Legislator: Statewide smoking ban could pass in 2011
A statewide ban on smoking in all public places may have the momentum it needs to finally pass the Indiana General Assembly in 2011 after four unsuccessful attempts.
Government & Economic Development
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Chicago’s experience causes other cities to redo parking deals
Indianapolis' City-County Council could vote Monday night on its proposed 50-year agreement with Xerox Co.’s Affiliated Computer Services, which was revised after public outcry over the original proposal.
GOP control brings new life to education issues
Election night victories for Indiana Republicans have paved the way for a major education overhaul that could affect thousands of students, teachers and parents and fundamentally change the way schools work in Indiana.
Expanding tax breaks could be a tough sell in Marion County
Republicans who now control the Indiana House are poised to push reforms next year that would strengthen local governments’ ability to offer businesses tax abatements. But the changes might be met with caution in Marion County.
Small-business lending rises 30 percent in Indiana
The amount of money banks loaned through U.S. Small Business Administration programs shot up close to 30 percent in Indiana this year, a sign that the state’s small businesses—including Pat Wolfred’s CCA Inc.—have started coming back to life.
Indianapolis named among recession-proof cities
Newsweek magazine listed the city among 10 it says are best situated for economic recovery.
Audit: Indiana owes feds $39M for Medicaid
A federal audit recommends that Indiana's human services agency refund the federal government nearly $39 million it overpaid to Medicaid providers during a nine-year period.
Daniels appoints new social services chief
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has accepted the resignation of Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Anne Murphy and has appointed the agency’s chief of staff, Michael Gargano, to replace her.
Quick Hits: Indianapolis dwarfs Milwaukee in convention, tourism business
Indianapolis and Milwaukee are about the same size, with 1.7 million and 1.6 million people in their respective metro areas, but Indianapolis’ convention trade is better developed.
Unions target Indianapolis hotels
Unite Here has high hopes, but the industry fears its cost advantage would erode.
LEADING QUESTIONS: New councillor in for wild ride
As a new City-County Council member entrenched in several hot-button issues, Angel Rivera sometimes blows off steam on his Ducati SportClassic GT1000.
State ATC chief steps down
Gov. Mitch Daniels has accepted the resignation of Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission Chairman P. Thomas Snow.
Democrats pick up pieces after Tuesday’s bloodbath
Democrats lost 12 House seats, two congressmen and a U.S. senator, and the party failed to win any of three state offices.
Daniels: No word on White House run until April
Republican Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says politicians thinking about the next election in 2012 should "stifle" themselves for a while.
Weak employment report expected Friday
Newly elected members of Congress will get a reminder Friday of the economic challenges they face in January: The jobs report for October is expected to show hiring weak and unemployment still high. The outlook for 2011 isn't much better.
City’s Conrad hotel investment starts to pay off for taxpayers
The city put up $25 million for the hotel, restaurant and condo development at the corner of Washington and Illinois streets, including $3.75 million in exchange for the economic equivalent of an 8-percent stake.
Indiana health exchange may take page from Utah playbook
In Utah, employers can give each of their workers a specific amount of money to apply toward health insurance. The worker then can use that money to choose from the 66 plans in the health insurance exchange.
Daniels wants changes in education, unemployment
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels’ 2011 legislative agenda includes expanding charter schools, establishing merit pay for teachers, cutting unemployment benefits and raising unemployment insurance taxes on businesses.
Library cuts 37 employees in effort to reduce deficit
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library’s decision to reduce its work force is in response to expected revenue annual shortfalls of up to $4 million through 2013. The cuts follow a reduction in hours last month.
IU economists: Slow growth expected in 2011
Economic growth will remain sluggish into next year as companies remain hesitant to add jobs, Indiana University economists said Thursday morning during their annual forecast.