Indiana receives another $130M in tobacco-settlement funds
Indiana will continue to receive payments as long as tobacco manufacturers continue selling cigarettes in the state.
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One Republican drops out of AG race, endorses new candidate
Former Indiana Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Krupp announced Tuesday morning that he is calling off his run to unseat incumbent Attorney General Curtis Hill. Meanwhile, another Republican announced his candidacy.
Crisis tests Indiana’s public health wherewithal
For years, Indiana has struggled to get sufficient funds and equipment for its public health efforts. Now, it’s in the biggest health crisis in decades and is trying to make do with funding that ranks among the lowest in the nation.
State’s unemployment report for March doesn’t reflect surge in jobless claims
Data for the report was culled from a federal survey performed in mid-March, just before unemployment claims escalated. However, there’s still evidence of the coronavirus-related sea change brewing in the workforce.
Indiana primary will have in-person voting but officials encourage mail-in ballots
Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson made the decision last month to delay the primary election from May 5 to June 2 and expand the ability to cast a ballot by mail to all registered voters in an attempt to address public health concerns around voting.
Independent contractors may have to wait until May to receive jobless benefits
The additional $600 in unemployment benefits could start arriving Friday for some Hoosiers, but independent contractors and gig economy workers may be waiting until next month to see any payments.
Gov. Holcomb says state’s economy will restart in a ‘rolling’ process
Indiana governor said employees must have “a very high level of confidence about the workplace” when businesses reopen.
Illinois governor seeks regional cooperation for reopening of economies in Midwest
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has said he’s talked with regional governors, but he has not said publicly whether Midwest states’ economies should reopen as a group.
State working with 15 companies to acquire more personal protective equipment
Luke Bosso, chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., said during Monday’s media briefing that the state has purchased 1.9 million pieces of PPE so far.
UPDATE: March tax revenue for Indiana misses projections by 6%
State officials said Friday that they expect to receive $2.4 billion in federal rescue funds that will help make up for budget shortfalls.
Indiana could receive more than $2.6B from federal stimulus package for state, local spending
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on March 27, provided $2 trillion in economic aid for business, hospitals and governments struggling with the impact of the pandemic.
IBJ Podcast: What you need to know about unemployment now
State unemployment specialist Josh Richardson talks with host Mason King about who is now eligible for benefits under an expansion approved by Congress as well as how soon they’ll begin receiving benefits and how the agency is adjusting to a flood of applicants.
State launches ‘Hope’ campaign as Hoosiers seek mental health, social services in huge numbers
Gov. Eric Holcomb acknowledged the state is facing a potential mental-health crisis, and said he is committed to offering services to Hoosiers who are feeling troubled.
Virus could push state jobless numbers to historic level
The number of Hoosiers filing for unemployment benefits has skyrocketed over the past two weeks.
UPDATE: State working to double ICU beds, ventilators, as 5,300 health care workers volunteer
The state said more than 5,300 health care workers who are not currently working in hospital settings have volunteered to help during the projected coronavirus surge, which is expected to begin in mid April.
Indiana still weeks away from COVID-19 peak, officials say; hospitals scramble to get ready
State officials again refused to say how many ventilators or intensive-care unit beds hospitals have, citing confidentiality agreements with hospitals and vendors. Some hospitals expect their supplies to run short in coming weeks.
Career OB/GYN thrust into spotlight as state battles COVID-19 pandemic
As Indiana state health commissioner, Dr. Kristina Box finds herself in the spotlight as the highest-ranking public health official in the state during the pandemic, which threatens to overwhelm hospitals.
State dips into reserves for coronavirus spending as pandemic cuts into revenue
Cris Johnston, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said agencies have been told to look for places where they can eliminate spending. But he said there are no plans to cut funding for schools, even though it’s the state’s largest expenditure.
Coronavirus deals one-two financial punch to state budgets
Cris Johnston, director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, said Thursday that the state has begun to use some of its $2.3 billion reserve fund. Indiana is far from alone.
Holcomb vetoes controversial landlord-tenant legislation
The governor’s decision to block the bill from becoming law allows tenant protections the city of Indianapolis recently put in place to remain in force.