Indy Chamber to push for higher state cigarette tax, expanded pre-K
The business-advocacy organization also said it re-elected board Chairman Dennis Murphy of IU Health and the rest of the board’s executive committee.
Legislature
Articles
IBJ Podcast: Lawmakers in sticky situation making state’s next budget
Host Mason King talks with IBJ Statehouse reporter Lindsey Erdody about what legislative leaders are saying about the budget, which state programs could be on the chopping block and what spending the Republican-majority will prioritize.
COVID puts Legislature in fiscal vise in upcoming budget session
Leaders promise K-12 education will be the top priority, but they also acknowledge that every line item in the spending plan is at risk of cuts.
Memory Bank: The first Statehouse in Indianapolis
The original Statehouse in Indianapolis was designed by architectural firm Town and Davis of New York in a Greek revival style and built in 1835 of brick and wood with a stucco exterior.
Little about the next legislative session will be normal—maybe not even when it starts
Republican leaders are confident the General Assembly can meet safely and still let the public have input, but Democrats are skeptical.
Legislative priorities for tech industry include focus on diversity, inclusion
The Indiana Technology and Innovation Association, which represents more than 100 members from large technology companies and small startups, announced its legislative agenda on Thursday and about a quarter of the items are focused on equity and inclusion.
Indiana lawmakers clash over COVID-19 protocols as 2021 session nears
Democrats support requiring lawmakers to wear masks while conducting state business, but Republicans say masks should remain a recommendation only.
State legislators poised to rap IndyGo for fundraising flop
The transit system has raised just 1% or so of the private funding called for by a state law that helped fund a major expansion of the system.
Indiana legislators not required to wear masks in Statehouse
Members of the Indiana General Assembly will not be required to wear masks while at the Statehouse next week for the ceremonial start to the legislative session and possibly not for the upcoming four-month session scheduled to start in January.
Zody to retire as state Democratic Party chair after GOP rout
John Zody, who has been the party chair since 2013, told reporters on Friday morning that he will finish his term through March and then help the party reorganize its leadership.
Nonpartisan group condemns use of its candidate information in House Speaker Todd Huston ad
Iowa-based Vote Smart issued a statement Wednesday that said Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston is airing an ad that attacks his opponent, Democrat Aimee Rivera Cole, “with information he knows to be false.”
Republicans fight to keep seats in northern suburbs
Republican state lawmakers seeking reelection in the northern suburbs are campaigning significantly more this year than in previous elections.
New law means $4.7M more in tax revenue for Fishers, courtesy of Carmel
Special legislation passed in 2019 that caps Carmel’s income tax revenue growth at 2.5% per year for three years, with any excess transferred to Fishers, was triggered in the first year it could apply.
FBI serves arrest, search warrant at home of former Sen. Brent Waltz
An FBI spokeswoman confirmed the warrants but did not say whether they were related to an earlier federal investigation into a scheme that allegedly funneled corporate contributions to political candidates.
Electric-vehicle subscription service launched in Indianapolis market
The service started by the parent company of Indianapolis Power & Light offers monthly subscriptions that cover use of a car, plus all insurance and maintenance costs.
Governor, House speaker say they’re committed to fully funding schools
But the leader of the Indiana Senate doubles down on his statement that he can’t guarantee full funding for schools that don’t offer an in-person option for students.
Holcomb says he remains confident he can impose mask mandate, despite AG’s opinion otherwise
The Republican governor’s comments came a day after he announced the requirement, which is to take effect Monday, and less than a day after Attorney General Curtis Hill said the governor did not have the authority to enforce a mandate.
Lawmakers start debating possibilities for a virtual or hybrid 2020 legislative session
At issue is how to meet obligations under the Indiana Constitution that lawmakers hold a session in 2021—and meet at the capitol building—as well as the need to let the public participate in the process.
Two senators who asked for AG opinion say they won’t sue to stop Holcomb’s mask mandate
Attorney General Curtis Hill said in an advisory opinion—requested by five Republican senators—that state law doesn’t give the governor specific authority to require face coverings or to create penalties for failing to wear a mask. The opinion came just a few hours after Holcomb said a statewide mask mandate would take effect on Monday.
State could see $3B-$4B revenue shortfall in two-year budget—about 10% of what it planned to spend
Tax revenues for fiscal year 2020 were already off by $1.2 billion by the end of May, an amount that is expected to grow to $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion before the fiscal year ends June 30.