Taylor Schaffer: New funding is needed to keep up momentum
A vibrant Mile Square has long been a competitive advantage for Indiana.
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This month, civic and industry leaders plus elected officials weigh in on whether Indianapolis should impose a special tax in the Mile Square to support downtown revitalization efforts. Plus, columnist Whitley Yates writes that performance politics undermines the integrity of an office, and Jim Shella says he’s still COVID-aware.
Featured issue
Lynne Petersen: Additional tax could create unintended consequences
Downtown might need a special taxing district, but that should be up to the property owners downtown to decide.
Vop Osili: Decision to create district must be made by many
The opportunity to create an Economic Enhancement District is an opportunity to further our community’s conversations about the future of downtown.
Sen. Andrea Hunley: An economic enhancement district is long overdue
While this isn’t a silver bullet for the myriad challenges we face in Indianapolis, it’s a decisive step in the right direction.
Brandon Brown: Public charter school students deserve fair resources
Solutions do not need to come at the expense of students in district-run schools.
Forefront
Pierre Atlas: Students focus on keeping guns from bad people
I asked my students to … craft a policy proposal aimed at reducing some form of gun violence.
Marshawn Wolley: Here’s the reality of the low Black unemployment rate
The way we currently calculate unemployment rates distorts the economic reality of this community.
Dr. Richard Feldman: Medicine saw many wins, some losses this session
Senate Bill 4 … infuses $225 million over the biennium for local health department infrastructure and provision of health programs.
Jim Shella: As emergency expires, I’m still COVID-aware
More than 1 million people in America have died from COVID. In Indiana, 26,000 died.
Claire Fiddian-Green: Smoking, pollution are dragging Indiana down
The benefits of a healthier Indiana would include longer average life expectancy, a larger tax-paying population, lower healthcare costs, and a more productive workforce.
Whitley Yates: The rise in performative leadership limits change
When leaders use their positions as platforms for personal prominence, it can undermine the integrity and effectiveness of the institution they represent.
Jennifer Wagner Chartier: Ending slating has benefited the democratic process
The slating process ultimately ended because a handful of aspiring candidates grew weary of being told to wait their turn.
Curt Smith: The Legislature delivered wins for all conservatives
Among its many accomplishments are policy wins for fiscal conservatives, education reformers and social conservatives.
Brad Rateike: If you can be a friend, be a friend
Sometimes we have opportunities where we just need to help people find the way out, regardless of whether it is “our job” or not.
Shariq Siddiqui: Month of Ramadan offers opportunity for philanthropy
Research suggests that Muslims pledge or donate the vast majority of their philanthropy during the month of Ramadan.
Dr. Richard Feldman: We should allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control
Unplanned/unintended pregnancies are related to increased maternal and infant mortality.
Karen Celestino-Horseman: Transphobia in Indiana will hurt children
Our Indiana legislators are uncomfortable with transgendered persons and want to keep them out of Indiana.
Dana Black: Transgender health bill ignores entire demographic
An estimated one in 100 Americans is intersex, and around 2% of the worldwide population have intersex traits.
Deborah Daniels: We have an obligation to learn about injustices
State legislatures are causing schools to deprive young minds of the truth that will lead to greater understanding among the races.
Jennifer Wagner Chartier: It’s imperative to invite people into the Statehouse
The cyclical nature of political advocacy … makes it easy to forget that life under the dome is not always the most approachable experience.
Jim Shella: Local journalists are the linchpin of democracy
Real news outlets … are still engaged in reputation repair for crimes they didn’t commit.
Curt Smith: Trump indictment reminiscent of novel ‘Moby Dick’
It is not a case that inspires confidence in the criminal justice system.
Claire Fiddian-Green: To shore up democracy, focus on improving education
Without hope for their future, why would someone feel invested in our country and its foundational values?
Una Osili: Controversial ESG investing is poorly understood
Critics … argue that ESG investing lacks consistent measurement standards and oversight.
Brian Schutt: Invest in the long-term currency of trust
When businesses focus more on short-term profits over long-term mission, it encourages the corner-cutting integrity gaps that have led to many scandals.