Mayor Greg Ballard has announced a City-wide food initiative to help local charities keep their pantries stocked not only during the upcoming holiday season, but year round.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard announced today his proposal for a reduction in the County Option Income Tax (COIT). The plan, drafted in response to a recent Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) advisory, will go before the City-County Council on tonight. If approved, it will result in $5.7 million being returned annually to Marion County taxpayers for the next three years.

The Marion County Election Board learned today that Clerk Beth White's office neglected to forward at least 446 absentee ballots for counting before Election Day. The ballots were recently discovered on a storage shelf. The Ballots had been received by White's office on October 26--more than a week before the election.

Lawrence Township Judge Jim Joven announced a voter education initiative today for persons affected by foreclosure and eviction. He wants them to know that they retain their right to vote and that they must be wary of people who might try to deny them that right.

Numerous Marion County voters have received absentee ballots for races outside their districts, possibly endangering the votes of countless Indianapolis residents.

Marion County Republican Party Chairman Tom John today called for an investigation into whether Marion County Clerk Beth White misused her office by encouraging voters to early vote for Barack Obama in exchange for their receiving preferential seating at his campaign rally tomorrow.

David Moscrip, Republican Candidate for Marion County Treasurer, called on incumbent Treasurer Mike Rodman to stop playing politics with property tax bills and pledge to send them out when they are ready.

Marion County Republican Party Chairman Tom John issued the following statement tonight following the City-County Council's passage of the 2009 budgets for the City of Indianapolis and Marion County:

Marion County Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom John today called for bipartisan passage of the 2009 Budgets for Indianapolis and Marion County. The City-County Council is scheduled to vote on the budget proposals at its meeting tonight.

Marion County Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom John today called for City-County Councilor Paul Bateman (D-District 11) to recuse himself from the Council's Investigative Committee on Ethics.

(1947-2008)

(1930-2008)

The Marion County Republican Party today called out Marion County Treasurer Mike Rodman for changing his position on a Republican Tax Relief measure after it was too late to assist taxpayers hit by large reconciliation bills.

David Moscrip, Republican candidate for Marion County Treasurer, today proposed a reform plan that would allow property taxpayers to pay tax bills monthly instead of in lump sums.

Marion County Council Democrats voted tonight to stifle discussion of a measure to provide immediate property tax relief to thousands of Marion County citizens. The Council Democrats voted against even allowing discussion of Proposal 326 at tonight's City-County Council Meeting. Proposal 326 would have allowed taxpayers to make steady payments of property tax bills rather than them being slammed by massive biannual bills.

The American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis and the Marion County Republican Party recently joined forces to help raise funds to benefit victims of recent storms across Central Indiana.

Helmut Brugman, a Washington Township Advisory Board Member and steadfast supporter of the Marion County Republican Party, passed away Monday. Helmut served the party as Assistant Township Chairman, Ward Chairman, and Precinct Committeeman. We extend our deepest condolences to Helmut's family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Lois Ricketts, a longtime member of the Marion County Republican Party and mother of Lawrence Mayor Paul Ricketts, passed away yesterday evening. Lois served in the Lawrence Township Assessor's office from 1955-1986, the final 12 years of those at the elected Township Assessor.

Marion County Republican Party Chairman Tom John today announced the hiring of Robb Greene as Executive Director for the Marion County Republican Central Committee.

Marion County Republican Chairman Tom John today praised the bipartisan ruling of the United States Supreme Court to uphold Indiana’s Voter Identification Law.

Governor Mitch Daniels has announced his endorsement of incumbent State Representative Mike Murphy (R-District 90) for the May 6th Primary Election.

Marion County Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom John issued the following statement this evening following the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council's decision to send back to committee the appointment of embattled attorney Aaron Haith to the Indianapolis Housing Agency Board (Proposal 124):

Text of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard's Inaugural Address given at Union Station on April 9th, 2008.

Former Finance Director for the Indiana House Republicans Joins Marion County Republican Central Committee Staff

Text of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard's Inaugural Address given at the Indiana War Memorial on January 1st, 2008.