Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday morning announced his 2021 legislative agenda, which largely focuses on continuing projects and programs his administration has already been pursuing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Republican leaders are confident the General Assembly can meet safely and still let the public have input, but Democrats are skeptical.
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.
Democrats support requiring lawmakers to wear masks while conducting state business, but Republicans say masks should remain a recommendation only.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Republican state lawmakers seeking reelection in the northern suburbs are campaigning significantly more this year than in previous elections.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
