Council set to begin debate on proposed transit tax
The proposal begins its journey through the governmental process this week, and Indianapolis City-County Council is set to vote on the matter Feb. 27.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Trump has taken few steps to disentangle from private empire
President-elect Donald Trump continues to own or control some 500 companies that make up the Trump Organization, creating a tangle of potential conflicts of interest without precedent in modern U.S. history.
Coats’ career as lawmaker, lobbyist runs counter to Trump’s convictions
Former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats, in line to be national intelligence director, has swung back and forth between government service and lobbying, the type of Washington career that President-elect Donald Trump has mocked.
Interactive built building, reaped city tax break for unrealized job surge
Interactive Intelligence in 2014 said it would add 430 Hoosier employees—plans it leveraged to hash out city and state tax incentive agreements. But it's local employment hasn't changed much since.
Proposed bill will seek to make Indiana school chiefs appointed, not elected
Gov.-Elect Eric Holcomb on Thursday announced he wants to make Indiana’s elected superintendent of public instruction a governor-appointed position. House Speaker Brian Bosma is set to author the bill.
Indiana mayor joins crowded field to lead national Democrats
A little-known mayor from Indiana on Thursday joined a crowded field of candidates seeking to become the next head of the Democratic National Committee.
Trump selects former Sen. Coats for top intelligence post
The role would thrust the 73-year-old Coats, who retired from the U.S. Senate last year, into the center of the intelligence community the president-elect has publicly challenged.
State’s dubious vaping law to get big overhaul
Sen. Randy Head of Logansport said he will file a bill to “stop the monopoly” that was created by legislation passed in 2015 and amended in 2016, which essentially put one private security firm in charge of deciding which firms could manufacture the “juice” used in e-cigarettes sold in Indiana.
Schellinger’s new role will have international focus
Jim Schellinger, the incoming secretary of commerce, previously was president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., a role that included frequent travel to communities across the state. In his new post, he'll be courting companies across the globe.
Financial consulting executive Bedel tapped as IEDC president
In addition to naming the president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb on Thursday picked a leader for the Indiana Department of Transportation and someone for a new position to fight substance abuse.
Holcomb calls to use $500M fund from Toll Road lease to fund entrepreneurship
Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb, who announced his legislative agenda Thursday, has roughly the same idea as Gov. Mike Pence when it comes to investing in early-stage Indiana companies, but wants to pay for the plan through a different fund.
Coats reportedly Trump’s favorite candidate for intelligence post
Former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats is the front-runner to become Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, according to two people familiar with the decision.
Zoeller seeks to establish local unit of global trade group
Departing Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller wants to persuade the organization to add Indianapolis to its roster of world trade centers, hooking local firms into international business networks and encouraging imports and exports.
Trump to pick deals lawyer Clayton to lead SEC
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pick Sullivan & Cromwell partner Jay Clayton to run the Securities and Exchange Commission, positioning a top lawyer to banks and hedge funds to lead Wall Street’s main regulator.
House Republicans’ road plan includes gas-tax increase, user fees
The proposal calls to raise three taxes and implement new user fees. House Speaker Brian Bosma said he expects the plan to cost most Hoosiers about $4 per month.
Ford gives Trump ‘vote of confidence’ after Mexican plant decision
Ford is canceling plans to build a new $1.6 billion factory in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and will instead invest some of that money in a U.S. factory that will build new electric and autonomous vehicles.
GOP leaders say road-funding plan top priority for Legislature
A coalition of not-for-profit and business community voices are urging the Republican majorities to add another priority: expanding a statewide preschool program for poor children.
Ex-state commerce secretary takes job with Bose McKinney
Outgoing Gov. Mike Pence appointed Victor Smith to serve as the state’s secretary of commerce in January 2013.
Sports apparel maker planning to add 192 workers at local plant
BSN Sports LLC plans to spend $2.4 million to improve its sportswear production facility on the city’s northwest side.
Budget top priority as lawmakers head back to Statehouse
As GOP leaders preach frugality ahead of the annual legislative session that kicks off Tuesday, they are also planning for a big increase in infrastructure spending—and are considering raising taxes of some kind to pay for it.