Indiana unemployment rate drops to 5.9 percent
The state’s unemployment rate continued to fall in March, dropping to less than 6 percent for the first time since July 2008.
The Statehouse File
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Education officials release draft of academic standards
The proposed standards for grades K-12 combine elements of Common Core, previous Indiana guidelines and recommendations from outside organizations. State law requires standards be approved before July 1 for use in the 2014-15 school year.
State to work with Pew on economic development
The Pew Charitable Trusts has named Indiana one of seven states to participate in its 18-month initiative to discover effective business practices for economic development and remaining transparent to the public.
Schools label few teachers, administrators as ‘ineffective’
Performance results released Monday by the Department of Education revealed that only one of every 250 educators was ranked in the lowest category. And fewer than three in 100 were rated as needing improvement.
Tax revenue stabilizes in March but still behind for fiscal year
For the fiscal year – which began July 1 – total tax collections are still about $71 million behind the estimates used to write the current two-year budget.
New highways funds aimed at I-65, job creation
The construction planned with the money, as well as an additional $200 million that's being held pending review, could create as many as 9,800 jobs in the state, INDOT estimates.
Manufacturer’s group gives high grades to legislative session
The Indiana Manufacturers Association released its scorecard for the 2014 legislative session Wednesday and applauded the results.
Ohio, Indiana officials explore drone opportunities
Although Federal Aviation Administration officials rejected the states’ proposal to become an official drone test site, both states are examining what each one has to offer in regards to drone development.
Pence continues to seek repeal of medical device tax
A number of Indiana lawmakers – including both of the state’s U.S. senators – have advocated for the elimination of the tax, in part because the state is home to several key medical device manufacturers.
Indiana wineries, breweries to be featured at State Fair
Indiana State Fair Public Relations Director Andy Klotz said there is no concrete plan yet for how newly approved alcohol sales will work, but the main focus will be to promote Indiana beer and wine.
Pence lets bill ending Energize Indiana become law
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will let a bill that eliminates an energy-conservation program become law without his signature, prompting harsh words from environmental leaders who opposed the bill.
Several education-related bills signed into state law
In addition to approving legislation to end Common Core standards in Indiana, Gov. Mike Pence on Monday signed four other education-related bills into law.
Study will seek answers to transportation funding issue
The Indiana Department of Transportation will launch an expansive study seeking new ways to finance road construction and maintenance, according to a bill passed by the Indiana legislature awaiting the governor's signature.
Charter school board gets new executive director
Former Eli Lilly and Co. Nick LeRoy will lead the state board, which reviews, approves and regulates some of the state’s charter schools.
State asks feds for help with overseas-based robocalls
In 2013, there were about 14,000 complaints from consumers who received unwanted solicitation calls despite being on the list.
Good news, bad news in state employment report
The Hoosier state added 4,600 jobs in the manufacturing sector in January, the most in the country. But Indiana also lost 7,100 private sector jobs, leaving the state at a net loss of 2,500 jobs for the month.
Statehouse update: Guns in school parking lots, concussion training, veterans clinics and more
High-profile bills on mass-transit, road funding and business taxes passed the Indiana General Assembly on Thursday, but so did several other pieces of legislation. Here’s a rundown.
General Assembly passes bill to legalize industrial hemp
A bill to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp in Indiana is headed to Gov. Mike Pence after it passed the House on Wednesday night and the Senate on Thursday.
Compromise bill allows state to spend $200M on interstates
The House passed the compromise bill 95-4, even as a number of lawmakers – including Democrats – complained that the legislation doesn’t include any money for local roads.
Mass transit on tap for six counties under bill headed to Pence
The legislation authorizes officials in Marion, Madison, Johnson, Hancock, Hamilton, and Delaware counties to seek voter permission to raise income taxes to fund a regional bus system. Light rail is not part of the legislation.