Justice center deal tests transparency laws
Three teams competing to partner with Indianapolis on a half-billion-dollar criminal justice complex shaped the city’s yet-to-be released specifications in closed-door meetings.
Kathleen McLaughlin
Articles
State pension fund sees wave of retirements prior to rate drop
The Indiana Public Retirement System lowered the interest rate on its annuity savings accounts on Oct. 1, possibly contributing to a 35-percent jump in retirements for state and local government workers this year.
Library plans $59M in new branches, upgrades
Indianapolis Public Library officials are seeking approval from the city to borrow funds to renovate, relocate and build entirely new branches across the city. Despite growing emphasis on digital media, library visits are increasing, they say.
Council OKs $70m road bond
The borrowing plan will target streets and sidewalks across the city. Also on Monday night, City-County Councilors approved a $1 billion city budget.
City-County Council to vote on $70M bond issue for roads
The plan scales back Mayor Greg Ballard’s original proposal for borrowing $150 million to help handle street repair.
New bus service to deliver workers to warehouse districts
Two reverse-commute routes will serve the north Plainfield and Whitestown warehouse districts, taking workers from Indianapolis to major employers like Amazon, GNC, Ingram Micro and Tempur Sealy.
Highway interests seek silos for state transportation funds
As Indiana charts a path out of its transportation-funding shortfalls, highway-building interests are moving to cordon off their share of future revenue.
UPDATE: Amtrak angles to keep control of Hoosier State route
A little-used, delay-plagued passenger rail line from Indianapolis to Chicago has become a battleground, as Amtrak tries to fend off competition invited by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Food distributor to open natural-gas fueling station
Indianapolis-based Delco Foods plans to break ground Wednesday on a new compressed natural gas fueling station at 8775 Zionsville Road to serve its own delivery fleet as well as the public.
Access counselor doubts city’s need for secrecy on RFP
Indiana Public Access Counselor Luke Britt told the city of Indianapolis that he wasn't swayed by its reasons for withholding its request for proposals for a new $500 million criminal justice complex.
The Interview Issue: Scott Pelath
Democrat Scott Pelath, the minority leader in the House of Representatives, said he has an important role to play despite the dominance of the GOP.
The Interview Issue: Sarah Taylor
One job of the Hoosier Lottery executive director is to make government friendly.
The Interview Issue: Richard Lugar
Richard Lugar is president of the Lugar Center, a Washington, D.C., think tank focusing on nuclear non-proliferation, food security and other issues. Lugar, 82, represented Indiana in the U.S. Senate from 1977 to 2013.
New area code on tap for Indianapolis region
The telecommunications industry wants to add a new area code for the parts of central Indiana covered by 317. The bottom line for all residents: 10-digit dialing would be required for local calls.
Lean years loom for Capital Improvement Board
The Capital Improvement Board is headed for lean years, but it’s not for a lack of resources. The entity that oversees downtown convention and sports venues faces payment of two big debts.
Sports Corp., Speedway make way for new leadership
The change of guard at Indiana Sports Corp. will take place in late October, giving Ryan Vaughn time to finish out negotiations for the city’s 2015 budget, currently under review by the City-County Council.
State expands program excusing some workplaces from surprise inspections
Cited for lax enforcement in the past, Indiana’s workplace safety agency wants to recruit more companies into an honor-system program that takes them off the list for surprise inspections.
Legislators to reconsider aid for struggling casinos
Indiana legislators were lukewarm to assistance for casinos in 2013, but two years of declining revenue and new leadership on the issue could change their minds.
Paper companies sue over Indianapolis recycling deal
A lawsuit filed by two paper companies and an Indianapolis resident seeks to invalidate a city agreement with Covanta to build a $45 million recycling center.
Indianapolis council OKs public safety tax hike
In a 19-10 bipartisan vote, the Indianapolis City-County Council approved a hike in the public-safety income tax. The 43-percent increase will bring the total local income tax rate to 1.77 percent.