Doug Eckerty at Muncie Free Press - Delaware County Indiana | News and Information

By Rick Yencer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Despite super majorities by Republicans in the Indiana General Assembly, there was still a great divide between money and people when the session was declared Sine Die or done on Saturday morning.

 Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, probably said it best. "The price of harmony is doing nothing."

By Rick Yencer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Hoosiers are likely to see a tax cut in the new state budget as Senate Republicans ensure a 3 percent reduction in income taxes passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

By RICK YENCER

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Hoosier Park Racing and Casino got one step closer this week to having live table games at its popular Anderson destination.

And the Indiana Horse Racing Commission just expanded the racing season at Hoosier Park besides adopted a "one breed, one track" program, allowing Standardbred racing at the Anderson track while thoroughbreds will run at Indiana Grand Casino and Downs in Shelbyville. Both tracks are owned by gaming giant Centaur.

 The Indiana Senate adopted a billing expanding gaming on Monday by 32-18. Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, co-authored the bill that would allow casino games at the horse tracks while allowing riverboat casinos to move inland.

 That measure had bi-partisan support like Sen. Doug Eckerty, R-Yorktown, who also was among the unanimous approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

By Rick Yencer

ANDERSON, IN - Hoosier Park Racing & Casino could soon have live table games like blackjack and roulette  that could mean more jobs, more development and a boom for the growing metro Indy community.

By Rick Yencer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Gov. Mike Pence delivered a strong message to lawmakers and Hoosiers Tuesday, promising a 10 percent tax cut, fully funded Medicaid and a balanced budget without a tax hike.

 "So let's me honest with our fellow Hoosiers," said Pence, giving his first State of the State speech without a teleprompter. " We can afford to do this."

By Rick Yencer

ANDERSON, IN - Brian Kidd has worked at his share of Japanese auto parts plant in his 40 year lifetime and likes the teamwork and performance of the new Greenville Technology Inc that opened its doors to the community on Friday.

 "It's a good place to work," said Kidd, who grew up in Muncie, and worked at Keihin Aircon North America.

 More than 55 associates, dressed in that classic white uniform of the Japanese auto industry, showed off their new plant in the Flagship Enterprise Center for community leaders, politicians and anyone else who wanted to see how glove and light boxes are made for Honda Civic and Acura ILX.

 More than 100 people attended the event hosted by the city and Madison County Chamber of Commerce to show their venture in the Asian auto market. Just days before, Keihin, that has a plant in Muncie, announced it would move its North American headquarters to Flagship.

By Rick Yencer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana Senate went to school Wednesday, learning everything from more vouchers to cursive writing and the need for more money by higher education,

 That was among the agenda of Senate education committee that heard mixed views on several education issues after the legislative session began Monday.

Pence tax cut gets mixed reviews locally

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - More state lawmakers represent Delaware County than in the last 50 years that was among the times Republicans had the ability to draw boundaries for legislative districts.

 It it remains nebulous on what representation a majority of Republican lawmakers, most who don't live in Delaware County, will provide to the community, let alone ensure millions in state revenue that go to public schools, local government, entitlements and other state services will continue locally.

 Many people don't realize Muncie no longer has a local state senator. Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, represents Muncie, while Sen. Doug Eckerty, R-Yorktown, covers much of the rest of the county.

 Lanane is now Senate minority leader of 13 Democrats in the upper House, and has priorities set on protecting public education, benefis for those of age and ensuring everyone has the same opportunity at employment.

 Eckerty just got appointed to the power Senate Appropriations Committee after developing a friendship with Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville. And he is on the powerful rules and procedure committee for the Senate besides committees overseeing the judiciary and environment.

By Rick Yencer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - It seemed a little late for Statehouse Democrats to find new leadership after losing the ability to draw legislative districts in 2010 and then facing new super majorities by Republicans in the Indiana House and Senate this year. 

 Still, Sen Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, the Senate's new Democratic Floor leader, said his fellow 13 partisans in the Senate would stick to common sense issues like the true needs of Hoosiers to guide them through budget and policy matters in the upcoming session. Lanane, who also represents Muncie, succeeds Vi Simpson who retired from the Senate to run for lieutenant governor.

"Our proposals and budget priorities will reflect the principals of rebuilding our economy, our schools and our local communities," said Lanane, after the caucus chose him to lead.

 In the Indiana House, Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, became the Democratic minority leader, succeeding temporary leader and Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, who replaced longtime Democratic leader and former House Speaker Pat Bauer of South Bend last summer.

 Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, said Pelath had the obvious support among the 31 Democratic partisans after Bauer bowed out. Errington hoped that Republicans would be willing to work with Democrats and consider their views even though a super majority requires no support from the minority.

By Rick Yencer

ANDERSON, IN - A large Honda Automotive supplier will make a $21.7 million investment and hire 325 people to revive the auto industry once dominated by General Motors.

GTI Anderson is the name of the new plant to be located at the city's Flagship Technology Park off Interstate 69 and near the giant Nestle's plant at the Ind. 67 south exit.
Gov. Mitch Daniels joined Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith and other officials and business representatives Tuesday to break ground on he new plant where construction will begin next week.