Indiana House rejects minimum wage increase

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana's minimum wage will remain at the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour after the Republican-controlled House voted on party lines Monday to reject a proposal increasing the state's minimum hourly wage by one dollar.

House OKs regulations on cash for gold shops

INDIANAPOLIS | Cash for gold stores would be regulated similar to pawn shops under legislation approved 96-1 by the Indiana House Thursday.

Proposal for Sunday take-home alcohol sales gets first look

INDIANAPOLIS | The state's prohibition on Sunday take-home alcohol sales got a close look Wednesday by a House committee considering legislation to end the ban.

Dermody's online sales tax plan survives bid to kill it

INDIANAPOLIS | A Northwest Indiana lawmaker's plan to require all online retailers collect sales tax from Hoosier customers starting July 1 remains intact after an attempt to scuttle the legislation was soundly defeated Thursday.

Dermody plan moves up start date for online sales tax collection

INDIANAPOLIS | Online retailers, including web giant Amazon.com, would be required to collect sales tax from Indiana customers starting July 1 under legislation approved by a House committee Thursday.

Region escapes blizzard that snowed in most of Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS | Northwest Indiana was spared Wednesday from a winter storm that killed at least six people in southern states, closed businesses and made travel all but impossible in central and southern Indiana.

LaPorte lawmaker seeks change in Amazon.com sales tax deal

INDIANAPOLIS | As online retailers total up their Cyber Monday sales, a Northwest Indiana lawmaker wants to speed up a deal requiring the Internet's biggest merchant to collect and remit the state's 7 percent sales tax.

State reminds 7 percent tax is owed for online purchases

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Department of Revenue is reminding Hoosiers this holiday shopping season they must pay 7 percent state tax for online and catalog purchases, even if the merchant doesn't collect it.

Holiday season has local retailers curious

Barb Young is excited about the holiday shopping season. It’s the first one her Crown Point store, Barbara Jean’s Gifts and Gourmet, will experience after opening nine months ago.

Nearly 3 dozen local businesses seek Illinois video gambling licenses

Illinois residents soon may be able to skip the drive to a casino and instead play their favorite video gambling machine at a local bar, retailer or club.

State won't aid fireworks dealers

INDIANAPOLIS | Fireworks retailers whose Fourth of July sales have been a dud due to drought-induced local fireworks bans shouldn't look to state government to add some sparkle to their bottom line.

Court prohibits sales tax technicality used to seize vehicle

INDIANAPOLIS | Sales tax cannot be included to reach the $100 minimum threshold of stolen goods that allows police to seize and sell a vehicle used in a theft, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.

Indiana to be last state with total ban on Sunday take-home alcohol sales

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana is set to become the only state in the country where adults cannot buy alcohol at any retailer on Sundays.

Retailers can turn in fake pot, 'bath salts' without penalty

INDIANAPOLIS | Retailers selling synthetic marijuana or illegal stimulants known as "bath salts" can turn them in for disposal – no questions asked – at any state police post through Sunday.

Governor OKs one-year shutdown for stores selling fake pot, 'bath salts'

INDIANAPOLIS | Businesses caught selling synthetic marijuana or stimulants known as "bath salts" will be effectively shut down for one year under a new law signed Thursday by Gov. Mitch Daniels that took effect immediately.

House sends tax amnesty, 'bath salts,' alcohol bills to governor

INDIANAPOLIS | Three measures that significantly could affect county tax collections, local business operations and alcohol sales in Porter County are headed to the governor after the House agreed to Senate-approved changes to the legislation Monday.

Amendments could spark fight over smoking ban in Senate

INDIANAPOLIS | A House-approved proposal for a statewide smoking ban looks to be in for a wild ride Tuesday when the Republican-controlled Senate considers up to 28 amendments to the legislation.

End to ban on Sunday motorcycle sales headed to governor

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mitch Daniels, who routinely travels the state on a motorcycle painted with images from the state flag, soon will decide whether motorcycles can be sold on Sundays in Indiana.

House toughens ban on synthetic marijuana, 'bath salts'

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House voted 93-0 Tuesday to ban chemical compounds that are nearly identical to synthetic marijuana and stimulants marketed as "bath salts," and to punish stores that sell the illegal drugs.

Stores selling synthetic marijuana, 'bath salts' could be shut down for year

INDIANAPOLIS | A business caught selling synthetic marijuana or illegal stimulants marketed as "bath salts" would be shut down for one year under an amendment approved Monday by the Indiana House.