Pence doesn’t push to expand preschool program
The governor said this will be an "education session" and said his priorities will include changes to the school funding formula and more money for school choice.
Legislature
Articles
Pence pitches balanced budget amendment in address
In his third State of the State address, Gov. Mike Pence called for a balanced budget amendment that he says will protect Indiana from a possible economic downturn and will show Hoosiers their tax dollars are being spent wisely.
Blight-elimination bill targets tax-sale investors
Sen. Jim Merritt hopes that his bill would make tax sales a less attractive haven for investors, who he said lack incentives to maintain abandoned and vacant property.
Funding not only obstacle for Indy Eleven stadium
Even if the Indiana General Assembly approves a funding mechanism for a proposed $87 million downtown soccer stadium for the Indy Eleven—which is no sure thing—hurdles would remain. For starters: where to build it.
FEIGENBAUM: Expect more details of Pence agenda in coming days
The governor delivers his State of the State Address on Jan. 13. He will lay out his legislative agenda in greater detail than in December pronouncements that education would take precedence this session, in terms of both cash and policy.
Pence proposes utilities set own energy-efficiency goals
Last year, a new law scuttled Indiana’s program for reducing energy use statewide. Gov. Mike Pence’s alternative would allow energy companies to set their own targets.
Indy Eleven’s quest for $87M soccer stadium still kicking
Rep. Todd Huston, a Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, is expected on Thursday to submit a bill containing a funding measure for the proposed downtown project.
Bill would let Hoosiers refuse gay-wedding services
The proposed legislation would allow small businesses, including bakeries, caterers, florists, and wedding chapels, to refuse services to gay couples based on the owner's religious beliefs.
Proposal would add e-cigarette restrictions, taxes
Indiana would require stores to have a license to sell electronic cigarettes and would tax the battery-powered devices like traditional tobacco products under a bill a state lawmaker said he'll sponsor.
Electric utilities battle over annexing territories
Municipal-owned utilities are trying to fend off an attack on a state law that allows them to expand their territories through annexation. Rural electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities say they’re losing big customers.
Bill would allow Pence to run for president, governor
Sen. Mike Delph’s measure would expand Indiana’s election law to allow a sitting governor or state lawmaker to simultaneously seek both re-election and any federal office.
Indiana low-powered moped law to take effect Jan. 1
Beginning Thursday, owners of mopeds or scooters with engines smaller than 50 cubic centimeters must have a registration, a license plate and an Indiana identification card.
Little Statehouse appetite for government reform
A Republican state senator said he hasn't heard any discussion about pursuing more of the recommendations of a 2007 bipartisan commission that called for 27 local government reforms.
Identity theft is target of proposed Indiana law
The legislation, proposed by Attorney General Greg Zoeller, would require online businesses to ensure data is secure and to delete any information no longer needed.
Nursing home construction moratorium fight fuels lobbying, donations
The two sides duking it out over a construction ban on nursing homes spent more than $475,000 over six months to win lawmakers to their sides—a spike of 37 percent over previous years. And that kind of high-stakes fight is about to happen again.
Indiana senator plans medical marijuana proposal
Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, said she'll introduce a bill for the upcoming legislative session to allow people with certain health problems to legally use marijuana.
FEIGENBAUM: Crush of big issues await General Assembly
Republican supermajorities in 2013 and 2014 left a lot of unfinished business on the table, and that—as well as changes in technology and public expectations—portends an extremely active 2015 General Assembly session.
Indiana lawmakers mostly older, white, college-educated
Demographics of the General Assembly are significantly different than the average Hoosier.
HALE, NEGELE: Bring more transparency to Indiana energy bidding
As legislators on committees dealing with energy and utilities, economic development, agriculture and state finances, we are hearing from a growing number of businesses, big and small, as well as schools and individual constituents, sounding an alarm over rising electricity rates.
House lawmakers settle in to new political reality
Tuesday's elections gave House Republicans the most power they've had in four decades and the best chance at seeing their priorities succeed in the upcoming legislative session.