Dems grumbling over big raises for Ballard’s staff
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s staff received a collective 18-percent raise this spring following the hiring of a new deputy for education with an annual salary of $120,000.
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Budget questions could easily eat at $2.2B reserve
With $2.2 billion in the bank, improving tax collections and extra tax refunds on their way to Hoosiers, it would be easy to assume Indiana’s leaders could coast for a while.
Health insurers’ anti-fraud bid seeks to ease profit-limit rule
The Obama administration Thursday announced a partnership with the industry in which WellPoint Inc., UnitedHealth Group Inc. and other insurers may try to share more billing data with the government to root out fraud.
State fair exec shadowed by tragedy
Cindy Hoye's life has revolved around fairs since she was a child growing up just 10 minutes from the Indiana State Fairgrounds, but for the past year, that lifelong love has been tainted by tragedy.
State pensions’ strategy shift causes manager fees to rise
The $25.3 billion Indiana Public Retirement System is in the midst of hiring managers to carry out a strategy where more money will be in hedge funds, private equity and real estate than stocks.
Indiana House Dems boot Bauer, install Lawson as leader
Members of the state’s Democratic caucus voted to replace longtime leader Rep. Patrick Bauer on Thursday amid criticism over how he’s handled campaign fundraising and spending heading into the November elections. Rep. Linda Lawson of Hammond was chosen as his replacement.
Bennett rakes in record cash in education race
Reform-minded Superintendent of Public Instruction draws contributions from across the country.
Agency blames caseworker turnover on pay, scrutiny
Indiana's Department of Child Services on Wednesday blamed a combination of low pay and job stress stemming from media coverage of the agency for an increasing turnover rate among child caseworkers.
Bauer says he won’t resign, urges Democratic unity
House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer held a Statehouse news conference Wednesday amid reports his caucus would meet Thursday in Lafayette to vote to remove him as its leader.
Audit of $526M in state tax errors could take months
Representatives of the accounting firm Deloitte told Indiana budget leaders their assessment of what needs to be audited could last through August. The audit itself could take months longer after that.
Committee passes domestic partner benefits proposal
The plan to offer health-care benefits to domestic partners of Indianapolis city workers passed a City-County Council committee by a 7-0 vote on Tuesday. The full council could consider the measure as early as Aug. 13.
$63M fairgrounds Coliseum project to include new arena
State Fair Commission Chairman Andre Lacy said the new venue will keep youth hockey games and horse shows going while the Coliseum hosts concerts and other events.
Republicans open fire on Gregg in race for governor
Indiana Republicans opened a line of attack on Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg on Tuesday with the argument that he spent too much of the state's money during his time in the General Assembly.
Indiana lawmaker seeks to close voucher law loophole
A state lawmaker plans to sponsor a bill seeking to close a loophole that bars the children of some military families from taking part in Indiana's school voucher program.
Charter school lands more time in fight against closure
The Project School was granted a court hearing and restraining order Tuesday in its fight against Mayor Greg Ballard’s plan to revoke its charter. Ballard, though, emphasized his decision by issuing a “final notice of charter revocation.”
Mayor vetoes hotel-worker blacklisting proposal
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has vetoed a proposed ordinance aimed at hiring practices by local hotels, the mayor's office announced Thursday afternoon.
Lottery could expand to grow state’s take
The $791 million Hoosier Lottery threw open bidding July 11 for a 10-year contract on marketing, sales and distribution services. The lottery wants to be among the fastest-growing in the country, and it’s looking to the gambling industry to help it reach that goal.
Indiana can’t collect on IBM welfare lawsuit, judge rules
Indiana cannot collect millions of dollars it claims IBM owed after its efforts to overhaul the state’s welfare system failed, and the computer giant is entitled to payment for equipment the state kept, a judge said in a Wednesday ruling that condemned both sides.
Hotel worker ‘blacklisting’ ban approved by council
Indianapolis hotels could no longer ban contract workers from direct employment under an ordinance passed Monday night by the City-County Council.
Bar owners challenging smoking ban seek injunction
The 10 Indianapolis business owners want a federal judge to prevent the city of Indianapolis from enforcing new public smoking restrictions until a ruling is made on their lawsuit. Their original complaint claims the ordinance violates parts of the U.S. Constitution.