Hate crimes law advocates not fond of bill that doesn’t specify protected classes
Indiana Forward, a group pushing for hate crimes legislation, said the law must include a comprehensive list of protected classes.
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Indiana Republicans suggest schools cut costs to raise teacher pay
The goal for school districts would be to use 85 percent or more of their state funding for instruction-related costs, such as teacher salaries.
Sexual harassment proposal offers new lawmaker-intern relationship rules
The Legislative Council voted in November to recommend the Indiana General Assembly adopt the new policy, which adds a definition of sexual harassment to the ethical standards for lawmakers.
House Republicans reveal agenda without hate crimes bill
The priorities for Indiana House Republicans this year align with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s agenda, except for one significant issue that did not make the list: a hate crimes bill.
IBJ Podcast: Will Indiana lawmakers bet big on sports gambling?
IBJ reporter Lindsey Erdody talks with host Mason King about the sports gambling legislation that will be considered in the Indiana House and Senate this year, including the many details that could complicate passage.
Indiana OKs new rules for veterans agency after scrutiny
Indiana officials have approved new rules to rein in a state agency that awarded grants intended for struggling veterans to its own employees.
Holcomb banks $4M two years ahead of Indiana re-election bid
The state GOP said Holcomb ended 2018 with more campaign cash in the bank that any previous second-year governor.
Latest hate crimes proposal leaves out specific protected classes
Rep. Greg Steuerwald, R-Avon, who introduced the bill, said the measure does not list specific protected classes because “we wanted every bias to be included that you can think of.”
Indiana General Assembly faces tight budget as new session begins
Members of the General Assembly return Thursday to the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis for a session expected to last until late April. Budget issues are expected to dominate the session.
Sports betting unlikely to be home run for state budgets
Returns in states that have already approved of sports betting have been modest so far. And experts say revenue is likely to be diluted overall as more and more states jump into the game.
Holcomb remains against legalizing marijuana, despite moves by neighboring states
Several Indiana legislators support marijuana legalization bills that could be considered during the General Assembly session that starts in early January.
Probe of Indiana’s AG cost taxpayers at least $26K, records show
An investigation into allegations that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill drunkenly groped four women at a party last March cost taxpayers at least $26,300, according to records obtained through open records requests.
Attorney: No plans to use public funds to defend Curtis Hill
Employment attorney Kevin Betz said he won't take state money, despite a draft of the contract that showed his firm, Betz + Blevins, would receive up to $100,000 in public money to represent Curtis Hill and the attorney general's office.
State unemployment rate ticks up to 3.6 percent
The national unemployment rate for November was 3.7 percent. With the exception of one month when it was equal, Indiana’s unemployment rate has been below the U.S. rate for more than five years.
Gov. Holcomb wants to keep Pacers in Indy, will consider plans to improve CIB facilities
The Capital Improvement Board of Managers will ask lawmakers for more long-term funding that could be used in part for improvements at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The governor says he’s ready to listen.
Orange County economic-development veteran to become state tourism director
Misty Weisensteiner succeeds Mark Newman, who had been in the post six years when he stepped down in August to become executive director of Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations.
Report says central Indiana faces dearth of ‘good’ jobs—so OneAmerica raises some salaries
The Brookings Institution report found that the situation is especially dire for Hoosiers without college degrees and said the state shouldn’t incentivize jobs that don’t pay middle class wages and benefits.
State tax revenue projected to grow, but new money will barely cover increased costs
State fiscal leaders heard some good and bad news about the state budget Monday morning in a highly anticipated revenue forecast that predicted tax receipts for the next two years.
Pacers rethinking fieldhouse fan experience
The $200 million in upgrades to the Atlanta Hawks’ arena might provide hints as to what Pacers Sports & Entertainment is seeking in hush-hush negotiations with the Capital Improvement Board.
New members, new leaders could spice up 2019 legislative session
When the Indiana General Assembly convenes for the 2019 session on Thursday, it will have 21 new faces—16 in the House and five in the Senate—a significant amount of turnover for a body of 150 lawmakers.