Voters expected to OK property-tax cap amendment
A recent poll found that more than 60 percent of likely voters support the proposed constitutional amendment, and some of the measure’s biggest opponents have given up the fight.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Anti-incumbent wave unlikely to swamp ‘lucky’ Burton
Congressman Dan Burton is expected to win his 15th term Tuesday despite what some say is an anti-incumbent sentiment sweeping the nation.
Mayor’s communications strategist leaving city post
Robert Vane, Ballard’s deputy chief of staff and communications director, plans to start his own firm specializing in crisis and strategic communications. His last day with the city is Nov. 5.
Rail company plans new plant, 650 jobs in Muncie
Alabama-based Progress Rail Services, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., said it plans to invest about $50 million to open the first locomotive manufacturing and assembly plant in the United States in many years.
Ascension aims to cut costs with $10.9M service center
St. Louis-based Ascension Health announced Friday morning that it would open a professional service center in Indianapolis, creating up to 500 jobs by 2013.
City seeks privatization of Velodrome
City officials are hoping that privatizing the Major Taylor Velodrome, which now is in disrepair, will breathe new life into the cycling venue built in 1982 as a key part of Indianapolis’ efforts to become a sports capital.
Indiana life sciences sector copes with shrinking VC pool
Venture funds nationwide crested at $100 billion in 2000, but that number last year had drooped to $18 billion.
Downtown apartment developers take divergent paths to financing
J.C. Hart Co. spent more than a year securing a $5 million bank loan to expand an existing project; Buckingham Cos. turned to the city to finance its ambitious project just north of the Eli Lilly and Co. campus.
Critics say state ethics panel too lenient
The Indiana State Ethics Commission, which has been under fire for allowing a state regulator to take a job with a utility, has a long history of lenient decisions.
New parking meter plan could yield Indianapolis more cash
The revised plan calls for less money up front, more over the life of the contract and more flexibility to terminate the 50-year deal early.
Veolia losing water contract, will get $29M termination fee
Playing a limited role under Indianapolis Water's new owner, Citizens Energy, wouldn't be profitable, Veolia says. Citizens plans to make job offers to "substantially all" Veolia employees.
National unemployment claims drop sharply
Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the second drop in a row and a hopeful sign the job market could be improving.
U.S. attorneys, FBI to watch for voter fraud, abuses
The FBI also will have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud or discrimination.
Secretary of state files complaint against teachers’ fund broker
David Karandos, a broker who advised the Indiana State Teachers Association Insurance Trust before it collapsed in 2009, is facing an administrative complaint from the Indiana Securities Division, which alleges 13 violations for unethical, dishonest and deceptive practices.
Cummins expanding in Columbus, plans 350 jobs
Cummins Inc. announced Tuesday that it will expand its headquarters in Columbus, adding at least 350 professional employees during the next 18 months to support global operations.
U.S. attorney to ask for review of IURC ethics dispute
U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett says he'll ask "the appropriate federal agency" to review an ethics dispute that has embroiled the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Duke Energy Corp.
Kokomo approves tax breaks for Delphi division
Delphi Electronics & Safety is moving ahead with a $28 million investment in its Kokomo operations, city officials said this week.
City-County Council approves 2011 budget
The CIB’s $73.1 million budget, which included a $10 million payment to the Pacers for the operation of Conseco Fieldhouse, passed by a 15-14 vote.
GOP could gain quorum in state Senate election
Indiana Senate Democrats, long considered the last bastion of liberal thought in state government, are in danger of becoming politically irrelevant after the Nov. 2 election—something they say would disenfranchise nearly 2 million Hoosiers who live in their districts.
Some council members still unsure about CIB budget
The Capital Improvement Board’s controversial spending plan will face its final trial Monday night as the City-County Council takes up the city’s $1.1 billion budget for next year.