Indiana AFL-CIO to fight unemployment benefit cuts
The head of the Indiana AFL-CIO says protecting the unemployment benefits paid to jobless workers will be among the union organization's top priorities during the state Legislature's session.
Government & Economic Development
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New state prisons chief, utility board member named
Gov. Mitch Daniels has appointed a new leader for Indiana's prisons system and selected a new member for the state utility commission to replace a member ousted because of an ethics controversy with Duke Energy.
Universal curbside recycling program looks iffy
Finding a way to cover the cost of expanding the program with revenue from sales of recycled goods such as aluminum, plastic and glass has proved tough, even as commodities prices rise with the improving economy.
Brizzi filed for OmniSource forfeiture
Former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi blasted metal-recycling giant OmniSource in a court filing in his last week in office, asking a judge to force the company to forfeit all five of its Indianapolis scrap yards and a foundry facility in Hendricks County.
Daniels’ budget cuts higher ed, Medicaid services
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is proposing a new state budget that would cut higher education spending by 3 percent and eliminate optional Medicaid services for adults such as hearing aids, dental and chiropractic coverage and podiatry services.
Indiana chief justice endorses sentencing changes
A report suggests allowing judges to sentence people convicted of lesser felonies to community corrections, which would help free up prison space for the state’s worst offenders and potentially saving more than $1 billion that would otherwise go toward building new prisons.
Neighboring states gleeful over Illinois tax increase
Neighboring states are plotting to take advantage of what they consider a major economic blunder and lure business away from Illinois.
LAMKIN: Health care reform is opportunity to reorganize services
Indiana should take advantage of the opportunity to build a comprehensive exchange.
Casinos to escape smoking ban proposal
An estimate from a nonpartisan agency showed a statewide smoking ban that includes casinos could cost Indiana more than $180 million in lost gambling tax revenue.
U.S. attorney’s office finishes year in the black
The top federal prosecutor in Indianapolis says his office collected more money in criminal and civil penalties than it spent last year.
Education dominates Daniels’ State of State address
Gov. Mitch Daniels urged Indiana lawmakers Tuesday night to be aggressive in making sweeping changes to the state’s education system.
Bill would lift ban on booze at Indiana State Fair
Republican Rep. Robert Cherry of Greenfield says alcohol sales could provide needed revenue to the State Fair and allow the event to showcase Indiana wine and beer.
Daniels’ annual speech could reach wider audience
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels may have a bigger audience for his State of the State address as political observers around the country search the speech for clues on whether the Republican will run for president in 2012.
Advocates say most Hoosiers want school changes
Advocates met at the Statehouse Monday to push education proposals that have renewed life during this legislative session because of support from Gov. Mitch Daniels and leaders in the GOP-controlled House and Senate.
Bill would let Indiana pharmacies collect old meds
A bill authored by Republican Rep. Kevin Mahan of Hartford City would revise state law so that pharmacies could accept unused prescription drugs from customers and dispose of them securely and safely.
Lawmaker wants homeowners to pay for pond safety
An Indiana lawmaker worried about the dangers posed by retention ponds wants nearby homeowners to foot the bill of erecting safety barriers such as guardrails.
Legislators to debate bans on smoking, mobile phones
Lawmakers who want to ban smoking statewide and prohibit drivers from using handheld mobile phones have worked for years to sway opponents who denounce the bans as too much government intrusion. Now supporters say those arguments may be diminishing.
Carson’s staff step up security after Arizona shooting
The staff of Democratic U.S. Rep. Andre Carson of Indianapolis is increasing security after the Saturday shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Evans exits mayor’s race, supports Kennedy
Democratic City-County Councillor Jose Evans follows Indianapolis businessman Brian Williams out of the race to challenge Republican Mayor Greg Ballard.
New jobs point to slow, steady economic growth
The nation's economy added 103,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate dropped to 9.4 percent last month, its lowest level in 19 months. But the job growth fell short of expectations based on a strengthening economy.