Bill advances to set 40 as Indiana’s alcohol ID age
The bill would change a much-ridiculed law that took effect last summer requiring everyone — regardless of age — to be carded for carryout alcohol.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
State senator: Should Indiana legalize marijuana?
Sen. Karen Tallian, D- Portage, is sponsoring a bill that would direct the criminal law and sentencing study committee to examine Indiana's marijuana laws next summer and come up with recommendations.
Illinois governor responds as states try to poach jobs
Gov. Pat Quinn has a message for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and officials from other states trying to lure jobs from Illinois: Back off.
Indiana House OKs bill to ban texting while driving
Indiana drivers would not be allowed to send or read text messages on mobile phones under legislation that cleared the Indiana House on Tuesday.
House panel backs cuts to jobless benefits
An Indiana House committee split along party lines to approve a bill that would cut jobless benefits for some people starting next year as the state tries to fix its insolvent unemployment insurance system.
Committee explores ways to reduce government
Charging not-for-profits for government services, eliminating certain paper records and trimming how much counties pay to mental-health institutions are among the ways local officials say the cost of government could be reduced.
State’s unemployment rate declines to 9.5 percent
The decline marks the third straight month that Indiana’s unemployment rate has fallen, but private-sector jobs actually dropped in December.
Arizona-style immigration bill slated for hearing
The proposal from Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel would require police to ask for proof of citizenship or immigration status if they had a reasonable suspicion that a person is illegally in the country.
State lawmakers to take on unemployment insurance
Businesses with a history of laying off employees would pay more in unemployment insurance costs, and workers in industries where layoffs occur regularly would receive lower benefits under a bill Indiana lawmakers are preparing to take up.
State House exempts bars from smoking ban bill
Casinos were already exempt from the proposal, but on Monday the House voted 56-33 to also exempt bars that don't allow anyone under age 21 to enter.
City offers another parks facility for lease
Indy Parks & Recreation officials on Monday issued a request for proposals from entities interested in leasing the Riverside Marina facility near 30th Street and White River Parkway.
Some big bills on back burner in Indiana Legislature
Three weeks into Indiana's legislative session, Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma is touting the hard work being done on major issues. Democratic House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer contends the session is off to a slow start.
Dry Indiana tourist town fights alcohol permit
A Gas America store has applied for a permit to sell warm beer and wine in the largely Amish, northeastern Indiana town of Shipshewana.
Bayh joins N.Y. private equity firm
The Indiana Democrat has joined New York’s Apollo Global Management as a senior public policy adviser.
Michigan City snack-food baker adding up to 100 jobs
Hearthside Food Solutions says it will invest $3.8 million to expand its operations and hire new workers. The company bakes snack foods for such brands as Keebler, Nabisco and Kraft.
Vote on North of South project’s bond financing delayed
The city’s Economic Development Committee, which was set to vote on the downtown project’s $98 million bond financing package on Tuesday, chose to wait until February after making a few changes.
Legislators put vote center bill on fast track
Indiana lawmakers are moving quickly to advance an election bill that would allow any Indiana county to create centralized vote centers to replace traditional neighborhood polling precincts.
City push on building codes draws gripes
A vigorous effort by city officials to enforce building-safety codes has some concerned that it’s becoming tougher to revitalize older properties.
Class size takes back seat in education debate
In his State of the State address, Gov. Mitch Daniels called class size “virtually meaningless” in determining which kids succeed.
Legislation seeks RFP option for selling state land
The bill would allow the Indiana Department of Administration to sell real estate using a request for proposals, in addition to existing options for competitive bids or an auction.