Plan capping Calumet Twp. spending headed to governor

INDIANAPOLIS | It took six years of explaining, arguing and working around legislative roadblocks, but Griffith is now just a few pen strokes away from having a path to exit Calumet Township.

Senate OKs limits on Calumet Twp. spending, gives Griffith chance to leave

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Senate has approved legislation, long sought by Griffith residents, limiting Calumet Township spending and giving Griffith a chance to leave the township if spending continues at current levels.

Senators back Griffith, refuse to change plan limiting Calumet Twp. spending

INDIANAPOLIS | If some day Griffith succeeds in separating from Calumet Township, no one can say state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, didn't try to stop it from happening.

Senate panel restores chance for Griffith to leave Calumet Twp.

INDIANAPOLIS | Griffith has won back the chance to leave Calumet Township, but only if the township fails to reduce spending on its own next year and a subsequent state takeover also fails.

Senate panel halts Griffith bid to leave Calumet Township

INDIANAPOLIS | The possibility of Griffith leaving Calumet Township and joining another faded significantly Wednesday after a Senate committee substituted new limits on township poor relief spending for House-approved Griffith separation legislation.

State board gains new powers to help financially distressed schools, governments

INDIANAPOLIS | The state board that let Gary exceed Indiana's property tax caps for three years to help straighten out the city's finances has a new mission.

Daniels signs 46 bills into law

INDIANAPOLIS | A new fee for 911 service, assistance for financially distressed local governments, a plan for the state to opt out of federal health programs, a redefinition of public intoxication and an unusual form of fishing were among the 46 bills signed into law Monday by Republican Gov…

Local governments may get to ask emergency manager for financial help

INDIANAPOLIS | Local governments and school corporations in financial distress could ask a state board to appoint an emergency manager to fix their finances under legislation approved by the Indiana General Assembly Friday.

Senate agrees to let broke local governments seek expert help

INDIANAPOLIS | Local governments in financial distress could request expert help to get their budgets balanced under legislation approved 49-1 Wednesday by the Indiana Senate.

Plan approved for distressed local governments to ask for financial manager

INDIANAPOLIS | Financially distressed local governments, including school corporations, could ask the state to appoint an emergency manager with broad powers to fix the unit's finances under legislation approved 45-5 on Monday by the Indiana Senate.

EDITORIAL: Intervention beats government bankruptcy

Indiana state Sen. Ed Charbonneau's legislation to allow local governments, including school districts, to seek emergency state assistance with making ends meet should be approved.

Panel approves emergency manager option for financially distressed governments

INDIANAPOLIS | School corporations were added Tuesday to legislation permitting financially distressed local governments to ask a state board that an emergency manager be appointed to fix the unit's finances.

Bill would boost emergency financial manager powers

INDIANAPOLIS | An Indiana Senate committee Tuesday will hear a revised plan from state Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, giving local governments in financial distress the option to ask a state-appointed emergency manager to take over.

Ind. municipal bankruptcy bill unlikely to get another shot

INDIANAPOLIS | One of this year's most controversial and complicated Statehouse proposals likely won't be on the agenda when state lawmakers return in January.

MARK KIESLING: Is a lawyer up to the task of saving Gary?

Much has been made of the educational background of Gary's Democratic mayoral nominee.

Legislature does not act on tool to help broke local governments

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana will go forward in an era of constitutional tax caps without any tools to assist local governments facing financial difficulties.

Outlook gloomy for tool to help broke local governments

INDIANAPOLIS | The sponsor of legislation giving financially distressed local governments a tool to avoid bankruptcy is pessimistic it will be approved in the waning hours of the 2011 legislative session.

Region lawmakers spar over plan to help broke local governments

INDIANAPOLIS | Four Northwest Indiana lawmakers on Wednesday sharply criticized legislation intended to assist financially distressed local governments.

Charbonneau will try to restore local government bankruptcy option

INDIANAPOLIS | The Senate sponsor of legislation intended to keep local governments out of bankruptcy expects to undo a change made by the House to his proposal.

Gary on mind of lawmakers in debate on financial manager tool

INDIANAPOLIS | Debate among Indiana House members on a plan to allow broke local units of government to ask the state to appoint a financial manager devolved Thursday into sniping about the city of Gary.