GUEST COMMENTARY: Indiana budget meets goals, gives cash back

Representatives from throughout the state – Republican and Democrat – joined together this session to address issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.

WILLIAM NANGLE: Let math, not politics, rule on tax debate

The fray over how to fund government in Lake County has taken a definite political plunge.

EDITORIAL: Mixed news on public access issues

Hoosiers must remain ever vigilant when the Indiana General Assembly is in session, alert to any action that could affect the public's access to government records and government meetings. There's mixed news so far this session.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Dirty tricks or good public policy?

In a recent editorial, this newspaper speculated that the removal of the property tax freeze might be a political dirty trick.

EDITORIAL: House shifts blame, doesn't solve problem

One of the selling points, though not the only one, for enacting a local income tax in Lake County is to thaw the property tax levy that has been frozen by the state Legislature since 2007. Wednesday's action in the Indiana House of Representatives muddied the waters but didn't build a bridg…

EDITORIAL: Keep quality standards for school superintendents

A number of good proposals and policies have come out of Indianapolis in recent years to reform local government, and many of those measures have been tailor-made to the many government-borne problems in Northwest Indiana. However, legislation now pending in the Indiana House of Representati…

GUEST COMMENTARY: Dems' views on education merit consideration

As the House Democratic members of the Education Committee, we are privileged to serve as the standard-bearer for new Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Dems want to put Indiana's House in order

The last two elections have seen the House turn from an evenly divided chamber into one controlled by one party by a substantial margin.

EDITORIAL: Legislative fines should take a hike

After the Indiana House Democrats walked off the job in 2011 to stall right-to-work legislation, the GOP House leadership pushed through stiff fines for AWOL lawmakers. Then House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis got Republican state Auditor Tim Berry to deduct the fines from Democratic l…

DOUG ROSS: Sifting through fallout from last week's election

The fallout from the Nov. 6 election is still being sifted through. Today, I'm highlighting three observations.

Soliday wins re-election to Indiana House

VALPARAISO | With praise for his opponent Greg Simms, Rep. Ed Soliday prepared for a return to the legislature where he predicted economic issues will dominate.

EDITORIAL: We pick O'Donnell in House District 15

The Indiana House District 15 race offers two good candidates — Democrat Tom O'Donnell and Republican Hal Slager.

EDITORIAL: We pick VanDenburgh in House District 19

In Indiana House District 19, incumbent Shelli VanDenburgh, a Democrat, faces Ron Johnson, the Republican pastor of a popular church.

EDITORIAL: We pick Reardon in House District 12

The Indiana House District 12 race is one of the hottest in Northwest Indiana. Redistricting is a key factor in this.

EDITORIAL: We pick Niemeyer in House District 11

In Indiana House District 11, voters face two good candidates -- Democrat John T. Hart and Republican Rick Niemeyer.

VanDenburgh faces Republican challenger Johnson in newly drawn 19th House District

Democratic incumbent Rochelle "Shelli" VanDenburgh takes on Republican challenger Ron Johnson in the race for the recently redrawn 19th District of the Indiana House of Representatives.

EDITORIAL: We pick Soliday in Indiana House District 4

Voters in Indiana House District 4 face two candidates who have served as state representatives — Democrat Greg Simms and the incumbent, Republican Ed Soliday. The latter is the better choice.

State candidates stress jobs, education funding

VALPARAISO | Both the challengers for the Indiana Senate District 5 and the State Representative District 4 are teachers, so it was no surprise that much of Tuesday's candidate forum dealt with education.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Indiana House Democrats have been strong leaders

I am writing in response to your July 30 editorial, “Bauer’s loss is Northwest Indiana’s gain.”

EDITORIAL: Bauer's loss is Northwest Indiana's gain

Now that the autocratic Pat Bauer has been deposed as leader of the Indiana House Democratic caucus, the Democrats can start to repair their reputation as an anti-progress party.