tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post5730542909030009675..comments2020-04-11T03:30:02.282-05:00Gary R. Welshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-79763300539257280042008-02-18T22:17:00.000-05:002008-02-18T22:17:00.000-05:00Townships must be eliminated!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-29690305691609359952008-02-18T20:30:00.000-05:002008-02-18T20:30:00.000-05:00The bipartisan government-reform panel led by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard and former Gov. Joe Kernan recommend the elimination of 1,155 units of government and 5,833 fewer elected officials statewide saving $400 million each year. <BR/><BR/>We've got to quit governing like this!<BR/><BR/>Message from former Governor Joe Kernan:<BR/><BR/>http://www.indianachamber.com/<BR/><BR/>Study shows that Kernan-Shepard recommendations would result in between $200 and $400 million in savings each year<BR/>http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=27617Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-19664849328885347872008-02-18T12:00:00.000-05:002008-02-18T12:00:00.000-05:00Anon 2:26 said:<BR/><BR/><I>One answer: toll gates on I-69, Allisonville, Keystone, and Michigan Rd.<BR/><BR/>The practical way of accomplishing this is a commuter tax. We have to salt streets and provide police and fire protection as well as water and sewers and streets for daily out-of-town visitors from Hamilton County and the other suburban counties. <BR/><BR/>I'm tired of paying my hard-earned dollars to provide services in Marion County to all the free-riding suburbanites who would like to tell us how to run our city for their benefit.</I><BR/><BR/>Notice how no one else even deigned to respond? It's because so many workers employed at Indianapolis (read in the city of Marion county) businesses live outside of Marion County. <BR/><BR/>They don't live in Marion County but enjoy the same services such as fire and police protection, salted and snow-plowed streets, paved and pot-hole filled thoroughfares for a navigable commute, trash collection from the places of employ, etc. but they're paying NO taxes to support said services.<BR/><BR/>I agree, we need a commuter tax, oh yes indeedy. But the likelihood of it happening is slim to none.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-41732535122523039942008-02-18T10:23:00.000-05:002008-02-18T10:23:00.000-05:00Took the Star long enough. I've known we were bankrupt since a year ago. <BR/><BR/>I even called Jackie Nytes once and told her we likely were and that we should start doing a serious audit on every last widget this city buys. <BR/><BR/>She basically told me I was nuts. Funny, I'm the furthest thing from an accountant there is and I could tell we were bankrupt.<BR/><BR/>Jackie works directly with our books and denied it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-30657107990183589952008-02-18T06:19:00.000-05:002008-02-18T06:19:00.000-05:00Procynic: in 2006, Moody's re-defined their bond reporting caetegories. Almost all munucipalities took a hit, because, in Moody's view, municipalities have less taxing power than states or the federal government.<BR/><BR/>Thus, in their view, cities have to work harder to raise revenue to overcome increasing expenditures.<BR/><BR/>It's a broad stroke of the brush. And in many cities, it's 100% true. Here's it's only partially true.<BR/><BR/>The rating agencies make no judgment about the political wisdom of tax inreases or budget expenditures. They only insist on balancing of the books. <BR/><BR/>Twice during Peterson's administration, for brief periods, Moody's or other rating agencies slightly downgraded Indy's bond rating.<BR/><BR/>It is not unusual. It requires close attention to detail, to be sure. But it's far from rare. And once the controversial pension tax was passed last year, the ratings immediately rebounded.<BR/><BR/>At no point did they ever fall below the "highly recommended" status.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-76860953943509794872008-02-17T23:12:00.000-05:002008-02-17T23:12:00.000-05:00Want to save millions? It's easy. The Sheriff of our county serves civil process, guards the jail and city county building, and collects tax. <BR/><BR/>Take all luxury cars away from his executive staff. They have no justification for a car. They should drive to work everyday like the rest of us. They do not patrol.<BR/><BR/>Since civil deputies do not respond to crimes, they do not need expensive flashing lights nor sirens. <BR/><BR/>Now for my favorite: The sheriff's department is filled with patronage cronys. Do a job assessment on each position and only permit him budgeting for JUSTIFIED positions. No more make-work, do-nothing jobs for friends with no qualifications. I bet you can drop 40 off his payroll immediately just because they have no legitimate job responsibilities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-92195509026519269652008-02-17T22:24:00.000-05:002008-02-17T22:24:00.000-05:00Wilson,<BR/><BR/>The bond agencies <B><I>lowered</I></B> Indianapolis' bond rating from AAA to AA during the Peterson administration.Jeff Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04896694141148386531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-3305091907692485062008-02-17T20:34:00.000-05:002008-02-17T20:34:00.000-05:00The water company debt is more than secured by ratepayers' bills for the remainder of the debt's tenure.<BR/><BR/>And, by almost all rating agencies' analysis--it is secured quite well. You may not agree with the acquisition of the water utility. I have some doubts about it myself.<BR/><BR/>But you cannot ignore that its financing is quite secure and not the least bit in danger.<BR/><BR/>Unless we all stop paying our water bills forever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-55939305325668510322008-02-17T19:12:00.000-05:002008-02-17T19:12:00.000-05:00Geez all Mr. Bart did was raise taxes to keep that bond rating. By the way the city is hock 750 million for the water company. When politicians get involved the tax payers get fleeced!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-40743216206071496662008-02-17T18:01:00.000-05:002008-02-17T18:01:00.000-05:00ai - the income tax was specifically designed to provide the $30 million per year for the pension so that it could be pulled off our operating budget.<BR/><BR/>Don't forget that Ballard said Peterson should repeal that income tax.<BR/><BR/>Now he's asking for even more money when that part of the income tax cannot be spent on anything else besides public safety. It was technically a 'public safety tax' that used income tax as the revenue source. <BR/><BR/>2:26 -- Peterson asked for the income tax hike to include folks who work here but live elsewhere. The Legislature declined, so until they change their minds we're stuck.<BR/><BR/>Indianapolis deserves the truth from Ballard - that there isn't any fat; certainly not $70 million. If he goes begging when he thinks tax revenues will be $40 million short, then there's no way he can cut $70.<BR/><BR/>Ain't no fat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-50586427733530758392008-02-17T17:57:00.000-05:002008-02-17T17:57:00.000-05:00I assume you are going to Email to Moody's and Standard&Poor's this Star article that is causing you such political anguish? They just gave Peterson's Indianapolis an AA bond rating for good financial management. <BR/><BR/>It takes a general-topics newspaper reporter to find fiduciary shenanigans that trained CPAs and lawyers at the bond rating agencies can't discern, it seems...Wilson46201https://www.blogger.com/profile/14214029150233485312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-29954590373663587152008-02-17T17:48:00.000-05:002008-02-17T17:48:00.000-05:00Google the take-home police car subject, and you'll get a good picture of the cost. And, the added wear and tear on the vehicles, plus the increased exposure to insurance claims, for a city that self-insures up to, I believe one million...well, it's a lot of money.<BR/><BR/>It's astronomical. And the few studies performed thus far, indicate it's a mixed bag, at best.<BR/><BR/>The police do themselves no favors by the off-duty driving habits of some of their brethern. I just drove up to north Indy from the south side of Indy, late Sunday aft., and was passed by three different IMPD cars with families aboard. And I was going 75 on I-65<BR/><BR/>There is plenty of fat in the city budget. The problem is, my "fat" is your necessity. For a long time, councils and mayors have given into citizens' demands of government. As a result, we have layers upon layers of expensive government.<BR/><BR/>If Ballard really wants to remain the populist he was in November, he'd tally up the large-ticket items, and ask City County Councillors to conduct polls in their districts. It would determine what services residents want, and will pay extra to keep.<BR/><BR/>He won't, though. It's not in the Barnes & Thoornburg playbook. Or Ice Miller's or B&D's either, for that matter.<BR/><BR/>Those leeching law firms survive and make money on status quo. Ballard was not elected as a status quo mayor.<BR/><BR/>Therein lies the eternal rub. It won't change unless he acts boldly. So far, he's not. It's early, tho. He still could.<BR/><BR/>As an aside, an 8% debt-to-budget ratio isn't bad. There are municipalities that would kill to have a ratio that low. Lower is better, of course. But is could be much worse, and it is in many cities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-13587058325167967562008-02-17T15:08:00.000-05:002008-02-17T15:08:00.000-05:00indyernie...Sorry that police car parked in your neighbors driveway is int of those city services you will have to give up. Better then have your trash picked up only once a month.<BR/><BR/>arnieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-81218587257098174292008-02-17T15:00:00.000-05:002008-02-17T15:00:00.000-05:00<I>I like the fact that my neighbor has his patrol car parked in his driveway when he's home.<BR/><BR/>I believe that the patrol car slows down those driving past and detours those looking for a home that is easy to break in to.<BR/><BR/>Leave the cops alone the take home cars is a perk that help us all.</I><BR/><BR/>I'm sure the minority of neighborhoods that have police cars parked out front of a home like it too. Those same neighborhoods tend to be the ones that need additional police presence the least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-20231986577006624512008-02-17T14:26:00.000-05:002008-02-17T14:26:00.000-05:00One answer: toll gates on I-69, Allisonville, Keystone, and Michigan Rd.<BR/><BR/>The practical way of accomplishing this is a commuter tax. We have to salt streets and provide police and fire protection as well as water and sewers and streets for daily out-of-town visitors from Hamilton County and the other suburban counties. <BR/><BR/>I'm tired of paying my hard-earned dollars to provide services in Marion County to all the free-riding suburbanites who would like to tell us how to run our city for their benefit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-42741362986163106712008-02-17T14:08:00.000-05:002008-02-17T14:08:00.000-05:00Don't leave Goldsmith out of the blame for the current financial mess. He had a big part in it also.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-6966814149905336102008-02-17T13:31:00.000-05:002008-02-17T13:31:00.000-05:00A state pick-up of the pension debt is the only hope for getting us out of this whole we're in. I know Ballard got hammered hard on that by Carolene Mays, but if we have to pay for that out of our operating budget, then we're going to be in desparate shape. Even the Peterson plan forced us to pay $30 million every year to help pay down the pension liability. That's just too much.Gary R. Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-47034716110941945162008-02-17T13:23:00.000-05:002008-02-17T13:23:00.000-05:00We are paying 8% of $909 million on Debt Service? Those "reserves" are likely to be spent on operating costs, as they have been in the past? That is, bonding for operating costs is financial crack cocaine. If the Mayor gets value for value paid there will be tons of fat in his budget that can be eliminated along with the featherbedders who don't give us value for value.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-71336808089299587402008-02-17T13:08:00.000-05:002008-02-17T13:08:00.000-05:0010:21 -- I'm with you on the cops' takehome cars. The price of wear and tear PLUS all that free gas is too big a perk not to be examined closely for savings.<BR/><BR/>Let's face it - the police get every tax dollar they want for whatever they want without any real critique of the necessity in these hard times.<BR/><BR/>As far as I'm concerned, if the take-home cars are really meant to deter crimes, then make the cops live in the crime-ridden neighborhoods to get one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-91387917356324245422008-02-17T12:42:00.000-05:002008-02-17T12:42:00.000-05:00Two words: Thanks BartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-76989840735963627022008-02-17T12:39:00.000-05:002008-02-17T12:39:00.000-05:00Indianapolis appears to be edging towards bankruptcy. Perhaps bankruptcy is too harsh a word so I'll use the term "default" instead. People and businesses go bankrupt, cities just default. The end of course, is the same, and the reasons for going belly up are generally the same as well.<BR/><BR/>"When your outgo exceeds your income then your upkeep will be your downfall".<BR/>And so it goes with Indianapolis. Too much cash going out, not enough cash coming in, leaving the upkeep of basic services impossible in the future.<BR/><BR/>We really shouldn't be surprised. World Class Cities aren't cheap. That is what we are isn't it, a World Class City?<BR/><BR/>To think that $7 billion in tax dollars dropped into that big black hole downtown known as the Mile Square to lure conventioneers would save us from financial ruin was akin to building our city's financial future in a bed of sand. Recession, a declining dollar, tight credit and a multitude of other factors will take a huge chunk out of this convention business and not just here.<BR/><BR/>Bankruptcy or default, pick the term you like best but rest assured that it will happen and it might just happen sooner than anyone thought possible.<BR/><BR/>Indianapolis is on the brink of financial collapse. It's not a joke any more regardless of what your politics are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-6716505206520408192008-02-17T12:05:00.000-05:002008-02-17T12:05:00.000-05:00Peterson's TAX AND SPEND philosophy combined with corruption may well be the end of Indianapolis as we know it. <BR/><BR/>*Peterson went 2 years without hiring a police officer.<BR/><BR/>*Peterson failed to replace needed equipment such as salt trucks, police cars.<BR/><BR/>*Peterson did create new higher salaries for his cronys.<BR/><BR/>*Peterson left this city with a revolving door on the jail & fear of violent crime in the residents.<BR/><BR/>Can we recover from the damage he's done? -Or should we just change the name to South Detroit, Indiana.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-37977231149262271922008-02-17T11:29:00.000-05:002008-02-17T11:29:00.000-05:00the previous city county councils robbed the funds of of that particular pension fund for their own little projects and never repaid themAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-35476731121222710272008-02-17T11:03:00.000-05:002008-02-17T11:03:00.000-05:00wilson, that was stupid. its not ballard's fault. lets blame in on peterson and hudnut. give ballard a chance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-68380500504669844442008-02-17T11:02:00.000-05:002008-02-17T11:02:00.000-05:00"I don't know of any other laborer jobs that provide the employees with cars and free gas."<BR/><BR/>I like the fact that my neighbor has his patrol car parked in his driveway when he's home.<BR/><BR/>I believe that the patrol car slows down those driving past and detours those looking for a home that is easy to break in to.<BR/><BR/>Leave the cops alone the take home cars is a perk that help us all.indyerniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03817373902728915873noreply@blogger.com