Indianapolis resentment
Jealousy toward Indianapolis in the Statehouse shows no sign of letting up, one legislator says.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
State board offers districts guidelines for K-12 cuts
The Indiana State Board of Education is sending a checklist to school districts across the state that outlines options communities
should consider, including using fees to pay the costs of sports and other extracurricular activities.
Ivy Tech takes over state prison GED classes
The Indiana Department of Correction plans to shed the jobs of 118 teachers for GED, literacy and vocational classes at prisons
by turning those programs over to Ivy Tech Community College.
Ohio lawmaker wants Fair Finance owners’ assets frozen
An Ohio congressman is upset the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Indianapolis isn’t seeking to freeze the assets of
Fair Finance Co. owners Tim Durham and Jim Cochran.
City revamping management of parking operations
The city of Indianapolis is seeking to consolidate management of its parking operations into a single, long-term lease that
could net it tens of millions of dollars to make street and sidewalk repairs. City leaders are expected to release a request
for proposals “soon.”
Indiana beverage retailers want permits frozen
An Indiana liquor store trade group wants a court to freeze state alcohol permits until a judge can clarify quota laws on
the number of permits allowed.
Hotels spark expansion of downtown skywalk system
Two walkways that will connect to the new Marriott Place hotel will extend downtown’s network of skywalk and underground pedestrian
paths to a total of 12 hotels with more than 4,700 rooms–the most of any downtown in the United States.
State links university funding to lifting graduation rates
The
Indiana Commission for Higher Education late last month slashed college budgets based on key performance
measures.
Legislation to protect car dealers re-emerges at Statehouse
Dozens of Chrysler and General Motors dealers in Indiana were terminated last year. Now, a dealer trade group wants to
block automakers from preying on termination fears to wrest concessions from surviving dealers.
FEIGENBAUM: Bills flying through Legislature at Castroneves’ pace
At a torrid pace, major pieces of legislation are flying
through the Indiana General Assembly, leaving lawmakers with an envious decision: Adjourn early and make Hoosier voters happy,
or stick around and devote attention to other major issues that deserve close scrutiny, but receive short shrift in sessions
bogged down by battles over high-profile partisan matters.
Auto, battery jobs hinge on landing federal energy loans
Indiana’s future as a hub for making electric and hybrid vehicles hinges on a single government loan program.
House OKs bill on township government referendums
The proposal would allow voters to decide in November whether their township governments should be eliminated and their duties
transferred to the county level.
Brizzi silent on controversy as he opts against 3rd term
The written statement Carl Brizzi released Thursday saying he will not seek a third term as Marion County prosecutor makes
no reference to the controversy surrounding his business and personal ties with embattled Indianapolis financier Tim Durham.
House bill lets voters weigh in on township government
Indiana House has cleared legislation that would allow voters to decide this year whether to eliminate their township trustees
and boards. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
City leaders getting aggressive about recouping tax breaks
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said the city expects to recover $5.5 million from companies that failed to meet job requirements. The
city will use the money to fund economic development, convention, tourism and education efforts.
Absentee voting bill moves on to Indiana Senate
Legislation that would allow Indiana voters to cast absentee ballots by mail without having an excuse such as being out of
town on Election Day cleared the House on a mostly party-line vote Wednesday.
ISU may cut 100 jobs to trim budget
Indiana State University’s president says the college will eliminate 80 to 100 jobs as a result of state budget cuts.
Stericycle to expand in Indianapolis
Illinois-based medical waste disposal firm Stericycle Inc. will expand its Indianapolis operations, creating as many as 109
jobs by 2011, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced Wednesday.
Panel OKs bill to eliminate Indiana township boards
Township boards would be eliminated in Indiana and their local government duties would be transferred to the county level
if a Statehouse proposal becomes law.
City to bolster economic development funding
Mayor Greg Ballard expected to announce at his State of the City address Wednesday evening that the Indianapolis Convention
& Visitors Association and Indianapolis Economic Development Inc. could receive about $1 million each from the city.