Mary Milz/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis – It could soon cost more to take the bus. IndyGo, which presented its 2009 budget to a City County Council committee Monday night, proposes raising its one-way fares from $1.50 to $1.75 to keep itself out of the red.

“That’s pretty consistent with what’s going on across the country. What we’re not doing is cutting services,” said interim CEO Mike Terry.

Terry said while ridership is up 16 percent this year over last, the cost of the running the bus company is also up. He said like everyone else, IndyGo is paying more at the pump and more for things like health insurance. At the same time, the city has fewer property tax dollars to dole out.

“2009 is pretty scary,” Terry said. “There are a lot of ‘ifs’ in terms of revenue and expenses.”

While no one wants to pay more, even a quarter per trip, several riders said they were okay with the fare hike.

Iva Dean Vance, who takes the bus regularly, said, “I’ve been expecting it and I have to have a ride, there is no choice.”

Helen Rush said she had “no problem” paying more as “it’s easier to catch the bus and the service is good so I’m satisfied.”

Esteban Sanchez, who wears a cast after breaking his arm, said, “I need (the bus) now more than ever. We all need to get around. You try to do what you can.”

Besides raising fares, IndyGo wants to freeze wages and charge employees a $500 deductible for health insurance.  Right now it’s zero.

Mike Hale, the financial secretary/treasurer for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1070 said, “We’re not happy with it at all, at all.”

He and union president Joyce Ledell said with the deductible they’re actually looking at a pay cut.

“So, yes, it will put a hardship on some of us,” Ledell said.

Terry said IndyGo also wants to outsource all of its para-transit service. That’s the curb-to-curb service it provides for people with disabilities. While para-transit drivers can either switch to fixed routes at a higher pay rate or work for MV Transportation, the company already providing some of the service, Ledell said many drivers want to keep things as they are.

She said they don’t want to lose their seniority or days off and “they really like their jobs.”

Hale said he worried the service would suffer because “the people who work for IndyGo represent the city and the contract people work for that company.”

Bonnie Fazio, who just signed up for para-transit service, said she’s okay with the switch and even a fare hike.

“I can escape the isolation I endure in bad weather and it makes me more mobile and independent,” she said.

Terry said IndyGo hasn’t decided the new fares for para-transit or the express buses to Carmel, Fishers and the airport, but they too will likely increase.

Any changes need the full council’s approval.  A vote is set for Sept. 22.  If approved the new fares would take effect January 1, 2009.

IndyGo

The Democratic Indiana primary looks like it’s going to be closer than anything of the races we’ve seen so far.

A new poll by the Indianapolis Star-WTHR shows that Sen. Barack Obama has a three-point lead over Sen. Hillary Clinton — 41% to 38% — with a week and a half to go before the May 6th primary. But with a margin of error of 4%, it’s basically a dead heat.

But here’s the real news — 21% of those poll said they are still undecided. That’s enormous block of people who have yet to make up their minds. You can bet that Indiana residents will get tired of seeing political ads on TV in the next 10 days

There is good news for Obama in the poll that may hint that the undecideds could break his way. In a match up with Republican Sen. John McCain, Obama beats him 49% to 41%. But Clinton and McCain are in a tie 46%-46%. And, by 49 percent to 35 percent, Democratic primary voters said Obama is the candidate best able to win in the general election.

The poll found that voters age 18 to 35 favor Obama over Clinton 48 percent to 34 percent, while the oldest voters, age 55 and older, prefer Clinton 43 percent to 32 percent.Obama is winning urban and suburban voters, 47 percent to 33 percent, while Clinton wins the rural areas by more than 2-to-1: 55 percent to 20 percent. Clinton is doing well among white women, who back her 48 percent to 29 percent. Among all women, though, Obama is slightly edging her out 41 percent to 40 percent.

So why isn’t McCain doing better in what has been a state that has long been in the GOP safe column. The answer may hint at problems that have plagued McCain since his campaign for the White House began?

Pollster J. Ann Selzer says many Hoosiers are not happy with the Bush administration’s track record. And she said McCain’s lack of strength also may reflect that he “doesn’t have a consistent track record on the issues conservatives care most about” and may not be a good fit for conservative Republicans in Indiana.
—-
UPDATE: The South-Bend Tribune’s new poll shows Obama with a one-point lead 48% to 47% (5% margin of error. But the poll continues to show that Clinton’s negatives are much higher than Obama’s. More than twice as many people — 48% to 235 — think Clinton is running the more negative campaign.

In a 2005 article in the Chicago Tribune, reporters Stephen Franklin and Barbara Rose introduce us to Muyiwa Jaiyeola. Jaiyeola, who is 33 years old, works a 40-hour week as a salesman at a Sears store, then works another 20 hours in the stockroom of a Gap store in downtown Chicago. When Jaiyeola pulled two all-night shifts at his stockroom job in late August, he was able to sleep only two hours in the afternoon, then two more in the morning before going back to his sales job.

This is life in America for over a quarter of the work force today.

Cons argue that we have to choose between having high wages and having low prices. They are wrong.

Take the case of Wal-Mart. According to the United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW), Wal-Mart could pay each employee a dollar more per hour if the company increased its prices by a half penny per dollar. For example, a $2 pair of socks would then cost $2.01. This minimal increase would add up to $1,800 annually for each employee.

But it doesn’t happen because Wal-Mart wants to squeeze every possible bit of profit out at the expense of their workers. The economy remains strong at the expense of American labor, but they are not rewarded for their hard work.

Instead, this short-sighted strategy will eventually suck the life out of America. While most of us carry on blissfully unaware of what is happening, or assuming that the ship will somehow right itself, other economic powerhouses, such as China, are already arising to take our place.

Vote for change, not complacency. We must change course soon.

Nevertheless, they will be victims of the tax hike just as their home owning brothers and sisters are, and maybe even more so, because the taxes they pay will be used to improve areas owned by their landlords, who will remain long after the paying lessees have moved on.

Estimates are that the rental increase will be the largest in five years. While there is not yet enough data to accurately predict the average bump in rent, there are early indications as to what might occur.

Alex Jackiw, president of Monon Place’s owner, Buckingham Management estimates that there will be a $100 per month increase if the full amount is passed on to renters.

Taxes on Riverchase Apartments in Wayne Township has already risen 20% from last year.

Does all of this mean that landlords stand to make the biggest profit on this disaster? Not necessarily. Many tenants will consider moving to a more tax-friendly county to avoid the excessive increases, and this is an area that already has 10% vacancy.

Definitely, nobody wins in this situation; owners, renters, business, nobody. We will all be sucked dry to pay for our “booming economy.”

Although some apartment owners will actually see a decrease in property taxes, the one thing lodgers can count on is a rental increase. No owner has ever said, “Let’s give the tenants a break.” The more likely scenario is “Let’s let them think we got stiffed too, and make a profit on their backs.”

The first, a Terre Haute surgeon says, “I like to see accountants on my operating table, because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered.”

The second, a surgeon from Gary responds, “Yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them is color coded.”

The third, a Bloomington surgeon says, “No, I really think librarians are the best; everything inside them is in alphabetical order.”

The fourth, a Ft. Wayne Surgeon chimes in: “you know, I like construction workers…those guys always understand when you have a few parts left over.”

But the fifth, an Indianapolis surgeon, shut them all up when he observed: “You’re all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There’s no guts, no heart, no balls, no brains and no spine, and the head and the ass are interchangeable.”

Almost every article of clothing will be affected by the policy. No longer allowed are jeans, midriff-revealing shirts, baggy pants, or clothing with any type of marking. Belts will be required.

Sandals and flip-flops are outlawed, as are bandannas, hair rollers, hats, combs, do-rags, scarves, and sweatbands.

It seems obvious that IPS is attempting to exert control over their students by eliminating any sort of self-expression. Much as the business world does with its employees.

IPS is taking away a part of their childhood so that they may more quickly become moneymakers-in-training.

His view seems to be that oversight was needed during past administrations when Indiana had “the worst welfare system in America,” but not now that we are moving at the speed of unethical light.

He has also stated that, because of their opposition to the sale of the Hoosier Lottery, Democrats either don’t care about higher education and it’s potential benefits to the state, or they are playing political games. For more in-depth coverage of this topic, see Masson’s Blog.

The point, however, is that government–despite what Daniels believes–is not a business. It is not in existence to make money for stockholders. The benefits Hoosiers expect from government are not dividends, but efficient and uncorrupted service.

Efficiency, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. One cannot have excellence of product while maximizing profit. The two concepts are simply not compatible. The best that we can–and should–reach for is a medium between the two. The selling off of State assets to private industry is not a compromise, however; it is the slow ceding of control to those whose ultimate loyalty is to making a buck rather than looking out for the needs and desires of all citizens.

The drug’s purpose is to help allay canine separation anxiety. It will compete with Novartis AG’s Clomicalm.

So this is the end product of Big Pharma’s insistence on keeping drug prices high in America. This is the reason research and development is so expensive. This is the kind of thing the drug companies are working on. Along with countless erectile dysfunction remedies, of course.

Who really cares if the struggling worker can’t afford his or her needed medication, so long as the wealthy pet owner can pony up big bucks to avoid having to clean up dog crap after a night on the town? Who cares if the average American must make a choice between eating and the availability of their medicine when the sexual pleasure of the affluent is at stake?

HIV, cancer? Well, they’re working on it.

When the largest federal contractor, Lockheed Martin, gets more government money per year than the Departments of Justice or Energy, when the cost in pay and benefits for a contractor is double that for a government worker, when the Department of Homeland Security is asking contractors how to do their own business, and when nobody can prove that contracting is more efficient than government, something is wrong. Agency administrators are even proposing that contractors audit proposed contract pricing.

In 2001, 79% of federal contracts were competitive. That number fell to 48% in 2005. None of these companies are responsible to the country; their loyalty lies with their stockholders.

America itself is becoming a multinational conglomerate, with policy being made increasingly by the business world. President Bush’s “New World Order” is closer than you may think.

Those of us who dwell in Indiana should pay particular heed to this situation, for Governor Mitch Daniels has put our state on the same path. Virtually every major proposal on his agenda, from toll road sales to DST to the Lottery scheme is geared toward this same end. But then, what else should we have expected from the President’s former OMB chief?

Do we really want our State and our Nation to be a for-profit enterprise, governed by the wealthy and for the wealthy, where only those with enough capital can weather the unpredictable vagaries of the market?

Pelath believes that the change will force public accountability. He also thinks that it will improve the election process, due to a law requiring photo ID at the polls.

BMV commissioner Ron Stiver later voiced his opposition to the plan.

The vast majority were killed with handguns.

The Violence Policy Center, which commissioned the study, called the trend “disproportionate, disturbing, and undeniable.”

“I’m a firm believer,” said Kersey, “in the idea that if you don’t learn the lessons of history, you are bound to repeat them.”

Fine, this is not a problem. Future generations should know of this horror. But what of other horrors? Will these same kids be aware that our ally in that war, the Soviet Union, was guilty of slaughtering as many, if not more, of it’s own citizens than the Nazis were? And how many will be aware of America’s treatment of it’s own Japanese-American citizens at that time? I never learned of this in high school.

Although I have no problem with the revelation of historical truth, and it’s import on the future, the political ramifications of this bother me. I cannot help but believe that this is a response to the current Iranian policy of denial, and a desire to prop up our allies in Israel; in effect, to give them the green light for aggression, and to assuage ourselves of the guilt of support for it.

Where do we get off condemning some transgressions of the past, while pardoning or overlooking others completely? Especially considering our own history of race relations? All of these transgressions should be taught, but instead we concentrate on the one that is most palatable and politically correct.

Former first Lady Judy O’Bannon is the chairwoman of his campaign, giving him some well-known support.

Young officially becomes the first nearly-official candidate in the race.

I cannot disagree with Mitch on this issue, but it seems that those managers should have already had some idea of their job before they were hired.

The problems afflicting the BMV, one of the state’s most troubled agencies, for instance, run far deeper than lazy and incompetent employees, although that is part of the problem–albeit a small part. A steadfast refusal to replace the ineffective individuals with more competent workers in order to save money does not add to customer service.

Other problems include the infamous implementation of an untested computer system–one that still does not work properly, yet continues to have such official backing that even a mention of “system trouble” results in disciplinary measures.

There is also a great lack of communication at the top of the agency; everybody seems to have a plan, but nobody else knows what it is. Policy is changed on a day-to-day basis, so that workers don’t really know what it is. Politics and the bootlicking of political contributors and cronies is worse than it ever was under the Democrats.

No questions are ever asked of those who were there before about finance, procurement, or logistics. The budget has been exhausted on such immaterial things as prettification and advertising.

It must be assumed that these same problems affect most other state agencies as well. For a group that came in promising a more efficient and businesslike way of operation, they have sadly disappointed. Their only solution seems to be selling these state operations off to the highest bidder, because they don’t want to do do it themselves–or else they are too incompetent.

It is hoped that this measure will help prevent corruption such as sale of earmarks to government contractors, personal gifts to campaign contributors, and distribution for votes by party leaders. It is also designed to eliminate the direction of taxpayer money toward friends, relatives, and business associates.

A Senate proposal, expected to be taken up next week, is not nearly as sweeping in scope, but lawmakers hope to put more bite into those rules, too.

Indiana Representative Mike Pence(R), is typically not enthusiastic. Nobody is more protective of big business, party politics, and governmental secrecy than Pence.

Since most Hoosiers work in the service industry, I must wonder just what skills those workers could possibly increase in return for their employer’s tax breaks? Speedier table waiting? More efficient burger-flipping? A heightened degree in politeness?

Give me a break. This is nothing more than another way to screw the worker even as the employer’s bottom line continues to swell.

It seems entirely possible to me that the greater cause of pollution in Indy are the extremely low emission control standards required of big business, and the lack of discernable punishment imposed on violators. Anybody ever been near the coke plant on the near-eastside?

Every single suggestion made by the City on this issue puts the onus squarely on the resident. Not one mention is made of plant emissions. We should try giving those polluters more than a slap on the wrist if we expect cleaner air.

Other potential Democratic candidates for governor are thought to include state Sen. Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville), Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott, Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard, Evansville Mayor Jonathon Weinzapfel, former House speaker John Gregg, and former Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis.

While Gov. Mitch Daniels has not announced whether he will seek reelection, Mike McDaniel, a former state Republican chairman believes that he will.

I don’t see it myself. Daniels has spent his time in office alienating everyone he possibly could, from the citizens who elected him in the first place, to powerful members of his own party. While he is innovative, his autocratic style and insular governing practices–including the mass outsourcing of government by fiat–has infuriated many. But not high-level corporate executives, who love the money that he has thrown their way.

I predict that Mitch will not run again, but will instead seek a high-paying job in the private sector. Not only will he be welcomed with open arms by these companies, but his family life will benefit, too–his wife, Cheri, is a social climber who despises public service.

Dan Clark, deputy director of the Indiana State Teacher’s Association, says that the plan will actually save the State money in the long run, but Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Meeks believes that the program is just too expensive, and that parents should be doing their jobs better.

This program, one of Daniels’ better ideas, should be implemented. One would think that after selling off several state roads and departmental functions, with others up for bids, that full-day kindergarten could be afforded.

For months, the only negotiation on the table has been with a group led by IBM and Affiliated Computer Services, a company under fire for ethics infractions.

Daniels insists that this is the best way to serve the citizens of Indiana; that the old system is inefficient and needs to be reformed.

If this reformation comes anywhere close to benefiting Hoosiers, I’ll be very surprised. More likely, many people who need their benefits will be left waiting for an unreasonable amount of time, or will be cut off altogether. On the other hand, the state will get to build a few more highways, develop a few more state parks, and hand out a few more corporate payoffs.

What draws these people in? Why choose one location over another? Studies show that such things as downtown living, multiple entertainment options, and public transportation rank high, as do opportunities in the entertainment, technological, and music industries. A diversified and tolerant population is also a plus.

How does a city such as Indianapolis stack up in this attempt to draw young, qualified professionals? Not very well. Crime is high in the city, and rising all the time. Living downtown is dangerous. Entertainment options are relatively few, unless you like to eat or visit a mall, and there is virtually no nightlife through the week. Nightclubs close at 3:00 AM, and are almost deserted after midnight. Public transportation is a joke in this city, which is built for automobiles. If you don’t want to drive, you have to depend on the high price of taxicabs.

While Governor Mitch Daniels has attempted to attract technological companies to the area, the entertainment industry has suffered under his administration, and the music industry has always been nonexistent here. The Indianapolis population is not very diversified, and the State’s leaders are trying to disenfranchise homosexuals. In addition, Daniels and Mayor Bart Peterson are political enemies, and the city’s well-being has become a pawn in games of one-upsmanship.

The young demographic is just not being sought out here. This is a group that seeks out location before job, not the other way around. And their chances of relocation taper off dramatically after they turn 35.

This city needs to reexamine its strategy for the future.

Because you never know where terror might strike.

4. Joel Silverman–Former BMV Commissioner instituted glitch-prone computer upgrade that brought Bureau of Motor Vehicle operations to a virtual standstill for two months, and affected police, prosecution, and voting efficiency.

3. Mitch Roob–Family & Social Services Administration Secretary attempted to privatize FSSA to an IBM-controlled, Dallas-based company for whom he used to work, and to which he still has ties.

2. Brian Bosma–Outgoing Indiana Speaker of the House tied up tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars in a frivolous lawsuit to allow Christian prayers and songs to be invoked during legislative session. Much of the money was funneled through his own law firm.

1. Mitch Daniels–Governor sold newly-created toll road to foreign consortium for quick cash, and waited until immediately after the Nov. 7 election to announce his intention to build and privatize another toll road, this one partially around Indy and dubbed the Indiana Commerce Connector. The new road avoids the wealthy areas north and west of the city, instead concentrating on uprooting those in the less-affluent southern and eastern regions. When does the announcement of a major light-rail-system project to Carmel and Fishers come?

Feel free to nominate other worthy candidates!

Single fare rates will increase from $1.25 to $1.50. Day passes will increase from $3.00 to $3.50. Seven day passes will expand from $15.00 to $17.00. Thirty-one day passes will increase from $50.00 to $55.00. The new rates will be effective December 31, 2006. There will be a public meeting to discuss the fare increases on November 14, 2006 at the City Market, on the 2nd floor of the East Wing at 6:00 PM. But it will be an exercise in futility; the decision has been taken.

In related news, Governor Mitch Daniels has decided to put money that could have been used to help bolster public transportation into a connector beltway around the city of Indianapolis that will serve to add to the problem of individual vehicles on the roads, and will also destroy prime farmland and untouched environment while invoking more eminent domain law. Undoubtedly this is a boon to business development, but at what cost? Is Indy to become another “donut hole” city in the Midwest, crumbling with disuse as suburbanites sprawl out to take over the surrounding countryside?

Daniels doesn’t cater to the cities because his voters and political contributers don’t live in the cities.

The Senate will be a much closer call. As of this writing, there are two undecided seats, both leaning toward the Democrats. In Montana, a broken voting machine system has cast doubt on the results, however, and in Virginia, the race is so close that there will likely be recounts. The final Senate tally could be a while in coming.

George Bush–who never admitted that Republicans were in trouble; in fact predicted victory for them–has once again backed off of his tough-guy pose, and declared that he will extend a hand to the winners. Decider, divider, uniter, will he choose one of these, or come up with another pat bumper-sticker facade?

In this critical mid term election, though, I must implore–even beg–my readers to vote Democratic. Why? Because after six years of unimpeded Republican rule we are in a much worse condition than we could have ever imagined, and there is no sign that things are levelling off; in fact they are picking up steam.

The war in Iraq is a quagmire of death for our military, and our leaders in Washington have promised us more of the same. “We are winning in Iraq,” says George Bush. “We’re not running for reelection,” says Dick Cheney. On top of this, Afghanistan has taken a turn for the worse, and we are constantly threatening to start more wars. How many can we fight at the same time?

While the numbers continue to show that the economy is doing well, Americans at the middle and working class level continue to struggle, while giant corporations and the ultra-rich thrive. This cannot continue.

We have sold part s of our birthright to foreign countries for fast money, while at the same time going trillions of dollars in debt to those same governments–governments such as China, who mean us no good. These same governments are now producing our weapons of war, because we have outsourced our manufacturing capabilities.

These are only some of the many problems our country–and the State of Indiana–is facing. I could name many more. This Election Day, be sure to vote Democratic; make sure you help to curb the excess.

Unemployment figures fell from 4.6 in September to 4.4 in October, the lowest ranking in nearly 5 1/2 years. What these figures do not relate, however, is the struggle of middle and lower-class Americans to survive. Virtually all of these jobs are in the service industry; manufacturing jobs continue to fall off at an alarming rate.

It can easily be seen by reading between the lines that rank-and-file citizens are being forced to take second jobs to make ends meet because the jobs they have no longer provide compensation for the rising costs of health care, food, gasoline, etc. They also have no pension plans, and many don’t even offer full-time work.

If you want to continue down the road to corporate slavery, working for the enrichment of the already wealthy even as the few rights and benefits you have remaining are stolen from you, then vote Republican on Nov. 7. At least the homosexuals won’t be able to marry.