GOP pushes budget plan, contentious issues
Lawmakers have reached the midway point of the General Assembly's four-month session, during which they’ve moved legislation on school funding, casinos, education oversight and religious objections.
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Bill would put bigger burden on cities seeking annexations
Supporters say the only way a city should be able to annex property is if the majority of landowners agree. Opponents, though, are worried legislators are gutting a key tool that municipalities use for growth and economic development.
Anti-crime bills imposing longer sentences advance to House
Indiana prosecutors and law enforcement officials are backing a package of anti-crime bills that would impose harsher sentences for violent offenders.
Two counties to decide on plan for Indiana Toll Road
Authorities in two northwest Indiana counties are scheduled to decide over the next several weeks whether to proceed with a proposal to lease the Indiana Toll Road after the Australian-Spanish consortium that leased it went bankrupt.
Republicans pledge to fight FCC’s web rules backed by Obama
Republican lawmakers pledged to try to overturn net-neutrality rules adopted Thursday by U.S. regulators, as a long-running battle over the handling of Internet traffic shifts to Congress and the courts.
UPDATE: FEMA suspends hazard mitigation funds for Indiana
Federal officials have frozen about $5.5 million in hazard mitigation grants for Indiana in response to unresolved compliance issues with a baseball stadium project in Kokomo.
Pence not saying exactly where he stands on gambling bill
Gov. Mike Pence has been firm that he doesn’t want an expansion of gambling operations in the state. But he has not been clear about what he means by “expansion.”
Pence, legislators open to ditching ISTEP for cheaper alternative
Two bills already have passed the Senate that push the state in the direction of a national test.
Debate on cold medicine prescriptions lingers
Lawmakers involved in the debate over how to curb Indiana's methamphetamine problem say a bill that would require drug felons to get a prescription before buying common cold medicine is likely just another step toward an eventual prescription requirement for all consumers.
State park nears deal to acquire GM land for concert venue
The White River State Park intends to buy part of the former General Motors stamping plant site and might build a concert venue there to replace The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn.
Indiana ports set records in 2014
Ports operated by the state set shipping records last year, according to Ports of Indiana, the quasi-government body that operates ports at Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan, and at Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon on the Ohio River.
State unveils design plans for Bicentennial Plaza
The Indiana Department of Administration unveiled renderings Friday morning of a Bicentennial Plaza that includes an interactive fountain and large sculpture that’s supposed to be reminiscent of a torch flame.
FCC adopts strong new rules in bid for ‘net neutrality’
U.S. regulators invoked broad powers to ensure that Web traffic for all users is treated equally, adopting net-neutrality rules that supporters say will preserve a wide-open Internet and that opponents vow to fight in court.
Senate leader puts fenced-hunting bill on hold
The leader of the Indiana Senate said Wednesday that a bill to legalize and regulate fenced deer hunting will remain in the rules committee he controls until the GOP caucus finds a solution “that’s fair and reasonable.”
Indiana lawmakers taking mid-session break
Members of the House and Senate wrapped up business on Wednesday and are scheduled to return Monday to the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
UPDATE: House votes to allow inland moves for riverboat casinos
The Indiana House has approved a proposal that would permit the state's riverboat casinos to move onto land and allow live dealers for table games at the two horse track casinos near Indianapolis.
Stairmaker moving to Indiana with 180 jobs
American Stair Corp. plans to invest $2.9 million to purchase, renovate and equip a 60,000-square-foot plant. State officials are offering $1.7 million in tax incentives.
House passes stadium bill; Senate leaders says it’s not a priority
The Indiana House approved a bill Wednesday to help fund an $82 million stadium for the Indy Eleven soccer team, but the leader of the Senate said the legislation will not be a priority for that chamber.
Sun King puts proposed $8.8M Fishers brewery on hold
A proposed Sun King Brewing Co. expansion in Fishers has been delayed as the brewer awaits legislation involving barrel limits and sorts through environmental issues at the site.
Senate defeats civics test bill, grapples with ISTEP
Indiana students might be off the hook from a proposal asking they pass a civics test to graduate from high school after a bill to require it was defeated in the state Senate on Tuesday.