House Bill 1234 which is now in the senate, seeks to enact some of the controvesial measures proposed by the Kernan-Shephard report. These recommendations are designed to streamline local government and in many cases cede much of their control over to the state. The one the bill's main functions was the elimination the three member Board of County Commissioners which would be replaced by a single elected County Executive. This plan was halted in committee today with a bipartisan amendment to put the final decision in the Board of Commissioners itself. According to the new amendment the Board has four options; they enact the legislation, put the legislation up for a referendum vote, reject legislation, or appoint a county board of supervisors.
Former St Joseph Republican County Commissioner Mark Dobson was in favor of the legislation citing that it would better streamline government. Critics of this bill -- and many of the other Kernan-Shephard recommenations -- say that this would hurt the checks and balances that are currently provided for in the commissioner system. Mitch Daniels appointed former Governor Joe Kernan and Chief Justice Randall Shephard to a commission in 2006 to find ways to streamline local governments in Indiana in order to save the state money. Many experts say that even if all of the recommendations were enacted, there would be very little monetary savings on the part of governments and would reduce acountabilty of the electorate by creating a stronger central state government.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
House Bill focuses on yard signs
HB 1085 authored by Indiana State Representative Craig Fry (D-Mishawaka) seeks to limit the restrictions enacted by homeowners associations on political yard sign placement. Many subdivisions in the Greater South Bend area have enacted ordinances against yard signs. Some neighborhoods in Granger have placed penalties of up to $500 per day in some cases for residents who choose to place a political sign in their yard. Rep. Fry believes that the situation has gotten out of hand.
Those who oppose the bill cite arguments that it can make neighborhoods look messy and could sometimes drive down property values. Proponents of the bill, however, say that Rep. Fry is taking necessary steps to protect citizen's 1st amendment rights; especially that of "political" free speech. Supporters argue that homeowner's associations have chose either enforce or relax these regulations based on their own political agendas.
The Journal believes that political free speech in particular has been upheld numerous times by judicial precedence in this state. HB 1085 is important to protecting homeowner's associations from potential legal action by those forced to pay fines. As for property values, if someone decides not to move in next to a house with different politics, so be it. What kind of nation are we if we cannot publicy express our own political views.
Those who oppose the bill cite arguments that it can make neighborhoods look messy and could sometimes drive down property values. Proponents of the bill, however, say that Rep. Fry is taking necessary steps to protect citizen's 1st amendment rights; especially that of "political" free speech. Supporters argue that homeowner's associations have chose either enforce or relax these regulations based on their own political agendas.
The Journal believes that political free speech in particular has been upheld numerous times by judicial precedence in this state. HB 1085 is important to protecting homeowner's associations from potential legal action by those forced to pay fines. As for property values, if someone decides not to move in next to a house with different politics, so be it. What kind of nation are we if we cannot publicy express our own political views.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
South Bend Airport expansion gets national attention
The expansion of a new two-story tall terminal at the South Bend Regional Airport is all the buzz in the travel world and even in the mainstream media. The trendy travel website, Jaunted.com, did a story questioning South Bend's need for such an ambitious project. The story said that the city was just a small college town with its nearest tourist attraction being Shipshewanna. HA!Jaunted says that South Bend has no need for the $12 million in federal funds for this project.
The USA Today newspaper even picked up on the story pointing out that the airport has only "two small concourses with no food service beyond the security checkpoint" (USA Today). In fact, that's not the only issue with the airport as it is right now. Allegiant is planning international flights to Cancun, MX and South Bend's current terminal does not yet meet TSA regulations for international flights. There is a major inconvenience for passengers to have to walk outside to enter their planes because the terminal is at the ground level. This is especially akward for the increasing number of flight diversions of jumbo planes out of Chicago because of South Bend's uniquely long runway.
John Schalliol from the Airport Authority says that we need to start the construction now in anticipation of the increased business traffic due to the nanotechnology park. South Bend has already seen a marked increase in airline traffic this year, during a time when not as many people are flying anymore. Schalliol seems to believe that this is due in large part to business travel related to the opening of South Bend's Innovation Park and Ignition Park. The money has already been awarded to South Bend for the project and contruction bids on the project start this spring.
The USA Today newspaper even picked up on the story pointing out that the airport has only "two small concourses with no food service beyond the security checkpoint" (USA Today). In fact, that's not the only issue with the airport as it is right now. Allegiant is planning international flights to Cancun, MX and South Bend's current terminal does not yet meet TSA regulations for international flights. There is a major inconvenience for passengers to have to walk outside to enter their planes because the terminal is at the ground level. This is especially akward for the increasing number of flight diversions of jumbo planes out of Chicago because of South Bend's uniquely long runway.
John Schalliol from the Airport Authority says that we need to start the construction now in anticipation of the increased business traffic due to the nanotechnology park. South Bend has already seen a marked increase in airline traffic this year, during a time when not as many people are flying anymore. Schalliol seems to believe that this is due in large part to business travel related to the opening of South Bend's Innovation Park and Ignition Park. The money has already been awarded to South Bend for the project and contruction bids on the project start this spring.
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