IPS boss supports cooperating with charter schools
A pending bill could usher in unprecedented cooperation between Indianapolis Public Schools and the city’s charter schools, resulting in significant financial benefits for both.
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Committee pushes gambling discussion to summer
A Senate bill that would give the state’s riverboat casinos tax breaks and authorize table gambling in racinos was sent to a summer study committee Wednesday.
Statehouse update: School safety, Common Core, teacher incentives, abortion and more
State lawmakers on Wednesday weighed in on legislation involving mobile-phone snooping, education issues, abortion restrictions, sex trafficking, guns, abandoned houses, veteran injuries and several more topics. Here’s a rundown.
Bill limiting environmental rules heads to Indiana Senate
Indiana regulators would be barred from adopting environmental rules tougher than federal standards under a bill that's advancing in the General Assembly that has drawn criticism that it would hamper efforts to protect the state's environment and public health.
Preservation tax credit gets makeover in House bill
The Indiana House is set to consider legislation that would shift the state’s historical preservation tax cut program into one that relies on grants instead.
Indiana House gatekeeper open to soccer stadium
House Ways and Means Chairman Tim Brown said lawmakers will consider a plan by the IndyEleven soccer team to finance an $87 million stadium. The proposal is likely to be attached to an existing Senate bill.
Statehouse update: Distance treatment, biological drugs, charter schools, and more
State lawmakers on Tuesday weighed in on legislation involving state fair school-skipping, charity gambling prizes, out-of-office medical treatment, charity gambling, help for military bases, meth home disclosures, bus inspections, and more. Here’s a rundown.
Senate amends corporate tax bill, rejects Democrats’ efforts to strip key provisions
Financial institutions would have to wait an additional three years to fully feel the effects of a statewide tax cut under changes made Tuesday to Indiana Senate Bill 1.
Bill to let wineries sell to stores moves to full House
House Bill 1387 will amend the previous law and allow wineries to distribute up to 5,000 gallons of wine to grocery stores, restaurants, bars and other establishments.
Statehouse update: Deer hunting, miscarriages, veteran education, Indiana-grown, and more
State lawmakers on Monday weighed in on legislation involving canned deer hunting, college credit for veterans, parental options after miscarriages, out-of-state seedling sales, and more. Here’s a rundown.
Indiana House votes to amend gay-marriage amendment
The 52-43 vote to remove the controversial second sentence likely ensures that the proposed constitutional amendment will not reach the public for a vote until at least 2016 – if at all.
Bar Association stands against gay-marriage amendment
Backed by nearly three-fourths of its members, the Indianapolis Bar has taken the unusual step of announcing its opposition to the state constitutional amendment under debate at the Statehouse.
Bill would keep state’s annuity system in-house
The Indiana House is set to consider legislation that will prevent the state from privatizing one part of public employee and teacher retirement funds.
Senate passes bill to protect agricultural rights
Senate Bill 186 provides that it is the responsibility of the state to conserve, protect, and encourage the development and improvement of agriculture. The goal is to guide the courts to interpret state laws to be sympathetic toward farmers.
Biological drug bill advances to full Senate
The Indiana Senate is set to consider legislation that could give patients access to more options for drug treatments that derive from biological organisms.
Bosma’s collaborative style put to huge test
The House speaker has done his utmost to downplay the importance of the proposed same-sex marriage amendment within the context of the Republican agenda this year.
Ballard, Curry split on gun-violence bill
Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry opposes a measure that would create a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence for crimes committed with a firearm. Mayor Greg Ballard and his public safety director support it.
Proposal to allow alcohol sales at fair still on tap
People on both sides of the issue, including those on the State Fair Commission, Indiana alcohol producers, and those opposed to the change, discussed a tentative plan Wednesday for how the state fair could sell its first alcoholic beverages since the 1940s.
Same-sex marriage amendment moves to House for vote
The proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana easily passed a House committee Wednesday, setting up the floor debate that Speaker Brian Bosma had promised.
State panel backs bill for welfare drug testing
The bill would require Indiana residents to be screened through a questionnaire and drug tested if they show a likelihood of addiction.