This state and its leadership. What can I say.

[AngryOldDem]

http://www.wthr.com/story/21748705/pence-lukewarm-on-indianapolis-motor-speedway-bill

<< The state's top political leader is voicing concerns about a plan to offer financial help to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Governor Mike Pence told reporters Wednesday that he has reservations about the way IMS bill is crafted. Pence is concerned that it provides little private investment opportunity.

The state Senate approved the $100 million plan in a 37-12 vote last month. The Speedway already spends $5 to $15 million annually on maintenance and is facing competitive pressure from newer facilities.

Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles and IMS President and CEO Jeff Belskus went to the Statehouse to ask for financial help in February.
With $100 million in bonds, the Speedway will add lights to allow night racing at the historic track. It will also renovate the stands, upgrade facilities and install high-tech video boards.<<

Yo, Mike! Think of it as startup money. If you jump-start improvements that will bring one of your biggest sports and tourist venues into the 21st century, don't you think there will be a ripple effect to businesses in Speedway and Indianapolis that will eventually pay back whatever money you spend? NASCAR night racing is catching on. Indy Car would probably schedule more events at IMS other than the 500 if the track were upgraded.

Vision, Mike. Vision.
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Then, there's this.

http://www.wthr.com/story/21752467/pence-questions-proposal-to-decrease-marijuana-penalties-

Governor Mike Pence says the safety and security of Hoosiers are his top priority. He's questioning legislation that dramatically decreases penalties involving pot, even for entry-level drug offenses.

The governor says he's interested in reducing prison populations. But he wants do that by reducing crime, not by decreasing penalties on some crimes.

"I think this legislation, as it moves forward, should still seek to continue to send a way strong message to the people of Indiana and particularly to those who would come into our state to deal drugs, that we are tough and we're going to stay tough on narcotics in this state."

A new law would cut the penalty for dealing less than ten pounds of marijuana to a year in prison and up to a $ 5,000 fine. The punishment for possession of under ten pounds would be cut to up to 180 days in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.

"I think we need to focus on reducing crime, not reducing penalties," he said. "I think this legislation, as it moves forward, should still seek to continue to send a way strong message to the people of Indiana and particularly to those who would come into our state to deal drugs, that we are tough and we're going to stay tough on narcotics in this state." <<

Yo, Mike! Make marijuana legal in small amounts and then tax it like alcohol. And, I suppose you'll have NO problem when they come asking for more money for prisons and corrections officers because of overcrowding, because busting people for pot is oh, so more cost effective than putting money into, say, other development projects.

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And, finally, Rep. Luke Kenley, a big backer of the Indy Connect mass transit bill, has pulled his support. Sorry I don't have a link, but this is bad news for those of us who would like to see Indy join other large U.S. cities in having a viable mass transit system. Word is Tea Partiers got to him.

Thanks, short-sighted jerks!

And so goes the latest from the Statehouse. Sigh.