DECEMBER 14-20, 2015
Jim Burkhart, who was fired this fall after the FBI raided his home and American Senior Communities’ offices, holds agreements under which he could acquire 63 nursing homes managed by his former employer. J.K. Wall explains how this would work. Also in this week’s issue, Lindsey Erdody how Carmel has ended up million of dollars short this year, which has left the city scrambling to pay its bills. And in Focus, Hayleigh Colombo previews the hot issues in the upcoming legislative session.
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Deals could bring back fired American Senior CEO
Jim Burkhart, who was fired this fall after the FBI raided his home and American Senior Communities' offices, holds agreements under which he could acquire 63 nursing homes managed by his former employer.
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Beer, wine on tap for 9 Indy-area Starbucks
The Seattle-based coffee giant is seeking alcohol permits to offer beer and wine at four Indianapolis outposts and five others in collar counties.
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Churches embrace technology to keep donations flowing
Credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere these days, but houses of worship are still trying to modernize the way donations are collected.
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Artisan distilleries are on the rise since 2013 law change
The state has approved permits to let 13 distilleries sell vodka, bourbon, whiskey and other spirits directly to the public. More permits are under consideration.
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Critics vindicated by Carmel cash woes
A budget shortfall at Carmel Utilities has led to a deficit in the city’s general fund—a problem critics of Mayor Jim Brainard have been warning about for months.
Read MoreTV stations could make millions by pulling the plug
The Federal Communications Commission is seeking to buy spectrum space to sell to wireless, broadband and other technology and communications companies. And they appear willing to pay big bucks to get it.
Read MoreLilly’s latest dividend increase carries on long tradition
Until impending patent expirations spurred the company to forgo a dividend increase in 2010, the company had announced dividend increases for 42 consecutive years.
Read MoreTax caps: Savings for taxpayers, but mixed bag for cities
New analysis from the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute shows property tax caps, which were first applied in 2009, are having drastically different effects on Indiana cities.
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Downtown Dunaway’s restaurant building attracts buyer
A local company bought the historic building at 351 S. East St., near the entrance of the Fletcher Place neighborhood, and plans to convert it into office space.
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Groups seek to amp up Indy’s star power with TV, film initiative
The two-year, $300,000 initiative will court production crews for movies and TV commercials and shows. A consortium of city, civic and tourism groups think it could have a $6 million annual impact.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
LGBT rights promises to be the hottest debate in a 2016 legislative session
Proponents and opponents of putting sexual orientation and gender identity into the state’s civil rights law say they expect to spend tremendous time and energy on the issue—but not money. They say individual conversations are what will sway lawmakers.
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Battle brews over how much, when to fund transportation
Lawmakers and Gov. Mike Pence have offered transportation funding plans but it’s not clear whether the House and Senate agree on how to tackle the issue.
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Lawmakers to consider ISTEP-related accountability
At issue this year is what to do about test-score-based school accountability measures now that the state is expecting much lower scores.
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Counties push another look at big-box tax appeals
County officials say a legislative fix for the issue passed earlier this year wasn’t strict enough. They say big-box stores are skirting their tax burden by using using vacant buildings to determine the value for taxation of brand-new stores.
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Leaders: Drug epidemic demands answers
Nearly a year after lawmakers created a needle exchange program, they are looking for new ways to battle drug addition across the state.
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Tough decisions pay off for ISO
On Dec. 7, the ISO reported its third straight budget surplus, thanks to a rise in ticket sales and steady fundraising. All parties involved—from the ISO’s new management team to the musicians, who took steep pay cuts in the interest of securing the organization’s long-term future—deserve kudos for how far they’ve come.
Read MoreMORRIS: You can have a voice in local government
The case of a Goodwill store and Westfield’s Bridgewater development grabs attention.
Read MoreWhy suspicion runs rampant
When citizens do not believe they can trust their government and other social institutions, they become suspicious of one another.
Read MoreNALLI: Boosting Hoosiers’ health takes team effort
Coverage alone is no guarantee for a healthier Indiana, and our current methods of delivering health care aren’t meeting the needs of those who need it most.
Read MoreSKARBECK: Increasing number of cars complicates climate talks
The challenge for investors becomes how to analyze the future of industries that produce and rely on fossil fuels, along with assessing the viability of renewable energy sources.
Read MoreBOHANON & STYRING: Federal tax system earns F on every front
If we’re going to tax income, is there a better alternative? Indiana’s adjusted gross income tax wouldn’t be a bad choice.
Read MoreBike lanes help drivers, too
Drivers should love the new lanes. Not only do they makes the roads safer, but with more people feeling comfortable riding their bike instead of driving, in time, the streets will be a lot less congested.
Read MoreTax column off base
There is certainly no empirical evidence to suggest that our current marginal tax rate is too high for the purposes of generating revenue.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Attorney Millard remembered as entrepreneurial champion
David B. Millard, a longtime attorney known for his passionate support of entrepreneurs, died Dec. 3. Millard, 60, led the corporate law division at Barnes & Thornburg LLP—the city’s largest law practice—before retiring last year.
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Circle Centre losing three tenants, including two originals
Gap and Gap Kids, which opened along with Circle Centre in 1995, plan to close Jan. 26. Also on the third floor, the American Greetings card shop is shutting down at the end of next month.
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Hogsett appoints Troy Riggs to be new IMPD chief
Citing a “public safety crisis,” Mayor-elect Joe Hogsett picks a major player from Mayor Greg Ballard’s administration.
Read MoreEmail-signature startup lands VC from Godfrey, LinkedIn exec
Sigstr, whose software helps companies market themselves through email signatures, raised about $1.5 million from prominent investors across the country.
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Live Nation’s deal to buy Old National Centre unravels
The group that owns the landmark entertainment and hospitality venue in downtown Indianapolis has decided not to sell the building after Live Nation made an offer late last year.
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