State panel backs legalizing fenced-in hunting preserves
Indiana’s four current high-fenced deer-hunting preserves would be the only ones allowed in the state under a bill endorsed by a legislative committee.
State Agencies
Articles
Pence changes gears at BMV amid another $2M in overcharges
Gov. Mike Pence is launching an internal audit and has installed a new commissioner to oversee the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Another $2 million in motorist overcharges came to light Monday.
2015 Forty Under 40: Cynthia Carrasco
Cynthia Carrasco, 34, inspector general for the state of Indiana, keeps watch for fraud and abuse.
BMV moves license plate production away from prisons
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has entered into a $72 million contract with Intellectual Technology Inc. to produce and distribute the state’s license plates and vehicle registrations until the end of 2019.
INDOT officials say they need more cash to keep up
INDOT Commissioner Karl Browning said more money needs to be budgeted to prevent more of Indiana’s roads and bridges from falling into poor condition.
Bennett probe recommended prosecution for fraud
The investigation of former Indiana schools Superintendent Tony Bennett found more than 100 instances in which he or his employees violated federal law. The state’s formal report in February minimized the infractions, and Bennett has never faced prosecution.
Legislators question caseloads for child services, urge action
Some Democratic legislators are pushing for greater action over the Indiana Department of Child Services' failure to meet state-mandated workload standards for case managers.
State examiner wants higher Indiana audit fees
State Examiner Paul Joyce is pressing Indiana lawmakers to increase the daily fee for state audits, warning that his office needs more staffing to properly scout local government entities for fraud.
Child services agency missing caseload standard
Doris Tolliver, the agency's chief of staff, told the State Budget Committee on Wednesday that only one of its 19 regions is meeting the workload standards for case workers.
OneAmerica pays $800K over fraud orchestrated by ex-representative
OneAmerica Securities has agreed to pay the state $805,000 to settle claims it failed to supervise an ex-representative involved in an $8.9 million Ponzi scheme in Ohio, Kentucky and southeastern Indiana.
Pence names new Homeland Security director
David Kane, who has been federal security director for the U.S. Transportation Security administration since 2005, will take over management of the state agency Nov. 24.
INDOT faces time crunch on Chicago rail line
State officials are still negotiating with a Chicago firm chosen to take over the Hoosier State rail service from Amtrak. The deal is supposed to be complete by Feb. 1.
BMV lawyers defend embattled state agency
Lawyers for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles are fighting back in an ongoing legal battle involving overcharges by the state agency.
BMV mailing out claim forms for excise overcharges
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has begun mailing out claim forms to Indiana motorists for refunds from about $29 million in overcharges on excise taxes when vehicles were registered, the agency said Wednesday.
Pair of top Pence aides leaving administration
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence announced Tuesday that personnel director Anita Samuel and former workforce development commissioner Scott Sanders are exiting their positions.
More funds earmarked for domestic violence programs
If all the money is distributed, it will bring the state’s total spending on domestic violence programs to $4.2 million this year. That’s about 35 percent more than the state spent last year.
Indiana settles DCS adoption suit for $15 million
The state will pay $15.1 million to about 1,800 families who adopted special needs children. The settlement was filed in LaPorte Superior Court on Thursday afternoon and still needs court approval.
Domestic violence activist, state disagree on deal
An advocate for victims of domestic violence said her group reached agreement Thursday with Indiana officials over funding for the private agencies serving them, but a state official denied there was a deal.
BMV announces overcharges of about $29 million
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has announced about 180,000 people will be getting excise tax refunds because their vehicles were improperly classified during registration over the past decade.
DCS struggles to keep accurate caseload tally
Indiana has hired more case workers to keep track of its most vulnerable residents. But complaints about overwork continue to surface as the state battles questions about the accuracy of data on caseloads.