Holcomb open to special session for unfinished bills
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is leaving open the possibility of calling lawmakers back to the Statehouse after this year's legislative session left several bills unresolved.
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Lawmakers OK workforce system changes, despite complaints
Lawmakers said reforming the state’s muddled workforce development system was a top priority this session. Instead, they ended up bypassing bolder proposals and approving what some say are incremental, bureaucracy-laden changes.
Legislative rundown: Flurry of bills, but not all, advance on final day of session
The Indiana General Assembly's annual session came to a chaotic close as lawmakers blew past their midnight deadline to adjourn with major bills still in play.
Legislature passes cannabidiol oil sales bill amid regulatory concerns
Even as supporters cheered the measure’s passage, some warned that the bill creates burdensome regulation and warned that the legislation could find itself in similar trouble as vaping legislation the Legislature passed two years ago that wound up creating a monopoly.
Koch group adds $4 million to Indiana, Missouri attack ads
The political network backed by billionaires Charles and David Koch is planning to step up its advertising to unseat Democratic Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, who are seen as vulnerable.
Lawmakers don’t act to waive $50M fee in Caesars/Centaur deal
Las Vegas-based Caesars is arguing the costly transfer fee should not be applied to its $1.7 billion deal to acquire Indianapolis-based Centaur Gaming and its racinos in Anderson and Shelbyville.
Council VP seeks to keep new justice center out of private-operator hands
Zach Adamson has proposed an ordinance that “requires the administration and operation of the county jail facilities be non-privatized.”
House rejects GOP bill easing use of unproven drugs
The House rejected legislation Tuesday that would ease how experimental drugs are provided to people with terminal illnesses.
Several issues unresolved as General Assembly nears ending point
Still left to address is legislation involving school safety programs, professional licensing for young immigrants referred to as “Dreamers,” sex education, school takeovers, handgun fees and workforce development leadership.
Manufacturers fear state workforce bill could put $50M from feds at risk
A day away from the end of the state legislative session, the Indiana Manufacturers Association is urging lawmakers to scuttle a workforce development proposal that it contends could put federal funding in jeopardy.
Council gives ‘final attempt at negotiation’ for Nora residents opposed to development
Council member Colleen Fanning said the action gives neighbors another chance to have their say in a redevelopment proposal that could affect what’s been deemed Haverstick Woods.
Indiana lawmakers put finishing touches on gun rights legislation
Law enforcement groups voiced serious concerns about the bill because license fees are a major source of funding for training, including active shooter response training.
Council approves ordinance to crack down on high-crime hotels
Council member Jared Evans, who authored the proposal, said there are 15 hotels in the city with problematic ratios that are resulting in a drain on police and fire resources.
Council unanimously OKs Hogsett plan to spend $14.5M on pothole repairs
Mayor Joe Hogsett called for the use of the emergency funds after tens of thousands of complaints came in about the condition of city streets that had been littered with potholes after a rough winter with rapid changes in weather.
Indianapolis ponders commuter tax to fund road repairs
Indianapolis officials desperate for money to repair roads are considering whether they should try to collect income taxes from suburbanites who don't live in the city but who travel there for work.
State lawmakers take pass on bills aimed at wooing Amazon HQ2
Indiana lawmakers didn’t propose any measures aimed specifically at attracting Amazon’s second headquarters, nor did they pass two bills that might have enhanced central Indiana’s bid.
Indiana governor seeks $5 million boost to school security
Lawmakers allocated $10 million for the first two years of school security grants, but that funding was reduced in 2015 to $3.5 million a year under then-Gov. Mike Pence. He later added several million dollars back.
Rokita to skip televised GOP Senate debate
It’s the first time in the Indiana Debate Commission’s 10-year history that a candidate has declined to participate in one of its debates.
House, Senate agree on workforce changes, but critics say they don’t go far enough
The major change this year is to replace the existing State Workforce Innovation Council with a new board that legislative leaders hope will be smaller and more nimble.
Trump’s trade tariffs to spare Mexico, Canada, possibly others
Unswayed by Republican warnings of a trade war, President Donald Trump ordered steep new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. on Thursday, vowing to fight back against an "assault on our country" by foreign competitors.