Eighth state senator decides not to seek re-election
Indiana state Sen. Jim Arnold has joined seven other state senators to announce he or she is retiring or running for another office.
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Indiana House, Senate each pass ISTEP bills
Indiana lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved bills giving teachers and schools a one-year reprieve from being punished for poor student performance on ISTEP exams.
Pence’s $481M road-funding plan clears preliminary hurdle
Gov. Mike Pence’s plan differs sharply with a longer-term plan offered Monday by Indiana House Republicans, who want to raise gasoline and cigarette taxes to boost funding levels for road improvements.
Council fails to overturn Ballard’s veto on pay raises
The motion to overturn the veto failed 14-10, despite pleas from council members who say the body has not had a pay raise in nearly 15 years.
UPDATE: House GOP unveils road-funding plan with tax hikes
Indiana House Republicans are proposing tax increases to cigarettes and gasoline in their road-funding proposal that's an alternative to a rival plan proposed by Gov. Mike Pence.
Pence campaign boosted by $1M from governors group
Records show Gov. Mike Pence’s campaign received the contribution two days before the Dec. 31 deadline. That helped the campaign raise some $3.5 million during the last half of 2015, while Gregg’s campaign collected nearly $2 million.
Bill aims to replace Indiana’s religious freedom law
Indiana lawmakers will consider a proposal that would throw out the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act and replace it with a statute its sponsor says aims to protect six fundamental rights.
Yearly address gives Pence chance to turn political page
Expect a laser-like focus on new jobs, an improving economy and planned infrastructure projects in Gov. Mike Pence’s annual State of the State speech.
Bill targets homeowners in revitalized neighborhoods
An Indianapolis woman is advocating for state legislation that would provide property-tax relief for longtime homeowners in designated distressed areas.
County judicial election system now in lawmakers’ lap
At issue is how to balance the goals of having a qualified, impartial bench while giving voters a meaningful role in the process.
INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE: Will Pence take a stand or take a pass on LGBT rights?
The Republican governor is expected to talk about the controversial issue during his State of the State address on Jan. 12.
Speaker says House roads plan in GOP’s ‘best interest’
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said Gov. Mike Pence and Senate Republicans should embrace a long-term road-funding plan that increases taxes on smokers and motorists.
Bill would protect sexual orientation, punt on gender identity
A GOP state senator has filed a bill that would provide discrimination protections for gay, lesbian and bisexual people, but bows to concerns some have about transgender rights.
Survey: U.S. progress on health insurance stalled in 2015
The share of U.S. adults without health insurance was 11.9 percent in the last three months of 2015, essentially unchanged from the start of the year, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.
New bid planned to end Indiana’s Sunday alcohol sales ban
Indiana House Public Policy Chairman Tom Dermody of LaPorte said he's working on a bill legalizing Sunday sales that he expects to file next week.
Lawmakers considering overhaul of Indiana BMV fees
Indiana’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles would see its fee structure simplified under a bill being considered following an audit last year that found the agency had overcharged motorists more than $60 million since 2013.
Influential senator, health advocate Miller to retire
Indiana Sen. Patricia Miller, who has represented the southeast portion of the Indianapolis area for 34 years, has served as chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services since 1993.
UPDATE: State education panel leader wants to re-score ISTEP
Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, said he wants to hire a contractor to re-score the 2015 ISTEP test, which he calls a “disaster.” Meanwhile, the House education committee approved a measure sparing teachers from having their performance pay reduced as a result of the scores.
LGBT rights loom as lawmakers set other priorities
While leaders for the GOP majorities in both chambers discussed an array of policy priorities, they had much less to say about the debate over adding discrimination protections for lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people to state law.
Legislative leaders back money for third Regional Cities grant
Republicans who control the Indiana Senate are supporting a request from Gov. Mike Pence for an extra $42 million toward the new state grant program. And House Speaker Brian Bosma says it will likely pass.