Economy
Committee affirms anti-ESG, anti-China pension investing bills
Indiana senators on Wednesday said the state’s pension system should prioritize return on investment in one bill — not environmental and social concerns — even as they advanced another bill requiring the system to divest from China-related investments. Senate Bill 292 would require the Indiana Public Retirement System to make investment decisions for its 500,000 […]
Committee advances measure to fund housing revolving fund
A bill establishing a revolving fund known as the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program advanced in committee Tuesday but still doesn’t have a price tag attached to it. “We are creating a tool for our communities to provide infrastructure for the housing needs they see fit in their communities, especially workforce housing,” said Rep. Doug […]
Senate committee passes first TANF increase in over 30 years
Hoosier families in deep poverty might be getting more help from the state government through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program if senators have their way. “I hate to say ‘bare minimum,’ but I feel like this is the bare minimum we can do,” Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, said Monday during a Senate […]
Lawmakers and energy advocates unite behind solar, wind disposal bill
Republican lawmakers — along with Democrats and clean energy advocates — want Indiana to figure out solar and wind energy equipment decommissioning and disposal before the hazardous waste involved becomes a large-scale problem. Senate Bill 33, authored by Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, would task the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Indiana Regulatory Commission […]
IEDC moves for massive funding increase and flexibility in new state budget
When Gov. Eric Holcomb presented his agenda earlier this month, not everyone was on board. In particular, some Democrats questioned new dollars for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), a quasi-public agency that isn’t beholden to the same public reporting and transparency rules as other government agencies. “We just continue to give them a blank […]
States that limit business with banks that boycott fossil fuels could pay high cost, study says
Republican state policymakers’ efforts to boost fossil fuels by prohibiting their governments from doing business with companies that take sustainability into consideration has the potential to cost states millions, according to a study released Thursday. Researchers looked specifically at the possible effects on Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and West Virginia if they passed Texas-like […]
U.S. to hit debt limit much sooner than expected, thrusting Congress into showdown
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government will hit its borrowing limit next week, forcing the new, divided Congress into negotiations over the debt limit much sooner than expected, though a potential date for the nation to default isn’t expected until this summer. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrote to Congress on Friday afternoon, telling leaders the United […]
Lawmakers cautiously eye property tax relief with big bills on horizon
Indiana lawmakers are drawing up changes to the state’s property tax system, with high value assessments last spring pointing toward potentially high bills this year. But their approach has been cautious, laden with warnings about a lack of data and negative consequences. Taxable assessed values shot up 15% from 2021 to 2022 — even after […]
Republicans open to governor’s proposed budget
Republican budget writers were receptive to – but not overly enthusiastic about – Gov. Eric Holcomb’s proposed budget that was presented to the State Budget Committee on Thursday. Previously, lawmakers were skeptical about meeting agency funding requests, especially following a forecast predicting a “mild recession” in early 2023. But they appeared more optimistic about spending […]
Report: Former DWD employee filed more than $34K in fraudulent unemployment claims
A former employee with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) allegedly filed more than $34,000 in fraudulent unemployment claims for herself and her husband and now faces felony charges for theft, perjury and official misconduct. According to the investigative report filed by Indiana’s Office of Inspector General, program specialist Tina Trotter filed for and received […]
Americans are taking more control over their work lives
By Scott Sonenshein, Professor of Management at Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University One thing that’s become clear in the past few tumultuous – and for many, traumatic – years is that it’s easy to feel like there is no control in our lives. Control is a basic psychological need that helps people […]
Momentum grows for legal iGaming
The gaming industry and some Indiana lawmakers want to bring casinos and lotteries straight to your phone in the upcoming legislative session. After two years of failure, legal iGaming is gaining momentum with some key lawmakers holding out. But the prospect brings other complications, like how lawmakers will tax the burgeoning product, problem gambling support […]