GOP aims to bolster legislative firepower
Indiana Republicans expect to rule the Statehouse again in 2013, and the only question to be answered Nov. 6 is the extent of their majority.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Airport development czar calls aggressive tactics key
Indianapolis Airport Authority has lots of economic development opportunities, despite a difficult industry environment, insists the airport’s new senior director for commercial enterprise, Michael Huber.
State Senate leader warns city about raiding CIB funds
Council Democrats want to take funds from the Capital Improvement Board’s $67 million cash reserve to help shore up the city’s budget. But State Sen. Luke Kenley lobbed a threat that might make them think twice about pursuing the proposal.
U.S. jobless claims fall to lowest level in over 4 years
Unemployment benefit applications are a proxy for layoffs. When they consistently drop below 375,000, it suggests that hiring is strong enough to lower the unemployment rate.
New license plate marks Indiana bicentennial
The new plate design unveiled Thursday has a blue image of the state's shape with 200 written across it and encircled by 19 stars symbolizing Indiana as the 19th state.
Lawmakers question Abound loan, citing quality issues
House Republicans want more information about a $400 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Energy Department to Abound Solar Inc., citing reports that significant “technological difficulties” with the company’s solar panels were known before the aid was approved.
Lieutenant governor hopefuls to debate environmental issues
The Hoosier Environmental Council is hosting Thursday night's debate at the Indiana History Center in downtown Indianapolis. The group says Democratic nominee Vi Simpson and Libertarian candidate Brad Klopfenstein both have agreed to take part.
Anderson police fighting city’s planned job cuts
Mayor Kevin Smith has proposed a new city budget that cuts seven police officer and 20 firefighter positions.
Gubernatorial candidates face off in first debate
Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg finally drew Mike Pence out of his shell Wednesday in their first debate after months of criticizing the Republican congressman in what has been a fairly lopsided race.
HIATT: Political campaign puts private equity in the spotlight
In the current political campaign, private equity, the industry in which I have spent much of my career, finds itself in the spotlight. But in my conversations with other intelligent people, I often find they are curious about what private equity funds do.
Banks eager to loan, but small firms hold back
Indiana banks can tout more success in small-business lending since the recession ended, but the success is hard-won because the masses of entrepreneurs remain cautious about borrowing.
Gubernatorial candidates ready for first debate
Mike Pence, John Gregg and Rupert Boneham all have promised to cut taxes and support job creation and education if elected governor next month.
Indiana early voting period off to strong start
More voters cast early ballots Monday in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne than during the first day of early in-person voting in those cities in 2008, election officials said. Tuesday was just as busy at their offices.
CIB standing firm against city plan to tap reserves
The Capital Improvement Board on Monday adopted a formal resolution opposing a plan by some City-County Council Democrats to tap CIB coffers to plug the city’s budget gap.
Mourdock, Donnelly spend $615,000 on new campaign ads
The Indiana Senate battle has quickly become the most expensive the state has seen. Spending by the campaigns has topped about $10 million, and outside groups also are pouring in cash.
More than ever, money matters in Indiana political races
Spending in Indiana’s Senate race hit the stratosphere this year due in part to the surprising vulnerability of once-untouchable U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and new campaign finance rules, fought for by Terre Haute lawyer Jim Bopp, which attracted a flood of outside dollars.
Gay couples not in Pence family plan
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence said Friday that his plan promoting two-parent households as a means of breaking children out of poverty would be limited to married couples, meaning gay couples in Indiana would be excluded.
Hopes slipping among state business owners
A survey of Hoosier business owners shows an increasingly a ho-hum outlook, with only one in seven optimistic for their own company and even fewer encouraged about the U.S. economy.
U.S. unemployment rate falls to 7.8 percent, wages rise
The nation’s jobless rate fell from 8.1 to a 44-month low of 7.8 percent in September, according to government data, as employers added 114,000 jobs. Wages rose over the month, and more people started looking for work.
Indiana House GOP makes no guarantee on tax cuts
Tax cuts being pushed by gubernatorial candidates are hardly guaranteed a rubber stamp from lawmakers, Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said Thursday as he rolled out the 2013 agenda for his caucus.