Government reform effort long overdue
Critics were lined up to oppose Gov. Mitch Daniels’ plan to streamline
local government almost before he left the podium Dec. 19. Big surprise.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Fund to fuel ethanol use out of gas
A state fund supporting an 18-cent-a-gallon tax credit for gas stations selling E85 ethanol was exhausted in the first three
months of the state’s new fiscal year.
Laws aim to protect veterans returning from deployment
These days, when an Indiana National Guard member or military reservist is called to active duty, that "weekend warrior" may
be gone for a good deal longer than a weekend.
Stock markets weather historic plunge
Unless markets surge in the final days of the year, 2008 will go down as the worst year for stocks since the Great Depression.
Tax caps thrill homeowners, assessments chill businesses
Soaring property taxes were arguably Indiana’s biggest problem in 2007. In 2008, the Legislature approved property tax caps
as a solution. But because the caps haven’t been implemented, debate is still raging over the consequences the caps will have
for local governments and whether they should be made permanent.
City government should shop locally
Good luck getting people to buy from local vendors or manufacturers.
Businesses on MLK give revitalization another shot
The newly organized MLK Business Revitalization Association aims to bring new life to the neighborhood west of downtown by
uniting area business owners behind a common goal — cleaning up the community to attract other entrepreneurs.
Struggling City Market loses subsidy
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has notified the City Market that the financially strapped city is phasing out its subsidies
to the historic downtown fixture, which account for one-quarter of the market’s nearly $1 million budget.
Recession, budget shortfalls will have major impact on everything legislators debate
Now expecting $935 million less in annual revenue than they did a year ago, legislators will spend the next four months arguing
over budget cuts.
Something to think about as a new year dawns
I think about the economic crisis, the housing crisis, the climate crisis, the energy crisis, the automotive crisis, the Middle
East crisis, the education crisis, the college affordability crisis and all the other crises — real, imagined and manufactured
— and I wonder whether they’ll drive us to the precipice, or even the apocalypse, and whether we’ll change at the last
minute, and, should we survive, whether we’ll remember what we want to forget or forget what we want to remember.
Beech Grove government bracing for budget cuts
Property-tax caps should help Hoosier homeowners save a bundle next year.
Note to Hoosier entrepreneurs: Fight on!
Great leaders are not born out of good times â?? they are born out of severe challenge.
Arts advocates seek money from Indy government
The Arts Council of Indianapolis is leading talks with city councilors, Deputy Mayor Nick Weber and the chiefs of top cultural
organizations about how to create a bigger pot of revenue for the arts.
Ex-Noblesville official paved way for project after resigning post
A quick turnaround from city official to high-paid land-use lobbyist raises questions for some critics of revolving-door
government.
Distribution holds promise for Central Indiana
A new report shows that, despite a sluggish national economy, the Indianapolis area should continue to attract industrial
businesses and distribution centers next year.
Economist puts present economy in historical perspective
The clouds of darkness will pass, fear will be removed, and the light of the season will linger in those who seek it.
Tax-cap bill, jobless fund among top business issues during legislative session
Several major issues with business implications are expected to receive ample attention when legislators convene next month,
particularly the continuing saga of property-tax relief and the state’s ability to pay jobless benefits.
Charter school study likely to stoke legislative debate
A state-funded study of Indiana’s charter schools has found that “no practical difference” exists between the alternative
schools and traditional public schools.
Other states duplicate Indiana’s tax-amnesty program
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has no plans to repeat Indiana’s tax-amnesty program that recovered about $245 million from delinquent
payers in 2005.
Feltman to pursue law, business in Indianapolis
Outgoing state Commerce Secretary Nate Feltman said that he likely will return to practicing law and become involved in business
after leaving the post at the end of the month.