UPDATE: Debate renewed over Sunday alcohol sales
Big-box grocery chains and liquor store lobbyists bickered in front of lawmakers Wednesday over the latest attempt to lift Indiana's longtime ban on Sunday carryout alcohol sales.
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UPDATE: House panel OKs road bill with tax increase
A measure that would finance improvements to Indiana's transportation infrastructure by raising cigarette and gasoline taxes was approved by a House transportation committee Wednesday.
Senate approves $430 million for local road funding
The bill would provide one-time funding from reserve funds that are set aside when the state distributes shares of income taxes to local governments.
Ritz objects to ISTEP re-score measure proposed by GOP
Whether the 2015 ISTEP should be re-scored due to well-documented problems with the roll-out and administration of the exam is once again pitting GOP leaders in the Legislature against Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz.
Lawmaker proposes reforms in how big-box stores are assessed
Indiana lawmakers are making another attempt to settle a dispute between county assessors and retail stores over how to determine the value of newer big-box stores.
Merritt loses job as railroad exec, a role critics called conflict
As chairman of Senate Utilities Committee, Sen. James Merritt supported numerous bills favored by big utilities, the railroad’s biggest customer. Now he’s out of a job.
UPDATE: Pharmacist consultation bill clears senate committee
Indiana pharmacists could get the legal right to refuse to sell a common cold medicine used to make methamphetamine to suspicious customers under a bill a Senate committee approved Tuesday.
Chamber’s Brinegar voices concern over Pence’s LGBT stance
Indiana Chamber of Commerce CEO Kevin Brinegar said business leaders hoped the first-term Republican would use his State of the State address “to close the book on the … issue.”
Lawmakers won’t seek ban on over-counter pseudoephedrine
Indiana legislators are poised to start debates on how to combat growing methamphetamine production in Indiana, but adding a prescription requirement for one of the illegal drug's key ingredients is off the table.
Hogsett replaces 5 of 6 Ballard appointees on CIB
Mayor Joe Hogsett has put his own stamp on the board that owns most of the city’s major sports facilities and oversees its relationship with pro teams.
Foes of ISTEP bill say it doesn’t protect all schools equally
A bill speeding through the Legislature that would give schools relief from last year’s drop in ISTEP scores won’t offer much protection for the state’s most struggling schools.
House speaker: LGBT rights law less likely after Pence speech
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said Thursday that there's less of a chance that the Legislature will approve civil rights protections for gay and transgender people following comments made by Gov. Mike Pence during his annual State of the State address
Bill sparing schools from A-F grade drop sent to House floor
A bill sparing Indiana schools from a drop in A-F grades resulting from this year's sharp decline in student ISTEP scores now goes to the full House for consideration after the chamber's education committee approved it Thursday.
Bill to lift Sunday alcohol sales ban has fewer store rules
A new proposal to lift Indiana's eight decades-old ban on Sunday carryout alcohol sales would impose fewer new restrictions on grocery stores and pharmacies than a bill that failed in the Legislature last year.
Hogsett signals charter school slowdown, focus on traditional public schools
The new Democratic mayor says he supports charter schools but is more interested in quality than quantity.
Mandatory cursive bill advances, but faces hurdles ahead
Senate Bill 73, making cursive mandatory in schools, passed out of the Education and Career Development committee Wednesday with a 6-4 vote.
Bill would weaken protections for homeowners in foreclosure
Banks support proposed state legislation that could prevent Hoosier homeowners from using a settlement process to avoid foreclosure. But the sponsor of a bill with the controversial provision says he will strike it.
BlueIndy car-sharing service surpasses 1,000 memberships
General Manager Scott Prince said adoption "has been stronger than we had hoped." Another 20 charging stations are set to open by the end of February.
House transportation leader: Pence funding plan a ‘gamble’
The condition of Indiana's roads has emerged as a major issue. There is a major division among majority Republicans over how to handle the funding, with Pence and the Senate leaders signaling they are at odds with their counterparts in the House.
Bill to ease limits on handgun permits draws concerns
A proposal to lift Indiana's restrictions on alcohol offenders obtaining handgun licenses would remove one means of protecting victims, an advocate for domestic violence victims told state lawmakers Wednesday.