Indiana House advances bill calling for tax on vaping liquids
The Indiana House has endorsed a bill to start taxing the liquids used in electronic cigarettes, but only after the proposed tax rate was cut in half.
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No action coming on Indiana attorney general removal bill
A Republican House committee chairman said now isn’t the time to consider the bill while Attorney General Curtis Hill faces a possible lawsuit over the allegations.
Bill transforming state tourism office clears hurdle in Statehouse
The proposal would turn the Office of Tourism Development into the Indiana Destination Development Corp., a quasi-governmental group that could accept funding from tourism organizations.
Trump calls for investment in artificial intelligence
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize research and development in artificial intelligence.
Gun training for teachers among Indiana GOP firearms bills
Indiana school districts would be able to seek state money to provide gun training for their teachers under a bill endorsed by a legislative committee.
Council panel kills Hogsett’s cap-and-trade idea on digital billboards
The move was a big victory for neighborhood leaders who had been fighting to keep in place the city’s ban on digital billboards.
Council committee advances $38M financing plan for P.R. Mallory site
A nearly $38 million project to transform much of the abandoned P.R. Mallory site on East Washington Street into the home of Purdue Polytechnic High School and other tenants is finally moving forward.
Lawmakers reach deal to avoid shutdown that includes border wall funding
Congressional negotiators announced an agreement late Monday to prevent a government shutdown and finance construction of new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Indy programs tackling homelessness awarded record federal funding
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded nearly $5.6 million to Indianapolis Continuum of Care organizations—a group of social service agencies and not-for-profits that work together to tackle homelessness,
Indianapolis doesn’t instantly revive Amazon pursuit after NYC report
Several cities were quick to renew their courtship of Amazon after a report Friday that the e-commerce giant was reconsidering its plan to open a 25,000-worker H2Q campus in New York City. Indianapolis wasn’t among them.
Election panel won’t probe Bosma’s use of campaign funds
A state election panel won’t investigate Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma’s use of campaign funds to collect information on a woman who says she performed oral sex on the married Republican lawmaker when she was a legislative intern in 1992.
City says it has blown past goal of transforming 2,000 troubled homes
In the two years since the initiative started, the city of Indianapolis has spent $24.3 million—largely in federal funds—to demolish, build or rehab more than 2,500 homes.
Former Starbucks CEO Schultz blasts Trump in Purdue speech
Howard Schultz said Thursday that Trump’s presidency is “one of the most significant security threats America faces in the post-World War II era.”
Democratic hopefuls for City-County Council face concerns over party affiliation
At issue is that counties determine party affiliation in municipal elections by using candidates’ past primary votes—and neither ever has voted in a primary election.
Committee OKs bill that boosts age to buy cigarettes, e-liquids to 21
Senate Bill 425, authored by Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, would also prevent anyone under 18 from entering designated smoking areas in clubs and cigar stores.
Sports wagering, casino bill clears first legislative hurdle
Senate Bill 552, authored by Jasper Republican Mark Messmer and Terre Haute Republican Jon Ford, would allow the casinos in Gary to relocate, accelerate when horse-track casinos could begin offering live table games and legalize sports gambling.
Rokita lands job with Indianapolis health benefits company
Todd Rokita, who represented Indiana’s 4th district from 2010-2018 and served as secretary of state from 2002-2010, has taken a job as general counsel and vice president of external affairs for Apex Benefits.
Local tax prep firm barred from doing business for fraudulent returns
A federal judge says the firm and its owner filed hundreds of fraudulent returns that cheated the government out of more than $1 million in tax revenue.
Group launches $15M loan fund for housing near IndyGo stops
The goal is to preserve or spur development of 1,000 affordable housing units within close distance of an Indianapolis transit stop over the next five years.
Lawmakers consider changes to allow more alcohol permits in growing communities
The omnibus alcohol bill authored by Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, would also create a special alcohol permit for a planned food hall at the Bottleworks development on Massachusetts Avenue.