Legislature tells Holcomb to tackle workforce overhaul
Lawmakers had big plans in 2017 to overhaul a disjointed workforce-development system, but after nibbling around the edges, they have tossed the hardest work to Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Lawmakers had big plans in 2017 to overhaul a disjointed workforce-development system, but after nibbling around the edges, they have tossed the hardest work to Gov. Eric Holcomb.
A provision tucked into Indiana's next two-year budget sets aside funds to pay for an elaborate plaza built outside the Statehouse and upgrades to the state library to mark last year's state bicentennial.
Thus far, the Indiana governor has refused to detail any action he may take, saying he was “still reviewing” them and “looking at every angle.”
Lawmakers passed dozens of bills to Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has already signed most into law.
Although lawmakers OK’d less than half the $50 million annual pledge business leaders wanted for expanding state-funded preschool, they passed a major infrastructure bill that businesses favored.
Observers say the deal is unprecedented for a public research university and leaves unanswered questions about how others in the sector will respond.
In his only veto so far this Legislative session, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb shot down a bill that would have allowed public agencies to charge a fee if a public records request took longer than two hours to complete.
The previous system had been thrown out by a federal appeals court in 2015 as unconstitutional, and Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore David Long said it was the Legislature’s responsibility to replace it.
The new test would be used for the first time in 2019, meaning ISTEP still has one more year of life.
The final version of the bill eschews a proposed $1 per pack cigarette tax increase. But it includes many of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s priorities.
The bill sets such a high bar that Jay Ricker, who started selling carryout cold beer at two of his Ricker’s convenience stores, says he will have to stop sales by April 2018.
The bill is now in Gov. Eric Holcomb’s hands and awaits his signature or veto.
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma says he anticipates the day’s floor session will stretch into early Saturday.
The budget allots $22 million annually for the state’s fledgling pre-kindergarten pilot program—$9 million more than the Senate version of the bill proposed, and more than double the $10 million the program gets now.
The deal—which has the support of both House and Senate leaders—means drivers will pay more at the pump and more when they register their vehicles.
Indiana lawmakers plan to release a broad outline Thursday afternoon of an agreement to raise taxes in order to fund road projects.
The latest version of the bill still needs required signatures from legislative leaders—and it still requires approval from both the House and Senate.
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said the deal hits the "sweet spot" of both chambers' priorities.
Supporters of the bill, which would restrict cities from outright bans on short-term rentals like Airbnbs, have just a few days to bring it up again this year.
The bill adds in requirements that the governor appoint someone who has lived in the state for two years and meets educational qualifications.