State wants early access to long-term transportation fund
The Indiana Department of Transportation asked the state Senate Appropriations Committee to approve the release of $400 million saved in a special trust fund created last year.
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First family gives TLC to little-used Brown County cabin
The Pence administration has overseen the six-figure renovation of a Brown County cabin that one political observer calls Indiana’s Camp David.
Pence cracks door to electricity deregulation
The Pence administration is discussing whether to include electric-utility deregulation in a new state energy policy, making Indiana one of the few states since California’s electricity crisis to consider opening its market to competition.
Appeals court: IBM breached contract with state
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a Marion County judge’s finding that IBM did not materially breach the contract it had with the state to modernize its welfare system.
Gay-marriage ban off ballot at least until 2016
Opponents of an effort to place Indiana’s gay marriage ban in the state constitution won a surprising victory Thursday as the Senate effectively pushed off a statewide vote on the issue for at least two years, and possibly longer.
Convenience stores prepare case to sell cold beer
The stores’ lawsuit against the state argues that Indiana’s law governing cold-beer sales is unconstitutional. But a phalanx of other beverage retailers has lined up to oppose the action.
House panel takes corporate tax increase out of mass transit bill
If the House approves the bill as amended, it will set up a debate between the Republican-controlled chambers about who pays for expanded transit.
Pence pushes preschool funding amid cost concerns
Under the House Republican plan, families earning less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level in five selected counties would get state aid to send their children to public, private or religious preschools that meet certain education standards.
House panel OKs bill that loosens energy-efficiency rules
Sen. Jim Merritt said the existing energy-efficiency program is unfair to industries because many of them are already paying for sophisticated in-house programs focused on cutting energy use and pursuing other efficiencies.
Pence open to replacing any revenue lost in tax bill
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Tuesday he’s open to proposals to “fully replace” the revenue that local governments might lose under a Senate plan to cut the personal property tax for thousands of businesses across Indiana.
Another delay in health law’s employer requirement
The Obama administration Monday granted employers another delay in a heavily criticized requirement that medium-to-larger firms cover their workers or face fines.
Plan to cut business-equipment tax draws debate
Indiana House lawmakers took up a Senate proposal to cut business taxes on Monday, as fiscal leaders continued working behind the scenes to craft a compromise package of cuts this legislative session.
Senate panel approves altered same-sex marriage ban
The Senate Rules Committee voted 8-4 Monday afternoon along party lines to advance the measure following three hours of emotional testimony from supporters and opponents.
Welfare drug screening bill divides lawmakers
Welfare abuse is driving an Indiana effort to require recipients to be screened for the likelihood of addiction and limit food stamps to the purchase of only “nutritional foods.”
Bitter winter hitting Indiana’s revenue stream
Nearly every state revenue category failed to hit its January target, including sales taxes and personal income taxes — Indiana's two largest revenue sources.
Pence continues push for state-funded preschool
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence made another pitch for a pilot program to help families earning less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level send their children to public or private preschool.
Pence: Session ‘productive’ so far, agenda largely intact
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Thursday he’s pleased with the way his agenda is faring at the halfway point of the 2014 session of the General Assembly.
Experts see limits to state’s low-tax strategy
Thanks to a concerted effort to lower taxes and government spending, Indiana ousted Texas this year in the Tax Foundation’s annual ranking of business tax climates. Indiana now holds the No. 10 spot and could rise higher by eliminating the business personal property tax, an equipment tax that experts say deters investment.
Much of ambitious legislative agenda remains alive
Despite concerns that debating a constitutional amendment defining marriage would rip our state apart, that didn’t happen and the General Assembly has proven quite productive—as well as judicious in deciding what issues not to become entangled in during the “short” session.
Indiana gets low-interest loans for tornado relief
Businesses, residents and some not-for-profits in 19 Indiana counties recovering from the November tornado outbreak can receive low-interest federal disaster loans.