Ballard Solution For IndyGo: Borrow From Peter To Pay Paul

If I didn't know better, I would think Greg Ballard is really former Mayor Bart Peterson. Ballard has come up with another budget gimmick to put out the fire brewing among users of the IndyGo public bus system after his administration proposed route cuts, para transit cuts and fare increases to fill a budget hole of more than $3 million. A press release explains Ballard's plan to borrow from Peter to pay Paul:

The proposed short-term solution leverages existing dollars from a number of sources, including IndyGo’s existing general operating balance, the rebalancing of IndyGo’s revenues in 2011 between operating and capital, the use of a $5 million line of credit, and other IndyGo reserves. The stop-gap measure would be used to prevent fare increases and route terminations through 2011.

A stop-gap measure to avoid cuts through 2011. In other words, we're not going to deal with this problem until after the next election. Ballard told the media he thinks that a regional approach is needed as a long-term solution. In other words, he wants the taxpayers in the surrounding counties to join Marion County in paying a new tax to fund a regional transportation system. It's the Chicago Way.

Ballard recently announced an unspecified plan to plug a hole in the library board's budget to prevent the closure of six branches, largely in economically-challenged communities. Ballard's administration has gotten an earful lately from a disconcerted public which is wondering why Ballard is doing back flips to find the money for a $15 million a year subsidy for the billionaire Simons and their Indiana Pacers while basic services are being cut. Ballard is simply trying to tamp down the firestorms at IndyGo and the library through next year's election with these band-aids so he can do what he really wants to do and give more money to the Pacers. He recently announced a $10 million plan to turn Georgia Street downtown into an entertainment area as part of the City's preparations for hosting the 2012 Super Bowl using federal funds. So much for Ballard's promise not to use taxpayer dollars on the Super Bowl. If someone could explain to me the difference between Ballard's policies and Peterson's policies, please do so. Had enough, Indy?

UPDATE: Here's another observation about our Mayor's priorities. It's Memorial Day Weekend but only one-third of the City's pools will be opening. The remainder will open in June. Ballard decided to permanently close two pools. And while his parks department made some much-needed improvements to other pools, the City last year made those renovations during an already shortened summer season of operation in order to avoid opening them to save additional money. It truly reflects the low priority he gives to common people in comparison to the always first-served billionaire sports team owners and their sports palaces.