State, city government freeze hiring—but haven’t furloughed employees—as budgets tighten
State and local government budgets are expected to be hit hard as a result of restaurants, retailers and other businesses being closed for weeks.
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate tested for COVID-19
Woody Myers, a former state health commissioner and Anthem Inc. executive, said he thinks the state needs to ramp up testing significantly before considering re-opening the economy.
One Republican drops out of AG race, endorses new candidate
Former Indiana Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Krupp announced Tuesday morning that he is calling off his run to unseat incumbent Attorney General Curtis Hill. Meanwhile, another Republican announced his candidacy.
Indiana banks OK $7.5 billion in Paycheck Protection loans
The banks approved 35,990 individual loans for companies and organizations in Indiana before the program ran out of money.
Democrats push for more safety precautions, additional mailings for primary election
After unanimously approving measures that had already been agreed upon, the two Democrats on the Indiana Election Commission—Anthony Long and Suzannah Wilson Overholt—offered six amendments.
Indiana primary will have in-person voting but officials encourage mail-in ballots
Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson made the decision last month to delay the primary election from May 5 to June 2 and expand the ability to cast a ballot by mail to all registered voters in an attempt to address public health concerns around voting.
Pro-Trump protesters pushing back on stay-at-home orders
In Indiana, a group called the Indiana Conservative Alliance and Grassroots Conservatives is planning a rally Saturday in front of the governor’s mansion.
Gov. Holcomb says state’s economy will restart in a ‘rolling’ process
Indiana governor said employees must have “a very high level of confidence about the workplace” when businesses reopen.
Indiana Democratic Convention to be held virtually
Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody announced Tuesday that avoiding a traditional in-person convention was “the safest way” to conduct the event.
State working with 15 companies to acquire more personal protective equipment
Luke Bosso, chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., said during Monday’s media briefing that the state has purchased 1.9 million pieces of PPE so far.
Federal spending makes more energy assistance available
But an administrator of energy-assistance programs says the funding “only scratches the surface” of what’s needed.
Jennifer Hallowell: How coronavirus pandemic will affect elections
The changes the state is making in the primary due to the coronavirus pandemic might indefinitely alter how we carry out campaigns and conduct elections going forward. Today’s alternative might become tomorrow’s norm.
Indiana could receive more than $2.6B from federal stimulus package for state, local spending
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on March 27, provided $2 trillion in economic aid for business, hospitals and governments struggling with the impact of the pandemic.
Sanders to drop 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee
Sanders planned to talk to his supporters later Wednesday.
IBJ Podcast: What you need to know about unemployment now
State unemployment specialist Josh Richardson talks with host Mason King about who is now eligible for benefits under an expansion approved by Congress as well as how soon they’ll begin receiving benefits and how the agency is adjusting to a flood of applicants.
State launches ‘Hope’ campaign as Hoosiers seek mental health, social services in huge numbers
Gov. Eric Holcomb acknowledged the state is facing a potential mental-health crisis, and said he is committed to offering services to Hoosiers who are feeling troubled.
Indiana’s census response rate has been strong, despite virus interruptions
More than 40% of Hoosiers have already filled out the 2020 Census, but concerns remain about getting the rest of the state to respond during a public health crisis.
Indiana still weeks away from COVID-19 peak, officials say; hospitals scramble to get ready
State officials again refused to say how many ventilators or intensive-care unit beds hospitals have, citing confidentiality agreements with hospitals and vendors. Some hospitals expect their supplies to run short in coming weeks.
Wondering if you qualify for unemployment? The answer is probably yes.
State and federal authorities have expanded the eligibility for unemployment benefits significantly, meaning if you’re out of work and didn’t qualify under the old rules, you likely will now.
State dips into reserves for coronavirus spending as pandemic cuts into revenue
Cris Johnston, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said agencies have been told to look for places where they can eliminate spending. But he said there are no plans to cut funding for schools, even though it’s the state’s largest expenditure.