As the stand-off between Indiana House Republicans and Democrats enters into its second month, neither side shows any sign of concession.   While returning from Springfield Sunday afternoon, I stopped in Urbanna and spoke with State Representative Vernon Smith of Gary as he was leaving the Comfort Suites and heading to church. Vern Smith (Runtime 6 […]

When the Indiana Democrats walked off the floor on February 21, no one imagined they would still be gone nearly 30 days later.  By being out for so long it’s been estimated that this is the longest walkout of any legislative body in the history of the United States.  And apparently that was enough for […]

I’ve been accused of a lot of things in my day, but I’ve never been accused of being part of a grand conspiracy, until now.  In his Internet radio program, local social activist/irritant Mmoja Ajabu accused me, as well as half of Marion County, of being part of a conspiracy against Brandon Johnson. I would […]

I don’t have a lot more to say today about the near month long legislative walkout/standoff at the Indiana House of Representatives so I’ll let the lawmakers do the talking for me.  Speaker Brian Bosma said Wednesday they are looking at “all their options” which could include recall legislation or bringing back the “anti-bolting statute” […]

We all knew it was coming, Tim Durham of Fair Finance was indicted today on numerous charges in what federal prosecutors called the biggest case of white collar crime in the history of Indiana.  Durham is accused of bilking more than $230 million from more than 5,000 investors.  I’ve embedded the audio from today’s news […]

Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma says his caucus’ patience with absentee Democrats is wearing thin. I frankly don’t blame him.  Democrats have been gone since February 21.  Their absence has cost the taxpayers of Indiana more than $368,000 in lost productivity.  Their list of demands has gone from one to 11 to four to three […]

Either someone jumped the gun this afternoon  or Indiana Congressman Andre Carson had a change of heart on a continuing resolution to keep the federal government running. His Office sent out a news release shortly after the House of Representatives passed the resolution.  It read as follows… Carson opposes latest Continuing Resolution D.C. – Congressman […]

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 […]