Township merger bill clears Legislature after years of failed attempts
Provisions of Senate Bill 270, which the House approved on Tuesday, would require townships with poor performance scores to merge with other townships or some cities.
Local Government
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‘Once-in-a-generation opportunity’: Hammond mayor ready for Bears stadium
The Bears are prepared to invest about $2 billion for the stadium project in Hammond, according to Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers.
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UPDATE: Amended bill paves way for potential Chicago Bears stadium in Hammond
As amended Thursday, Senate Bill 27 creates a financial framework for the construction of a new stadium and puts to rest speculation as to where that stadium might be built.
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Hogsett taps police chief Chris Bailey as new chief of staff
He succeeds Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former chief of staff, Dan Parker, who stepped down at the end of 2025 after more than three years in the post.
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Single eatery replaces Fishers Test Kitchen restaurant accelerator
Clutch Kitchen, a restaurant founded by Indiana University alum and “MasterChef” competition winner Kelsey Murphy, has taken over the spot previously filled by three counter-service concept eateries.
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Articles
Data centers could pay Indiana municipalities 1% of equipment purchases, electric bill
The Indiana Senate is considering language that would see local governments get potentially significant payments from data center operators seeking to build in their towns.
Chicago Bears affirm interest in Hammond as House considers amended stadium bill
In a statement released Thursday morning, the Bears said they are “committed” to continuing their exploration of a targeted development site near Hammond.
Senate committee takes swings at rental cap ordinances, local taxes, data centers
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said he appreciates an attempt to compromise on rental cap ordinances, but feels the Legislature isn’t listening to what local communities want.
Indiana township merger plan could advance under compromise bill
An Indiana House committee on Tuesday endorsed a melding of differing Senate and House bills that supporters said will improve local government efficiency.
Indiana House adds $50M in regional tax credits to IEDC bill
The bill requires the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to set aside $50 million in tax credits — out of the agency’s total allotment of $300 million — for specific regional items. It also establishes rules for the state’s new drone-testing site.
State legislator shuts down legislation curtailing Indy’s billboard laws
House Roads and Transportation Committee Chair State Rep. Jim Pressel did not take a committee vote on the legislation and pulled it from the agenda.
Bill would give local governments slice of data centers’ tax break
House Bill 1333 would require data center developers that receive sales tax exemptions to give 1% of the abatement to local governments.
Indiana will likely finally consolidate townships. But how?
Critics say the township model is outdated and inefficient and adds an unnecessary layer of government. Legislation from both chambers of the Indiana Statehouse would pare down township government.
Q&A: Shea Joyce, Indy’s new deputy mayor of operations and government affairs
Joyce, an Indianapolis native and former André Carson campaign staffer, has stepped into a newly created cabinet role within Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration.
Rental ordinances in Fishers, Carmel come under threat from state lawmakers
Language buried in a bill about local finances would override ordinances in Carmel and Fishers and prevent other local governments from restricting or banning rental properties.
A final list of candidate filings for Indiana House, Senate and Congress
All nine U.S. House and 100 Indiana House seats are up for election this year, along with half of the 50 Indiana Senate seats. The candidate filing period ended at noon on Friday.
Trump’s calls to ‘nationalize’ elections have state, local election officials bracing for tumult
Several Democratic election officials, and some Republicans, have spoken out. Placing voting under control of the federal government would represent a fundamental violation of the Constitution, they note.
Speedway town official files to challenge Ryan Mears in Marion County prosecutor race
Philip Foust, a Republican, worked in the Prosecutor’s Office from 2015 to 2021 and saw “how dramatically it has drifted from its core mission,” he said in a press release announcing his candidacy.
Confusion over paperwork handling has Indiana candidates scrambling
Secretary of State Diego Morales maintains that his office followed state law, but that hasn’t stopped many candidates from refiling this week at the Indiana Election Division office ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Stakeholders weren’t happy with Indianapolis decisions, so they took fights to the Statehouse
Local Democrats who have a stronghold on Indianapolis generally oppose intervention from the Republican supermajority that passes policies at the Indiana Statehouse, but Indianapolis Republicans are willing to invite it.
Initial vote on $4B Decatur Township data center delayed
The proposed project from Seattle-based Sabey Corp. was on the docket for Thursday’s Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner meeting, but the company asked for it to be rescheduled.
Mayor Joe Hogsett appoints 27-year veteran as Indy’s first female police chief
She replaces outgoing Chief Chris Bailey, who announced earlier this month that he would leave the role to become Hogsett’s chief deputy mayor.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears launches reelection bid
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the Indianapolis Democrat was coy about the prospect of a potential mayoral run in 2027.
UPDATED: Central Indiana officials say stay home after more than 11 inches of snow this weekend
Mayor Joe Hogsett said travel in Marion County should be limited to first responders, health care workers and other essential personnel at least until Monday evening.