City-County committee nixes tougher smoking ban
The City-County Council's Rules and Public Policy Committee voted 6-2 Tuesday night against sending a tough smoking-ban proposal to a full council.
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Mayors back transit tax hike in Marion, Hamilton counties
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard say more local transit options are needed despite the steep cost. A ballot referendum would be required so voters could consider a 0.3-percent income-tax increase to pay for a $1.3 billion project.
GOP brass opts not to battle townships
Republican leaders in the General Assembly who have backed local government reform will trade ambitious proposals they’ve pursued in years past for more moderate—and widely accepted—ideas in the next legislative session.
Rolls-Royce tax-incentives deal set for hearing
A plan to offer a 10-year tax abatement worth $23 million for Rolls-Royce Corp. to redevelop two plants on the west side and move thousands of office workers into downtown’s Faris campus is scheduled for an initial hearing Wednesday.
Indiana communities run into higher salt prices
Communities across Indiana could have less money to pave roads and fill potholes because of rising road salt costs.
‘Buy local’ law to be tweaked
New requirement that local governments hire local bidders came under fire.
Plowman receives 40-month federal sentence
A federal judge on Thursday afternoon sentenced former City-County Councilor Lincoln Plowman to 40 months in prison for attempted extortion and bribery.
Prosecutors recommend 6-1/2 years for Plowman
The former City-County Councilor, convicted in September on federal bribery and attempted extortion charges, is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday afternoon.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Council prez takes 11th-hour run at ban, redistricting
Why is Ryan Vaughn ending his tenure as City-County Council president with two hot-button proposals? Can he get the votes for a stronger smoking ban? How does he react to a call for his removal?
Passengers likely would shoulder chunk of transit system costs
Federal transit data suggests passenger fares would generate about one-fourth of the money needed to operate a suburban rail and expanded bus system proposed for the region.
City-County Council Republican to propose tougher smoking ban
The Republican president of the City-County Council in Indianapolis says his party plans to introduce an expanded smoking ban that would take effect before the Super Bowl.
U.S. high court takes Indianapolis sewer case
The Supreme Court of the United States agreed Monday to review a case that questions whether the city of Indianapolis violated the U.S. Constitution in how it handled refunds for residents who paid assessments on local sewer projects.
Homeless advocates pitch local sales-tax hike
CHIP, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, said it wants Marion County taxpayers to create a permanent, dedicated source of funding for housing and services.
New Republican councilor beat long odds
Republican Jeff Miller's wife died three months before the Nov. 8 election, but he kept campaigning for City-County Council—and won in a district that leans Democratic against an incumbent.
City balks at Jack in the Box plans for Meridian Street site
Urban design guidelines prohibit new drive-throughs along Meridian or Pennsylvania streets in the downtown vicinity.
Outsider appeal, moderate stance helped Ballard win
Mayor Greg Ballard maintained an appeal as a political outsider and moderate Republican that drew enough Democratic support to secure him a second term Tuesday, experts said.
Mayoral roundup: Republicans dominate elections
A Republican Party tally gives the GOP a 61-54 majority over Democrats among the state's mayor's offices — a shift from a 68-48 Democratic lead.
Incumbent defeats Speedway exec in Terre Haute
Republican Duke Bennett was elected for a second term Tuesday, defeating Democrat Fred Nation, an Indianapolis Motor Speedway executive.
South Bend elects 29-year-old former Rhodes scholar
South Bend residents elected former Rhodes scholar and Democrat Pete Buttigieg as mayor as he easily defeated Republican Wayne Curry.
Dems gain 16-13 edge on City-County Council
Democrats won control of the Indianapolis City-County Council on Tuesday, capturing 16 of 29 seats and taking over the city’s legislative body for the first time since 2007.