Senator drops push to force Indiana marijuana prosecutions
The proposal followed the Indianapolis prosecutor’s new policy of not pressing charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
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State lawmakers send school ‘hold harmless’ bill to governor
Schools won’t be punished for low test scores earned during the first two years of the state’s new ILEARN test—a move by state lawmakers Monday that will render schools’ 2019 and 2020 state grades essentially meaningless.
Indiana push for pregnant worker protections gets sidelined
The proposal faced opposition from some business groups, including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Manufacturers Association.
Indiana House passes bill to slow utilities from shutting down coal plants
The bill’s opponents call the legislation a “coal-bailout bill,” designed to prop up the state’s struggling coal industry just as utilities are preparing to shut down aging coal plants.
Billionaire Bloomberg proposes tax plan aimed at wealthy
Billionaire Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is unveiling a tax plan that would target the richest Americans—increasing rates on capital gains and corporate gains as well as introducing a new 5% surtax on incomes above $5 million.
Indy Eleven considers smaller, expandable stadium as search for site continues
With its chances of joining Major League Soccer in question, Indy Eleven is considering significantly cutting the number of seats with which its new stadium would debut.
Buttigieg sharpens Biden, Sanders attacks as Iowa caucuses near
It was a notably more aggressive tone from the 38-year-old former South Bend mayor, who has risen from an asterisk into contention in Iowa on a message of hope and inclusion.
City-County Council calls for IPL to retire Petersburg coal plant by 2028
This week, the Indianapolis City-County Council passed a special resolution that calls on Indianapolis Power & Light to shut down its largest generating station 14 years sooner than currently planned.
Distracted driving bill passes House, moves to Senate
The House has passed legislation that would bar all drivers from having their phones in their hands while driving. House Bill 1070 passed 86-10 on Wednesday. The two-page bill, authored by Rep. Holli Sullivan, R-Evansville, updates a current law passed in 2011 that requires all phones must be used hands-free while behind the wheel of […]
Indiana governor signs spending plan for surplus revenue
By paying for the projects with surplus cash instead of issuing debt as originally planned, state officials estimate it could save the state more than $130 million over 20 years.
City awarded record federal funding for homeless initiatives
The city of Indianapolis on Wednesday was awarded $6.3 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for initiatives and organizations that aim to eliminate homelessness.
Lawmakers consider change to business personal property tax
Senate Bill 385, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, would change the way the state’s business personal property tax is calculated.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill aimed at addressing health care costs
The Indiana House approved legislation that would attempt to end surprise billing, and the Indiana Senate approved a bill that could establish a statewide all-payer claims database.
Measure aimed at forcing marijuana prosecutions advances
Republican legislators agitated with an Indianapolis prosecutor’s refusal to press charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana are seeking to empower the state attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to take over such cases.
Speedway Democrat not seeking re-election to Statehouse
Indiana Rep. Karlee Macer, of Speedway, announced Tuesday that she won’t run for re-election for House District 92 this year. She previously considered a run for governor.
Bill that seeks more protections for pregnant workers advances
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee voted 7-2 Monday to endorse the bill, even though some business groups argued it wasn’t necessary and could lead to greater burdens on small businesses.
Former Indiana House Speaker Bauer retiring after 50 years
Pat Bauer, 75, announced Monday he wouldn’t seek re-election this year in the South Bend district that he’s represented since 1970. He’ll retire as the longest-serving member in the Indiana Legislature’s history.
Holcomb says he supports gaming commission investigation into Centaur
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday said he backs the Indiana Gaming Commission’s probe into casino executives who have been implicated in a federal campaign finance scheme. The investigation has delayed action on a proposed new Indiana casino.
Indiana casino approval delayed while state probes former Centaur execs
The Indiana Gaming Commission confirmed Friday that is postponing approval of a new Indiana casino while it investigates allegations that top executives at former Indianapolis racino business Centaur Gaming were involved in directing illegal campaign contributions to an Indiana congressional candidate in 2015.
Health care bills unlikely to remedy cost crisis
Republican leaders of the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Eric Holcomb have made addressing high health care costs a top priority this year, but the bills proposed to do so are unlikely to have much direct impact.