Indiana faces $200M casino hit from outside competition
Indiana’s state government could lose more than $200 million in casino tax revenue if casinos are approved in Kentucky and
Ohio.
State Government
Articles
Biomass boilers could save Indiana prisons $36M
New biomass boilers at four Indiana prisons are projected to save the state $36 million over 10 years. The Indiana Department
of Correction says it dedicated the first of the new boilers last week at the Pendleton Correctional Facility northeast of
Indianapolis.
Critics: Failed Indiana-IBM deal should warn others
Indiana said it was going to get outsourcing right when it turned welfare eligibility services over to a private contractor
in 2007. Now critics say the failed move is the latest warning that states should not allow for-profit companies to run social
services.
Governor to merge state museum into new agency
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is planning to merge the Indiana State Museum, 12 historic sites and state library under one new
agency, according to sources close to the museum.
Funding cut jeopardizes popular Indiana Artisan program
A state-run program aimed at boosting business for local artisans—ranging from painters to syrup makers—and
turning them into a draw for tourists is in jeopardy because of dramatic funding cuts.
Study: Taxing services could yield state $6.8B
The non-partisan Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute this morning released a new study exploring the ramifications of expanding
the state’s sales tax to include services.
Daniels warns of more cuts amid revenue declines
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels warned Thursday morning that more state budget cuts could be forthcoming in light of a prolonged
drop in
tax collections. Indiana collected $3.3 billion in total revenue during the fiscal first quarter, 14 percent less than the
same period last year.
Indiana property owners to save more than expected
Property owners in Indiana are expected to save more on their tax bills in the next two years than originally predicted
because of caps on property taxes.
Indiana wants to trim cost of educating inmates
Indiana’s efforts to cut the cost of educating prison inmates could increase competition among the state’s colleges, with
Ivy Tech leading the way. The State Student Assistance Commission is considering capping the amount it spends on state prison
inmates at $120 per credit hour, prompting colleges already facing strapped budgets to worry about keeping their contracts
with the Department of Correction.
Overhaul of teacher training threatens college budgets
Proposed changes to teacher licensing rules are a threat in the eyes of most deans of Indiana’s colleges of education—both
to the quality
of
teacher training and to the budgets of the colleges.
Local architect to run for secretary of state
A founding partner of an Indianapolis architectural firm this month plans to formally announce his Democratic bid for Indiana
secretary of state.
Panel discusses possible changes in redistricting
An interim legislative committee is likely to recommend that new guidelines be established for Indiana lawmakers to follow
when they redraw legislative and congressional maps in 2011, a state senator said Tuesday.
Conditions placed on Indiana’s welfare rollout
A federal food stamp administrator has told Indiana’s human services chief that his staff must be consulted before the
state rolls out its troubled welfare-automation program to additional regions.
Indiana has highest casino taxes in Midwest, report says
Indiana casinos on average pay the highest effective tax rate in the Midwest, according to a report by the Casino Association
of Indiana.
State funneling weatherization funds to builders’ group
The Indiana Builders Association will receive nearly half of the $132 million the state is receiving through the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act to weatherize more than 30,000 households
Influential team owner thinks hot rod group should move HQ from California to Brownsburg
A meeting between high-level National Hot Rod Association executives—including NHRA President Tom Compton—and
Gov. Mitch Daniels and members of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has fueled speculation that the drag racing group
might be looking to significantly expand its presence here.
More IU, Purdue projects could move forward
More than $130 million in construction projects will get a chance to move forward after being put on hold over a top lawmaker’s
objections to the schools’ tuition increases.
State’s jobless rate dips, but decline could be temporary
Indiana’s unemployment rate in August fell below double digits for the first time since April, the Indiana Department of Workforce
Development said this morning, but the decline could just be a blip.
Indiana turns away booze-distribution heavyweight
The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission has voted to deny liquor and wine permits for Southern Wine & Spirits of
America Inc., the nation’s largest liquor distributor, citing concerns over a track record of anti-competitive behavior.
Groups take sides in debate over Sunday alcohol sales
Supporters and foes of repealing Indiana’s ban on Sunday take-out alcohol sales made their cases before a group of lawmakers yesterday in a preview of what could be a divisive debate in the next legislative session.