My apologies for not informing you sooner, but as you have probably noticed, Political Junkie is taking a break.
My column (which is actually my real job) continues in the newspaper on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, but my non-column time this summer is being dedicated to a project we hope will [...]
Marion County homeowners are finding an interesting insert tucked in with their property tax bills: An advertisement and application for Discover Card.
Hopefully we won't see too many local homeowners charging their tax bills, but the inclusion of the ad got those of us at the paper thinking: What products and [...]
The revolving door keeps spinning at the Statehouse.
First, it appears Rep. Jerry Denbo, D-French Lick, is on the way out. Denbo filed to run for French Lick Town Council Friday and while he said he may drop out of that race he also said he is "leaning against" another term [...]
Two interesting pieces of mail landed in Washington Township mailboxes this weekend.
The first came from State Rep. David Orentlicher, who boasts about "property tax relief" in a four-page color flier. Bringing up that issue probably won't win the Northside representative too many fans in an area where 100 percent [...]
Marion County Republican Party Chairman Tom John woke up this morning to find his garage had been broken into -- for the fourth time in the past five years.
John, who lives in Herron-Morton Place near Downtown, lost two bikes, a lawn mover and a few other items.
"You know what's funny?" [...]
Here is the headline of a press released issued by Mayor Bart Peterson today: "Mayor asks governor for special session of State legislature to protect homeowners."
Here is the headline of a Peterson release from July 12, 2003, the last time Marion County was hit with massive property tax increases: "Peterson [...]
In the wake of Mayor Bart Peterson's call for an income tax increase to, in part, fund police and fire pension debt, it is worth looking back to his 2000 State of the City Address.
Here's what he said at that time: "Unfortunately, the part of the city budget that goes [...]
I sat down with Kurt Webber this morning to talk about his bid to unseat City-County Council President Monroe Gray. The Northside Republican, a 40-year-old lawyer, said he expects crime and increasing property taxes to dominate the campaign.
Defeating Gray, of course, will be a tough task. Webber said he won't [...]
This headline comes from the Website of KXNB, a CBS affiliate in North Dakota: Hilton fulfills debt...Lugar says war strategy not working
[...]Political Junkie is on vacation.
[...]Political Junkie is on vacation.
[...]On Wednesday, I suggested suspended Perry Township Schools Superintendent Douglas Williams voluntarily step down from his post. My point was that more months of fighting would not be good for the district and Williams -- though a highly respected educator -- has the best chance of putting an end to [...]
Today's meeting of the Indiana Gaming Commission should be interesting.
Indianapolis attorney Bill Bock, who represents the city of East Chicago, said the city today will oppose Resorts East Chicago Hotel Casino's gaming license renewal request. He declined to release details about the flap between the Lake County city and [...]
The Chicago Tribune reports today that, "Gov. Rod Blagojevich pitched the idea of selling or leasing the lottery to raise billions of dollars for the state's underfunded pensions Wednesday."
As you probably recall, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels tried but failed to sell our state's legislature on a lottery lease earlier [...]
Here's a bit more from a recent conversation with Greg Ballard, the retired Marine lieutenant colonel and current Republican candidate for mayor of Indianapolis.
On why he is running: "I've had some people tell me for a couple years, 'Greg, you have the skills to do this thing.' Also, I think [...]
Here are tidbits from a recent conversation with Mayor Bart Peterson.
On his role since the police merger: "Now I'm in the same position with (police) that I was in with the courts and other aspects of the criminal justice system. What I've tried to create is a role for the [...]
Along with media colleagues Abdul Hakim Shabazz (WXNT) and David Barras (WISH-TV), I took part in an old-time radio-style show at the Indiana Repertory Theatre this weekend.
The show, titled '“Pun Smoke: A Mid Western," raised money for education programs and was written by local PR pros Bruce Hetrick, John Thomas [...]
About what has surprised him: "We have struggled more in motor sports than I thought we would. I saw some promising signs, I must say, during the European trip and the 500 weekend. But we have struggled. I thought this would an area for some quick gains, kind of like [...]
My Sunday column will focus on a recent conversation I had with Gov. Mitch Daniels about his record on jobs. Here's a bit of what he had to say:
On whether he has been surprised at how difficult it is to improve the state's overall economic numbers: "Well, no. This is [...]
Think about all the horrible crimes that have happened in the city of Indianapolis this year.
The abductions and rapes of young girls, of a Downtown worker, of an elderly woman who was trailed home from the library. The young mother hit by a stray bullet while sitting with her children [...]
You have surely heard the news: "Jim Nabors," my paper reported today, "for only the seventh time since 1972 ... won't sing "(Back Home Again in) Indiana" before the Indianapolis 500. An illness is forcing him to miss Sunday's race."
Well, Gollee!
The crowd will sing the traditional song this year. Personally, [...]
The folks at IndyGo frequently complain about needing more support from Indiana taxpayers. Here's a tip: If you want more of Indiana's tax dollars, stop sticking it to Indiana.
By "sticking it," I mean new advertisements on the side of IndyGo buses that are touting Ohio tourism. First of all, it's [...]
I called the mayor's office Thursday morning, seeking a minute or two with Mayor Bart Peterson.
Eight hours later, I received a voice mail from Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell, who said he was returning my call.
Huh? I'd never called Campbell. I had specifically asked for the mayor. Of course, many people [...]
When it costs $50.03 to fill up the 14-gallon tank in a Honda Accord, you know gas prices are getting high. And as the summer holiday season hits, it can't be too comfortable for Gov. Mitch Daniels to reject Democratic calls to suspend the sales tax on gas.
But $41 million [...]
Republican mayoral candidate Greg Ballard responded to the city's Super Bowl loss with a press release. The headline: "Republican Mayoral Candidate Believes Crime May Have Been Deciding Factor in Indy Losing Bid."
Later in the release, Ballard is quoted saying, "I am disappointed, but not surprised. Indianapolis is seeing record levels [...]
Democratic candidate for Governor Jim Schellinger will be in Washington, D.C., next month to raise cash for his campaign. The June 11 event is at a private home in the nation's capital.
Those attending will pay between $100 and $1,000.
Brad A. Queisser, who worked for former Indiana governor's Evan Bayh [...]
A copy of "The Reagan Diaries" landed in my mailbox this week. The 767-page book, from HarperCollins Publishers and edited by Douglas Brinkley, is filled with the daily diaries former President Ronald Reagan kept during his two terms in office.
A check through the book's index led me to several Indiana [...]
There are many strong opinions on whether the NFL will grant Indianapolis the 2011 Super Bowl at its meeting in Nashville today.
On sports talk radio, on the street and online, many people are convinced the big game will go to Big Dallas. There's no doubt about it, they say. Others, [...]
Political Junkie returns Monday, May 21.
[...]On NBC's Today Show Thursday, White House reporter Kelly O'Donnell talked to Matt Lauer about the war in Iraq. Her comments could explain why Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana failed to make waves in the race to become the Democratic nominee for president.
Here's what O'Donnell said about Bayh: "The president [...]
On Tuesday, the wonderful folks in The Indianapolis Star library pulled a collection of old clips for those us of who were working on election-related stories and columns. The clips included past Democratic responses to then-Clerk Doris Anne Sadler's handling of previous elections.
Here are the Top Five Quotes from former [...]
I received this e-mail from Indianapolis resident Cheryl DeVol-Glowinski yesterday morning. I tried without success to squeeze it into today's column. The e-mail really struck me. Since I didn't have room to include it in the column, I'll share it with you here:
Matthew:
It was a strange feeling, being turned away [...]
I compared Tuesday's primary to the Titanic -- the disaster turned cheesy movie -- in my column today. After writing the column, I scanned through lists of movies released in 2006 and 2007, looking for a more current movie title that would best define the elections.
The nominees are:
Disturbia
Ice [...]
Who better to check in with on The Day After The Worst Election In Marion County History than Doris Anne Sadler, Marion County's former elections chief? As you all know, Democrats blasted Sadler for four years over her handling of elections. As many people are now saying, Sadler, a Republican, [...]
Big Tobacco is making a last-minute push to kill Gov. Mitch Daniels' health program.
"Right now, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and some in the Indiana Legislature want you to pay for health care coverage for the un–insured by increasing the cigarette excise tax!" R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company writes in an e-mail [...]
One of the most interesting issues to come out of Tuesday's prison riot was news that Indiana prisons, unlike those in Arizona, do not allow smoking.
Anyone who reads my column knows I am a strong supporter of anti-smoking policies. But it might be worth asking whether forcing involuntarily imported Arizona [...]
Tuesday's riot at New Castle Correctional Facility almost immediately became a political issue. The news was still being sorted out when the Indiana Democratic Party responded with a critical news release.
"First and foremost, this is a tragedy, but it’s also an absolute disgrace,” Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker said [...]
As the legislative session races to a conclusion, the most interesting question is this one: Will Gov. Mitch Daniels sign a bill authorizing new slot machines, if it passes?
Daniels, of course, has twisted in every direction to avoid answering the question. That's smart politics. Why take a position until you [...]
How's this for an interestingly timed bombshell:
"Residential property tax bills are expected to rise an average of nearly 24 percent statewide this summer, much more sharply than anticipated, state lawmakers said today. Previously, legislative experts had estimated that residential bills would rise nearly 15 percent because of a number of [...]
When the endorsements start coming, you know the race is on.
Today, Democratic candidate for governor Jim Schellinger received an endorsement from the United Auto Workers union. Schellinger recently announced he was seeking the party's nod, putting him in competition with state Sen. Richard Young and, perhaps, former U.S. Rep. [...]
Gov. Mitch Daniels today urged negotiators on the Marion County consolidation bill, "to produce a conference report that allows Marion County to move forward expeditiously with its consolidation plan."
Daniels made his comments in a letter sent to members of the House-Senate conference committee. Mayor Bart Peterson has spent the past [...]
Friday's column will be about Gov. Mitch Daniels and the emerging campaign message you'll hear if you stop by one of his Lincoln Day speeches.
The speeches are part defense of his first term's more controversial moves, and part rallying cry to the Republican faithful.
Here's an example of what he's saying: [...]
Gov. Mitch Daniels is supporting John McCain. Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is backing Rudy Giuliani. And Secretary of State Todd Rokita is helping Mitt Romney.
We'll leave open the question of how Romney feels about Rokita after this week's events. For now, here is some new presidential news. Republican U.S. Rep. Steve [...]
Former Marion County Prosecutor and state Attorney General Jeff Modisett is in town for the mayor's forum on media violence. Modisett is a consultant with the Entertainment Software Association.
I bumped into Modisett today and asked about his role as technical advisor to the Indy-based show, "Close to Home" on CBS. [...]
Walking out of a Downtown Subway Tuesday, I heard a voice call my name.
It was John Hammond, the Ice Miller law partner and lobbyist who is close to Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration. He was eating a sandwich and sharing a table with two fellow lobbyists.
"See Matt," he said. "Three lobbyists, [...]
U.S. Rep. Dan Burton seems to be taking his primary challenge against former Marion County Coroner John McGoff seriously.
Burton recently sent out a fundraising letter in which he asked supporters to help him raise $250,000 between now and early June.
“You may be aware that in this current primary campaign cycle, [...]
Former Marion County Coroner John McGoff is ready to file his first fundraising report since announcing he would challenge U.S. Rep. Dan Burton in the 2008 GOP primary.
"It looks like we’ll finish up our first 5 weeks with $97,920 raised and $83,561 on-hand," Trevor Foughty, McGoff's campaign manager, said in [...]
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards will be stopping in Indianapolis Friday for a Downtown fundraiser.
Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina and the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004, has been a constant in the news since the announcement last week that his wife's cancer had returned. The couple announced [...]
 Greg Ballard |
Marion County Republicans voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night to endorse Greg Ballard, a 52-year former Marine, as their candidate for mayor this year. Ballard still faces five other Republicans in the May 8 primary, but his victory at Wednesday's slating convention means can now rely on the party organization [...]
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Greg Ballard |
Marion County Republicans voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night to endorse Greg Ballard, a 52-year former Marine, as their candidate for mayor this year. Ballard still faces five other Republicans in the May 8 primary, but his victory at Wednesday's slating convention means can now rely on the party organization [...]
Marion County Republicans will gather tonight to finally endorse a candidate for mayor. Six Republicans have filed to run in the May 8 primary, but only two will seek to be slated by the party tonight.
The candidates are:
* Greg Ballard, a 52-year-old ex-Marine.
* James W. Black II, 67, [...]
 Jim Schellinger |
"I think today is [...]
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Jim Schellinger |
"I think today is [...]
One of the two candidates for the Ivy Tech presidency said today that aides to Gov. Mitch Daniels in late February told him Daniels had another preferred candidate for the school's top job.
"They called me in to thank me for all the work I have done," said the candidate, Thomas [...]
You know you've hit the big time when JibJab, the online comedy site, takes you on. Still, Gov. Mitch Daniels probably isn't too pleased with this episode.
[...]Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in town today. The Republican presidential candidate will hold a public event at Shapiro's Deli today at 1 p.m., before raising money for his campaign at a $2,300-per-person fundraiser tonight.
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, who is heading Giuliani's Indiana operations, organized tonight's [...]
It's early in the year so this race is just getting started, but we'll have to say Prosecutor Carl Brizzi is now the front-runner for the Boneheaded Move of the Year Award.
As you have likely read, Brizzi is getting criticized for his stake in a new Downtown restaurant and bar. [...]
Will Bob Parker file to run for mayor? That's the question many are asking as today's noon deadline approaches.
As of 10 a.m., Parker had neither filed nor returned several phone calls.
If you need the background on why Parker's candidacy is in question, scroll down a bit to yesterday's posting, or [...]
City-County Councilman Lance Langsford today became the latest in a long line of Republican council incumbents to announce he would not seek re-election.
Langsford, whose Indiana National Guard unit recently returned from Afghanistan, called to say he hopes to stay involved in community matters, but would not file for another term [...]
Marion County Republican Party Chairman Tom John says Indianapolis businessman Bob Parker has decided to run for mayor -- ending the GOP's long search for a candidate.
"The way things have shaken out, Bob Parker is going to be the Republican candidate for mayor later today, and will become the slated [...]
Former County Coroner John McGoff has spent several weeks on the fence, thinking about running for mayor. At a 10:30 a.m. news conference today, McGoff will announce his candidacy.
 John McGoff |
But it won't be for mayor.
Instead, McGoff has announced he will challenge U.S. Rep. Dan Burton is the 2008 Republican [...]
After all those months of speculation, Mayor Bart Peterson took himself out of the race for governor over the weekend. And, no, he didn't leave himself even the slightest bit of wiggle room.
So the race to be the Democratic nominee for governor next year appears to be a two-man race [...]
I heard from Indiana Democratic Party spokeswoman Jennifer Wagner this week. She was mad that I had recently referred to the blog she operates as the Indiana Democratic Party’s blog. (She was so mad that she e-mailed me and my boss -- and, I think, even my mom.)
Now why would [...]
The deadline to file as a candidate to chair the Marion County Republican Party passed at noon today. The chair will be elected at the party's slating convention Saturday morning.
Here are the candidates:
Sally Spiers: A long-time Republican activist.
Bob Croddy: He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Congress [...]
There was an interesting moment during Mayor Bart Peterson's testimony in front the House Ways and Means Committee today.
The committee was debating a House Democratic property tax reform proposal, which would allow locals to raise income taxes in part to offset property taxes. Peterson and other mayors have been [...]
Please take a few minutes today and read my colleague Maureen Groppe's great scoop on Rep. Dan Burton. It seems the Indianapolis Republican prefers the golf course over the halls of Congress.
The story tells the tale of Burton missing 19 votes in January so he could participate in a [...]
Many Marion County Republicans are hoping former county coroner John McGoff will run for mayor this year. He's been out of office since 2004 but Republicans see benefit in a candidate who has won two countywide elections in the past.
McGoff, 47, is now an emergency room physician. He said he [...]
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Indy's inferiority complex and what it would mean to the city if the Colts were to win the Super Bowl. Before yesterday's game, I had this follow-up thought: Many smaller-marker Midwestern cities are forever and unfavorably compared to Chicago. But with a [...]
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Indy's inferiority complex and what it would mean to the city if the Colts were to win the Super Bowl. Before yesterday's game, I had this follow-up thought: Many smaller-marker Midwestern cities are forever and unfavorably compared to Chicago. But with a [...]
With three weeks to go before the filing deadline, a few council races are shaping up.
Most interestingly, former Republican Council member Jody Tilford has filed to run against 17th District Democrat Mary Moriarty-Adams, who beat him by 28 percentage points in 2003.
In the 2nd district, Democrat Angela Mansfield has been [...]
A few interesting press releases issued today:
* INDIANAPOLIS – Melina M. Kennedy, former Indianapolis deputy mayor, is joining Baker & Daniels LLP as a partner. She will concentrate her practice in public finance, focusing on economic development and environmental law, from the downtown Indianapolis office starting Feb. 5. Kennedy brings [...]
The most interesting part of yesterday's Senate committee hearing on the new suburban Indianapolis toll road came when Sen. Jean Breaux spoke up.
"I'm curious why there would be no one representing Marion County in the discussion," she said, about planning for the new toll road.
Committee Chairman Thomas Wyss looked stunned, [...]
As most of you probably know, The Star ran a report in Sunday's paper highlighting a series of problems with City-County Council President Monroe Gray's contracting firm. The problems include lawsuits, potential conflicts of interests and Gray's council ethics filing.
Council Democrats are keeping mum about their leader's problems. But outgoing [...]
Muncie's moment in the sun -- or, critics argue, its long local nightmare -- has come to an end. This just in from the Associated Press:
"CBS has tossed Armed & Famous into the cancellation cooler. The new reality television series, which followed five lesser-celebrities during their time as gun-carrying reserve [...]
I wrote a column on Sunday in which I took a few not-so-serious pokes at Chicago. I might have mentioned City Hall corruption, drunk Bears fans and Chicago's pronunciation of the word "the."
Please understand, when you are a newspaper columnist in a city whose team is going to the Super [...]
One of the interesting subplots to the Colts Super Bowl appearance has been the city's bid to host the contest in 2011. City honchos are finalizing their bid and wooing decision-makers, and the General Assembly is moving to waive certain taxes to lure the NFL.
With a new stadium, an expanded [...]
The Marion County Democratic Party this morning announced all 15 of its City-County Council members would run for re-election this year. Party Chairman Mike O'Connor said that should give the party a boost as it works to retain -- and, he said, increase -- its majority on the council.
But the [...]
Just before 6 p.m. Monday, WIBC's afternoon team offered a tasteless comedy bit that the station seems oddly proud of.
Hoping to grab a few laughs, the radio's station team "interviewed" a person acting as a Chicago Bears fan. As the fan talked about the Bears win over the Saints Sunday, [...]
Perhaps Pat Bauer had a point.
That was my thought Sunday morning as Political Junkie's Honda Accord hit the Indiana Toll Road, heading east from Chicago.
The morning snow had stopped at least an hour earlier, but the privately run Indiana Toll Road appeared untouched by snow plows or salt trucks. [...]
Well this should be a fun two weeks. Kravitz, if you're reading this, consider this my official offer to switch jobs for two weeks. Come on. Don't tell me 14 days with Pat Bauer and Mitch Daniels doesn't sound better than some time in South Beach.
Anyway, assuming that offer isn't [...]
Even political junkies must admit that no policy debate, no political fights, no Statehouse matter tops the Colts-Patriots game this weekend.
Everywhere you look, politicians are jumping on the Colts bandwagon. Continuing the tradition of lame bets involving pols from rival sports states, for instance, Sen. Evan Bayh bet some of [...]
All kinds of things to chat about. The State of the State. The state of the Marion County GOP. Democrats preparing to elect a new county chairman. The chat starts at noon but feel free to start posting your questions and comments now. I will also answer those questions that [...]
Political Junkie will be hosting a live Webchat Wednesdat at noon. We can talk about the legislature, the governor's State of the State Address, city politics and anything else that interests you.
Feel free to post comments/questions early by clicking on the "user comments" button below. Or you can wait until [...]
Councilman Isaac Randolph went on WXNT's "Abdul in the Morning" show today to announce he will not run for mayor this year. The Northwestside Republican's move is a surprise in some ways, as he has been talking about running for mayor since he joined the council in 2004. On the [...]
Here is an advance look at tomorrow's column ...
By Matthew Tully
Mayor Bart Peterson went on TV last night to grab the attention of state lawmakers. He wanted to let them know the state’s stumbling capital city has a serious problem with public safety.
Consider the message received. Received like a [...]
Welcome back.
Here's hoping the holidays treated you well. This blog will be updated throughout the legislative session, which starts today. Look for the main posts on Monday mornings. I'll wrap up the week that was and look ahead to the new week. You'll also be able to find previews [...]
I know I told you the blog would go cold this week, but here's an interesting tidbit:
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi returns from New York today, where he agreed in recent days to serve as Indiana's state finance chairman for Rudy Giuliani's bid for president.
Many observers wonder whether many conservative [...]
We'll see you all after the holidays. This blog will go dark until early January, but my column will continue to run in the paper on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Happy holidays. Be safe and have fun.
[...]Speaking at the Legislative Conference this morning, House Democratic Floor Leader Russ Stillwell made his party's message very clear. In the span of about 15 minutes, Stillwell told his audience repeatedly that Gov. Daniels should prepare for extensive oversight now that Democrats run the House.
"We will have hearings. We will [...]
City-County Councilman Jim Bradford called today to complain about the Marion County Republican Party. Bradford said he is mad that the GOP -- by replacing certain precinct officials -- is trying to manage the upcoming caucus to replace him.
Bradford turned in a letter of resignation this week, saying he is [...]
Here is an early look at Wednesday's column ... (The headline has not yet been written so feel free to make up your own.)
By Matthew Tully
Gov. Mitch Daniels paused during a recent news conference to lecture reporters on the proper way to ask questions.
Daniels said he was “bemused” [...]
A few questions arose during a slow Sunday afternoon of chores:
1. Is it possible to drive east or west in lovely Carmel without hitting a detour? I am throwing this out to any Hamilton County readers: Is it the constant construction of roundabouts? Is every road being expanded? Whatever it [...]
The world of politics keeps spinning. A month after Election Day, here are a few developing stories, according to sources tied to Democratic and Republican operations.
1. Former Indiana Election Commission member Tom John is likely to emerge as the new Marion County Republican Party chairman, replacing state Rep. Mike Murphy. [...]
Here is tomorrow's column ...
By Matthew Tully
New House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer will sit down with Gov. Mitch Daniels at the Statehouse this afternoon to talk about the upcoming war. Or, as it’s formally titled, the 2007 legislative session.
Imagine the scene today: Daniels and Bauer behind closed [...]
New House Speaker Patrick Bauer will sit down with Gov. Mitch Daniels at the Statehouse Friday to talk about the upcoming legislative session. It will be their first sit-down since Bauer became speaker last month.
I'll be writing about this in my column tomorrow. My take will be that one month [...]
So I picked up The Chicago Tribune yesterday, in large part because I wanted to read about the latest Cubs news. But as I browsed through the front section something caught my eye -- or, actually, something that was missing caught my eye.
Take a look at this paragraph at the [...]
A preview of tomorrow's column ...
By Matthew Tully
Let's just be straight: Sen. Evan Bayh, our state’s president-in-wanting, leans more toward Al Gore than Bill Clinton in the charisma department.
And while he has been Indiana’s political superstar for 20 years, on the national stage Bayh continues to be outshined [...]
We're testing out a few new features here at Political Junkie. The plan is to have a revamped blog in place in time for the General Assembly session, and from than point forward to offer new material in a much more regularly scheduled way.
First up in pilot program is the [...]
