Committee pushes gambling discussion to summer
A Senate bill that would give the state’s riverboat casinos tax breaks and authorize table gambling in racinos was sent to a summer study committee Wednesday.
The Statehouse File
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Statehouse update: School safety, Common Core, teacher incentives, abortion and more
State lawmakers on Wednesday weighed in on legislation involving mobile-phone snooping, education issues, abortion restrictions, sex trafficking, guns, abandoned houses, veteran injuries and several more topics. Here’s a rundown.
Preservation tax credit gets makeover in House bill
The Indiana House is set to consider legislation that would shift the state’s historical preservation tax cut program into one that relies on grants instead.
Pence declares energy emergency over propane shortage
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence outlined steps that have been taken in an effort to help Hoosiers during the state’s propane shortage.
Senate amends corporate tax bill, rejects Democrats’ efforts to strip key provisions
Financial institutions would have to wait an additional three years to fully feel the effects of a statewide tax cut under changes made Tuesday to Indiana Senate Bill 1.
Bill to let wineries sell to stores moves to full House
House Bill 1387 will amend the previous law and allow wineries to distribute up to 5,000 gallons of wine to grocery stores, restaurants, bars and other establishments.
Proposal would cut sales tax for propane users
Republicans say they will offer an amendment to Senate Bill 1 to eliminate the sales tax on any propane that costs more than $2.50 per gallon.
Proposed hunting, fishing amendment to start over
A Senate committee passed a proposed constitutional amendment Monday that would protect Hoosiers’ right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife – but without language to protect farming that was included three years ago.
Statehouse update: Deer hunting, miscarriages, veteran education, Indiana-grown, and more
State lawmakers on Monday weighed in on legislation involving canned deer hunting, college credit for veterans, parental options after miscarriages, out-of-state seedling sales, and more. Here’s a rundown.
Panel delays vote on bill to require prescription for cold meds
A committee heard two hours of testimony Monday on a bill that would make medicine containing pseudoephedrine a schedule III drug. The committee did not vote.
Voucher students who never tried public school on the rise
Four in 10 students using vouchers never attended an Indiana public school, even though the original 2011 law that authorized the program required it.
Indiana House votes to amend gay-marriage amendment
The 52-43 vote to remove the controversial second sentence likely ensures that the proposed constitutional amendment will not reach the public for a vote until at least 2016 – if at all.
Senator drops bill to create Statehouse souvenir shop
Sen. Thomas Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, has withdrawn a bill that would have allowed the construction of a souvenir shop in the Indiana Statehouse over concerns about the cost.
Bill would keep state’s annuity system in-house
The Indiana House is set to consider legislation that will prevent the state from privatizing one part of public employee and teacher retirement funds.
Judges could carry firearms under proposed law
Senate Bill 3 would allow judges to carry firearms when they are on duty. The bill passed 47-1 in the Senate.
Teachers could get help with expenses under House bill
House Bill 1349 would establish a Classroom Expense Fund, from which money would be advanced to educators across the state.
Personal property tax cut heads to full House
House Bill 1001, authored by Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, would allow county income tax councils to exempt businesses from paying the business personal property tax on any new equipment they purchased.
Biological drug bill advances to full Senate
The Indiana Senate is set to consider legislation that could give patients access to more options for drug treatments that derive from biological organisms.
Pence gives $9.7 million in grants for STEM programs
The grants went to 10 organizations working to help support teacher recruitment and training in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.
Tougher penalties sought for drug ‘look-a-likes’
The intent of Senate Bill 305 is to deter retailers and dealers from selling “look-a-like” drugs that are potentially more dangerous than the drugs they mimic.