State lawmaker apologies for ‘fat women’ meme
An Indiana state senator regrets an “offensive” message about women who attended the Women’s March on Washington, but says he doesn’t know how it was posted to his Facebook account.
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Bill alarms solar-power advocates
Critics say the bill would effectively wipe out a key financial incentive for homeowners and businesses to install rooftop solar systems and windmills.
Holcomb: Too many Hoosiers unprepared for jobs of the future
In his first State of the State address, Gov. Eric Holcomb stressed the importance of growing the state’s economy through increasing the skills of existing workers.
Lawmakers hear bill to establish ‘hemp oil registry’ for seizure patients
One of the bill’s author said it is designed to help parents who are “up against a wall,” and he stressed that it should not be confused as a first step to medical marijuana legalization in the state.
State lawmakers seek to press forward with balanced budget amendment
Republican legislators are considering taking the next step toward adding a balanced budget amendment to the Indiana Constitution, despite claims it’s unnecessary.
Bosma urges Holcomb to get behind tax hike for Indiana roads
Speaker Brian Bosma said it was "important" for the governor to vocalize his support and convince voters that it is important for the Legislature to raise revenue through increased gas taxes or vehicle fees.
Holcomb seeks $10M to attract more nonstop flights
Gov. Eric Holcomb is pushing a plan aimed at attracting new nonstop and direct flights to and from the Indianapolis International Airport.
Holcomb seeks $2 million per year to provide free training for high-demand jobs
The plan to skill up Indiana’s adult workforce could help prepare the state to fill an estimated 1 million jobs by 2025, most of which will be openings created by the impending retirements of baby boomers.
New scholarship for teaching garners interest from students
The $7,500 annual scholarship will cover about one-third of costs at a public college in Indiana beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year. The median cost in a public college in Indiana is $21,000 per year.
Holcomb’s budget plan modestly boosts funding for Indiana schools
Democrats say it’s not enough, particularly in its failure to expand state-funded preschool to more counties.
Preschool advocates urge ‘aggressive’ action from lukewarm lawmakers
Preschool advocates want the Indiana Legislature to spend $50 million a year to expand the state’s pilot program. So far, lawmakers seem cool to that idea.
State’s dubious vaping law to get big overhaul
Sen. Randy Head of Logansport said he will file a bill to “stop the monopoly” that was created by legislation passed in 2015 and amended in 2016, which essentially put one private security firm in charge of deciding which firms could manufacture the “juice” used in e-cigarettes sold in Indiana.
Holcomb calls to use $500M fund from Toll Road lease to fund entrepreneurship
Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb, who announced his legislative agenda Thursday, has roughly the same idea as Gov. Mike Pence when it comes to investing in early-stage Indiana companies, but wants to pay for the plan through a different fund.
House Republicans’ road plan includes gas-tax increase, user fees
The proposal calls to raise three taxes and implement new user fees. House Speaker Brian Bosma said he expects the plan to cost most Hoosiers about $4 per month.
Indiana lawmakers set to kick off annual legislative session
The Senate will gavel in for this year's session at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The House will gavel in Wednesday at the same time.
Critics want tighter restrictions on post-legislative work
The fact that two just-retired Indiana legislators are both already legally working for lobbying groups is leading some to question whether the state’s ethics laws are strict enough.
Indiana bill seeks to eliminate requirement for gun permits
Gun rights advocates view the upcoming legislative session as their best bet to get rid of an Indiana law that requires a license to carry handguns.
State senator proposes casino for Terre Haute
Legislation to put a casino in one, specific location would be tough to pass. Lawmakers from Gary have tried for years to move one of its riverboat casinos inland and a previous proposal to move part of Rising Sun’s gambling operations to Indianapolis found a skeptical response.
Powerful former Sen. Larry Borst dies
Borst served 36 years in the Senate representing southern Marion County and northern Johnson County. For more than three decades, he was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the panel through which the budget and all tax legislation had to pass.
Legislature served smorgasbord of taxes, tolls, fees as road funding options
An increase in state gas taxes, tolling and a vehicle fee are among many possibilities suggested by a task force to pay for road improvements expected to cost as much as $1.2 billion annually.