Republicans to ‘tread lightly’ with bigger Statehouse majorities
Republicans on Wednesday celebrated Election Day wins that extended their legislative dominance and elected new House and Senate leaders.
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Indy hospitality chief: “We’re at tipping point on taxes.”
In September 2013, veteran lobbyist Patrick Tamm became president of the Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association, replacing longtime industry advocate John Livengood. Tamm’s hire came eight months after IRLA was formed by merging the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association and the Indiana Restaurant Association, both of which Livengood served as president since 1998.
Number of Indiana students using vouchers jumps dramatically
Democrats released the numbers Friday, saying they are evidence that the voucher program supported by Republicans is stealing money from public schools.
Legislators in no rush to fix local judge selection process
Marion County’s unique power-sharing judicial-election system won’t be fixed anytime soon, even though a federal judge has ruled the four-decade-old system is unconstitutional.
Highway interests seek silos for state transportation funds
As Indiana charts a path out of its transportation-funding shortfalls, highway-building interests are moving to cordon off their share of future revenue.
Democratic opponent calls Turner ‘ghost’ candidate
Democratic House candidate Bob Ashley said the way in which Turner is leaving the General Assembly effectively means the voters in his central Indiana district have a choice between Ashley and whichever official local Republicans pick for the seat.
Caterpillar chief: Indiana growing more competitive
CEO Doug Oberhelman said Tuesday that government overhauls and an aggressive economic development policy have made the state among the most attractive for investment.
Legislators to reconsider aid for struggling casinos
Indiana legislators were lukewarm to assistance for casinos in 2013, but two years of declining revenue and new leadership on the issue could change their minds.
Indiana gay marriage supporters push hard in 2014
Voters who'd hoped to decide whether to place the state's gay marriage ban in the Constitution won't find the issue on the November ballot. But same-sex marriage is still playing a role in many political races, giving Democrats hopes of gaining a critical foothold in the heavily Republican state.
Indiana cases could define conflict of interest
The question of what constitutes a conflict of interest and why it matters for public officials has run throughout a string of high-profile ethics scandals in Indiana recently.
Investor reimbursement fund off to slow start
Time required for investigations, prosecutions caused delays.
Second judge declares right-to-work law unconstitutional
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said Wednesday that he will ask for a stay to prevent the decision from taking effect immediately. A similar case is already pending before the Indiana Supreme Court.
Ag-gag laws facing federal court challenges
The years-long fight between farm organizations and animal rights activists over laws prohibiting secretly filmed documentation of animal abuse is moving from state legislatures to federal courts as laws in Utah and Idaho face constitutional challenges.
State to scope downtown block for new offices, parking
The Office of Management and Budget will study a state-owned parcel just north of the Statehouse, potentially to house the judiciary and provide more legislative office space.
Pence seeks review to simplify Indiana tax code
Gov. Mike Pence said Tuesday he wants to review Indiana's tax code to simplify it and promote economic development. His comments came at the Tax Competitiveness and Simplification Conference, which culled general ideas for tax reform from a mix of national and state tax experts.
In mad dash by state lawmakers, errors can happen
When Indiana’s legislative leaders called the General Assembly back for one day last week, it was because they had discovered a handful of mistakes made earlier this year that just couldn’t wait until the next session to be fixed.
Lawmakers approve fixes to criminal sentencing
The General Assembly met Tuesday for its first "technical corrections day" — a special one-day meeting with limits placed on it so lawmakers do not have to do a full-blown "special session."
Lawmakers gather in Indianapolis for constitutional talk
More than 100 state legislators from 33 states will meet this week at the Indiana Statehouse to discuss the procedures and rules for a possible convention to amend the U.S. Constitution.
States could be expanding wealth gap with tax policies
Politicians in Indiana and other states hope tax cuts for businesses will boost their economies, but those and other moves could be contributing to the income gap limiting growth in U.S. consumer spending.
Influx of offenders may tax county coffers
The state’s inmate population is projected to continue rising, even after a criminal-code overhaul intended to prevent the need for prison expansions takes effect July 1.