DOUG ROSS: Droning on about unmanned aircraft

Remember the George Gershwin tune, "Someone to Watch Over Me"? Start working on a techno version.

DOUG ROSS: Will voters buck at paying more bucks?

Who was the happiest person in Lake County Friday morning? I couldn't reach her by phone to verify this, but I'm pretty sure it was Christine Cid.

DOUG ROSS: With taxes, actions still have consequences

This has been a big week for the convergence of taxes and politics — are those two ever separated? — in Northwest Indiana.

DOUG ROSS: Creating more jobs is Job 1 for economy

A key report on Northwest Indiana's economy Monday showed productivity is up, but not because more workers have been hired. In Northwest Indiana, at least, this seems to be the jobless recovery everyone has been worried about.

DOUG ROSS: Good luck weaving around those spending gaps

In recent weeks, I've been weaving around on U.S. 30, U.S. 421 and other highways. My driving would look suspicious to anyone who couldn't see I've been dodging potholes.

DOUG ROSS: Colleges need more state support

Ivy Tech Community College has merged the large northwest and north central regions in a cost-cutting move. The university has a nearly $60 million funding gap, according to Ivy Tech President Thomas Snyder.

DOUG ROSS: College life offers an education in parenting

It's often said that parents should be more involved in their children's education. I agree. But at the college level?

DOUG ROSS: Just bombastic, or will he use bombs?

When my father was 16 years old, he dropped out of school and lied about his age so he could fight in the Korean War. I can imagine what he might say about what's happening in North Korea now, but I wouldn't repeat it in a family newspaper.

DOUG ROSS: A Democrat who sounds almost Republican

It makes sense that Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Thomas McDermott Jr., of all people, would be a strident liberal, eagerly embracing the party line on every issue. After all, Lake County is one of the most heavily Democratic counties in Indiana.

DOUG ROSS: College pays off, but you pay a lot for it

Two events this week spotlighted the importance of higher education in Northwest Indiana.

DOUG ROSS: NWI residents take a stab at federal budget

There's something eerie about writing about the federal budget for the Ides of March, considering all the political backstabbing going on right now. But there are good things happening in regard to the federal budget, too.

DOUG ROSS: No sale on tax cut before research

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence insists a 10 percent income tax cut would create Hoosier jobs, which would make this tax cut pay for itself. His proposal hasn't had a warm welcome in the Indiana General Assembly, however.

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Have you wondered which Republican senators President Barack Obama invited to tonight's high-profile but private dinner at the White House? One of them is a Hoosier.

DOUG ROSS: Let's do a controlled experiment on Medicaid

Indiana, like other states, is trying to figure out how to comply with the federal law compelling states to expand Medicaid eligibility so more uninsured Americans get health care coverage. There's a catch, though, because states pay a portion of the cost of Medicaid.

DOUG ROSS: Speedway bailout taxes imagination, too

Indiana legislators seem to be racing toward handing over state tax money to the Terre Haute company that owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This has irony written all over it.

DOUG ROSS: Pre-K builds bridge between Obama, Pence

President Barack Obama spoke of building bridges during his State of the Union address Tuesday, which ought to be popular in Northwest Indiana.

DOUG ROSS: Pay attention to many pay disparities

When USW District 7 Director Jim Robinson railed about pay disparities last month, he was talking about the private sector. If he thinks that system is broken, he should see what's happening in the public sector.

DOUG ROSS: Let's hope Cabinet member's ideas aren't shelved

When U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Tuesday that he is stepping down, the political world focused on his status as the lone Republican still in President Barack Obama's first-term Cabinet. I focused on what this means for Northwest Indiana and the south suburbs.

DOUG ROSS: Uncertainty hurts economy, that's for certain

If Congress and President Barack Obama were serious about wanting to stimulate the economy, the best thing they could do is end the uncertainty over taxes and spending. If you don't believe me, just listen to some local business leaders.

DOUG ROSS: Trust Local campaign could use good bait

Whiting Mayor Joe Stahua is championing the Trust Local campaign for home rule that seems to be picking up steam among Indiana municipalities. It offers an opportunity for local government reform, but are the locals willing to pay that price?

DOUG ROSS: Porter County Council, commissioners need to talk

This being the start of a new year, Porter County officials have a chance to start off on the right foot, right a few past wrongs, and set a good example for other counties.

DOUG ROSS: Talk turns to action on 'A Christmas Story'

There have been many Christmas stories told over the years. This one is about "A Christmas Story" coming home to Hammond.

DOUG ROSS: Lugar's departure bring back memories of Bayh

I'm impressed by Dick Lugar's classy exit from the U.S. Senate. It brings back memories of Evan Bayh's departure just two years ago.

DOUG ROSS: Amid talk of military's cost, remember peace is fragile

On Friday, the nation will remember the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The anniversary comes at a time when the nation is pondering the future role of the U.S. military.

DOUG ROSS: Red Grover, red Grover, why don't you come over?

The fiscal cliff is not just a Republican invention. It's real. And avoiding it is going to require moving to the middle of the road.

DOUG ROSS: Indiana Chamber draws bead on teacher unions

In keeping with this week's Thanksgiving theme, I'm offering a cornucopia of topics for comment.

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.

DOUG ROSS: Poll shows social conservatism doesn't resonate in Indiana

For all the talk about Indiana being a conservative state, the latest Howey/DePauw Battleground Poll results add some nuance. Hoosiers are fiscally conservative, yes, but socially conservative, not so much.

DOUG ROSS: Foreign policy affects more than pocketbook

If you believe George Santayana's maxim that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," you might want to pay more attention to this year's elections. There could be serious consequences.

DOUG ROSS: Carter has strong words on personal responsibility

Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter spoke strong words about personal responsibility last week.

DOUG ROSS: Keon studying costs of dual credit courses

For ages, we've been talking about the educational attainment level in Indiana, and especially in Northwest Indiana. More Hoosiers need to earn college degrees.

DOUG ROSS: Planning a legacy for Hoosier bicentennial

Each of the three candidates for governor is focused on the state's most immediate need: jobs. But what about later in the four-year term, after -- we all hope -- the economy has recovered?

DOUG ROSS: Governor must attract jobs that pay better

Democrat John Gregg and Republican Mike Pence, both running for governor, both said to Northwest Indiana audiences Aug. 24 that the primary focus now should be on jobs. And each is right.

DOUG ROSS: Living large isn't what it's cracked up to be

If you're looking for broad assumptions about Hoosiers' largest problems, one of them should be obvious: We're large.

DOUG ROSS: 'Da region' is bigger than Northwest Indiana

How do you define "the region"? It's not as easy as it sounds.

DOUG ROSS: Thoughts on life from the branch office

Tuesday morning, as I began writing this column, I felt powerless. In a technical sense, I was — sitting in my living room, looking out at the damage from the thunderstorm that cut off my electricity.

DOUG ROSS: RDA hasn't run as fast as its creator hoped

State Rep. Chet Dobis dreamed up the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and served as its midwife during the legislative process in 2005. But what does the newly retired lawmaker think of the RDA's work since then?

DOUG ROSS: Creation of RDA was no easy process

Seven years after the creation of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, its architect, state Rep. Chet Dobis, is retiring from the Indiana General Assembly. He reflected Friday on the birth of the agency in 2005 and its short lifespan so far.

DOUG ROSS: Illegal immigrants' help needed to fight crime

As much as I try to connect the dots on major issues, sometimes those dots seem to connect themselves. That has been happening on illegal immigration lately.

DOUG ROSS: RBA's Brown is blue, easygo riders are too

With the Regional Bus Authority running out of money Saturday, there is last-minute scurrying to try to maintain the agency's service. That it has reached this stage is shameful.

DOUG ROSS: In NWI, Pence's plan reinvents wheel

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence is understandably concerned about the need to prepare Hoosier students for 21st century careers. So are people in Northwest Indiana.

DOUG ROSS: Politicians don't belong in contract negotiations

When the Portage City Council voted last week to inject council members into labor contract negotiations, it was a gutsy move. It was also misguided.

DOUG ROSS: Pick up speed on transportation bill

Cross your fingers for the federal transportation bill now before a congressional conference committee. If the negotiations collapse, it would reinforce Americans' already intense disgust with Congress.

DOUG ROSS: Pence missed a fun opportunity for NWI

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence missed a chance Monday to strike a blow at the Lake County Democratic Party. Instead, he chose state Rep. Sue Ellspermann to be his running mate.

DOUG ROSS: Tea Party wasn't only reason Lugar lost

For months now, I've been calling the U.S. Senate race a battle for the heart and soul of the Indiana Republican Party. Now I'm not so sure we've seen the true picture.

Crunching the numbers that crunch Lugar

Beyond the headline -- Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock's 43-38 lead over incumbent Sen. Dick Lugar -- are some interesting plots and subplots on the graphs.

DOUG ROSS: We agree on need for tax reform, but not method

While we're on the subject of taxes -- and when do adults ever stop talking about taxes? -- let's examine what U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., added to the conversation a few days ago.

DOUG ROSS: Next education reforms hinge on dollars, sense

Two driving forces behind education reform spoke last week, and they both addressed two key components of the next phase of reform: dollars and sense.