Officials seek tougher prostitution law before Super Bowl
Those trying to fast-track legislation cite estimates that the 2010 Super Bowl brought 10,000 prostitutes to Miami and resulted in 133 arrests in Dallas at the 2011 Super Bowl.
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Taxpayer refund has to survive 2012 session
A state tax processing error resulting in $320 million more in the bank for the state and improved tax collections could put a nominal amount back in Hoosiers' purses and wallets next year. But a bi-partisan thirst to restore education funding and pay down state debts could just as easily take that refund away.
Lawmaker: Lift ban on paying people to run charity gambling
State Sen. Ron Alting, chairman of the Public Policy Committee, wants to let charities pay people to run their bingo, poker and other games, a practice that has led to disciplinary action for some organizations.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana brings on new lobbyists
The new hires could be important following last year’s legislative session, in which state lawmakers passed a law to cut off Medicaid funding to groups that offer abortions.
House Speaker: State lawmakers may seek smoking ban
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma says lawmakers may seek passage of a statewide smoking ban before the nation's attention turns to Indianapolis for the February Super Bowl.
Indiana may be ground zero for right-to-work fight
Indiana’s anticipated battle next month over a right-to-work law is expected to rival last year’s epic Wisconsin union fight that drew 180,000 protestors to Madison rallies and became the focus of national media attention.
SHELLA: Indiana Legislature likely to deliver the unexpected
If you want to know what really matters in the upcoming legislative session it’s likely impossible to find out now.
FEIGENBAUM: Indiana General Assembly will be known for trading paint
Expect scores of Democratic amendments, particularly if right-to-work hits the House floor.
Democrats outline legislative plans for General Assembly
Indiana Senate Democrats, who hold just 13 of the chamber’s 50 seats, released their 2012 legislative agenda, which will push for work-share legislation as well as consumer and job protections when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.
GOP brass opts not to battle townships
Republican leaders in the General Assembly who have backed local government reform will trade ambitious proposals they’ve pursued in years past for more moderate—and widely accepted—ideas in the next legislative session.
Environmental group to focus legislative efforts on energy savings, transit
Led by Jesse Kharbanda, the Hoosier Environmental Council is keeping its agenda lean to boost chances for success in short session.
Judge removes Bosma from case over legislative walkout fines
A Marion Superior judge has ruled that state courts don’t have the ability to interfere with the Indiana General Assembly’s constitutional authority to pass laws or its own internal rules, including how it compels attendance or imposes fines.
Indiana lawmakers want cursive mandatory in schools
Terre Haute Sen. Tim Skinner and Oldenburg Sen. Jean Leising said they plan to submit bills when lawmakers return to Indianapolis in 2012 that would require the writing style be taught.
‘Buy local’ law to be tweaked
New requirement that local governments hire local bidders came under fire.
Purdue, IU students lobby for alcohol amnesty law
Student leaders on three college campuses are urging Indiana lawmakers to enact a law that shields underage drinkers from disciplinary action if they report that someone is intoxicated and at serious health risk.
EDITORIAL: Right-to-work issue will cause legislative gridlock
With Indiana Republican leaders targeting right-to-work legislation as their top priority in 2012, we worry about the fate of other issues that should have long ago risen to the top of the heap.
Union members rally at Statehouse against GOP plans
The Indiana AFL-CIO organized the rally to coincide with the General Assembly's pro forma "Organization Day" on Tuesday.
Indiana Legislature taking 2-day break for Super Bowl
Demand for hotel rooms will make it difficult for some out-of-town lawmakers to find at hotel rooms or long-term residences in Indianapolis.
Indiana legislative panel endorses test of iPads
An Indiana legislative panel endorsed a pilot program Monday that would equip two General Assembly committees with iPads in the upcoming session as part of a push to cut the amount of paper used to print copies of bills for lawmakers.
Simon sues state over sales-tax loophole for Amazon.com
Simon Property Group Inc. has filed suit against the Indiana Department of Revenue in an attempt to force the state to collect sales taxes from Amazon.com Inc.