Indiana Blog Review

Changes at IBR

Thanks to all those who inquired about becoming the next IBR editor. We'll make an announcement about the new editor soon.

In the IBR Inbox

From Kevin Makice, a Ph.D. student at Indiana University:

It would be wonderful to have members of your community participate in a community conversation taking place in Bloomington in three weeks. Your experiences would be very welcome to the discussion.

On Saturday, January 6 from 1-4p we will be holding an unconference -- The Politic Exchange -- at the Monroe County Public Library (Room 1B) to discuss "The Ideal Bloomington Portal." This is an ad-hoc format for small group conversations that should include participation from the City IT and other local stakeholders. There is more information on my blog and a new Yahoo! group that has been created.

IBR looking for new editor

Thanks to Zach Wendling for serving as editor of the Indiana Blog Review. Now that his year-long term has ended, we're looking for a new IBR editor. If you're interested, please send an email to the address listed in the left sidebar.

Good Bye

I've checked the RSS feed for new material for the last time.  My list of bookmarks is now empty.  My time as editor of the Indiana Blog Review has come to an end.  This is my last post.  Thank you all for reading and keep blogging!

The Courthouse's Take

Scott Fluhr walks us through the convoluted gambling revenue sharing among southern Indiana counties and the latest developments therein.

Wabashing

Ruth Holladay divines what led to the Indianapolis Star's latest hit piece on Wabash College.

The Gas Tax Shuffle

Scott Fluhr takes a sober -- and smart -- look at the Democrats' call for eliminating the state sales tax on gasoline.

Northwest Indiana Blues

Prof. Eisenstein:

Indiana University Kelly School of Business and Indiana University Northwest’s economics professor Don Coffin released the most comprehensive report of the overall failure of Northwest Indiana’s economic enterprise last week during a presentation to local business people. It was the 2007 economic forecast for Indiana and NWI.

Although this report was a condemnation of everything the political leadership is doing, as well as all its wasted promises and resources, not one member of the business community dared to speak out and condemn what is happening in NWI.

Recount

Mike Kole looks at Steve Osbourn's mysterious call for a recount in his bid to unseat Sen. Lugar, particularly the mystery of it.

I have to agree with Kole that this opened the door for spurious attacks like the one cited from Jim Shella, which is unbefitting a prominent pundit on Hoosier politics.

Drastic Action

Indy Undercover is reporting a rumor that Indianapolis law enforcement officers might face a total ban on moonlighting, a tremendous loss of supplementary income for many LEO's.

Spec-u-lation

Jim Shella gives the odds on upcoming races:

The percentage chance that Evan Bayh will say "no" to a run for president:  zero.

The odds that the Indiana General Assembly will finish on time:  1-to-2.

The time it will take Mike Pence to recover from his failed leadership bid:  1 year.

Time frame for the state Senate to announce changes in its pension plan:  less than 3 weeks.

Odds that Bart Peterson will run for re-election:  90 percent.

Odds that Bart Peterson will run for governor in '08:  10 percent.

Amount of time before Pat Bauer and Mitch Daniels exchange public insults:  2 months

Odds Mitch Daniels will run for governor in 2008:  95 percent.

Odds that Republicans will mount a serious challenge to Bart Peterson in '07:  20 percent.

Odds that Democrats will mount a serious challenge to Daniels in '08:  50-50.

Frugal Hoosiers has more commentary on the Dem's '08 gubernatorial aspirations.

Coroner'd

Advance Indiana relays background allegations on the crack-up within the Marion County Coroner's Office.

Committee Chairmen

Doug Masson lists the new chairmen in the State House of Representatives and comments:

I was pleased to see that Representative Crooks is the Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, a committee on which I served as staff counsel about 10 years ago. I think Rep. Crooks was a fairly junior member at that point. I see that Kreg Battles, who defeated Troy “I’ll Never Vote For It” Woodruff, has been appointed as co-chair. I was also pleased to see that Representative Dvorak is the chair of the Environmental Affairs committee.

Jim Shella points out:

If you're wondering where Pat Bauer gets the support he needs to continue as the leader of Democrats in the Indiana House of Representatives, and you understand that leadership positions are the way you reward supporters in politics, then take a close look at the list of committee chairs released yesterday.  Bauer's core support is in the Black Caucus.

African Americans hold 6 committee chairmanships . . .

The number of African Americans with no leadership post:  zero.

But Advance Indiana isn't happy with the new Ways & Means Committee Chairman:

If Bauer cares anything about ethics, he needs to clear the air immediately concerning Crawford's ties to Shrewsberry & Associates, a local MBE/DBE consulting firm founded by William Shrewsberry, a former deputy mayor under Mayor Bart Peterson (D).

Your Attention Please

• Daily Dose of IP -- An intellectual property law blog by Ice Miller associate Mark Reichel

Education Kick

RiShawn Biddle, always with smart commentary on education:

• "Are Public Schools Really Diverse?"
• An assessment of Superintendent H. Douglas Williams
• And the petty snubbing of a chart school in Gary high school sports

Shiner

Where else to turn for complete coverage of the scandal brewing in Allen County over the local county GOP chairman's, Steve Shine, alleged domestic battery than the Allen County Democratic Party (and here)?

The Fightin' 34th

Advance Indiana looks at the battle to replace departing Indiana State Senator from Indy's 34th District Billie Breaux.