State rallying troops to increase Department of Defense spending in Indiana
Reaching Gov. Eric Holcomb’s goal would entail boosting the amount of federal defense dollars spent in Indiana to at least $10.2 billion in the next five years.
Government & Economic Development
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Bill that creates Indiana’s own voter crosscheck system heads to the full House
An Indiana House committee advanced legislation Thursday that would create a voter registration crosscheck system for the state similar to a widely discredited one in Kansas.
Lawmakers considering central Indiana regionalism legislation
Senate Bill 350 would create a regional development authority framework for central Indiana to allow local officials to work together on significant economic development initiatives. The pilot program would be in place for five years.
Indiana panel backs ban on drivers using handheld phones
A state Senate committee voted 8-1 Tuesday to endorse the bill that only permits cellphone use with hands-free or voice-operated technology, except in emergencies.
One thing unites establishment Democrats: Fear of Sanders
Political strategists say it could be impossible to blunt Bernie Sanders as long as a trio of moderate candidates—former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Vice President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar—stay in the race.
Selby: AG Hill should get 60-day suspension, no automatic reinstatement
The hearing officer presiding over Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s discipline case has recommended that the state’s highest-ranking attorney serve a two-month suspension without automatic reinstatement for violations of two professional conduct rules related to sexual misconduct allegations.
Who’s to blame for the $85M Indiana virtual schools scandal?
Amid the outcry over a new state investigation detailing an alleged $85 million self-dealing scheme at two Indiana virtual charter schools, state leaders are asking why it took years to catch large-scale enrollment inflation and widespread financial conflicts of interest.
16 Tech launches international design competition for $14.5 million bridge
The bridge will be funded by the city of Indianapolis and Lilly Endowment Inc., which two years ago awarded 16 Tech a $38 million grant.
Trump’s story about veteran’s comeback, Opportunity Zone program misleading
Tony Rankins was singled out at President Trump’s State of the Union address as an example of the power of so-called “opportunity zones,” but he doesn’t work at a site taking advantage of the program’s tax breaks and never has done so.
City, Indy Chamber launch financing program for minority-owned businesses
Funding for the program will help smaller businesses pay initial expenditures associated with bidding on contracts—supplies and payroll, for example—without having to put themselves at financial risk through high-interest borrowing.
Lilly Endowment to fund study of reconstruction options for inner loop
The $475,000 grant will fund a study of reconstruction options for the inner loop except for the north split, the first phase of the project, which has already begun. The Indy Chamber Foundation said the study will “inform implementation efforts” in the year 2030 and beyond.
Holcomb signs bill delaying penalties from ILEARN
Indiana schools and teachers won’t face any penalties from lower scores on the 2019 and 2020 versions of the state’s new standardized exam.
U.S. on track for first $1 trillion budget deficit since 2012
The U.S. budget deficit through the first four months of this budget year is up 19% from the same period a year ago.
Sanders edges Buttigieg in N.H., giving Dems contrasting front-runners
The primary gives new clarity to a Democratic contest shaping as a battle between two men separated by four decades in age and clashing political ideologies. Meanwhile, Amy Klobuchar scored a strong third-place finish that gives her campaign needed juice.
U.S. regulators probing acquisitions by five giant tech firms
The FTC, the Justice Department and a House committee have been investigating the conduct of Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple, and whether they aggressively bought smaller potential rivals to suppress competition and hurt consumers.
Holcomb says he’ll continue to push for workplace accommodations for pregnant women
Republican senators stripped from a bill the requirement that businesses modify jobs for pregnant women who need longer breaks, transfers to less physical work and unpaid time off after childbirth.
Trump’s $4.8 trillion budget proposal revisits rejected cuts
The president unveiled an election year budget plan on Monday that recycles previously rejected cuts to domestic programs like food stamps and Medicaid to promise a balanced budget in 15 years—while leaving Social Security and Medicare benefits untouched.
Merritt shifts focus to poverty after mayoral run
Sen. Jim Merritt says his run last year for Indianapolis mayor has made him a better senator—one who’s more in touch with his constituents and who has seen the city’s poverty and crime problems firsthand.
Medicaid changes could have big state impact
The Trump administration has announced it would allow states to add eligibility requirements, benefit changes and drug-coverage limits, which could limit what the government will spend for certain enrollees.
New pro football league targeting states with sports wagering
The XFL is baking sports betting into its operations as a crucial part of the recipe. Indiana is one of at least nine state where gambling regulators have approved wagering on XFL games.