DCS staffing levels nearly full statewide, but lacking in some areas
Of the Department of Child Services’ 19 regions, 10 meet staffing standards and an additional four have at least 90% of the staff they need. The statewide staffing level is 99%.
Whitney Downard, Indiana Capital Chronicle
Articles
Senate committees for elections, commerce get new chairpeople
Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, will helm the senate committee on elections, while Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon, will lead the senate committee on commerce and technology.
Noblesville mayor pushes state to invest in local mental health programs
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen is calling on the Indiana General Assembly to establish the Indiana Community Cares Initiative, a grant program to shore up local paramedicine programs that proactively address issues in their communities.
Doden, Braun exchange shots over qualified immunity, IEDC record
Indiana gubernatorial candidates Eric Doden and U.S. Sen. Mike Braun traded jabs Wednesday over the legal practice of qualified immunity and the use of state tax dollars in economic development—an escalation in the 2024 race to succeed Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Candidates Chambers, Hill release gubernatorial proposals
One GOP candidate for governor proposed massive tax changes Wednesday while another outlined a plan to strengthen public safety.
State health care panel adopts final report, targets prior authorizations
The interim Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force unanimously agreed on a final report Monday detailing seven recommended legislative proposals for the upcoming session.
State, localities starting to spend $507M share from National Opioid Settlement
Almost a year after distributions started from the National Opioid Settlement, only $7.1 million has been put to use so far in Indiana as local units of government wrestle with how to make the most of the payments.
Ten state agencies spent more than $5M on spot bonuses over two years
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. doesn’t have the largest employee headcount, but the relatively small state agency spent an outsized amount of taxpayer dollars on spot bonuses totaling $1.2 million over two years.
Secretary of State Morales doles out $308K in spot bonuses
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales has given a spot bonus to nearly every employee in his office this year—including a family member and his former campaign manager.
State lawmaker drainage task force fumbles on final report
Sen. Jean Leising called it the “most miserable task force or interim committee meeting I have ever been a part of.”
State finalizing potential $15 billion in managed care contracts
The agency tasked with managing Indiana’s Medicaid program has recommended four different managed care entities as potential managers when the new program starts in July 2024.
Maxwell sworn in to Indiana Senate, succeeds Perfect
Indiana’s newest State Sen. Randy Maxwell, a Republican from Guilford, was sworn in Thursday by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush.
Holcomb: Indiana prepared for possible federal government shutdown
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb told the press Wednesday that the state was prepared for what appears to be an imminent federal government shutdown that would affect nearly 24,000 Hoosiers.
Number of Hoosiers without health insurance declines
The report credits increased insurance coverage in Indiana to an enrollment uptick in public health insurance options, such as Medicaid, rather than any significant change in private insurance plans.
Gubernatorial candidate Chambers launches first campaign ad
Brad Chambers’ campaign said the one-minute video was backed by a seven-figure ad buy across the state. It came just 21 days after he entered the race.
Campaign finance contribution case on Indiana Supreme Court’s docket
Thursday’s hearing dealt with whether Indiana’s election code prohibits or limits corporate contributions to political action committees that engage in independent campaign-related expenditures.
Jobs for America’s Graduates program to expand in Indiana
The number of Jobs for America’s Graduates, or JAG, programs in Indiana will double from 125 to 250 by the end of the next school year, according to Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Chambers’ record for political donations shows some bipartisan support
As owner of Buckingham Cos., a real estate firm, gubernatorial candidate Brad Chambers made 51 contributions between 1997 and 2022, according to records from the Federal Election Commission, as well as nine additional donations detailed by the Indiana Secretary of State’s campaign finance portal.
85 counties opt in for enhanced public health funding before deadline
Johnson County accounts for the bulk of the funding that the dissenting counties will forego. It qualified for up to $2.1 million.
Tony Dungy not-for-profit All Pro Dad gets state dollars, but little scrutiny
Legislators in 2021 decided to allocate $250,000 each budget year to All Pro Dad. The General Assembly upped the amount to $350,000 earlier this year.