INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana state government took in 8.4 percent more in tax revenue in August than it did a year ago, and collections were higher than the most recent forecast.
The state Budget Agency reported Friday that Indiana collected $938 million in August. That’s $51 million above the most recent forecast, but still $2 million less than projected in the budget lawmakers passed in early 2009.
Budget Director Adam Horst says reserves by the end of next June are expected to be $797 million less than what was assumed in the budget as passed.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has ordered 15 percent cuts in state agency spending for the fiscal year that began in July, and the state is spending its reserves to help make up for the revenue shortfalls.
Farmers market in Elkhart closing
The American Countryside Farmers Market near Elkhart will close its doors today, just a little more than three years after opening.
Many merchants tell the Elkhart Truth that the past month has been the best of the year for traffic and sales. American Countryside officials announced in late July that the 51,000-square-foot red barn would close. The airy market opened in May 2007, on the eve of the economic downturn.
The barn cost about $4 million and was built predominantly by Amish workers. Owners have said they plan to consider other business models.
FBI mum on bugs in police chief’s office
The FBI won’t say whether bugging devices reportedly found in an Indianapolis deputy police chief’s office belong to the agency.
Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police President William Owensby told the Indianapolis Star the audio and video recording devices were found in William Benjamin’s office late Thursday or early Friday.
Police Chief Paul Ciesielski says he didn’t put them there and didn’t order anyone else to. He says the city’s director of public safety didn’t put the bugs there, either, and Ciesielski has ordered an internal investigation to find out who did.
Purdue to honor Hudson River pilot
Purdue University plans to honor alumnus Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed a US Airways jetliner in the Hudson River in January 2009.
Sullenberger earned his master’s degree from Purdue in 1973. The university says it will present him with a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the liberal arts college during a ceremony Nov. 12.
