City-County Councilor Ethan Evans leaves Democratic Party, becomes independent
Evans says he feels mostly shut out of the Democrat-controlled council despite “speaking for a wide progressive base who wants these very solutions implemented.”
Politics & Government
Articles
Braun: Supreme Court should leave decisions on interracial marriage, abortion to states
During a conference call to discuss the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, Sen. Mike Braun from Indiana said he’d welcome the rescinding of several key decisions made by the court in the past 70 years to pass the power to the states.
Biden warns U.S. companies of potential Russian cyberattacks
Addressing corporate CEOs at their quarterly meeting, Biden told the business leaders they have a “patriotic obligation” to harden their systems against such attacks.
As city looks to state for help, path to more road funding unclear
Indianapolis officials are looking to state government for options that could help the city close a funding gap of up to $1 billion a year for roads and transportation infrastructure.
Incentive for film production breaks losing streak in Indiana Legislature
Filmmaker Angelo Pizzo, Rep. Bob Morris and lobbyist Tony Samuel explain how an underdog proposal to attract movie business became a new law.
New sites for deaf school, state archives building announced by governor
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday announced long-awaited site plans involving the Indiana School for the Deaf, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and a new state archives building.
Westfield City Council votes down disability advisory council
The Westfield City Council on Monday night rejected a proposed ordinance that would have established an advisory council on disabilities, similar to committees already in place in Carmel and Fishers.
Indiana attorney general bills state $2,300 for border trip
The state Democratic Party criticized Rokita for spending taxpayer money on what it called a “political trip.”
State election watchdog forms Indianapolis redistricting commission
Common Cause Indiana announced Wednesday that it has formed a nine-member, “politically balanced” group called the Indianapolis Citizens Redistricting Commission, similar to a project it led last year aimed at Congressional and state redistricting.
Limits on insulin costs revived in push for Senate action
Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and more than 6 million use insulin to keep their blood sugars under control. It’s an old drug, refined over the years, that has seen relentless price increases.
Ukrainian American Rep. Spartz takes on leading role in GOP response to Russian invasion of her home country
On Tuesday night, she will be part of the group of lawmakers who will escort President Joe Biden into the House chamber for a State of the Union address that is expected to focus heavily on the conflict happening in her home country.
Indiana House unanimously supports sanctions against Russia
An amendment approved to Senate Bill 388, which deals with foreign gifts and ownership of agricultural land, would block Russian-controlled businesses from acquiring property in Indiana for one year.
Legislators vote to ban some officeholders from being Marion County party chair—but not themselves
A Democrat-authored amendment aimed at ousting Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell made it a step further this week when the Indiana House approved the elections bill it’s tacked onto. And the bill leaves the door open for state legislators to pursue her job.
Sources: Biden to nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court
In Jackson, Biden delivers on a campaign promise to make the historic appointment and to further diversify a court that was made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries.
Indiana State Police leader blasts GOP on gun permit repeal
A proposal that could ultimately repeal Indiana’s handgun permit requirement remained alive in the Legislature on Thursday despite the objections of major law enforcement groups and officials, including the head of the State Police.
Council committee OKs proposal tracking federal pandemic relief spending
Proposal 58 is a rare Republican-led initiative to gain traction in a legislative body with a 20-5 Democratic supermajority.
Despite supermajority, Indiana Republicans change curriculum bill
Although the changes haven’t satisfied most critics, the effort highlights the tightrope walk between appeasing core conservative voters and not alienating moderates as political opinions in rural and suburban areas pull in opposite directions, analysts said.
State lawmakers table IndyGo Blue Line amendment
The House Ways and Means Committee on Monday tabled an amendment that would have conditioned the removal of some public transportation funding requirements on compliance with new lane minimums—which would’ve involved budget-busting redesign and land acquisition over several miles of the proposed 24-mile route.
Indiana lawmakers name mastodon as first state fossil
Mastodons roamed Indiana starting about 2.5 million years ago and became extinct about 10,500 years ago, according to Hanover College geology professor Stanley Totten. They’re now the most common Ice Age fossil found in Indiana.
City-County Council announces last Indianapolis redistricting forum
The event will be remote. The Zoom meeting is set for Feb. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is open to any interested Marion County resident with registration online.