Articles

Problems persist as director quits DCS

The departure of Mary Beth Bonaventura as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services surprised several family law attorneys and social service providers. Uniformly, they agreed the former Lake County juvenile judge was a strong advocate for children and brought valuable experience to her tenure. Still, the department has struggled against internal and external challenges.

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Tax Court affirms proposed assessments for lack of evidence

A lack of sufficient evidence doomed a businessman’s appeal of the Indiana Department of State Revenue’s proposed assessments against two of his businesses, as the Indiana Tax Court ruled Thursday it could not substantiate the businesses’ various expense deductions based on the evidence presented.

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Indiana lawmakers return for possibly contentious session

Legislators returned to the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday to begin this year’s General Assembly session, which will be the first in recent memory in which the Republican supermajorities do not have an overarching objective they hope to achieve.

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Riley Hospital official appointed new DCS director

A day after Mary Beth Bonaventura left her position as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services, the Gov. Eric Holcomb has announced Terry Stigdon, clinical director of operations at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in Indianapolis, will lead the agency.

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Gov. Holcomb files appeal in Bloomington annexation dispute

Gov. Eric Holcomb is turning to the Indiana Court of Appeals after the Monroe Circuit Court denied the governor’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the city of Bloomington over an annexation dispute. Special Judge Frank Nardi issued a stay Dec. 4 on further court proceedings pending an interlocutory review.

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Tax Court vacates proposed assessments for University of Phoenix

Proposed assessments against an Arizona-based university that offers online classes to Indiana students have been thrown out after the Indiana Tax Court determined the university properly followed statutory procedure by not sourcing its receipts for Indiana students to the Hoosier state.

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State employees now blow whistle at own risk

A ruling by the Indiana Supreme Court that held the state cannot be sued under the whistleblower act has left some attorneys concerned for taxpayers and inspired at least one elected official to seek to change the law. But the ruling has not discouraged the state employee who started the fight.

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Indiana allowing rifle hunting on public land despite law error

Indiana's wildlife agency says it will allow deer hunters to use rifles on state or federal property despite a legislative error that banned the use of such weapons. The Department of Natural Resources said an emergency state rule will allow rifles during the firearms deer-hunting season that begins Nov. 18.

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No longer a taxing process of review

When Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Krupp took over the department in January, he decided to revamp its policies to focus more on customer service. Working alongside general counsel Patrick Price, Krupp implemented a new customer-oriented protest review system that has slashed taxpayer wait times and also helped increase efficiency at the Tax Court.

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Zoeller plans government mediation practice for Indianapolis firm

Former Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has been a lifelong advocate of mediation and alternative dispute resolutions, building his career around the notion that many disputes can be resolved short of trial. So when Zoeller left the attorney general’s office, it made sense for him to continue his advocacy for mediation and ADR work in the private sector.

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Challenge to alcohol permit presents issue of first impression

A liquor store seeking to challenge the type of alcohol permit awarded to a Hamilton County specialty food store does not have standing to pursue judicial review under the Administrative Orders and Procedures Act, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in a first impression case.

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