Republicans drive Indiana House primary challenges
Most incumbents face no primary competition, but eight open seats have drawn two dozen hopefuls.
Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle
Articles
Black legislative caucus plans town halls statewide
The 13-member caucus billed the six events as opportunities for Hoosiers to learn more about legislation passed in the most recent session and to “provide feedback and input” ahead of next year’s budget-writing session.
Gubernatorial candidate Curtis Hill’s battery jury trial called off
Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill will not stand trial next week for the controversy that cost him his last elected office.
Indiana alcohol regulator advises businesses, communities to prepare for eclipse festivities
Indiana’s alcohol regulator on Monday told Hoosier businesses and local units of government alike to get applications in for eclipse-specific celebrations.
Few schools take lawmakers up on allowing staff, teachers to carry firearms
The investigation found that the vast majority of respondent school districts haven’t authorized staff carry – and don’t want to – even as Indiana’s General Assembly offers up funds for training.
Holcomb signs eclipse emergency response order
Officials anticipate “widespread and significant impact” on Indiana’s “critical infrastructure systems,” including for communication, emergency response and transportation, according to the order.
Gambling regulators largely mum on legislative hit
Statehouse Republicans this month finalized legislation increasing lawmaker oversight over the Indiana Gaming Commission’s extra-budgetary requests.
Governing bodies tussle over control of Indiana State Fair
Contention over who runs the Indiana State Fair emerged during the legislative session in a spat about fair date language added, removed and re-inserted into a proposal in the hours before the session’s end.
Indiana bans sister-city agreements with ‘foreign adversaries’
Hoosier municipalities hold 19 sister-city agreements with Chinese counterparts, two with Russian cities and one with a Cuban city, according to a list maintained by the Indiana chapter of Sister Cities International.
Holcomb casts doubts on antisemitism ban, signs happy hour bill
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday strongly questioned a bill defining and banning antisemitism within the state’s public education system.
Holcomb signs university anti-‘viewpoint discrimination’ bill, 74 others
Six bills remain that Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb can sign, veto or allow to become law without his signature.
AG Rokita says Holcomb should veto ‘toothless’ antisemitism ban
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council—which previously reversed its support when senators removed all reference to the IHRA in an earlier draft—said it approved of the final bill and was “grateful” to the General Assembly for “standing with us in the fight against antisemitism.”
Session takeaways: Next year’s budget, a ‘quieter’ cycle and Indianapolis nabs some wins
Indiana’s latest legislative session is over after a breakneck nine weeks that saw nearly 175 bills cross the finish line.
Indiana political candidates can use donations for child care, election officials say
Indiana’s campaign finance laws generally bar candidates and their campaigns from spending contributions for “primarily personal” purposes, but do say candidates can use funds to “defray any expense reasonably related” to campaigning or service in elected office.
Bill limiting land buys by ‘foreign adversaries’ goes to governor
Some critics worry the bill would compromise economic development deals in the works, but it passed easily.
Lawmakers revive restaurant carry-out alcohol in finalized legislation
Expect to see happy hours and the option to add a cocktail to your carry-out restaurant order as soon as July, under finalized legislation approved Thursday by Indiana lawmakers.
Lawmakers enter last week of session with some issues still hanging
Indiana’s lawmakers have just days to finalize legislation in key areas like health and education—from literacy and antisemitism to ambulances and a Medicaid shortfall.
Senate axes 13th check bid in favor of long-term plan
Senators also approved legislation prioritizing “intellectual diversity” in higher education institutions, alongside controversial election security and cosmetology bills. But they encountered a stumbling block on a prison proposal.
House panel weakens bill limiting Indiana governor’s executive powers
Despite the changes, bill author Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, said he was “supportive of the bill moving” and professed “trust” in the legislative process.
Indiana Senate approves child care proposal as House punts on health care merger oversight
Senate Republicans on Monday pushed the Legislature’s latest effort to improve child care access for Hoosier families closer to the finish line. But Democrats say the bill loosens regulations for providers and could put children at risk.