The News and Tribune - State/Regional News

IN: Hamilton is confirmed for seat on appeals court
Conservatives criticized some of Hamilton's rulings, calling him an activist judge whose personal views influence his decisions.
IN: Group to rally for saving parts of current health care system
A group opposed to the health care legislation pending in Congress will rally Saturday in downtown Indianapolis.
IN: Indiana regulators approve heating assistance
Consumer advocates say they're encouraged by state regulators' decision to allow Indiana utilities to reinstate heating assistance programs for the needy, but the next step is up to the utilities.
IN: Tribune joins Indianapolis Star in push for lobbying reform
Indiana's largest newspaper is leading a statewide media campaign aimed at tightening rules governing how much lobbyists can spend on gifts for lawmakers and to make the giving more visible to the public.
IN: Indiana wants stimulus cash for schools
Indiana hopes to win $250 million or more in competitive federal stimulus grants for schools — money the state superintendent says it deserves because of recent changes lawmakers made to education policies.
IN: DOC defends pilot program reducing lunches at Plainfield Correctional Facility
The medium security prison in Hendricks County has eliminated lunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays -- part of a pilot program that could go statewide.
WI: Asian carp may have breached barrier
New research shows the fish likely have made it past the $9 million electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, a source familiar with the situation told the Journal Sentinel late Thursday.
WI: Wis. Great Lakes ballast regs set for Feb.
State environmental officials say they'll begin enforcing new ballast water regulations on Great Lakes vessels in February.
Weekly wrap: Forecasting revenue is a lot like predicting the weather these days
Indiana is mulling changes to how it estimates monthly revenues, while several states are considering mergers and consolidations of government agencies, universities, school districts and more to save money.
Weekly wrap: Forecasting revenue is a lot like predicting the weather these days
Indiana is mulling changes to how it estimates monthly revenues, while several states are considering mergers and consolidations of government agencies, universities, school districts and more to save money.
MI: Michigan, Indiana and Ohio to share $4 million federal grant to study skills needed for green jobs
DETROIT -- Michigan, Indiana and Ohio have been awarded a $4 million joint federal grant to determine the skills autoworkers and others will need as manufacturers adapt to a greener future.
IN: Shot, spray or nay?
Thousands of Hoosiers are lining up at clinics offering the H1N1 vaccine, yet distrust -- in various forms -- has spurred many others to forgo the vaccine for themselves and their children.
IN: Indiana on short list for electric car plant
Norwegian carmaker Think is racing to secure a plant site in Indiana, Michigan or Oregon, get a U.S. grant, build a factory and put a two-seat electric car on American streets -- all by next fall.
IN: Critics -- Riecken's bill a political ploy
A day after Democratic Rep. Gail Riecken of Evansville filed a bill to stop privatization in Indiana's human services agency, critics said the move was ill-considered political ploy that indicates she has no interest in helping remedy her complaints.
IN: State lands $4 million grant to aid autoworkers
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the Indiana Department of Workforce Development a $4 million grant on Wednesday to help autoworkers make the transition into alternate careers.
IN: Indiana Dunes threatened by climate change, report warns
Experts say some noticeable changes already affecting plants, wildlife.
IN: Indiana wind farm to spin into operation
BROOKSTON, Ind. -- A wind farm capable of generating enough power to light 60,000 average homes will be dedicated this week in northwestern Indiana.
IN: Indiana tries to improve its revenue forecasts
Under pressure to be more accurate, the state's revenue forecasters are reworking their economic model as they prepare their yearly forecast due out in December.
IN: Lawmakers will get jump on short session
With time short in the 2010 session, which begins Jan. 5 and must end by mid-March, legislative leaders plan hearings in December to address property taxes and a handful of other issues.
IN: Senate vote stops filibuster of Indiana judge
WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted Tuesday to overcome a GOP filibuster of the nomination of Indiana Judge David Hamilton to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Economy to sway 2010 gov races

The tax hikes that so many states levied to plug holes in their recession-ravaged budgets this year could endanger a few incumbent governors’ careers in 2010 when 37 gubernatorial contests are at stake.
Economy to sway 2010 gov races

The tax hikes that so many states levied to plug holes in their recession-ravaged budgets this year could endanger a few incumbent governors’ careers in 2010 when 37 gubernatorial contests are at stake.
NY: Vonage settles with Indiana, 31 other states
NEW YORK -- Internet phone service provider Vonage Holdings Corp. has agreed to pay $3 million to Indiana and 31 other states to settle an investigation into some of its business practices.
IN: Lawmakers' to-do list is full of dicey issues
On the 2010 agenda: tax caps, gambling, lobby reform and more.
IN: Lugar defends Obama's pick of Hoosier for appeals court
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., defended Indiana Judge David Hamilton on Monday against criticism from fellow GOP senators that Hamilton is outside the mainstream.
IN: Property tax-cap issue could dominate next Indiana Legislature
Enacting a constitutional amendment that would trigger property tax caps could be the hot-button issue of the next Indiana General Assembly, judging from the remarks of four legislative leaders.
IN: Indiana seeks $250M in stimulus cash for schools
Indiana hopes to win $250 million or more in competitive federal stimulus grants for schools—money the state superintendent says it deserves because of recent changes lawmakers made to education policies.
IN: Biz interests expect tax issues to vex Legislature
Increases in property and payroll taxes will be among the key business issues confronting the General Assembly—again—when it convenes in January.
IN: CIB may be in for game of musical chairs
Under a state law passed this summer, the terms of all nine members of the board, which manages the city's stadiums and the Indiana Convention Center, will expire in January, and it's possible some changes could come sooner.

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