Lawmakers strip key bill of most property tax relief
A Senate committee removed provisions from House Bill 1499 that would have temporarily lowered Indiana’s property tax caps, increased state income tax deductions and limited local tax levy boosts.
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Indianapolis mayoral candidates differ on visions for downtown
Whoever is elected mayor will have to tackle the challenges of a decrease in office workers, an increase in homelessness and crime, and the continued decline of Circle Centre Mall.
Bill targeting ‘noncompliant’ prosecutors appears dead for 2023 session
The measure would have established a prosecutor commission and review board with the goal of dealing with prosecutors who won’t pursue certain cases. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, for instance, has pledged not to prosecute simple marijuana possession cases.
Indiana Senate committee advances pared down anti-ESG bill
A bill designed to prevent the state’s pension fund from working with asset managers that use environmental, social and governmental considerations in their investment strategies was advanced by the Indiana Senate Pensions and Labor Committee on Wednesday.
Bill pits animal welfare activists against breeders and pet stores
The high-stakes battle pits the Humane Society of the United States and its efforts to protect animals against some national pet store chains, which say they simply want to be able to continue to sell puppies from USDA-licensed breeders.
Three Westfield candidates state their cases to be city’s second mayor
Republicans Kristen Burkman, Jake Gilbert and Scott Willis will compete in the May 2 primary election. No Democrats have filed to run for mayor.
TikTok hires Indiana lobbyist as some states restrict access to the app
The move by TikTok comes as several states, including Indiana, restrict access to the video-sharing platform on government-issued devices due to national security concerns.
Amendment to road funding bill would allow state takeover of Indianapolis
City officials, local government advocates and several Democrats serving on the House Roads and Transportation committee voiced deep concerns Tuesday over the language in the amendment.
Secretary of state seeks salary bumps, funding for election security
Secretary of State Diego Morales is asking for salary increases for his employees and about $6 million in funding for an election cybersecurity program in the next two-year budget cycle.
Bill that would change wetlands definition passes Indiana House committee
Democrats, environmental groups and business leaders are denouncing a bill that they say would further erode protections for Indiana’s already shrinking wetlands.
House lawmakers hear testimony on bill protecting retail dog sales
A heated debate over whether the state should restrict municipalities from banning the retail sale of dogs continued Monday at the Indiana Statehouse without resolution.
Republican Shreve expands mayoral campaign advertising to TV
Shreve, a wealthy businessman and former City-County Councilor, is spending more than $220,000 on the TV spot that started airing last weekend.
Indiana pension fund ‘monitoring’ Silicon Valley Bank developments
The Indiana pension system is keeping a close eye on its investment in a debt fund managed SVB Capital, a venture capital firm that is a subsidiary of Silicon Valley Bank’s parent company but separate from the bank itself.
Renewable energy advocates seek legislative daylight for more solar and wind farms
An Indiana Senate bill looks to provide incentives to encourage counties to adopt developer-friendly ordinances for solar and wind projects, but local objections persist.
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.
3 northern suburbs prepare to select new mayors
Change is coming to Carmel, Westfield and Zionsville as a trio of mayors prepares to step aside and a roster of candidates looks to fill those shoes.
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.