Indiana Senate budget strips proposed funding for Martin University
Indiana’s only predominately Black university is slated to miss out on a $10 million cash infusion under a budget proposal introduced by Senate Republicans on Friday.
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Local affiliates often play a big role when national conventions come to Indy
Groups as diverse as religious denominations, state lawmakers, humanities not-for-profits and others are now gearing up to make sure hundreds, even thousands, of members have productive and gratifying visits to Indianapolis over the next several months.
Bail reform, public health changes and a possible gas tax increase move forward
Lawmakers finished the week Thursday by finalizing a move to limit the right to bail, extend a gas tax increase and make several key changes to a public health bill.
Senate unveils budget with no expansion for school voucher program
The most glaring contrast between the Senate and House proposals is the way in which they intend to expand funding to charter schools.
Lawmakers strip key bill of most property tax relief
A Senate committee removed provisions from House Bill 1499 that would have temporarily lowered Indiana’s property tax caps, increased state income tax deductions and limited local tax levy boosts.
Bill making tech parks eligible for more tax revenue heads to governor
A bill that would allow Indiana tech parks to capture a larger share of tax revenue is poised to become law after the Senate voted unanimously Monday to advance the legislation to the governor’s office.
Bill to protect restaurants from unwanted third-party delivery apps nears final approval
Indiana is following California’s lead in moving toward regulating third-party food delivery providers by requiring them to get written consent from restaurants to deliver their food.
Nate Feltman: Indiana’s GOP supermajority is not to blame
One common trait shared by all the top job markets in the nation is that they are in states where Republicans control the Legislature.
Bill targeting ‘noncompliant’ prosecutors appears dead for 2023 session
The measure would have established a prosecutor commission and review board with the goal of dealing with prosecutors who won’t pursue certain cases. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, for instance, has pledged not to prosecute simple marijuana possession cases.
Indiana Senate committee advances pared down anti-ESG bill
A bill designed to prevent the state’s pension fund from working with asset managers that use environmental, social and governmental considerations in their investment strategies was advanced by the Indiana Senate Pensions and Labor Committee on Wednesday.
TikTok hires Indiana lobbyist as some states restrict access to the app
The move by TikTok comes as several states, including Indiana, restrict access to the video-sharing platform on government-issued devices due to national security concerns.
Amendment to road funding bill would allow state takeover of Indianapolis
City officials, local government advocates and several Democrats serving on the House Roads and Transportation committee voiced deep concerns Tuesday over the language in the amendment.
Huge school voucher expansion faces questions in Senate
The expansion backed by Indiana House Republicans could cost more than $500 million over the next two years—nearly one-third of the total proposed school funding increase—by raising the income limit to qualify for state money toward private school tuition.
Secretary of state seeks salary bumps, funding for election security
Secretary of State Diego Morales is asking for salary increases for his employees and about $6 million in funding for an election cybersecurity program in the next two-year budget cycle.
Holcomb signs controversial utility bill into law
The new law could allow utilities to pass along certain costs to customers for federally mandated projects without having to get pre-approval for those projects from state regulators.
Bill that would change wetlands definition passes Indiana House committee
Democrats, environmental groups and business leaders are denouncing a bill that they say would further erode protections for Indiana’s already shrinking wetlands.
Money debate begins in Statehouse over transition to green energy
A bill advancing through the Legislature would add natural gas to the list of clean-energy projects state utility regulators could consider for a financial incentive known as “construction work in progress,” or CWIP for short.
Renewable energy advocates seek legislative daylight for more solar and wind farms
An Indiana Senate bill looks to provide incentives to encourage counties to adopt developer-friendly ordinances for solar and wind projects, but local objections persist.
IBJ Podcast: At Legislature’s midpoint, which bills survived and which bills are toast?
IBJ’s Peter Blanchard and Casey Smith, a reporter for Indiana Capital Chronicle, talk about the state budget, education and social issues that lawmakers have focused on so far this year.
Online casino gambling appears off the table for this legislative session
A proposal to legalize online casino gambling in Indiana has failed to gain traction for a third consecutive year despite earlier optimism about its prospects. A powerful confluence of factors led to its demise.