Bills striking some child care regulations pass the Senate, House
But while the Senate passed its bill—a priority for the Republican caucus—with almost the full support of the chamber, the House version faced adversity from Democrats.
Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle
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Banks calls on Carmel to withdraw from Chinese sister-city agreement
The rebuke from U.S. Rep. Jim Banks came after a Washington Post report that former Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard had traveled to China before he left office last year. Banks warned that sister-city agreements can unduly influence U.S. cities to support problematic Chinese policies.
Bills on puppy sales, child labor, happy hours, firearms and more advance from House
Amid a fleet of bills passing to the Senate, Indiana’s House of Representatives on Monday narrowly approved a bill setting state regulations for dog breeding and sales—including random pet store and dog breeder inspections.
Happy hour, cocktails to-go bill makes splash at Indiana Statehouse
The bill would allow retailers to reduce drink prices for up to four hours a day, but less than 15 hours in a week. Happy hours wouldn’t be allowed between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Indiana lawmakers pump brakes on proposal to raise speed limit
A House roads committee on Tuesday did move long-sought legislation allowing jurors to know when someone in a car crash wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Assessed value boom in Indiana drives jump in maximum levy appeals
Indiana’s local units of governments increasingly seek reviews that could mean more funding.
Indiana could rake in millions more off legalized Internet gambling than previously estimated, report says
The updated report found that Indiana could bring in between $413 million and $929 million over the first three years of legalization in “average” conditions at different possible tax rates.
House committee OKs bill criminalizing AI nudity
The Indiana House Courts and Criminal Codes committee unanimously voted Wednesday to move a bill adding computer-generated nude pictures of real people to Indiana’s revenge pornography statute
Beer, liquor wholesalers face off over mixed drinks legislation
The House Committee on Public Policy advanced a bill Tuesday letting beer wholesalers sell liquor-based ready-to-drink cocktails, over the protests of liquor industry representatives.
House Republicans to push retiree 13th check, antisemitism bills
Indiana’s House Republican caucus—70 strong—will prioritize legislation boosting retirement benefits for public employees and banning antisemitism in public educational institutions.
Child care legislation coming, but costs make passage iffy
Indiana lawmakers expect to file and advance significant child care legislation during the upcoming session, after years of advocacy from Hoosier parents, child care providers and worker-strapped businesses.
State lawmakers admonish gambling regulation agency, which defends processes
Key Republican lawmakers on Tuesday scolded the Indiana Gaming Commission over how it levies fines and more—and threatened to take legislative action if changes aren’t made.
Terre Haute casino set for spring opening, regulators say
The Terre Haute Casino Resort will feature a 400,000-square-foot casino building with 56,000 square feet of gaming space that includes 1,000 slots and 50 table games, as well as a 125-room hotel.
State tax collection slump continues
Indiana coffers took in about $1.37 billion worth of taxes in November, but remained below expectations for a second straight month this fiscal year, which began in July.
Former Colts punter Hunter Smith launches Statehouse bid
Smith said he would prioritize bipartisanship, “balance” and “dialogue,” and was also clear in calling himself a “pro-life conservative” and “pro-school choice.”
With gambling legislation on pause in Indiana, some push for reform
The gambling industry and its advocates have for several years wanted to legalize i-gaming, but that timeline may now be years longer than previously expected.
Holcomb releases 62 videos promoting Hoosier attractions
The video project, All Around Indiana, features a buffalo preserve, caves, parks, racing, sandhill crane migration and much more more—and highlights a variety of industries. Holcomb narrates the videos.
Less ‘aggressive’ legislative session coming, Statehouse leaders say
Leaders in the Republican-dominated Indiana Legislature say they’re not planning on taking on gambling expansions, water fights or costly initiatives during the shorter non-budget session, which begins in January and must end by mid-March.
Sen. Todd Young to take on alumni, donor college admissions—without stepping on religious toes
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana, and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, introduced a bill this month banning accredited institutions from offering preferential treatment to applicants with relationships to alumni or donors. The bill includes protections for faith-based institutions.
INDOT facing fiscal cliff without road-funding changes
Indiana’s Department of Transportation expects to lose billions of dollars in revenue in the coming decades as more Hoosiers buy alternative fuel-using and fuel-efficient vehicles.