Bauer not only one pitching lobbying reform
It seems like everybody at the Indiana Statehouse wants to talk about lobbying ethics these days.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Indiana lands $39.4M in power-grid stimulus grants
IPL will receive $20 million to help pay for a $48.8 million project to install more than 28,000 smart meters; Midwest ISO
will get $17.3 million toward a $34.5 million project to install 150 phasor measurement units.
House Speaker Bauer proposes more lobbying restrictions
Indiana House Speaker Patrick Bauer wants to revamp state ethics rules so that lawmakers would have to wait a year after leaving
office before becoming a Statehouse lobbyist.
Smoking-ban backers, opponents vow to keep battling
Supporters of a stricter ban on smoking in Indianapolis workplaces said the City-County Council’s decision Monday night to table the proposal will not kill efforts to get legislation passed.
Council tables smoking ban
Efforts to broaden Indianapolis’ workplace smoking ban came up short Monday night as members of the City-County Council voted
to table the proposal. The ordinance would have prohibited patrons from lighting up in bars, bowling alleys and nightclubs,
expanding an existing law that prohibits smoking in most public places, including restaurants that serve minors.
Indy Chamber of Commerce endorses smoking ban
The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind a tougher workplace smoking ban up for consideration tonight
by the City-County Council.
Indiana cities association seeking local tax options
The association representing 470 cities and towns wants lawmakers to pass legislation that would give municipalities the authority
to adopt local option income taxes.
FSSA chief due to reveal more on post-IBM welfare changes
Indiana human services chief Anne Murphy is expected to reveal more details on how the state will handle welfare intake after
its contract with IBM Corp. runs out.
Cook Group Inc. owner says health reform’s tax on medical devices could kill jobs
Bloomington-based Cook Group Inc. might have to cut as many as 1,000 local jobs if Congress enacts a tax on medical devices
to pay for health care reform, company founder Bill Cook said in an interview.
First Financial gets sweet deal on Irwin Financial’s bank assets
It’s good to be among the favored few, those blessed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to scoop up the remnants
of failed banks. Because it was on the FDIC list of approved buyers, Cincinnati-based First Financial Bancorp
was able to acquire Columbus, Ind.-based Irwin Financial Corp.’s banking operations under terms
that would make any deal-maker proud.
New jobless claims rise more than expected
The number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, as employers remain
reluctant to hire even as the economy shows signs of recovery.
City official: ‘We’re obligated’ to weigh privatizing some stadium, convention duties
Mayoral Chief of Staff Paul Okeson said the city isn’t sure it makes sense to privatize operations now handled by
the Capital Improvement Board, “but we’re obligated on behalf of the taxpayer to find out.”
State jobless rate dips for third consecutive month
Unemployment in Indiana fell for the third consecutive month in September, bucking the national trend of rising jobless rates,
the Indiana Department of Workforce Development said Wednesday morning.
Democrats eye insurance industry’s antitrust protection
Top Senate Democrats intend to try to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws, according
to congressional officials, the latest evidence of a deepening struggle over President Barack Obama’s effort to overhaul the
health care industry.
Lawmakers: Welfare subcontractor ACS under scrutiny
Lawmakers said Tuesday that Indiana welfare subcontractor Affiliated Computer Services Inc. will come under closer
scrutiny now that Gov. Mitch Daniels has fired IBM Corp. from the project.
Panel rejects major alcohol sale proposals for state
An Indiana legislative committee recommends carryout sales of alcohol remain banned on Sundays, and liquor stores stay the
only place to buy cold beer.
Indiana faces $200M casino hit from outside competition
Indiana’s state government could lose more than $200 million in casino tax revenue if casinos are approved in Kentucky and
Ohio.
Lockheed Martin planning Indianapolis layoffs
Maryland-based Lockheed Martin will idle 10 percent of the employees at its Indianapolis call center as a result of declining call volumes and “funding issues” that are cutting short a five-year federal contract worth a total of $80 million.
Biomass boilers could save Indiana prisons $36M
New biomass boilers at four Indiana prisons are projected to save the state $36 million over 10 years. The Indiana Department
of Correction says it dedicated the first of the new boilers last week at the Pendleton Correctional Facility northeast of
Indianapolis.
Critics: Failed Indiana-IBM deal should warn others
Indiana said it was going to get outsourcing right when it turned welfare eligibility services over to a private contractor
in 2007. Now critics say the failed move is the latest warning that states should not allow for-profit companies to run social
services.