Indiana battles legislative ‘creep’ in short session
Indiana senators have introduced 415 bills so far and House members have filed another 400, including so-called vehicle bills, which act as sort of blank slates for lawmakers to amend ideas onto.
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After 70 years, right-to-work impact still unclear
The battle over the right-to-work issue may be reaching a conclusion in Indiana as the state prepares to become the first to adopt the law in more than a decade, but the argument over exactly what the measure means for a state’s economy is likely to rage on.
UPDATE: Legislators send sex-trafficking law to Daniels
State legislators gave their final approval Friday to a bill toughening Indiana’s penalties for sex trafficking, sending it to Gov. Mitch Daniels for him to sign into law ahead of next weekend’s Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
Indiana House backs break for bars on smoking ban
The Indiana House has added an 18-month exemption for bars to a bill calling for a broad statewide smoking ban.
Indiana legislators OK tougher sex-trafficking law
A bill to toughen Indiana's penalties for sex trafficking is on its way to Gov. Mitch Daniels for him to sign into law ahead of next weekend's Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
ACLU says creationism bill faces constitutional problems
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana's top lawyer said Thursday that a Indiana Senate bill that would allow schools to teach creationism in science classes clearly violates the U.S. Constitution and invites legal challenges.
Indiana House backs broader ban on synthetic drugs
The Indiana House has approved a bill that would broaden the state's ban on synthetic drugs to include compounds nicknamed "bath salts" and others that mimic marijuana.
Indiana right-to-work bill on speedy path in Senate
Indiana could become the 23rd right-to-work state as early as Wednesday depending on how soon Gov. Mitch Daniels decides to sign the labor bill.
Bill could put squeeze on recycling programs statewide
Waste management districts would need county OK to levy property taxes to fund their programs.
Fight looming over banning smoking in Indiana bars
Some Indiana legislators are expected to push for exempting bars and certain other locations from a bill calling for a broad statewide smoking ban.
Senate panel OKs creationism teaching bill
The legislation cleared the Senate Education Committee 8-2 despite pleas from scientists and religious leaders to keep religion out of science classrooms.
Indiana Senate panel backs limits on abortion pill
The Senate health committee voted 5-4 in support of the bill that requires that a doctor examine a woman in person before giving her RU-486, provide written information about the physical risks of abortion and to schedule a follow-up ultrasound.
Indiana House deals blow to organized labor in Rust Belt
On Wednesday, Republican lawmakers cleared the way for right-to-work legislation, which would make it a Class A misdemeanor to require somebody to become a union member or pay union dues as a condition of employment.
Indiana Senate panel backs fines on access violators
An Indiana Senate committee has endorsed allowing fines against government officials found to have blatantly violated the state's open meetings or open record laws.
Panel backs bill on teaching cursive, school-start times
Indiana's public schools would be required to teach cursive writing and be largely prohibited from starting their school years until late August under bill approved by a legislative committee.
Should Indiana phase out inheritance tax?
Supporters of new legislation say the wealthy shouldn’t have to leave the state to avoid the tax.
Indiana House Dems resume right-to-work boycott
House Republicans levied more fines Tuesday against Democrats who are boycotting GOP-backed legislation that would bar labor unions from collecting mandatory fees from workers.
Indiana House eyes another $5M for state fair victims
Indiana's House Ways and Means chairman is pushing for $5 million more for victims of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse and $80 million to pay for full-day kindergarten.
Indiana House Dems return after right-to-work boycott
Indiana House Democrats have returned to work at the statehouse after a boycott over divisive right-to-work legislation by moving to strike down the measure.
‘Parent trigger’ would let parents convert schools
A measure being pushed in the Indiana House of Representatives would let parents vote to turn public schools over to charter school operators.