Lawmakers advance bill for picking Marion County judges
With the previous selection process deemed unconstitutional, a legislative panel has boosted a bill advocating merit-based picks and keeping a partisan balance on the bench.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Lawmaker drops pay-hike push for governor, others
An Indiana lawmaker has decided to withdraw his proposal that would’ve given a big pay increase to the governor and other top elected state officeholders.
GOP lawmakers draw criticism for calling tax hikes ‘user fees’
The Indiana GOP is facing a public relations challenge as it tries to sell a plan to raise road funding that would increase the state’s fuel tax while charging an additional $15 for vehicle registration.
Toyota to add 400 jobs, sink $600M into Indiana SUV factory
The factory will be able to build 40,000 more Highlanders per year when the expansion is finished in the fall of 2019.
Indy housing agency’s development arm promotes new leader
Jennifer Green, an agency veteran who previously led the city’s efforts to develop Fall Creek Place, is the new president of Insight Development Corp.
City lands $55M in federal tax credits for economic development projects
Mayor Joe Hogsett said the award of the New Markets Tax Credits will provide gap financing for "developments designed to jump-start economic development, create jobs in at-risk areas and revitalize distressed neighborhoods.”
Carmel’s redevelopment strategy paying off, IU study says
The city of Carmel’s huge investment of public dollars into its central core has paid off when it comes to generating economic activity, jobs and additional investment in the area, according to a new study by the IU Public Policy Institute.
UPDATE: Indiana lawmaker proposes big pay increase for governor, others
The measure by Republican state Sen. Randy Head comes as legislators are considering a tax increase to fund infrastructure projects.
State lawmaker apologies for ‘fat women’ meme
An Indiana state senator regrets an “offensive” message about women who attended the Women’s March on Washington, but says he doesn’t know how it was posted to his Facebook account.
Indiana prison medical chief works for private Illinois firm
The chief medical officer for Indiana's prison system held an overlapping position with a for-profit Illinois company that provides health care to correctional facilities in more than a dozen states, according to a published report.
Pence’s ability to keep Indiana interests in mind likely limited
Much has changed in recent decades to reduce the ability of White House leaders from wielding undue influence when it comes to helping individual states.
‘Draining the swamp’ easier said than done for presidents
There’s a reality to perennial promises to clean up Washington, D.C.: No one, even those knee-deep in it, considers himself or herself to be part of “the swamp.”
Indiana lawmakers seek changes to laws on property seizure
Eight bills have been submitted this legislative session to reform the state's civil forfeiture law.
Trump vows to ‘confront hardships’ as he and Pence are sworn in
In his inaugural speech, the new president described closed factories as "tombstones" that dot the country and said the federal government has spent billions defending "other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own."
Local hotel revenue growth beats national average
Through November, downtown Indianapolis hotels saw their revenue increase 8 percent over the same period a year ago, far ahead of the national average of 4.9 percent.
Holcomb opts for team of veterans
All but a handful of the nearly 50 agency heads, cabinet members and key staff members Holcomb has selected worked in either the Daniels or Pence administrations—or both.
City unveils plans for City-County Building plaza revamp
The latest design plan, from Rundell Ernstberger Associates, is ready more than two years after a more expensive version was selected and ultimately scrapped due to its cost.
Lawmaker’s bill targets protesters obstructing traffic
An Indiana lawmaker says disturbing newscasts of chaotic and sometimes violent protests across the United States helped lead him to propose a bill that would direct police to use "any means necessary" to break up mass gatherings that block traffic.
Bill would allow property owners to lease rooms, homes
Under a bill proposed Tuesday, cities and towns in Indiana wouldn't be permitted to ban short-term rentals that are found on websites such as Airbnb.
Celadon planning to add 375 jobs as part of expansion
The Indianapolis-based trucking and logistics company, which is building a $28 million corporate campus in Hancock County, has been approved for almost $3 million in state economic incentives.