BMV chief avoiding specialty-plates debate
A legislative committee is expected over the summer to review the policies under which some 100 schools and organizations have obtained the specialty plates that supporters can buy for their vehicles.
State Government
Articles
Ex-bank exec Alley to take over Indiana revenue office
Former Fifth Third Bank president Mike Alley will take over as the state’s revenue commissioner. He’ll replace John Eckart, who resigned last week amid controversy over misplaced local option income taxes.
State lawmakers ponder reaction to $206M mistake
Members of the State Budget Committee are set to meet to discuss how the state forgot to distribute $206 million owed to the counties.
Indiana panel set to start review of $205M tax error
A leading legislator said he expects the State Budget Committee to take some time reviewing a second computer programming mistake made by the Indiana Department of Revenue that short-changed local governments by about $205 million.
Lugar strong, but Mourdock more poised in debate
After struggling at times during the early Republican primary campaign, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar sounded more like the legislator he's been for the past 35 years in a debate Wednesday night with Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
Union says right-to-work law violates free speech
Union attorneys are using a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave corporations and unions the green light to spend unlimited sums of cash on campaign ads as part of a legal effort to overturn Indiana's new right-to-work law.
Merger of pollution boards worries enviros, chamber
A new state law that merges three longtime rule-making boards into a single panel is stoking concerns among business and environmental groups about what the shift could eventually mean for Indiana's environmental regulations.
Daniels reputation on line with Indiana’s $205M tax error
Gov. Mitch Daniels has built a national image as a persnickety fiscal manager with an eye for detail, but two massive accounting errors that have tilted Indiana's books by more than half-a-billion dollars threaten to tarnish that reputation as the popular Republican prepares to leave office.
Indiana officials step down after $205M in local taxes mishandled
The head of Indiana's Department of Revenue and two other officials are resigning after $205 million in local option income taxes were not distributed to counties. Marion County will get an extra $41 million from the oversight.
Governor signs state smoking ban into law
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the smoking ban bill and other legislation during a ceremony Monday morning at his Statehouse office.
Ex-Democratic official charged in ballot petition forgery
A former Democratic Party county chairman in northern Indiana has been charged with leading a scheme to forge signatures on petitions to place Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on the state's 2008 presidential primary ballot.
IBM: Indiana canceled deal because of budget woes
The real reason Indiana canceled its nearly $1.4 billion contract with IBM for a troubled welfare automation system was state budget problems, a lawyer for the computer giant argued Tuesday. But the state said IBM was more concerned about profit than getting assistance to needy people.
Unemployed will have work-search records checked
Hoosiers finishing their first 26 weeks of unemployment coverage from the state will have to check in before receiving extended federal benefits.
Firm to reimburse vehicle owners for illegal towing
Interstate/Delaware and South Towing will pay about $80,000 to owners of more than 300 vehicles unlawfully towed from the Indiana Avenue parking lot under an agreement reached with the city prosecutor.
Judge rejects some of Indiana’s claims against IBM
The core issue in a dispute over a project to modernize Indiana's welfare system — whether IBM breached the billion-dollar contract — wasn't addressed when a judge dismissed 17 of the state's claims against the computer giant, an attorney for the state said Monday.
Judge tosses claim that IBM misled to land state contract
Marion County Superior Court Judge David J. Dreyer on Sunday dismissed the state’s claim that IBM knowingly or intentionally provided false information to the Family and Social Services Agency in order to obtain a contract with the agency.
Libertarians pick Boneham to run for governor
Former television reality show star Rupert Boneham has been selected as the Libertarian Party’s candidate for Indiana governor.
Court: Indiana can’t deny welfare without reason
The Indiana Supreme Court said Thursday that the state Family and Social Services Administration can't deny Medicaid, food stamps or welfare to people without first doing a better job of telling them why.
Education reform on legislators’ hot seat
Key parts of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett’s education reforms will be put under a miscroscope this summer by a special commission of state legislators.
State launches grant program aimed at tourism
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman says the $400,000 initiative will help draw visitors and have a "lasting impact" on Indiana's towns and cities.