Pence releases legislative agenda for education, jobs, roads
On the eve of the 2016 legislative session, the governor released a list of bills that doesn’t include proposals to expand civil rights protections to people who are gay or transgender.
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Pence, House GOP not on same page as lawmakers return
A lack of consensus among Republicans on several issues—including questions about gay rights, transportation funding and ISTEP testing—looms large as lawmakers ready for the 2016 legislative session, which kicks off Tuesday.
WEIDENBENER: Lawmaker’s bill aims to eradicate food deserts
Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, has modeled his legislation after a program in Pennsylvania that, over a decade, funded 93 projects that are providing more than 400,000 people with access to healthier food. However, Pennsylvania committed $30 million to the project and private investors offered another $145 million. The Indiana proposal would only earmark $1 million to the effort.
Indiana bill targets transgender bathroom use
Sen. Jim Tomes' bill would send people to jail for up to a year and fine them as much as $5,000 if they were convicted of entering a bathroom that does not match up with their birth gender.
Monroe becomes 4th county to use needle exchange
To launch a needle exchange program, community officials must convince the state it has a hepatitis C or HIV outbreak.
Law lets companies focus on social issues, not just profits
New benefit corporation structure will make it possible for firms to write priorities besides profit—such as philanthropy, environmental concerns or workplace wellness—directly into their bylaws.
Pence prefers road-funding plan without tax increases
A road-funding proposal from Republican leaders of the Indiana House that includes increasing the state's gasoline and cigarette taxes received a tepid response Thursday from Gov. Mike Pence.
Indiana gasoline tax would go up under House GOP proposal
A road-funding proposal from Indiana House Republicans would add a projected 5 cents a gallon to the state's gas tax.
Lawmakers to consider ISTEP-related accountability
At issue this year is what to do about test-score-based school accountability measures now that the state is expecting much lower scores.
Counties push another look at big-box tax appeals
County officials say a legislative fix for the issue passed earlier this year wasn’t strict enough. They say big-box stores are skirting their tax burden by using using vacant buildings to determine the value for taxation of brand-new stores.
LGBT rights promises to be the hottest debate in a 2016 legislative session
Proponents and opponents of putting sexual orientation and gender identity into the state’s civil rights law say they expect to spend tremendous time and energy on the issue—but not money. They say individual conversations are what will sway lawmakers.
Suit challenges constitutionality of RFRA fix, local gay rights laws
In their efforts to prevent discrimination against gays and lesbians, state and local governments are violating a host of constitutional rights of religious citizens and organizations, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by two Christian organizations.
Oesterle starts PAC to counter social conservatives
Free Enterprise Indiana is Bill Oesterle’s new political action committee. It will support economy-focused Republican candidates through election cycles.
Northwest Indiana lawmakers push pro sports team bill
A group of state lawmakers dreaming of bringing a professional sports team to northwestern Indiana is pushing a bill that would create a panel tasked with pursuing that goal.
LGBT rights advocacy group to host meetings statewide
Freedom Indiana will advocate for the changes when they are debated during the upcoming legislative session.
Sons’ struggles fuel state rep’s battle against heroin use
Rep. Cindy Ziemke said she is going public about her family's odyssey because the state's growing heroin problem is such an important issue. The General Assembly will consider legislative solutions during its upcoming session.
Lawmakers hope for momentum on program to help avoid layoffs
Nearly 30 states have “work-share” programs that pay partial unemployment benefits when employers need to reduce workers’ hours. The idea has gone nowhere with Indiana lawmakers, but the next legislative session could be different.
Lack of Indiana exotic animal regulations raising concerns
The state Department of Natural Resources stopped issuing permits for wild animals and regulating their ownership following the February ruling that said it didn’t have the authority to manage such legally owned animals.
UPDATE: Senate Republicans unveil draft of LGBT rights bill
The proposal comes as a new poll finds that most Indiana voters support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Indiana’s civil rights law.
Bosma backs proposal to require pseudoephedrine prescription
Bosma’s support could give the proposal its first real life in the General Assembly, which has for years eschewed prescription proposals in favor of laws that require pharmacies to track the people who purchase drugs containing pseudoephedrine, one of the ingredients that can be used to make meth.