Bipartisan senators reach tentative plan on infrastructure
The group had been narrowing on a much smaller but still sizable $1 trillion proposal of road, highway and other traditional infrastructure projects.
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House panel pushes legislation targeting Big Tech’s power
The ambitious legislation could curb the market power of tech giants Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple and force them to sever their dominant platforms from their other lines of business.
From Congress to the classroom, Susan Brooks joins IU McKinney
The former congresswoman will be returning to her alma mater, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, as a distinguished scholar and ambassador at large, the school announced Wednesday.
Q&A with Mike Schmuhl, new chairman of Indiana Democratic Party
IBJ recently had a chance to talk to Schmuhl about his rebuilding efforts—and the prospect of Pete Buttigieg coming back to Indiana to run for office.
Senate passes $250B effort to boost U.S. tech industry, counter rivals
The bill sponsored by Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., includes $10 billion to fund regional technology hubs—one of which Indiana officials are hoping to land—for five years.
City-County Council votes to ditch mask mandate for vaccinated residents
The Democratic-majority council passed the measure 19-5, along party lines, with Republicans opposed because the order didn’t fully lift all capacity limits for businesses.
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).
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.