House sends redistricting bill to Senate after changes
The bill passed 77-20 after amendments meant to make the process as independent as possible and require a unanimous vote of the commission to pass the maps. Democrats offered both amendments.
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Bosma moves marriage bill to elections committee
House Speaker Brian Bosma said he heard over the weekend from a majority of the members of the Republican caucus who said they wanted a chance to vote on the amendment, which would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
City close to maxing out $7.3M snow-removal budget
The city spent about 70 percent of its annual budget on just the first 10 days of the year. With the Department of Public Works’ Indy Snow Force scheduled to work on the latest snowfall through 11 p.m. Tuesday, the city is nearing its cap.
Councilor gives panhandling proposal more time
The sponsor of a panhandling ordinance plans to pull it from City-County Council consideration for a second time Tuesday night. Councilor Jeff Miller said he’ll reintroduce it in February with easier-to-understand language.
Design of new downtown fire station to get first review
Construction of the new fire station on East 10th Street would help clear the way for a $43 million apartment and retail project on Massachusetts Avenue where the Indianapolis Fire Department’s headquarters now stands.
Business tax cuts take next step at Statehouse
A Senate committee voted Tuesday to eliminate Indiana’s property tax on equipment for small businesses and further cut the state's corporate income tax.
Foes of $25M Broad Ripple project go to court
The local group wants a judge to overturn the city’s decision to grant zoning variances for the apartment-and-retail project. In the meantime, developer Browning Investments is moving forward with its plans.
Prescription could be required to buy cold medicine
Over-the-counter medications for common colds and allergies could become more regulated under a Indiana House bill introduced last week.
Obamacare small-biz plan lags as employers stand pat
Greeted by higher premiums, less generous coverage and more paperwork, small businesses are choosing to renew existing health plans rather than buy them through President Barack Obama’s program.
Indiana joins Feds in reviewing merger of Sysco, US Foods
Sysco, with annual revenue of about $44 billion, is the top operator in the U.S. food distribution business. Adding No. 2 US Foods would create a corporation in charge of at least a quarter of the North American market.
Five questions: Indiana treasurer ponders course for yield rise
Richard Mourdock, a 62-year-old geologist and former coal-mining exec in his second term as Indiana treasurer, discusses his approach to managing $7 billion in state funds.
Proposal would expand public-private partnerships
Under Senate Bill 225, authored by Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, private firms may be able to build, abolish, or repair state facilities – and also operate them.
GOP bill would spend $400M on highway projects
The bill would give the State Budget Committee the authority to transfer $400 million from the Major Moves Trust Fund to the state’s main highway fund.
Bosma ‘exploring options’ for marriage amendment
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said he’s considering ways to move a constitutional same-sex marriage amendment out of committee and onto the House floor. He said an internal poll found 80 percent of voters want to cast a ballot on the issue.
Bill would bolster Hoosier homegrown products
House Bill 1039 – approved unanimously Thursday by the Agriculture and Rural Development committee – is meant to bolster a program that brands Indiana-grown produce and meat.
GOP sheriff candidate ramps up fundraising
This is a bit of an off year for local politics, but there may be a real race for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, based on early fundraising by GOP candidate Emmitt Carney.
Indiana House OKs early childhood education pilot program
Under the program, families earning less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level would get state aid to send their children to preschool.
U.S. Attorney Hogsett ends mayoral run speculation
The former Indiana secretary of state said he intends to remain in his position as the top federal prosecutor for much of the state through 2016.
Jilted dental patients get $543K in restitution from state
Nearly 300 former patients of Allcare Dental & Dentures have received refunds of upfront payments they made before the national dental chain abruptly closed multiple Indiana locations in 2011.
U.S. Senate ready to send $1.1T spending bill to Obama
The Democratic-controlled Senate planned to give final congressional approval to the immense spending measure, possibly as early as Thursday. The Republican-run House passed the package Wednesday in a lopsided 359-67 vote.