This year’s budget is a missed, squandered opportunity
This year’s budget is a missed, squandered opportunity
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Like all budget sessions at the Indiana General Assembly, there are winners and losers. But what sets this year’s now-concluded legislative session apart is that there are more people in the losers’ column than ever before – most Hoosiers, in fact.
A year ago, it was a common refrain that we’d be in a recession by now and have to tighten our belts this legislative session. April’s two-year revenue forecast – the final estimate lawmakers use to finalize budget appropriations for the next two years – indicated the opposite, that the state would have $2.1 billion in previously unexpected dollars to allocate in this year’s budget.
The Republican supermajority claimed this session would be all about historic investments in public health and mental health (including in the context of our justice system). When the extra $2.1 billion was projected, an unknowing observer might have guessed that money would be spent fully funding transformative investments in our public health and mental health crisis response systems.
That money was not, in fact, appropriated to making those quality-of-life investments transformative. After several decades as a state lawmaker, I’m used to Republican majority budgets being missed opportunities. This year’s budget goes one step further. It’s a total squandering of the public money of which lawmakers should serve as dutiful trustees.
So: What do you suppose the Republican majority chose to fund instead of programs to improve Hoosiers’ minds and health?
- An unprecedented school voucher expansion allows families making $220k to receive public money for private education, all while the public schools that educate over 90% of Hoosier children received funding increases lower than the rate of inflation.
- $500 million for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to spend on economic development projects, including speculative real estate acquisition, that may never materialize into solid, long-term jobs for Hoosiers.
- $700 million into a retirement savings account that we have already been paying down at a responsible rate.
- Sped-up income tax cuts will result in the most savings for Indiana’s wealthiest.
- $800 million in cash for capital improvements to the Westville Prison project, financing that our AAA credit rating could have easily been marshaled to pay for through bonds.
- During his floor speech before the final budget vote, House Speaker Todd Huston said, “The tough thing around here is nothing is ever fully funded. When you ask people what it would take to be fully funded, the answer is always the same: Just a little bit more.â€
It seems to me that a lot of programs were fully funded. They just aren’t the ones that are going to help you with your property tax bill. Or expand IndyGo’s services. Or give every Hoosier child a fair shot at success through universal pre-K. Or improve our public health outcomes.
It’s a shame that the only fully funded programs in this budget are the Republican supermajority’s ongoing crusade to transfer public dollars into private pockets.
This budget is not a win for Hoosiers. The only impact the majority of Hoosiers will feel is their roads, their public schools and their health care systems being abandoned while the supermajority’s pet projects get more than their fair share of funding. This is unacceptable and a slap in the face to hard-working Hoosiers in need of a hand up – which is why I chose to vote no on this year’s budget.
City Council Meeting MAY 22, 2023 Meeting Agenda
MAY 22, 2023
AGENDA
I. | INTRODUCTION |
05-22-2023 Agenda Attachment:
II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
05-08-2023 Memo Attachment:
III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
V. | CONSENT AGENDA:Â FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2023-08 An Ordinance Amending Title 18 of the Evansville City Code Concerning Land Use and Zoning for Accessory Dwelling Units Sponsor(s): Beane, Burton, Heronemus, Trockman Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Mosby Discussion Date: 6/12/2023 Notify: Ron London, Area Plan Commission G-2023-08 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2023-09 An Ordinance Amending Section 2.50.060 (Evansville Land Bank) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): Burton Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Mosby Discussion Date: 6/12/2023 Notify: Josh Claybourn, Jackson Kelly G-2023-09 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE G-2023-10 An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code by Establishing an Overlay Zone in the Evansville Promise Neighborhood Area Sponsor(s): Burton Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Mosby Discussion Date: 6/12/2023 Notify: Josh Claybourn, Jackson Kelly G-2023-10 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE G-2023-11 An Ordinance to Vacate Certain Public Ways or Public Places within the City of Evansville, Indiana Commonly Known as Part of the 12 foot Alley Platted in Block Three (3) in Arnold and Eichel Addition, as per Plat Thereof, Recorded in Plat Book D, Page 464 in the Office of the Recorder of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, and all of the Area Conveyed to the City of Evansville for Alley Purposes Recorded in Deed Record 161, Page 325 Sponsor(s): Brinkmeyer Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 6/12/2023 Notify: Nick Cirignano, ZSWS G-2023-11 Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE G-2023-12 An Ordinance of the Evansville Common Council Authorizing the City of Evansville, Indiana, to Issue Two Series of Economic Development Revenue Bonds, and Approving and Authorizing Other Actions in Respect Thereto Sponsor(s): Heronemus, Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 6/12/2023 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS G-2023-12 Attachment:
VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
VII. | REGULAR AGENDA:Â SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2023-06 AMENDED An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3.35 (Housing Funds) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): Heronemus, Trockman, Koehler Lindsey Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Mosby Discussion Date: 5/22/2023 Notify: Josh Claybourn, Jackson Kelly G-2023-06 Amended Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2023-07 An Ordinance to Vacate a Public Right of Way in Evansville, IN that part of Hartig Avenue adjacent to Lot 30 in the Re-plat of Lots 60-87 inclusive in Shawnee Heights, an addition to the City of Evansville, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book “I”, page 97 in the Office of the Recorder of Vanderburgh County, IN Sponsor(s): Heronemus Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 5/22/2023 Notify: Don Gries, Easley Engineering G-2023-07 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE F-2023-07 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 5/22/2023 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller F-2023-07 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2023-10 AMENDED Owner:Ritzert Co Inc Requested Change: C4 w/ UDC to M2 w/ UDC Ward: 5 Koehler Lindsey Representative: Krista Lockyear, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC R-2023-10 Amended Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2023-11 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3114 Kratzville Rd Owner: Ritzert Co Inc Requested Change: C4 w/ UDC to M2 w/ UDC Ward: 5 Koehler Lindsey Representative: Krista Lockyear, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC R-2023-11 Amended Attachment:
F. ORDINANCE R-2023-12 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 4311 W Lloyd Expressway University Dr Owner:University Shopping Center, Inc. Requested Change: C4 to M1 w/ UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Maria Bulkley, Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, LLP R-2023-12 Amended (2) Attachment:R-2023-12 Amended Attachment:
VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
A. RESOLUTION C-2023-09 A Preliminary Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Declaring an Economic Revitalization Area for Property Tax Phase-In for the Rehabilitation of Real Property and Installation of New Equipment 5401 Highway 41 N, Evansville (Ultima Plastics, LLC) Sponsor(s): Beane, Heronemus, Trockman Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/8/2023 Notify: Jenna Richardt, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership C-2023-09 Attachment:
B. RESOLUTION C-2023-10 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana, Authorizing Affordable Housing Funds for Hope of Evansville, Inc. Down Payment Assistance in the City of Evansville, Indiana in an Amount Not to Exceed Forty-Thousand Dollars ($40,000) Sponsor(s): Beane, Burton, Heronemus Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/22/2023 Notify: Kelley Coures, DMD C-2023-10 Attachment:
IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, June 12, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
EWSU to Switch Water Disinfectant Starting May 22 Until July 10
(EVANSVILLE, IN) – Starting Monday, May 22, some Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) customers may notice a slight change in the taste and odor of their tap water. The change is related to a temporary switch in the disinfectant that is used in the water treatment process to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe drinking water to EWSU customers.
The switch to free chlorine from the regularly used disinfectant chloramine will begin on
Monday, May 22, and continue until Monday, July 10. EWSU switches disinfectants twice a year. The second switchover will be from August 28 until October 16. Many water utilities use this common preventive maintenance practice to keep water mains clean and free of potentially harmful bacteria throughout the year.
Here’s what you should know
- What is Chloramine?
Chloramine is a disinfectant used in drinking water to remove bacteria and viruses that can make you sick. It is made up of chlorine and ammonia. EWSU has used chloramine as the disinfectant in its water treatment process since 1999.
- What is Free Chlorine?
Free chlorine is a slightly more potent disinfectant than chloramine, and it is used to remove more resistant bacteria and viruses that may be found in the water distribution system.
- Why would EWSU Convert from Chloramines to Free Chlorine?
State drinking water guidelines recommend that utilities using chloramine periodically switch to free chlorine for a while. The temporary use of chlorine will ensure that a proper disinfectant level is maintained throughout the network of water mains and pipes that deliver your drinking water.
Free chlorine is a more aggressive disinfectant than chloramine. This temporary change in the water treatment process denies bacteria the ability to form resistance to the usual disinfection treatment process. Switching to free chlorine is a proactive step to maintain optimal disinfectant levels in the water distribution system.
As always, the drinking water will be regularly monitored to ensure that the water delivered meets or exceeds federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
- Why Does EWSU Use Chloramines Most of the Year?
While chlorine is an effective disinfectant, chlorine alone creates byproducts that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates. These byproduct levels can be significantly and cost-effectively reduced through the use of chloramine. Also, chloramine has less smell than chlorine and remains in the distribution system longer to prevent bacterial growth. As such, chloramine is a better long-term choice as a regular disinfectant.
- Will I Notice a Difference in My Water?
During this period, some customers may notice a slight change in the taste or odor of their tap water. Free chlorine may have more of a chemical odor, slightly like that of swimming pool water. Each customer has their sensitivity level to the taste or odor of free chlorine. Many detect no change at all. The mild chlorine taste and odor are typical and pose no health risk.
- Are Free Chlorine and Chloraminated Water Safe?
Yes, chlorine and chloramine are effective and safe for people and animals for drinking, cooking, bathing, watering the garden, and all other standard uses. However, precautions should be taken to remove or neutralize chloramine and free chlorine during the kidney dialysis process, when preparing water for fish tanks and ponds, and businesses requiring highly processed water. A dichlorination procedure optimized for chloramine removal will work equally well with free chlorine.
People and businesses that typically take special precautions to remove chloramine from tap water (such as dialysis centers, medical facilities, and aquatic pet owners) should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch from chloramine to free chlorine.
Most customers will not need to take precautions as the water remains safe to drink and is treated according to state and federal standards.
- Information for Kidney Dialysis Patients
Just like chloramines, free chlorine must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis machines. EWSU has contacted representatives from the medical community to inform them of this temporary conversion. We advise dialysis patients to call their physicians or dialysis centers if there are any questions.
- Information for Fish Owners
Like chloramine, free chlorine is toxic to fish. Therefore, fish owners need to remove chlorine, ammonia, and chloramine from the water before using it with tropical fish. Local pet stores carry water conditioners that remove chloramine and free chlorine. If customers have questions, we recommend contacting their pet store for information and detailed instructions.
Click here to watch the PSA Water Disinfectant Switch.
Indiana Economic Development Corporation Focus Group
In order to understand the state’s economic priorities and gather feedback from residents across Indiana, Fourth Economy is conducting Build Sessions the week of May 22, 2023. These focus groups will cover an array of topics, including:
- Activating and Retaining Talent:Â This session intends to gather statewide stakeholders, regional partners, topical experts, and thought leaders to discuss how Indiana can better create and retain an educated, capable workforce. Specific topics will look at workforce development across the state, K-12 education, and how the state can better retain local graduates.
- Adapting and Growing Key Industries: This session intends to gather statewide stakeholders, regional partners, topical experts, and thought leaders to discuss how Indiana’s legacy and target industries can evolve into a more digital, automated world and continue to create jobs and an economic impact in the state. Specific industries include advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, agbioscience, and more.
- Housing and Critical Infrastructure:Â This session intends to gather statewide stakeholders, regional partners, topical experts, and thought leaders to understand how Indiana can better invest in and create necessary infrastructure to support population retention and growth efforts. These critical infrastructures include housing, roads and highways, commuter rails, waste and stormwater management systems, and broadband.
- Access to Amenities and Services:Â This session intends to gather statewide stakeholders, regional partners, topical experts, and thought leaders to discuss how Indiana can work to improve both quality of life and place across its communities, localities, and regions. Specific topics will look at health and childcare, investment in the outdoor economy, placemaking, and the quality of social services in different regions.
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation: This session intends to gather statewide stakeholders, regional partners, topical experts, and thought leaders to discuss the state’s innovation ecosystem, interesting trends and ideas to catalyze entrepreneurship, and how IEDC can better support business births across the state. Specific topics will look at venture capital investment in the state, entrepreneurial incubators and accelerators, and how IEDC and its partners can support business creation and scaling.
We invite you to attend these focus groups and share your insights. While these events are free, registration is required. Please click HERE to access the Eventbrite page for these Build Sessions and register for whichever sessions you are interested in. You are welcome to register for as many sessions as you would like.
This Week in Indiana History
May 21 – May 27This Week in Indiana History
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Indiana Quick Quiz1. What set Ray Harroun’s winning car, the Marmon Wasp, apart from the others in the race, when he won the first Indy 500 in 1911? 2. What year did the famous press pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, burn to the ground? 3.Four people have won the Indy 500 four times, the most by any person. Name the four people. 4.Who is the oldest winner of the Indy 500? Answers Below
Did You Know???The record time for the longest Indy 500 race was 8 hours and 22 minutes because of rain during the 2004 race.
Answers1. His car had a rearview mirror 2. The morning after the 1925 race. 3.Al Unser, A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Helio Castroneves 4. Al Unser (47 years old), 1987
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Screaming Eagles advance to OVC Baseball Championship
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball concluded the 2023 regular season and a three-game series with Tennessee Tech University by holding on to win, 8-6, Saturday afternoon in Cookeville, Tennessee. USI watched its record go 17-37 overall and 8-15 in the OVC, while TTU is 19-32, 10-14 OVC.
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The victory wrapped up an Ohio Valley Conference Championship berth for the Screaming Eagles, who will be the eighth seed in the tournament which is slated for May 24-27 at Mt. Dew Park in Marion, Illinois. USI will play fifth-seeded Eastern Illinois
University in the first-round game at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
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USI jumped out in front early during the series finale with a pair of runs in the second inning. Senior catcher Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) put the Screaming Eagles up 1-0 with his fifth home run of the season and the 25th of his career.
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The USI Eagles followed McNew’s homer with a second run when freshman third baseman Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) singled in junior designated hitter Parker Stroh (Grand Forks, North Dakota).
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USI followed the two-run second with a five-run fifth, scoring five times on four hits, two walks, and an error to extend the lead to 7-0. The 7-0 margin lasted until the bottom of the sixth when the Golden Eagles closed the gap to 7-1.
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After allowing the sixth-inning tally, USI pushed the lead back to seven, 8-1, when junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) scored on a ground out by junior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan). TTU bounced back to cut the USI advantage to 8-4 with a three-run seventh.
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The Golden Eagles made a game with it in the ninth, scoring a pair of runs on a two-run homer, cutting the gap to 8-6, and proceeded to put another pair of runners on with one out against USI sophomore right-hander Gavin Seebold (Jeffersonville, Indiana). Seebold settled down to get the final two Golden Eagles to preserve the 8-6 victory.
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Seebold posted his first save of the season, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk. He also struck out two in three innings of work.
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On the mound, sophomore right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) gave USI a great start and posted his second win of the year. Hutson (2-7) allowed one run on eight hits and two walks, while striking out five in 5.2 innings of work.
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Up Next for the Post-Season Eagles:Â Â
The Screaming Eagles’ first opponent in a NCAA Division I post-season is the Panthers of EIU. USI took the series in April, taking two of games (W 26-6; L 12-22; W 15-8) and scoring 53 runs in the three contests.
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EIU (33-18, 13-11 OVC) enters the post-season on a seven-game winning streak and has won11 of 14.
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The winner of the USI-EIU contest would advance to play fourth-seeded Southeast Missouri State University (26-29, 14-10 OVC) at 4 p.m. The first two rounds of the OVC Championship on Wednesday (May 24) are single-elimination before the double-elimination portion begins on Thursday (May 25).
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In addition to USI, EIU, and SEMO, the OVC Championship field includes top-seeded Morehead State University (34-19, 16-7 OVC); second-seeded University of Arkansas at Little Rock (30-21, 14-8 OVC); third-seeded University of Tennessee at Martin (22-33, 14-10 OVC); sixth-seeded TTU; and seventh-seeded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (26-27, 9-15 OVC).
Fougerousse’s Blast Sends UE Past UIC, 2-1, To Earn Bye In MVC Tournament
CHICAGO, Ill. –  University of Evansville junior second baseman Kip Fougerousse blasted a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning, and junior closer Nate Hardman slammed the door shut in the bottom half of the frame to earn his 10th save of the year to help the Purple Aces rally past the UIC Flames, 2-1, on Saturday at Curtis Granderson Stadium in Chicago, Illinois.  With the win, the Purple Aces earn a first-day bye in next week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and UE will open tournament play on Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. central against No. 3 Southern Illinois.
“What a ballgame!†said UE head coach Wes Carroll.  “Today had the feel of a tournament game from the start, and it was a great win by just finding a way to get the job done.  I thought that all three of our pitchers did a great job of executing today on the mound, and what a special at-bat by Kip in the ninth inning.
“We had to earn that first-round tournament bye, winning a tough Valley series on the road.â€
UIC struck first on Saturday with a run in the first inning, but then both starters – UE’s Jarrett Blunt and UIC’s Jeff Zack – went to work and kept both offenses at bay.  Blunt was spectacular, as he went a career-high 7.0 innings in just his fourth start of the season.  Blunt allowed just the single run in the first inning, and five hits total, while striking out seven men for UE.  It was needed, because Zack baffled the Evansville offense all day, holding UE to a pair of doubles and a walk in 8.0 shutout innings.
The game would remain 1-0 until the top of the ninth inning, when Evansville got a little luck prior to Fougerousse’s big blow.  Graduate outfielder Eric Roberts led off the inning with a high fly ball to left-center field that the center fielder couldn’t handle, and it kicked away to allow Roberts to advance all the way to third base.
After a strikeout by UIC closer Reece Lawler (0-1), Fougerousse drove a 2-2 pitch deep over the left-field wall for his 12th home run of the year to give UE a 2-1 lead.  It marked the second ninth-inning, game-winning home run in the last month for Fougerousse, who also had a game-winning grand slam at Murray State on April 22.  Hardman then came out of the UE bullpen and worked around a single and error to strike out the final two men he faced to nail down his 10th save of the year, and make a winner out of reliever Shane Harris (5-2), who worked a scoreless eighth inning for UE.
Fougerousse had two of UE’s four hits on the day, with a double and home run.  Fifth-year first baseman Chase Hug also doubled for UE, while junior shortstop Simon Scherry had a bunt single in the ninth inning.
With the victory, Evansville finishes the regular-season with a 33-22 overall record and 15-12 MVC record, as the Purple Aces finished tied with Southern Illinois for third place in the Valley standings.  Evansville and SIU will now square off on Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. central time in the third game of the 2023 MVC Tournament in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Every game of the MVC Tournament can be seen live on ESPN+, with every UE game also being available in the Tri-State area on the radio on 107.1 FM-WJPS and the Old National Bank/Purple Aces Sports Network from Learfield.