Two former IURC workers named to utility commission
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission openings generated heavy interest. Gov. Mike Pence added a second round of interviews in order to hear from 21 candidates.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Delph gains names recognition in fight with own party
When conservative state Sen. Mike Delph took to Twitter about gay marriage and ultimately lost his formal vestiges of power within the Senate Republican caucus, he gained something far more valuable in the world of politics.
Pence won’t rule out run for presidency
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is leaving the door open on a potential 2016 presidential campaign.
Senate GOP leaders punish Delph, strip him of leadership posts
The moves against the conservative senator follow an intraparty fight over amending the state's constitution to ban gay marriage.
House panel trims nursing home moratorium to one year
The construction ban is at the center of an ongoing debate between the state's existing nursing homes and developers leading a wave of construction, including Zeke Turner of Mainstreet Property Group.
Panel gives Pence half of his $400M road-funding request
The reduction, led by Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, was a partial blow to one of the governor's key legislative goals.
FEIGENBAUM: Lawmakers press ahead on education issues
The business community has turned a keen collective eye to a passel of bills that seek to improve education, including measures that would authorize Indianapolis Public Schools to enter into an agreement with a school-management team to establish innovative network schools, allow charter school support to be distributed at the organizer level; and create a career and technical education diploma.
Indy Eleven says new stadium crucial for long-term success
The Indy Eleven won’t play its first game for nearly seven weeks. But officials with the North American Soccer League franchise say there’s already an urgent need to plow ahead with building the team an $87 million stadium.
Mayor wants to lure high-earners to boost income-tax base
Mayor Greg Ballard’s chief deputy has spent the past six months telling community and business leaders that the city simply cannot cut its way out of its revenue problems; it also needs to attract more people to live within city boundaries so they will pay their income tax to Indianapolis.
Doubt over how to run effective preschools derailed bill
Sen. Luke Kenley scuttled a pilot program of state-funded preschool vouchers for low-income families on Feb. 19, instead sending it to a summer committee to investigate 10 questions he said will help make sure Indiana launches a worthwhile program.
Fishers’ mayoral candidates disagree on best growth strategy
The six Republicans vying to be Fishers’ first mayor fall into two camps on the key issue of growth: those who support recent efforts to spur business activity downtown, and those who advocate a more hands-off approach.
House committee helps Indy Eleven stadium project
The Ways and Means Committee voted 18-2 Thursday afternoon in favor of a bill that would facilitate a new downtown soccer venue.
Census: Indiana lost 2,200 farms from ’07 to ’12
Preliminary data released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show Indiana had more than 58,000 farms in 2012. That's a decline of nearly 4 percent from the 2007 census report.
Homeowners in flood zones fear insurance spike
Steep increases are being felt from south Louisiana to New England to Columbus, Ind., are required by the Biggert-Waters Reform Act of 2012. That legislation, signed by President Obama two years ago, set into motion a process designed to start shaving down the flood insurance system's mounting deficit.
Ex-Chase chief to lead state banking agency
Denny Bassett’s appointment to the department that regulates state banks comes just a few months after his retirement as Indiana chairman of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
House committee votes to nix Common Core
The full House now will consider the controversial proposal to opt out of federal standards and allow Indiana to make its own benchmarks for preparing students for college and careers after high school.
Bill roundup: State fair alcohol, digital privacy and more
A committee nearly unanimously approved a measure clearing the way for alcohol sales at the Indiana State Fair. Another committee unanimously passed a bill that would expand privacy laws to accommodate the increased use of digital technology.
Dutch-led team favored for next I-69 section
The Indiana Finance Authority has preliminarily selected a team called I-69 Development Partners and led by Isolux Infrastructure Netherlands BV for the $325 million, 21-mile Section 5 of the extension.
Senate panel kills preschool pilot, sends idea to study committee
The Senate Education Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to change the measure from a limited pilot program to an issue that will be studied over the summer.
Prosecutors want to keep $3.4M from El Rodeo raids
Civil forfeiture lawsuits have been filed in Tippecanoe and Marion counties, accusing the Mexican restaurant owners and others involved with the businesses of illegally obtaining the money.