2012 NEWSMAKER: School librarian Ritz won with grass-roots campaign
Democrat Glenda Ritz pulled off a David-versus-Goliath victory to unseat Republican Tony Bennett as Indiana’s superintendent of public instruction.
Government
Articles
No deal in sight as deadline for fiscal cliff nears
Lawmakers are engaged in a playground game of "who goes first," daring each political party to let the year end without resolving a Jan. 1 confluence of higher taxes and deep spending cuts that could rattle a recovering, but-still-fragile economy.
Competition blamed for state casino revenue drop
The latest state revenue forecast projects annual casino tax revenue will decline by about $42 million, or 9 percent, for the second year of the new two-year state budget.
Sensient settles over use of ‘popcorn lung’ chemical
The locally based flavor maker has agreed to reduce its usage of diacetyl, which had prompted fines from the state. The deal significantly reduces the amount of the penalty—from $325,500 to $99,000.
Carmel lawmaker wants transparency from IEDC
Sen. Mike Delph said he believes the economic development organization is intentionally misleading the public about the number of jobs that companies receiving incentives create.
Three suspects charged in Richmond Hill explosion
The Marion County prosecutor says homeowner Monserrate Shirley, her boyfriend, Mark Leonard, and his brother, Bobby Leonard, have been charged with multiple counts of felony murder and arson.
State’s unemployment rate holds steady at 8 percent
Indiana shed 9,800 private-sector jobs in November, mainly due to losses in the construction industry, according to state officials.
Stocks tumble after GOP cancels ‘fiscal cliff’ vote
House Speaker John Boehner scrapped a vote on his so-called “Plan B” on Thursday night after it became clear that it did not have enough support in the Republican-led House to secure passage.
Lugar’s storied political career comes to a close
Colleagues and friends say Lugar’s commitment to foreign policy, which earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, and his belief in bipartisanship, which contributed to his thrashing by Tea Party favorite Richard Mourdock in the May primary, will be sorely missed when he leaves the Senate in January after 36 years.
Johnson picked to succeed Miles as leader of CICP
BioCrossroads CEO David Johnson has been chosen president and CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, succeeding Mark Miles, who is leaving the CICP after seven years to become CEO of Hulman & Co.
Skillman to lead southern Indiana development group
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman is heading south after she leaves the Indiana Statehouse to lead an economic development group revolving around the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center.
Auditors: Tech issues, worker rush led to state tax errors
Auditors investigating Indiana's Department of Revenue are saying outdated technology and a work culture that sacrificed accuracy for speed led to $526 million in tax errors from the state.
Parks foundation gets $10M from Lilly Endowment
The Indianapolis Parks Foundation has received a record-setting $10 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to upgrade 13 parks in Marion County, the foundation announced Monday.
Fishers to kick in $8M toward new I-69 interchange
The Fishers Town Council voted Monday to spend $8 million in local funds toward construction of an Interstate 69 exit at 106th Street that will cost an estimated $25 million to build.
Pence’s inner circle includes old, new hands
Mike Pence's staff says he likes to chew over an issue extensively before presenting it to the public, and wants to hear from multiple sides before making up his mind.
Chrysler seeks tax incentives on Kokomo plant
Chrysler Group LLC is seeking tax incentives for its transmission plant in Kokomo at the same time it's asking Tipton County officials for similar incentives on a vacant plant.
Indiana farmers fear estate tax changes
Indiana farmers say they have a lot to lose should the nation go over the so-called fiscal cliff, a set of automatic spending cuts and tax hikes set to take effect in January unless the White House and Republicans negotiate a compromise.
Indy home explosion investigation costs: $308,674
The Indianapolis Department of Public Safety says it has spent more than $300,000 on manpower and other expenses investigating an explosion that killed a couple and decimated their neighborhood on the southeast side.
Pence keeps transportation, National Guard chiefs
Pence announced that Maj. Gen. Martin Umbarger would continue as the head of Indiana's National Guard and Michael Cline would continue serving as state transportation commissioner.
Johnson County officials repeal public smoking ordinance
Johnson County commissioners voted unanimously this week to repeal a tough new public smoking ordinance less than a month before it was scheduled to go into effect.