The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page A1

FIND OUT WHO WON PACERS COME UP SHORT AST NIGHT'S GAMES AGAINST NUGGETS Tech beats Cathedral in overtime. C9 Indiana loses to Denver, 92-89. Cl LAST NIGHT'S GAMES Tech beats Cathedral in overtime. C9 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2012 CITY EDITION A GANNETT COMPANY "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" II COR. 3:17 g-fdiflag 1E2111 sa cq )ri See store for details.

Looking for things to do? You'll find plenty of holiday happenings around town, including a tree lighting, breakfast with St. Nick and an updated version of "The Nutcracker." A6 Today's weather LOW: 46 HIGH: 51 More rain is likelythis weekend. Details, 138 Things to do 1410 a 1 A Indiana has own 'fiscal cliff' Justices to rule on gay marriage Federal budget LLILI al L)LLLILI. 0.74zIE VEXILLOLOGY (vekrsi ldrie the study of flags 4 VEXILLOLOGY (vekrsi lane the study of flags 1 i iN s' t4'Z' -1 11'k'''', I li. 1 Nt Ft, IF 71 it'f---x 41) Supreme Court to review 2 cases that raise the issue WITH FLYING COLORS decisions will have big impact on Hoosier state By Maureen Groppe Gannett Washington Bureau WASHINGTON Higher taxes.

Fewer jobs. Less federal assistance. That is the scenario Hoosiers could face if Congress is unable to steer clear of the fast-approaching "fiscal cliff" the large tax hikes and spending cuts set to kick in next month. How dire could it be? The state's economy could shrink by about 0.9 percent, and there could be 36,500 fewer jobs next year, according to estimates by Ball State's Center for Business and Economic Research. The effects would $13.2 be broad and BILLION deep: Indi- ana's state tax revenues Indiana's annual could go share over the down, and its next 25 years if federal fithe federal nancial sup- budget is cut by port which $16 trillion.

makes up more than one-third of state expenditures would be reduced. Most Hoosiers would pay more taxes. Federal employees in Indiana could be furloughed. Doctors, hospitals and other Medicare providers would be paid less. And those who rely on federal programs to heat their homes, retrain for a new job, educate a special-needs child or receive other services could receive less aid.

Such effects may be significant, but they shouldn't be surprising, said Ball State economist Michael J. Hicks, if the nation wants to get rid of its more than $16 trillion in debt an amount roughly equal to the state's annual budget. Part of the "fiscal cliff" $1.2 trillion in automatic cuts to the Pentagon and domestic programs over the next decade were set in motion by a 2011 congressional deal with the White House to raise the debt ceiling, or the legal limit on what the U.S. By Michael Doyle Mc Catchy Newspapers WASHINGTON The Supreme Court turned to same-sex marriage Friday in a big way by agreeing to review a California ballot measure that banned it and a federal law that blocks benefits for married same-sex couples. In an ambitious move, the justices agreed to second-guess a lower court's decision striking down California's Proposition 8.

Simultaneously, they agreed to consider challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which blocks same-sex married couples from receiving a host of federal ben- The Defense efits. The separate of Marriage cases, to be heard Act blocks next year, will thrust the often-divided same- sex high court into hot ri political territory marrie and tricky constitu- couples from tional terrain. receiving a It "tees up the fun- damental question of host ol whether the Consti- federal tution's promise of equality for all per- benefits. sons applies to gay men and lesbians when it comes to marriage," declared David Gans, the civil rights director of the Constitutional Accountability Center, which supports gay marriage. Meeting in a private session Friday morning, justices had to pick and choose among 10 appeals that deal in some fashion with same-sex marriage.

Eight of the appeals cases challenged the federal Defense of Marriage Act. One appeal involved an Arizona law on benefits for state workers and one dealt with California's Proposition 8. The justices' action came a day after Maryland issued its first same-sex marriage licenses, after voters approved a ballot The Defense of Marriage Act blocks same-sex married couples from receiving a host of federal benefits. Indianapolis' flag gets high marks from experts, even if it's rarely seen symbolism. basic North American Association See JUSTICES, Page A4 By Will Higgins will.higginsindystancom Three things you didn't know: 1) Indianapo- us' city flag's 50th anniversary is this year.

2) Vexillologists (people who study flags) say it stands out, that it's one terrific flag. 3) Indianapolis has a city flag. With its intersecting lines rep- 5 GUIDELINE! resenting Washington and Mend- FOR DESIGNI fi ian streets, the flag is illustrative A GREAT Hi of Indianapolis' "Crossroads of Keep it simple. Use meaningful syr6 America" status. And with its Use just two or thre( tight selection process the colors.

No lettering or seals only ones to weigh in, back in Be distinctive. 1962, were a handful of white Source: Vexiiioio males the flag is illustrative DO YOU KNOW If( also of the top-down way the city FLAGS? Try matching used to do business. ing of banners to the i represent. All The flag is a thick, white cross over a blue background, the horizontal bar representing Washington, the vertical bar Meridian. At their intersection is a circle Monument Circle, duh and inside the circle a white star against a red background symbolizing Indianapolis as Indiana's capital city and commercial center.

5 GUIDELINES FOR DESIGNING A GREAT FLAG "Keep it simple. Use meaningful Use just two or three colors. "No lettering or seals. "Be distinctive. Source: Vexillological DO YOU KNOW FLAGS? Try matching of banners to the represent.

All See CLIFF, Page A4 IN TODAY'S STAR YOUR CITY a smattering cities they 6 0,7:4 MOLESTERS SOMETIMES SEE THEIR SENTENCES CUT BACK Sentences for child molesters are being reduced on appeal too often in Indiana, complain advocates for victims. B1 THE COMPANY BEHIND THE STADIUM'S NAME Forrest Lucas of Lucas Oil Products talks about his business empire. A15 IT'S EASY TO FIND GIFTS FOR GARDENERS Among the offerings to consider for the holidays: terrariums, ornaments and plant tags that actually work. D1 ROBERT SCHEER THE STAR Mike Pence still wants to cut Indiana's income tax rate by 10 percent. See FLAG, Page All INDEX), Business A15 Classifieds B5-7 Comics E3-4 Deaths B4 Editorials A16 Lottery A2 Puzzles E1-3 Scoreboard ell IJMIt'ljL11111 RETAIL $1.00 317.872.9664 At'1; A Irrp 111 AV.

4N, it -111 I F. cfft Certificates ('!" the 1 0 7 yerfect glft! 1 FOR GIFT CERTIFICATES OR TICKETS CALL OW 0 qr IHROUG ci 317.872.9664 li i I WWW.BEEFANDBOARDS.COM.