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.
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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.
Holcomb picks Allen County official to serve as state auditor
Tera Klutz will be the first certified public accountant to be Indiana auditor, the top state official in charge of paying the state’s bills and accounting for state money, according to Holcomb’s office.
Critics want tighter restrictions on post-legislative work
The fact that two just-retired Indiana legislators are both already legally working for lobbying groups is leading some to question whether the state’s ethics laws are strict enough.
Critics decry Pence team for letting state fair stage collapse rule expire
Regulators had more than three years to approve permanent rules establishing stricter design and construction requirements for outdoor event equipment but did not do so before the emergency rules expired this year.
Indiana bill seeks to eliminate requirement for gun permits
Gun rights advocates view the upcoming legislative session as their best bet to get rid of an Indiana law that requires a license to carry handguns.
Holcomb reappoints Carter to lead state police, names chief of staff
Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb announced several appointments and reappointments Friday.
2016 TOP STORIES: Dramatic year sends Pence to D.C., Republicans to Statehouse
Donald Trump’s big victory in Indiana means his running mate Mike Pence will be vice president. It also swept Eric Holcomb into the governor’s office and Todd Young into the U.S. Senate.
State senator proposes casino for Terre Haute
Legislation to put a casino in one, specific location would be tough to pass. Lawmakers from Gary have tried for years to move one of its riverboat casinos inland and a previous proposal to move part of Rising Sun’s gambling operations to Indianapolis found a skeptical response.
2016 NEWSMAKER: Jennifer McCormick, new state schools chief
Political newcomer Jennifer McCormick was elected Nov. 8 as state superintendent of public instruction—a surprise to many who expected Democrat Glenda Ritz to keep her seat.
Pence could leave state with no energy standards for buildings
Critics say the absence of standards could have negative results for Hoosiers’ energy bills and lead to a “slumlord’s dream” scenario.
Incoming governor assembles finance team
Eric Holcomb tapped Jason Dudich as budget director and Adam Krupp as Department of Revenue commissioner. He also announced that Mike Pence-appointee Dan Huge will continue as director of the Indiana Finance Authority.
Secretary of Indiana’s welfare agency resigns
FSSA chief John Wernert is stepping down to work for the Sagamore Institute, a right-leaning think tank based in Indianapolis.
Powerful former Sen. Larry Borst dies
Borst served 36 years in the Senate representing southern Marion County and northern Johnson County. For more than three decades, he was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the panel through which the budget and all tax legislation had to pass.
Legislature served smorgasbord of taxes, tolls, fees as road funding options
An increase in state gas taxes, tolling and a vehicle fee are among many possibilities suggested by a task force to pay for road improvements expected to cost as much as $1.2 billion annually.
Outgoing attorney general looks forward to working in private sector, legal ed
Greg Zoeller hopes to continue to assist in legal education programs and is looking for a central home for all of the ideas and projects he hopes to implement once he leaves the Statehouse.