FEIGENBAUM: New faces will tackle familiar Statehouse issues
In the long run, no changes will be more important than the Senate fiscal posts.
Luke Kenley
Articles
Powerful state senator resigns to take D.C. law job
Republican Brandt Hershman, chairman of the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee, says he will be joining Barnes & Thornburg’s Washington D.C. office.
Hamilton County politicians poised to play musical chairs
A longtime state senator has left the Statehouse. A state representative is running for a countywide office. A Noblesville city councilor is running for state office. And that’s not all.
KENLEY: Feds should follow Indiana’s fiscal example
The ideals of freedom, democracy, opportunity, free enterprise and the chance for all to get ahead economically are threatened by the federal government’s current high-tax, large-deficit fiscal program.
Ukrainian immigrant Spartz picked to replace Kenley in Senate
Victoria Spartz won control of the seat on the sixth ballot during a Republican caucus Wednesday evening, beating Kenley’s handpicked successor.
State sues to defend new law requiring out-of-state retailers to pay sales tax
The state of Indiana has been clamoring to collect sales tax from out-of-state retailers. The only problem is a U.S. Supreme Court decision that says it can’t.
First candidate emerges to replace retiring Kenley, while former foe mulls options
The president of the Noblesville Common Council is seeking the nod for Luke Kenley’s state senate seat from a Republican caucus. The businessman who lost to Kenley in 2016 is considering running as well.
KENLEY: Improve I-65, I-70 to six lanes and toll
The Legislature just finished a very successful session with a good, balanced budget and passed a needed road funding bill designed to secure Indiana’s road infrastructure needs for local and state government. In spite of this significant achievement, one more element regarding road infrastructure is needed to make Indiana a successful state with appropriate road […]
Indy Eleven’s effort to score MLS franchise takes hit
The soccer club made an eleventh-hour pitch for state aid in building a stadium during this year’s General Assembly, with most of the presentations made privately and quietly. The team’s request was not acted upon.
Senate’s $32.1B budget eschews cigarette tax hike
An Indiana Senate panel on Thursday advanced a two-year state budget plan with significant differences in funding for roads, entrepreneurship and education from the House’s plan.
Wise investment? Voucher system’s effectiveness tough to judge
Over six years, the state has spent more than a half billion dollars on vouchers. During that time, Indiana’s program has expanded, giving more students access to vouchers than in any other state—despite mixed evidence from researchers that vouchers help students achieve.
Reeling casinos seek breaks from Statehouse
Indiana lawmakers are working to keep afloat the state’s crippled casino industry in an effort to shore up declining tax revenue and spur investment.
Bill would slap tax on online retailers
Lawmakers are advancing a bill that would compel large, online retailers to collect and send sales taxes to the state—injecting Indiana into a national tussle over the issue.
State won’t have enough cash to fulfill wish lists
Legislative leaders have sounded alarm bells over state revenue figures, saying lawmakers will need to take a cautious approach to investing in new programs such as expanding state-funded preschool and raising teacher pay.
Legislature poised to end Ivy Tech construction ban
Ivy Tech Community College’s new president, Sue Ellspermann, might have just given the school a much-needed political reboot.
Luke Kenley, David Long defeat GOP challengers
Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley defeated Scott Willis of Westfield, who criticized Kenley for not doing enough to boost funding for schools and road projects in the fast-growing suburban area north of Indianapolis.
Fishers receives Certified Tech Park designation
The designated area encompasses most of downtown, including the North East Commerce Park—where Launch Fishers is located—and part of the Nickel Plate District.
Political outsider Scott Willis seeks to oust veteran Kenley
Westfield resident Scott Willis says it’s not an ideal time for him to be running for an Indiana Senate seat. But after he spent time in the fall canvassing the 20th district, he decided he couldn’t keep waiting to see if six-term Republican Sen. Luke Kenley would retire.
Sen. Kenley holds sway over what’s funded—and what isn’t
Kenley, a former grocery store owner who was first elected in 1992, said he is running for office again because he wants to work on a long-term funding solution for shoring up Indiana’s roads and infrastructure.
Lawmakers still debating long-term vs. short-term road money
A Senate committee stripped tax increases out of a road funding bill, but the House speaker says the legislature needs to look beyond just the next election.