Indy council ratifies COVID orders after Legislature nullifies them with veto override
The Democratic-majority council’s vote—which passed 19-5 along party lines—keeps a citywide mask mandate and restaurant capacity limits in place in Indianapolis.
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Holcomb vetoes bill that would cut power of local health officials
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s veto marks another pushback against fellow Republicans’ legislative efforts to weaken the powers of the governor or others during emergencies such as the pandemic.
Attorney General Rokita asks judge to throw out Holcomb’s lawsuit against Legislature
Todd Rokita says that only he—or an attorney he authorizes—can file a lawsuit on behalf of the state. Plus, he argues that lawmakers can’t be sued during a legislative session.
Businesses applaud Legislature’s ‘wow’ initiatives
State lawmakers came through in big ways for business and manufacturing interests this year.
Governor signs controversial wetlands bill into law
The bill, which scales back protections on Indiana wetlands, had gained support from the Indiana Builders Association, but numerous environmental, conservation and civic groups opposed it.
UPDATE: Indiana’s GOP family feud widens as AG enters fracas over governor’s powers
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Indiana General Assembly and legislative leaders of his own party, challenging the constitutionality of a new law that weakens his emergency powers and was enacted by fellow Republicans over the governor’s veto.
Quiet extension of Indiana legislative session until Nov. 15 draws legal, political scrutiny
Current and former state legislators and a former Indiana Supreme Court justice are raising concerns that a measure to extend rather than adjourn the 2021 legislative session blurs the separation of powers and could have “dangerous” implications for the future.
All eyes on Holcomb’s decision on bill that would allow local officials to overrule health officers
Two of the largest health organizations in Indiana are pleading with Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill they say would hamper the ability of local health officials to respond to emergencies.
UPDATE: IndyGo escapes financial hit from Legislature, but fight is not over
The IndyGo transit system will not have to pay millions of dollars for companies to relocate utility services to make way for new rapid bus lines. That’s because the state senator who proposed the requirement dropped it.
No clear path ahead for large-scale wind, solar projects
Much-debated legislation to boost wind and solar farms in Indiana was thwarted during this legislative session, but a key state lawmaker said Thursday he hopes to revive the issue next year to help meet the growing need for renewable energy.
Lawmakers OK bill to allow local officials to overrule county health departments
With strong support from Republican lawmakers, Senate Bill 5 was characterized by them as a way to inject a system of “checks and balances” into the process of imposing restrictions on citizens and businesses during public health emergencies.
Flush with cash, Indiana leaders boost spending for education, construction
Gov. Eric Holcomb and Republican legislative leaders revealed a revised state two-year budget Tuesday that invests a historic $1.9 billion in additional funding for K-12 education and provides a healthy boost in economic grants and building projects.
Gov. Holcomb signs bill expanding aid to small businesses hurt by pandemic
The program will provide grants of $10,000 per month to small businesses, with a maximum award of $50,000. The funding could reimburse businesses for up to 80% of non-payroll expenses and 100% of payroll expenses between March 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021.
Scrutiny grows over whether officials enforced ‘red flag’ law in case of FedEx shooter
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has not said whether it sought to have Brandon Hole declared a dangerous person after a 2020 incident in which his mother told police he was suicidal. If a court had ruled he was dangerous, state law could have prevented him from buying another gun.
UPDATE: GOP lawmakers override governor’s veto of bill that weakens his emergency powers
The Indiana House and Senate voted to override GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb’s veto of a bill giving legislators more authority to intervene during emergencies declared by the governor. The conflict ultimately may be decided in court.
IndyGo battling another potential financial hit from GOP as Legislature winds down
A Republican senator won initial approval this week for an amendment that would require IndyGo to pay public utilities to relocate utility services to make way for new transit lines, a move that Democrats say goes against standard practice.
Controversial Indiana environmental bills inch near passage
Lawmakers approved two environmental bills Tuesday that critics say could damage the state’s ecosystems by scaling back current policy affecting water, energy and other resources.
Bill to ease approval of wind, solar farms flops, but debate rages on
A strong coalition of renewable energy developers, major businesses and manufacturers could not muster enough support in the Indiana Senate on Tuesday to pass a bill that would have shifted some local control over the siting of wind and solar farms to the state.
Gov. Holcomb vetoes bill curtailing his emergency powers
Holcomb’s fellow Republicans pushed the bill after months of criticism from some conservatives over COVID-19 restrictions the governor imposed by executive order during the statewide public health emergency over the past year.
John Gregg: Holcomb must veto emergency powers bill—and lawmakers should sustain that veto
Because Gov. Eric Holcomb followed the advice of public health experts and instituted a statewide mask mandate in the middle of a global pandemic, a group of his fellow Republicans are now out for revenge.