Indiana lawmakers move forward with bill to ban antisemitism in public education settings
Critics of the proposal maintain it limits free speech and conflates criticism of a foreign government with anti-Jewish rhetoric.
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House committee OKs bill criminalizing AI nudity
The Indiana House Courts and Criminal Codes committee unanimously voted Wednesday to move a bill adding computer-generated nude pictures of real people to Indiana’s revenge pornography statute
Panel advances bill that attempts to bar minors from accessing web porn
Senate Bill 17 would require that “adult-oriented websites” hosting adult content verify a user’s identity before allowing access. That could be by scanning a driver’s license or registering with a third-party verification service.
Few students signed up for career scholarships, as lawmakers look to expand the law
Just over 200 Indiana students received state funding for job training in the first year of the state’s Career Scholarship Accounts program.
House speaker wants public hearing on Mile Square tax
New legislation would repeal language included in the 2023 state budget that gave the city of Indianapolis the authority to create a special Mile Square taxing district to pay for downtown enhancements and a low-barrier homeless shelter.
Holcomb makes workforce push in his final State of the State address
Gov. Eric Holcomb also announced that the Lilly Endowment would provide a $250 million grant to the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to fund projects focused on blight reduction, development and arts and cultural initiatives. It’s the largest single grant in the endowment’s history.
House Republicans to push retiree 13th check, antisemitism bills
Indiana’s House Republican caucus—70 strong—will prioritize legislation boosting retirement benefits for public employees and banning antisemitism in public educational institutions.
Holcomb’s 2024 agenda aims to ease state’s workforce development issues
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday unveiled the final legislative agenda of his two-term tenure, focusing on improving the state’s child care system, addressing falling early literacy levels and raising awareness of the state’s myriad of job-related training programs and tools.
What business interests will be seeking in the 2024 legislative session
Reducing health care costs, pursuing tax breaks and preparing the next generation of Hoosiers for the workforce are among the top priorities of business leaders as state lawmakers return to the Indiana Statehouse Monday for the 2024 legislative session.
IBJ Podcast: Statehouse reporters preview the upcoming legislative session
Managing Editor Greg Weaver talks with two Statehouse reporters—IBJ’s Peter Blanchard and State Affairs’ Kaitlin Lange—about what to expect at the Legislature in the coming weeks.
Meet the new Republican lawmakers in the Indiana General Assembly
It wasn’t an election year for the Indiana General Assembly, but three resignations and the unexpected death of an Indianapolis state senator in 2023 means there will be four new Republican lawmakers at the Statehouse next year.
Israel, Hamas measures get look as most state legislatures prepare to meet
In Indiana, a key leader has said the House will prioritize addressing antisemitism.
Judge cuts probation for Indiana lawmaker after drunken driving plea
Republican Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour asked Jackson Superior Court Judge Bruce MacTavish earlier this month to end his probation after six months, stating in court filings that he “performed very well on probation with no violations” and “all fees and financial obligations have been satisfied.”
Holcomb’s 2024 agenda includes building awareness of state programs
As he enters his final year in office, Gov. Eric Holcomb wants more Hoosiers to know about state programs that have been created or expanded during his administration.
State lawmakers admonish gambling regulation agency, which defends processes
Key Republican lawmakers on Tuesday scolded the Indiana Gaming Commission over how it levies fines and more—and threatened to take legislative action if changes aren’t made.
State Budget Committee OKs nearly $300M in IEDC incentives, LEAP enhancements
The State Budget Committee, which consists of four lawmakers and the state budget director, voted unanimously to authorize the spending, though Democrats on the committee expressed deep reservations about the IEDC’s requests.
Southeast Indiana lawmaker says he won’t seek reelection in 2024
The lawmaker representing House District 68 in southeast Indiana said Monday he plans to complete his term.
Why aren’t Hoosier kids showing up to school—and how can Indiana lawmakers help?
Legislators’ efforts to improve student literacy and career readiness could end up fruitless if the state can’t solve another issue plaguing schools: Hoosier kids aren’t showing up to the classroom.
Republican gubernatorial candidates wary of ‘axing’ state income tax
The GOP candidates for the state’s highest elected office participated in a panel discussion Wednesday at the Dentons Legislative Conference in downtown Indianapolis.
Chamber: Indiana not improving as quickly as other states
A new report from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce says Indiana is making good progress toward its economic goals, but that progress isn’t coming fast enough to compete with other states.