Pence picks longtime aide Lloyd to be communications chief
Matt Lloyd served as communications director on Mike Pence’s congressional staff for 10 years and as a senior advisor to his gubernatorial campaign.
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Deal calls for special study of ISTEP exam’s future
Some senators had pushed a bill calling for replacement of the exam with an "off-the-shelf" test in hopes of saving millions of dollars. But House members favored keeping ISTEP in place while undertaking a special review of a possible overhaul.
Republicans eye more rules on Ritz, education board dealings
Indiana legislative leaders are considering steps to broaden the Republican-backed proposal aimed at allowing the state Board of Education to replace the state superintendent of public instruction—currently Democrat Glenda Ritz—as its leader.
Indiana lawmakers facing decisions on budget, casino changes
Indiana lawmakers were grappling Wednesday over where to make cuts in the new state budget with little more than a week remaining in the legislative session while also debating what steps should be taken to help struggling casinos.
Indiana Senate backs bill loosening rules on wine sales
Indiana residents will have an easier time having wine shipped to their homes under a bill approved by state lawmakers.
Lawmaker seeks to drop welfare drug-testing measure
An Indiana lawmaker says he no longer supports his proposal that would require certain welfare recipients to take drug tests and instead wants more study on the issue.
Lawmakers still unsettled over more live casino dealers
The question of whether the two horse track casinos in central Indiana will be allowed to add live dealers for their current electronic table games remained unsettled Monday with little more than a week left in this year's legislative session.
Lawmaker renews efforts to require schools to teach cursive
A longtime supporter of requiring Indiana schools to teach cursive writing is making her fifth attempt to restore the skill to Indiana's curriculum.
Angst over ISTEP continues in Statehouse, school districts
Lawmakers are at odds over a proposal to scrap the ISTEP+ standardized test for an off-the-shelf model. Meanwhile, schools are preparing to take the online portion of the high-stakes test, which has been glitchy in the past.
Pence signs bill expanding use of overdose drug
The new law allows Indiana residents to obtain and use a drug that can reverse heroin overdoses in their relatives, friends and loved ones.
Final state budget negotiations get underway
Legislative fiscal leaders launched final budget negotiations Friday with a somber tone, a reflection of this week’s downward revision in the state’s revenue projections.
Indiana lawmakers approve rules for e-cigarette liquids
The bill's provisions include banning sales to those younger than 18, establishing manufacturing safety standards, and requiring child-proof and tamper-proof caps on containers.
Bills would allow public/charter partnerships to grow
After seeing a 2014 law fuel unprecedented collaborations between Indianapolis Public Schools and such charter schools as Phalen Leadership Academies, the Legislature decided to extend the same opportunity to school districts statewide.
Indiana may build $25M archive on downtown canal
Indiana is working on plans to build a $25 million state archives building on the Central Canal downtown, taking up green space and adding another institutional user to the Canal Walk. The canal site, across from the Indiana History Center, beat out three other locations the state evaluated.
Indiana House sends construction wage law repeal to governor
The bill repealing the state law that sets wages for public construction projects is on its way to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence after his strong push for the measure.
Poll: RFRA fallout does damage to Pence’s approval rating
Gov. Mike Pence is underwater and vulnerable to a challenge in 2016, according to a poll released Thursday morning by Howey Politics Indiana.
State revenue forecast comes in lower than expected
State lawmakers will have about $213 million less to spend during the next two years than they thought they would when they started working on the next two-year budget.
Indiana bill banning powdered alcohol sent to Pence
Senate members approved a bill Wednesday that would make it illegal to possess, purchase, sell or use powdered alcohol in Indiana. It also requires further study on the issue this summer.
Indiana Senate hears warning of possible budget cuts
The Indiana Senate endorsed a proposal for a new two-year state spending plan on Wednesday, just after its chief budget writer warned that cuts might soon have to be made.
Ethics legislation gets closer to becoming law
The Indiana Senate passed ethics legislation Wednesday that would require lawmakers to be more transparent about their finances and strengthen laws designed to keep legislators from taking advantage of state resources for political gain.