Officials seek tougher prostitution law before Super Bowl
Those trying to fast-track legislation cite estimates that the 2010 Super Bowl brought 10,000 prostitutes to Miami and resulted in 133 arrests in Dallas at the 2011 Super Bowl.
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Taxpayer refund has to survive 2012 session
A state tax processing error resulting in $320 million more in the bank for the state and improved tax collections could put a nominal amount back in Hoosiers' purses and wallets next year. But a bi-partisan thirst to restore education funding and pay down state debts could just as easily take that refund away.
State Democratic chairman Parker rescinds resignation
Dan Parker, the chairman of the state Democratic Party who abruptly resigned this week, reversed himself Saturday and narrowly survived a vote to keep his post, a party official told The Associated Press.
CME Group says it’s staying in Illinois
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday signed tax-break legislation designed to keep the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Sears Holding Co. from fleeing the state. CME had talked to Indianapolis officials about moving to central Indiana.
State AG to challenge order for Daniels to testify
An Indiana judge on Friday ordered Gov. Mitch Daniels to be deposed in two lawsuits over the state's cancellation of a $1.37 billion contract IBM received to modernize the state's welfare system, but the state attorney general said he would challenge the order.
Daniels appoints new general counsel
Anita Kolkmeier Samuel, Mitch Daniels' assistant general counsel and policy director, replaces David Pippen, who recently resigned to become chairman of the environmental law group at Indianapolis law firm Bose McKinney & Evans LLP.
Waltons give $1 million to Mind Trust charter incubator
The $1 million grant from the Arkansas-based Walton Family Foundation will fund a team that will open its first charter school in the 2013-2014 school year as part of what the group hopes will become a network of high-performing charter schools.
Smoking ban, government reform on Daniels’ 2012 agenda
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he will push for a statewide smoking ban and mild local government reforms in the 2012 legislative session.
Celadon plans expansion, $3.4M office building
Celadon Group Inc. is seeking tax abatements from the city to build a $3.4 million office building at its far-east-side headquarters. The local trucking firm plans to hire 100 more employees by 2016.
Warnings about broker’s tactics went unheeded
Several state employees openly questioned how John Bales' real estate brokerage did business long before the FBI launched an investigation that led to his indictment.
Transit plan may boost real estate investment
A proposed $1.3 billion transit system might bring redevelopment to urban neighborhoods. Yet transit proponents have surprisingly little to say about how much the system could generate in new real estate investment.
Lawmaker: Lift ban on paying people to run charity gambling
State Sen. Ron Alting, chairman of the Public Policy Committee, wants to let charities pay people to run their bingo, poker and other games, a practice that has led to disciplinary action for some organizations.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana brings on new lobbyists
The new hires could be important following last year’s legislative session, in which state lawmakers passed a law to cut off Medicaid funding to groups that offer abortions.
City avoids foreign brands in adding to its fleet of hybrid vehicles
The Department of Public Works bought Ford Fusion hybrids after the purchase of Toyota’s a few years ago stirred controversy.
Daniels says he’ll back efforts for right-to-work
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced in a statement Thursday that he would support Republican right-to-work proposals at the General Assembly next month, saying that Indiana "gets dealt out of hundreds of new job opportunities" because it doesn't have the law.
City announces street closures for Super Bowl
Several streets in downtown Indianapolis, including part of Monument Circle and those surrounding Lucas Oil Stadium, will be closed in the few weeks leading up to the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.
House Speaker: State lawmakers may seek smoking ban
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma says lawmakers may seek passage of a statewide smoking ban before the nation's attention turns to Indianapolis for the February Super Bowl.
Attorney general cheers death of federal cellphone measure
Attorney General Greg Zoeller had testified against the legislation, which would have allowed robocalls to cellphones, at a congressional hearing.
Ball State poll: Half of Hoosiers undecided on right-to-work
Twenty-seven percent of Hoosiers support a law allowing employees to join unionized workplaces without being forced to pay union dues. But 24 percent oppose it and 48 percent are still undecided, according to a new survey.
Group plans another push for Sunday alcohol sales
A coalition of convenience and grocery stores said Wednesday that they will renew their push for Sunday carry-out alcohol sales and cold sales of beer, but with a twist.