State budget forecast slightly sunnier with another $200M in revenue expected
Indiana lawmakers in final negotiations over the next two-year state budget got some good news Wednesday about revenue projections for 2018 and 2019.
Hayleigh Colombo
Articles
Legislature abandons more lenient approach to Ricker’s situation
The Senate voted 40-8 to approve House Bill 1496, which would likely prevent Ricker’s from selling cold beer for carryout after its annual permits expire next year.
Republicans jockey to take on Donnelly in 2018
Indiana Republicans have more than 18 months before they attempt to unseat vulnerable Democrat U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly in the 2018 midterm election, but the race is already heating up.
Senate passes $32.1B budget that avoids cigarette tax hike
Now the House and Senate will take the next two weeks to hash out their differences on the state spending plan.
City to spend $3.8M on website overhaul
Indianapolis officials have started a two-year process for building a “modern, mobile-friendly” Indy.gov, intended make government services more efficient and accessible.
Ricker’s would get reprieve—for now—under measure approved by House panel
The convenience store chain would be able to keep the permits that two locations use to sell cold carryout beer—a hot-button issue for Indiana liquor stores. Renewing the permits might be trickier.
Governor says ATC followed the law letting Ricker’s sell cold beer
Holcomb said it’s up to the General Assembly to decide whether the law should be tweaked but he provided legislators no direction.
Holcomb: State won’t seek new bidder to replace failed Agile cell tower deal
The state will instead pursue individual leases of state cell towers.
As debate rages over pre-K funding, families already in program see gains
Fifty-one percent of respondents in an early state evaluation of the pre-K program said their families had been able to increase their work or school hours while their children participated in the program.
Senate’s $32.1B budget eschews cigarette tax hike
An Indiana Senate panel on Thursday advanced a two-year state budget plan with significant differences in funding for roads, entrepreneurship and education from the House’s plan.
Lawmakers consider tax breaks needed to bid for NBA All-Star Game
The Pacers—working with city officials and the Indiana Sports Corp.—are expected to bid for a future All-Star Game. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said he supports the idea of bringing the event to Indianapolis.
Indiana Senate to once again vote on schools superintendent bill
The Indiana Senate is set to consider a bill that makes the state superintendent of public instruction an official appointed by the governor instead of elected by voters—despite voting against a similar bill earlier this session.
Wise investment? Voucher system’s effectiveness tough to judge
Over six years, the state has spent more than a half billion dollars on vouchers. During that time, Indiana’s program has expanded, giving more students access to vouchers than in any other state—despite mixed evidence from researchers that vouchers help students achieve.
Holcomb urges Congressional support of jeopardized GOP health care bill
The fate of the Republicans’ health care bill hangs in the balance, but Gov. Eric Holcomb is giving it his support.
Reeling casinos seek breaks from Statehouse
Indiana lawmakers are working to keep afloat the state’s crippled casino industry in an effort to shore up declining tax revenue and spur investment.
Hogsett takes page from Hudnut era in new anti-littering effort
The city, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and Eli Lilly and Co. are teaming on a new initiative aimed at beautifying the city.
Hoosier inventor’s foundation gives UIndy $5M to start engineering school
The university said the gift from the R.B. Annis Educational Foundation “will advance the university’s strategy to address Indiana’s increasing demand for skilled engineers and STEM-related professions.”
Indiana Democrats raise alarm bells on Medicaid cuts
Indiana officials are sounding alarm bells about a plan by Republicans in Congress to cut Medicaid spending.
Council panel OKs $148K to fund ‘economic recovery coordinator’
The person hired for the position is expected to help workers from Carrier Corp. and Rexnord Corp. who are about to lose their jobs—along with trying to help revitalize old industrial sites.
Parks director wants city parks to spark change
Indy Parks recently finalized a five-year master plan, which was adopted Feb. 1 by the Metropolitan Development Commission.