Indiana lawmakers weigh bills aimed at prosecutors, riot penalties
The endorsed proposal ensures Indiana prosecutors can’t create lists of crimes they won’t prosecute, said bill sponsor Sen. Mike Young.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Lawmakers advance bill to prevent governor, commission from election changes
Senate Bill 353 would give only the Indiana General Assembly the authority to change the date, time or place of an election.
Indiana Secretary of State Lawson announces resignation
Connie Lawson, 71, is the longest-serving secretary of state in Indiana history. She said she was stepping down to focus on her health and family.
States eye flurry of new taxes on Amazon, Facebook and Google
State lawmakers around the country are exploring a range of new taxes targeting Internet giants, seeking to capture some of Silicon Valley’s eye-popping profits and soaring share prices in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Indiana ‘missed big’ by not adopting work share, report says
Researchers who have studied work-share programs—which have been implemented in 28 states—say thousands of Indiana workers have been unnecessarily laid off.
Taft builds new lobby group with Ice Miller transplants
The former Ice Miller employees—including Lacy Johnson and John Hammond III—will form the core of Taft’s new 14-member Public Affairs Strategies Group, 11 professionals plus three support staffers.
House Republicans opt to invest in one-time grant programs in budget proposal
The $36.3 billion two-year budget proposed by the House GOP on Thursday would make a handful of one-time investments in small businesses, regional projects, student learning loss, health initiatives, broadband and police training.
Indiana panel OKs bill that sets statewide standards on renewable-energy projects
The vote followed a passionate debate between renewable energy advocates and a group of residents and local officials who said legislation would take away local control.
New report outlines challenges, solutions for Indiana’s economy
The Brookings Institution report, “Indiana GPS: Strategies for Resilience,” identifies job growth, wages and technology as areas for improvement in the state’s economy.
House panel advances pregnancy accommodations bill with virtually no mandates
If it becomes law, House Bill 1309, authored by Republican Rep. Karen Engleman of Georgetown, will allow employees to request accommodations from their employer—something pregnant workers are already allowed to do.
Indiana lawmakers could end school takeovers for test performance
A proposal winning early support in the House would eliminate many of the consequences for poor test performance that typically loom over Indiana public schools.
Indiana lawmakers consider grant program to attract remote workers
House Bill 1416 would establish a remote worker grant program that would offer out-of-state individuals as much as $8,500 to relocate to Indiana.
Lawmakers consider eliminating requirement to publish public notices in newspapers
House Bill 1498 would allow local governments and other public bodies, such as school boards, airport authorities and local commissions, to publish legal notices online instead of in local newspapers, which is currently required by law.
Indiana Senate backs bill to ban renaming of Indianapolis
A proposal to ban Indianapolis and more than 100 other Indiana cities from ever changing their names has been approved by the state Senate.
Indiana Senate approves bill to deregulate wetlands
Wetlands would still be regulated by the federal government under the Clean Water Act, but that oversight would only apply to about 20% of the remaining wetlands.
City’s former deputy mayor joins law firm Bose McKinney
The Indianapolis-based law firm said Thomas Cook will join its Site Selection & Economic Incentives Group, where he’ll assist clients with economic development deals, among other duties.
Local firm’s new initiative matches remote workers with relocation incentives
Entrepreneurs Bill Oesterle and Evan Hock last month launched MakeMyMove, a subsidiary of TMap.
Legislation seeks to keep pregnant women on the job
Gov. Eric Holcomb and a group of lawmakers and family advocates are pushing for legislation that would require companies to offer more breaks or modify schedules and tasks for pregnant women—if they need them.
Voucher expansion, education savings account plan could cost Indiana $100M
Indiana politicians are seizing on the upheaval caused by the pandemic to push forward a vast expansion of taxpayer funding for private education.
Federal court strikes down major Trump climate rollback
The decision is likely to give the incoming Biden administration a freer hand to regulate emissions from power plants, one of the major sources of fossil fuel emissions.