Could Indiana spend its $3B from feds on a one-time, impactful investment?
The state has an estimated $3 billion in federal funding coming its way. IBJ decided to ask what would happen if officials did something big and bold with the money.
Lindsey Erdody
Articles
White River could become a national-park-like amenity
Improving a 58-mile stretch of the White River and taking advantage of the natural resource that flows through the Indianapolis area has been on local leaders’ wish list for years.
Volunteers key to city’s March Madness efforts
Volunteers are coordinating bus transportation for teams, running to the store for toothpaste for players, sanitizing practice courts, doing laundry for the teams, beautifying the city with new trees, picking up trash, setting up seating pods in the venues and assisting out-of-town media and other guests with just about anything they may need.
Holcomb says he will veto legislation that allows lawmakers to call ’emergency sessions’
The final version of House Bill 1123, which would create what would be called an “emergency session,” could pass out of both chambers as early as Thursday.
Lilly Endowment awards more than $93M in grants to address poverty in Indianapolis
The grants, which range from $180,000 to more than $8 million each, will be awarded to 28 Indianapolis-based organizations to fund new programs aimed at financial security or expand existing programs that address poverty-related challenges.
State Senate passes legislation to create new emergency session
The Indiana Senate has passed legislation that would give lawmakers the power to convene at any time during a statewide public emergency and more oversight over federal stimulus dollars.
Volunteers wash more than 12 tons of laundry for NCAA Tournament teams
Perhaps the least glamorous—yet important—volunteer task for March Madness has been collecting, washing and drying the dirty uniforms for the players and personnel for 68 teams in the tournament.
Gambling bill could help bars recover
Senate Bill 245 would double the prize limits for certain pull-tab games and allow the 1,242 bars and taverns with Type II gaming licenses to offer sports-themed pull-tab games and tip boards.
Indiana Gaming Commission fines Spectacle $530K for slow removal of CEO
The 53-day lag between when the commission ordered Spectacle to remove Rod Ratcliff from his role as an owner to when the company complied was unacceptable, according to Gaming Commission Executive Director Sara Gonso Tait.
State to open vaccines to all adults March 31, nix mask mandate on April 6
In a statewide address Tuesday evening, Gov. Eric Holcomb said he will also let statewide capacity restrictions expire.
Holcomb extends state income tax filing deadline
In addition to giving taxpayers more time to file their state taxes, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s executive order also extends the temporary licensing of health care workers.
Indiana Senate doubles funding for small-biz grant program, sends bill back to House
The legislation, authored by Rep. Shane Lindauer, R-Jasper, would provide grants of $10,000 per month, with a maximum award amount of $50,000.
Schmuhl elected chairman for Indiana Democratic Party
Mike Schmuhl, former presidential campaign manager for Pete Buttigieg, will replace outgoing chair John Zody, who has held the position since 2013.
Limited capacity at Hinkle Fieldhouse doesn’t dim experience for fans
Even with most of the seats empty, the roar of fans could be heard outside Hinkle Fieldhouse on Friday afternoon as Virginia Tech hit a three-pointer in the final seconds to send the game into overtime.
Legislation to extend timeline for Indy Eleven stadium heads to governor
The Indiana House on Thursday voted 83-6 to approve Senate Bill 385, which adds two years to a 2019 bill that had called for a new special tax district—known as a professional sports development area, or PSDA—to be established in Marion County by mid-2022.
The $3B question: How will Indiana spend the next round of federal aid?
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration oversaw and directed the spending of the $2.4 billion CARES Act money Indiana received last year, but this time around, it seems more likely that state lawmakers will be involved in spending decisions.
Indiana Grand expansion to create more than 100 jobs
The 25,000-square-foot expansion to the Shelbyville casino will provide space for more slot machines and additional gaming tables, plus upgrade its poker facilities.
Police reform bill heads to governor’s desk after 49-0 Senate vote
House Bill 1006, which would largely ban the use of chokeholds, penalize police officers for intentionally turning off body and vehicle cameras, and make it easier for the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board to decertify bad-acting officers.
State lawmakers debate whether to increase weight limits for trucks
Manufacturers and trucking groups are supportive of the legislation, but opponents, including law enforcement agencies, have raised concerns about possible damage to state infrastructure and safety on the roads.
Senate committee passes legislation to establish regional crime gun task force
The task force would expand on a partnership between the Fishers Police Department and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department that officials say has already helped reduce crime in the area.