Bill adds oversight to redevelopment commissions
The Indiana House approved a Senate bill that adds transparency to redevelopment commissions and forces decades-old tax-increment financing districts to expire.
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House sends industrial hemp bill back to Senate
The Indiana House approved a bill Monday that would allow farmers to grow hemp – a non-intoxicating cousin of marijuana – if the federal government lifts restrictions on the crop.
Mass transit bill headed to conference committee
The Indiana House passed legislation to authorize new taxes for an expanded bus system but the bill is headed to a conference committee where lawmakers will try to find a compromise on the issue.
Committee urges hiring commitment for $81M MSA tower project
A City-County Council committee recommended approval for the 28-story building but only if the developer pledges that 30 percent of the workers it hires to build the tower live in Marion County.
Police, FBI investigate Elwood mayor’s campaign spending
The treasurer of Elwood Mayor Ron Arnold’s campaign committee said he’s been questioned by state and federal officers about Arnold’s expenditures for out-of-state travel and personal bills.
Legislation would allow ads on public school buses
The bill, approved by the Indiana Senate 49-0, would allow advertising on school buses in two Indianapolis neighborhoods and a school district just north of the city.
Campaign money offer exposed in Indiana gay marriage fight
A former state Republican Party chairman’s pledge to provide campaign cash to protect House members who were considering voting against a constitutional gay marriage ban offers a rare look at the private power game that plays out at the Statehouse.
Indiana one of many states aiming to limit tanning
Lawmakers' efforts to crack down on the use of Indiana tanning beds this year are part of a national push to limit young people's exposure to risks that include skin cancer.
Fourth quarter economic growth rate revised much lower
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.4-percent annual rate last quarter, sharply less than first thought, in part because consumers didn't spend as much as initially estimated. For all of 2013, the economy grew at a lackluster 1.9 percent.
Bill to help some teachers repay loans advances
Certain students who go on to teach science, math or special education in Indiana could get up to $9,000 to pay off loans if a legislative proposal becomes law.
State lawmakers advance roads, education measures
Indiana lawmakers advanced a wide range of measures Thursday as they headed into the final two weeks of their 2014 session, setting up last-minute negotiations on everything from road funding to education.
Ballard outlines list of initiatives in annual ‘state of’ address
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, in his annual State of the City address Thursday night, went through a checklist of potential projects while exhorting citizens to become ambassadors for the city.
IndyGo unveils design of $20M downtown transit center
Construction of the hub, which Mayor Greg Ballard noted Thursday in his annual State of the City address, is set to begin this fall with completion expected by the end of 2015.
Analysis casts doubt on revenue projection for soccer stadium
The Indy Eleven soccer team would generate just $2 million to $4 million a year in ticket sales, a fraction of the $51 million that owner Ersal Ozdemir has estimated a new downtown stadium would generate including non-soccer events, according to an independent analysis.
Indiana Senate panel approves welfare drug tests
The current version of the measure is far less sweeping than what supporters originally sought. The measure approved Thursday would only apply to welfare recipients who had previously been convicted of a drug crime.
Indiana House backs tossing national school standards
The Indiana House voted 67-26 Thursday to nix the Common Core school standards currently in place.
Pence continues pitch for preschool voucher plan
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence spent Wednesday morning highlighting the work of an Indianapolis preschool as he made a final pitch for an early education voucher plan that has foundered in the Legislature.
Indiana House OKs bill to end efficiency program
The bill's author, Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, said he's going to take the next few days to review the House's changes before determining whether to ask the Senate to approve it or send the bill to a conference committee to restore its original wording.
Modified hemp legalization bill moves to full House
The legalization of the production of industrial hemp is a step closer to reality in Indiana after the House Agricultural Committee passed an amended bill Tuesday.
Pence makes last-ditch push to salvage preschool proposal
Pence is heading to the Shepherd Community Center to highlight his request that the state provide vouchers for children from low-income families to attend preschool.