Lobbyists

While the topic of ethics is still of interest, I thought I'd take a look at the list of folks who registered as lobbyists with the City of Indianapolis.

In 2010, 56 individuals signed up - employed by 32 different companies or firms, representing 72 entities.

In 2011, 36 individuals, with 16 different employers, represented 62 entities.

In 2012, the numbers were 44 individuals, 23 employers, represented 66 entities.

As of today, the 2013 year has 19 individuals, employed by 8 companies or firms, represent 27 entities.  The year is young and the budget season has not yet begun, which likely explains the drop from previous years.

It may not surprise you to learn that this year 6 individuals, employed by Ice Miller, represent only one client - the Pacers.  The Democratic power couple, Carl Drummer and Lacy Johnson, are two of those 6.  Any predictions on how the Democrat controlled Council will vote on the CIB  sending even more taxpayer dollars over to the Simons later this year?

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has but one person shilling for them. 

Curious is the apparent need of some not for profit groups to hire lobbyists, rather than drag their own arses over to City Hall to make their own case.  For instance, this year Frank Short is representing Visit Indy, Indianapolis Downtown Inc., and the Marion County Recorder.  Of course, all three want the flow of tax dollars to continue their way, but why not save some of those tax dollars and speak for yourself?  In previous years Wayne Township and the Town of Fishers also hired lobbyists for one reason or another, to implore some governmental group in Marion County.

Another oddity, is the double duty some are pulling.  Bob Grand, through Barnes & Thornburg, works as a consultant to the Mayor, and simultaneously represents his own lobbying clients.  So, too have B&T lawyers Joe Loftus and Bruce Donaldson pulled double duty in past years.

Jennifer Ping lobbies for Bose Public Affairs Group on behalf of a few clients, among which she lobbies the MDC for AON Consulting.  Ping's husband, Tim Ping, sits on the MDC.  Although I expect he recuses himself when anything related to AON Consulting comes to a vote, wouldn't it all be simpler if someone else at Bose took on that particular client?

Towing companies seem a bit over represented, considering how few entities are actually noted in the lobby registration database.  This year it is Cook's Towing and in previous years it was Zore's.

And those represented seem to do quite well.  Even to someone like me, who has little memory for company names, these names jump out - Buckingham Companies, Comlux, Corrections Corporation of America, Citizens Energy Group, and Eli Lilly.

Not sure what to make of any of this, beyond the thought that it seems like a small number of registered lobbyist and their disclosed clients, compared to those seeking a piece of the taxpayers' $1 Billion Plus City-County budget.

A Lot of Questions Arising

Yesterday's raid on City Hall by the FBI was attention grabbing, to say the least.  The arrest of two City employees, one who ran the Land Bank (Reggie Walton), and one who had worked as a special assistant to Mayor Ballard himself (John Hawkins) and more recently as an aide to Walton, demonstrated how high up the alleged scheming crept.  Of course, the investigation continues and the recent cacophony of shoes dropping could continue apace.

U.S. Attorney, Joe Hogsett, held a press conference yesterday afternoon, part of which you can watch atop Jon Murray and John Tuohy's IndyStar article, and which I have embedded below.  If you can't watch all 5 minutes, I suggest tuning in at minute marker 4:15, where Hogsett sends a very clear message to those for whom corruption is a companion, beginning with "the era of corruption is over".

 

 

 

There are many things in this world I do not understand, but today I want to mention a few arising from yesterday actions and inactions.

 

Why do officials sell out for so little?  One of the charges alleged against Walton is that he took a $500 bribe.  It is almost heartening that the FBI believes the total take for all 5 people arrested may have topped $100,000.  Still, why would folks put themselves in line to go to prison for non-life-changing sums?

 

I suspect the answer lies in the culture of corruption itself and the individuals involved - some of whom may have more good than bad in them, but a powerful ability to rationalize their actions as just part of the game of 'public service'.  We all talk about the powerful folks putting certain folks into office so that the real gravy train of millions continues to flow to a handful of well connected individuals.  I look forward to the day when those people's fancy offices are subject to a warrant search.  But, for those lower on the food chain, the idea that the cracks in public policy should be exploited, not fixed, surely must fall out of the culture set by the big dogs.

 

I further have to wonder why any of the alleged sales of City-owned properties continued AFTER the IBJ article, written last November by Cory Schouten, exposed the Land Bank actions.  In fact, here is how Schouten's article began:

Reggie Walton sat down at his desk on the 20th floor of the City-County Building a few days after he signed off on the deal, and the thought hit him.

I just made someone a millionaire.

Once the light of day was shed on the Land Bank policy of selling without restrictions, one would have thought that a) restrictions would be placed on sales of City-owned property in the future and b) any corrupt practices would stop due to the exposure.  But, evidently not.  No restrictions were placed on either the policy or the corrupt practices.

On to the press reaction to Mayor Ballard's absence yesterday.  Reported by the Star this morning, is the fact that the FBI informed the Mayor's office Monday night, of its intention to execute a search warrant Tuesday morning.  Ballard and his administration had time to work out how to proceed on Tuesday.  Hiding all day was their answer.  This hiding, by our duly elected but frequently gone Mayor, seems to have stepped over a line for some in the media.  I'm happy that they had a line to step over, but I am kind of stunned that they didn't notice his absence from any real governing heretofore..

So, what's the recent count?  Two City Councillors.  One City attorney who worked as a business partner of a Prosecutor.  A Deputy Prosecutor.  A Code Enforcement Officer having cars towed, crushed, and sold for metal.   All those found or plead guilty.

Hopefully Hogsett and the Public Integrity Working Group will continue the joyful sound of dropping shoes; and do so until even those in high places trading power for millions, will take pause and wonder if its worth it to continue bilking the Citizens of Indianapolis.


City Council Postpones Prop 148 - Waiting for Outcome of Airport Board Vote

This Friday, the Airport Authority Board will vote on whether to terminate the lawsuit they filed to stop off airport parking in Ameriplex.  Prop 148, a Council Resolution that urges them to do so, was postponed at last night's Council meeting, waiting to see exactly what Friday's decision is.

As I noted in my last entry, Prop 148 was initiated by Councillor Adamson and co-sponsored by the two district Councillors, Lutz and Holliday, as well as 10 other Councillors in a bipartisan show of support for Decatur Township.

In offering the motion to postpone, Adamson had a few thoughts to share, and I, for one, am glad he shared them.  I particularly thought it an important idea, that the Airport should consider reimbursing Mid-West Logistics, the owner of the ground in  Ameriplex where the Fast Park facility would be built, the $215,000 they spent fighting this frivolous lawsuit.

Here are Adamson's comments from the WTCY video of last night's meeting.

Is it Most Sincerely Dead ? Airport Chief Says Lawsuit Over Fast Park To Be Withdrawn

In an exclusive this afternoon, Jon Murray, IndyStar reporter, quoted Indianapolis Airport Director, Bob Duncan, as saying the Airport's two year battle to stop a Fast Park facility from locating in Ameriplex, will end.  Murray relays the following:

Authority Board President Mike Wells discussed the issue with other board members and found consensus in support of airport officials’ plans to drop the lawsuit, Duncan said this afternoon.

Coincidence or final straw, this comes as the Council readies for Prop 148 on Monday night.  This Council Resolution chides the airport for continuing to engage in the lawsuit filed to overturn the land use changes, granted by the Metropolitan Development Commission, that would allow a Fast Park & Relax facility to be built on 31 acres just off Ameriplex Parkway.

In keeping with the long strange trip this has been, Murray quotes Councillor Bob Lutz, whose district includes the northern half of the Indianapolis Airport, and who aptly put it :

 “I am so happy and so furious all at the same time!” he wrote in an email to The Star. “All of the wasted effort and taxpayer dollars. Plus the time, energy and money Ameriplex and Chavez had to spend and what was accomplished? Nothing!”

Lutz was the key driver of the Council's decision last fall, to dock the Airport budget by $100,000; the expected cost of the lawsuit in outside attorneys.  He also got 13 Councillors to vote against the entire Airport budget when it came before the full Council.

IBJ reporter, Kathleen McLaughlin, reports that Prop 148 may be withdrawn if the termination of the Airport's lawsuit can be directly verified.

At-large City-County Councilor Zach Adamson, a Democrat, said he would not pull his resolution from Monday night's agenda until Midwest Logistics confirms that the airport will withdraw its appeal. "They had two and a half years to do the right thing, and they refused to do it," he said of the airport authority. "It's criminal what they've done to this business."

Adamson initiated Prop 148 and has been a steadfast opponent of the lawsuit.

Can this day have finally arrived?  I looked on the Airport's website and cannot find any press release.  But, Murray has Bob Duncan's comments and I am hearing of email verifications coming from the Mayor's office and from Mike Wells, President of the Airport Authority Board, as well.

So, just maybe the wicked witch is not only dead, but most sincerely dead !

Council To Take Up Prop 148 - Asking Airport to Drop it Lawsuit

This Monday night, May 13, the City County Council will take up Prop 148, among other things.  In an unusual move, this Proposal is scheduled for both introduction AND a vote Monday.

Prop 148, initiated by Councillor Zach Adamson, and co-sponsored by 12 others, including District Councillors Jason Holliday and Bob Lutz, announces Council support for the Fast Park zoning decision of the MDC and asks the Airport to terminate its lawsuit.

This is so very important for my neck of the woods, and I am very excited to see this development.

The co-sponsors are a bipartisan group - Adamson, Holliday and Lutz are joined by Councillors Talley, Hickman, Mansfield, Mascari, Moriarty Adams, Evans, Freeman, Pfisterer, Sandlin, and Scales.

There are a baker's dozen Whereas clauses, with the penultimate being:

WHEREAS, the opposition of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, acting and using its powers as municipal corporation for purely competitive reasons is improper and runs contrary to the history and tradition of public-private collaboration and cooperation in Indianapolis, which has been fostered by mayors and councilors of both major political parties, and which is a hallmark of the city's business culture to be generally conducive and friendly to private sector job growth and economic development;

The Proposal would affirm the Council's support for the zoning decision of the MDC, asks the Airport Authority to terminate its lawsuit, leaves the Mayor the option of signing on to the Special Resolution (like that's going to happen), and would have the Clerk of the Council send a copy of the Resolution to each Airport Authority Board member.

It is no secret that I cannot understand why we have to fight our own government because it is trying to create a monopoly by fiat and lawsuit, for a business commonly conducted by the private sector.  It is heartening that another branch of our local government will come to our aide in our fight.

Thanks to all the co-sponsors and an 'in-advance' thank you to all the Councillors who vote in support of Prop 148 !

Medicare Charges Aired - Indianapolis Hospitals

On Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released data from 2011, listing the average charges by 3300 hospitals across the Country for each of 100 services.

As part of the Obama administration’s work to make our health care system more affordable and accountable, data are being released that show significant variation across the country and within communities in what hospitals charge for common inpatient services.

The hope is that transparency will aid in informing the customers of the range of charges for the same services, so that they can ask appropriate questions before they sign on the dotted line.

I ran across articles from the LA Times and the NY Times in yesterday's Google news feed about this.  The down loadable database on the CMMS webpage is searchable by city, state, procedure, etc.  So, I searched Indianapolis.  Then I pulled out the services where the range of charges were either at least two-fold, or the span was at least $25,000.  That narrowed the 100 services to 20.  Below is listed those 20, the hospitals that the CMMS database included as providing those services, and the average charge by each hospital.  Due to the limited width capacity of this blog space, I also uploaded more detail on these services to Google Drive - that document also including the number of patients involved and the average total payment made to each hospital for each service.  All numbers are from the CMMS database.

CMMS defines 'Average Covered Charges' as

The provider's average charge for services covered by Medicare for all discharges in the DRG [code for each service provided]. These will vary from hospital to hospital because of differences in hospital charge structures.

I have highlighted in red, the highest charge and hospital doing so, for each service, and highlighted in blue, the lowest charge and the hospital doing so, for each service.

177 - RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS & INFLAMMATIONS W MCC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 64,552
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 30,309
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 51,553
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 32,157
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 36,438
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 25,793

189 - PULMONARY EDEMA & RESPIRATORY FAILURE

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 34,705
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 18,772
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 36,482
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 23,818
INDIANA HEART HOSPITAL THE	$ 19,000
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 26,312
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 25,489

190 - CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE W MCC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 30,839
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 16,257
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 32,161
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 21,530
WESTVIEW HOSPITAL	$ 27,874
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 20,935
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 19,830

194 - SIMPLE PNEUMONIA & PLEURISY W CC

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 15,490
WESTVIEW HOSPITAL	$ 42,521
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 22,203
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 18,047

207 - RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS W VENTILATOR SUPPORT 96+ HOURS

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 90,280
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$113,156
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 93,587
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 82,166
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$104,773

252 - OTHER VASCULAR PROCEDURES W MCC

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 69,465
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 84,389
INDIANA HEART HOSPITAL THE	$ 98,842
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 80,402

253 - OTHER VASCULAR PROCEDURES W CC

WILLIAM N WISHARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL	$ 45,961
INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 67,222
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 63,087
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 42,018
ST VINCENT HEART CENTER OF INDIANA LLC	$ 40,471
INDIANA HEART HOSPITAL THE	$ 77,320
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 48,518

280 - ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DISCHARGED ALIVE W MCC

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 34,695
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 44,761
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 26,938
ST VINCENT HEART CENTER OF INDIANA LLC	$ 39,548
INDIANA HEART HOSPITAL THE	$ 42,377
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 40,149
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 20,020

300 - PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISORDERS W CC

WILLIAM N WISHARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL	$ 12,485
INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 25,701
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 16,125
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 29,451
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 16,517
INDIANA HEART HOSPITAL THE	$ 13,131
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 19,656
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 15,930

329 - MAJOR SMALL & LARGE BOWEL PROCEDURES W MCC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$167,037
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 65,710
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$126,029
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 86,436
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 77,510

377 - G.I. HEMORRHAGE W MCC

WILLIAM N WISHARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL	$ 28,754
INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 48,812
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 26,961
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 44,763
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 21,669
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 27,230
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 26,198

439 - DISORDERS OF PANCREAS EXCEPT MALIGNANCY W CC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 33,099
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 31,704
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 13,603

460 - SPINAL FUSION EXCEPT CERVICAL W/O MCC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$132,700
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 91,864
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$101,117
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$108,671
INDIANA ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL LLC	$ 52,680
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 92,249

473 - CERVICAL SPINAL FUSION W/O CC/MCC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 79,326
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 60,270
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 57,482
INDIANA ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL LLC	$ 34,108
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 55,374

480 - HIP & FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT W MCC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$106,125
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 84,693
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 56,874

698 - OTHER KIDNEY & URINARY TRACT DIAGNOSES W MCC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 52,815
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 37,306
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 17,470

699 - OTHER KIDNEY & URINARY TRACT DIAGNOSES W CC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 34,708
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 29,710
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 14,748
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 14,227

853 - INFECTIOUS & PARASITIC DISEASES W O.R. PROCEDURE W MCC

WILLIAM N WISHARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL	$ 78,183
INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$176,566
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 89,746
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$128,228
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 94,702
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 77,922

871 - SEPTICEMIA OR SEVERE SEPSIS W/O MV 96+ HOURS W MCC

WILLIAM N WISHARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL	$ 24,792
INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 54,135
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 33,402
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 45,947
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 30,444
WESTVIEW HOSPITAL	$ 61,698
FRANCISCAN ST FRANCIS HEALTH - INDIANAPOLIS	$ 39,768
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 30,282

917 - POISONING & TOXIC EFFECTS OF DRUGS W MCC

WILLIAM N WISHARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL	$ 17,339
INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH	$ 36,401
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EAST	$ 20,535
ST VINCENT HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES	$ 32,138
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SOUTH	$ 15,835
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH	$ 21,435

The Insane Priorities of the Ballard Administration

The first half of at least $5.8 million from RebuildIndy funds to be used for the insane cricket/Gaelic sports complex in Councillor Ben Hunter's district was spent yesterday.  This action comes despite no basis in sanity for such a complex and despite no private partner to help with the cost and/or to reap the Ballard fantasize rewards.

Fellow blogger Gary Welsh put it well this morning over on Advance Indiana:

Streets and sidewalks are crumbling, crime is skyrocketing, IMPD has fewer police officers patrolling the streets than the day Mayor Greg Ballard took office in January, 2008 and the budgets of city agencies across the board are being slashed to make up for a multi-million dollar budget deficit, but Mayor Greg Ballard insists on spending millions of dollars intended for infrastructure improvements on a new world sports park on the city's east side that he hopes will play host to international cricketing events.
 

IndyStar reporter, Jon Murray, reports that none of the three Council appointees showed up for the vote.  The three Board of Public Works appointees from the Mayor's office joined with DPW Director, Lori Miser, to vote 4-0 in favor.

The Council appointees need to explain why they were not there, especially given the gravity of the vote.  The Council Democrat leadership wants to say the Council has been cut out of this decision, but that is not entirely so.  Ducking important issues by standing on the sidelines is not leadership.  The lack of votes by the three Council appointees, if left unexplained, leaves the option that the Democrat leadership wants this cricket nonsense to go forward as much as Ballard does, as a reasonable opinion for members of the public to hold.

I do have to note that some Councillors did weigh in - as I cited two days ago -- Councillors Zach Adamson and Christine Scales, in particular.

Meanwhile, the priorities of the Ballard administration continue to spiral out of the realm of an sane policy and have clearly entered the Twilight Zone. 

Let us all remember this come budget time, when the Council Democrat leadership and the Ballard administration join hands to eliminate the Homestead Credit from property tax bills and when they cut services and when they lay off cops and firefighters (either directly or through attrition).  Let us remember the insanity of this cricket crap.