Last-minute lobbying kills nursing home moratorium
A leading proponent of a moratorium on nursing-home construction said last-minute lobbying and big promises about jobs and investment killed the bill.
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Compromise bill allows state to spend $200M on interstates
The House passed the compromise bill 95-4, even as a number of lawmakers – including Democrats – complained that the legislation doesn’t include any money for local roads.
Lawmakers create an exit plan for takeover schools
A bill passed by the Indiana General Assembly this year could help bring takeover schools out of their status as islands and reconnect them to larger school systems.
Statehouse update: Abandoned houses, hemp, daycare, addicted moms and more
Numerous bills advanced Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse, including several that were sent to the governor for approval. Here's a rundown:
Deal on mass-transit legislation headed for vote
The compromise language does not include a provision to establish a light-rail system or an increase in corporate taxes. However, the legislation would still allow for an increase in individual income taxes pending voter approval.
Indiana road-funding measure nears final vote
Indiana House and Senate lawmakers are still deciding whether to release $200 million for road expansion projects.
Gay couples in Indiana could pay more for tax filings
Conflicting state and federal policies will likely cost Indiana same-sex couples more in time, paperwork and money when they file their tax returns this year, experts say.
Legislative studies often precede tough action
Indiana lawmakers have only a few more days this week before they wrap up the 2014 legislative session. But that doesn't mean they're totally done for the year.
FEIGENBAUM: Region has much at stake as session closes
Local governments have loudly fretted about the potential loss of tax dollars from a reduction or elimination of the business personal property tax, and raised concerns about forcing intrastate competitions for business relocations.
It’s make-or-break time for several bills at Statehouse
Indiana lawmakers have moved some bills to the governor, but more contentious bills scheduled for a vote Wednesday were pushed off for approval later in the session, which ends next week.
Bill to protect vets from discrimination passes Senate
Indiana House Bill 1242, authored by Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne, would ban an employer from refusing to hire anyone because of his or her status as a veteran of the U.S. military.
Business tax cuts enter House, Senate negotiations
The Senate voted 33-15 Tuesday to advance the package, sending it to a conference committee of House and Senate members.
Bill adds oversight to redevelopment commissions
The Indiana House approved a Senate bill that adds transparency to redevelopment commissions and forces decades-old tax-increment financing districts to expire.
House sends industrial hemp bill back to Senate
The Indiana House approved a bill Monday that would allow farmers to grow hemp – a non-intoxicating cousin of marijuana – if the federal government lifts restrictions on the crop.
Campaign money offer exposed in Indiana gay marriage fight
A former state Republican Party chairman’s pledge to provide campaign cash to protect House members who were considering voting against a constitutional gay marriage ban offers a rare look at the private power game that plays out at the Statehouse.
Indiana one of many states aiming to limit tanning
Lawmakers' efforts to crack down on the use of Indiana tanning beds this year are part of a national push to limit young people's exposure to risks that include skin cancer.
State lawmakers advance roads, education measures
Indiana lawmakers advanced a wide range of measures Thursday as they headed into the final two weeks of their 2014 session, setting up last-minute negotiations on everything from road funding to education.
Analysis casts doubt on revenue projection for soccer stadium
The Indy Eleven soccer team would generate just $2 million to $4 million a year in ticket sales, a fraction of the $51 million that owner Ersal Ozdemir has estimated a new downtown stadium would generate including non-soccer events, according to an independent analysis.
Indiana Senate panel approves welfare drug tests
The current version of the measure is far less sweeping than what supporters originally sought. The measure approved Thursday would only apply to welfare recipients who had previously been convicted of a drug crime.
Pence continues pitch for preschool voucher plan
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence spent Wednesday morning highlighting the work of an Indianapolis preschool as he made a final pitch for an early education voucher plan that has foundered in the Legislature.