House passes $31.4B budget with cigarette tax hike
House Ways and Means Chairman Tim Brown called the $31.4 billion budget an “honest appraisal of the money we have and the spending priorities we have going forward.”
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Governor names Atterholt chief utility regulator
Jim Atterholt, a former lawmaker, most recently served as chief of staff to former Gov. Mike Pence. He is returning to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, where he previously served as chairman.
Holcomb opts for team of veterans
All but a handful of the nearly 50 agency heads, cabinet members and key staff members Holcomb has selected worked in either the Daniels or Pence administrations—or both.
Holcomb calls to use $500M fund from Toll Road lease to fund entrepreneurship
Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb, who announced his legislative agenda Thursday, has roughly the same idea as Gov. Mike Pence when it comes to investing in early-stage Indiana companies, but wants to pay for the plan through a different fund.
Pence extends minimum energy standards for buildings
The outgoing governor was set to let the rules expire on Jan. 1. A Department of Homeland Security spokesman says new outdoor stage rules are also in the works.
House Republicans’ road plan includes gas-tax increase, user fees
The proposal calls to raise three taxes and implement new user fees. House Speaker Brian Bosma said he expects the plan to cost most Hoosiers about $4 per month.
Critics decry Pence team for letting state fair stage collapse rule expire
Regulators had more than three years to approve permanent rules establishing stricter design and construction requirements for outdoor event equipment but did not do so before the emergency rules expired this year.
Pence could leave state with no energy standards for buildings
Critics say the absence of standards could have negative results for Hoosiers’ energy bills and lead to a “slumlord’s dream” scenario.
State projects $435M less revenue in 2017 than previously expected
The long-term forecast was sunnier, with revenue projected to increase 2.9 percent in 2018 and 3.9 percent in 2019.
State’s film agency finds new location, director
The office in charge of supporting and promoting Indiana’s film, TV and commercial-making industries now is under the umbrella of the state’s tourism development efforts.
Holcomb taps IEDC’s Schellinger for secretary of commerce
Jim Schellinger, a former Democratic candidate for governor, became president last year of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. In accepting the new position, he will retire from CSO Architects, where he had served as CEO, and sell his ownership stake.
Holcomb to keep Vincent as budget office director
Micah Vincent has served as director of the Office of Management and Budget since 2015 after he was tapped for the role by Gov. Mike Pence.
AG seeks Supreme Court ruling in Monarch-related case
Attorney General Greg Zoeller said he will ask the Indiana Supreme Court to put on hold a lower court ruling that said the state must grant a wholesaler permit to Spirited Sales LLC, a company affiliated with Monarch Beverage that wants to sell liquor.
Holcomb, Gregg disagree about how to manage state forests
Democrat gubernatorial candidate John Gregg says there’s too much logging going on in Indiana state forests, while Republican opponent Eric Holcomb defends the state’s practices.
Vaping bill sponsor admits ‘it did’ put people out of business
At an interim meeting of the Senate public policy committee, State Sen. Ron Alting said the law did create a monopoly and cause harm to small businesses. The law and circumstances of its passage are being probed by the FBI.
Monarch affiliate gets OK to sell liquor after judge denies stay
The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission has granted Spirited Sales a temporary permit to sell wholesale liquor after a Marion County special judge denied the state’s request for a stay on her August ruling for the company.
Attorneys differ by more than $100M in latest BMV lawsuit
Attorney Irwin Levin of Indianapolis law firm Cohen & Malad LLP argued during a one-day bench trial Wednesday that the BMV should refund a total of $144 million in overcharges going back 10 years, plus interest.
State park director Mays-Medley recovering after aneurysm
Carolene Mays-Medley, a former state legislator and utility regulator, was rushed to a local hospital earlier this week.
Court battle heats up between state, Monarch Beverage affiliate
The state has requested a stay of a Marion County judge’s ruling last week that opens the door for a Monarch Beverage affiliate to enter the liquor-wholesaling business.
Judge rules in favor of scorned e-liquid manufacturer in vaping case
The state has not determined whether it will appeal the ruling to grant a preliminary injunction in the case. The ruling only affects one company.