Bill to drug-test welfare recipients will be back
A proposed law that would require some welfare recipients to undergo drug testing is likely to pass the Indiana House again this year, a key lawmaker said Thursday.
Legislation
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House to take up bill to create redistricting commission
The Republican-controlled Indiana House is set to take up legislation that would give a bipartisan commission the duty of drawing district maps.
Senate bill seeks to cut corporate income and property taxes
The proposal from Republican leaders would make small companies exempt from tax on business equipment, and cleave the state’s corporate income tax to the second-lowest in the nation.
Committee passes ban on tanning for young teens
Commercial tanning beds may soon be off limits to Hoosiers younger than 16 under a bill approved Wednesday by the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.
Microbrews would be available at farmers’ markets under bill
Indiana microbrewers are one step closer to selling their craft beer at local farmers’ markets after a bill passed a Senate committee Wednesday.
House Republicans to push tax cut, preschool
House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, presented an agenda focusing on workforce development – which also included a new focus on college internships, increased funding for roads and highways and the repeal of “burdensome regulations.”
Lawmakers consider state-assisted retirement plan
Senate Bill 66 creates a state-assisted savings plan for retirement. The bill is opposed by the Association of Indiana Life Insurance Companies.
Over 50-plus years, lawyer helped shape modern Indianapolis
George Rubin, one of the principal architects of Unigov, will retire at the end of the year at age 81. As a legislator, he also created the Indiana Uniform Consumer Credit Code.
Analysis: Timing a question for Pence 2nd-year agenda
Republican Gov. Mike Pence and his team are likely to run into time and space constraints if they push a broad agenda during a short session of the General Assembly.
Appeals court upholds Indianapolis smoking ban
The court’s decision denied an injunction request from several bar owners who claimed the 2012 law would have a negative impact on their businesses.
IU Health latest to voice opposition to marriage amendment
IU Health, the state’s fourth-largest employer, said it was opposing a proposed amendment against same-sex marriage for health-related reasons.
Economic concerns top lawmakers’ next session
Indiana lawmakers will be dealing with two broad categories of issues when they reconvene next year: Battles they would gladly take on and those they would rather avoid.
Court sides with state on auto-dial law but orders review
A federal appeals court has ruled that an Indiana law banning most political calls that use automated dialers and recorded messages doesn’t violate federal consumer-protection rules.
Legislative panel passes mass-transit funding plan
The proposal, which would allow counties to impose taxes on corporations and residents to pay for expanded transit, will be fleshed out before the 2014 legislative session, then introduced as a bill.
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.
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.
Emmis, others choose sides in gay-marriage fight
Indianapolis-based media giant Emmis Communications Corp. has joined Freedom Indiana, a group opposed to a proposed amendment banning same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, a Northern Indiana tea party group took a different stance.
IBJ rolls out politics website
The central Indiana business news authority has elevated the idea behind its popular Forefront section and created a website similarly focused on commentary about politics, policy and government.
Gay marriage debate draws in higher education
DePauw University and Wabash College have joined Freedom Indiana, a newly formed organization opposed to Indiana’s proposed same-sex marriage amendment.
Donnelly bill seeks employer role in worker training
Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly told reporters in a conference call Wednesday that his Skills Gap Strategy Act seeks to ensure the Department of Labor has a concerted strategy to address skills-gap issues.