Senate passes bill to open adoption records
Adoptees born between 1941 and 1994 would be able to access their birth records under a bill passed Thursday by the Indiana Senate.
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INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE: Broad support not enough to save work-share bill
Big business and labor both support legislation that would let companies cut workers’ hours during downturns but let the employees collect partial unemployment. But Gov. Mike Pence’s administration says it would be expensive to implement and so the bill will die.
Senate passes bill regulating fenced-in deer hunting
Hunting preserves have operated unregulated in Indiana since February, after a court ruling that said the Department of Natural Resources overreached when it tried to close one in Harrison County.
UPDATE: Pence signs bills sparing teachers, schools from ISTEP penalties
The measures were given final approval by the full House and Senate on Thursday, checking off a major priority for Gov. Mike Pence and fellow Republicans in the Legislature.
Zionsville’s first-ever elected mayor outlines priorities
Tim Haak left his job in economic development to take on the new full-time position, even though it might not last. Now on his plate: Creekside Corporate Park, traffic reconfiguration and the planned $10 million town hall.
Surgery sidelines lawmaker during General Assembly
Rep. Bob Cherry, R-Greenfield, who is vice chairman of the budget-writing House Ways and Means Committee, said he recently had surgery following a health emergency.
Democrat Dickerson drops out of U.S. Senate race
Political newcomer John Dickerson—a Democrat who previously led The Arc of Indiana—announced Wednesday he has suspended his U.S. Senate campaign because of fundraising challenges.
Bill allowing staffers to carry guns in Statehouse advances
Current state regulations ban deadly weapons from the Statehouse and the nearby state office buildings, while allowing exceptions for police officers, members of the General Assembly and judges.
Poll finds RFRA impacts linger; Visit Indy acts to blunt damage
The survey found that only 45 percent of the 339 meeting decision makers polled agree with the city’s post-RFRA battle cry “Indy Welcomes All.” And a mere 28 percent surveyed agree with the statement “Indiana Welcomes All.”
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.
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.