Downtown plan proposes street changes, parks, lighting
A not-for-profit’s proposal for downtown Indy focuses on making it more comfortable and dynamic for urban dwellers.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Council delays decision on fate of Fishers tax
Fishers’ Town Council postponed a decision on a proposed 1-percent food-and-beverage tax Monday night, tabling the measure without comment rather than carry out an expected vote. It also OK’d an incentive deal for construction firm Meyer Najem.
Supreme Court won’t hear appeal over Internet taxation
The move likely will prompt more states to attempt to collect taxes on Internet sales — and ignite a furious battle in Congress between Internet sellers, brick-and-mortar stores and states hungry for extra tax revenue.
Indy downtown promoters to pay busted youth group
A not-for-profit that promotes downtown Indianapolis has apologized to a youth group whose cookie sale was shut down in a sweep of unauthorized food vendors.
State GOP leaders to drop Common Core standards
House Speaker Brian Bosma of Indianapolis and Senate President David Long of Fort Wayne plan to direct the Republican-controlled Legislature to require the state to create its own set of reading and math standards.
IU assembling plan to ‘disaster proof’ its campuses
The university is interested in receiving funding to move utilities out of bottom floors to mitigate water issues during a flood. Other options would be to retrofit buildings and create better refuge from disasters.
State may pay up to $110M in upfront Illiana Expressway costs
The 12-mile Indiana portion of the 47-mile highway, which would link northern Indiana with Chicago's south suburbs, has an estimated $300 million cost.
Health law small-business insurance site delayed 1 year
The Obama administration is delaying yet another aspect of the health care law, putting off until next November the launch of an online portal to the health insurance marketplace for small businesses.
National group will help mediate education board dispute
Republican Gov. Mike Pence and Democratic Superintendent Glenda Ritz met behind closed doors Tuesday and agreed to engage an outside group to help mediate disputes within the State Board of Education.
DMD’s Thies pushing for better design, more projects
Adam Thies, 36, arrived from the private sector in October 2012 and is beginning to put his stamp on the government agency that guides city development
Westfield gearing up for big hospitality play
Westfield’s massive Grand Park Sports Campus doesn’t open until March, but city leaders already are focused on making sure the 1 million-plus visitors they expect next year want to come back.
Mayor pushing plan to use city funds to upgrade Natatorium
Mayor Greg Ballard is proposing to pay about half of the $20 million needed to upgrade the Natatorium at IUPUI. The city's Capital Improvement Board is also considering setting aside tax revenue for operation expenses.
Democrats now run biggest cities, except Indianapolis
When Democrat Bill de Blasio takes office in New York City on Jan. 1, Indianapolis will become the most populous U.S. city run by a Republican mayor.
Manufacturer seeks tax break, plans to add 100 jobs
Applied Composites Engineering Inc., an Indianapolis-based designer and manufacturer of products for the aerospace industry and military applications, is planning to spend $2.5 million on equipment that would help it double its work force over the next six years.
Appeals court upholds Indianapolis smoking ban
The court’s decision denied an injunction request from several bar owners who claimed the 2012 law would have a negative impact on their businesses.
IU Health latest to voice opposition to marriage amendment
IU Health, the state’s fourth-largest employer, said it was opposing a proposed amendment against same-sex marriage for health-related reasons.
Access counselor says education board didn’t violate law
Public Access Counselor Luke Britt also warned in an advisory opinion that “final decisions are meant to be open and transparent,” and urged the board and agencies to be careful about following the spirit of the state’s Open Door Law.
State auditor Sawyer resigns after three months
State Auditor Dwayne Sawyer—former president of the Brownsburg Town Council and the first black Republican to serve in a statewide office—said he was stepping down due to “family and personal concerns.”
Indiana appeals court hears welfare lawsuit
Lawyers representing Indiana asked an appeals court Monday to refund much of the money the state has paid IBM for a failed welfare privatization effort, but the company countered it's actually entitled to even more.
State appeals panel to hear IBM lawsuit
Judges on the state Court of Appeals are deciding whether a lower court was right in awarding $52 million to IBM over a failed welfare privatization project.