Nine state lawmakers don’t plan to seek reelection in 2022—and one more will quit earlier
Ten lawmakers—all Republican but one—have publicly announced intentions to either resign their seats soon or retire rather than seek reelection next year.
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Indy plans to use $16.5 million to improve deteriorating city playgrounds
More than two dozen Indianapolis parks will receive funding allocated to Indianapolis under the American Rescue for renovations to their playgrounds, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration announced Thursday.
One of Indiana’s GOP senators endorses Donnelly’s nomination
Also, Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins called Donnelly “an ideal choice to represent the United States at the Vatican.”
President Biden to nominate Joe Donnelly as ambassador to the Vatican
Donnelly, a devout Catholic, defended Biden’s Catholic faith during last year’s presidential campaign, writing in an op-ed published in August 2020 that Biden “lives his faith every day.”
Former Rep. Messer jumps to Bose Public Affairs Group
Luke Messer has left law firm Faegre Drinker to join Indianapolis-based Bose Public Affairs Group LLC, where he will counsel corporate clients in Indiana and in Washington, D.C., on governmental matters.
Biden presses fellow Dems to resolve party split on $3.5T plan
The intense focus on Biden’s big-money domestic proposal showcases how much is at stake politically for the president and his party in Congress.
Indiana redistricting plan shores up suburban district for GOP
Other changes among Indiana’s nine congressional districts to account for population shifts don’t appear likely to shift the 7-2 control that Republicans now hold on those seats.
Council OKs nearly $520M in spending on pandemic recovery, rent help, new facilities
The Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday unanimously approved about $467 million in spending for pandemic recovery initiatives, rental assistance, a range of new public buildings and several greenway projects, most of it funded with federal coronavirus relief dollars.
Indianapolis greenways to get $25M after unanimous council approval
The money will go toward design, construction and inspection for nine trail and greenway projects, including Pleasant Run Trail and Pogue’s Run Trail.
Holcomb calls Biden’s vaccine order ‘a bridge too far’
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has long encouraged Hoosiers to get COVID-19 vaccines, on Friday pushed back against President Biden’s order that all businesses with more than 100 employees require their workers to be immunized or face weekly testing.
City-County Council panel clears way for nearly $150M in new public buildings
The Administration and Finance Committee advanced $10.5 million for a new solid waste facility and $7.5 million for a new firehouse—in addition to letting Indy borrow $126.7 million in bonds for a range of new buildings on the Community Justice Campus and other facilities.
Council committee advances new emergency services agency
Indianapolis’ emergency services functions, including 911 and fire communications, are one step closer to becoming part of a new, separate agency with an initial $23.1 million budget.
Council committee advances inflation wage change, paid parental leave
An Indianapolis City-County Council committee on Tuesday unanimously voted to advance a plan allowing public employees’ wages to rise with inflation, as work continues on the city’s first public pay scale change in more than a decade.
Buttigieg and husband are parents
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay Cabinet secretary confirmed by the Senate, has announced that he and husband Chasten have become parents.
U.S. consumer prices rose in July but at slower pace
Rising inflation has emerged as the Achilles’ heel of the economic recovery, erasing much of the benefit to workers from higher pay and heightening pressure on the Federal Reserve’s policymakers under Chair Jerome Powell, who face a mandate to maintain stable prices.
Senate passes $1T infrastructure bill, which faces uncertain future in House
Lawmakers in the bipartisan coalition showed they were willing to set aside political pressures, eager to send billions to their states for rebuilding roads, broadband internet, water pipes and the public works systems that underpin much of American life.
City on firm financial footing with $1.3B budget proposal, Hogsett administration says
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration introduced a $1.35 billion budget proposal to the City-County-Council on Monday evening, with more than half allotted to public safety and criminal justice.
Mayor unveils $166M anti-violence plan as part of city financial proposal
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s plan, funded largely with federal coronavirus relief, gives $33 million to traditional law enforcement efforts, $82 million toward community-led programming and $51.5 million toward “root cause” services like mental health care, hunger relief and workforce development.
Holcomb resists renewed mask mandate as virus variant spikes
The governor has maintained he won’t reinstate a statewide mask mandate or other restrictions, instead leaving such decisions to local officials.
Rokita loses first attempt at state high court to stop governor’s suit against General Assembly
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s emergency petition to halt a trial court from continuing proceedings in the governor’s lawsuit against the Legislature.