Should the state ax its individual income tax?
A powerful Senate Republican plans to introduce legislation next year to create a commission to consider changes to Indiana’s tax structure, including phasing out the state income tax.
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Q&A with Niki Kelly, a veteran reporter leading a Statehouse news outlet
For more than two decades, Kelly reported for The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne. But this summer, Kelly, 49, was named editor-in-chief of the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Black legislative caucus picks new leaders
Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago,, succeeds state Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis, as chair.
Tension over ballot measure to fund Rebuilding Stronger could get Indiana lawmakers involved
IPS heads into the new year amid public disagreement between district officials and some charters over how much funding from the referendum should be split up between different schools, if voters approve it.
Funding for education, public health expected to dominate 2023 Legislature
Also looking for state support are initiatives related to workforce training, road funding, energy standards and affordable housing.
IBJ Podcast: Former budget hawk flips role, asks for big increase in state health spending
Former state senator Luke Kenley and Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana state health commissioner, break down their big ask of the Indiana Legislature: Increase public health spending by $242 million per year.
Luke Kenley: State must boost public health spending
The former chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee will testify before that same committee to ask lawmakers to allocate an additional quarter-of-a-billion dollars annually toward public health programs.
Indiana lawmakers return ahead of new state budget debate
The four-month-long 2023 session that begins in early January will focus on drafting a new state budget, with Democrats calling for a pause on debating contentious social issues after Republican lawmakers pushed through the state’s abortion ban over the summer.
Three education issues to watch in 2023 legislative session
GOP leaders essentially stayed mum about whether they’ll take another crack at last year’s unsuccessful curriculum bill that sought to restrict what teachers could say about race and racism.
Indiana Chamber, state lawmakers lay out legislative priorities
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce laid out its agenda as lawmakers prepare to return to the Statehouse next year to craft a two-year budget and consider dipping into the state’s $6 billion surplus to improve public health outcomes, education and workforce development.
Steve Braun, former state commissioner of workforce development, dies at 63
Steve Braun represented Indiana House District 24, which includes parts of Boone and Hamilton counties, from 2012 to 2014 before being appointed commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development by Gov. Mike Pence.
Election leaves lingering questions for Indiana Dems, Indy GOP
The intensifying Republican dominance of statewide politics and heightened Democrat popularity in Indianapolis raise questions about how or when the opposing party can ever win a statewide or citywide seat.
Kyle Walker’s win crushes Democrats’ hopes to flip Indiana Senate seat
Walker, who represents State Senate District 31, which includes all of Fishers, Geist and parts of Lawrence, had 19,848 votes to Democrat Jocelyn Vare’s 16,128 votes with 95 percent of the ballots tallied.
Can Democrats put dent in Indiana GOP’s legislative supermajority?
In order to break the Republican supermajority in both chambers, Democrats would need to gain five House districts and six Senate seats in the Nov. 8 election.
Candidates for new House seats in suburbs make their pitches
Three Indiana House districts—new or heavily redrawn by the Legislature in 2020 because of population growth north of Indianapolis—are being contested for the first time.
Raising the stakes: Momentum builds to allow online casino gambling in Indiana
There are six states–Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia–that offer the full spectrum of online gambling, from virtual slot machines to online card games. Nevada also allows online gambling but limits it to online poker.
You don’t have to own a home to go solar; some renters have an option, too
Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia allow community solar projects. Indiana is not one of them, according to the EPA.
Rokita goes directly to Indiana Supreme Court to try to overturn pause of abortion law
The attorney general is appealing a local judge’s ruling that clinics can resume providing abortions for women who are up to 20 weeks pregnant.
In unhealthy Indiana, business and health leaders rally around plan to boost public health spending
A blue-ribbon commission appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb is recommending that the state spend an additional $242 million a year to help local health departments and school districts make their communities healthier.
UPDATED: Judge puts Indiana abortion ban on hold; AG pledges to appeal
The ban was approved by the state’s Republican-dominated Legislature on Aug. 5 and signed by GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb. The ruling comes one week after it took effect.