Yearly address gives Pence chance to turn political page
Expect a laser-like focus on new jobs, an improving economy and planned infrastructure projects in Gov. Mike Pence’s annual State of the State speech.
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Bill would protect sexual orientation, punt on gender identity
A GOP state senator has filed a bill that would provide discrimination protections for gay, lesbian and bisexual people, but bows to concerns some have about transgender rights.
Influential senator, health advocate Miller to retire
Indiana Sen. Patricia Miller, who has represented the southeast portion of the Indianapolis area for 34 years, has served as chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services since 1993.
Indiana GOP picks Conexus executive as director
David Buskill, an Indianapolis political consultant and fundraiser, has been named executive director of the Indiana Republican Party.
Senate GOP to press road funding, malpractice reform, drug sentences
The legislative priorities for Indiana Senate Republicans include $418 million to improve local roads, another $42 million for the Regional Cities program, and protecting educators from negative impacts of ISTEP.
Three GOP Senate hopefuls agree to debate
Fourth District Republican Chairman Craig Dunn announced that candidates Eric Holcomb, Marlin Stutzman and Todd Young have confirmed they’ll participate in the Jan. 16 debate at a Kokomo restaurant.
Pence out-raises Gregg in 2015
The governor is sitting on about $6.8 million cash on hand as the election year begins compared to his Democratic challenger’s $3.5 million in cash.
IBJ’s most-read stories of 2015
Despite national attention paid to RFRA and Jared Fogle, most of IBJ’s top-read online stories this year were the result of deeply sourced reporting on people, issues and businesses specific to central Indiana.
Ballard: A legacy shaped by deals
Republican Greg Ballard was full of surprises after an unlikely mayoral victory eight years ago. As he leaves the mayor’s office, he hopes his legacy is a new group of GOP leaders.
Hogsett taps former Lt. Gov. Davis as ‘city systems engineer’
Local pastor David Hampton and not-for-profit director Jeff Bennett have been picked as deputy mayors by Mayor-elect Joe Hogsett. Former Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis was chosen to help to solve the city’s budget challenges.
Marion County GOP names woman as chair for first time
Jennifer Ping has been active in state and local politics and has twice been a delegate to the Republican National Convention. She replaces Kyle Walker.
Bose adds veteran lobbyist Queisser to staff in Washington, D.C.
Brad Queisser previously served in the administrations of Govs. Evan Bayh and Frank O’Bannon, as well as in the Indiana Democratic Party and Democratic National Committee.
LGBT rights promises to be the hottest debate in a 2016 legislative session
Proponents and opponents of putting sexual orientation and gender identity into the state’s civil rights law say they expect to spend tremendous time and energy on the issue—but not money. They say individual conversations are what will sway lawmakers.
Oesterle starts PAC to counter social conservatives
Free Enterprise Indiana is Bill Oesterle’s new political action committee. It will support economy-focused Republican candidates through election cycles.
LGBT rights advocacy group to host meetings statewide
Freedom Indiana will advocate for the changes when they are debated during the upcoming legislative session.
Lawmakers hope for momentum on program to help avoid layoffs
Nearly 30 states have “work-share” programs that pay partial unemployment benefits when employers need to reduce workers’ hours. The idea has gone nowhere with Indiana lawmakers, but the next legislative session could be different.
Hogsett starts ‘aggressive’ cost review of city programs
Indianapolis mayor-elect Joe Hogsett has enlisted public accounting and consulting firm Crowe Horwath LLP to help complete a “strategic review” of city-county government.
Obama threatens to veto House GOP bill on Syrian refugees
The White House on Wednesday threatened a presidential veto of House Republican legislation aimed at increasing screenings for Syrian and Iraqi refugees before they enter the United States.
KENNEDY: Now comes the hard part–governing
How will mayor-elect Joe Hogsett and the new City-County Council provide even the most basic public services, from public safety to paving streets to picking up trash, in the face of steady erosion of the resources needed to deliver those services?
Hogsett taps ex-Ballard deputy to lead transition team
The mayor-elect appointed Indy Chamber CEO Michael Huber, a former deputy mayor for economic development under Ballard, as one of three co-chairs of his transition team.