Worry rises over future of HIP 2.0 insurance program
Indiana hospitals are bracing for congressional action that could mean deep cuts in Medicaid, which funds the state’s popular health insurance program for low-income adults.
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Planned Parenthood challenging new Indiana abortion parental consent law
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky has filed a lawsuit challenging portions of Senate Enrolled Act 404, which in part requires unemancipated minors to obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian before having an abortion.
Holcomb faces deadline on divisive energy, alcohol bills
Thus far, the Indiana governor has refused to detail any action he may take, saying he was “still reviewing” them and “looking at every angle.”
Holcomb vetoes public records search-fee bill
In his only veto so far this Legislative session, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb shot down a bill that would have allowed public agencies to charge a fee if a public records request took longer than two hours to complete.
Lawmakers approve new Marion County judicial selection process
The previous system had been thrown out by a federal appeals court in 2015 as unconstitutional, and Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore David Long said it was the Legislature’s responsibility to replace it.
Bill to close cold beer loophole approved
The bill sets such a high bar that Jay Ricker, who started selling carryout cold beer at two of his Ricker’s convenience stores, says he will have to stop sales by April 2018.
Legislature passes vaping overhaul that removes controversial security firm scheme
The bill is now in Gov. Eric Holcomb’s hands and awaits his signature or veto.
Bill allowing governor to choose state schools chief heads to Holcomb’s desk
The bill adds in requirements that the governor appoint someone who has lived in the state for two years and meets educational qualifications.
Divisive solar-power bill heads to governor
Critics say the legislation will discourage the use of residential solar and hamper the solar industry in Indiana. But supporters say it will help protect consumers who don’t have solar.
Governor says ATC followed the law letting Ricker’s sell cold beer
Holcomb said it’s up to the General Assembly to decide whether the law should be tweaked but he provided legislators no direction.
Holcomb: State won’t seek new bidder to replace failed Agile cell tower deal
The state will instead pursue individual leases of state cell towers.
Indiana Senate to once again vote on schools superintendent bill
The Indiana Senate is set to consider a bill that makes the state superintendent of public instruction an official appointed by the governor instead of elected by voters—despite voting against a similar bill earlier this session.
Funding for state archives building may have to wait until 2019
Advocates of constructing a new archives building say the current location, on East 30th Street, is falling into disrepair and that the situation is getting dire.
UPDATE: House GOP budget raises cigarette tax while funding some of Holcomb’s wish list
Raising the cigarette tax by $1 per pack would help pay for Medicaid spending and tobacco-cessation programs—and would help patch the $300 million annual hole in the budget created by the House’s road-funding plan.
Indiana Senate votes to override two Pence vetoes
The Indiana Senate has followed the House’s lead and voted to override two bills that former Gov. Mike Pence vetoed last year. The Senate’s votes Tuesday mean the bills become law.
State seeks new funding for Pence’s bicentennial projects
The dilemma comes after Gov. Eric Holcomb said Thursday he would terminate a tentative deal to lease the state’s cellphone towers for potentially $260 million over 50 years.
Holcomb cancels Pence’s $260M cell tower contract
The Pence administration in September said it had agreed to lease the state’s existing cell towers to help the state fund its bicentennial projects and expand broadband capacity.
Lawmaker drops pay-hike push for governor, others
An Indiana lawmaker has decided to withdraw his proposal that would’ve given a big pay increase to the governor and other top elected state officeholders.
UPDATE: Indiana lawmaker proposes big pay increase for governor, others
The measure by Republican state Sen. Randy Head comes as legislators are considering a tax increase to fund infrastructure projects.
Holcomb opts for team of veterans
All but a handful of the nearly 50 agency heads, cabinet members and key staff members Holcomb has selected worked in either the Daniels or Pence administrations—or both.