Nate Feltman: Waking up from my political hangover
Let’s examine some water cooler chatter about the 2024 governor’s race (even though it’s early).
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IBJ Podcast: Sen. Todd Young on how his Endless Frontier Act could boost innovation in Indiana
David Johnson, the president and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Partnership, also joins the podcast talk about how Indiana should prepare for the act’s passage.
Marion County pandemic restrictions could change this week
Counties around Indiana are dropping their mask mandates and other coronavirus restrictions after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control released new, looser guidance Thursday for people vaccinated against COVID-19. Marion County could be next, with changes expected this week.
More than 1.9 million people could see severe cuts in unemployment aid as Republicans seek to curb assistance
Indiana is not among the states cutting workers off from federal benefits. But on Thursday, Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., encouraged states to “pull the plug” on the benefits.
Hogsett administration plans to spend $25M to repair run-down residential streets across Indy
The city identified 605 residential lane miles across Indianapolis that are in particularly poor condition. The city is allocating enough money to fix only about 10% of those miles, starting as soon as next spring.
White House to work with states on reimposing work-search requirements
States waived their work requirements for unemployment benefits at the start of the pandemic, but about 30 of them have reimposed or are planning to reimpose them. Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday that Indiana would do the same.
Spartz announces she will seek re-election in 5th District
U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, a Republican, made her announcement just six months after being elected and less than a month after the Democratic Congressional Committee declared it will target her seat in 2022.
Pence inks two-book deal, launches political advocacy group
Mike Pence’s book deal continues the former vice president’s re-emergence since January. On Wednesday, he launched Advancing American Freedom, which will work as a counterpoint to the Biden agenda.
State lawmakers ignore Holcomb’s wishes
Gov. Eric Holcomb is not having much luck getting what he wants from the General Assembly this year, even though both chambers are overwhelmingly dominated by his Republican Party.
IBJ Podcast: Why business execs are pushing back against legislative interference in Indy
More than 60 business and not-for-profit executives have signed a letter telling lawmakers to back off proposals that would restrict or usurp power from city government in Indianapolis.
FBI vetting National Guard troops in Washington over fears of insider attack
About 25,000 members of the National Guard are streaming into Washington from across the country. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said last week that he would be deploying 625 troops to Washington from Jan. 16-22.
Lilly suspends contributions to 4 Indiana Congress members over certification votes
Several other Indiana companies also say they are suspending contributions to all candidates or are taking a close look at the matter.
Twitter, Facebook muzzle Trump amid Capitol violence
In an unprecedented step, Facebook and Twitter suspended President Donald Trump from posting to their platforms Wednesday following the storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.
Q&A: Talking politics, history and business with Robert Vane
In 2019, Republican Robert Vane launched a podcast called “Leaders and Legends” as a way to help promote his media relations and communications business.
Little about the next legislative session will be normal—maybe not even when it starts
Republican leaders are confident the General Assembly can meet safely and still let the public have input, but Democrats are skeptical.
President Trump directs his team to cooperate on Biden transition
Still, the Republican president vowed to keep up the fight, saying his case “strongly” continues.
Top CEOs met to plan response to Trump’s election denial
The CEOs from about two dozen Fortune 500 companies decided to wait for the Nov. 20 certification of votes in Georgia before meeting to decide their next moves.
Trump, virus derailed Democrats effort to pick up seats in Hamilton County
While Democrats stayed holed up—relying on phone calls, advertising and social media—to spread their message, Republican candidates donned masks and knocked on doors, talking to voters one-on-one in ways that Democrats thought might not be safe (or popular).
IBJ Podcast: Democrats were supposed to have a big year in Indiana. They didn’t. Why not?
Podcast host Mason King talked with University of Indianapolis political science professor Laura Merrifield Wilson and IBJ political reporter Lindsey Erdody about the messages Indiana voters sent at the polls.
Zody to retire as state Democratic Party chair after GOP rout
John Zody, who has been the party chair since 2013, told reporters on Friday morning that he will finish his term through March and then help the party reorganize its leadership.