-County Council, I argue in my monthly column in today’s Indianapolis Star, that the recent success of the recent Super Bowl clearly demonstrates there is no need to expand the ban.  I’d be happy to hear your thoughts.

My good friend Jon Easter has posted at his blog, Indy Democrat,  a list of his Super Bowl 2012 ‘Winners and Losers.”  For the most part, I think Jon gets his list right.  The city of Indianapolis and the Mannings are obvious winners, while New England is the obvious loser.  However my Internet counterpart misses [...]

Smoking bans will get taken up on both ends of  Market Street Monday.  The Indiana House of Representatives will vote on a proposal that would ban smoking in most public places except casinos and racinos, cigar bars, private clubs, and hookah bars.  It would also grant an 18-month exemption to bars and taverns in order [...]

Smoking ban proponents have officially introduced an expanded smoking ban ordinance, but it is unlikely Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will sign it. The proposal is similar to the one offered by outgoing City-County Council President Ryan Vaughn, in the fact that it expands the current smoking ban to include all bars and taverns, however there [...]

The incoming President of the Indianapolis City-County Council says she wants to work with Republican Mayor Greg Ballard and not fight with him, however Democrats will stand up for their principles. I sat down and interviewed Democrat Maggie Lewis, who is expected to be voted Council President at the Council’s January 9th meeting, for my [...]

In one of his last official acts as Indianapolis Mayor for his first term, Greg Ballard signed new City-County Council District maps this morning, a move that is sure to infuriate some Democrats. The Mayor signed the ordinance which created the new maps about 10 this morning.  Democrats and other critics had complained the maps [...]