Daniels: Without recovery, schools face tough 2011
K-12 education in Indiana already has faced $300 million in reduced state funding this year as the state has cut spending
in the face of lower tax revenues.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
WellPoint spent $1.2M lobbying government in 4Q
Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc., the nation's largest health insurer based on membership, spent $1.2 million lobbying
the federal government in the fourth quarter of 2009 as it weighed in on several topics tied to the health care overhaul debate.
No buyers surfacing for former Winona Hospital
As of Monday morning, the Marion County Metropolitan Development Commission had received no bids to buy the property. MDC
is set to begin reviewing bids at its Wednesday meeting.
Biz leaders relieved over one-year payroll tax-hike delay
Legislators postponed a $400 million tax hike to shore up Indiana’s bankrupt Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, but state’s
most
troubled employers still face automatic payroll tax hike this year.
Social Security to start cashing Uncle Sam’s IOUs
This year, for the first time since the 1980s, when Congress last overhauled Social Security, the retirement program is projected
to pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes. And its giant coffers have been raided over the years for other government
expenses.
The gavel drops: Legislature ends session with compromises
The Indiana General Assembly finally adjourned its 2010 legislative session early Saturday with deals including a one-year
delay on unemployment insurance tax increases and aid for schools reeling from state budget cuts.
In about-face, state lawmakers find compromise late Friday
Both parties reportedly agreed to tentative deals on the issues that threatened to push the legislative session all the way
to the brink, including a one-year delay for a planned increase in unemployment taxes.
State lawmakers remain divided; deal by Sunday in doubt
The impasse between the two parties over a delay in an unemployment-tax increase is expected to drag the legislative session
into the weekend. "Nobody is talking right now," says one legislator.
Indiana Arts Commission delays changes
The Indiana Arts Commission on Friday morning accepted a staff recommendation to alter its regional partnership program, but
will delay action until next month.
Bulk buying saved localities $8M-plus on road salt
State officials say local governments saved more than $8 million this winter purchasing road salt through a state volume-buying
program.
Brizzi’s lease deals benefited friend, donor
Records show Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi directed lucrative work for the Prosecutor’s Office to his friend, business
partner and political contributor John Bales.
Flood leaves redevelopment opportunity for Franklin
The city of Franklin is using the post-flood era to push for comprehensive redevelopment in and around downtown.
The cornerstone of the plan is a flood plain southwest of the courthouse.
State legislative leaders hope to end session Friday
Sticking points include a bill that would delay an unemployment insurance tax increase and provide tax breaks and incentives to create jobs.
Full Indiana House returns, but impasse continues
The full Indiana House returned to the Statehouse after a five-day break, but partisan differences remained over an unemployment
insurance tax bill.
Official: Promised rate reduction key in $1.9B city water, sewer deal
Cost savings from combining three utilities helped give Citizens Energy Group an advantage in the deal to take over Indianapolis’
water and sewer operations, said Michael Huber, the city’s director of enterprise development.
Indiana’s jobless rate holds steady at 9.7 percent
The state’s unemployment rate in January remained unchanged from the seasonally adjusted figure of 9.7 percent Indiana reported
in December.
Citizens Energy to take over city’s water, sewer utilities
The agreement is expected to generate more than $425 million in funding for local infrastructure improvements, and Citizens
has agreed to assume $1.5 billion in debt associated with the utilities.
Indiana closer to eliminating anti-smoking agency
The plan approved by the Republican-controlled Senate would transfer the duties of the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation
board to the State Department of Health.
CIB turns down Axe deodorant ad for stadium
The Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board on Monday rejected a request from Axe deodorant to place an advertisement in Lucas
Oil Stadium because the message is too racy for youngsters.
Talks resume at Statehouse after brief impasse
Negotiations on some major issues resumed in the Indiana General Assembly on Monday after a meltdown occurred last week.