Commentary: Record-breaking gain at Statehouse marks tiny change
It took Indiana more than two decades just to add two additional women to its 150 members. Hardly a reason to pop the champagne.
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Legislative Council recommends adoption of sexual harassment policy
The Legislative Council unanimously approved guidelines proposed by its personnel subcommittee to combat sexual harassment at the Indiana Statehouse, but the policy still faces further votes in the House and Senate.
Indiana Senate elects first new leader in 12 years
The Republican-dominated Senate, as expected, elected Sen. Rodric Bray of Martinsville as its president pro tem during the Legislature's Organization Day session on Tuesday.
Indiana biz leader suggests making state attorney general an appointed post
With controversy over Attorney General Curtis Hill still fresh, Indiana Chamber of Commerce CEO Kevin Brinegar on Monday suggested making the AG position appointed instead of elected. Hill said he opposed the idea.
Indiana Chamber’s legislative priorities include issues that recently failed
The statewide business group announced its lobbying agenda Monday—and it includes support for passing a hate-crimes bill and increasing the cigarette tax. Another priority involves the state’s superintendent of public instruction.
Indiana lawmakers draft hate-crime legislation for 2019 session
The draft covers bias-motivated crimes based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry and sexual orientation.
Proposed Statehouse sexual harassment guidelines ‘shockingly dated,’ says law professor
An Indiana employment law professor said the proposed guidelines to combat sexual harassment at the Indiana Statehouse appear to be designed to insulate lawmakers from liability.
After downing Delph, Ford brings new message to Statehouse
This month, in his second try, J.D. Ford toppled state Sen. Mike Delph, the controversial, conservative Republican who had represented the 29th District since 2005.
State programs aimed at cutting energy usage aren’t enough, critics say
Indiana, one of the largest per-capita energy consumers in the nation, ranks 40th among states for energy efficiency, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
House Democrats pick new leader as GOP supermajority remains uncertain
Republicans won 66 of the chamber’s 100 seats on Tuesday, one short of the two-thirds majority that has rendered Democrats totally without power. But the results of one race remain unknown.
GOP statewide officeholders all win re-election
Republicans will maintain control over Indiana’s statewide elected offices, as the GOP on Tuesday easily swept races for secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.
J.D. Ford defeats incumbent state Sen. Mike Delph in district that straddles Marion, Hamilton counties
With two-thirds of precincts reporting, Ford held a 57 percent to 43 percent lead over Delph.
IBJ Podcast: Anti-semitism, hate crimes and Indiana, a conversation with Dennis and Sandy Sasso
Rabbis Dennis and Sandy Sasso discuss the local impact of the massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue, what it might mean for proposed hate-crimes legislation in Indiana, and why they continually return to the question of proper leadership.
Indiana legislators push for school bus cameras after crash
The cameras would be mounted to the outside of buses and would take pictures of drivers who pass when the stop arm is deployed. Law enforcement agencies could then use the pictures to issue charges or citations.
Experts aren’t expecting watershed year for Hoosier Dems
But talk of a “blue wave” of support for Democratic candidates across the country this year has spread hope to even some of the reddest parts of Indiana.
Democratic state lawmaker calls for ethics investigation into Bosma allegations
Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, sent a letter to House Ethics Chairman Greg Steuerwald on Monday that requested the committee investigate whether Speaker Brian Bosma violated House ethics rules “and whether his re-election campaign acted in the ‘best interest of the citizens of the state.’”
Report: Sports betting in Indiana could be $250M business, creating jobs and tax revenue
The report commissioned by the Indiana Gaming Commission recommended that lawmakers take action during the 2019 session, saying the risks of delaying it “clearly outweigh the rewards.”
State study panel makes no recommendation on medical marijuana
Indiana lawmakers listened to more than three hours of testimony Thursday afternoon about whether Indiana should allow for medical marijuana usage but did not come to any consensus on the issue.
Constitutional amendment for balanced budgets on state ballot
The amendment would prohibit the Indiana General Assembly from adopting a budget that spends more than the state earns in revenue.
Indiana hate crimes law study committee makes no recommendation
A committee assigned to study hate crimes legislation decided this week to punt further discussions to the Indiana General Assembly, making no specific recommendation for the 2019 legislative session.