KENNEDY: Legislature’s bottom line is political
Many Indiana citizens have been hit hard by the recession, and the General Assembly has reacted by kicking them while they’re down.
Legislature
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Indiana Legislature OKs redistricting proposal
Maps for new Indiana legislative election districts have gained final approval from the General Assembly and go to Gov. Mitch Daniels for consideration.
Indiana poised to cut Planned Parenthood funding
The Indiana House voted 66-32 Wednesday to approve a bill cutting the $3 million in federal money the state distributes to the organization for family planning and health programs. The Senate approved the measure earlier this month.
Key Indiana lawmakers optimistic about budget deal
Legislative leaders think they are on track to reach a budget deal by the time the legislative session ends Friday.
Nation’s broadest voucher plan passes final hurdle
The Indiana House voted 55-43 to give final approval to a bill creating the controversial voucher program. It would allow even middle-class families to use taxpayer money to send their children to private schools.
Indiana lawmakers OK bill to expand charter schools
A bill aimed at spurring more charter schools in Indiana has cleared its final legislative hurdle, marking another piece of Gov. Mitch Daniels' aggressive education agenda to pass.
Real estate-related bills still alive in Legislature
The bill with perhaps the best chance of emerging is the so-called dinosaur buildings bill, which would make it easier to win tax incentives for renovating obsolete industrial buildings.
Judge orders Indiana recount chief into court
A judge Monday ordered the head of the Indiana Recount Commission to appear before him this week to explain why the panel has not moved more quickly in considering whether Republican Secretary of State Charlie White was a valid candidate when he won election last fall.
Budget could spur talks of school consolidation
Indiana lawmakers may have found a way to spur the consolidation of small school districts without jumping into the politically unpopular issue: Starve small districts of state funding to financially push them toward merger talks.
Indiana lawmakers face busy final week
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma says Indiana lawmakers are on track to finish their work on time as the legislative session draws to an end this week despite a five-week boycott by House Democrats.
State slow to move to money-saving home health care
Indiana taxpayers are paying about $300 million a year in nursing home costs despite a state law that would allow the state to save millions while keeping many elderly and disabled Hoosiers in their homes or with family members.
State House OKs watered-down immigration bill
Businesses that hire illegal immigrants could have some state tax credits revoked under a proposal that has cleared the Indiana House.
Final negotiations on Indiana budget start next week
A $28 billion budget proposal that cleared the Indiana Senate on Thursday includes a way to fine boycotting lawmakers — a provision Democrats oppose — and doesn't include an automatic taxpayer refund that the Republican governor wants.
Senate OKs plan spurred by White indictment
The Indiana Senate has approved a bill that would allow Gov. Mitch Daniel to appoint a new secretary of state if indicted Republican Charlie White is found to be ineligible.
Indiana Senate backs setting daily fines for boycotts
Republican frustration over the five-week walkout by Indiana House Democrats re-emerged Wednesday as the state Senate approved a method for $1,000-a-day fines against boycotting legislators.
State Senate OKs bill to cut Planned Parenthood aid
The Indiana Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would cut off funding to Planned Parenthood and give the state some of the country's tightest abortion restrictions.
Indiana House passes criminal checks on medical workers
The Indiana House has approved a bill requiring criminal background checks for anyone seeking a new license to be a doctor, dentist or several other health care jobs.
Bill on teacher union rights heads to governor
A bill to restrict Indiana teachers' collective bargaining rights has cleared its final legislative hurdle, becoming the first part of Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education agenda to make it to the governor's desk.
Statehouse fight continues over bank-insurance fund
Indiana lawmakers likely will avoid tapping an obscure bank-insurance fund to help bolster state coffers, but bankers may not survive the battle completely unscathed.
Indiana Senate backs pulling Planned Parenthood money
The Indiana Senate voted Monday to prohibit any state contracts or grants with Planned Parenthood or other organizations that provide abortions.