Recent editorials published in Indiana newspapers

The (Munster) Times. August 18, 2017

Federal funding is key to linking NWI, global economies

Connecting Northwest Indiana with any and all existing regional, national and world economies is vital to our future.

It's why expanding the South Shore commuter rail line makes so much sense, providing additional access for existing and prospective Region residents to the high-paying job opportunities of the Windy City.

But in an even greater sense, our Region must continue to grow the infrastructure linking us to other world economies.

It's why an anticipated federal grant for the planned expansion of the Port of Indiana in Burns Harbor is so important.

The port is in line to receive a $9.85 million federal grant that would improve its infrastructure to handle multimodal containers that can be loaded onto ships, barges, trucks or trains.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is recommending partial federal funding for a $19.7 million expansion that also will boost the port's cargo handling capacity. The Indianapolis-based Ports of Indiana, a quasi-government agency, would fund the other half of the cost.

"Indiana has one of the premier inland ports systems in North America. This project will increase our state's ability to attract and grow multimodal business in Northwest Indiana," Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said recently.

We agree.

Too often, we view Region economic development through too small a lens, not remembering the great global transportation assets ripe for enhancing our economic fortunes.

Funding for the port expansion appears to enjoy bipartisan support, but the federal share of money is not guaranteed.

Congress could vote to block the port expansion or any other similarly funded project within the next 60 days.

Our state and local leaders, and taxpayers themselves, should be sending a clear message to their U.S. House members and senators that the such federal grants pave the way to continued economic relevance.

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The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette. August 18, 2017

How to respond?

Indiana is one of five states without any form of hate-crime law on the books. Six years in a row, the Indiana legislature has rejected attempts to enact laws setting special rules for how bias-motivated crimes are identified and handled. The confrontation in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the intense reactions to it have brought the issue to the fore in this state once again.

There are several valid arguments against treating bias-related crimes differently. A law that encourages authorities to consider a person's thoughts or beliefs when deciding whether and how to prosecute a crime could be inherently dangerous.

It is possible such a legal tool might be misused by a law enforcement officer, prosecutor or judge with an ideological or political agenda. There is the chance that such measures could chill the exercise of freedom of speech or the other freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. And some argue that the difficulty of proving bias as a motivating force could make it more likely a defendant who would otherwise be convicted of an unlawful act could be exonerated.

Balanced against those concerns is the message an anti-hate-crime statute might send to those who consider intimidating or harming their fellow citizens because of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability or other prejudiced distinctions that bigots use to devalue human life. We all have been reminded in recent days that crimes of bias strike at the foundations of a free society. It can be argued that no one is safe or free if those who threaten or attack those with whom they disagree are not held accountable.

A serious debate in next year's legislative session might allow lawmakers to incorporate the best features from the dozen hate-crime-related bills introduced and rejected during the last two sessions into a reasonable and effective measure. The bill could include provisions that would mean those convicted would be labeled as hate criminals and could help victims pursue damages in civil suits.

The legislature could consider safeguards to prevent overzealous authorities from wielding such a law against political opponents. It could work through the question of whether to specify extra, arbitrary penalties for criminals who were motivated by bias or whether to simply make it more explicit that judges should consider hate as a factor when sentencing.

House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, told the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana this week a judge is already allowed to consider motives during sentencing, but that the law may need to be made more explicit.

"I think it's time to label now what we have as hate-crime legislation to dispel really the misconception that it cannot be considered by a judge in sentencing, because it can be," he told the Post-Tribune.

The tragic death of Charlottesville marcher Heather Heyer seems to have moved many to ask themselves whether there is anything they can do to counter the forces of hatred across America. In Indiana, a good step would be a thorough, thoughtful new debate on hate-crime legislation.

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South Bend Tribune. August 17, 2017

Will members of Indiana alcohol panel be under the influence?

Those looking forward to the commission tasked with straightening out Indiana's archaic alcohol rules may see reason for concern.

Namely, that legislators serving on the panel could potentially be under the influence - of the industry whose regulations they're charged with reviewing.

As reported recently by the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, the rules for the Alcohol Code Revision commission don't allow for lobbyists or anyone with ownership in an alcohol license. The rules also ban the providing of gifts or entertainment.

Which sounds pretty strict and entirely appropriate. But there's also this: The legislative members of the panel aren't prevented from accepting campaign donations from all sides of this particularly heated issue. All told, lawmakers selected to serve on the panel have received at least $200,000 over the years from the industry.

House Speaker Brian Bosma said he doesn't believe that campaign contributions have an impact on public policy and he explains that both sides of the debate contribute. Further, he claims that it would be unconstitutional to ban donations from those in the alcohol industry, although the Journal Gazette report notes that that is done for those with gambling licenses.

We won't argue Bosma's assertion that lawmakers' positions and votes on issues aren't swayed by the campaign donations they receive.

He may be right, but that's not the point. This is about perception - and on this issue, the optics are already terrible.

For years, despite inconvenience to the constituents they serve, legislators have been unable (unwilling?) to eliminate a Prohibition-era ban on Sunday carryout alcohol sales - a ban that has been vigorously opposed by the state's powerful package liquor store industry. Despite this, the public shouldn't be concerned that members of a committee looking at this and other state alcohol issues may receive campaign contributions from parties directly affected?

There's an easy fix for this situation, one that will boost faith in the objectivity of lawmakers serving on the panel and the process itself. By voluntarily agreeing not to accept any contributions from any individual or group connected to alcohol interests during the commission's two-year duration, legislators would increase public confidence, whatever the outcome.

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Kokomo Tribune. August 15, 2017

Prepare now for cold days

Remember the great social media outrage ginned up against Indiana in 2015 when the state passed its Religious Freedom Restoration Act? That action was The 2018 Farmers' Almanac now is available online. And the longtime weather prognosticator forecasts a cold and snowy winter for the Kokomo area, unlike the last two.

Caleb Weatherbee - not a real person; just a name used by the publication's weather forecaster for decades - says Indiana will see "Cold & Average Snowfall" this winter.

Not bad, and no worse than Weatherbee's forecast for the Southeast ("Winter Chill, Wet and White") or the some of the Plains states ("Wild Temperature & Precipitation Swings").

The Old Farmer's Almanac, on the other hand, foresees a warmer-than-normal winter and above normal precipitation - mostly in the form of rain, not snow.

Indiana utility companies haven't forecast home-heating costs for the coming winter just yet. It's still very early for such predictions. But if the Farmers' Almanac is right, Hoosier households will use more energy for heat this winter than during the previous two because of the coming cold temperatures.

Families with incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level are encouraged to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP. All assistance is paid in a lump sum to the applicant's utility.

If you and your family don't meet the income requirements, there are ways to manage your home-heating costs this winter. Take advantage of "budget" programs many utilities offer.

Such plans allow customers to spread the gas costs over an entire year. Program participants pay an equal amount each month and know how much to budget for their bill.

Utilities also advise other cost-saving measures:

. Schedule a furnace inspection. Filter cleaning and upgrades could be completed now before evenings turn colder.

. Take a look at your registers and ducts. They trap dust, lint and other debris that reduces the efficiency of your furnace.

. Inspect caulking and weather strips on your outdoor windows.

. Install storm windows if your home has them.

Do what you can now to make your home more energy-efficient and natural gas bills less volatile.

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