Bosma names Dermody new public policy chairman
Dermody, a Republican from LaPorte, will replace Jim Davis, who left the Indiana Legislature to become the director of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
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Indy committee advances new panhandling proposal
An Indianapolis City-County Council committee has approved a proposal that would ban panhandling and other forms of begging near bank entrances, ATMs and other specified areas.
Same-sex marriage battle could focus on language
The success of a sparsely-worded constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage could hinge on whether lawmakers remove a key sentence expanding its reach, House and Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday.
Local law firm reaps $6.3M in fees from BMV class-action suit
Cohen & Malad LLP’s fee represents 21 percent of the $30 million awarded to Hoosier motorists as part of a settlement approved by a Marion Superior Court judge Nov. 12. The BMV was accused of overcharging for driver’s licenses.
Pence asks to meet with Sebelius over HIP expansion
Pence wants to expand Medicaid coverage using some form of the Healthy Indiana Plan, which currently provides insurance to about 40,000 Hoosiers who agree to make monthly contributions to health savings accounts. The Obama administration has questioned that feature of the program.
Schroder named interim commissioner of Indiana BMV
Kent Schroder has served as the BMV chief of staff since June 1 after serving as its chief information officer since 2005.
Preservationists seek expanded tax credit program
Advocates of historic preservation made a pitch Monday for an expanded tax credit program to help developers invest in older buildings – particularly in small downtowns.
Marriage, education fights may crowd 2014 session
House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long detailed their 2014 legislative priorities Monday along with House Minority Leader Scott Pelath and Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane.
Chaotic education board raises ‘Rules’ questions
Amid the chaos and fighting that has become Indiana's Board of Education meetings of late, the question has popped up: Why not follow Robert's Rules of Order?
Pence seeks national group’s help in education fight
Mike Pence asked a national school boards group to step into an ongoing power struggle with Indiana Schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz on Friday, an offer she said was meaningless unless he deals with her directly.
Ex-Indiana schools chief faces ethics complaint
Indiana's top ethics official has filed a complaint against former schools Superintendent Tony Bennett for using state resources for political reasons.
State education board meeting erupts as Ritz walks out
A tug-of-war between Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz and 10 other members of the State Board of Education erupted during a discussion about Common Core curriculum standards, leading Ritz to abruptly adjourn the meeting and leave.
701 Hoosiers choose Obamacare plans at rollout
The administration says fewer than 27,000 people managed to enroll for health insurance last month in the 36 states relying on the problem-filled federal website for President Barack Obama’s overhaul.
Indiana in natural gas dilemma
‘Fracking’ has made natural gas cheap and abundant, but prices could rise with demand, costing consumers.
Hearing draws lively debate on Fishers food-drink tax
The Fishers Chamber of Commerce and some individual business owners are on opposite sides of a debate over imposing a 1-percent food-and-beverage tax to help fund economic development efforts in the town.
Council urges rejection of marriage amendment
The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 22-6 on Monday night to pass a resolution urging the Indiana General Assembly to vote against the proposed same-sex marriage amendment.
Circuit court blocks Obamacare ‘contraception mandate’
Roman Catholic employers – including the owners of an Indiana company – won a Circuit Court ruling Friday blocking the “contraception mandate” contained in Obamacare.
Ritz proposes veterans-to-teacher scholarship program
Veterans could receive scholarships and college credits for their military experience if they pursue K-12 teaching in Indiana under a bipartisan proposal.
Ballard adds name to council’s marriage resolution
City-County Resolution 354, co-sponsored by Democrats John Barth, Angela Mansfield and Zach Adamson, and Republican Benjamin Hunter, will be voted on by the full council Monday.
Election lobbyist chairs Marion County clerk race
Kip Tew, a former Democratic Party chairman and Statehouse lobbyist, is chairing the campaign of Frank Lloyd while also representing Election Systems and Software LLC.