Congress takes up major change in patent law
Congress has been trying for well over a decade to rewrite patent law, only to be thwarted by the many interested parties.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Indiana overpays localities $610M over 3 years
State budget officials are seeking to recoup much of nearly $610 million overpaid to local governments in fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011 due to income tax revenue estimates thrown off by the lingering recession.
Protest turns to camp for border-crossing Indiana Democrats
Labor unrest and proximity have made the Land of Lincoln the haven of choice for out-of-state lawmakers looking to block Republican-backed bills.
Daniels signs jobless-fund bill that unions fought
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels signed into law Thursday a plan aimed at fixing Indiana’s debt-ridden unemployment fund that labor unions had opposed because it will reduce jobless benefits for some people while softening business tax increases.
Ballard says jobs, neighborhoods critical
Creating a climate that allows businesses to thrive and improving Indianapolis’ neighborhoods will be critical to the city’s future success. That was the message Mayor Greg Ballard conveyed Thursday night in his fourth-annual State of the City speech, delivered at the Indianapolis Artsgarden downtown.
Partisan divide could threaten long-term education reform
Indiana’s Republican-controlled Legislature will likely pass the bulk of education-reform measures being pushed this year by party heavyweights, but partisan rancor could threaten the long-term prospects for a sweeping overhaul of the state’s public schools.
City seeks replacement for GM plant
Indianapolis will spend $115,000 on a study to explore redevelopment opportunities for the 102-acre GM Stamping Plant property west of downtown that will close this summer.
Indy Chamber rolls out app
The MyChamberApp works with the usual suspects, such as the iPhone, iPod, Android and Blackberry.
Indianapolis library system sees drop in visits
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library system, which reduced hours to deal with budget cuts, saw patron visits drop 15 percent in 2010, to just more than 5 million.
Indiana lawmakers urge NFL, players to reach deal
Lawmakers from Indiana, home of next season's Super Bowl, are urging the NFL and players union to avoid a work stoppage that would have a "devastating impact" on the state's economy.
Indiana House adjourns amid GOP, Dems stalemate
Indiana House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer says he's not sure whether boycotting Democrats will return to the Statehouse on Monday.
Ballard: City must build ‘attractive urban environment’
The theme of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s fourth-annual State of the City address will include putting “the needs of the next decade ahead of the next day, next year or next election,” according to excerpts released Wednesday.
Indiana official out of job after ‘live ammo’ tweet
An Indiana deputy attorney general "is no longer employed" by the state after Mother Jones magazine reported he tweeted that police should use live ammunition against Wisconsin labor protesters, the attorney general's office said Wednesday.
Daniels: We will not be bullied out of GOP agenda
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says Republicans will not be "bullied or blackmailed" out of pursuing their agenda despite a boycott from House Democrats over contentious labor and education proposals.
Casket maker plans $16.5M investment, 300 jobs
Indianapolis-based Genesis Casket Co., launched just last year, expects to produce 30,000 caskets in its first full year of operation. The company plans to fill the first 150 jobs by the time the plant opens this summer.
Indiana Senate OKs contentious immigration bill
The Republican-ruled Senate voted 31-18 Tuesday for the bill, which contains penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants and allows police officers to ask someone for proof of immigration status if they have a reasonable suspicion the person is in the country illegally.
Democratic lawmakers leave Indiana, block labor bill
Indiana House Democrats took a page from the playbook of their counterparts in Wisconsin on Tuesday, refusing to show up and at least temporarily blocking a Republican-backed labor bill.
General Assembly approves fix for bankrupt jobless fund
The Indiana Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill to fix the state's bankrupt unemployment insurance fund. The measure now moves to Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels for his signature.
Senate OKs parts of Daniels’ education agenda
The Republican-led Indiana Senate approved several key pieces of GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels' aggressive education agenda Tuesday, including a bill to limit teachers' collective bargaining rights and a bill linking teacher pay to student performance.
State treasurer to challenge Lugar in 2012 primary
Indiana state Treasurer Richard Mourdock said Tuesday he will challenge longtime U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar in next year's Republican primary.