Indiana gun permit applications surge 83 percent
"It really was an aberration of things happening nationally in politics, and both sides, pro-gun and anti-gun, making an issue of it," Indiana State Police Capt. David Bursten said.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Team owner pitches lawmakers on soccer stadium
Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir fielded questions from legislators Thursday about the $87 million, state-financed outdoor stadium he has proposed. The meeting started with a warm reception for Ozdemir, and lacked any testimony against the plan.
State wants early access to long-term transportation fund
The Indiana Department of Transportation asked the state Senate Appropriations Committee to approve the release of $400 million saved in a special trust fund created last year.
First family gives TLC to little-used Brown County cabin
The Pence administration has overseen the six-figure renovation of a Brown County cabin that one political observer calls Indiana’s Camp David.
Zionsville sticks with big-box ban despite growth push
Even as retail development continues to proliferate just outside Zionsville’s borders, town officials say they remain committed to an 8-year-old zoning ordinance banning big-box stores.
Pence cracks door to electricity deregulation
The Pence administration is discussing whether to include electric-utility deregulation in a new state energy policy, making Indiana one of the few states since California’s electricity crisis to consider opening its market to competition.
Appeals court: IBM breached contract with state
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a Marion County judge’s finding that IBM did not materially breach the contract it had with the state to modernize its welfare system.
Gay-marriage ban off ballot at least until 2016
Opponents of an effort to place Indiana’s gay marriage ban in the state constitution won a surprising victory Thursday as the Senate effectively pushed off a statewide vote on the issue for at least two years, and possibly longer.
Convenience stores prepare case to sell cold beer
The stores’ lawsuit against the state argues that Indiana’s law governing cold-beer sales is unconstitutional. But a phalanx of other beverage retailers has lined up to oppose the action.
House panel takes corporate tax increase out of mass transit bill
If the House approves the bill as amended, it will set up a debate between the Republican-controlled chambers about who pays for expanded transit.
Pence pushes preschool funding amid cost concerns
Under the House Republican plan, families earning less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level in five selected counties would get state aid to send their children to public, private or religious preschools that meet certain education standards.
House panel OKs bill that loosens energy-efficiency rules
Sen. Jim Merritt said the existing energy-efficiency program is unfair to industries because many of them are already paying for sophisticated in-house programs focused on cutting energy use and pursuing other efficiencies.
Indianapolis airport rejects Bieber-inspired art
The airport had hired Columbus, Ind., native Tre Reising to make an art display for one of the passenger concourses.
Rockport plant might not be dead, after all
A controversial power plant planned for southern Indiana has quickly and quietly moved forward after developers said they no longer planned to pursue the project.
Hamilton County officials to state: Fix school funding
Elected officials throughout Hamilton County are putting aside their jurisdictional differences to ask state lawmakers for help with school-funding issues they say are jeopardizing the county’s public education—and possibly its economic development efforts.
Prominent criminal lawyer: Airport site for complex ‘cannot work’
A spokesman for Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said the airport site hasn’t officially been selected, although it did score highest among sites the city evaluated.
Indiana gay marriage ban backers seek youth support
A new group of young people who support banning gay marriage in Indiana announced a campaign Tuesday to pressure lawmakers to restore language to the proposed constitutional amendment that would enable it to get to voters in November.
Pence open to replacing any revenue lost in tax bill
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Tuesday he’s open to proposals to “fully replace” the revenue that local governments might lose under a Senate plan to cut the personal property tax for thousands of businesses across Indiana.
Proposed criminal justice complex draws five bidders
In the meantime, city officials are arranging to meet with lawyers, judges and residents who are concerned about moving jails and courts from downtown’s core.
Indiana Supreme Court throws out Evansville smoking ban
A divided Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Evansville’s amended smoking ban, which exempted the former Aztar riverboat casino, now known as Tropicana Evansville.