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.
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Cold prompts shutdown of local government Tuesday
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said City-County government will be closed Tuesday due to the forecast of “dangerously cold temperatures.” He also imposed a two-hour delay for local government on Wednesday.
Bar Association stands against gay-marriage amendment
Backed by nearly three-fourths of its members, the Indianapolis Bar has taken the unusual step of announcing its opposition to the state constitutional amendment under debate at the Statehouse.
View of health rollout improves, but only slightly
Negative perceptions of the health care rollout have eased, a new poll finds. But overall, two-thirds of Americans say things still aren’t going well.
Indiana bill would limit use of drone surveillance
The bill introduced by Republican Rep. Eric Koch of Bedford would strictly regulate police use of unmanned aircraft and prohibit their use to conduct surveillance without a court warrant.
Minimum wage bills pushed in at least 30 states
A pitch last week from Indiana Democrats was a nonstarter. But a Quinnipiac University poll this month found 71 percent of Americans in favor of raising the minimum wage—including more than half of Republicans polled.
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 Thomas Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, has withdrawn a bill that would have allowed the construction of a souvenir shop in the Indiana Statehouse over concerns about the cost.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.
Soccer team seeks state help for $87M downtown stadium
Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir hopes state lawmakers will help him finance construction of a multi-use soccer stadium with 18,500 seats in downtown Indianapolis.
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.
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.