Tech leaders create association to lobby for industry interests at Statehouse
The new Indiana Technology and Innovation Association includes more than 90 technology companies ranging from startups to major players like Salesforce and AT&T.
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Indiana biz leader suggests making state attorney general an appointed post
With controversy over Attorney General Curtis Hill still fresh, Indiana Chamber of Commerce CEO Kevin Brinegar on Monday suggested making the AG position appointed instead of elected. Hill said he opposed the idea.
Indiana Chamber’s legislative priorities include issues that recently failed
The statewide business group announced its lobbying agenda Monday—and it includes support for passing a hate-crimes bill and increasing the cigarette tax. Another priority involves the state’s superintendent of public instruction.
Pence’s sharp China attacks fuel fears of cold war dividing Asia
Vice President Mike Pence said the U.S. wasn’t in a rush to end the trade war and would “not change course until China changes its ways”—a worrying prospect for a region heavily reliant on exports.
IBJ Podcast: Rethinking downtown Indy’s interstate highway system
Podcast host Mason King talks with Rethink 65/70 member Paul Knapp, the CEO of Young & Laramore, about the group’s plan to put parts of the highway below grade. Then he talks with INDOT spokesman Scott Manning and HNTB’s Kia Gillette about whether the state will consider Rethink’s ideas.
Indiana lawmakers draft hate-crime legislation for 2019 session
The draft covers bias-motivated crimes based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry and sexual orientation.
36-year-old political ‘veteran’—now Pence’s press secretary—eyed for Trump chief of staff
Trump is said to have warmed to Nick Ayers in part by watching the effectiveness of Pence’s largely independent political operation.
Democrats to seek major hike in City-County Council pay
Democrats on the Indianapolis City-County Council are planning to introduce a proposal next week that would nearly triple council salaries—the first pay hike for members since 2002.
Business, health leaders call for lawmakers to triple cigarette tax
A coalition of business and health professionals launched a campaign Thursday calling for Indiana lawmakers to increase the state’s cigarette tax by $2 per pack.
Proposed Statehouse sexual harassment guidelines ‘shockingly dated,’ says law professor
An Indiana employment law professor said the proposed guidelines to combat sexual harassment at the Indiana Statehouse appear to be designed to insulate lawmakers from liability.
Firms could hire marginalized workers to keep economic growth humming, expert says
The unemployment rate is so low that the U.S. economy risks slipping into recession due to lack of labor. Businesses should consider hiring ex-offenders and other prospects that they previously have avoided, according to a chief economic strategist for Fifth Third Bank.
After downing Delph, Ford brings new message to Statehouse
This month, in his second try, J.D. Ford toppled state Sen. Mike Delph, the controversial, conservative Republican who had represented the 29th District since 2005.
Indiana’s Young to head Senate Republican campaign wing
Indiana Sen. Todd Young has been picked to lead the National Republican Senate Committee during the 2020 election cycle.
Indiana Chamber to back state hate-crimes legislation
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday announced it would support the passage of a state law against bias crimes, marking the first time the organization has taken an official position on the issue.
Raising teacher pay likely to be hot topic for Indiana lawmakers in 2019
As top lawmakers—Republicans and Democrats—prepare to craft the next two-year state budget, they have been in talks about how money could be set aside for teachers and other educators.
Indiana attorney general gets national post amid allegations
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has been named vice chairman of the national Republican Attorneys General Association even as he resists calls from the state’s GOP governor and legislative leaders to resign.
Survey finds more support for marijuana in Indiana than sports betting
Ball State University’s annual Hoosier Survey, released Tuesday, found only 37 percent of Hoosiers favor legalizing sports betting as a revenue source while 50 percent oppose the idea.
AMAZON UPDATES: Indy officials pushed three sites for HQ2, showed off Mass Ave during visit
When visiting Indianapolis in March to gather intelligence on the city’s HQ2 bid, Amazon officials had two meals at hot restaurants on downtown’s northeast side and toured three potential sites for the $5 billion project.
Credit agency Moody’s lauds Indiana balanced budget mandate
Indiana’s measure was the only state finance-related ballot measure to earn a “positive” indication in Moody’s post-election roundup, The Times of Northwest Indiana reported.
IBJ Podcast: What do the 2018 election results mean for 2019 and 2020?
Host Mason King talks with IBJ reporters Lindsey Erdody and Hayleigh Colombo as well as Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Politics in Fort Wayne, about what the 2018 elections mean for the mayoral races in 2019 and governor’s race in 2020.