Pence set to outline second year legislative agenda
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is set to provide more details about his second-year agenda he says will focus on education, road construction and economic issues.
Government
Articles
State appeals order that strips $63M in tobacco payments
The state has appealed an arbitration order reducing its tobacco settlement payments by $63 million next year, saying a three-judge panel exceeded its authority and unfairly judged Indiana’s actions.
Business veteran to direct Indiana agriculture agency
Ted McKinney, who grew up on a family farm in Tipton County, will replace Gina Sheets, who’s leaving after a year on the job to do mission work in Liberia.
Ritz: Power grab outlined in Pence document
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, a Democrat, released an internal document Wednesday that she says is evidence a new agency created by Republican Gov. Mike Pence is trying to undermine her.
Dem lawsuit alleges school board meeting violation
A Democratic elections lawyer is suing the State Board of Education for allegedly violating Indiana's open meetings law.
Ritz, school board members meeting with mediator
Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz and Gov. Mike Pence agreed last week to bring in the national group after disagreements escalated.
Mayors speak out against amendment on gay marriage
The mayors of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend and Hammond were among those expressing opposition.
School districts could recover $14 million in settlement
Indiana school districts which invested in a failed union health insurance plan could get back roughly half of the money they lost, if they approve the settlement.
Downtown plan proposes street changes, parks, lighting
A not-for-profit’s proposal for downtown Indy focuses on making it more comfortable and dynamic for urban dwellers.
State GOP leaders to drop Common Core standards
House Speaker Brian Bosma of Indianapolis and Senate President David Long of Fort Wayne plan to direct the Republican-controlled Legislature to require the state to create its own set of reading and math standards.
IU assembling plan to ‘disaster proof’ its campuses
The university is interested in receiving funding to move utilities out of bottom floors to mitigate water issues during a flood. Other options would be to retrofit buildings and create better refuge from disasters.
State may pay up to $110M in upfront Illiana Expressway costs
The 12-mile Indiana portion of the 47-mile highway, which would link northern Indiana with Chicago's south suburbs, has an estimated $300 million cost.
Health law small-business insurance site delayed 1 year
The Obama administration is delaying yet another aspect of the health care law, putting off until next November the launch of an online portal to the health insurance marketplace for small businesses.
National group will help mediate education board dispute
Republican Gov. Mike Pence and Democratic Superintendent Glenda Ritz met behind closed doors Tuesday and agreed to engage an outside group to help mediate disputes within the State Board of Education.
DMD’s Thies pushing for better design, more projects
Adam Thies, 36, arrived from the private sector in October 2012 and is beginning to put his stamp on the government agency that guides city development
Democrats now run biggest cities, except Indianapolis
When Democrat Bill de Blasio takes office in New York City on Jan. 1, Indianapolis will become the most populous U.S. city run by a Republican mayor.
Manufacturer seeks tax break, plans to add 100 jobs
Applied Composites Engineering Inc., an Indianapolis-based designer and manufacturer of products for the aerospace industry and military applications, is planning to spend $2.5 million on equipment that would help it double its work force over the next six years.
Appeals court upholds Indianapolis smoking ban
The court’s decision denied an injunction request from several bar owners who claimed the 2012 law would have a negative impact on their businesses.
IU Health latest to voice opposition to marriage amendment
IU Health, the state’s fourth-largest employer, said it was opposing a proposed amendment against same-sex marriage for health-related reasons.
Access counselor says education board didn’t violate law
Public Access Counselor Luke Britt also warned in an advisory opinion that “final decisions are meant to be open and transparent,” and urged the board and agencies to be careful about following the spirit of the state’s Open Door Law.