Mayor Hamilton pressured into Area 7 from his Annexation plans
Mayor John Hamilton will recommend to the Council that Area 7 be removed from the scope of land currently proposed for annexation. The Mayor’s Administration contends that the northernmost parcel on the proposed annexation map, Area 7 was originally included in the annexation plans for its potential economic development potential; but, apparently residents speaking up and voicing their concerns is having an impact, as the Mayor claims that the decision to eliminate Area 7 from the annexation proposal is based directly on resident input, and some Council members stating that the area would not lend itself easily to being a gateway district with significant development, based on settlement patterns, topography, and land use that all present challenges to the area’s potential for development.
Area 7 is one of eight areas contiguous with the current City boundaries currently proposed for annexation. These areas are not currently within the city’s municipal boundaries, but instead border the Bloomington. Many concerns being raised by County residents impacted by the proposal is having to adopt more restricting land use ordinances, submitting to what has been described as a dangerous political climate, weakened public safety service provision, negative fiscal impacts to Monroe County budgeting, and of course, the inevitable and significant increase in taxes. The City Council will continue to hear public comment on the proposed annexations Wednesday evening, August 11 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually over video conference at this link:
https://bloomington.zoom.us/j/94918610625?pwd=UkptSG1zOCt5aE50U0Q5VWNLYnhrQT09
A map of the areas proposed for annexation and more information are available here.
Young votes to turn down President Biden’s Infrastructure Bill
Indiana US Senator Todd Young released a statement yesterday explaining how he ultimately voted in the Infrastructure Bill presented to the Senate for vote. Senator Young stated, “We wanted to let you know that Todd will vote ‘no’ on the infrastructure legislation currently being debated in the U.S. Senate. Unfortunately, the current version of this bill adds hundreds of billions to the national debt, according to a new score from the Congressional Budget Office, and now contains liberal priorities that have nothing to do with infrastructure.” He followed up by discussing the need for fiscally responsible investment in core infrastructure to grow wages and the economy. He promised to, “ . . . keep fighting for a real fix for America’s roads and bridges, one that doesn’t saddle future generations with more debt and liberal priorities.”
Attorney General Todd Rokita investigates Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda program
Attorney General Todd Rokita has launched an investigation into Valparaiso University’s association with the Confucius Institutes, which are alleged to function as a propaganda arm of the Chinese Communist Party. Confucius Institutes have operated for years within the state of Indiana. Rokita believes that Hoosiers deserve answers and transparency into the impact of these institutes on our schools and students. The Attorney General’s investigation seeks to uncover whether the Chinese government has attempted to exert political influence and manipulate the attitudes and beliefs of Hoosiers through their Confucius Institutes. Attorney General Rokita has issued a civil investigative demand to Valparaiso University to look into any possible violation of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act. The investigation is aimed at identifying and getting to the bottom of the true intent of any relationships between Valparaiso University’s programming and the Chinese Communist Party.
The Chinese Communist Party has made no secret regarding the intent and purposes of Confucius Institutes embedded in American universities. In a 2010 People’s Daily article, Chinese “Minister of Propaganda” Liu Yunshan said these institutes exist to “coordinate the efforts of overseas and domestic propaganda, [and] further create a favorable international environment for us.” He goes on to say, “With regard to key issues that influence our sovereignty and safety, we should actively carry out international propaganda battles against issuers such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan, human rights, and Falun Gong.”
These propaganda efforts are broadly referred to by China as the “United Front.” According to a report issued by the congressionally created United States–China Economic and Security Review Commission, “China uses what it calls ‘United Front’ work to co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party.”
Valparaiso University reported receiving more than $1.1 million from the Chinese government between 2010 and 2019. These documents filed by Valparaiso University with the U.S. Department of Education do not indicate precisely how this funding was used, but the university’s webpages explaining the partnership make clear that not only did programs target Valparaiso University students but also younger students through sponsorship of programs at area K-12 Indiana schools. In 2019, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations issued a bipartisan report on the threat posed by Confucius Institutes and similar entities.