New state schools chief picked to lead Indiana education board
Board members voted unanimously after little discussion Wednesday to endorse Jennifer McCormick as the board’s leader.
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Holcomb’s budget plan modestly boosts funding for Indiana schools
Democrats say it’s not enough, particularly in its failure to expand state-funded preschool to more counties.
Senate education chief expects delay for ISTEP replacement
The Legislature is expected to extend the life of the current test so that a new version can be written and thoroughly vetted before being administered.
Drug czar position one of Holcomb’s first executive orders
Newly-inaugurated Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb made good on his plan to establish a drug czar position Monday when he signed an executive order on his first official day in office.
Indiana lawmakers propose bills to change RV sales tax law
Two proposed bills in the Indiana Legislature aim to exempt out-of-state buyers of recreational vehicles from having to pay state sales tax, even if their states don't have a reciprocal agreement in place.
Divided appeals court rules in favor of Pence in public records case
The court decided in a divided opinion that the information in the white paper in question is protected from public access.
Holcomb completes ascension from unknown to Indiana governor
Eric Holcomb was a struggling Republican Senate candidate a year ago, a virtual unknown in Indiana despite more than a decade at the top levels of the Republican state politics. On Monday, he became Indiana’s chief executive.
Coats’ career as lawmaker, lobbyist runs counter to Trump’s convictions
Former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats, in line to be national intelligence director, has swung back and forth between government service and lobbying, the type of Washington career that President-elect Donald Trump has mocked.
Preschool advocates urge ‘aggressive’ action from lukewarm lawmakers
Preschool advocates want the Indiana Legislature to spend $50 million a year to expand the state’s pilot program. So far, lawmakers seem cool to that idea.
Proposed bill will seek to make Indiana school chiefs appointed, not elected
Gov.-Elect Eric Holcomb on Thursday announced he wants to make Indiana’s elected superintendent of public instruction a governor-appointed position. House Speaker Brian Bosma is set to author the bill.
State’s dubious vaping law to get big overhaul
Sen. Randy Head of Logansport said he will file a bill to “stop the monopoly” that was created by legislation passed in 2015 and amended in 2016, which essentially put one private security firm in charge of deciding which firms could manufacture the “juice” used in e-cigarettes sold in Indiana.
Schellinger’s new role will have international focus
Jim Schellinger, the incoming secretary of commerce, previously was president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., a role that included frequent travel to communities across the state. In his new post, he'll be courting companies across the globe.
Financial consulting executive Bedel tapped as IEDC president
In addition to naming the president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb on Thursday picked a leader for the Indiana Department of Transportation and someone for a new position to fight substance abuse.
Holcomb calls to use $500M fund from Toll Road lease to fund entrepreneurship
Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb, who announced his legislative agenda Thursday, has roughly the same idea as Gov. Mike Pence when it comes to investing in early-stage Indiana companies, but wants to pay for the plan through a different fund.
Coats reportedly Trump’s favorite candidate for intelligence post
Former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats is the front-runner to become Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, according to two people familiar with the decision.
Pence extends minimum energy standards for buildings
The outgoing governor was set to let the rules expire on Jan. 1. A Department of Homeland Security spokesman says new outdoor stage rules are also in the works.
House Republicans’ road plan includes gas-tax increase, user fees
The proposal calls to raise three taxes and implement new user fees. House Speaker Brian Bosma said he expects the plan to cost most Hoosiers about $4 per month.
GOP leaders say road-funding plan top priority for Legislature
A coalition of not-for-profit and business community voices are urging the Republican majorities to add another priority: expanding a statewide preschool program for poor children.
Budget top priority as lawmakers head back to Statehouse
As GOP leaders preach frugality ahead of the annual legislative session that kicks off Tuesday, they are also planning for a big increase in infrastructure spending—and are considering raising taxes of some kind to pay for it.
Indiana lawmakers set to kick off annual legislative session
The Senate will gavel in for this year's session at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The House will gavel in Wednesday at the same time.