Pete Yonkman: Core business resources can drive community change
Government and policymakers have a large role to play in addressing the state’s economic challenges. But they can’t do it alone. Nor should we expect them to.
Government
Articles
Crypto industry would get its preferred regulator under new bill
A new bipartisan proposal would give the rapidly-expanding sector a victory by handing authority to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, seen by the industry as a more benevolent regulator.
Lawmakers question beef executives over soaring food prices
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill aggressively questioned the chief executives of the country’s four major beef producers, accusing them of engaging in anti-competitive practices that have financially harmed cattle ranchers and driven up the price of meat.
Jones leads race for campaign cash in crowded state Senate primary
Democrat Kristin Jones has raised more than $115,000 throughout the course of her campaign for Senate District 46 in Indianapolis. Her closest fundraising competitor in a five-way primary reported just over $68,000 in campaign contributions.
Indiana Democrats push for marijuana legalization in statewide tour
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott lit up a joint one mile across the state border in Illinois for a new campaign ad he posted on 4/20—the unofficial weed holiday.
Education Department gives more borrowers chance of student loan cancellation
Despite fine-tuning over the years, government audits show the Education Department has provided insufficient instructions to contractors managing its loan portfolio. That oversight has resulted in inconsistent loan servicing to the detriment of borrowers.
Former state lawmaker Keeler pleads guilty to tax fraud
Former casino executive and state lawmaker John Keeler pleaded guilty in federal court Monday morning to filing a false tax return in connection to a scheme to funnel illegal casino cash into a congressional campaign in 2016.
Congress seeks compromise to boost computer chip industry
Both the House and the Senate have passed major legislation on the matter, and the effort is one of lawmakers’ final opportunities before the November elections to show voters they are addressing the nation’s strained supply chains.
Indianapolis Mayor Hogsett tests positive for COVID-19
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett is experiencing “mild symptoms” and is isolating at home, his office announced Sunday afternoon.
Is Marion County’s tradition of slating candidates nearing its end?
For years, endorsements by Marion County’s political parties significantly reduced the chances of a hotly contested primary for each party’s nomination. But not so much these days. The change is particularly noticeable among county Democrats running for county clerk, county recorder and a state senate seat in the May 3 primary election.
Economic toll worsens as trucks remain stopped at Mexico border
Trucks containing household goods, car parts and other shelf-stable goods have been delayed, tangling up supply chains that involve hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the border.
Indiana automatic taxpayer refund to be sent starting next month
Hoosiers should expect to start receiving a $125 automatic taxpayer refund in May, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday.
Indiana BMV leader stepping down, to be replaced by Department of Labor chief
Peter Lacy, commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles since 2017, plans to leave his position May 27 and will be replaced by Indiana Department of Labor Commissioner Joe Hoage the next day, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Tuesday.
Biden waiving ethanol rule in bid to lower gasoline prices
Administration officials said the EPA has begun analyzing the “emergency” step of allowing more E15 gasoline sales for the summer and determined it is not likely to have significant on-the-ground air quality impacts.
Congress votes to suspend Russia trade status, enact oil ban
The White House said sanctions the U.S. and more than 30 other nations have already enacted have stung the Russian economy.
Former Indiana AG Hill leading mock grand jury against Fauci, website says
Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has, until recently, kept a relatively low profile since he lost his re-election bid at the 2020 Indiana GOP convention, when Republicans selected Attorney General Todd Rokita as their nominee.
U.S. Senate to vote on revoking Russia’s trade status, oil ban
Reports of civilians being tortured and killed in Ukraine, with streets on the outskirts of Kyiv being strewn with corpses, had some lawmakers this week questioning why the Senate had not yet taken action on the bill.
Immigration snag threatens to stall $10 billion coronavirus relief package
A bipartisan backlash to the Biden administration’s decision to relax pandemic restrictions at the U.S. border has thrown swift passage of a coronavirus relief package in doubt on Capitol Hill.
White House to extend student loan pause through August
The action applies to more than 43 million Americans who owe a combined $1.6 trillion in student debt held by the federal government, according to the latest data from the Education Department.
INDOT issues request for information for EV charging infrastructure plan
In its request for information released Monday, INDOT is soliciting feedback and recommendations from stakeholders, such as utilities and energy and fuel companies, for the planning, coordination and development of charging networks across the state.