Politics
Local and state government affecting the Region.
Data centers and power bills put Soliday's Valparaiso House seat in the spotlight
Democrat Ryan Kominakis blames the 10-term Republican, who chairs the House utilities committee, for higher NIPSCO bills and a 2019 data center tax break. Soliday says the state is "going through a hysteria" and his critics skip the hard questions about keeping the grid reliable.
Valparaiso council passes contractor-fraud ordinance 4-3; Costas says he'll veto it
The measure would let the City Council investigate contractors on big building permits. The mayor questioned whether it's needed and said he'll veto it, and backers would need a 5-2 vote to override him. The same night, the city's $71.6 million 2027 budget got its first reading.
Hammond's $170 million 2027 budget clears two readings as casino money shrinks
Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. says the plan is close to this year's $167 million budget. Gaming taxes keep falling, and state property tax cuts are on the way. The final vote is set for Oct. 26.
LaPorte County Council sends 0.20% EMS income tax to Oct. 26 vote
After a lightly attended hearing Wednesday, council members agreed unanimously to vote on the new ambulance tax at their regular meeting Oct. 26. A county adviser put the cost at about $140 a year for the average wage earner.
Lake County Council backs Steelworkers’ NIPSCO staffing petition 6-0
The council joined Michigan City, Portage, Chesterton, Porter County and Valparaiso in supporting USW Local 12775’s push for more local crews after the Aug. 11 derecho. Councilman Charlie Brown was absent.
Lake County Council weighs NIPSCO staffing resolution, final 2027 budget vote
A resolution backing the Steelworkers' NIPSCO staffing petition was on the Lake County Council's Tuesday morning agenda, making Lake the latest Region government asked to take a side. The 2027 budget's second reading followed at 11:30 a.m.