Pence orders cuts in Calumet Township spending

INDIANAPOLIS | Griffith leaders were ecstatic Friday after Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed into law mandatory reductions in Calumet Township spending and a path for Griffith to exit the township if its excessive spending continues.

Senate approves thaw of Lake levy freeze

INDIANAPOLIS | Legislation lifting the Lake County property tax levy freeze and providing new economic development opportunities for Gary is headed to the governor.

Senator drops plan to direct Lake income tax spending

INDIANAPOLIS | A controversial plan to have the General Assembly decide how revenue from a Lake County income tax could be spent likely is dead.

Indiana budget plan cuts taxes by $1.1 billion

INDIANAPOLIS | Despite polls showing Hoosiers want Indiana to invest more in education, roads and other state services, the Republican-controlled General Assembly is poised to enact the largest package of tax cuts in state history.

Lawmakers still divided on lifting Lake levy freeze

INDIANAPOLIS | A House-Senate conference committee, made up mostly of Northwest Indiana lawmakers, remained far apart Tuesday following more than an hour of discussion on whether the General Assembly should lift the Lake County property tax levy freeze.

Eight NWI lawmakers to decide on thaw of Lake levy freeze

INDIANAPOLIS | Eight state lawmakers from Lake and Porter counties, along with two senators from outside the region, have been tapped to decide whether the General Assembly lifts the Lake County property tax levy freeze.

Thaw of levy freeze not a done deal

INDIANAPOLIS | Lawmakers will take another look at legislation lifting the Lake County property tax levy freeze and providing for studies of region economic development projects.

Senator faces decision on lifting Lake levy freeze

INDIANAPOLIS | The decision on whether the Lake County property tax levy freeze is lifted, even if the county doesn't enact an income tax, is now in the hands of state Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso.

Fate of Lake income tax back in county's hands

INDIANAPOLIS | State lawmakers have decided for now to leave the debate over a Lake County income tax to the County Council, but plans for Gary airport board reforms and studies of a Steel City port and trauma hospital are in danger following a contentious House committee hearing.

No consensus yet in Lake income tax debate at Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS | Legislation intended to entice the Lake County Council to finally enact an income tax is likely to be approved next week by the House Ways and Means Committee, but it's not yet clear what might be in it.

Senate votes 50-0 for Lake County income tax plan, Gary projects

INDIANAPOLIS | Lake County may be more likely to adopt an income tax and Gary could become home to a new trauma hospital and port under legislation that breezed through the Indiana Senate on Tuesday.

House Democrats plan to force vote on Pence tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS | House Republicans may be forced to cast an uncomfortable vote this month, rejecting Republican Gov. Mike Pence's proposed income tax cut en route to approving their two-year budget plan that increases state spending.

Senate panel backs Gary economic development studies

INDIANAPOLIS | Legislation that may someday boost Gary's economy and create jobs in the Steel City won unanimous approval from a Senate committee Wednesday.

House panel OKs school, work zone speed cameras

INDIANAPOLIS | Automated enforcement cameras could be deployed in school and construction zones to snap photos of speeding vehicles and sock their owners with a $250 minimum fine under legislation approved Wednesday by a House committee.

Rogers rolls the dice for Gary land-based casino

INDIANAPOLIS | State Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, is betting she can make Gary economic development legislation more palatable by rolling her proposal for a land-based casino into another gaming measure moving through the Senate.

Optimistic Hoosier lawmakers cooperating — for now

INDIANAPOLIS | Northwest Indiana lawmakers were cautiously upbeat Monday as the Republican-dominated General Assembly convened for a four-month session ostensibly focused on approving a state budget and creating jobs for Hoosiers.

Lawmakers endorse feasibility study for Gary teaching and trauma hospital

INDIANAPOLIS | Gary officials and medical leaders have begun laying the legislative groundwork they hope will ultimately lead a new teaching hospital and trauma center in the city.

State rule may improve chances for Gary trauma hospital

INDIANAPOLIS | A pending state rule requiring severely injured Hoosiers be taken to the nearest trauma center may boost plans to build a trauma hospital in Gary.