Economy
Inflation pushes minimum wages higher in some states
DENVER — Low-wage workers in more than a dozen states — and many more cities — could get unexpectedly large raises next year, thanks to minimum wage increases that will reflect soaring consumer prices. Denver’s minimum wage, which is indexed to consumer prices in the metro area, will increase from $15.87 to $17.29 an hour […]
Holcomb waives fuel; work hours rules after oil refinery fire
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb temporarily dropped several fuel regulations and work hour restrictions in an executive order Monday evening, aimed at limiting disruption to the state’s fuel supply following a fire last week at a BP oil refinery plant. The BP plant in Whiting, Indiana, is the United States’ sixth-largest refinery, according to the Indiana […]
Indiana Chamber launches digital workforce-development hub
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday launched an online hub, dubbed the Talent Resource Navigator, to connect individual Hoosiers and businesses to workforce education and career development resources. The website went live with nearly 550 entries for a range of programs and organizations — and the Chamber says there’s more to come. “Indiana needs […]
Your check’s in the mail
DENVER — This month, Colorado taxpayers began receiving refunds from the state government. Joint filers got $1,500, and single filers got $750. Enclosed was a letter from Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who noted that the checks — required under the state constitution — were being mailed ahead of schedule, due to a law passed this […]
Indiana Gov. Holcomb visits Taiwan, South Korea amid increasing foreign tensions
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday to kick off a privately-funded economic development trip in Taiwan and South Korea. The Republican governor’s visit comes at a time when relations between Taiwan, China and the U.S. are notably tense. Holcomb arrived in Taiwan Sunday evening for a four-day visit that […]
Hoosiers already receiving new taxpayer refund
Money is hitting taxpayer bank accounts this week from the newly-passed $200 state rebate. Hoosiers are reporting online that the payment made possible due to the state’s $6.1 billion surplus has already arrived and the Indiana Department of Revenue posted an update. The agency provided direct deposit information for almost 1.5 million taxpayers to the […]
Is the Economy Failing? Only if You Think So
Filled up at the gas pump recently? Then you may have noticed the historically high prices have been dropping back down to seemingly more reasonable one. Gas in central Indiana, once topping out at $5.25, has fallen down to $3.88. The timing isn’t exactly great for travelers–coming just as school goes back to session and […]
Holcomb defends abortion ban signing, rebuffs talent attraction fears
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday defended his signing of a near-total abortion ban this month and brushed off fears of business and talent attraction consequences in the wake of ominous statements from major homegrown employers. “I have yet to hear — and maybe we never will — some [companies] might just fly over the […]
Indiana Sen. Mike Braun pushes for more spending on agriculture research, development
LEESBURG, Ind. — Indiana Sen. Mike Braun said increasing government spending on agriculture research should be a top priority for the federal government as lawmakers in Congress craft their ongoing response to food security issues. The Republican senator met with agricultural industry leaders, including from Bayer and Purdue University, during a panel talk on Tuesday […]
Indiana farmers adopting more cover crops, but more still needed
Indiana reported a record number of cover crops this year to help absorb nutrients and reduce runoff, but scientists and environmental activists say more should be done to help improve water quality locally and regionally. Hoosier farmers planted cover crops and small grains on 1.5 million acres of farmland in late 2021, matching a record […]
Pandemic-hit homeowners say state program saved houses: “It should be on a billboard”
John Bauer’s salvation came as a phone call. The Porter County resident had been out of work since the pandemic first blasted into the Chicago area, where he’d worked as a tile-setter. Bauer said he resisted applying for unemployment benefits, but folded as the pandemic dragged longer. Illinois ended its federally enhanced unemployment benefits in […]
Hoosiers will see mailed tax refund checks as early as next week
Hoosiers who still haven’t received their $125 Automatic Taxpayer Refund can expect to see checks in a matter of weeks, state officials said. Folks across the state should also see the $200 payment approved during the special legislative session arrive soon, too. After a paper shortage delayed the first round of checks by several weeks, […]