Businesses applaud Legislature’s ‘wow’ initiatives
State lawmakers came through in big ways for business and manufacturing interests this year.
Government & Economic Development
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Biden to propose free preschool for 5 million children
Funding the initiative would be a tax increase on the rich, most notably a near doubling of the capital gains tax rate on incomes above $1 million, to 39.6%.
Indiana governor vetoes bill requiring ethanol warning label
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he found the “additional layer of government unnecessary and confusing.”
Recap: A glance at key issues during Indiana legislative session
The Indiana General Assembly concluded the year’s regular session late last week in Indianapolis. Here’s a look at some major issues debated during the nearly four-month session.
Democrats, activists call on governor to veto wetlands bill
All Democratic members of the General Assembly, as well as a member of the Senate Republican Caucus, urged the Republican governor to veto the bill in a letter sent last week.
Marion County prosecutor facing criticism after FedEx shooting
The leader of the Indianapolis police union said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears “failed to do his part” when he chose not to bring Brandon Scott Hole before a judge for a hearing under Indiana’s “red flag” law.
Indiana lawmakers approve state budget, finish session
Several Democratic legislators called it the best state spending plan in years. Republicans described the plan as focused on helping the state’s economy grow in the coming years and helping to give long-deserved raises to teachers.
Legislators back expanded gambling at tribe’s Indiana casino
The 20-year agreement prevents state officials from allowing new casino competition across most of northern and northwestern Indiana, including no future moves by the existing casinos in Hammond, East Chicago, Gary and Michigan City.
Indiana legislative deal gives local officials say over health orders
The agreement released Tuesday requires that any local public health order that is more stringent than one issued by the governor must be approved by an elected county or city board.
Performance venues say federal grants should help them survive
Businesses are looking for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, which had its launch derailed last week because of technical problems with the application portal, to reopen soon.
Is Carmel’s city council less aligned with the mayor?
Recent council actions are raising questions about whether members are becoming more skeptical of Mayor Jim Brainard’s vision for the city and subsequent spending.
Better-than-expected Indiana outlook brings calls for bigger education boost
Indiana educators on Thursday called for a bigger school funding boost to help improve the state’s lagging teacher pay, as new projections showed state tax collections are expected to bounce back stronger than expected from the pandemic recession.
Indiana poised to open school vouchers to families making more than $100,000
Indiana lawmakers are almost certain to approve a significant expansion of what is already a broad private school voucher program, setting one of the highest family income ceilings in the nation.
Former VP Mike Pence undergoes surgery to implant pacemaker
The 61-year-old former Indiana governor had previously been diagnosed with a heart condition called asymptomatic left bundle branch block.
Indiana budget outlook shows bigger-than-expected tax revenue jump
A new state tax revenue forecast given Thursday to state legislators projects state tax collections going up by more than 4% in in each of the next two years.
Wetlands deregulation bill advances to Indiana governor
Lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a disputed bill seeking to remove protections from Indiana’s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that the legislation could cause damage to the state’s waterways, wildlife and vegetation.
Controversial Indiana environmental bills inch near passage
Lawmakers approved two environmental bills Tuesday that critics say could damage the state’s ecosystems by scaling back current policy affecting water, energy and other resources.
U.S. budget deficit jumps to record $1.7 trillion
The deficit has been driven higher by trillions of dollars in support Congress has passed in successive economic rescue packages since the pandemic struck in early March 2020.
White House gives Indiana C- in state-by-state infrastructure report
The Biden White House is amplifying the push for its $2.3 trillion infrastructure package with the release of state-by-state breakdowns that show the dire shape of roads, bridges, the power grid and housing affordability.
Proposed new Indiana vaping products tax blasted as ‘measly’
The president of the state’s largest business organization says the Senate’s proposed tax amounts to “a measly one-tenth” of the state’s cigarette tax and is “arguably worse than no increase at all.”