Indiana coal industry scrambling to save its future
Options include increasing exports as opposition to coal-fired electricity generation heats up at both national and local levels.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Mass-transit measure passes key House hurdle
The House Ways and Means Committee cleared the bill, which would allow voters to decide whether to add 0.3 percent to local income tax rates to pay for a proposed central Indiana mass-transit system.
House committee won’t vote on Sunday alcohol sales
Indiana's longtime ban on Sunday retail alcohol sales likely will continue for at least another year after a legislative committee leader said Wednesday he didn't plan on holding a vote on a bill lifting the prohibition.
Lawsuit filed over Ballard’s redistricting plan
Three Democratic members of Indianapolis' City-County Council are suing to overturn a redistricting plan passed by the council's former Republican majority.
State senator changes tactic on school standards
Sen. Scott Schneider said he expects the Senate Education Committee to vote on a proposal to suspend implementation of the Common Core State Standards while the State Board of Education holds new hearings.
Senate panel advances Medicaid expansion plan
The Indiana Senate Public Health Committee is advancing a proposal to expand Medicaid using the state's health savings account plan.
Bill limiting specialty plates clears state House
The Indiana House has approved a plan to overhaul the state's specialty auto license plate system that requires all the groups with plates to sell 500 a year and undergo a financial review once a decade.
Indiana House OKs plan for state jobs council
A plan aimed at matching up Indiana's workforce training programs with available jobs unanimously cleared the state House on Tuesday, as legislators from both parties embraced it as a possible way to help lower the state's stubborn unemployment rate.
Measure advances to delay state farmland tax hike
The bill would stop Indiana from using updated soil productivity figures in setting new property tax rates this year. The Legislature would consider a revised approach next year.
CIB cuts price on Ober Building after inspections
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County has agreed to slash its sale price on downtown's Ober Building by $700,000 after inspections showed problems including a leaky roof and damaged HVAC system.
Speedway businesses eye gains from IMS upgrade
Nearby businesses hope upgrades to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from a proposed state taxing district would pave the way for additional offerings at the venue, including night racing.
Prosecutor seeking life sentences in Richmond Hill blast
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry says he won’t seek the death penalty for three people charged in the deadly Indianapolis house explosion, because a jury is unlikely to choose that option.
IPL assessed $214,200 penalty in plant explosion
The Indiana Department of Labor alleges lack of proper safeguards in an August blast that injured two workers at IPL’s Harding Street generating station on the southwest side.
Transit advocates to show support at House hearing
More than 200 people are expected to attend a meeting at the Statehouse to show their support for a public referendum on mass transit funding.
IMS seeks state help for $70M in upgrades
A state senator plans to introduce a bill creating an Indiana Motorsports Investment District that would capture state sales, income and corporate taxes for future investment in the Speedway.
Indiana Democrats to seek Medicaid expansion
Democratic leaders in the Indiana General Assembly are seeking expanded Medicaid coverage with the argument that it will lower health care costs statewide.
Indiana House education panel OKs voucher expansion
The measure would remove a one-year waiting period students have to spend in public school before qualifying for a voucher and qualify wealthier families for the program in certain cases.
Ballard won’t levy charter fee, despite fiscal squeeze
Mayor Greg Ballard is nationally recognized as a rigorous charter authorizer, picky about which schools open and willing to shut down the under-performers. But there is a cost to the city’s education work and Ballard may have to consider how much of it can be supported by the city’s maxed-out general fund alone.
I-69 leg gobbling up state’s road funding
As legislators brace for a $250 million annual transportation spending gap down the road, the Indiana Department of Transportation has designated more than one-third of its entire federal highway aid this year toward building 27 miles of Interstate 69 between Crane and Bloomington.
Senators look to sunset city’s ticket, excise tax hikes
Legislator says the recent tax increases aren’t being used for the purpose intended when such increases were authorized in 2009.