UPDATE: City picks Paris-based group to build justice center
WMB Heartland Justice Partners, which beat out two other finalists, will require the city to pay $46.8 million a year, $3.2 million less than the ceiling the city set.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Hamilton County seeks an out to avoid referendum for renovation
Hamilton County leaders are asking state legislators for relief from a 2008 law that requires all capital projects costing more than $12 million be put to a vote.
City plans new TIF to boost west side
Indianapolis planners say the city needs another $7.1 million to prepare the former Central State Hospital campus for redevelopment, but they’re out of resources. A proposal to raise those funds via a new tax-increment financing district around the 142-acre site is moving through the Indianapolis City-County Council with bipartisan support.
Education budget draws scrutiny over costs for student testing
Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz is seeking $20 million more for testing as part of her spending proposal, which calls for an overall 3 percent increase and free textbooks for all Indiana students.
Hogsett looks to forge his own path on education
Former U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett, a front runner to become mayor of Indianapolis in 2016, might be less activist than the last two men to hold the job when it comes to education.
Indiana lawmakers mostly older, white, college-educated
Demographics of the General Assembly are significantly different than the average Hoosier.
IBM, Indiana to mediate welfare contract dispute
IBM Corp. and the state of Indiana are turning to mediation in hopes of settling their dispute over IBM's failed attempt to privatize Indiana's welfare services.
Pence plans trade trip to Israel during holidays
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence plans to travel to Israel this month on a nine-day cultural and economic development trip, the state announced Tuesday.
Appeal hearing set for ex-Indiana elections chief
The Indiana appeals court is set to take up former Secretary of State Charlie White's fight to overturn the voter fraud conviction that forced him from office.
State’s monthly revenue rises, but misses projections
Revenue figures for November released Friday show that Indiana’s general fund brought in slightly more than $1 billion in November.
Commuter tax part of Indy Chamber’s legislative agenda
The Indy Chamber will support equity in local government funding, preschool expansion and mass transit during the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
City’s public works director leaving for engineering firm
Indianapolis Department of Public Works Director Lori Miser will join the local office of engineering firm HNTB Corp. as associate vice president of planning, the mayor's office said Friday.
Pence’s Board of Education overhaul wins backing
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's call to overhaul the State Board of Education won the support of the two top legislative leaders Thursday, setting up what could be one of the most acrimonious education fights the state has seen.
Angie’s List agrees to pay if jobs promise falls short
If Angie’s List fails to live up to promises fueling a taxpayer-subsidized headquarters expansion, the company will pay an undetermined amount into an escrow account for the city’s benefit.
Feds drop case against former Lilly scientists accused of stealing secrets
Federal prosecutors dropped all charges against two scientists accused of stealing trade secrets worth $55 million from Eli Lilly and Co. after new information emerged last month, according to a court motion made Friday.
Indiana part of 17-state coalition suing over immigration order
Texas is leading a 17-state coalition that includes Indiana in suing over the Obama administration's recently announced executive actions on immigration.
Cummins debuts design for 10-story downtown tower
Officials for the Columbus-based engine maker are planning a $30 million development, including 164,000 square feet of office space, a conference center, parking garage and lots of public greenspace.
Latest election drew only 30 percent of Indiana voters
Lawson said the turnout of 1.39 million voters compared with 39-percent turnout in 2002, the last Indiana general election without races for governor or U.S. Senate on the ballot.
Bennett probe recommended prosecution for fraud
The investigation of former Indiana schools Superintendent Tony Bennett found more than 100 instances in which he or his employees violated federal law. The state’s formal report in February minimized the infractions, and Bennett has never faced prosecution.
Carmel-based insurer snags coliseum naming rights
Under a $6 million, 10-year deal, Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. will put its moniker on the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum.