New law lets companies give hiring preferences to vets
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has signed a bill into law that lets companies give preference to veterans in hiring or promoting workers.
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Indiana lawmakers could meet in June for technical session
The House and Senate set June 8 as the technical session meeting date before adjourning last week for the 2015 legislative session.
Pence signs bill loosening Indiana rules on wine sales
Supporters of the change say it will boost Indiana wineries and give wine consumers more choices. Sponsors say 41 other states currently have similar rules on wine shipments.
Legislation protects county assessments on big-box stores
A new measure on the taxation of big-box stores is expected to help Indiana counties avoid fiscal disaster, but national retailers aren’t happy about it.
Religious freedom turmoil likely to spill into next year
Legislative Democrats say they plan to push next year to add nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity to the Indiana civil-rights law covering education, employment, public accommodations and housing.
K-12 schools prepare for funding boosts, cuts in new budget
As Indiana’s fast-growing suburban districts breathe a sigh of relief with more funding on the way, many urban and rural districts are bracing for drastic cuts under the state’s new budget and experts say there might not be a middle ground between the two.
Legislative roundup: Which bills passed, and which died?
Lawmakers passed bills on topics ranging from ethics reform to "religious freedom." Meanwhile, they shot down legislation that would have helped the Indy Eleven build or renovate a stadium and that would have permitted Sunday alcohol sales.
Pence doesn’t know if he’ll sign gambling bill
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says he hasn’t decided whether to sign a gambling bill into law even though legislators took steps to try to avoid a veto.
Democrat Gregg to run for governor again in 2016
Former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg said Thursday he will run for governor again because he thinks Gov. Mike Pence’s focus on social issues has given the state “a bad name.”
Proposed balanced budget amendment passes first test
The resolution must be approved by the state legislature again in either 2017 or 2018 before being able to go to the ballot for ratification.
Ritz says campaign for governor a possibility
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz said in a press conference Thursday that she has not ruled out running for governor during the next election.
Late budget bill addition restores Hoosier State Line funding
The Indiana Department of Transportation’s effort to continue and improve the Hoosier State Rail Line has been rescued by a tax-amnesty program passed by state lawmakers.
Legislature passes $31B budget just before midnight deadline
Indiana lawmakers adjourned for the year late Wednesday after passing a two-year, $31.3 billion budget that boosts funding for schools and leaves the state with slightly less money in reserves.
Pence signs Indiana ban on powdered alcohol into law
Indiana residents will be barred from purchasing, selling or using a powdered form of alcohol under a bill Gov. Mike Pence has signed into law.
Deal allows inland moves for Indiana’s riverboat casinos
Lawmakers have approved a deal to allow Indiana's riverboat casinos to build on-land facilities, but live dealers won't be working table games anytime soon at the state's two horse track casinos.
Lawmakers pass bill that will let Ritz stay chair of education board
A bill passed Wednesday gives the State Board of Education more authority to oversee Indiana’s ISTEP program and a new grant program that gives more money to charter schools, while keeping Superintendent Glenda Ritz as chair until the next election.
Indy Eleven stadium bill dies as session nears close
A bill that would have funneled state money into a new or substantially renovated soccer stadium for the Indy Eleven has died in the legislative session's final hours.
Lawmakers reconsidering search fee for public records
House members have approved a proposal that would allow government agencies to charge a searching fee for record requests that take over two hours. After that time, they could charge up to $20 an hour.
Gambling, education, criminal justice bills still unresolved
Indiana lawmakers were still working late Tuesday to make deals on key bills about gambling, education and local criminal justice programs with just one day left in the 2015 legislative session.
Budget bans state archives building on Central Canal
The Pence administration would be banned from constructing a new, $25 million state archives building along the Central Canal in downtown Indianapolis under the budget bill lawmakers plan to approve Wednesday.