State waiting on federal guidance to process new unemployment enhancements
The coronavirus relief bill adds an additional $300 per week in federal unemployment benefits for individuals for another 11 weeks.
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Gambling regulators suspend casino exec Ratcliff’s license as part of larger investigation
The Indiana Gaming Commission’s executive director said “issues of concern continue to emerge” as the agency investigates people associated with Spectacle Entertainment, which is building casinos in Terre Haute and Gary.
State has been reporting inaccurate COVID-19 positivity rate due to coding error
Indiana health officials have erred in reporting the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate since the beginning of the pandemic due to a problem with the way it was computed, resulting in a lower rate than would be accurate, officials said Tuesday.
COVID-19 cases dip in daily state tally, breaking 46-day streak above 4,000
However, the Indiana State Department of Health on Monday reported 31 more deaths due to COVID-19, the 21st straight time that deaths have exceeded 25 in the daily report.
Lawmakers seek to shield businesses from COVID lawsuits
Several state lawmakers have been drafting coronavirus immunity legislation over the past several months as efforts in Congress to pass federal legislation have stalled.
State unemployment rate continued to improve in November
However, Indiana’s labor-force participation rate drooped from 63.1% in October to 62.9% in November. The rate indicates the percentage of all people of working age who are employed or are actively seeking work.
Holcomb’s agenda calls for increasing K-12 funding, continuing existing programs
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday morning announced his 2021 legislative agenda, which largely focuses on continuing projects and programs his administration has already been pursuing.
State makes plans for $650M in remaining CARES Act money as deadline nears
The state received $2.4 billion earlier this year from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was established in the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act. The funding must be used for pandemic-related expenses incurred before Dec. 30.
State tax revenue outlook better than lawmakers expected, but cuts still possible
According to a revenue forecast presented to the State Budget Committee on Wednesday morning, tax receipts for the state’s general fund—essentially its main checking account—will total $34.95 billion for the next two-year budget, which will start in July.
Indy Chamber to push for higher state cigarette tax, expanded pre-K
The business-advocacy organization also said it re-elected board Chairman Dennis Murphy of IU Health and the rest of the board’s executive committee.
COVID puts Legislature in fiscal vise in upcoming budget session
Leaders promise K-12 education will be the top priority, but they also acknowledge that every line item in the spending plan is at risk of cuts.
Dinner at Governor’s Residence, $25M land purchase helped snag Elanco HQ
The state’s pitch to keep Elanco Animal Health Inc. in Indiana for the long term began with a dinner at the Governor’s Residence two years ago.
Top Indiana GOP lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston has been experiencing mild symptoms and is quarantining at home, his office announced Thursday morning.
UPDATE: Holcomb directs state’s hospitals to delay non-emergency procedures
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday said he was directing hospitals across the state “to postpone or reschedule non-emergent procedures done in the in-patient hospital setting” from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3 to ensure they are not overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
INDOT awards $101M in local road funding grants
The funding is part of the Community Crossings grant program, which provides matching state dollars for local road and bridge construction projects. Interstate or state highway projects are not eligible for funding.
Attorney General Hill ordered to pay $19K in disciplinary costs
The amount is about one-third of the roughly $57,000 the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission had asked the court in September to order Curtis Hill pay toward expenses in the case.
Restaurants: Tighter rules would cause devastation
A surge in coronavirus cases has local restaurateurs fretting that public officials are on the cusp of imposing severe restrictions that they say will force hundreds of local eateries to close.
Holcomb names Notre Dame director as state’s first chief equity officer
Karrah Herring has worked at the University of Notre Dame since 2011 and has been the director of public affairs since 2018. She also served on the university’s human resource’s senior leadership team as director of the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX coordinator.
Groups say energy recommendations could slow Indiana’s transition away from coal
A state energy task force is considering a sweeping array of measures that seem to favor existing large-scale utilities, many of which still burn coal, over providers of renewable energy.
Governor in quarantine after some in security team test positive
Gov. Eric Holcomb and his wife are “considered close contacts” and will be tested later this week, his office said.