Trump team, China resume uphill effort to end trade rift
The U.S. and China opened a ninth round of talks Wednesday with optimism that the parties would narrow the areas of disagreement further this week.
Government & Economic Development
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State lawmakers working to close loophole in online sales, hotel taxes
Indiana is one step closer to closing what lawmakers have described as a loophole in online sales and hotel tax collection, but online travel sites oppose the legislation.
Two Indy school districts among those returning to voters for more money
Nine Indiana school districts are asking voters to increase funding for education this May. Five of the districts seeking additional operating funds, including two in Marion County, are returning to voters after winning previous tax measures this decade.
Indiana Senate OKs second-trimester abortion procedure ban
The measure would ban dilation and evacuation abortions that the legislation calls “dismemberment abortion.”
Most states falling short on early projections for sports betting
For a variety of reasons, most of the states that moved quickly to legalize sports betting after the Supreme Court cleared the way are still waiting for the expected payoff.
Indiana Senate votes to send controversial hate crimes bill to governor
The Indiana Senate adopted the House's version of a bias crimes bill on Tuesday afternoon, sending the legislation to Gov. Eric Holcomb despite complaints from opponents who say the bill isn’t specific enough.
Town of Speedway lands $430K for road, sidewalk replacement
The town of Speedway received the grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation for five road resurfacing and sidewalk replacement projects in residential areas.
Allison Transmission seeking $2.7M tax break from city on $34.5M testing facility
Officials for the Indianapolis-based transmission giant tell city officials that the project would create 193 jobs that pay an average of $20.39 per hour, as well as help it retain current employees.
Fast-growing Goshen stair-maker to add up to 200 jobs
Viewrail—whose products include “floating stairs,” meaning the space underneath the staircase is open—is plowing $12 million into an expansion that will double its production space.
Indiana lawmakers back away from mandating citizenship test
State lawmakers have put the brakes on a measure that would have required Indiana students to pass the U.S. citizenship test to earn a high school diploma.
Bid for controversial health, family center in Broad Ripple Park up for city approval
The Metropolitan Development Commission next week is expected to see, and vote on, the proposal. Some area residents have objected to the use of park space for businesses.
Judge blocks Trump’s small-business health insurance plan
The plans at issue in Bates’ ruling Thursday allow groups of small businesses and sole proprietors to band together to offer lower-cost coverage that doesn’t have to include all the benefits required by Obamacare. They also can be offered across state lines.
Report: Gov. Holcomb got private flights from casino magnate
An Indiana casino CEO treated Gov. Eric Holcomb to two private jet flights last year and made big contributions to Holcomb’s largest 2016 campaign donor, all while he was pushing for changes to state law that would benefit his business, according to a newspaper report.
Indiana Senate panel votes down sheriff’s sale notification bill
The Senate Local Government Committee voted 5-4 on Thursday against House Bill 1212, which would have mandated that sheriff’s offices advertise foreclosure sales online rather than in printed newspapers.
Downtown hotel coalition launches ad campaign against CIB funding bill
A coalition opposed to the development of two downtown convention hotels plans to launch a “significant” multimedia advertising campaign Thursday with hopes of swaying the public—and lawmakers—on the issue.
Lawmakers make major changes to casino, sports-betting bill
State lawmakers significantly amended a major gambling bill on Wednesday, removing language that would have allowed mobile sports betting and adding a huge relocation fee for the owner of the Gary’s casinos.
New Indy housing director seeks ‘a better way to do this’
New Indianapolis Housing Agency Executive Director John Hall is charged with sorting out the agency’s finances and improving the city’s federally funded voucher program.
IPS sees ‘tremendous market’ for Broad Ripple site, but first needs change in law
Indianapolis Public Schools offered a comprehensive analysis Tuesday, showing strong demand for housing, retail and office development on the 16-acre site of the closed Broad Ripple High School. But that can’t happen without changes to state law.
Bill addressing gender changes to Indiana IDs likely dead this session
A bill that would have created a hurdle for Indiana residents seeking to change their gender on their driver’s licenses or other credentials issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has stalled in the General Assembly.
Buttigieg gains with crowds, TV spots, campaign cash
Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg’s underdog bid is gaining momentum. Now he has to figure out how to turn one of the first surprises of the nascent race for the Democratic nomination into a full-fledged presidential campaign.