Greenwood businesses to get digital boost with state’s online service
INBiz is designed to save companies time and legwork when they have business with the state—and soon services through the city of Greenwood will be available as well.
Government
Articles
HHS secretary Azar to visit Indy as state awaits Medicaid work ruling
Barely two weeks after being confirmed as U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services, former Eli Lilly and Co. executive Alex Azar is returning to Indianapolis on Friday for an announcement with state officials.
Report: Indiana putting children in foster care at twice national rate
The number of children placed in foster care has surged as states struggle to address the opioid epidemic. But the problem is particularly acute in a handful of states, including Indiana.
House advances ‘hillbilly venture capital’ bill pushed by payday loan industry
House Bill 1319, which would allow the short-term loan industry to offer high-interest consumer loans, is opposed by veteran groups, religious institutions and consumer advocates.
Last-minute proposal would let 10 percent of teachers be unlicensed
The measure, added during a Senate Education Committee meeting, would ostensibly let public schools be more competitive with charter schools at a time when many districts are having difficulty finding qualified teachers.
Trump’s endorsement puts ‘Right to Try’ drug bill on fast track
The initiative, championed by Vice President Mike Pence when he was governor of Indiana, has been embraced by members of both parties. The latest bill was written by U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana.
GOP hopefuls Messer, Braun, Rokita file for U.S. Senate race
Three of the leading Republican candidates for their party's U.S. Senate nomination have filed the petition signatures needed to appear on the May primary ballot.
IURC chairmanship attracts 7 candidates
The five-person commission regulates $14 billion in electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer utilities. It approves utility projects and determines how much utilities can charge customers.
Turmoil among Indy Dems continues as Clay fires council staff; critics cry ‘retaliation’
Vice President Zach Adamson said he believed the firing of City-County Council lawyer Fred Biesecker by new president Stephen Clay was in retaliation for Biesecker’s procedural moves against him that could put Clay’s new presidency in jeopardy.
Indiana House approves bill to lift Indy-area ban on light rail
Lawmakers are reconsidering the ban with hopes of landing Amazon’s second North American headquarters.
Indiana House Republicans kill bill to raise smoking age to 21
House Republicans justified the decision, stating that their calculations indicate the change would cost state government $14 million a year in lost cigarette tax revenue.
Push for hate crimes law fails again in Indiana Legislature
Indiana will remain one of just five states without a hate crimes law after a bill was sidelined in the Senate. Critics said the failure to pass such a law could hurt the state’s chances of landing Amazon’s planned second headquarters.
Council OKs $55M for initial justice center construction
The unanimous vote also gave approval for the city to spend $4.2 million to acquire 140 acres of land from Citizens Energy Group as the site for the new jail, courthouses and mental health center.
Indy Democrats take first steps to oust Clay as council president
Democrats acted to put the question of Stephen Clay’s removal as president to a vote at the next council meeting, in mid-February.
Eliminating handgun permit fee could shrink state revenue by $11M
Some Republicans have sought a full repeal of Indiana’s handgun permit law. Legislators compromised by proposing to eliminate the permit fee starting in July 2019.
House panel approves bill to raise state smoking age from 18 to 21
Lawmakers stripped a provision from the bill that would have boosted the cigarette tax from 99 cents a pack to $2.99.
Cities, states seek alternatives to corrosive salt for melting ice on roads
Experts suggest using beet juice, molasses, and even beer or cheese waste to make slick roads safer, in an effort to stop polluting fresh water sources with salty runoff.
FEIGENBAUM: Why firm, fair leadership matters at this point in session
Contrary to popular public belief, the session’s driving issue is not Sunday-alcohol or cold-beer sales expansion.
Mayor joins critics of downtown north-split interstate plan, seeks new options
Mayor Joe Hogsett is echoing the chorus of community leaders and downtown residents expressing concern with the state’s $250 million plan to revamp the I-70/I-65 interchange.
Donnelly’s war chest swells to $5.3M, getting help from top Democrats
Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly’s reelection campaign raised $1.2 million during the last three months of 2017. Prominent Democrats are hosting fundraisers and stumping for the vulnerable, red-state candidate.