HICKS: President should focus on reducing debt burden
What worried me most about the president’s speech was not what he said, but what he didn’t.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Measure would let utilities use formula to set rates
Some utility consumer groups and large customers are fighting a proposed Indiana law that would allow power, gas and water companies to have their rates set annually by a formula rather than by state regulators.
Local Tea Party group takes aim at Carmel mayor
A new Carmel-based Tea Party group, the Constitutional Patriots, has set its sights on Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, taking issue with his spending on projects like the $170 million Center for the Performing Arts.
Senate to consider ban of texting while driving
Previous attempts to ban texting while driving have cleared the House but met resistance from conservative leaders in the Senate. It will get a hearing this year, Sen. David Long said.
Bill would allow state takeover of troubled cities
Local governments in Indiana could ask for a state takeover to fix financial troubles instead of declaring bankruptcy under a bill advancing in the Legislature.
U.S. says new rules would cut thousands of coal jobs
The Obama administration's own experts estimate their proposal for protecting streams from coal mining would eliminate thousands of jobs and slash production across much of the country
Senate panel OKs bill limiting teacher bargaining
A Republican-controlled Senate committee has advanced a bill that critics contend would strip Indiana teachers of their collective bargaining rights.
Scholarship bill raises questions about minors on campus
As Indiana lawmakers ponder a bill that would give high school students an incentive to graduate early, state university leaders are bracing for the possible impact—an influx of minors onto their campuses.
Bill advances to set 40 as Indiana’s alcohol ID age
The bill would change a much-ridiculed law that took effect last summer requiring everyone — regardless of age — to be carded for carryout alcohol.
State senator: Should Indiana legalize marijuana?
Sen. Karen Tallian, D- Portage, is sponsoring a bill that would direct the criminal law and sentencing study committee to examine Indiana's marijuana laws next summer and come up with recommendations.
Illinois governor responds as states try to poach jobs
Gov. Pat Quinn has a message for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and officials from other states trying to lure jobs from Illinois: Back off.
Indiana House OKs bill to ban texting while driving
Indiana drivers would not be allowed to send or read text messages on mobile phones under legislation that cleared the Indiana House on Tuesday.
House panel backs cuts to jobless benefits
An Indiana House committee split along party lines to approve a bill that would cut jobless benefits for some people starting next year as the state tries to fix its insolvent unemployment insurance system.
Committee explores ways to reduce government
Charging not-for-profits for government services, eliminating certain paper records and trimming how much counties pay to mental-health institutions are among the ways local officials say the cost of government could be reduced.
State’s unemployment rate declines to 9.5 percent
The decline marks the third straight month that Indiana’s unemployment rate has fallen, but private-sector jobs actually dropped in December.
Arizona-style immigration bill slated for hearing
The proposal from Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel would require police to ask for proof of citizenship or immigration status if they had a reasonable suspicion that a person is illegally in the country.
State lawmakers to take on unemployment insurance
Businesses with a history of laying off employees would pay more in unemployment insurance costs, and workers in industries where layoffs occur regularly would receive lower benefits under a bill Indiana lawmakers are preparing to take up.
State House exempts bars from smoking ban bill
Casinos were already exempt from the proposal, but on Monday the House voted 56-33 to also exempt bars that don't allow anyone under age 21 to enter.
City offers another parks facility for lease
Indy Parks & Recreation officials on Monday issued a request for proposals from entities interested in leasing the Riverside Marina facility near 30th Street and White River Parkway.
Some big bills on back burner in Indiana Legislature
Three weeks into Indiana's legislative session, Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma is touting the hard work being done on major issues. Democratic House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer contends the session is off to a slow start.