Lawmakers adopt penalties for failing to protect monuments
The Indiana Legislature passed a bill Thursday that allows the state to withhold funding to cities that fail to protect public monuments and memorials from vandalism.
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New Indiana budget proposal scales back private school voucher expansion
The budget proposal, presented Thursday to the Senate Appropriations Committee, would increase state funding for K-12 education by $408 million over the next two years.
Biden says he’s open to compromise on infrastructure, but not inaction
The president has taken heat from Republican lawmakers and business groups for proposing that corporate tax increases should finance a $2.3 trillion infrastructure package that goes far beyond the traditional focus on roads and bridges.
Indiana lawmakers dial back controversial wetlands bill
Although the bill still broadly reduces wetlands protections, the Hoosier Environmental Council called the amendment “much less damaging” than the Senate-passed version of the bill.
New to Washington, Buttigieg looks to build bridges with Biden plan
The man known during his campaign as “Mayor Pete” faces the first test of that potential in his first job in Washington: Selling a $2.3 trillion infrastructure program that will be paid for with corporate tax hikes.
U.S. forges ahead on $1 billion tariff plan over digital taxes
Goods entering the U.S.—ranging from Austrian grand pianos and British merry-go-rounds to Turkish Kilim rugs and Italian anchovies—could face tariffs of as much as 25% annually.
Indiana’s COVID vaccine rollout gets mixed reviews
While the state’s rollout of eligibility for the vaccine has come under some fire, many Hoosiers have begun planning for a summer and fall free from worry, ready to resume their normal lives.
Anticipation building for boom in U.S. hiring this year
After a year of epic job losses, waves of coronavirus infections, and small business closures, numerous trends are brightening the outlook.
Holcomb signs police reform, school funding bills into law
Bills aimed at increasing police accountability and ensuring Indiana’s public schools receive full funding for all students during the coronavirus pandemic were among 19 measures signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday.
Indiana to make COVID-19 vaccines available at some large companies, universities
The move comes as the state gets a larger allotment of doses from the federal government and seeks to expand vaccination sites beyond hospitals, pharmacies and health centers.
Holcomb says he will veto legislation that allows lawmakers to call ’emergency sessions’
The final version of House Bill 1123, which would create what would be called an “emergency session,” could pass out of both chambers as early as Thursday.
Eager to build infrastructure, Biden plans to tax businesses
President Joe Biden wants $2 trillion to reengineer America’s infrastructure and expects the nation’s corporations to pay for it.
State Senate passes legislation to create new emergency session
The Indiana Senate has passed legislation that would give lawmakers the power to convene at any time during a statewide public emergency and more oversight over federal stimulus dollars.
Indiana Republicans resolute for school voucher expansion
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray of Martinsville said Republican senators have discussed the potential cost of the voucher expansion but remain firm with the GOP line that “money follows the child” and that the state is funding students, not schools.
Gambling bill could help bars recover
Senate Bill 245 would double the prize limits for certain pull-tab games and allow the 1,242 bars and taverns with Type II gaming licenses to offer sports-themed pull-tab games and tip boards.
Indiana health chief: Pandemic ‘far from over’
A day after the governor announced plans to relax precautions meant to stem COVID-19 spread, the state’s top health official cautioned Hoosiers that it’s still too early to return to “normal” life.
Holcomb extends state income tax filing deadline
In addition to giving taxpayers more time to file their state taxes, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s executive order also extends the temporary licensing of health care workers.
Indiana Senate doubles funding for small-biz grant program, sends bill back to House
The legislation, authored by Rep. Shane Lindauer, R-Jasper, would provide grants of $10,000 per month, with a maximum award amount of $50,000.
Indiana utility fined record $1.1M for pipeline safety violations
The fine represents the third time since 2017 that NIPSCO has received a substantial fine for similar violations. The money the utility will pay for the fine will go into Indiana’s general fund.
Schmuhl elected chairman for Indiana Democratic Party
Mike Schmuhl, former presidential campaign manager for Pete Buttigieg, will replace outgoing chair John Zody, who has held the position since 2013.