Veteran advocates say issues have been tabled in Legislature
Dozens of proposals have been sidelined, including one that would create a $2 million program to treat those with traumatic brain injuries.
Legislature
Articles
State tax revenue misses expectations again
For the first eight months of fiscal year 2015, Indiana tax revenue is down 1 percent, or about $91 million. Tax receipts have missed expectations in six out of those eight months.
Analysis: New nursing homes didn’t cause glut
An IBJ analysis of occupancy data from nursing homes built since 2012 and open at least one year found that newer facilities are filling their skilled-nursing beds at a lower rate than established nursing homes statewide.
Senate panel advances bill to ban microbeads
Senate Commerce and Technology Committee members voted 6-0 Thursday to advance the measure that would gradually phase out the sale and production of cosmetics with microbeads. The House unanimously passed the legislation last month.
Senate panel considers ‘right-to-try’ trial drugs bill
An Indiana Senate committee is considering a bill that would give terminally ill patients easier access to experimental drugs that have not received full federal approval. Indiana is one of nearly two dozen states that are considering the legislation.
Bill would educate students about their college loans
Students using loans to pay for college might get some extra help when it comes to gathering information about their debt load if an Indiana House bill becomes law.
Zoeller to lawmakers: Pay attention to health risks of e-cigarettes
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller told lawmakers he wants to see Indiana do more when it comes to “the issues of e-cigarette and liquid nicotine” use, and he wants to see legislators address the issue this session.
Lawmakers slash funding for economic development plan
The Regional Cities initiative, an economic development proposal focused on Indiana’s struggling metropolitan areas, will come before the Senate with less than a quarter of the funding proposed by Gov. Mike Pence.
Debate on common wage repeal lingers during contractor event
A proposal to repeal the state law that sets wages for public construction projects requires further study instead of a quick vote, opponents of the measure said Monday at the Indiana Statehouse.
Bill would put bigger burden on cities seeking annexations
Supporters say the only way a city should be able to annex property is if the majority of landowners agree. Opponents, though, are worried legislators are gutting a key tool that municipalities use for growth and economic development.
Pence not saying exactly where he stands on gambling bill
Gov. Mike Pence has been firm that he doesn’t want an expansion of gambling operations in the state. But he has not been clear about what he means by “expansion.”
Pence, legislators open to ditching ISTEP for cheaper alternative
Two bills already have passed the Senate that push the state in the direction of a national test.
Debate on cold medicine prescriptions lingers
Lawmakers involved in the debate over how to curb Indiana's methamphetamine problem say a bill that would require drug felons to get a prescription before buying common cold medicine is likely just another step toward an eventual prescription requirement for all consumers.
Indiana lawmakers taking mid-session break
Members of the House and Senate wrapped up business on Wednesday and are scheduled to return Monday to the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
Speaker kills bill criticized as detrimental to solar usage
House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, has killed a bill that critics say would have depressed the use of solar and other alternative energies.
Bill aimed at reducing meth problems advances
The Indiana Senate passed a bill 46-3 on Tuesday that would make it more difficult for criminals to purchase products used in the production of meth.
Locals get to keep casino revenue under House bill changes
The House has stripped language out of a controversial gambling bill that would have cut millions of dollars in funding that goes to communities where casinos are located.
Bosma sidelines gambling bill for more work
Speaker Brian Bosma pulled a controversial gambling bill off the Indiana House calendar on Monday in part as an attempt to reduce the financial hit communities with casinos would suffer under the proposal.
Sunday alcohol sales bill is dead, key legislator says
Bill author Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, said Tuesday morning that he doesn’t have the votes to move the bill to the Senate, largely because it includes new restrictions on the way alcohol could be sold at drug stores, big-box stores and other retailers.
House backs repeal of state construction wage law
Indiana House members voted 55-41 Monday to support eliminating the boards that set construction wages for each state or local project. Thirteen Republicans joined 28 Democrats in opposing the bill.