Checking in with the Indiana legislative session at halftime
Indiana lawmakers have reached halftime in this year's legislative session, which has been marked more by plans deferred and legislation killed than major changes.
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Bosma: Major changes to state workforce system likely must wait
Pushing the discussion to next year is likely to frustrate advocates in the business community who believe lawmakers have toiled long enough on the workforce development system, making incremental changes year after year.
Indiana township merger bill fails without legislative vote
The plan would have required consolidation by townships with fewer than 1,200 residents.
Indiana Senate joins House in passing cannabis oil measure
The Indiana Legislature is poised to allow anyone to purchase and use a cannabis-derived extract believed to have therapeutic benefits, following a key vote by the state Senate on Monday.
House passes bill to overhaul high school diplomas
Currently four different diplomas are offered. The bill would require the state board of education to create the “Indiana Diploma” as the state’s new baseline.
Indiana House backs bill eliminating handgun licensing fee
Under the proposal, anyone wanting to legally carry a handgun in public would still be required to undergo a background check before obtaining a state permit, but the lifetime licensing fees would be eliminated.
Push for merging small Indiana townships nears House vote
Hundreds of Indiana’s least-populated townships face forced mergers with their neighbors in what would be the most significant overhaul of the local governments since a gubernatorial commission called for their elimination a decade ago.
New data: Child abuse deaths rise, notably in Indiana, Texas
Newly released federal figures show a sharp rise in child abuse fatalities in the U.S., with the bulk of the increase occurring in two states—Indiana and Texas—where child-welfare agencies have been in disarray.
Greenwood businesses to get digital boost with state’s online service
INBiz is designed to save companies time and legwork when they have business with the state—and soon services through the city of Greenwood will be available as well.
Report: Indiana putting children in foster care at twice national rate
The number of children placed in foster care has surged as states struggle to address the opioid epidemic. But the problem is particularly acute in a handful of states, including Indiana.
House advances ‘hillbilly venture capital’ bill pushed by payday loan industry
House Bill 1319, which would allow the short-term loan industry to offer high-interest consumer loans, is opposed by veteran groups, religious institutions and consumer advocates.
Last-minute proposal would let 10 percent of teachers be unlicensed
The measure, added during a Senate Education Committee meeting, would ostensibly let public schools be more competitive with charter schools at a time when many districts are having difficulty finding qualified teachers.
IURC chairmanship attracts 7 candidates
The five-person commission regulates $14 billion in electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer utilities. It approves utility projects and determines how much utilities can charge customers.
Indiana House approves bill to lift Indy-area ban on light rail
Lawmakers are reconsidering the ban with hopes of landing Amazon’s second North American headquarters.
Indiana House Republicans kill bill to raise smoking age to 21
House Republicans justified the decision, stating that their calculations indicate the change would cost state government $14 million a year in lost cigarette tax revenue.
Push for hate crimes law fails again in Indiana Legislature
Indiana will remain one of just five states without a hate crimes law after a bill was sidelined in the Senate. Critics said the failure to pass such a law could hurt the state’s chances of landing Amazon’s planned second headquarters.
Eliminating handgun permit fee could shrink state revenue by $11M
Some Republicans have sought a full repeal of Indiana’s handgun permit law. Legislators compromised by proposing to eliminate the permit fee starting in July 2019.
House panel approves bill to raise state smoking age from 18 to 21
Lawmakers stripped a provision from the bill that would have boosted the cigarette tax from 99 cents a pack to $2.99.
Cities, states seek alternatives to corrosive salt for melting ice on roads
Experts suggest using beet juice, molasses, and even beer or cheese waste to make slick roads safer, in an effort to stop polluting fresh water sources with salty runoff.
FEIGENBAUM: Why firm, fair leadership matters at this point in session
Contrary to popular public belief, the session’s driving issue is not Sunday-alcohol or cold-beer sales expansion.