Where We Rank … Literally

We’re No. 25 and No. 43. Those are the ratings for Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, respectively, in the annual America’s Most Literate Cities study published by Central Connecticut State University.

Libraries (branches, volume of materials, utilization and staff) are an apparent Hoosier strength with Fort Wayne seventh and Indy tied for 15th. Those were the best finishes for the Hoosier cities in any of the six categories: booksellers, education, Internet, newspapers and publications are the others.

Seattle topped the list followed by Washington, D.C.; Minneapolis; Pittsburgh; Atlanta; Portand, Oregon; St. Paul; Boston; Cincinnati; and Denver.

Check it out here.

Chamber Issues Statement on Governor’s Reform Agenda

Governor Mitch Daniels discussed his hopes today to further push government reform in the upcoming legislative session, with Kernan-Shepard Report architects Joe Kernan and Randall Shepard in attendance. We’ve issued a press release in response, indicating our continued support:

When the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform released its 27 recommendations one year ago (on December 11, 2007), the Indiana Chamber said, "This report places the emphasis exactly where it needs to be — on increased local government efficiency and reduced spending."

Kevin Brinegar, Indiana Chamber president, says today: "Nothing has changed. In fact, in these challenging economic times it’s more important than ever for Hoosiers to demand that the General Assembly enact the recommendations of the Kernan-Shepard Commission so that we may all benefit from high-performing local governments, and for those local units to operate as cost-efficiently as possible.

"We’ve been encouraged by the discussion and the progress over the past year. Hoosiers made their preference for better local government clear at the polls in November when they voted to move the majority of the remaining tax assessing duties from the township to the county level.

"This is not strictly a business issue. It’s putting in place a structure that allows everyone easier access to libraries and other government services, as well as helping ensure the highest levels of public safety," Brinegar concludes.