SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER

Friends,

We’re launching a new era in Bloomington.

This week we’re presenting the proposed 2023 budget – the single most important policy document we have. It’s transformative.

Just by the numbers: our 2023 civil city budget of $129 million is a 20% increase from 2022. When you add utilities, transit, and our housing authority, the $229 million is a 29% increase. Those are exceptional – transformative – increases. 

First let me say this is a fiscally responsible budget. It reflects the new Economic Development Local Income Tax (ED-LIT) passed unanimously by our City Council last spring. And it reflects strong growth of our property values and overall economic health. We remain a low-tax city and county, when comparing ourselves across Indiana (which itself is a relatively low-tax state). 

More importantly, this transformative budget moves us into a better future -- more sustainable, more equitable, and more inclusive:

• We already have a great transit system, but an additional nearly $4 million per year will help us be among the very best in the nation. We just won $7 million in federal dollars for 8 new all-electric buses (the only Hoosier city to get such a grant). We will be developing an east-west bus-rapid-transit line, new micro-transit options, and more frequent and Sunday services

• We have an excellent Climate Action Plan developed through extensive public engagement – now we will have over $1.6 million annually to make it real

• For the first time ever, we will have annual local funding for affordable housing -- $1 million per year

• We are investing to keep our public safety departments the most progressive and effective in the state – with better compensation, better equipment, and better facilities – all transparent and accountable to our community, and nationally accredited

• We are investing in our city employees to be a true “employer of choice” – offering great careers in public service, with outstanding training, working conditions, and benefits

These are challenging times for public service – so much disaffection and so much worry about our democracy itself. Our state government takes outrageous actions eliminating reproductive rights and worshipping the gun industry while disrespecting public school teachers. Thank goodness our federal government is a strong partner in embracing the future.

I’m so proud of our hard-working city employees, and so many partners who help our city thrive. I’m also very proud of a transformative 2023 budget – truly defining a new era of inclusion and progress. We have a very bright future. And working with the City Council to pass this new budget, we are positioned to walk the walk and help Bloomington shine.

Thank you for what you do to help all this happen. The midterms are coming fast, so please do get active in helping elect progressive, ambitious Democrats.

Democratically yours,
John Hamilton

P.S.  Don’t miss the upcoming 8th Hamilton Family Picnic tradition – on Sunday, September 25th, from 4 to 7pm. We’ll again be at Switchyard Park’s Pavillion, with music and food to share, as we mingle and mix, hear from candidates, and activate for critical mid-term and local elections. Be there!!

AUGUST 2022 NEWSLETTER

Friends,

City government last month lost a dear friend and stalwart colleague.

Firefighter Bob Loviscek died suddenly on July 5th. He was taking a rare day off, visiting his (retired firefighter) dad with his son. A consummate professional, an inveterate volunteer, and so fun to be near, Bob was a “yes” man, his answer to virtually any request. Like running the 4th Street Festival cookout or leading the honor guard. He personally organized and led more than 100 funerals for retired or active firefighters.

Bob gave this community a special gift related to 9/11. He drove to New York City with his family to pick up a beam from Ground Zero to center the beautiful memorial he organized at Ivy Tech, where he led the memorial service annually with great dignity and honor.
 
Bob served proudly as President of Bloomington Metropolitan Professional Firefighters Local 586 and numerous offices in the district and state union. He saved lives. He organized training. He raised standards. He served the public without hesitation or expectations.
  
And Bob cared about politics, for absolutely the right reasons. Not for himself, or power or acclaim or jollies – though he did have fun. Bob was in politics to get good things done for people. Mostly firefighters whom he represented. Better conditions. Better equipment. Better safety. Better retirements. And also for the whole community – for more people to have better lives. Simple really – Bob was in politics to help people. One of the good ones. 
 
Dawn and I remember Bob’s smile, and optimism, and infectious hopefulness. You couldn’t help but be a better you after hanging out with him.
 
Bob left us too soon. His wife Kari, kids Maddie and Robbie, and extended family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Bloomington was blessed with his service and his humanity. Rest in peace Bob Loviscek.
 
Sincerely,

John

P.S.  Mark your calendar now for the upcoming 8th Hamilton Family Picnic tradition on Sunday, September 25th, from 4-7pm. We’ll again be at the Switchyard Park Pavillion, with music and food to share, as we activate for critical mid-term and local elections. Hope to see you there!

P.P.S. You may have heard some people already saying they plan to run for Mayor next year. Let me say "welcome to the race!” It’s good for democracy for folks to put their hats in the ring and make their case for how Bloomington gets better.  But right now, I’m concentrating my political energy on the critical midterm elections and getting local, state, and federal Democrats elected on November 8th. I’m very proud of what our administration has done for Bloomington, and I'm excited about many good things ahead. We’re keeping our momentum going by developing the 2023 budget, fighting to protect reproductive rights under assault, addressing climate change, and much more. There will be plenty of time to talk about the 2023 Mayoral race after the midterms, and I look forward to doing just that. In the meantime, I'm focused on helping Democrats win in November and doing my job every day. 

SPECIAL BULLETIN: INDIANA'S ABORTION BAN

Friends,

We must confront head-on last week’s horrific acts by Indiana’s Republican legislators and Governor – outlawing virtually all abortions in the state. It’s barbaric, misogynistic, heartless, and outrageous. It feels like an American version of Sharia law being imposed. A terrible lurch backward in time, an assault on fundamental freedoms and dignity. Many of us are still in shock. I issued a public statement over the weekend, quoted below. This cannot be the end. We have a long, hard fight ahead. Get in it and stay in it. And help each other get through this.

Thank you for all you do.

Democratically yours,

John
 
“The Republican state legislators and Governor Holcomb just imposed a near-total ban on abortions in Indiana. This horrific outrage was allowed by the recent radical overturning of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court. It will have devastating consequences for Hoosier women and those capable of pregnancy as well as our whole communities and our futures together. 
 
I am deeply saddened and angered that beginning September 15 a basic liberty to make very personal, life-changing healthcare decisions has been stripped from members of our community by a small group of out-of-touch (and overwhelmingly male) politicians and justices. 
 
As mayor, I will continue to work, and I urge our many partners actively to support the rights and choices of Bloomington women. We have a long and hard road ahead of us. This crucial fight is not over.”  
 

-statement of Bloomington, Indiana Mayor John Hamilton, August 6, 2022

JULY 2022 NEWSLETTER

Friends,

Appalling. Shocking. Dreadful. 

When the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade last month, a decades-long radical agenda was achieved. Against what Americans want. Against women. Against all of us.

Make no mistake how radical this was:

• “Rescinding an individual right in its entirety and conferring it on the State, [is] an action the Court takes today for the first time in history.”

• “Today, the Court . . . says that from the very moment of fertilization, a woman has no rights to speak of.  A State can force her to bring a pregnancy to term, even at the steepest personal and familial costs.”

Make no mistake how political this was. Those quotes from the 3 dissenters highlight what the 5 radical Justices did – 3 of them just appointed by Donald Trump – pursuing an agenda to remake our country and revive shameful discrimination against women and pregnant people.

They hope we forget that one of those Court seats was stolen from President Obama. Or that those 3 new Justices assured the Senate of their commitment to settled law and respect for precedent. We can’t forget.

Women and girls in America now have no federal rights to protect them against (male-dominated) legislatures who can force them to bear children against their will. Even victims of rape or those facing personal peril from pregnancy. Even if everyone in a family, and their doctor and their faith, support this most intimate and personal decision to have an abortion. It’s horrific.

Anyone who can become pregnant faces terrible dilemmas, about where to live, go to school, or work – if they have the means to make such choices.  

Our state is poised to pursue this abhorrent opportunity with shameful fervor. Our gerrymandered and 77%-male state legislature meets in Special Session this month with avowed purpose to implement a post-Roe world. This threatens all of us.

We must make ourselves heard. With our votes. And our wallets. And our voices. And our bodies. If you want to join a statewide rally on July 25th, to make clear to our legislature how we feel, see details below. 

Howsoever you can, get engaged and fight for our future. An unprecedented reversal of basic individual rights must be answered. It may take time, but we shall overcome. Thanks for all you do. 
Democratically yours,

John

P.S. Monday, July 25th is the big “Bans Off Indiana” rally at noon to make sure the Statehouse hears what we think about our rights. Our campaign has chartered a bus to offer free transportation up and back, leaving Bloomington at 9:30am and returning around 4pm. More information is available here: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=414512544027692&set=a.307403311405283 and you can sign up here to join us: https://forms.gle/N9aRhKkymqAwWmWX8 Join us if you can. Thank you for your support, which makes these direct actions possible. Onward. 

JUNE 2022 NEWSLETTER

Friends,

Amid the stress all around us, from heartbreaking gun violence to global unrest to women’s rights in peril to economic challenges, perhaps this month let’s lean into a couple uplifting improvements locally.

One is in Lower Cascades Park. This is our oldest city park – celebrating 100 years – and we’ve invested in some beautiful upgrades. I encourage you to visit, on the north side of town along Old Highway 37. A new 700-foot boardwalk makes the lovely waterfall on the west side of the creek accessible to all kinds of folks (still preserving the more rugged trail on the other side of the tributary creek). And the main creek now has wonderful new access points, with striking limestone ledges allowing sitting and relaxing (and wading) right along the creek edge. Other improvements make a visit to Lower Cascades a fresh, and refreshing, experience I strongly recommend. 

A second upgrade is at Griffy Lake. We have just opened a major new fishing pier and trail along the length of the causeway and road by the boathouse. This opens up the lake to more recreational fishing and sunset gazing. And it connects the beautiful trails on the north and south sides of the lake safely and smoothly along the causeway. Next up will be a trail across the dam to complete a circumnavigating trail route – about six miles long – that will let us enjoy a full hike all the way around the treasure of Griffy Lake. 

Nature’s beauty can be a healing balm to us amid stressful times. Our national-Gold-medal-winning Parks and Recreation department helps Bloomingtonians enjoy nature and promotes our physical and mental health. I encourage you to check out the two upgrades mentioned, and so much more. Our Bicentennial Bond program helped support these and other local projects to keep Bloomington thriving, even as challenges persist.  

We are lucky to live in this special place, and I am proud to be working with so many fine public servants who keep making things better and better. Thank you for your efforts, and your care for Bloomington. 

Democratically yours,

John

P.S. This Saturday, June 18th I can recommend a visit to Switchyard Park for the Juneteenth celebration, from 2 to 7pm at the picnic shelter, with free food and music to commemorate Emancipation Day.   
 

MAY 2022 NEWSLETTER

Friends,

This past month brought three very important things that will change Bloomington’s future:

1. Catalent announced a $350 million investment to bring 1,000 more good-paying jobs to town.

2. A new $14.5 million in annual revenue will advance our climate response, improve basic city services including public safety, and invest in affordable housing and our public transit system, thanks to City Council’s unanimous adoption of the Economic Development Local Income Tax.  

3. Meridiam announced a $50+ million investment to build a city wide, high-speed fiber network for all, including the “best digital equity product in the country” in partnership with the City to assure better access for lower-income households.

Each one of these is a really big step forward for Bloomington. The combination is a powerful sign of strong momentum and progress locally. I hope you will join me and thank all the partners and city employees who work so hard to help make our future brighter. 

It’s important to celebrate such tangible progress that benefits our community, and to express gratitude to all who make it possible. Nonetheless, it’s also a hard time to celebrate. 

The people of Ukraine continue to suffer terrible violence and brutality at the hands of an abusive world power. The people of Buffalo are in shock and pain after a horrific racist attack on the African American community, with families grieving and asking how long will the scourge of white supremacy persist? And America is stunned by the potential of losing the protections of Roe v. Wade to a radical, anti-women Supreme Court.   

We work hard locally to advance sustainability, inclusion, and opportunity. We make real progress. And still we are struck by how many challenges loom, and how much more we need to do together across the country and planet toward the same goals. 

Let’s continue the work together locally. And let’s align ourselves with the great work coming out of the Biden/Harris administration. Midterm elections are coming this fall, which will help determine our ability to continue progress. Get involved as much as you can. Amid shocking stories that can break our hearts, we still must take each day to make tomorrow better. And lean into the hope that energizes progress. 

Thank you for your care of our community.

Democratically yours,

John

P.S. You can read more about all three news items at the City website here: bloomington.in.gov/news. One encouraging example: our local program will make high-speed internet available at $30 per month to needy families. The Biden/Harris administration will offer a $30 per month subsidy for those families, making that crucial digital connectivity free. That can literally change lives for kids in school, seniors needing virtual home health care, or parents looking to get online education. Elections matter – let’s win those midterms!! 

APRIL 2022 NEWSLETTER

Friends,

Democracy is underway locally, as our City Council considers proposals our administration has offered for new revenue: two bonds to invest in local infrastructure and an increase in our local income tax to address several looming challenges. (More information at: Bloomington.in.gov/NewRevenue)

I strongly believe it is responsible and prudent for us to take these steps. They will let us invest in climate-change preparedness and mitigation. In more affordable housing and a much-enhanced transit system. They will help ensure strong basic city services endure in public safety, parks, public works and more. Together, these investments will support a virtuous cycle of improved quality of life and opportunity for all, with more equity and more sustainability.

What's surprising is our overall level of local taxation. Among the 20 largest cities in Indiana, Bloomington--the most progressive of them all, I think--has very nearly the very lowest combined rate of local property and income taxes: 19th out of 20. In particular for income tax, that leads to some strange situations:

Imagine three colleagues working alongside each other, perhaps in 3 classrooms in a local public school, or on a Catalent production line, or together at Indiana University. Let’s imagine each earns an identical $50,000 in taxable income with similar deductions. They will pay an identical federal income tax. And identical state tax. But one lives in Martinsville and will pay their county $1,360 in income tax to support their local governments. Another lives in Spencer and will pay $1,250. The third lives here in Monroe County and will pay less than $673 to support our local governments.

I was surprised to learn this. Perhaps you are too. Even more surprising, of our seven contiguous counties, Monroe County has the lowest local income tax rate. We certainly don’t have lower expectations of our city and county governments. Indeed, we need major investments in our county’s criminal justice system, with a shockingly inadequate jail and underfunded support services. We need major investments to help working folks afford decent homes. We need to meet many challenges ahead, and we need resources to do so, which we can’t rely on from the state or federal governments.

Please review the proposals in front of the City Council and let them know your views. (Poll available here: polco.us/n/res/vote/bloomington-in/city-of-bloomington-2022) I hope you will support this critical step forward, as we recover from the pandemic and recession. It’s a pivot point for our community, and we owe the next generations the opportunities that many of us have enjoyed.

We should do this. We can do this. After the proposed increase, that worker living in Monroe County would pay $1,100 to local government annually, still less than their colleagues in those neighboring counties. We will have funds dedicated to help anyone for whom the tax creates a serious burden. And that increase will let Bloomington thrive and prosper, more equitably and more sustainably.

Thank you for your care of our community, and for helping our democracy grow.

Democratically yours,

John

P.S. Wasn’t it a beautiful day when Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as our next Supreme Court Justice?! It was a painful and shameful confirmation process at times, but it was a powerful moment for American history when she prevailed. Let’s remember progress comes with vision and elections and hard work. Onward we go.

MARCH 2022 NEWSLETTER

Friends,

The weather warms and days lengthen. The virus wanes, thank goodness.

Eleven days ago, I presented the annual State of the City to the City Council and the community. If you want to check out the music, spoken word, and visual arts as well as the speech, it’s available here.

One joy in sharing the “state” of Bloomington is highlighting extraordinary colleagues who lead the sixteen departments of our City government and who with their respective staffs have accomplished so much in the past six years. It warms my heart and inspires me as we note our progress.

The evening also lets us consider big challenges and opportunities in front of us. We focused on these three:

First, our global and local climate emergency has not abated, and our whole society will be shifting in coming years. Opportunities abound. And challenges. I have called for the convening of a Green Ribbon Panel, representing a range of local institutions and views, to help us lead through this terrain together. The public, private, and nonprofit sectors all need to align and invest in this future. Local action is essential, and the Biden/Harris infrastructure bill also offers some great ways to accelerate progress.

Second, Bloomington’s future must be more inclusive – more diverse and more equitable. We have to ensure that everyone belongs and can thrive in our sustainable future, no matter their income, background, ability, race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We in City government are already coordinating with IU to create a DEI Coalition to reflect, strategize, and plan the most innovative solutions to foster this inclusive community, to identify and eliminate barriers and challenges for people from historically marginalized communities living in Bloomington. These diversity, equity and inclusion efforts will include institutions, alliances, and members of our wide community. Reach out to Deputy Mayor Don Griffin if you are interested in getting involved.

Third, for us to grasp the future we imagine and expect, Bloomington needs more annual revenue. Among Indiana’s 20 largest cities, we have nearly the lowest property and income tax rates. I am very proud of what we have done as a community, but we have to recognize that without new local revenue we simply cannot meet our community’s ongoing potential – with better, more affordable housing, with more sustainable infrastructure, with better jobs, and with the best City employees providing the highest quality basic services. Success requires investment, and we cannot rely on state or federal sources to do the job. It’s our turn to assure we have what’s needed to realize our future.

You all know me well enough, I think, to know that I do not tend to shrink from a challenge. I hope you also know me well enough to know that I will always do my level best to help Bloomington become a better place, and to help all of us here – now and in the future – live better lives.

Democracy is how we decide how best to achieve progress. I hope you will engage with us in the coming weeks as we address these big opportunities and challenges. Let me know your thoughts, and thanks for all you do to help Bloomington blossom!

Democratically yours,

John

P.S. If you’re looking for an interesting book, I’ll recommend The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson. It’s a fascinating science-fiction novel imagining the next several decades on earth, dealing with climate change. It’s a terrific, thought provoking read (and is commended by Barack Obama and Ezra Klein too)!