FEIGENBAUM: Upbeat forecast paves way for final deals
Prodding by legislative leaders and an epidemic of Hoosier common have led to compromises on contentious issues.
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Advocates for mass transit may need to ante up
The Indianapolis area’s largest employers have spent millions of dollars studying and promoting regional mass transit, but if the idea is going to get past the Legislature, they might have to put money into the $1.3 billion system as well.
Bosma hopes General Assembly adjourns early
Issues that remain undecided include the income tax cut sought by Gov. Mike Pence and a proposed expansion of the private school voucher program.
Indiana specialty-plate proposal heads to governor
Legislation overhauling Indiana's specialty auto license plate system has been approved by lawmakers and is on its way to Gov. Mike Pence.
General Assembly negotiators to hammer out state budget
House and Senate negotiators will take into account a rosier revenue forecast when they begin meeting Wednesday for the first of a series of meetings that will determine the final shape of Indiana’s next state budget.
Bill for tighter cold-medication limits heads to Pence
Indiana legislators have given final approval to a bill tightening the limits on how much consumers can buy of cold and allergy pills often used to make methamphetamine.
UPDATE: Lawmakers with ties to $2.8B plant dilute measures
Two Indiana lawmakers have spent the legislative session watering down opposition to a proposed $2.8 billion coal-gasification plant that would likely benefit their employers.
Pence sees hope for tax cut in better budget forecast
Expectations that Indiana will collect $290 million more in taxes have Gov. Mike Pence's team optimistic they can win a $500 million cut in the state's personal income tax this session.
House OKs high-fence hunting bill, but fate murky
Supporters of the bill say it is needed to resolve an eight-year-old lawsuit over attempts by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to shut down the existing deer preserves.
Lower tuition OK’d for some illegal immigrants
Persons who entered the country illegally and were attending Indiana public colleges when a state immigration law passed two years ago would again be eligible for in-state tuition rates under a bill approved by the Indiana House.
House OKs IMS bill, despite dispute over funding source
A bill to help pay for $100 million in improvements at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway passed the House on Monday—but only on its second try, as some lawmakers expressed frustration about tapping horse racing money for the projects.
State legislator defends supporting daughter’s client
A powerful Indiana House Republican on Monday defended his decision to support a Utah company his daughter represents as a Statehouse lobbyist, one week after Gov. Mike Pence placed a hold on state aid to a company run by the lawmaker's son.
Stripped-down school safety bill passes Indiana House
Representatives voted 86-6 Monday in favor of the bill after provisions that would've required all public schools to have gun-carrying employees during school hours were pulled from it last week.
Indiana Career Council gets final legislative nod
Gov. Mike Pence will lead the 16-member panel, which is supposed to prepare a plan for matching Indiana's workforce training programs and available jobs.
Indiana House turns aside school guns proposal
The Indiana House on Thursday pulled a proposal to have the state's public schools consider having employees, including teachers and principals, carry guns during school hours.
FEIGENBAUM: GOP stranglehold hasn’t squelched debate
For a Legislature dominated by a Republican super-majority and with a Republican governor doing more now than just watching from the cheap seats, you should be surprised by the uncertainty over the shape—and even the fate—of several significant bills this late in the process.
Fiscal tug-of-war stalls Indiana voucher expansion
A plan to make vouchers more widely available to families has met a roadblock: So despite the momentum, lawmakers say they want more time to look at the voucher program approved two years ago.
Bill to handle abandoned homes still on track
State Sen. Jim Merritt wanted to help an eastside Indianapolis church gain possession of some long-abandoned, derelict houses, tear them down and establish a park. The difficulty in doing so led to a bill that would make such improvements easier.
Change gives Rockport gasification plant better odds
Rep. Matt Ubelhor, R-Bloomfield, successfully pushed an amendment Wednesday that would shield the southern Indiana project from the review sought by the plant's opponents, who contend it could saddle ratepayers with higher bills.
Welfare recipient drug testing clears Indiana Senate
The bill would require all applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to complete a written screening test for possible drug abuse problems.