Politics & Policy

Muncie council advances plan to add ‘In God We Trust’ decals to police, fire vehicles; cost estimated “a few thousand dollars”

Muncie City Council voted 5-4 to place an ordinance up for a final vote next month that would add “In God We Trust” decals to police cars and firetrucks. Mayor Dan Ridenour supports the proposal; Council President Jeff Green wrote the ordinance and said it would cost “a few thousand dollars.”

EPA backs Indiana takeover of coal-ash permitting; 60-day comment period opens Sept. 16, 2026

Federal EPA officials announced on Sept. 15, 2026 a proposed approval of Indiana’s coal combustion residuals (CCR) permit program; the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on Sept. 16, 2026, opening a 60-day public comment period. IDEM estimates about 100 CCR units would require permits and forecasts $1.3 million in personnel costs.

Carmel schedules Sept. 17 block party to mark reopening of College Avenue, thanking nearby businesses

The City of Carmel will hold a free block party on Sept. 17, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Rosie’s Gardens & Hughes Landscape (10402 N. College Ave.) to celebrate completion and reopening of the College Avenue reconstruction project. The event will feature Mayor Sue Finkam’s Neighborhood Pop-up activities, remarks and a live set by the Naptown Hepcats.

Braun: Indiana Board of Finance approves additional gas tax reimbursements as holiday continues

Indiana board approves roughly $139M to reimburse local road funds; $46M distribution to counties, cities and towns set this week

On Sept. 15, 2026 the Indiana State Board of Finance approved about $139 million in reimbursements from the State Highway Fund to replace July gasoline excise and use tax revenue; the State Comptroller’s Office will begin distributing $46 million to counties, cities and towns this week.

Westfield council OKs 30 mph for Tomlinson Road

On Sept. 14, 2026, the Westfield City Council voted 6-1 to reduce the speed limit on Tomlinson Road from 40 mph to 30 mph after months of advocacy from the parents of a child killed in a June crash and other residents. City engineers had recommended 35 mph, but the council amended the ordinance to 30 mph.

‘All INdiana Politics’: Indiana Supreme Court reverses recount, restores Deery to ballot

Indy Parks' proposed $54M 2027 budget would boost maintenance, staff pay and aquatics investments

Indy Parks is proposing nearly $54 million for 2027 — about a 7% increase — to cover higher utilities, more facility maintenance and pay increases, including a new compensation policy. The department plans $2.5 million for aquatics and will complete a pool assessment this fall to identify maintenance needs.

Ryan Fireprotection plans $25M expansion of Noblesville headquarters, adding warehouse, offices and supply yard

Ryan Fireprotection announced a planned $25 million expansion of its Noblesville headquarters — a project called HQ2 that would add a warehouse, new office space and an outdoor supply yard on land immediately north of its existing facility, Mayor Chris Jensen said Sept. 10.

Republicans attack ex-GOP Mayor Ballard in party’s opening secretary of state ad

Advancing Westfield Foundation awards $499,000 to 22 Westfield nonprofits

Advancing Westfield Foundation granted $499,000 to 22 organizations serving Westfield, backing health care, youth programming and senior services. The awards were funded by proceeds from the Mayor’s Grand Gala held in early May.

Ali Brown resigns from the Indianapolis City-County Council

IMPD says officers can now only use Flock camera system for specific cases

An IMPD officer admitted using automated license-plate readers for personal reasons on Aug. 6, triggering an internal and criminal probe and immediate restrictions. IMPD adopted a policy tying searches to case numbers and Flock announced vendor rules shortening data retention and requiring searches be linked to cases.

IMPD Tightens Flock Oversight and Audits

HSE board OKs homeless policy language change

Indiana treasurer offers $50M in low-interest advances to storm-damaged local governments

State Treasurer Daniel Elliott is making $50 million immediately available through the Recovery Advance Program for Infrastructure Damage (RAPID). Local governments and municipal entities can apply for up to $1 million without a disaster declaration; loans carry a 2% interest rate and can be repaid with federal, state or local recovery funds.

Indiana employers expand childcare benefits to retain staff, warn tax credit’s $2.5M cap could limit help

At an Indiana Chamber childcare summit, employers including the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Parkview Health and Cummins described employer-funded childcare programs that helped retention, while raising concerns that a state employer childcare tax credit — capped statewide at $2.5 million and never claimed — may not cover future investments.

Flock, ICE and police accountability concerns dominate IMPD budget hearing

IMPD chief presents 11.5% budget increase amid calls for accountability

Chief Tanya Terry presented a roughly $400 million 2027 budget request for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department — an 11.5% increase from 2026 that would fund 1,743 sworn officers and pay for 360 vacancies’ overtime and recruitment. The proposal and planned Flock camera safeguards face protester demands for accountability.

IURC to Investigate NIPSCO Over Lengthy Outages in NW Indiana

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has launched a formal investigation of Northern Indiana Public Service Company after severe Aug. storms that left more than 370,000 northwest Indiana customers without power. IURC Chairman Anthony Swinger confirmed the review, which Gov. Mike Braun had urged following the outages.

Carmel Clay Schools seeks near-78% referendum rate increase to recoup $15M a year lost to state changes

Carmel Clay Schools will ask voters in November to approve an eight-year referendum that would raise its combined operating and safety tax rate from about 24¢ to a maximum of 42.74¢ per $100 assessed value, a phased increase district leaders say is needed after state policy cuts reduced local funding.

Ballard’s Lincoln Party bid could reduce signature burdens for Indiana independent candidates, altering campaign costs

Former Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard is running for Indiana secretary of state under a new Lincoln Party label to ease access for independent candidates. If Ballard reaches 2% of the vote in November, the party’s nominees would appear on general-election ballots for four years; 10% would trigger primary-nominating status.

Indiana Toll Road $300M sits unused as toll hikes proceed and Bears stadium choice remains unresolved

The Indiana Finance Authority approved an April 14, 2026, lease amendment that placed $300 million into an IFA trust as part of a $700 million payment package; the deal permits biannual toll increases and another rate rise is scheduled for Dec. 31 while the Chicago Bears have not finalized stadium plans.

Rep. Spartz seeks details on $2B VA plan, questions IU Health role in Fishers clinic

U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz asked the VA for a breakdown of how roughly $2 billion in federally approved funding will be spent on modernizing the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis and a new Fishers clinic, and she questioned the selection of IU Health for the Fishers project. She requested a response by Oct. 8.