A few key Senators will mold most-crucial legislation
The key legislative item at this point remains House Bill 1001, the budget bill.
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Struggling contractors hope for sale of factory
Contractors struggling under the weight of an unfinished factory in Tipton are hoping for a quick sale to recover at least
some of the $44 million they say they’re owed by Getrag Transmission Manufacturing.
State offices could use some fixing, too
Although the Kernan-Shepard report focused on local government efficiencies, it is also clear that the management of Indiana’s
public resources and assets at the regional and state level has not kept pace with the technological and socioeconomic advances
of the last century.
These are leaders?
Whether it’s structuring local government to fit the 21st century, financing sports stadiums, achieving property tax reform or putting the state’s unemployment fund on sound footing, our leaders consistently show their failure to lead.
Pension merger raises questions
We’re generally supportive of a plan to merge the state’s two largest public pensions in an effort to save money, but it’s
hard to know exactly what to think considering the lack of detailed information available about the performance of the funds.
PERF confusion
I am not at all sure that a merger of two public pension plans is not a good idea, possibly just not under current investment management auspices.
Consultants for PERF, TRF announce plan to merge
Whether or not the Indiana Public Employees’ Retirement Fund and the Indiana State Teachers’ Retirement Fund consolidate,
their primary financial consultants are merging.
Wells leaves as Medicaid chief with cost-cutting plan in limbo
Dr. Jeff Wells is moving on from the Indiana Medicaid program even as a $40 million cost-savings plan he spearheaded faces
a threat in the Legislature.
Indiana Public worker, teacher funds have lost $8B in 15 months
The state’s two biggest pension funds are poised to combine into one Indiana Public Retirement System, with a single executive
director and board.
Legislators struggling with economic imperatives
The Indiana state budget will continue to be a work in progress for many more weeks.
CAFE standards not as effective as gasoline tax
The Obama administration recently reversed a Bush-era policy that prevented states from imposing some of their own environmental policies with respect to corporate average fuel efficiency, or CAFE, standards.
Payroll tax hike looming
Shoring up the state’s jobless-fund shortfall likely will cost employers and employees more.
Trickiest legislative issues remain far from resolution
Positive action, action for the sake of action, and inaction were all on tap in the General Assembly in recent days as lawmakers
prepared to wrap up the first half of the session.
Activity at Statehouse picks up, but how much is getting done?
After a surprisingly slow month of January, the pace of legislative action picked up considerably during the first two weeks
of February.
Health care interests wary of state’s cost-cutting idea for Medicaid
Indiana Medicaid officials want to take over management of all its patients’ prescription drugs because they say it could save the state as much as $40 million a year.
Fight brews over liquor distribution in Indiana
A Florida firm is suing to overturn Indiana’s resident-ownership law regarding liquor.
Workplace smoking policies move backward
The bill in question seems like a long shot. It would abdicate government’s responsibility for protecting citizens’ health
and safety, and place it in the hands of individual business owners.
Credit crunch creates bond crisis for CIB
The Capital Improvement Board’s $43 million in debts must be settled soon, or the entity may not be able to survive.
From politics to basic training, state official excels
Danielle Chrysler hasn’t met a challenge yet that she hasn’t embraced–and conquered.
Stimulus talk creates uncertainty at Statehouse
Stimulus talk continues to dominate discussion at the Indiana Statehouse, creating indecision for lawmakers who were supposed to be devoting their full attention to assembling a two-year budget under difficult economic circumstances.