Lawmakers preview property tax policy at legislative conference
Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Chair Travis Holdman, R-Markle, said his caucus is ready to introduce between 12 and 15 bills that will affect property taxes.
Legislature
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Soaring Medicaid expenses foreshadow tough decisions but Braun says he won’t cut program access
Lawmakers are holding their collective breath in anticipation of Dec. 17 forecasts for tax receipts and Medicaid needs that will determine how they’ll proceed with writing the state’s next two-year budget and funding priorities like education.
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Governing bodies tussle over control of Indiana State Fair
Contention over who runs the Indiana State Fair emerged during the legislative session in a spat about fair date language added, removed and re-inserted into a proposal in the hours before the session’s end.
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Gaming commission funding throttled by lawmakers in late-night move
A feud between the General Assembly and the Indiana Gaming Commission escalated late Friday when lawmakers approved language blocking the commission from getting more money without their approval.
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Indiana wholesalers fight over surging ready-to-drink cocktail market
Beer wholesalers want the ability to sell liquor-based ready-to-drink cocktails in Indiana, an increasingly popular line that liquor and wine wholesalers want to keep for themselves.
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Articles
State lawmakers hint at road funding changes
In a final report, the task force found that improvements to Indiana’s road and bridge network should be paid by those who benefit from the network “in proportion to their use.”
Democrats replace embattled Sen. Greg Taylor with new caucus leader
The move comes just a day after The Indianapolis Star published a new round of allegations from women who say Taylor sexually harassed them—accusations the Indianapolis Democrat vehemently denied.
A Medicaid study committee made no recommendations this year—despite a funding shortfall
A year the Holcomb administration revealed a shortfall in the state’s Medicaid program of nearly $1 billion, lawmakers will start working in January to piece together legislation that at least in part deals with the second-largest and fastest-growing item in the state budget.
New coalition seeks to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs in Indiana
The coalition is a state branch of the national nonprofit Right to Start, which advocates for laws that provide tax breaks, provide procurement dollars and reduce regulations for startups and small businesses.
Braun, think tank join forces to chart conservative path
Not-for-profit Hoosiers for Opportunity, Prosperity & Enterprise seeks to become a major player in Indiana’s political ecosystem by developing a framework of conservative policy that lawmakers can deploy at the Statehouse.
Noblesville, Westfield lead the effort for sports district changes
The cities are set to ask state lawmakers to change the rules that govern how and when cities can benefit from taxes generated by sports-related projects.
Hogsett prepares to again seek changes to state road-funding formula
But some city-county councilors are so tired of waiting on the Legislature to act that they are suggesting exploring city-based solutions.
Business groups await more details, urge caution on Braun property tax plan
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun’s lack of particulars on his property tax relief plan for homeowners has raised concerns that the tax burden could be shifted to business and agricultural property owners.
Veteran groups join forces to push for legalization of electronic pull-tab gambling
The “Big Four” veteran organizations are forming the PlayIN for Charity alliance, which will advocate for enabling legislation in 2025.
Water issues, pipeline play into Statehouse leader’s primary loss
Rep. Sharon Negele, R-Attica, said voters didn’t think she’d done enough to ensure local officials could stop projects related to water and solar that they didn’t like.
Indy Statehouse primaries: Open seat draws four GOP candidates; Democratic incumbents face challengers
U.S. Rep. Greg Pence’s decision to not seek reelection started a domino effect: State Rep. Mike Speedy decided against running for reelection and four Republicans threw their hats into the ring to take his place.
La Keisha Jackson wins caucus to represent Senate District 34
Jackson, a city-county councilor of 10 years and a not-for-profit CEO, will finish out Sen. Jean Breaux’s term. Democrats will hold a second caucus to determine who will fill Breaux’s place on the November ballot to serve the next four-year term.
Democratic lawmaker to seek judicial changes after sentence in IMPD officer’s death
State Rep. Mitch Gore, who is a captain at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, said he would explore “all legislative remedies” to address what he said is a sentence that is too lenient. A Republican committee chair said he’s open to legislative proposals that come out of the case.
Black legislative caucus plans town halls statewide
The 13-member caucus billed the six events as opportunities for Hoosiers to learn more about legislation passed in the most recent session and to “provide feedback and input” ahead of next year’s budget-writing session.
Law regulating AI usage in elections takes effect
The law requires that candidates include a disclaimer when a political ad includes the use of generative AI, and it creates a path for legal action when candidates believe they are misrepresented.
Bill limiting land buys by ‘foreign adversaries’ goes to governor
Some critics worry the bill would compromise economic development deals in the works, but it passed easily.
Additional options for spending work-based learning funds approved by Indiana lawmakers
The final draft allows students to use up to $625 from annual CSA grants to pay for training for a driver’s license with an employer match.
Here are the education bills approved by the 2024 Indiana legislature
Stricter rules on school attendance, reading proficiency, and cellphone use in the classroom will affect Indiana students and schools beginning next year under legislation passed in the General Assembly’s 2024 session.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill defining antisemitism, with compromises
The final version accepted by both the House and Senate chambers made concessions in language that was opposed by critics of Israel.