I’ve been thinking a lot about momentum lately or as the late-great Congressman Mo Udall dubbed it, “The Big Mo”.

Not the buzzword kind, but the real kind—the real McCoy that shapes how a community sees itself and how the outside world sees us. The kind that encourages someone to visit for the first time, to come back for the tenth, or to take a leap and build a life here.

That’s why the success of the IU football team this season matters so much—We want the storybook sequel that lives beyond the falling confetti, cheering fans, and the Hoosiers' first National Championship.

Yes, this run has brought excitement. Yes, it’s created packed restaurants, watch parties, alumni gatherings, and a jolt of energy downtown. But the real value of this moment goes far beyond a single game or weekend.

It’s about narratives. And Bloomington needs a new one.

Economic competitiveness does not happen by chance. It is built over time through consistent investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the systems that support a skilled workforce.

Chambers of Commerce often engage on tax policy through the lens of growth, investment, and long-term economic competitiveness. Businesses also depend on fiscal stability and predictability. Oklahoma’s experience with tax reform offers a cautionary lesson—not because tax reform itself is flawed, but because the structure of how it is implemented matters (Pew Charitable Trusts; National Conference of State Legislatures).

For Indiana lawmakers, the takeaway is straightforward: tax policy only strengthens competitiveness when it is fiscally sustainable.

What Happened in Oklahoma
Beginning in the mid-2000s, Oklahoma enacted permanent income tax cuts while relying heavily on oil and gas revenues to balance its budget. During periods of high energy prices, this approach appeared manageable. When prices fell, revenues collapsed. The tax cuts, however, remained in place (Pew Charitable Trusts; National Conference of State Legislatures).

This mismatch created structural budget instability. Oklahoma faced recurring shortfalls and relied on one-time fixes rather than long-term solutions.
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From a business perspective, this matters. Employers make investment decisions based on certainty. Fiscal volatility introduces risk and limits long-term planning.

While overall crime rates remain relatively stable, businesses continue to experience frequent nuisance behavior—such as trespassing, loitering, and repeat disruptions—that drives increased calls for service and strains public safety resources. 

​These incidents may seem minor in isolation, but over time they create real costs: lost business, employee turnover, higher insurance premiums, clean-up bills, and a sense that public spaces are less welcoming. Property owners need clearer tools. 

One practical, underused tool available to commercial property owners is the Criminal Trespass Authorization form through the City of Bloomington Police Department.

Why this matters
Under Indiana law, police can only issue a trespass warning or take enforcement action if the property owner has granted authorization. Without it, officers are often limited in what they can do—leading to repeated calls with little long-term resolution.

By completing this form, property owners:

• Formally authorize BPD to act as their agent for trespass enforcement
• Enable officers to issue trespass advisements that can last up to 180 days
• Create clearer, more consistent enforcement for repeat offenders
• Help protect tenants, employees, customers, and neighboring businesses

This is not about criminalizing hardship or asking police to conduct routine patrols (the form explicitly notes they cannot). It is about giving law enforcement the legal authority they need when a call is made to address repeat trespassing.