So You Want to Move to Indy

A Project of Indiana Alliance for Democracy

Overview of the results of unimaginative, market-driven policies that routinely put private “wants” before public “needs.”

 The sorry state of Indiana and Indianapolis is the result of a bipartisan effort, and IN AfD is strictly nonpartisan.                                                    

Indiana is a dismal 48th in environmental quality according to the Institute for Southern Studies.  That same study places Indiana 40th in economic well-being.  To avoid raising taxes on the corporations and wealthy elites, state and local officials cut services to ordinary citizens and raise user fees.  The state lottery is another way to tax the poor and math-challenged while avoiding any tax increases. 

Governor Mitch Daniels, who was former Stephen Goldsmith’s chief privatization advisor, is busy privatizing public funds and resources.  In the face of intense public opposition Daniels signed a 75-year lease of the Indiana Toll Road.  He is outsourcing 1200 state jobs in the Family Services Administration to IBM. More detail is provided elsewhere in this site.

 

“Dome will be gone, debt will live on: As new stadium rises, city still owes $75 million on RCA Dome”

Þ Bonds to be retired in 2021

Þ New stadium/convention center project will cost tax payers $1.8 billion including interest or $60 million/year

 

“Irsay and city agree stadium deal final: Colt’s owner shouldn’t be asked to help fund daily operations…”Tim Evans , Star 10/7/06

Þ $10 million/year gap in funding to pay day to day expenses for 30 years

Þ Official confident city and state will find the $300 million (over 30 years) without turning to the Colts

 

 “Stadium is monument to questionable priorities”, Matthew Tully , Star 9/21/05

Þ Colts claim they contribute $100 million to new stadium but aren’t “giving a real penny to this project”

Þ City paid Colts $48 million for breaking lease to build Colts a new stadium plus $100 million for non-football events