My patience for most local government in Indiana has pretty much run dry and two recent stories highlight that.  The Marion County Public Library has designated several libraries to close because of shrinking property tax revenue.  In addition, Marion County local governments are slated to lose about $79 million due to tax caps.  And every other day there’s another story about a school district somewhere in Indiana threatening more budget cuts.  Am I the only person who sees what’s going on here?

First of all, the money these local governments are complaining about does not belong to them, it belongs to the property taxpayers.  Secondly, I have yet to hear any of these units talk about consolidation, collaboration, joint purchasing, efficiencies, economies of scale, etc. etc.  If they have, I must have missed that news release and I wish someone could send it to me.

This is particularly true in the case of the Marion County Library system, which spent millions of dollars on the downtown white elephant when it should have been plugging resources into neighborhoods libraries.  Instead of talking about shutting down libraries, how about converting them into something more than a library, like a neighborhood resource center?  How about working with local law enforcement, schools, community organizations, churches, the business community and even those useless township trustees to provide an outlet for families and more importantly a place for children to hang out and stay out of trouble in the summer months?

How hard can it be to spread those costs amongst those different groups, keep the doors open, and provide a valuable resource to neighborhoods?    And that’s just a suggestion for libraries?   Schools could do the same thing by sharing resources and staff.

It gets real old when these local governments whine about not being able to take enough of the taxpayers money.  I guess the only bit of good news in all this is that eventually they’ll be so starved for cash that they will have to go away.  Then maybe we can start over again and get it right.

After enjoying an awesome Saturday with the lovely Mrs. Shabazz, it’s time to get back to the political mill and post all my gossip, rumor and blatant innuendo that’s worth repeating.   The latest bit of news comes from the Republican race for the U.S. Senate.

The Southern Indiana blog Hoosier Advocate is posting what it says are the results of an internal poll done by one of the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate.  The results are as follows…

• Dan Coats – 29%.
• John Hostettler – 26%.
• Marlin Stutzman – 18%.
• Don Bates, Jr. – 5%.
• Richard Behney – 3%.
• Undecided – 19%.

The survey was reportedly taken Tuesday and Wednesday of this past week.  The poll was of 500 registered GOP voters statewide and had a margin of error of +/-4.38%.  It also says that voters who said they would vote for Bates or Behney would otherwise be voting for Stutzman or Hostettler.

The poll also says that Coats favorable/unfavorable ratings are 30/22 amongst Republican voters.  Hostettler’s is 32/5.  Stutzman’s is 20/3.

As I said before, the veracity of the poll can be questioned, but it does reinforce what I’ve thought and said before, that Coats is the person to beat and unless there’s a major game changer soon, he’ll likely be the Republican nominee because he’s got the name ID and very likely the cash on hand.

So far there have been two broadcast debates with the candidates.  You can hear the one I moderated on WXNT radio here.  And Hoosier Access also has the debate from IUPUI posted on its website.

Franklin College is hosting a debate on April 19.  And the Indiana Debate Commission is holding its debate on the 20th.

And by April 15, we should know how much each candidate has in the bank.

So who wins a debate when the candidates all pretty much say the same thing?  That was my biggest question walking away from Thursday’s debate at the Indiana War Memorial of the five Republican candidates vying for the U.S. Senate.

On most matters, Dan Coats, Richard Behney, Don Bates, Jr., Marlin Stutzman and John Hostettler were in 80% agreement; opposing illegal immigration, the stimulus package, etc.   There were some nuance differences, for example both Coats and Stutzman thought the President’s health care plan should be replaced with a better proposal as opposed to a straight repeal as the others had advocated.   On gays in the military, Behney stood out saying as long as individuals can do their job they should be allowed to serve.  Bates was the most energetic candidate.  I thought Stutzman used his time in the legislature as a good reference for his position.  And I thought Hostettler showed his ideological consistency he is known for.

I was surprised that Stutzman, Bates, Hostettler and Behney did not do more to go after Dan Coats and his past life as a lobbyist.  I understand wanting to be polite, but Coats is the defacto front runner in this race and if the other challengers in the race want to move ahead they’re going to have to take a few swings at the former Senator.

I was somewhat disappointed in the candidates responses when it came to the issue of tort reform as a way to contain the rising costs of health care.  About 25 states have caps on damages, however health care costs increases continue to outpace wages by four to five times in some estimates.

When it was all said and done, I don’t think the race changed that much.  There was no major screw up nor did anyone hit it out of the park.  Therefore, the winner by default was former U.S. Senator Dan Coats.   It’s not that his performance was that much better, although I will give him credit for his demeanor, deference to his fellow candidates and taking off his jacket when sitting down for a more informal presentation, but the race did not change.

Luckily for the candidates there are three other major debates between now and the May primary, so there’s still time to break out of the pack and in the alternative, make a major gaffe.  But for now, the race stays the same with Coats the defacto front runner.

I’m finishing up some last minute details for today’s debate of the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate primary at the Indiana War Memorial.

The pre-debate show begins at 3 p.m. while the actual debate runs from 4-5:30 p.m.  We’ll be streaming at our station’s website and you can catch audio and video at www.wxnt.com.

I hope you’ll join us.

The last 24 hours have reminded me of the old saying  “may you live to see interesting times.”    Because looking at the lay of the political landscape here in Indianapolis, the times are interesting and Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is at ground zero.

Republican candidate Mark Massa called on Brizzi to resign.  Brizzi called that ridiculous and Marion County Democrats are trying to stay relevant in the conversation after getting outmaneuvered and politically neutered by Massa.

I was at a GOP function yesterday and had several candid conversations with local Republicans with all of them agreeing that Brizzi should step down.  They were split on how the call for his resignation was done.  Some thought it should have come from Republican County Chairman Tom John.  Others thought Brizzi should have gotten a courtesy call first.  Regardless, they all said it was a longtime in the making.

The most potent quote of the evening was from a former Brizzi friend who said “he’s become the Monroe Gray of our party.”  Pretty powerful stuff.

Since Brizzi says he won’t step down, the best he can hope for is to mitigate damages by explaining to the public why he’s done nothing wrong.  Being a public official he already has a built in platform and he can also use his weekend radio program to make his case as well.  I’m more than happy to give him as much time as he wants to make his case on my radio program.

Unfortunately, it looks like Brizzi will have to play defense for the rest of his term.  And if  the shoes keep dropping, the only thing the public will hear is the sound they make when they hit the floor.

Marion County Prosecutor Republican candidate Mark Massa said today incumbent Carl Brizzi should step down due the recent controversies surrounding the office.  Below is Brizzi’s full response.

I am shocked and surprised by today’s event, which appears to be politically motivated.

I learned of the news conference by the Republican candidate for Marion County Prosecutor via the Internet and e-mails. Currently, I am on vacation in California and have not spoken to the candidate or any representative of the Republican Party in Indiana about this matter. I am disappointed that he would conduct a political campaign stunt like this.

I am the first to admit I have made some mistakes in my personal life, none of which adversely affect the Office of the Marion County Prosecutor. Our conviction rates are among the highest in the country, and we have increased the collection of child support for Marion County children by almost 50 percent (more than $104 million) since I took office. I have faithfully executed the duties of Marion County Prosecutor and have no intention of resigning. In fact, I have further intensified my focus on protecting our citizens from violent criminals and those who would prey on the most vulnerable members of our society during the months remaining in my term.

In my seven years as prosecutor, I have dealt effectively with real crimes, real victims and real personal threats and remain steadfast in denying the spate of irresponsible and malicious accusations directed at me and the Office of Marion County Prosecutor.

Instead of adding to rumor mongering of politics or allowing innuendo to substitute for fact, I believe it is in the best interest of our community to focus on real-world issues, such as the safety of our residents and the effective prosecution of criminals.

I pose that question in conjunction with the latest news regarding Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi.

Brizzi, who has already ready come under fire for relationship with embattled financier Tim Durham and questions regarding his support for the early release a woman whose father donated to his campaign, now finds a new controversy at his doorstep.

The Indianapolis Business Journal reported this weekend that despite the objections of police and prosecutors, Brizzi allowed plea deal with a defendant whose attorney was his business partner that resulted in a reduced charges and the return of $10,000 in seized money.

In light of this news, Brizzi should give serious consideration to resigning.

I do not make this statement lightly.  I reached after spending the past few weeks speaking to a number of local party members, police and members of the legal community.  Each time the response came back with a phrase I can’t repeat here.

There’s only so much bad news a person can take.  Although the Durham stories were not flattering, you could argue they were still beyond Brizzi’s sphere of control.  You could even argue the donation critics say was made in connection with the early release was questionable, however when you raise $3 million it’s not impossible for something like that to happen and people should pay closer attention to campaign accounting.

This story on the other hand is all Brizzi’s.  The IBJ reviewed a number of e-mails between Brizzi business associate Paul J. Page.  The paper reported Page Brizzi a 50 percent stake an Elkhart office building worth $900,000 without Brizzi having to invest any cash or co-sign a loan.

Page also had a client who charged with dealing steroids and faced 10 years in prison.  Over the objections of deputy prosecutors and police Brizz’s office returned most of the confiscated cash and reduced the sentence.

The prosecutor’s office denies any quid pro quo.  However it really doesn’t matter at this point.   As I have said on this blog before, it’s not what it is, it’s what it looks like.  Had this story, or any of the other previous mentioned stories happened by themselves, it would be embarrassing, but the news cycle would eventually run its course.  However, when you pick up the paper or turn on the television and hear the prosecutor’s name and wonder what shoe is about to drop now, that’s when you have to say enough is enough.

Since I am not part of the conspiratorial echo chamber,  I am not willing to say Brizzi has done anything criminal.  I will say the steady stream of bad publicity can’t be good and after a while it truly becomes counterproductive and hampers your effectiveness.

Brizzi should seriously think about how effective he can be for the rest of his term.   This is unfortunate because he was a rising star who could have easily run for statewide office in a  few years.  It’s a story that’s almost Shakespearean in nature; however it’s a tragedy.

Unless Brizzi can do a major mea culpa and have a come to Jesus meeting with the voters, I really don’t see how he can salvage his reputation.  At best he can stop the hemorrhaging and the only way to do that is to call it a career.

The Indianapolis City-County Council Monday approved the creation of two new charter schools.   The charters  are being created at the former St. Andrew /St. Rita & St. Anthony Catholic schools on the east side.

The schools decided to convert to charters following a $2 million shortfall.   They both serve minority populations who are free and reduced lunch.

Some Council Democrats expressed concerns that public money was being used for religious institutions.  However, supporters said the schools will have a secular curriculum. Others complained the charters would take money from cash-strapped Indianapolis Public Schools.

City-Council Democrat Jackie Nytes impressed me though with her argument that a good neighborhood school trumps everything.  I agree.  The best hope for children who live in poverty is a good education and it really shouldn’t matter how that education is delivered.

A free, public education doesn’t automatically mean a traditional public school, I argue it means a publicly-funded school.  And if a charter is what’s needed to deliver education, so be it.  And just for the record, IPS has the ability to create its own charter schools and compete with the others; someone at the Central Office just needs to grow a spine and create one.

Although they lost to Duke, 61-59, these guys are still champions and you have to give them the credit they’re due!  And like my Cubs friends say, “there’s always next year.”