Appeals court upholds Indianapolis smoking ban
The court’s decision denied an injunction request from several bar owners who claimed the 2012 law would have a negative impact on their businesses.
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IU Health latest to voice opposition to marriage amendment
IU Health, the state’s fourth-largest employer, said it was opposing a proposed amendment against same-sex marriage for health-related reasons.
Access counselor says education board didn’t violate law
Public Access Counselor Luke Britt also warned in an advisory opinion that “final decisions are meant to be open and transparent,” and urged the board and agencies to be careful about following the spirit of the state’s Open Door Law.
State auditor Sawyer resigns after three months
State Auditor Dwayne Sawyer—former president of the Brownsburg Town Council and the first black Republican to serve in a statewide office—said he was stepping down due to “family and personal concerns.”
Indiana appeals court hears welfare lawsuit
Lawyers representing Indiana asked an appeals court Monday to refund much of the money the state has paid IBM for a failed welfare privatization effort, but the company countered it's actually entitled to even more.
State appeals panel to hear IBM lawsuit
Judges on the state Court of Appeals are deciding whether a lower court was right in awarding $52 million to IBM over a failed welfare privatization project.
Economic concerns top lawmakers’ next session
Indiana lawmakers will be dealing with two broad categories of issues when they reconvene next year: Battles they would gladly take on and those they would rather avoid.
Court sides with state on auto-dial law but orders review
A federal appeals court has ruled that an Indiana law banning most political calls that use automated dialers and recorded messages doesn’t violate federal consumer-protection rules.
Indianapolis mounting push to privatize parks
IndyParks is looking for private operators interested in opening new attractions on city-owned land, improving existing offerings, and taking over daily operations of parks facilities. New offerings could get rolling in 2014.
Indiana unemployment rate sinks to 7.5 percent as state adds jobs
The state’s jobless rate has been on a downward spiral in recent months, dropping from 8.4 percent in July to 8.1 percent in August, then falling to 7.8 percent in September.
Experts: Fix for $600M health care site needs more time, money
Technology experts say healing what ails the Healthcare.gov website will be a tougher task than the Obama administration acknowledges.
Pence plans more charters, road money for 2014
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence plans to spend his second meeting with the General Assembly advancing a legislative agenda centered on expanding the number of charter schools, finding ways to pay for road projects and seeking new tax cuts.
Legislative panel passes mass-transit funding plan
The proposal, which would allow counties to impose taxes on corporations and residents to pay for expanded transit, will be fleshed out before the 2014 legislative session, then introduced as a bill.
New law paves way for micro-distilleries to open across state
A new state law allows Indiana distillers to obtain a permit to produce and sell spirits by the glass, bottle or case. Previously, they could sell only to distributors, never to the public.
FELDMAN: Affordable Care Act stirs paradoxes for employers
In addition to managing the complexity and challenges of the Affordable Care Act, employers are assessing the law’s impact on their Worker’s Compensation program. The debate ranges from minimal influence to significant, with many experts hedging their bets with a wait-and-see approach.
Bosma names Dermody new public policy chairman
Dermody, a Republican from LaPorte, will replace Jim Davis, who left the Indiana Legislature to become the director of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Newegg lands incentives from state for distribution center
Online electronics retailer Newegg Inc., which reached an inducement deal with the city in September to open a distribution center in Indianapolis, has landed even more incentives from the state, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced Wednesday.
Indy committee advances new panhandling proposal
An Indianapolis City-County Council committee has approved a proposal that would ban panhandling and other forms of begging near bank entrances, ATMs and other specified areas.
Same-sex marriage battle could focus on language
The success of a sparsely-worded constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage could hinge on whether lawmakers remove a key sentence expanding its reach, House and Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday.
Local law firm reaps $6.3M in fees from BMV class-action suit
Cohen & Malad LLP’s fee represents 21 percent of the $30 million awarded to Hoosier motorists as part of a settlement approved by a Marion Superior Court judge Nov. 12. The BMV was accused of overcharging for driver’s licenses.