Local Opinion

Early in the Broadway smash “Hamilton,” the title character meets his nemesis, Aaron Burr. The polished and savvy politician advises young Alexander to “talk less, smile more, don’t let them know what you’re against or what you’re for.” Republicans in the US House seem to be trying to follow the Burr plan, with the obvious exception of the “talk less” part.

Thursday, December 15, was a much-anticipated day at the Indiana Statehouse. It was Revenue Forecast Day, when the General Assembly heard the prediction of how much revenue will be available for state spending during fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The legislature will pass a two-year budget, in the session starting in January, based on these revenue estimates.

Four years of covering Mike Pence when he was governor was often an act of futility.

Most people probably think of the ideological spectrum as a straight line, running left to right or right to left depending on one’s perspective. This places the extremes at the edges, furthest from each other. The middle holds the moderates, those who are considered the most reasonable and open-minded, if one identifies with them, or as the just plain mushy and unprincipled when one views them from either extreme.

“O, Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things. Come, and teach us the way of prudence.”

The holidays are here. Time for good cheer and happy thoughts, even if candy canes and sugar plums cost 7.8% more this year than last.

If you followed this year’s elections, at some point the question probably occurred to you: Why do people do this? The endless campaign events, the constant scrutiny … and increasingly, the very real and alarming threat of political violence. What drives someone to put up with it all?

A recent prosecutorial oversight committee could be the poster child for why Indiana doesn’t need Legislative Interim Study Committees.

November 7-13 was recognized as National Nontraditional Students Week, which gives us an opportunity to reflect on how the college experience has changed over the years, and how college can bring value to a wide array of students who may not have considered it a viable option for them.

First, I congratulate myself for not making a COLA joke. I’m a serious economist. Also, I couldn’t think of one.