The Indiana Supreme Court this morning heard oral arguments in a case where the defendant claimed her January arrest by an IMPD officer was not valid because he was not sworn in when the department was created this year. Chery Oddi-Smith was arrested for drunk driving back in January, but a Marion County Judge threw out […]

Indiana lawmakers are unveiling proposals for property tax relief this afternoon.  The plans include the following: 1.  Provide permanent tax relief by cutting residential property taxes by up to 50%. 2.  Reduce growth in local spending, closing tax loopholes and restricting the  use of tax increment financing and abatements. 3.  Reforming the property assessment system […]

There are a lot of little things to report from across town today so here they are: State Senator Luke Kenley and his Property Tax Commission will unveil their plan for tax reform with a goal of cutting residential property taxes by 50-percent. Although Kenley is being tight-lipped about what they will unveil, he does […]

There are two pieces of news today that could give some relief to taxpayers. State Senator Luke Kenley will announce recommendations tomorrow from the property tax commission that he says will cut property taxpayers bills in half and give renters a 25-percent break. Also the Mayor’s office is announcing today that the city’s bond credit […]

In looking for someone to lead the City-County Council, Republicans have picked someone who was on the Council when they were last in the Majority.  Decatur Township’s Bob Cockrum will assume the mantle of Council President.   Newcomer Kent Smith will serve as Vice-President.  Lincoln Plowman will be Majority Leader and Ryan Vaughn will serve as […]

I told you there was a “Civil War” getting ready to brew in the Marion County Democratic party.  The first battle will occur at the City-County Council over the position of Minority Leader.  City-County Council President Monroe Gray is not accepting any responsibility  for the Election Day defeat his party suffered and will try to hold onto […]

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You guys have no idea about how long I have been waiting to write that headline with exclamation points. With respect to last week’s local election results that swept Republicans in Indianapolis into the Mayor’s office and control of the City-County Council, I figured if one party lost either slot there would be infighting and […]

The Indiana Tax Court has dismissed a class action lawsuit against the state. Citizens tried to argue the state’s property tax system was unconstitutional because of the way property was assessed and bills were sent out this past Spring. However, the Tax Court said the plaintiffs would have to go through state agencies like the […]

A lot of people have been calling Mayor-elect Greg Ballard to wish him well. Sometimes they get through; sometimes his voice mailbox is full. One person who’s been having a little trouble getting through is the President of the United States. Ballard told me this morning that George W. Bush has been trying to contact […]