Government

Indiana didn’t collect as much revenue as predicted in May, due in part to individual income tax collections that came in well below expectations.  Still, the state is ahead of projections overall.

The state’s revenue collections last month were nearly 7% below the most recent forecast.  While sales tax collections in May were better than expected, individual income tax collections were off by more than 22% from the forecast.

When the Lafayette Park Board voted in January to close the municipal golf course, there were no future plans for the site. Now, seven firms have come forward to show interest in making the property an asset to the Greater Lafayette area. The Wabash River Enhancement Corporation board received potential project plans Thursday morning.

Executive Director Stan Lambert says the companies are well known and have done quality work with other developments. However, he thinks working with a riverfront project is unique.

State leaders are calling a program to put former inmates to work a success. The Hoosier Initiative for Re-Entry – or HIRE – is a cooperative effort between the state departments of workforce development and correction, along with Indiana businesses.

Of the more than 20,000 people released from Indiana prisons each year, the Department of Correction reports 36% return to prison within three years.  The recidivism rate climbs to 60% if the person is unemployed.  The HIRE program was created last year to provide inmates a path to the workforce. 

Tippecanoe County employees will not be getting a raise in 2014.

But Commissioners are recommending the County Council approve a one-thousand dollar bonus for most full-time and regular part-time positions.

Dave Byers says that excludes those who make 70-thousand dollars or more.

He says this is a way to thank the employees for their hard work in 2013 without placing an ongoing burden on the General Fund.

Roughly 600 employees would be eligible for the bonus.

The repeal of Indiana’s inheritance tax in the new two-year budget affects more than state coffers. Counties received the revenue as well.

In Tippecanoe County, as much as $500,000 has been collected in some years.

Treasurer Bob Plantenga says the tax was already being phased out before the complete elimination, which is retroactive to January. He says there will be an impact on the county’s general fund.

“I usually budget $400,000 of revenue for the General Fund, and you know that is certainly a few departments’ worth of expenditures that we will not be receiving.”