Indiana sees highest turnout for midterm election in 24 years
Voter turnout in Indiana’s Nov. 6 general midterm election hit its highest percentage since 1994, with more than half of elected voters casting a vote.
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Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announces re-election bid
The Democrat, who was elected to his first term in 2015, told IBJ that he has decided to seek another term in an effort to “continue moving the city in the direction we’ve already begun.”
State lawmakers seeking more oversight of toll road lease decisions
State lawmakers are discussing ways to increase oversight of the Indiana Toll Road after the governor's recent plan for steep fee hikes on the road was approved with no involvement from legislators.
Indiana superintendent seeks 3 percent increase in education funding
Lawmakers have expressed support for increasing teacher pay in the next two-year budget, but the size of Jennifer McCormick’s request could be much more than what’s available.
State weighs whether Fishers followed law in proposing tax hike for trail
More than a dozen residents have expressed formal opposition to Fishers’ 2019 budget because of a tax increase related to the proposed Nickel Plate Trail, sparking a public hearing in front of the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.
Hamilton County asks state police to probe late-fee claims in lawsuit
The Hamilton County Commissioners have asked state police to investigate claims that the treasurer’s office dodged fees for family members who made late property tax payments after a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging the practice.
Indiana Attorney General Hill asks for $5M budget increase
Embattled Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill did not appear in person Monday to request the increase from the State Budget Committee, which is gathering input before lawmakers write a new two-year budget.
Council Dems seek to raise $1M from increased parking meter collections
The proposal would decrease the hours in which free parking meters are available across the city, extend fee hours on certain days, and impose Sunday parking meter fees.
Council approves Marion County’s switch to vote centers starting next year
Marion County voters will be able to cast their vote at any polling place in the county starting next year as Indianapolis becomes what is known as a “vote center” county.
Proposal to ban sitting, lying down in Mile Square withdrawn
Minority Leader Mike McQuillen, who said the purpose of the proposal was intended to curb panhandling and increase the sense of safety downtown, withdrew the proposal.
U.S.-China trade truce expected to boost stock market
The U.S. was set to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods on Jan. 1 until President Donald Trump agreed Saturday with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping to hold off for 90 days while the two sides try to settle their differences.
IBJ Podcast: Why the Indy CIB will ask the Legislature for millions of dollars
The Capital Improvement Board will seek at least $8 million from lawmakers to help fund what officials say will be a 25-year plan for improvements in the Indiana Convention Center, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and other facilities the CIB owns.
City poised to offer $1.6M to acquire troubled Oaktree Apartments
The abandoned, 336-unit complex “presents considerable safety and security challenges” for its surrounding neighborhood, according to the city.
Trump joins leaders of Canada, Mexico to sign new trade pact
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is meant to replace the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump has long denigrated as a “disaster.”
Holcomb says he won’t pursue plan to toll interstate highways
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced his decision Thursday afternoon after the Indiana Department of Transportation released a strategic plan for interstate tolling that was mandated by a transportation infrastructure funding law passed in 2017.
Moody’s removes ‘negative’ outlook on city’s credit rating
Moody’s also assigned an initial Aa2 rating to $30 million in revenue bonds issued this year by the Indianapolis Bond Bank to pay for long-term transportation funding.
Angry over cutbacks, Trump threatens to end subsidies to GM
President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to cut off all federal subsidies to General Motors because of its planned massive cutbacks in the United States.
Commentary: Record-breaking gain at Statehouse marks tiny change
It took Indiana more than two decades just to add two additional women to its 150 members. Hardly a reason to pop the champagne.
Indiana lawmakers look to address telemarketing issues
The state saw immediate results when the do-not-call law went into effect in 2002, but advances in technology are allowing telemarketers to find loopholes.
Indiana’s push to raise teacher pay creating unlikely allies
It’s not every day that the state’s teachers union, Republican leaders and education advocacy groups find themselves working toward the same goal.