UPDATE: Panel approves Pence’s balanced budget amendment
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's request for a proposed balanced budget constitutional amendment has cleared a legislative committee after first hitting a bump.
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Existing casinos concerned about proposed Pokagon casino
Because Four Winds Casino would be on land-in-trust controlled by a Native American tribe, it would not be subject to the same tax and regulatory system as other casinos in Indiana.
Debates simmering over wages, education board
Indiana lawmakers are expected to again face contentious debates in the next few weeks over repealing the state law on public construction project wages and allowing the replacement of Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz as leader of the state Board of Education.
Pence requests $15 million for 100 caseworkers over two years
The additional staff should bring the Department of Child Services in line with caseload guidelines in state law, according to a new report that Deloitte Consulting released Wednesday.
Veteran advocates say issues have been tabled in Legislature
Dozens of proposals have been sidelined, including one that would create a $2 million program to treat those with traumatic brain injuries.
State tax revenue misses expectations again
For the first eight months of fiscal year 2015, Indiana tax revenue is down 1 percent, or about $91 million. Tax receipts have missed expectations in six out of those eight months.
Kenley: Slower-than-expected tax revenue warrants caution
Indiana Senate budget chief Luke Kenley said he might be a bit more restrained with spending in his version of the next two-year budget because the state has not been meeting its revenue projections for the current fiscal year.
Lawmakers slash funding for economic development plan
The Regional Cities initiative, an economic development proposal focused on Indiana’s struggling metropolitan areas, will come before the Senate with less than a quarter of the funding proposed by Gov. Mike Pence.
Pence not saying exactly where he stands on gambling bill
Gov. Mike Pence has been firm that he doesn’t want an expansion of gambling operations in the state. But he has not been clear about what he means by “expansion.”
Pence, legislators open to ditching ISTEP for cheaper alternative
Two bills already have passed the Senate that push the state in the direction of a national test.
Bill that trims funding to shrinking districts advances
The changes, combined with declining enrollments in a number of schools, mean that 91 of the state’s 289 traditional districts would receive less overall funding in 2016 than this year.
State budget proposal shifts aid toward wealthy schools
IPS would see a 6-percent reduction in state tuition aid by 2017 despite being one of the state’s poorest districts, with more than 75 percent of children coming from families that are poor enough to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
House GOP budget plan calls for school spending boost
The planned school spending increase is more than double the $201 million hike that Republican Gov. Mike Pence proposed in January.
Big-ticket item cut from Pence’s tax-simplification plan
The proposal to extend a sales-tax exemption to equipment purchases by manufacturers was expected to cost Indiana as much as $240 million per year in tax revenue.
Tax ‘simplification’ bill raises numerous questions
Indiana lawmakers are considering legislation that would eliminate $21 million in annual tax cuts for businesses and individuals, bolster a break for the working poor, and expand a sales tax exemption for businesses.
Department of Correction seeks prison expansions
The Indiana Department of Correction presented a budget proposal to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday that included about $50 million in additional funds to expand two of the state’s prisons.
Indiana lawmakers facing renewed debate over casinos
Proposals aim to help boost Indiana's casinos after they've seen more big declines in revenue in the face of growing competition from neighboring states.
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.
Transit advocates push to increase state funding
A fund for public transportation could be debated before the House Ways and Means Committee after Rep. Randy Truitt filed a bill that would provide about $20 million more per year than Gov. Mike Pence proposed.
Details being worked out on Pence’s balanced budget proposal
Republican legislative leaders are backing Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's proposal to add a balanced budget amendment to the state constitution, even as details of how it would work are still being sorted out.