Government

Most Wabash Township residents who were facing annexation into West Lafayette are no longer part of the plan. (NEW MAP)

The city scaled back the area to include Purdue and land adjacent to the new U.S. 231 bypass. It also includes the Menard’s on U.S. 52 and what will be the new Meijer store next to it.

The Sugar Hill subdivision along McCormick Road is still part of the proposed annexation. Officials say that’s because all the land surrounding the subdivision is part of the annexation proposal.

How much cash reserves are enough? That’s the question Tippecanoe County officials are trying to determine. Members of the county council and commission are working out a five year financial plan before they begin crafting next year’s budget.

While the county has close to $20 million in its general and rainy day funds, a financial consultant wants there to be significant reserves in other funds too.

Commissioner Tom Murtaugh says they’ll have to find the right balance between maintaining steady revenue and increasing costs.

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday it should not get involved in a lawsuit challenging the collection of fines handed down to House Democrats during their walkouts in the 2011 and 2012 sessions. 

In a three to two decision, Chief Justice Brent Dickson wrote for the majority, ruling the fines imposed by House Republicans were internal matters of the legislature and not subject to judicial review.

The Indiana Emergency Solution Grant, federal money aimed at helping the state’s homeless population, is facing a 23% cut due to the sequester.

The grant provides money to homeless shelters across Indiana.  The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority expected a 5% cut in federal funding, similar to other sequester reductions.  But instead the state will receive $700,000 less for the upcoming fiscal year.

In the wake of ISTEP testing disruptions that have called into question the validity of this year’s tests, the General Assembly this week will hold the first of two hearings investigating the issue.

Legislators initially hoped to have one comprehensive study committee hearing on ISTEP in June.  But with results of the tests and a third-party validation of those results not expected until July, Commission on Education co-chairs Representative Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) and Senator Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) will hold two meetings on the topic.