Races to watch in the 2016 primary
The ballots are set for the 2016 primary in Indiana and a few lawmakers will face challengers in their primaries.
Government
Articles
January jobs report filled with positive economic news
Employers raised pay, more people felt confident enough to look for work, and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.9 percent, its lowest level since 2008.
UPDATE: Nightingale CEO claims state retaliated for report of ‘racially tinged’ remarks
The home-health firm’s lawsuit alleges state officials discriminated against the company and CEO Dev Brar when they conducted inspections that led Medicare to terminate payments to the company.
UPDATE: Whitcomb remembered for ‘life of courage, service, adventure’
Edgar Whitcomb, a Republican small-town lawyer from southern Indiana who served as Indiana governor from 1969 to 1973, died Thursday at 98.
Indiana Senate’s Republican leader faces primary challenger
A Fort Wayne educator emerged Thursday as a GOP primary challenger to Senate President Pro Tem David Long, who has faced criticism for championing a bill that would have extended civil rights protections to lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE: Bills would mean big bucks for local government
Indiana lawmakers are debating ways to give money back to local governments—money that already belongs to cities, towns and counties but the state has been holding in reserves.
Senate bets on fantasy sports, sends regulatory bill to House
The bill’s author, Sen. Jon Ford, R-Terre Haute, said his bill is about providing consumer protection and transparency to the tens of thousands of Hoosiers who spend money on the games.
Plan to change teacher pay, pensions passes after debate
A bill that would create a path for teachers to try to negotiate extra pay and manage their own pension funds passed the Indiana House on Wednesday despite passionate opposition from Democrats and others.
Lawmakers pass meth-fighting bills that empower pharmacists
Indiana lawmakers passed similar, competing bills Wednesday aimed at giving pharmacists the ability to prevent methamphetamine cooks from buying pseudoephedrine.
Senate approves road-improvement funding bill
The Indiana Senate has endorsed a proposal backed by Gov. Mike Pence that aims to boost highway funding by drawing down the state's cash reserves and borrowing money.
House OKs changes to liquor permitting for state parks
Indiana state parks would be able to bypass local liquor authorities and allow on-site vendors to serve alcohol despite objections from local residents under a bill advancing in the Legislature.
Indiana business community fears fallout from gay rights failure
"Indiana's economic competitiveness and the Hoosier brand have potentially been compromised again," said Indiana Competes, a business coalition that includes Cummins Inc., Eli Lilly and Co. and the NCAA.
Indiana House backs bill to limit state environmental rules
The Indiana House has approved a bill that would prevent state agencies from enacting environmental rules tougher than those imposed by the federal government.
Lawmakers advance alcohol bills for Indy 500, suburban counties
The House passed legislation Tuesday that would provide more alcohol permits for Hamilton and Boone counties, while the Senate passed a bill to let the Indianapolis Motor Speedway sell carry-out bottles of commemorative booze.
House approves cigarette, gas tax increase for road funds
Indiana residents would pay more for gasoline and cigarettes but less in state income taxes under a bill the House approved Tuesday.
Indiana Toll Road to undergo $200M in improvements
The Indiana Toll Road Concession Co. announced Tuesday the work will be done on a 70-mile section of the Toll Road from Portage to Elkhart. The work will include new asphalt, work on interchanges, shoulder replacement and work on 53 bridges.
Gay-rights bill dies after author withdraws legislation
The Indiana Senate won’t act on a controversial bill meant to extend some civil rights to gay and lesbian Hoosiers, effectively killing the legislation for the session.
Senate passes legislation to help farmers by cutting tax bills
Senate Bill 308, which is now headed to the House for consideration, would reduce the total assessed value on agricultural land by an estimated $4.2 billion for taxes paid in 2018 and $8.9 billion for 2019.
House moves bill to require explanation for school aid
House Bill 1330, authored by Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, would require the Indiana Department of Education to make available to schools the formula it uses to calculate federal poverty aid. Four other education bills advanced Monday.
U.S. House passes bill to shelter munis from threat of bank rule
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill by a voice vote that would force banking regulators to classify investment-grade municipal bonds as liquid assets. The bill was written by Rep. Luke Messer, an Indiana Republican.