Johnson County officials repeal public smoking ordinance
Johnson County commissioners voted unanimously this week to repeal a tough new public smoking ordinance less than a month before it was scheduled to go into effect.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Indiana to get $1.1 million in Pfizer settlement
The money is the state's share of a $42.9 million deal the drugmaker struck to resolve allegations it deceptively marketed an antibacterial agent and promoted a fibromyalgia treatment for off-label uses.
Daniels: Some firms concerned about marriage bill
Gov. Mitch Daniels said Wednesday he has been hearing from companies that fear that a measure that would put Indiana's ban on same-sex marriage into the state constitution might also prevent firms from offering benefits to gay couples.
FEIGENBAUM: Unusual circumstances could stir Indiana General Assembly
When lawmakers reconvene Jan. 7 for the 2013 legislative session, they will do so under a unique structure: a new Republican governor and Republican super-majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly.
City unveils plan to convert vehicle fleet from gas, diesel
Mayor Greg Ballard outlined plans to shift the city’s fleet of cars, heavy trucks and even police cruisers to a mix of electricity and natural gas by 2025.
IU policy school hires ex-Fort Wayne Mayor Helmke
Helmke will join the faculty of the School of Policy and Environmental Affairs. He also run the Civic Leaders Living-Learning Center to train first-year IU students in government, politics and policy.
Yakey takes new role at Lilly Endowment
The Lilly Endowment has named former Indianapolis Economic Development Corp. president Wallace "Ace" Yakey Jr. as the vice president for community development, the Indianapolis grant maker announced Tuesday.
Indianapolis technology companies pledge 1,500 new jobs
Three fast-growing Indianapolis technology companies—Angie’s List, ExactTarget and BidPal—plan to add up to 1,500 jobs collectively over the next half-decade, officials announced Tuesday morning.
State’s full-day kindergarten enrollment grows
The number of Indiana children enrolled in full-day kindergarten has increased by 19 percent since the state more than doubled spending for the program.
UPDATE: Chrysler may find use for vacant Tipton plant
The automaker has requested incentives to launch production in a nearly 800,000-square-foot plant that's been vacant since being built four years ago.
Study calls Indiana Toll Road lease a bad deal
The Indiana Toll Road lease may have paid off in the short term, but a new study concludes it'll be a bad deal for taxpayers in the long run. Indiana officials say the report is flawed.
Medical software firm plans to expand, add 25 jobs
Indianapolis-based RND Group Inc. said it plans to spend $1.3 million to update and equip its 13,510-square-foot headquarters. The company has 27 employees.
CIB to consider 1-year extension with Pacers, source says
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County is expected to seek a one-year extension of its current lease deal with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, according to a former board member and current Indianapolis city-county councilor.
Deadline looms to refile for homestead tax break
The law, passed in 2009, says Hoosier homeowners will lose their deduction beginning in 2013 if they don’t complete and return a homestead verification form by Jan. 1.
IU chemist DiMarchi receives science award from Daniels
Richard DiMarchi helped develop the sepsis-treating drug Xigris for Eli Lilly and Co. He also co-founded Marcadia Biotech, which Roche acquired in 2010 for an initial upfront payment of $287 million.
Indiana mayors urge lawmakers to get tougher on meth
Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said mayors want lawmakers to require prescriptions statewide to purchase medicine that contains pseudoephedrine.
Not-for-profits worry about impact of ‘fiscal cliff’
Middle-income taxpayers could pay thousands more in taxes starting in January. That could cause donations to non-for-profits to drop at a time when the organizations are still struggling to recover from the recession.
USDA chief: Rural America becoming less relevant
Tom Vilsack, former Democratic governor of Iowa, told farm belt leaders this past week that he’s frustrated with their internecine squabbles and says they need to be more strategic in picking their political fights.
Student group urges campus-wide strike at IU
Indiana University students concerned about reductions in state funding for higher education and IU’s management of programs are calling for an all-campus strike in April in protest.
Lugar starting Washington program for UIndy
Lugar is starting an internship program with the University of Indianapolis that will operate out of Washington, D.C. He has also agreed to deliver a handful of lectures each year as a distinguished professor at the private university.