Indiana drivers holding cellphones now face stiffer penalties
Violations will now result in four points against a driver’s license, BMV officials said.
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Schumer: Vote on infrastructure bill could come within days
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was prepared to keep lawmakers in Washington for as long as it took to complete votes on both the bipartisan infrastructure plan and a budget blueprint.
State: Decisions about vaccines, masks are up to school districts, businesses
State health officials say they have no authority to require anyone to get a vaccine, including state employees.
Biden orders tough new vaccination rules for federal workers
The federal government directly employs about 4 million people (including about 38,900 in Indiana), but Biden’s action could affect many more when federal contractors are factored in.
Here’s how the bipartisan infrastructure deal would invest $280 billion in transportation
The money would be split between existing programs that fund highways, transit agencies and airports, and other initiatives designed to tackle goals such as repairing aging bridges and improving the accessibility of buses.
Hampton to vacate Noblesville council seat for new job in Florida
Former TV sportscaster Wil Hampton has represented the city’s District 4 since he was first elected in 2015. He has accepted a job as associate director of athletics for a Florida university.
Infrastructure talks in political jeopardy as infighting spills into the open
For weeks, the 10 Republicans and Democrats hashing out a roughly $1 trillion package to revitalize the nation’s roads, bridges, pipes, ports and internet connections have insisted that the group was close to finalizing a deal with the White House.
Senators race to overcome snag over mass transit in infrastructure deal
As discussions continued through the weekend, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman said both sides were “about 90% of the way there” on an agreement.
As coronavirus surges, GOP lawmakers are moving to limit public health powers
In Indiana and other states, anger at perceived overreach by health officials has prompted legislative attempts to limit their authority, including new state laws that prevent the closure of businesses or allow lawmakers to rescind mask mandates.
Weinzapfel picked as interim leader of United Way group
The group said Jonathan Weinzapfel would serve as interim president and chief executive officer through the end of 2021.
Westfield’s new rule: Public good or a scarlet letter?
Supporters say the rule will provide more transparency when city councilors vote on projects that benefit campaign donors. Critics say the change will benefit councilors who can bankroll their own campaigns.
Lawmakers, citizens groups gird for redistricting session
The usual gerrymandering is expected this year as the Legislature embarks on the once-a-decade process of redistricting, though public scrutiny is expected to be much greater than in previous years.
August hearings set on Indiana election redistricting
The hearings will be the first public steps by the Republican-dominated Legislature on the once-a-decade redrawing of election maps based on population shifts.
Infrastructure spending bill fails first vote; Senate to try again
The nearly $1 trillion measure calls for about $579 billion in new spending over five years on roads, broadband and other public works projects, to be followed by a much broader $3.5 trillion measure from Democrats next month.
Big infrastructure bill in peril as GOP threatens filibuster
Tensions were rising Tuesday as Republicans prepared to block the vote, mounting a filibuster over what they see as a rushed and misguided process.
Senator: Bipartisan infrastructure bill loses IRS provision
The proposal to go after taxpayers who skip out on income taxes initially had potential bipartisan appeal, but outside groups came forward to lambaste it as a way to enable the IRS to snoop around Americans’ personal finances.
State to spend $13M to prep possible merger of blind, deaf school sites
State officials say no final decisions about a combined campus have been reached, but they are forging ahead for now with the prep work, including the search for as many as 120 acres to house the schools.
Census data will be ready Aug. 16 to begin legislative redistricting
The U.S. Census Bureau says data needed for Indiana lawmakers to redraw the state’s legislative and congressional districts will be ready Aug. 16, and legislative leaders are planning to hold hearings across the state that month to receive public input on the once-a-decade task.
Former Indiana lawmaker Dan Forestal dies at 38
Forestal resigned from his Indiana House seat about a year ago, saying he was struggling with mental health issues. He also faced several criminal charges related to alcohol and resisting arrest.
Hoosiers getting state tax refund after surprising revenue surplus
Overall tax collections came in about 14% higher than a year ago, giving Indiana a surplus of almost $3.9 billion and triggering a tax refund.