This state and its leadership. What can I say.

[AngryOldDem]

http://www.wthr.com/story/21748705/pence-lukewarm-on-indianapolis-motor-speedway-bill

<< The state's top political leader is voicing concerns about a plan to offer financial help to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Governor Mike Pence told reporters Wednesday that he has reservations about the way IMS bill is crafted. Pence is concerned that it provides little private investment opportunity.

The state Senate approved the $100 million plan in a 37-12 vote last month. The Speedway already spends $5 to $15 million annually on maintenance and is facing competitive pressure from newer facilities.

Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles and IMS President and CEO Jeff Belskus went to the Statehouse to ask for financial help in February.
With $100 million in bonds, the Speedway will add lights to allow night racing at the historic track. It will also renovate the stands, upgrade facilities and install high-tech video boards.<<

Yo, Mike! Think of it as startup money. If you jump-start improvements that will bring one of your biggest sports and tourist venues into the 21st century, don't you think there will be a ripple effect to businesses in Speedway and Indianapolis that will eventually pay back whatever money you spend? NASCAR night racing is catching on. Indy Car would probably schedule more events at IMS other than the 500 if the track were upgraded.

Vision, Mike. Vision.
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Then, there's this.

http://www.wthr.com/story/21752467/pence-questions-proposal-to-decrease-marijuana-penalties-

Governor Mike Pence says the safety and security of Hoosiers are his top priority. He's questioning legislation that dramatically decreases penalties involving pot, even for entry-level drug offenses.

The governor says he's interested in reducing prison populations. But he wants do that by reducing crime, not by decreasing penalties on some crimes.

"I think this legislation, as it moves forward, should still seek to continue to send a way strong message to the people of Indiana and particularly to those who would come into our state to deal drugs, that we are tough and we're going to stay tough on narcotics in this state."

A new law would cut the penalty for dealing less than ten pounds of marijuana to a year in prison and up to a $ 5,000 fine. The punishment for possession of under ten pounds would be cut to up to 180 days in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.

"I think we need to focus on reducing crime, not reducing penalties," he said. "I think this legislation, as it moves forward, should still seek to continue to send a way strong message to the people of Indiana and particularly to those who would come into our state to deal drugs, that we are tough and we're going to stay tough on narcotics in this state." <<

Yo, Mike! Make marijuana legal in small amounts and then tax it like alcohol. And, I suppose you'll have NO problem when they come asking for more money for prisons and corrections officers because of overcrowding, because busting people for pot is oh, so more cost effective than putting money into, say, other development projects.

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And, finally, Rep. Luke Kenley, a big backer of the Indy Connect mass transit bill, has pulled his support. Sorry I don't have a link, but this is bad news for those of us who would like to see Indy join other large U.S. cities in having a viable mass transit system. Word is Tea Partiers got to him.

Thanks, short-sighted jerks!

And so goes the latest from the Statehouse. Sigh.

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

1. Indiana can be maddening.

I live here and have for most of my life now. I prefer to think of myself as being from Michigan, but that becomes increasingly hard to maintain since I only lived there until I was four. Lived in Colorado for two years and would like to be able to think of myself as a native of that state, but alas. I am a Hoosier.

There seems to be a mean streak running through the mindset of many Hoosiers. I fear the only way Democrats could make many gains here might be to adopt the "punishing father" worldview of their opposition. Too many here seem hung up on punishment. There seems to be an obsession with the idea that others might be somehow "getting away with something". Many voters also seem to be driven by specific wedge issues. I once worked in a factory, where everyone was union. Yet they were all conservatives, Rush Limbaugh reactionaries, and the news clippings some of them posted here and there seemed to show that their main point of concern was guns. Fear of gun regulation makes them crazy regressives. I have some Facebook friends who are like that.

Indiana is a frustrating place. One tries to work for some kind of positive change, but the mass of the population seems determined to move in the opposite direction. It's easy to feel a bit discouraged, at times.

[AngryOldDem]

2. It's truly mind-boggling.

First, a correction: It's Sen. Luke Kenley.

The mass transit issue alone makes me wonder about the cumulative intelligence of the people around here. When I read local news site comment sections when there are stories on this, I have to stop for fear of having a stroke.

Another story I read today hinted that Pence and Brian Bosma aren't necessarily seeing eye to eye as it concerns the tax cut Mike wants. Apparently, Mike didn't check with General Assembly leadership before promsing people he'd cut the tax. THAT should be interesting, especially if it spills over into other things.

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

3. Indianapolis really needs better mass transit.

I've commented in another thread on this point. It isn't a good city in which to be a pedestrian or a bicyclist. The roads are too often narrow, winding or hilly, with little or no shoulder. There aren't enough sidewalks, outside of the downtown metropolitan area. It can be difficult to travel between the various suburban areas which have been absorbed by the city as it has grown. The bus system covers only select areas, and requires a lengthy trip downtown in order to go anywhere. One must be a pedestrian or bicyclist to use the bus system, unless one lives close to downtown. When I worked in Indianapolis but didn't have a car, motorists used to shout insultingly at me and sometimes even threw things. Sigh & grumble....

[AngryOldDem]

4. It's really going to become a huge drawback to this area's future.

And, despite what some may think, it's not the "rich and privleged" calling for it, either. There needs to be a way to get around the urban sprawl, especially if you don't own a car. And more and more people are choosing NOT to own a car.

I watched the House committee hearing on this a few weeks back. One guy told a story about one of his workers, who doesn't drive. This kid has to walk a ways to his bus stop. Then, he has to take two more buses. Then, he has to CALL someone at work to come and PICK HIM UP at his last stop, because that's as far as the bus takes him. The employer pointed out that this is cutting into the productivity time of both workers. Point taken, when you consider how much time this probably takes.

In a city of this size, such a situation is an embarrassment.

The roads are a travesty. I know. I drive to downtown from Fishers four days a week. On the fifth day, I take one of the two commuter buses that run downtown from Hamilton County. That one day alone tells me how badly mass transit is needed here.

I am thoroughly disgusted with Kenley pulling his support now, so late in the game. It was thought that the way the bill was worded this year in terms of the tax structure that it stood a very good chance of passing both houses. It may still, but this complication is just uncalled for, and someone needs to stand up to the ignorance. Indianapolis and the doughnut counties need some kind of mass transit if they are going to have continued growth. Why is that so damn hard to understand?

[Brigid]

5. Yes, it's quite true that Indy's transit needs improvement.

And lots of it. It's been debated endlessly for years. I don't know what it will take to actually do something about it.

But if you really want to see the biggest crop of morons on display anywhere, try Terre Haute.

[AngryOldDem]

6. I don't know what it's going to take to cure the short-sightedness around here.

A viable mass transit system will benefit not only the doughnut counties, but by extension the whole state. No, it won't happen overnight (I'll well have one foot in the grave if and when these plans come to pass), but if it isn't done, it won't happen at all. Indy will not attract business, it will not attract young professionals, and the infrastructure will continue to deteriorate.

This state's paranoia about spending money is really going to hold it back. There are stupid funding projects, and smart funding projects. People at the statehouse, apparently, can't tell the difference.