Federal stimulus money for Indiana highway projects so far has put to work 1,222 people with a payroll of $1.27 million,
according to state records of 42 projects under way in which contractors have reported job data. The work, ranging
from paving to replacing bridge decks, had a total contract value of $39.2 million.
As both House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, and House Republican Leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, see it, this is definitely a "Republican-flavored" budget. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels laid the framework, and legislators from both sides of the aisle largely abided by his bottom lines of spending, state agency cuts and surplus.
The sniping over the state budget follows the time-honored script of partisan politics. Fear not: A timely climax and resolution
are all but guaranteed.
To use a gardening metaphor, have the courage to prune back in a tough economy, and plant new seeds before the weather improves.
More than 6.5 million images of corporate documents, business filings and registrations on file with the Indiana Secretary
of State Business Services Division are now accessible instantly for free.
Educators widely support a new state law that gives teachers immunity from civil lawsuits for trying to discipline students.
But opponents of corporal punishment are giving it a frosty reception, fearing Indiana students could be subjected to more
paddling without legal recourse.
Casual observers of the legislative process might be confused by the political posturing, lack of a sense of imperative, and seeming non sequiturs in this General Assembly special session. Rest assured that even many veteran legislative observers also share the sense of puzzlement about June’s events. However, there is some method to the madness, and […]
State Treasurer Richard Mourdock’s attempt to stand up for the rule of law in the Chrysler bankruptcy appears to have been
futile, but we applaud the treasurer for trying. Mourdock went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to preserve the rights
of secured creditors in bankruptcy cases.
Conner Prairie has $2.2 million riding on a ballooning exhibit that opened June 6. One thing that won’t stand in the way of
its success is a competing ride–at least not at White River State Park.
With the help of outside economists, Indiana government undergoes an economic forecast every other yearâ??a process that’s taken on increased importance this spring, as Gov. Mitch Daniels and the Legislature attempt to craft a two-year budget amid the deepest recession since the early 1980s.
The process of assessment could be simplified and performed uniformly and inexpensively.
Indiana environmental advocates had lots of disappointments this year regarding government reform efforts.
A panel of five veterans of real estate and construction provided industry insights at IBJ‘s Power Breakfast May
1 at the Westin Indianapolis.
Put some progressivity into Indiana tax rates when passing the Indiana state budget.
On May 15, the Wall Street Journal published a letter from Gov. Mitch Daniels laying out his sharp opposition to the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would set limits on carbon emissions to combat global warming.
The Indiana Recycling Coalition scored big in the just-concluded session of the Indiana General Assembly with the passage
of House Bill 1589, which requires that electronics manufacturers help pay for recycling of their old televisions and computer
monitors.
Which group should make the spending decisions? Consumers or elected officials?
The Hoosier Lottery has agreed to pay $2.75 million to settle a lawsuit filed by eight black former employees who claim racial
discrimination motivated their firing four years ago.
Interior designers in Indiana, who have been pushing for the chance to become certified, finally got their wish.
Ind. Gov. Mitch Daniels will call the Legislature into special session to pass an acceptable budget, but some legislators think a budget that would satisfy the governor cannot be crafted by the contentious partisans in this developing fiasco.
