Biden budget aims to cut deficits nearly $3T over 10 years
The proposal would seek to close the “carried interest” loophole that allows wealthy hedge fund managers and other to pay their taxes at a lower rate.
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Indy mayoral candidate Meriweather drops out, backs Shackleford
Candidate Gregory Meriweather is abandoning his campaign in favor of supporting state legislator Robin Shackleford in her bid for the Democratic mayoral nomination, he announced Wednesday.
Indiana House proposed budget alters salary calculations, public health allocations
The proposed changes could have big impacts for lawmakers, as the bill’s language would change the formula used to calculate pay raises for many–from the governor down to each legislator.
City-County Council passes measure to restrict retail pet sales
The proposal would prohibit most retail sales of cats, dogs and rabbits in the city, but could be blocked by possible statewide legislation that is under consideration at the Indiana Statehouse.
IBJ Podcast: At Legislature’s midpoint, which bills survived and which bills are toast?
IBJ’s Peter Blanchard and Casey Smith, a reporter for Indiana Capital Chronicle, talk about the state budget, education and social issues that lawmakers have focused on so far this year.
Transgender disputes, tax reform dominate first half of General Assembly
While hundreds of bills made it to the halfway point, two major themes have risen to the forefront at the Indiana Statehouse this legislative session.
Online casino gambling appears off the table for this legislative session
A proposal to legalize online casino gambling in Indiana has failed to gain traction for a third consecutive year despite earlier optimism about its prospects. A powerful confluence of factors led to its demise.
Holcomb orders testing of toxic material from Ohio
The state is contracting with Minnesota-based Pace Labs, which has a location in Indianapolis, to test for “dangerous levels of dioxins” in the toxic materials.
Biden set for first veto on Senate bill opposing climate-related investing
The Senate passed the measure after Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., crossed party lines and joined the Republicans.
Republicans seize on train derailment to go after Buttigieg
The Transportation Department does not have primary responsibility for the cleanup, and Buttigieg and his supporters are firing back, suggesting the GOP has other motives for its focus on him.
Biden taps Julie Su to lead Labor Department
Su quickly emerged as a clear favorite of organized labor and the Democratic Party establishment in recent weeks after Marty Walsh announced his resignation from the post.
FBI director says COVID-19 ‘most likely’ originated from lab incident
Christopher Wray’s statement follows a Department of Energy analysis for a new government-wide intelligence assessment that a lab accident in Wuhan was most likely responsible for the deadly pandemic.
Holcomb objects to EPA’s decision to ship toxic materials from train derailment to Indiana landfill
Gov. Eric Holcomb also decried a lack of communication from federal officials, saying he first learned about the shipment on Monday through a third party.
Supreme Court takes up challenge that threatens consumer watchdog agency
U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar requested the court step in. But conservatives also urged the court to act.
Administration to toughen enforcement of child labor laws as cases mount
As part of the effort, the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services will coordinate investigations and ensure the safety of migrant children.
White House: No more TikTok on gov’t devices within 30 days
Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a sweeping government funding package.
Biden’s student loan forgiveness program comes before Supreme Court
President Biden’s far-reaching initiative to forgive student loan debt will be debated this week before a Supreme Court that is skeptical of the administration’s bold claims of power—a nearly half-trillion-dollar showdown that could affect more than 40 million Americans.
Indiana lawmakers discard illegal immigrant driving cards proposal
A state Senate committee had endorsed the bill in early February but it failed to advance through another committee before a deadline this week for action.
Bill aims to keep state from releasing non-resident prisoners in Indianapolis
House Bill 1087, authored by Rep. Justin Moed, D-Indianapolis, would require the Indiana Department of Correction—with some exceptions—to return offenders to the county where they lived when they were convicted.
House passes $43.4B budget with no Democrat votes
Democrats denounced the budget for taking funding away from traditional public schools. Under the new proposal, families making up to 400% of the federal poverty level, roughly $220,000, qualify for vouchers.