IndyStar.com: Politics & Government
Indiana's leading news source for all the top stories, local news, sports and weather.
Indiana Rep. Dennis Oxley hospitalized
ENGLISH, Ind. — A southern Indiana lawmaker has been hospitalized. Democratic State Rep. Dennie Oxley of Taswell missed the General Assembly’s Organization Day on Tuesday with an undisclosed illness. The Courier-Journal of Louisville,...
Veolia, city looking for ways out of hot water
Council panel not happy with bid to raise rates 35% Several years without water rate increases, a national financial meltdown and federally mandated upgrades have driven the city’s water system to request not one, but two double-digit rate...
About 1,000 greet Sarah Palin at book signing in Noblesville
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — They began showing up Wednesday night, braving the cold and drizzle to get a coveted wristband — their “ticket” to see Sarah Palin. She did not disappoint. Calling her devotees “hardcore...
Sen. Richard Lugar's wife charged with DUI after crash
WASHINGTON — * Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar’s * wife faces charges of drunken driving after hitting a parked car. Charlene Lugar, 77, was stopped at 6:18 p.m. Wednesday in the suburban Virginia neighborhood where the Lugars live after an...
Hamilton is confirmed for seat on appeals court
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 59-39 Thursday to seat Indiana Judge David Hamilton on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar was the only Republican who voted for Hamilton. Ten Republicans, including Lugar, voted...
Veolia, city looking for ways out of hot water
Council panel not happy with bid to rates 35% Several years without water rate increases, a financial meltdown and federally mandated upgrades have driven the city’s water system to request not one, but two double-digit rate hikes this year....
Sen. Richard Lugar's wife arrested for drunken driving
WASHINGTON — Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar’s wife was arrested Wednesday evening on a drunken-driving charge, Lugar’s office said today. Charlene Lugar’s vehicle collided with an unattended car in the suburban Virginia...
Hundreds cheer Palin in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — College students ditched class, employees skipped work and some huddled in the cold overnight just to make sure they get an orange wristband Wednesday that would let them meet Sarah Palin. A line of more than a thousand...
New Indianapolis group to start seeking regional funding solutions
A new City-County Council task force charged with finding a regional solution to help the Capital Improvement Board achieve long-term financial stability will meet for the first time tonight. Tonight’s meeting will deal mostly with logistics...
Former Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan plans return to Vietnamese prison
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Former Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan is planning a trip to Vietnam next year, returning there for the first time since his release as a prisoner of war. Kernan and his wife will be hosts for a February tour that will include stops...
Lawmakers will get jump on short session
Property taxes again will be a key issue for legislators Property taxes once again will take center stage at the Statehouse — and lawmakers aren’t waiting until the session resumes in January. With time short in the 2010 session, which...
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. The court is the last stop before the Supreme Court for cases from Indiana, Illinois...
Ind. judge survives threat of filibuster
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. The court is the last stop before the Supreme Court for cases from Indiana, Illinois...
Sarah Palin coy about 2012 run, but door is open
NEW YORK — Sarah Palin said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that a 2012 presidential bid is “not on my radar,” but wouldn’t rule out playing some role in the next presidential election. “My ambition, if you will, my...
Indiana lawmakers to give early hearings to property tax cap, lobby reform
The Indiana General Assembly will get a running start on the 2010 session, holding December hearings on some key issues. As lawmakers held their one-day organizational meeting today, both the House and Senate announced that it will hold hearings in...
Institute: Indiana may need to face tax hike
Legislators need to hold the line on spending and even potentially consider ways to increase state revenues, perhaps through a tax increase, the leader of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute said this morning. Lawmakers returned to the Statehouse...
Richmond customers line up for 'Going Rogue'
RICHMOND, Ind. — She’s not yet as big a bookseller as Harry Potter, but Sarah Palin has her own form of magic, a new book already on best-seller lists even though it doesn’t hit stores until today. Palin, the former governor of...
Alaskans eager for Sarah Palin book release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Sarah Palin’s book is highly anticipated in her home state — but she’s no Harry Potter. David Cheezem, co-owner of Fireside Books in Palmer, said people have been calling to make sure they’ll be able...
Lawmakers' to-do list is full of dicey issues
On the 2010 agenda: tax caps, gambling, lobby reform and more More ceremony than substance will fill the agenda today when the state’s 150 lawmakers return to the Statehouse for their annual Organization Day. Think of it as the first day of...
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. The Senate is expected to vote today on whether to prevent a GOP...
Palin talks kids, campaign on ‘Oprah’
Following are highlights from today’s Oprah show, featuring former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Topics included her acceptance of Sen. John McCain’s invitation to join the ticket, daughter Bristol’s pregnancy, how to dress and...
Budget cutbacks force 33 of Indiana's state workers from their jobs
Department of Administration trimmed posts as part of order to slash its budget by 10% Indiana’s revenue crunch became personal Friday for 33 state employees who were laid off. “I’m just a number on the balance sheet to them,”...
Indiana state workers get layoff notices
State government began laying off employees today in order to cut costs. The Department of Administration this morning began telling 33 employees that they no longer will have jobs. Mark Everson, commissioner of the Department of Administration, said...
Long has new plan to draw districts
Senate leader calls for amendment creating an independent panel to oversee redistricting Redistricting reform gained momentum Thursday when Senate President Pro Tempore David Long said he’ll push for changes, including creation of an...
GOP leaders to push district map proposal
Senate President Pro Tempore David Long said today that he, along with other Senate Republicans, will push for changes in how Indiana draws legislative districts, including changing the constitution to create an independent commission to draw the...
Environmental group plans green forum
Indiana’s largest environmental group is hosting a forum this weekend focusing on what the state’s upcoming legislative session could mean for renewable energy, mass transit and other “green” policies. The Hoosier...
Pain of budget cuts is hitting home
Some predict drop in hospital care; prison guards lose automatic OT State budget cuts will begin to take a tangible toll on Hoosiers, from the pay in prison guards’ pockets to possibly the level of service people receive at hospitals. Faced...
Bayh calls for focus on national debt
Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh says it’s time to get serious about reducing the nation’s record $12 trillion national debt. The Democrat said Tuesday that he will not support an upcoming vote to raise the debt limit unless Congress commits to a...
Indiana trims Medicaid payments to hospitals
Hospitals would get 5 percent less money from the state for caring for Medicaid patients under cuts announced today by the state. Gov. Mitch Daniels last week called for emergency budget cuts as the state’s revenue continues to fall short of...
Government workers ponder taking unpaid leave
Indiana is offering state government employees voluntary unpaid leave, but it’s unclear how many workers might give up part of their paycheck during a recession to help the state save money. Gov. Mitch Daniels announced the unpaid leave plan...
