Indianapolis, IN
Indiana lawmakers want to repeal Indianapolis’ special downtown taxing district
In the waning hours of the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers inserted into the state budget the ability for Indianapolis to create a special taxing district to spruce up the downtown and address homelessness.
Now there’s an effort underway to take it back, even as the city has already set the district into motion, with the approval of a new tax at the City-County Council’s final meeting of 2023.
Republican Rep. Julie McGuire of Indianapolis filed House Bill 1199 to abolish the city’s “economic enhancement district,” with support from Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, the House’s lead budget writer. McGuire and Thompson had voted for the state budget; neither could be reached for comment Tuesday.
The City-County Council approved the new tax by a party-line vote. The now-threatened tax would be a flat $250 annual fee for homeowners and about 0.17% of other property owners’ assessed value, amounting to about $5.5 million in the first year for cleaning up downtown and supporting a low-barrier homeless shelter, among other initiatives. Collections would begin in spring 2025.
The late state budget add last year came as a surprise some of the General Assembly, as the proposal was finalized during closed-door negotiations.
In the months since, an anonymous group of Mile Square business and property owners opposed to the taxing district has pledged to lobby lawmakers to change or get rid of it. Former House Speaker Brian Bosma has been a public spokesperson for the group, DefendDowntown.com, which says it is concerned about how the tax will affect the cost of living and working downtown. The website doesn’t list any names.
Bosma argued in an op-ed in the Indianapolis Business Journal that renters could bear the brunt of potential fee increases, which may force people to leave downtown. The ordinance states that any increases cannot exceed the inflationary adjustment as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Bosma also criticizes the fact that city leaders created this district without a vote from property owners.
Five of the district board’s eight members will be property owners, however.
The concept of a tax for a central business district isn’t new. Large cities have been instituting and reauthorizing such downtown taxing districts for decades. Downtown Indy Inc. led an effort in 2018 to create a similar taxing district through a petition process but faced strong opposition from the Indiana Apartment Assocation, and the campaign couldn’t get at least 50% of property owners to sign.
Last year, as the country tried to bounce back from the pandemic, Downtown Indy received $3.7 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to pay for cleanliness, public safety and homelessness initiatives downtown. The goal behind the economic enhancement district was to create a sustainable funding source to continue this work.
“We have to ensure that downtown isn’t just looking and feeling its best around big events, but that we have the ability to offer tailored, property-specific service, 365 days a year,” CEO Taylor Schaffer said.
The Indy Chamber talked to lawmakers about the idea during the 2023 session, not realizing it would come to fruition so soon, said Taylor Hughes, vice president of policy and strategy.
Then the Chamber spent the remainder of the year meeting with property owners in Mile Square to gather input on how much the fees should be and what specific initiatives they should fund, he said.
“We have worked really hard to build a solution that people can feel good about and that we think will begin to solve some of these really big problems; that doesn’t mean it’s the perfect solution,” Hughes said. “There might be opportunities to refine it. But we do need something. So the idea that a bill would be introduced to repeal what has been a really robust conversation, I think is pretty concerning.”
Republican Sen. Kyle Walker of Lawrence, who played a key role in getting the initial language added to the budget, said he did not anticipate the starting point for this session’s negotiations to be a full repeal, and said he doesn’t support that. Rather, he would support discussing more guardrails.
Walker said he thinks the district will help with both real and “perceived” problems downtown.
“Downtown certainly can be safer and can feel safer,” he said. “I’m not suggesting there’s not necessary improvement for public safety downtown. But I also believe that part of downtown’s issue is more perception-based, and I think the EED can address both of those.”
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.
Indianapolis, IN
Colts’ QB future could take unexpected turn with Daniel Jones
When the Indianapolis Colts signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract during the NFL offseason, no one knew what to expect. Some felt that Jones could revitalize his career as the starter, while many others felt that he would end up being a backup behind former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson.
Jones quickly won the starting job during training camp and preseason action. He has looked the part of a franchise quarterback for the Colts this season.
Through his first 11 games with the team, the 28-year-old signal caller has completed 69.1 percent of his pass attempts for 2,840 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He has also picked up 159 yards and five touchdowns on 43 rushing attempts.
Read more: Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes May Help Make NFL History on Thanksgiving
Due to his impressive play so far this season, the expectation has been that Indianapolis will reward him with a long-term contract. However, that might not end up being the case.
Over the last few weeks, the Jones magic has begun to slow. He hasn’t played bad football, but he has not been nearly as good as he was early in the season. That has led to some concern about investing too much into him.
His track record is also a potential concern. Jones received big-time money from the New York Giants a few years back. That move ended up being a massive mistake for the Giants and the Colts do not want to double down on the same mistake with the same player.
To that end, an unexpected turn has been suggested for Indianapolis.
James Boyd of The Athletic has shared his idea that Indianapolis doesn’t give Jones a huge long-term deal. Instead, he thinks that the Colts could franchise tag the quarterback.
“Jones has really struggled against the blitz lately after torching aggressive defenses earlier this year,” Boyd wrote. “Countering the blitz has never been his strong suit, and if Jones and the Colts are unable to find a solution for dealing with extra pressure, it’s worth questioning how much Indianapolis should invest in him long term, which is where the franchise tag could come in handy.”
Read more: Minnesota Vikings Emerge Again in Aaron Rodgers Speculation
Giving Jones the franchise tag instead of a lucrative long-term extension would give the franchise at least one more year to make a final decision. There is no need to rush a long-term decision.
There is no question that Jones could be the team’s future under center. But, it’s always better to be safe than sorry in a situation like a monster quarterback contract extension.
Only time will tell, but the Jones situation could get interesting for Indianapolis. The Colts will have a tough decision to make when the 2025 season comes to an end.
For more on the Indianapolis Colts and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Indianapolis, IN
Person shot in critical condition on east side of Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers are investigating a shooting on the city’s east side that left one person in critical condition on Wednesday.
IMPD officers responded to a report of a person shot in the 2000 block of Kildare Avenue. When officers arrived on scene, they located a victim with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
The victim was transported to a local hospital and reported to be in critical condition.
Police have not released information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or whether any suspects have been identified.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Indianapolis, IN
Woman killed in Southside Indianapolis apartment shooting
INDIANAPOLIS — A 26-year-old woman was shot and killed at her Indianapolis apartment Monday night, in what family members say was domestic-related.
Police say Amanda S. Jones was killed at an apartment complex on the city’s south side while her 2-year-old daughter was home. The child was not injured during the incident.
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Woman killed in Southside Indianapolis apartment shooting
“I told her over and over that relationship’s not good for you. You gotta leave,” said Denaejah Ivy, Jones’ cousin.
While the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has not released a motive, police reports show officers had been called to the same address multiple times, including one call less than nine hours before Jones was killed.
In previous calls, Jones reported harassment, domestic disturbances and a protection order violation. Court records show a felony intimidation charge was filed but was ultimately dismissed.
“She filed multiple; she did multiple police reports. I was on the phone, actually, numerous times, and she told the police, ‘You’re not gonna do something till somebody’s dead.’ I heard her tell them that,” Ivy said.
“I feel like I lost a sister. I feel like I lost my everyday person, my everyday friend,” Ivy said.
WRTV
Danyette Smith, director of the Indy Champions with the Indy Public Safety Foundation, said survivors need to prioritize their safety.
“What we have to understand as a survivor, as an advocate, as someone who’s been doing this work for many years, we have to put us first, and that means choosing you and your children first,” Smith said.
Smith emphasized the importance of understanding protection order processes and ensuring accountability when those orders are violated, which may ultimately require leaving one’s home.
“You can’t let nobody else love you more than you love yourself, and I wish Amanda would have loved herself just a little bit more to walk away sooner,” Ivy said.
WRTV
Anyone with information about this incident should call Detective Michal Dinnsen at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or e-mail the detective at Michal.Dinnsen@indy.gov.
Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.
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Adam Schumes is the In Your Community reporter for East Side Indy. He joined WRTV in December of 2021. Adam has a passion for telling stories and giving people a voice they might not have had before. Share your story ideas and important issues with Adam by emailing him at adam.schumes@wrtv.com.
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