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Dave Askins

Dave Askins

Bloomington, Indiana

Dave Askins is editor and publisher of The B Square Bulletin. A Hoosier native with a background in math and linguistics, he previously co-founded the Ann Arbor Chronicle with his wife, Mary Morgan.

Elections: Monroe County commissioners gearing up for redrawing of local boundaries after state-level districts are decided

Elections: Monroe County commissioners gearing up for redrawing of local boundaries after state-level districts are decided

At its Wednesday work session, Monroe County’s board of commissioners agreed on a resolution that will establish an advisory committee to guide its decisions on the redrawing of precinct and district boundaries for the county. The upcoming work of potentially redrawing precinct boundaries—and possibly districts for county commissioners

From poison ivy, to public transit, to parks bond money, Bloomington 2022 budget hearings prompt question: Whose job is it?

From poison ivy, to public transit, to parks bond money, Bloomington 2022 budget hearings prompt question: Whose job is it?

Wednesday’s city council hearings on the administration’s proposed 2022 budget featured presentations from four different city of Bloomington departments—housing and neighborhood development (HAND), economic and sustainable development (ESD), community and family resources (CFRD), and parks and recreation. Also a part of the mix on Wednesday was a

Pandemic surges in Monroe County like rest of Indiana, full approval of Pfizer’s jab means extra encouragement to get vaccine

Pandemic surges in Monroe County like rest of Indiana, full approval of Pfizer’s jab means extra encouragement to get vaccine

At Wednesday’s regular meeting of Monroe County commissioners, county health administrator Penny Caudill briefed the three electeds on the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive cases continue to trend upward in Monroe County, in the state, and across the country, she reported. But Monday’s full approval of

City council budget hearing draws questions for Bloomington Transit on fare-free rides, geographic expansion

City council budget hearing draws questions for Bloomington Transit on fare-free rides, geographic expansion

At Tuesday’s hearing of Bloomington Transit’s proposed 2022 budget in front of the city council, BT’s general manager, Lew May, fielded a question he’s heard many years before, including last year. Has BT considered making the public bus service fare free? A new question this year:

Bloomington councilmembers want to consider paying police more in 2022, ahead of collective bargaining negotiations

Bloomington councilmembers want to consider paying police more in 2022, ahead of collective bargaining negotiations

A majority of Bloomington city councilmembers sound like they would support paying the city’s police officers more than the amount specified in the current collective bargaining agreement, which runs through 2022. That’s based on deliberations that took place Tuesday, the second of four nights of hearings by the

Bloomington city council critical on first night of 2022 budget hearings: police, parking, sidewalks

Bloomington city council critical on first night of 2022 budget hearings: police, parking, sidewalks

On Monday, the first night of departmental hearings on Bloomington mayor John Hamilton’s proposed 2022 budget, several city councilmembers conveyed their dissatisfaction about one or more aspects of next year’s financial plan. Those points of friction included police officer compensation, a parking cashout program for city employees, and

Bloomington 2022 budget revenues: Property tax levy up, local income tax down

Bloomington 2022 budget revenues: Property tax levy up, local income tax down

Last Friday, Bloomington mayor John Hamilton released his proposed 2022 budget. Compared to the 2021 budget, the combination of local income tax distributions and the general fund property tax levy nets out to about zero change for 2022 revenues. There’s an increase in the general fund property tax levy