Bill roundup: Lawmakers ease back into session after week off
Committee dockets weren’t too packed during the largely slow week, but the House Ways and Means Committee heard Senate Bill 1, which drew hours of testimony.
Politics & Government
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Bill to exclude Cumberland from UniGov advanced by Senate panel
Lawmakers on the Indiana Senate Local Government Committee voted unanimously Thursday in favor of legislation that would exempt the east-side town of Cumberland from Indianapolis-Marion County consolidated government.
Target under 40-day boycott over decision to end DEI initiatives
Organizers of the “Target Fast” urged people who take part to stop shopping at Target and instead redirect their dollars to Black-owned businesses.
UPDATE: Trump changes course, delays some tariffs on Mexico, Canada
Also Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that he expects his country will be in a trade war with the United States for the foreseeable future.
Indiana elections chief joins call for federal upgrades to root out noncitizen voting
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales has joined 20 others in asking new Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for changes to a federal citizenship verification service—including that it be free to use.
Trump administration plans 15% cut to VA workforce
VA is among the largest employers of federal workers, with most employed operating its network of hospitals around the country, according to Pew Research Center.
Indiana House takes its turn on property tax discussions
School officials and advocates, in particular, denounced the dual legislation considered Wednesday because of the possible the double-whammy hit to budgets.
Witnesses accuse school board candidates of ‘hiding’ political affiliations
About 40 witnesses from across the state—including more than a dozen embroiled in contentious Hamilton County elections—weighed in Wednesday on legislation that calls for upending Indiana’s nonpartisan school board system.
Two major local government buildings put up for sale by Trump administration
The downtown Minton-Capehart Federal Building and the Maj. Gen. Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Lawrence were deemed “not core to government operations” by the General Services Administration.
State leaders downplay concerns of possible federal Medicaid cuts
Health policy nonprofit KFF estimates Indiana could miss out on billions of dollars in funding if the federal government enacts a per-capita cap to reduce spending on Medicaid.
IRS drafting plan to cut up to half of its 90,000-person workforce, sources say
The layoffs are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce through billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Braun signs executive orders aimed at ‘extreme gender ideology’
Two executive orders signed Tuesday by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun seek to reinforce prohibitions for collegiate transgender athletes.
Trump official floats new approach for measuring GDP, as economy shows signs of slowing
The Trump administration’s proposed shake-up comes when economists already have broader concerns about the quality of economic data.
Five candidates vying to shape Indiana Democratic Party trajectory for next four years
The usually insular selection has attracted a fair number of high-profile names, including candidates who lost in the 2024 election cycle and long-time party leaders, bringing additional attention and scrutiny to the routine process.
China slaps extra tariffs of up to 15% on imports of major U.S. farm exports
The tariffs will apply to imports of key U.S. farm products, including chicken, pork, soy and beef.
Giant chipmaker to spend $100B to expand chip manufacturing in United States
TSMC, the world’s biggest semiconductor manufacturer, produces chips for companies including Apple, Intel and Nvidia.
Trump says 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports will start Tuesday, with ‘no room’ for delay
President Trump indicated that he wants to even the trade imbalance with both countries and push more factories to relocate in the United States.
Gov. Mike Braun signs order extending maternal leave for state employees
The new leave also extends to mothers who experience stillbirth or fetal loss after 20 weeks of gestation.
County Dems reelect Eldridge as leader, while Republicans pick Goodwin
Both major Marion County political parties gathered over the weekend to select leaders, with the incumbent being selected to remain as party chair for the Democrats and a former congressional staffer chosen as new leader for the Republicans.
Report: Honda moving Civic production from Mexico to Indiana as Trump tariffs loom
The next-generation Civic hybrid was set to be produced in Guanajuato, Mexico, in 2027, according to Reuters, but will now be based in Indiana beginning in 2028.