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.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Lawmakers advance bill allowing industrial hemp crops
Hemp plants could start appearing in Indiana fields if a state Senate bill to allow growing the crop gains support from lawmakers.
Nursing home construction measure passes Senate
Senate Bill 173 would prohibit the State Department of Health from approving the development of new nursing homes.
Senate OKs ban on tanning for those under 16
A bill that would ban young people from using beds at tanning salons passed 30-17 Thursday in the state 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.
Senate passes bill to protect agricultural rights
Senate Bill 186 provides that it is the responsibility of the state to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of agriculture. The goal is to guide the courts to interpret state laws to be sympathetic toward farmers.
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.
Legislation aims to expand high school internships
The bill would add an intern-hiring incentive to the Economic Development for a Growing Economy program, commonly known as EDGE.
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.
Bosma’s collaborative style put to huge test
The House speaker has done his utmost to downplay the importance of the proposed same-sex marriage amendment within the context of the Republican agenda this year.
Ballard, Curry split on gun-violence bill
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry opposes a measure that would create a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence for crimes committed with a firearm. Mayor Greg Ballard and his public safety director support it.
Indy Chamber proposes commuter tax
Indy Chamber is making the case for a commuter tax, arguing that it’s the best way to solve continual fiscal problems threatening to make Marion County, thus the whole metro area, less competitive.
New concert venue proposed for GM plant site
A concert venue rivaling the size of Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville has emerged as the favorite in a bid to redevelop the former General Motors metal-stamping plant on the western edge of downtown.
Indiana business tax changes still worry some mayors
Some local-government officials around the state remain concerned about changes Indiana lawmakers are considering to the state's property tax on business equipment.
Same-sex marriage amendment advances in House
The Republican majority in the Indiana House has signed off on a maneuver advancing the proposed state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
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.
Wine wholesalers could be bypassed under proposed bill
Indiana-based farm wineries could sell their products directly to retailers and dealers instead of going through a third party under a bill debated Wednesday in the House Public Policy Committee.
Proposal to allow alcohol sales at fair still on tap
People on both sides of the issue, including those on the State Fair Commission, Indiana alcohol producers, and those opposed to the change, discussed a tentative plan Wednesday for how the state fair could sell its first alcoholic beverages since the 1940s.
Same-sex marriage amendment moves to House for vote
The proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana easily passed a House committee Wednesday, setting up the floor debate that Speaker Brian Bosma had promised.