Pence picks longtime aide Lloyd to be communications chief
Matt Lloyd served as communications director on Mike Pence’s congressional staff for 10 years and as a senior advisor to his gubernatorial campaign.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Deal calls for special study of ISTEP exam’s future
Some senators had pushed a bill calling for replacement of the exam with an "off-the-shelf" test in hopes of saving millions of dollars. But House members favored keeping ISTEP in place while undertaking a special review of a possible overhaul.
Republicans eye more rules on Ritz, education board dealings
Indiana legislative leaders are considering steps to broaden the Republican-backed proposal aimed at allowing the state Board of Education to replace the state superintendent of public instruction—currently Democrat Glenda Ritz—as its leader.
Downtown TIF district awash in cash
The Indianapolis downtown TIF district is so flush with cash that the mayor can cover all its debt payments, fund two layers of reserves, and still have tens of millions to spend at his discretion.
Geofeedia mulling moving HQ here
Chicago-based Geofeedia opened an Indianapolis office last December, which now hosts 26 of its 45 employees. It recently committed to adding 336 more Indiana workers by 2020 in an economic development deal with the state.
Brainard, Sharp spar over calculating Carmel’s debt
The issue has been at the heart of the mayoral campaign in Carmel this year, with incumbent Jim Brainard and challenger and Carmel City Council President Rick Sharp consistently citing different numbers and sources.
Indiana lawmakers facing decisions on budget, casino changes
Indiana lawmakers were grappling Wednesday over where to make cuts in the new state budget with little more than a week remaining in the legislative session while also debating what steps should be taken to help struggling casinos.
INDOT commissioner resigns without explanation
Karl Browning resigned his post Wednesday as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation. Gov. Mike Pence immediately named Deputy Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson to succeed him.
Carmel HR consulting firm plans expansion
Human resources consulting firm HRD Advisory Group LLC plans to expand its Carmel headquarters, adding 25 employees by the end of 2019, the company announced Tuesday night.
Indiana Senate backs bill loosening rules on wine sales
Indiana residents will have an easier time having wine shipped to their homes under a bill approved by state lawmakers.
Fiorina seeks traction in crowded GOP presidential field
Carly Fiorina gave a speech Monday to 900 people in Indianapolis. The former CEO of Hewlett Packard is one of more than a dozen Republicans who are running or considering a bid for the presidential nomination in 2016.
Lawmaker seeks to drop welfare drug-testing measure
An Indiana lawmaker says he no longer supports his proposal that would require certain welfare recipients to take drug tests and instead wants more study on the issue.
Lawmakers still unsettled over more live casino dealers
The question of whether the two horse track casinos in central Indiana will be allowed to add live dealers for their current electronic table games remained unsettled Monday with little more than a week left in this year's legislative session.
Lawmaker renews efforts to require schools to teach cursive
A longtime supporter of requiring Indiana schools to teach cursive writing is making her fifth attempt to restore the skill to Indiana's curriculum.
Angst over ISTEP continues in Statehouse, school districts
Lawmakers are at odds over a proposal to scrap the ISTEP+ standardized test for an off-the-shelf model. Meanwhile, schools are preparing to take the online portion of the high-stakes test, which has been glitchy in the past.
Pence signs bill expanding use of overdose drug
The new law allows Indiana residents to obtain and use a drug that can reverse heroin overdoses in their relatives, friends and loved ones.
Final state budget negotiations get underway
Legislative fiscal leaders launched final budget negotiations Friday with a somber tone, a reflection of this week’s downward revision in the state’s revenue projections.
Economic development exec leaves Indy Chamber
Martin Vanags, who leads economic development efforts for the Indy Chamber, is moving on to a new position in upstate New York.
Indiana lawmakers approve rules for e-cigarette liquids
The bill's provisions include banning sales to those younger than 18, establishing manufacturing safety standards, and requiring child-proof and tamper-proof caps on containers.
Bills would allow public/charter partnerships to grow
After seeing a 2014 law fuel unprecedented collaborations between Indianapolis Public Schools and such charter schools as Phalen Leadership Academies, the Legislature decided to extend the same opportunity to school districts statewide.