Democratic lawmakers leave Indiana, block labor bill
Indiana House Democrats took a page from the playbook of their counterparts in Wisconsin on Tuesday, refusing to show up and at least temporarily blocking a Republican-backed labor bill.
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General Assembly approves fix for bankrupt jobless fund
The Indiana Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill to fix the state's bankrupt unemployment insurance fund. The measure now moves to Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels for his signature.
Senate OKs parts of Daniels’ education agenda
The Republican-led Indiana Senate approved several key pieces of GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels' aggressive education agenda Tuesday, including a bill to limit teachers' collective bargaining rights and a bill linking teacher pay to student performance.
House GOP budget spares bank insurance fund
Indiana bankers are relieved House Republicans decided to spare a bank insurance fund from being raided to plug holes elsewhere in the state’s finances, but they’re not done lobbying against the idea.
Democrats delay state House action amid union protests
Democratic legislators are staying away from the Indiana House chamber, blocking the Republican majority from conducting business while hundreds of union members crowd the adjourning hallways in protest of a contentious labor bill.
Immigration bill’s author won’t vote on own bill
Republican Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel, the author of a contentious Arizona-style bill to crack down on illegal immigration in Indiana, won't be present if the state Senate votes on the measure Tuesday.
Indiana panel OKs labor bill as unions protest
Union supporters shouted "lie" and "shame" at members of a Republican-led Indiana House committee who voted in favor of so-called right-to-work legislation, after impassioned arguments that it was aimed at weakening unions and would drive down wages.
Indiana activists oppose nuclear incentive bill
A bill that would offer Indiana's utilities incentives to build the state's first nuclear power plants is advancing in the Statehouse despite strong opposition from environmentalists, renewable energy boosters and industries that consume large amounts of electricity.
Lawmakers reach deadline week as key bills remain
Indiana lawmakers have a busy week ahead of them as they try to advance major bills before legislative deadlines arrive this week.
GOP-led Indiana House panel OKs new budget proposal
A Republican-controlled Indiana House committee has approved a GOP budget proposal that would keep overall education funding at current levels while making major shifts in the way money is divvied up among individual school districts.
Senate OKs bill to ban texting while driving
Both chambers of the Indiana Legislature have now approved bills making it illegal for drivers to type, send or read text messages on mobile phones or other electronic devices.
GOP senators leery of Indiana immigration crackdown
A bill aimed at having an Arizona-style crackdown on illegal immigration in Indiana is on its way to the state Senate, but some Republican senators expressed concerns Thursday about the ramifications for law enforcement and taxpayers.
Budget would take slice out of growing horse industry
A move by budget-makers to tap the kitty that feeds the state’s horse-racing industry could deal a blow to the business just as Indiana is starting to gain ground on its neighbors.
Bills seek utility rate flexibility to comply with EPA mandates
Indiana’s utilities have energetically sought legislation this session that would allow them to quickly charge ratepayers for the cost of new federal mandates to reduce pollution.
EDITORIAL: Legislators need to create jobs, not kill them
Sadly, a legislative body supposedly focused on job creation continues to willfully disregard the advice of the very business community that is expected to create those jobs.
UPDATE: GOP budget includes big shift in school funding
Individual school districts could see major shifts in funding but overall education funding would remain at current levels under a state budget plan presented Thursday by Republicans who control the Indiana House.
Gun bill raises concerns for CIB properties
Legislation that would allow Hoosiers with gun permits to carry their weapons into municipal properties could affect Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.
Panel OKs plan to cut Indiana corporate tax rate
A proposed cut of more than 20 percent in the state's corporate income tax rate would improve Indiana's business climate without hurting the state budget, the leader of the Indiana Senate's tax committee said Wednesday.
Lawmaker wants state to stop funding Planned Parenthood
Rep. Matt Ubelor of Bloomfield said he wants to cut off about $1.6 million that Planned Parenthood of Indiana receives from the state because he believes abortion providers shouldn't receive taxpayer funding.
Indiana House OKs amendment banning gay marriage
The Republican-controlled House voted 70-26 to advance the proposal, which must clear two separately-elected Legislatures to get on the ballot for a public vote.