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.

Pence inauguration to focus on 'Indiana's moment'

INDIANAPOLIS | A new era in Indiana history begins Monday when Republican Mike Pence is sworn in as the state's 50th governor.

EDITORIAL: Put tax cut promise on back burner

From all indications, Gov.-elect Mike Pence's 10 percent tax cut plan is dead in the water in the General Assembly. A governor's policies aren't necessary legislators' views.

EDITORIAL: Kenley's anti-RDA iceberg must melt

No one should have expected smooth sailing when the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority cruised into the State Budget Committee meeting Tuesday, but state Sen. Luke Kenley shouldn't have acted like a self-appointed iceberg, either.

EDITORIAL: Pocketful of cash, long list of needs

Just before Thanksgiving, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced Hoosier income taxpayers would receive $111 each next year on their tax returns. That's because of the state's $2.15 billion surplus.

Outlook ominous for Indiana transportation funding

INDIANAPOLIS | Without new money for transportation, Indiana will be fighting a losing battle to keep the state's bridges and roads in satisfactory condition, INDOT Commissioner Mike Cline warned state lawmakers Wednesday.

Ind. budget panel takes first step on winding road to state spending plan

INDIANAPOLIS | The six-month process that determines how Indiana spends its money for the next two years began Wednesday with the first agency presentations to the State Budget Committee.

State revenue forecast proving accurate

INDIANAPOLIS | State revenue is on pace to meet or exceed estimates when the 2012 budget year ends June 30.

EDITORIAL: What's taking so long for external audit?

Indiana's State Budget Committee is planning an independent audit of the Indiana Department of Revenue. The most obvious question Hoosiers should ask: What's taking so long to get this audit started?

Indiana shorts counties $206M; revenue commissioner resigns

INDIANAPOLIS | State Budget Director Adam Horst blamed a Department of Revenue programming error Thursday for Indiana's failure to distribute $206 million in county income tax revenue since January 2011, including $3.7 million to Porter County.

Request denied for outside review of misplaced $320 million

INDIANAPOLIS | The state's auditing agency will review how the Indiana Department of Revenue lost track of $320 million during five years after a demand by Democratic lawmakers for an external review was voted down Wednesday.

State approves funds for Kankakee River flood control

INDIANAPOLIS | Flood control work along the Kankakee River should start soon after the State Budget Committee on Wednesday approved spending $470,000 on several projects.

EDITORIAL: Keep cutting Indiana's budget

For the past several months, as Indiana officials listened to budget requests, the shark music in the background almost was audible. The projected deficit meant requests had to be guarded, not aggressive.