U.S. national debt eclipses $34 trillion for first time
The new milestone comes as lawmakers brace for fiscal showdowns over spending levels in the new year.
Politics & Government
Articles
IBJ Podcast: Statehouse reporters preview the upcoming legislative session
Managing Editor Greg Weaver talks with two Statehouse reporters—IBJ’s Peter Blanchard and State Affairs’ Kaitlin Lange—about what to expect at the Legislature in the coming weeks.
After landmark legislation, Indiana Republican leaders call for short, ‘fine-tuning’ session
The General Assembly beginning Jan. 8 must adjourn by March 14 and will be closed to items with a fiscal impact.
Departing City-County Council VP Zach Adamson reflects on 12-year run
In an interview with IBJ, the outgoing council vice president reflected on his time as the first openly gay leader to hold countywide office in Indianapolis and on his efforts to improve landlord accountability, animal welfare and environmental protection.
2023 Newsmaker: Hogsett wins third term as Indy mayor
The Democratic incumbent beat a self-funded opponent in a reelection bid where he focused on the administration’s fiscal accomplishments and unfinished business leftover from the pandemic.
Year in review: Influential people who died in 2023
Henry Kissinger, Rosalynn Carter, Dianne Feinstein, Sandra Day O’Connor, Tina Turner, Suzanne Somers, Matthew Perry, Raquel Welch, Jimmy Buffett, Harry Belafonte and Norman Lear were among the long list of notable deaths over the past year.
State Sen. Freeman to challenge IndyGo dedicated bus lanes, city’s no-turn-on-red ordinance
A state senator known for filing legislation aimed at IndyGo has introduced a measure targeting the transit agency again in 2024. IndyGo says the bill, if passed, would kill the proposed Blue Line.
In reversal, U.S. to heighten efforts to collect billions in unpaid COVID loans
The Biden administration plans to more aggressively pursue thousands of small businesses with past-due pandemic loans, reversing an earlier policy that saw the U.S. government stop short of trying to collect an estimated $30 billion in delinquent debt.
Zent latest state lawmaker to announce departure from General Assembly
The Republican representing House District 51 said Wednesday he will complete his current term but will not seek reelection in 2024. He joins several other GOP legislators who are retiring or resigning.
Israel, Hamas measures get look as most state legislatures prepare to meet
In Indiana, a key leader has said the House will prioritize addressing antisemitism.
Judge cuts probation for Indiana lawmaker after drunken driving plea
Republican Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour asked Jackson Superior Court Judge Bruce MacTavish earlier this month to end his probation after six months, stating in court filings that he “performed very well on probation with no violations” and “all fees and financial obligations have been satisfied.”
Holcomb won’t say he’ll back Trump if he becomes the GOP presidential nominee
“Ask me when that’s not a hypothetical,” Gov. Eric Holcomb replied when asked if he would vote for Donald Trump if he becomes the GOP nominee.
New city-county councilors eager to tackle Indy’s challenges
Six Democratic councilors-elect, and one Republican, make up the freshman class that will take office Jan. 1. Democrats will have a 19-6 majority on the Indianapolis City-County Council.
Holcomb’s 2024 agenda includes building awareness of state programs
As he enters his final year in office, Gov. Eric Holcomb wants more Hoosiers to know about state programs that have been created or expanded during his administration.
Southeast Indiana lawmaker says he won’t seek reelection in 2024
The lawmaker representing House District 68 in southeast Indiana said Monday he plans to complete his term.
State lawmaker surveys show education, fiscal issues top concerns
Aside from those two broad areas of concern, questions on constituent surveys ran the gamut from health care and broadband to farmland policies and Ohio River tolls, reflecting the individual focuses of each lawmaker.
House approves impeachment inquiry into President Biden
Authorizing the monthslong inquiry ensures that the impeachment investigation extends well into 2024, when President Joe Biden will be running for reelection.
Secretary of state appeals ruling for Senate candidate seeking GOP nod
The filing came a day after a Marion County judge granted an injunction sought by John Rust, the former chair of the egg supplier Rose Acre Farms who is running to replace Sen. Mike Braun.
Expect a tamer legislative session in 2024
Republican leaders in the Indiana General Assembly say not to expect the same level of heated debate in the 2024 legislative session as in recent years. Instead, look for lawmakers to “tweak” and “fine-tune” existing laws.
Opponents of downtown tax to seek reprieve from Legislature, Bosma says
It’s unclear if lawmakers are open to rolling back the measure, which was slipped into the 2023 state budget without public input. However, the push for a change has a powerful ally in former Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma.