Indiana officials projecting big jump in budget surplus
The State Budget Committee on Thursday projected booming growth in Indiana’s budget surplus, setting up a debate during the upcoming legislative session over possible tax cuts.
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State lawmakers eye business tax cuts
House Republican leaders want to reduce the personal property taxes businesses pay on equipment, claiming it is one of the last tax obstacles in recruiting new businesses and spurring growth for businesses already here.
Legislation pits religious freedoms against employer rights
For the past year, Indiana employers have faced the challenge of whether to enforce COVID-19 vaccination mandates on workers who say the vaccines violate their religious beliefs.
Indiana lawmakers to reconvene Nov. 29, look to end COVID-19 orders
Many conservatives have criticized Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb for continuing to extend the monthly public health order, which he has renewed 20 times, although he has signaled he might not to do so again.
State lawmakers preview priorities at Chamber legislative event
Business tax cuts and nixing government-imposed vaccine mandates will be among the legislative priorities for Indiana Chamber of Commerce next year, and top GOP lawmakers mostly appear to be on the same page.
Delta-8 derivative gaining popularity at hemp and CBD shops across Indiana
Despite the state’s long-standing refusal to legalize marijuana, the Delta-8 THC derivative is being sold thanks to a legal gray area that many state officials would rather not talk about.
Q&A: Mike Leppert talks about his debut political thriller
Mike Leppert, a former lobbyist, has written a novel, “Flipping the Circle,” that tells a fictionalized version of efforts at the Indiana General Assembly to create a monopoly for e-liquid vaping products.
Indiana lawmakers could debate sales, business tax changes
House Ways and Means Chairman Tim Brown wants to explore expanding Indiana’s 7% sales tax to services, which potentially could be anything from haircuts to hospital stays, with the aim of lowering the overall sales tax rate.
Could 2022 be the year for marijuana legalization in Indiana?
Eyes will once again be on Indiana to see if lawmakers will loosen the state’s marijuana laws as neighboring states continue to cash in on legal weed.
Conservative lawmaker says leaders drew maps to oust him
Freshman Rep. John Jacob, himself a Republican, says Republican leaders “butchered” his legislative district and redrew it in a way that is designed to deny him re-election.
Two Dems eye candidacy for Indy’s new state Senate seat, expect more competition
Democrat Rep. Justin Moed and former Democratic Senate candidate Ashley Eason have both publicly announced interest in running for the Indiana Senate in a new downtown Indianapolis district.
Q&A: House budget leader Tim Brown reflects on career, possible parting gift
The Crawfordsville Republican spent the past eight legislative sessions as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and suggests he will propose a tax cut for Hoosiers as he departs the legislature in 2022.
Indiana drivers holding cellphones now face stiffer penalties
Violations will now result in four points against a driver’s license, BMV officials said.
As coronavirus surges, GOP lawmakers are moving to limit public health powers
In Indiana and other states, anger at perceived overreach by health officials has prompted legislative attempts to limit their authority, including new state laws that prevent the closure of businesses or allow lawmakers to rescind mask mandates.
Lawmakers, citizens groups gird for redistricting session
The usual gerrymandering is expected this year as the Legislature embarks on the once-a-decade process of redistricting, though public scrutiny is expected to be much greater than in previous years.
Attorneys for Rokita, Holcomb face off in court over governor’s right to sue
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office got its day in court Wednesday to argue why it thinks Gov. Eric Holcomb shouldn’t have been allowed to hire his own attorneys to sue the Indiana General Assembly. A ruling isn’t expected for at least several weeks.
Holcomb said he will not order IU to eliminate its vaccine mandate
Republican lawmakers asked the governor to issue an executive order prohibiting any state university from mandating vaccines that don’t have full U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
Holcomb claims Rokita seeking to expand power of attorney general’s office
As part of his battle with the Legislature over executive powers, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is accusing Attorney General Todd Rokita of creating a legal fiction in order to expand the attorney general’s “authority beyond his statutory duties and powers.”
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.
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.