EDITORIAL: Consider tapping bank fund to ease budget woes
As reported in a front-page story in last week’s IBJ, the $250 million public deposit insurance fund has not been tapped in nearly 20 years.
State Budget
Articles
Lawmakers seek to fix state’s unemployment fund
Indiana businesses and the unemployed are both worried about changes that legislators could make to the state's insolvent unemployment insurance program during the upcoming General Assembly.
Daniels, bankers may spar over deposit insurance fund
Elected officials—including Gov. Mitch Daniels—have started eyeing the little-known, $250 million public deposit insurance fund, or PDIF, as a potential way to plug budget gaps next year.
Indiana may cut Medicaid services to check costs
The state Medicaid actuary projected Indiana’s share of the program’s costs will rise by about $1.46 billion this fiscal year, by about $1.84 billion in the 2012 fiscal year and by about $2 billion in the 2013 fiscal year unless some services are cut.
Business agenda might get friendly reception
With Republicans firmly in control of the Indiana General Assembly, businesses have a better chance of achieving some of their legislative objectives than they have for years.
Redistricting, education issues also on docket for General Assembly
Legislature will consider redistricting along with controversial education issues.
Turbulent Indiana General Assembly just ahead
Scarce resources promise to vex lawmakers charged with writing a new budget when the Legislature convenes in January.
Indiana lawmakers plan to float corporate tax cuts
State lawmakers plan to propose reducing Indiana’s corporate income tax rate next year in a move they say will make the state a more appealing place for businesses to locate.
Poll: Public lukewarm on more charter schools
A new survey finds that only about one-quarter of Indiana residents support using public money to start more charter schools, which Gov. Mitch Daniels is pushing to do during the upcoming legislative session.
Indiana revenue shows slight gains in November
Indiana’s finances showed signs of life in November as growth in sales and individual income tax collections helped bring in $49 million more than projected in the most recent revenue forecast.
Growing state welfare rolls require more workers
Secretary Michael Gargano of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration asked the State Budget Committee this week to raise the funding for local welfare offices by 58 percent for the fiscal year that begins next July 1—and more for the following year.
State lawmakers face tough choices over prison costs
Indiana lawmakers will swim rough political waters next year when deciding whether to spend millions more on overcrowded prisons or reducing prison sentences and being seen as soft on crime.
Indiana revenue in October down from year ago
The state Budget Agency reported Wednesday that Indiana collected $959 million in October. That’s $23 million below the most recent forecast and about $81 million less than projected in the budget lawmakers passed in 2009.
New GOP-led House will focus on private-sector job creation
With new control of the Indiana House, Republican lawmakers plan to pursue an agenda focused on encouraging the private sector to create jobs and passing a budget without tax increases.
Voters expected to OK property-tax cap amendment
A recent poll found that more than 60 percent of likely voters support the proposed constitutional amendment, and some of the measure’s biggest opponents have given up the fight.
Indiana loans for jobless to hit businesses Jan. 1
The state will begin paying millions of dollars in penalties and interest to the federal government next year because it has borrowed nearly $2 billion to pay for jobless benefits.
Election could give GOP control of state policy decisions
With a Republican tide predicted to wash over the country in next month’s election, there is a very real chance that the Indiana House will be dominated by the GOP for the first time since 2005-06, putting virtually all policy-setting responsibilities in Indiana in one party’s hands.
Indiana’s August revenue up 8.4 percent from year ago
The state Budget Agency reported Friday that Indiana collected $938 million in August. That's $51 million above the most recent forecast, but still $2 million less than projected in the budget lawmakers passed in early 2009.
INDOT lays off 30 employees in budget move
Gov. Mitch Daniels said the layoffs were “one of the very, very few involuntary reductions” that Indiana government has had to make to cut spending.
Indiana child care agencies protest cost of new rules
An effort to shift some foster care costs to the federal government would throw up more red tape and make it harder for caretakers and providers to get services for troubled children, a coalition of child care agencies said Friday.