Indiana 'a leader and laggard' on economic measures

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana has successfully created a low-tax, low-regulation business environment, but its future economic growth hinges on Hoosiers who, more often than not, lack the education and healthy habits needed to move the state forward.

Lawmakers hope to improve worker skills for employer needs

INDIANAPOLIS | The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Indiana House, seeking to better match Hoosier worker skills with employer needs, are co-sponsoring legislation to assess and coordinate the state's various job training, career preparation and adult education programs.

Area lawmakers wanted more from fiscal cliff deal

INDIANAPOLIS | Three months ago, well before the United States sailed over the fiscal cliff, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, told The Times he expected Congress would "at best, kick the can down the road" on taxes and spending.

Pence will press Legislature for income tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS | Republican Gov.-elect Mike Pence will not be cowed by Republican lawmakers questioning whether Indiana can afford Pence's proposal to cut the state's income tax rate by 10 percent.

Statehouse interest in local government reform fading

INDIANAPOLIS | The effort to reform local government in Indiana, prompted in part by a 2007 bipartisan report that recommended eliminating townships and making other changes, appears headed for the dustbin of history.

DOUG ROSS: Indiana Chamber draws bead on teacher unions

In keeping with this week's Thanksgiving theme, I'm offering a cornucopia of topics for comment.

Ind. Chamber of Commerce skeptical of Pence's tax cut plan

INDIANAPOLIS | The state's most powerful business organization on Monday added its voice to the chorus of legislative leaders skeptical that Indiana can afford the 10 percent income tax cut proposed by Republican Gov.-elect Mike Pence.

ANDREA NEAL: Daniels is education reform governor

Mitch Daniels used his first term to get Indiana’s fiscal house in order. His second term sealed his reputation as the education reform governor.

ANDREA NEAL: Daniels helped state weather recession

In his first State of the State address in 2005, Gov. Mitch Daniels announced, “Our state’s public finances are in ruins.” Unaware of the coming recession, he made four promises to citizens: To work to strengthen the economy, make government leaner and more efficient, modernize infrastructur…

Pence promises moratorium on state regulations

INDIANAPOLIS | Republican Mike Pence vowed Tuesday to halt nearly all new state regulations if he's elected governor and review every rule put in place by the current Republican administration.

Reaction positive to Daniels as Purdue president

INDIANAPOLIS | The response from Hoosiers to Gov. Mitch Daniels' appointment as president of Purdue University has been overwhelmingly positive.

EDITORIAL: Chamber charts a course for Indiana's future

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce's 2025 plan is ambitious, but it's necessary to set goals in order to begin working to achieve them.

Indiana chamber gathering feedback on new economic vision

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is seeking input from Hoosiers on its newly released economic plan to guide the state through the next 13 years.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturers Assn. endorse Lugar

INDIANAPOLIS | Two of Indiana's top business organizations have endorsed Republican U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar for a seventh term.

House approves revised smoking ban; Senate vote set Friday

INDIANAPOLIS | The state Senate will decide Friday whether Indiana will ban smoking in most public places, after the House voted 60-33 Thursday night for a compromise smoking ban proposal that includes an exemption for bars and taverns.

Businesses could face fines, criminal charges under right-to-work law

INDIANAPOLIS | If right-to-work becomes law, Indiana businesses could be sued by each of their employees and convicted of a crime if the business "directly or indirectly" violates or threatens to violate the labor policy.

ArcelorMittal CEO bemoans right-to-work 'distraction'

INDIANAPOLIS | The CEO of ArcelorMittal USA believes right-to-work legislation is "a distraction" and has urged the Indiana Chamber of Commerce to stop pushing for the labor policy.

Ind. Chamber of Commerce sets goals for state's future

INDIANAPOLIS | If the Indiana Chamber of Commerce gets its way, in 14 years Indiana will be a state that encourages entrepreneurs and attracts businesses thanks to its talented workforce and superior infrastructure.

Right-to-work tops Indiana Chamber of Commerce's agenda

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Chamber of Commerce announced Monday enactment of a right-to-work law is its top legislative priority for 2012, though the state's largest business group also will push for an indoor smoking ban, local government reform and changes in tax law and education policy.

Ind. Chamber honors two region senators for small business support

INDIANAPOLIS | Two Northwest Indiana state senators were honored Monday by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for their dedication to improving the state's small business climate.