New Indiana professional licensing agency boss named
Lindsay Hyer has been named executive director of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, succeeding Deborah Frye, who is retiring after seven years in the role.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Senate vote to protect same-sex marriage reflects years-long political shift
The Respect for Marriage Act, once repassed by the House and signed by President Joe Biden, will help protect recognition of same-sex marriages, enforced by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, against future legal challenges.
Indiana pension system lost $200M-plus in Russia-Ukraine fallout
Indiana’s pension system lost $200 million in two months after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, but that’s loose change for a system with $45.8 billion in assets invested all over the world.
Indiana lawmakers, teacher unions outline education priorities for General Assembly
Indiana’s top Republican lawmakers said they plan to prioritize school choice and enact a plan to “reinvent” high school education during the next legislative session. Teacher unions have other priorities.
Luke Kenley: State must boost public health spending
The former chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee will testify before that same committee to ask lawmakers to allocate an additional quarter-of-a-billion dollars annually toward public health programs.
Governor’s panel pushes strategic, practical workforce changes to prep state for job growth
On the group’s list of recommendations are creating an Indiana Talent Agency, more flexibility in high school diplomas, removal of barriers for child care workers, and incentives for colleges to funnel students into STEM fields.
Early voting numbers down from last midterm election
About 75,000 people have already voted in Marion County heading into Election Day on Tuesday, according the county’s election board.
Noblesville leaders expand scope of planned Innovation Mile
City leaders expect a stretch of undeveloped agricultural land on the city’s southeast side to become Hamilton County’s next epicenter of innovation.
State plans sweeping reduction of standards for K-12 students
The Indiana Department of Education is supposed to seek input from businesses, industries, and postsecondary institutions about what characteristics students need to succeed in order to help inform the new standards.
State-led coalition vying for federal funds to create a hydrogen hub
The Indiana Economic Development Corp., along with public and private partners, is hoping for a piece of $7 billion in grants to establish northwestern Indiana as one of a handful of hydrogen hubs nationwide.
Biden signs international climate deal to limit refrigerants
More than 130 nations, including China, India and Russia, have formally ratified the agreement, which compels countries to limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons.
Indiana lawmakers approve recommendations for new education policy
The bipartisan interim education committee approved its report unanimously after hearing testimony last week from education advocates, school officials and business leaders.
Indiana GOP leaders discuss increased funding for mental health
Republican leaders seemed optimistic they could secure funding for mental health during the 2023 budget-writing session, despite the numerous priorities warring for monies from the state’s healthy surplus.
Candidates for new House seats in suburbs make their pitches
Three Indiana House districts—new or heavily redrawn by the Legislature in 2020 because of population growth north of Indianapolis—are being contested for the first time.
Approach to fighting crime divides candidates for prosecutor
Marion County voters will have a distinct choice to make on Nov. 8. Democratic Prosecutor Ryan Mears and Republican challenger Cyndi Carrasco couldn’t be further apart on some key issues.
Wabash River could be solution to Boone County’s development needs
To meet the water demands of an innovation district planned for just north of Lebanon, state officials are exploring the idea of tapping into the Wabash aquifer in Tippecanoe County.
Indiana’s soaring health care costs linked to market concentration
A high concentration of hospital, physician and insurance markets in Indiana have likely contributed to health care costs soaring 48% in a recent nine-year period, according to a new study commissioned by state lawmakers.
State energy group takes cautious approach in industry transition to renewables
The task force approved 13 recommendations in a draft final report that could result in proposed legislation during the session in January.
Health and Hospital board ignores protesters, takes no action on Medicaid case
More than two dozen activists and lawmakers pushed the board to drop the suit, known as Talevski v. Health and Hospital Corp. of Marion County, which the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Nov. 8.
IRS increases standard deductions, tax brackets due to inflation
Taxpayers will get fatter standard deductions for 2023 and all seven federal income tax bracket levels will be revised upward as the government allows people to shield more of their money from taxation.