Watchdog group says state must address pensions

CHICAGO | Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed state budget is a baby step in the right direction, a watchdog group's analysis said Monday, but the governor may be overstating savings from a recent union contract negotiation and not putting enough toward roughly $9 billion unpaid bills.

Pence signs two-year Indiana budget

INDIANAPOLIS | Republican Gov. Mike Pence on Wednesday signed into law Indiana's $30 billion, two-year state budget that keeps spending increases below the inflation rate and provides Hoosiers more than a billion dollars in tax cuts.

Pence signs two-year state budget

Republican Gov. Mike Pence, seated at center, signs Indiana's 2014-15 state budget into law during a ceremony Wednesday in Crawfordsville, Ind. He was joined by state Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, left, and state Rep. Tim Brown, R-Crawfordsville.

Illinois tax revenue to top forecast by $1.3B

CHICAGO | Illinois was able to pay some overdue bills this spring because of an unexpected influx in tax revenues as businesses and individuals rushed to sell assets before federal taxes increased, Gov. Pat Quinn said Tuesday.

State budget contains offer to settle Gary schools lawsuit

INDIANAPOLIS | The state budget approved April 27 by the Indiana General Assembly contains, as expected, appropriations for every state agency to carry out its work over the next two years.

New Illinois casinos could bust Indiana's budget

INDIANAPOLIS | The ink is barely dry on Indiana's two-year state budget legislation, but the potential for new Illinois casinos is threatening to throw the Hoosier spending and tax cut plan out of balance.

April state revenue tops prior year's total

INDIANAPOLIS | State revenue rebounded last month following a disappointing February and March that saw Indiana's tax receipts dip below 2012 levels.

Tallian rips inadequate state spending, illusory tax cuts

INDIANAPOLIS | State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, who led budget negotiations for the Senate Democrats, is disappointed with the spending and tax cut plan approved last week by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Plans to improve state child services agency set to become law

INDIANAPOLIS | State lawmakers have given the Department of Child Services all the new tools they believe the agency needs to protect Hoosier children from abuse and neglect.

General Assembly wraps session distinguished by cooperative tone

INDIANAPOLIS | Hands were shaken, hugs were shared and state lawmakers, who spent the past four months passionately opposing each other in great and small policy debates, were all smiles Saturday morning after House Speaker Brian Bosma gaveled out the 2013 Indiana General Assembly.

Lawmakers set to approve state budget, adjourn for year

INDIANAPOLIS | The Republican-controlled General Assembly early this morning was on the verge of approving a two-year state budget plan that reduces taxes on Hoosiers by $1.1 billion.

Pence may accept delayed implementation of income tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS | Moments after delivering a "no compromises" defense of his proposed income tax cut, Republican Gov. Mike Pence hinted Wednesday he's willing to implement the reduction over several years instead of the two years he promised on the campaign trail.

Revenue forecast set to shape budget debate

INDIANAPOLIS | The leader of the Indiana Senate claims to believe education policy debates, and not the budget, will dominate Statehouse discussions over the next two weeks as the 2013 session of the General Assembly races toward adjournment.

Income tax cut in Senate budget but smaller than Pence wants

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence lauded the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday for adding an income tax cut to the pending 2014-15 state budget, even though the reduction is less than one-third the size Pence wanted.

Munster lawmaker: Restore tuition benefit for vets' kids

INDIANAPOLIS | State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, will continue fighting for legislation awarding free college tuition to the children of all disabled veterans, despite a warning by a top House Republican that her proposal is too costly.

Ritz seeks more funds for remedial classes

INDIANAPOLIS | The state's schools leader asked the Indiana Senate's budget writers Thursday to provide more money for remedial instruction and reduce their focus on student testing.

Bosma: Ads backing Pence tax cut 'completely erroneous'

INDIANAPOLIS | Television and radio ads intended to pressure Indiana lawmakers into supporting Gov. Mike Pence's proposed income tax cut may be backfiring.

Region lawmaker to shape state budget

INDIANAPOLIS | For the first time since 2007, a Northwest Indiana lawmaker will play a significant role in deciding how the state spends some $30 billion over the next two years.

Indiana falls short of February revenue goal

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana remains on track to end its 2013 budget year on June 30 with a surplus, but if February's lackluster state revenue continues into subsequent months it won't be much of one.

Conservative group to demand lawmakers approve Pence income tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS | A debate between leaders of the Republican-controlled General Assembly and Republican Gov. Mike Pence over whether Indiana can afford Pence's campaign promise to reduce the state's income tax rate by 10 percent is about to go public in a big way.