Panel OKs bill linking student tests, teacher pay
Teacher pay would be linked to student performance under a merit pay bill that has cleared an Indiana House committee.
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Senate OKs plan aimed at expanding charter schools
The Indiana Senate has approved Gov. Mitch Daniels' proposal aimed at expanding charter schools, marking the first piece of the governor's sweeping education agenda to clear both the House and Senate.
Daniels’ plan on sentencing changes appears dead
Daniels had made revamping of the criminal sentencing laws one of his top priorities for this year's legislative session, but lawmakers handling the bill said Tuesday they hadn't been able to reach a compromise and didn't expect more action before the General Assembly's April 29 adjournment deadline.
Gun bill advances without exemption for Indy venues
The Capital Improvement Board, which runs the Indiana Convention Center and the city’s professional sports venues, had hoped to get an exemption to Senate Bill 292, which pre-empts local governments from creating their own rules about where people can carry guns.
Proposal aims to keep students from inadequate teachers
Indiana students wouldn't be stuck with poor-performing teachers for two years in a row under changes House lawmakers are considering to a bill requiring annual teacher evaluations.
Indiana redistricting plan appears to benefit GOP
Republicans who control the Indiana General Assembly on Monday released proposed new maps for the state's nine congressional and 150 legislative districts, which seem to point toward solidifying GOP gains in the Statehouse.
Indiana retailers press for online state sales tax
Indiana's retail lobby urged state lawmakers Monday to pass an online sales tax provision that they said would level the playing field for businesses in the state and raise hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
Plan shifts Indiana GOP areas to Donnelly’s district
The Senate Election Committee on Monday released proposed new district maps for Indiana's nine congressional and 50 state Senate districts.
Indiana lawmakers to consider big education proposals
A House committee is expected to consider Daniels' proposal for teacher merit pay on Monday, and a Senate committee could vote on the Republican governor's controversial plan for private school vouchers on Wednesday.
Indiana House speaker questions immigration crackdown
Indiana's Republican House speaker said Thursday he had concerns about aspects of a proposal calling for an Arizona-style crackdown on illegal immigration moving through the Legislature.
Retailers push for online sales taxes
Indiana’s retail lobby is pushing the state to follow a growing number of states passing laws to require online retailers to collect sales tax from customers.
Lawmakers still at odds over alcohol ID age requirement
Indiana legislators are disagreeing about how old someone should look before they have to provide identification when buying alcohol.
Indiana lawmakers OK hotel sites for casino tourneys
Indiana's casinos would be allowed to hold card tournaments at hotels or other sites on their properties under a proposal that has cleared the state Legislature.
Fate up in air for proposed Indiana smoking ban
The fate of a proposed statewide smoking ban in the state Legislature is uncertain, with anti-smoking advocates keeping up their push for restrictions that are tougher than some lawmakers think can win approval.
House committee nixes changes to Indiana scholarships
A proposal to tighten requirements for Indiana's popular 21st Century Scholars program for low-income students is in limbo after a legislative committee removed it from a package of revisions to college financial aid programs.
Indiana Senate panel sets vote on smoking ban
The Senate Public Policy Committee is expected to vote on the bill Wednesday. Amendments won't be allowed to the bill that currently includes exemptions for casinos, bars, fraternal clubs, smoke shops and nursing homes.
Corporate income tax plan hinges on budget hurdles
A tight Indiana budget could thwart efforts in the Indiana General Assembly to improve the state economic climate by lowering the corporate income tax.
Indiana lawmakers about to tackle redistricting
Republicans believed they were thwarted for much of the past decade by Democrat-drawn House maps — and Democrats are braced for the worst in return now that the GOP has solid majorities in the House and Senate.
Next state budget to spend $117M more on pensions
Indiana lawmakers plan to set aside more money in the next two-year budget to help deal with unfunded pension liabilities, but experts warn the amount needed to pay retirees will only grow in the next 15 years.
Bills would set fall votes for Indiana school boards
All school board elections across Indiana would be moved to the November ballot under bills advancing in the state Legislature.