Greenwood businesses to get digital boost with state’s online service
INBiz is designed to save companies time and legwork when they have business with the state—and soon services through the city of Greenwood will be available as well.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Report: Indiana putting children in foster care at twice national rate
The number of children placed in foster care has surged as states struggle to address the opioid epidemic. But the problem is particularly acute in a handful of states, including Indiana.
Ordinance would tie hotel licenses to police and fire runs
City officials are considering an ordinance to crack down on hotels and motels they say are a magnet for crime, pose a danger to area residents, and drain city police and fire resources.
Last-minute proposal would let 10 percent of teachers be unlicensed
The measure, added during a Senate Education Committee meeting, would ostensibly let public schools be more competitive with charter schools at a time when many districts are having difficulty finding qualified teachers.
Trump’s endorsement puts ‘Right to Try’ drug bill on fast track
The initiative, championed by Vice President Mike Pence when he was governor of Indiana, has been embraced by members of both parties. The latest bill was written by U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana.
GOP hopefuls Messer, Braun, Rokita file for U.S. Senate race
Three of the leading Republican candidates for their party's U.S. Senate nomination have filed the petition signatures needed to appear on the May primary ballot.
Banks poised to reap big gains from tax reform
Bankers and industry experts say the federal tax reforms passed late last year will give an especially big boost to banks.
Amazon’s incentives sure to be whopping
Any tax-incentive package to lure Amazon’s HQ2 to Indiana could easily top half-a-billion dollars and climb to more than $1 billion.
IURC chairmanship attracts 7 candidates
The five-person commission regulates $14 billion in electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer utilities. It approves utility projects and determines how much utilities can charge customers.
Indiana House approves bill to lift Indy-area ban on light rail
Lawmakers are reconsidering the ban with hopes of landing Amazon’s second North American headquarters.
Indiana House Republicans kill bill to raise smoking age to 21
House Republicans justified the decision, stating that their calculations indicate the change would cost state government $14 million a year in lost cigarette tax revenue.
Push for hate crimes law fails again in Indiana Legislature
Indiana will remain one of just five states without a hate crimes law after a bill was sidelined in the Senate. Critics said the failure to pass such a law could hurt the state’s chances of landing Amazon’s planned second headquarters.
Indy Democrats take first steps to oust Clay as council president
Democrats acted to put the question of Stephen Clay’s removal as president to a vote at the next council meeting, in mid-February.
Eliminating handgun permit fee could shrink state revenue by $11M
Some Republicans have sought a full repeal of Indiana’s handgun permit law. Legislators compromised by proposing to eliminate the permit fee starting in July 2019.
Cities, states seek alternatives to corrosive salt for melting ice on roads
Experts suggest using beet juice, molasses, and even beer or cheese waste to make slick roads safer, in an effort to stop polluting fresh water sources with salty runoff.
Mayor joins critics of downtown north-split interstate plan, seeks new options
Mayor Joe Hogsett is echoing the chorus of community leaders and downtown residents expressing concern with the state’s $250 million plan to revamp the I-70/I-65 interchange.
Donnelly’s war chest swells to $5.3M, getting help from top Democrats
Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly’s reelection campaign raised $1.2 million during the last three months of 2017. Prominent Democrats are hosting fundraisers and stumping for the vulnerable, red-state candidate.
Governor, key lawmaker differ on tech taxation exemptions
A House committee voted Thursday to fulfill half of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s request: It would exempt “software as a service” from sales tax for businesses, but individuals would have to pay a fare.
FedEx to give wage increases, bonuses to workers
The speedy package delivery giant is the 14th largest employer in Indiana with about 9,100 full-time workers.
Indiana House backs mandated training on sexual harassment
The Indiana House has voted to require training about sexual harassment for lawmakers.