The saga that is Indiana’s political scene continues to play itself out.  Here’s today’s assessment of events… House Democrats are entering into their fourth week of self-imposed exile.  A number of us in the media think they will return this week, although it won’t be Tuesday.  There are some positive signs; more talks on “procedural” issues […]

On Saturday morning I was having breakfast with a few political friends, when I had gotten word that Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White might be stepping down. As someone who trades in political gossip and rumor, this was good stuff. Let’s face it. The Friday news conference outside the Hamilton County Courthouse was not […]

As someone who really enjoys covering and writing about local government, I was like a kid in a candy store Friday night at the University of Indianapolis watching the former and current mayors of  Indianapolis address the city’s past, present and future.  You would be surprised how much they agreed on things.  What I also […]

Here are a few observations following this week’s news events… Never say how many people are going to show up at your rally.  At the very least, low-ball it.  There’s nothing worse than saying 25,000 people are going to show up and only 8,000 (at best) actually do.  And make sure more than half of […]

As I sat down at my computer getting ready to write another blog post, I dreaded writing about the stalemate at the Indiana General Assembly.  Now granted this one would have been a little different as House Speaker Brian Bosma and Democratic leader Pat Bauer both seemed to agree that progress had been made in […]

Check this out.  As you know there’s a big rally slated for the Capitol tomorrow by the unions to protest the Republican agenda.  Protests are fine, that’s what America is all about.  However, when your goal is to do harm to the Indianapolis economy, we have a problem.  Don’t believe me, read the first page […]

My monthly column appears in the Indianapolis Star today.  It’s on unions and collective bargaining. Check it out. I’ll give you a political gossip update tomorrow.

A number of people wanted to hear my interview with Betty Cockrum of Planned Parenthood of Indiana.  Luckily, I have it right here. Betty Cockrum – part 1 Betty Cockrum – part 2 Betty Cockrum – part 3 And in case you were wondering, I do plan to sit down soon and talk with a […]

As the Statehouse Standoff enters into its third week, soon to be followed by its fourth, I noticed something interesting during the daily media availability with Democratic Leader Pat Bauer, a most interesting concession. Yes, I know there’s a lot of talk about concessions and compromise but this one was a little different.  If I […]

Another day of no quorum at the Indiana House of Representatives.  Only two absentee Democrats showed today, State Representatives Terry Goodin and Peggy Welsh.  Democratic State Representative Steve Stemler did not participate in the walkout. When asked whether they woould be back anytime soon, Goodin said they would stay gone for as long as it […]