Economic recovery on track to strengthen at end of 2009
The U.S. economy started the year in free-fall but is on track to end 2009 on stronger footing.
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Rolls-Royce bags $160M military contract
Rolls-Royce Corp.’s Indianapolis operations will manufacture 78 turboshaft engines for U.S. Navy and Air Force helicopters
under the terms of a mammoth $160.6 million military contract.
Health Care bill clears key Senate test
Landmark health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama passed its sternest Senate test in the pre-dawn hours early
Monday, overcoming Republican delaying tactics on a 60-40 vote that all but assures its passage by Christmas.
Bailing out big spenders
Obama is going wobbling on forcing fiscal responsibility on states, and Hoosiers might get stuck with the bill.
Obama reforms not necessarily dire for Sallie Mae in Indiana
The plan to nationalize the federal student loan program threatens to force Sallie Mae
to hack its network of 26 offices down to five. Yet the company’s Indiana operations have several advantages that could
help weather the cuts.
Hoosier Energy avoids financial brownout
Hoosier Energy, which supplies electricity to customers in 48 counties in central and southern Indiana, has settled a dispute
that had threatened to plunge the utility into bankruptcy.
HealthNet lands $10.5 million in stimulus funds
HealthNet said it will use the funds to expand and renovate two community health centers that have outgrown their space.
Legislators could test drugmakers’ support for health overhaul
The pharmaceutical industry may have to cough up more than the $80 billion it agreed to contribute to President Barack Obama’s
health overhaul effort, reflecting pressure from Democrats and their supporters for more money to cover older and low-income
people.
Carp, shipping and a lawsuit
A lawsuit aimed at stopping invasive carp from reaching Lake Michigan could bring some forms of shipping to a grinding halt.
EPA: IPL electric plant upgrades were deficient
Indianapolis Power & Light faces potential fines and capital expenditures after allegedly updating three generating
plants over 23 years without adding the most modern pollution controls.
HICKS: New breast cancer recommendation not supported
Under the current proposal, the same type of groups that made the CDC’s recommendations will outline guidelines about which treatment will be offered under a government program.
Rising unemployment taxes could hinder hiring
The number of people claiming jobless aid has tripled since the recession began. The demand has drained the funds that many
states use to pay jobless claims. Nearly half the states, including Indiana, are borrowing from the federal government.
Messer: Palin could ‘win’ Indiana
Former state representative and lobbyist Luke Messer thinks Sarah Palin could carry Indiana in a presidential primary.
Indiana seeks $250M in stimulus cash for schools
The state has altered some education rules to get in line with the federal Department of Education’s $4 billion “Race to the
Top” grant program.
Indy route not part of high-speed rail funding application
The decision to sidetrack a 110-mph Chicago-Indianapolis-Cincinnati train hasn’t received any attention
locally. High-speed rail could someday become an economic development engine here, but it has
not gained as much attention here as improved highways or a commuter rail line from downtown to Noblesville.
Unions prod Obama to fix ailing airline industry
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is holding a forum Thursday to discuss the state of the airline industry, which is
mired in a severe economic slump and blamed for using a business model critics say undermines safety.
Record number of Indiana taxpayers e-filed this year
Indiana taxpayers filed a record 2.2 million electronic federal tax returns this year.
House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
A government health insurance plan included in the House health care reform bill is unacceptable to a few Democratic moderates who hold the balance of power in the Senate.
Indiana jobless benefits extended 20 more weeks
Federal legislation will provide up to 20 weeks of additional unemployment benefits in Indiana. The extension means eligible residents will be able to claim up to 99 weeks in benefits.
House passes health care bill on close vote
In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation
Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. The 220-215 vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin a long-delayed debate
on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress.