State waiting on federal guidance to process new unemployment enhancements
The coronavirus relief bill adds an additional $300 per week in federal unemployment benefits for individuals for another 11 weeks.
Lindsey Erdody
Articles
Lawmakers seek to shield businesses from COVID lawsuits
Several state lawmakers have been drafting coronavirus immunity legislation over the past several months as efforts in Congress to pass federal legislation have stalled.
Holcomb’s agenda calls for increasing K-12 funding, continuing existing programs
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday morning announced his 2021 legislative agenda, which largely focuses on continuing projects and programs his administration has already been pursuing.
State makes plans for $650M in remaining CARES Act money as deadline nears
The state received $2.4 billion earlier this year from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was established in the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act. The funding must be used for pandemic-related expenses incurred before Dec. 30.
State tax revenue outlook better than lawmakers expected, but cuts still possible
According to a revenue forecast presented to the State Budget Committee on Wednesday morning, tax receipts for the state’s general fund—essentially its main checking account—will total $34.95 billion for the next two-year budget, which will start in July.
Teacher pay commission says $600M needed to address pay shortfalls
The Teacher Pay Commission released its findings Monday in a 183-page report that includes 13 recommendations for school corporations and 24 steps state government can take to improve teacher pay.
COVID puts Legislature in fiscal vise in upcoming budget session
Leaders promise K-12 education will be the top priority, but they also acknowledge that every line item in the spending plan is at risk of cuts.
Q&A: Talking politics, history and business with Robert Vane
In 2019, Republican Robert Vane launched a podcast called “Leaders and Legends” as a way to help promote his media relations and communications business.
Caesars planning $30M expansion of Indiana Grand
The project will add 26,000 square feet of gaming space including a live poker room to the Shelbyville casino.
Little about the next legislative session will be normal—maybe not even when it starts
Republican leaders are confident the General Assembly can meet safely and still let the public have input, but Democrats are skeptical.
Indiana GOP selects first class for its inaugural diversity program
On Thursday, the state party released the names of 17 people who will be in the first class, and the list includes a mix of Black and Hispanic individuals and a member of the LGBTQ community.
Top Indiana GOP lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston has been experiencing mild symptoms and is quarantining at home, his office announced Thursday morning.
Indiana set to receive more than 55,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week
Dr. Lindsay Weaver, the state’s chief medical officer, said the state has been told it will receive 55,575 initial doses of the Pfizer vaccine next week.
UPDATE: Holcomb directs state’s hospitals to delay non-emergency procedures
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said he was directing hospitals across the state “to postpone or reschedule non-emergent procedures done in the in-patient hospital setting” from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3 to ensure they are not overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana museums to receive $8 million from Lilly Endowment
The Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded more than $43 million to 18 museums and cultural organizations across the country, including four in Indiana.
INDOT awards $101M in local road funding grants
The funding is part of the Community Crossings grant program, which provides matching state dollars for local road and bridge construction projects. Interstate or state highway projects are not eligible for funding.
Indiana GOP chairman joining law firm as partner
Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer will focus on general corporate law and strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and government relations for Taft Stettinius & Hollister, the law firm announced Monday.
Combined state, local incentives for Elanco total at least $150M
The total doesn’t include the value of the land the state will give to Elanco Animal Health for the project. Even so, the combined city and state package is possibly the largest amount of tax breaks ever considered for an economic development deal in Indiana.
Business leaders say focus must remain on racial inequality for years to come
During IBJ’s Engage Indiana 2020 virtual event Thursday morning, Eli Lilly & Co. CEO Dave Ricks said he always believed enhancing diversity and inclusion was important, but this year showed him how serious a problem racial injustice is and fueled his motivation to do more to address it.
Pandemic exacerbates Salvation Army’s red kettle fundraising woes
This year could be tougher than ever, as already-existing hurdles, such as a decrease in foot traffic and steady decline in how many people carry cash, are exacerbated by COVID-19.