Pence ties state agency budgets to performance

INDIANAPOLIS | State agencies meeting or beating performance targets will be permitted to spend nearly their full appropriations under a management plan announced Monday by Gov. Mike Pence.

State switching to electronic business registration reminders

INDIANAPOLIS | Hoosier companies and nonprofit organizations will soon no longer receive a mailed paper reminder from the Indiana secretary of state to renew their state business registrations.

Democrats hope to benefit from GOP tax-veto clash

INDIANAPOLIS | Hoosier Democrats are working to capitalize on last week's unusual one-day special session of the Indiana General Assembly that saw a Republican-dominated legislature override a Republican governor's veto to enact a retroactive income tax increase.

State lawmakers easily override governor's tax veto

INDIANAPOLIS | Prioritizing practicality over principle, the anti-tax Indiana General Assembly on Wednesday overrode a veto by Gov. Mike Pence and enacted into law a retroactive income tax increase for residents of two counties.

Require balanced budget for a more stable nation

We need a law requiring a balanced budget.

Top Democrat condemns GOP 'punting' to expand Medicaid eligibility

INDIANAPOLIS | House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, is only half-joking when he describes a new law permitting the sale of uninspected frozen rabbit meat at roadside stands as the jobs bill of the just-concluded 2013 legislative session.

Merrillville saves money by consolidating positions

MERRILLVILLE | Town leaders are working to boost Merrillville's general fund, and a recent promotion of a town employee won't adversely affect those efforts, Merrillville officials said.

Purdue's proposed budget includes increases for PNC

WEST LAFAYETTE | The Purdue University board of trustees on Friday approved a proposed budget for fiscal year 2014 that includes a decrease for Hammond's Purdue University Calumet and increases for Purdue University North Central in Westville and Valparaiso.

Legislature busy as session nears end

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House and Senate met intermittently for more than 10 hours Thursday, approving changes to legislation recommended by conference committees and sending those measures on to the governor for his signature or veto.

Indiana budget plan cuts taxes by $1.1 billion

INDIANAPOLIS | Despite polls showing Hoosiers want Indiana to invest more in education, roads and other state services, the Republican-controlled General Assembly is poised to enact the largest package of tax cuts in state history.

Lawmakers set date to override possible budget veto

INDIANAPOLIS | While the General Assembly is required by law to adjourn on or before Monday, legislators may be back at the Statehouse not long after.

Pence sure income tax cut will create jobs

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence is certain reducing Indiana's personal income tax rate will create jobs, despite the doubts of legislative leaders and the increase in unemployment that followed distribution of the state's automatic taxpayer refund.

Pence backing off fight for tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence received the optimistic state revenue forecast he's been counting on since January to show Indiana can afford his $500 million income tax cut, but instead of celebrating, Pence seemed more interested in compromising.

Senate OKs plan making more students eligible for vouchers

INDIANAPOLIS | The Senate approved a scaled-down expansion of Indiana's private school voucher program Wednesday that still will enable the number of voucher students to grow to an estimated 15,000 by 2015, from 9,000 this year.

Senate backs higher taxes on region motorists

INDIANAPOLIS | The Republican-controlled Senate voted 38-12 Tuesday to compel Northwest Indiana residents pay more in vehicle taxes if they want smooth roads to drive on.

House puts Medicaid expansion entirely in governor's hands

INDIANAPOLIS | A top House Republican has halted legislation requiring Republican Gov. Mike Pence negotiate with the federal government the terms of an alternative health care plan for low-income Hoosiers, as Pence refuses to expand Medicaid eligibility in Indiana.

House GOP may force Pence to act, not just talk, on health care

INDIANAPOLIS | In a Statehouse filled with Republicans diligently working to undermine implementation of the Affordable Care Act, state Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany, is instead seeking a path under the federal law that ensures low-income Hoosiers gain access to low-cost health care.

Lowell Public Library budget certified; no cuts planned

LOWELL | It has been 13 years since the Lowell Public Library's budget has seen an increase, and this year is no exception.

Weak March state revenue can't top 2012 levels

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana's second full month under the administration of Republican Gov. Mike Pence produced the state's worst monthly revenue result in nearly a year.

Fate of Lake income tax back in county's hands

INDIANAPOLIS | State lawmakers have decided for now to leave the debate over a Lake County income tax to the County Council, but plans for Gary airport board reforms and studies of a Steel City port and trauma hospital are in danger following a contentious House committee hearing.