Greetings!    

Our Thriving Communities, Thriving State project recently released an issue brief on domestic migration, which outlines the need for counties to sustain population growth outside of people merely moving from one Indiana county to another. Whether you are considering what policies and practices work best for Indiana or have zoned in on a specific Hoosier city and its challenges and success stories, it's so encouraging to hear the many ideas and proposals about our state's future. People are stepping up to put forth real solutions and to actually help guide the conversation toward real action.

In this issue, we look at ways to use our research to monitor and make recommendations for the fiscal health of local governments; a new national group, the Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration, and efforts to evaluate our country's public safety; and the Center for Civic Literacy's call to action to increase voter turnout on November 3 through the Electing Our Future series.

As you can see, our research and valued partnerships continue to shape discussions around what's happening in your communities, our state and around the country.

Thank you for your support. 

R. Mark Lawrance, Director

(317) 261-3010 mlawranc@iupui.edu
    @mlawranc
Our Work & Announcements
Counties' domestic migration 
Our latest Thriving Communities, Thriving State brief suggests that many counties in Indiana are only growing because individuals are relocating from other parts of the state.

Domestic Migration in Indiana Counties points out these patterns are not sustainable for long-term population growth as Indiana counties rely on one another's residents for population growth rather than residents of other states.  

The brief was written by Breanca Merritt, Research Analyst, and Drew Klacik, Senior Policy Analyst. 
   
Benchmarking Indiana's local governments
The authors of a continuing fiscal benchmarking project say they've run into challenges as they try to monitor Indiana local government financial data. Their concerns have implications for legislators and taxpayers.

Jamie Palmer, Senior Policy Analyst, is part of an advisory committee leading the project Fiscal Benchmarking for Indiana's Local Governments. 

Palmer and Craig Johnson, Associate Professor at SPEA Bloomington, have outlined recommended fixes designed to assist the Indiana General Assembly and the staff of the Department of Local Government Finance.

  

     
Riggs, top U.S. law enforcement urge end to mass incarceration
Troy Riggs and 129 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, and attorneys general from all 50 states have joined together as a surprising new voice calling for the end to unnecessary incarceration in the U.S. -- while maintaining public safety.        

"Too many people are in jail who don't deserve to be there, resulting in a breakdown in families, loss of jobs and children growing up without a parent," said Riggs, Director of Public Safety Outreach.

The new group, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration, is pushing reforms to reduce incarceration rates and strengthen public safety.

READ MORE  
Did you know?
The Center for Civic Literacy encourages more citizens to participate in the election process by voting in November and volunteering between elections.

Through its series Electing Our Future: A Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Indianapolis, the center conducted three public forums, which were facilitated by SPEA professor Sheila Kennedy. The discussions also featured expert panelists and community leaders including our own Troy Riggs.

To learn more, visit the Center for Civic Literacy's website:
  
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 State Flag

The Institute is collaborating with the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities to facilitate town hall meetings on disability issues throughout the state.

Feedback from the public meetings is guiding the Council's five-year strategic plan.

During each session, led by Senior Researcher  Laura Littlepage, participants discuss: 
  • Leadership 
  • Health care
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Transportation
  • Community support for children and adults
  • Legal justice/rights
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS 

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The IU Public Policy Institute delivers unbiased research and data-driven, objective, expert analysis to help public, private and nonprofit sectors make important decisions that directly impact quality of life in Indiana and throughout the nation.

 

 

 

 
Indiana University Public Policy Institute

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The IU Public Policy Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute within the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs.