Indiana House OKs bill limiting teacher contracts
The Indiana House has approved a bill that would limit collective bargaining agreements between local districts and teachers' unions to only wages and wage-related benefits.
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House panel backs weakened immigration bill
An Indiana House committee has approved a watered-down immigration proposal a day after removing a contentious provision that would have given police officers more latitude to ask people for proof that they are in the country legally.
Analysts: Indiana taking in more money than expected
Analysts told the State Budget Committee on Friday they expect the state to take in some $643.7 million more in fiscal 2012 and 2013 than anticipated in the previous revenue forecast.
UPDATE: Extra tax dollars aimed at full-day kindergarten
A projected increase in state revenue should allow all Indiana school districts to provide full-day kindergarten, a long-time goal of the governor and many education officials.
Indiana Senate panel backs GOP redistricting plan
A Republican-led Indiana Senate committee on Thursday approved a plan for new Senate election districts that Democrats maintain unfairly dilutes black and Hispanic voting strength.
Arizona-style provision removed from immigration bill
The House Public Policy Committee made several changes Thursday to the bill proposed by Republican Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel and could vote on it Friday. The legislation includes tax penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants.
Indiana panels OK teacher merit pay, voucher bills
Two pieces of Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education plan, a voucher plan that would direct taxpayer money to private schools and a merit pay bill that links teacher pay to student performance, cleared key legislative hurdles Wednesday.
Indiana Democrats seek more time with GOP redistricting plan
Outnumbered Democrats in the Indiana House argued Wednesday that the new election districts proposed by Republicans would lead to fewer competitive races and create more solidly GOP seats.
Panel OKs bill linking student tests, teacher pay
Teacher pay would be linked to student performance under a merit pay bill that has cleared an Indiana House committee.
Indiana panel OKs criminal checks on medical workers
Physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, pharmacists and other medical workers would have to undergo a criminal background check when applying for a new state license under a bill approved Tuesday by an Indiana House committee.
Senate OKs plan aimed at expanding charter schools
The Indiana Senate has approved Gov. Mitch Daniels' proposal aimed at expanding charter schools, marking the first piece of the governor's sweeping education agenda to clear both the House and Senate.
Daniels’ plan on sentencing changes appears dead
Daniels had made revamping of the criminal sentencing laws one of his top priorities for this year's legislative session, but lawmakers handling the bill said Tuesday they hadn't been able to reach a compromise and didn't expect more action before the General Assembly's April 29 adjournment deadline.
Gun bill advances without exemption for Indy venues
The Capital Improvement Board, which runs the Indiana Convention Center and the city’s professional sports venues, had hoped to get an exemption to Senate Bill 292, which pre-empts local governments from creating their own rules about where people can carry guns.
Proposal aims to keep students from inadequate teachers
Indiana students wouldn't be stuck with poor-performing teachers for two years in a row under changes House lawmakers are considering to a bill requiring annual teacher evaluations.
Indiana redistricting plan appears to benefit GOP
Republicans who control the Indiana General Assembly on Monday released proposed new maps for the state's nine congressional and 150 legislative districts, which seem to point toward solidifying GOP gains in the Statehouse.
Indiana retailers press for online state sales tax
Indiana's retail lobby urged state lawmakers Monday to pass an online sales tax provision that they said would level the playing field for businesses in the state and raise hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
Plan shifts Indiana GOP areas to Donnelly’s district
The Senate Election Committee on Monday released proposed new district maps for Indiana's nine congressional and 50 state Senate districts.
Indiana lawmakers to consider big education proposals
A House committee is expected to consider Daniels' proposal for teacher merit pay on Monday, and a Senate committee could vote on the Republican governor's controversial plan for private school vouchers on Wednesday.
Mayor’s charter schools director to leave
Karega Rausch will become the Indianapolis director of Stand for Children, an Oregon-based not-for-profit that pushes education reform through grass-roots organizing and legislative lobbying.
Indiana Democrat fighting fines for walkout
Democrats who boycotted the Indiana House for five weeks are receiving smaller stipends because fines incurred during their walkout are being deducted from their checks, but at least one Democrat is fighting the process.