Infighting, drama weigh on City-County Council as budget looms
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The Indianapolis City-County Council is in turmoil as it approaches a critical point in the calendar.
Why it matters: The city is about to enter its budget-writing season — important work that affects everyone who lives and works in Indianapolis that could be made more difficult or overshadowed by infighting and continued allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior.
The latest: Councilor Keith Graves has stepped down as the chair of the Education Committee amid allegations of physical and sexual assault in new reporting from IndyStar.
- He has denied the allegations.
Catch up quick: Graves is the latest in a string of city leaders to be accused of inappropriate conduct.
- Concerns about Mayor Joe Hogsett's texting behavior with some staffers emerged during the investigation of sexual harassment allegations against his former deputy, Thomas Cook.
- An investigation by an outside firm uncovered a "professionally inappropriate" workplace culture inside the City-County building.
State of play: Last week, Councilor Crista Carlino announced she was leaving the council's Democratic caucus after weeks of tension and internal conflict.
- Carlino is one of four councilors who have called on Hogsett to resign.
- She was also one of four council members who supported Councilor Jesse Brown's failed effort last week to oust council President Vop Osili and Vice President Ali Brown from their leadership positions following a dramatic meeting last month in which Lauren Roberts, one of Cook's accusers, was forcibly removed for going over the public-comment time limit.
The intrigue: Josh Bain is the only Republican on the Council to call for Hogsett to resign, although the others have also been critical of him.
What we're watching: Traditionally, Hogsett introduces his annual spending plan to the council in August and receives support from the majority.
- We'll be watching to see how Hogsett's proposal is received this year and how (or if) councilors work together over the coming months during what is expected to be a tighter budget year.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that one Republican councilor (not, as previously stated, no council Republican) has called for Hogsett's resignation.