State panel backs bill for welfare drug testing
The bill would require Indiana residents to be screened through a questionnaire and drug tested if they show a likelihood of addiction.
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City, state to scrutinize charter curriculum that questions evolution
A Texas-based education organization with approval to open two Indianapolis charter schools teaches creationism and Christian-based character virtues, according to an article by Slate.com. It has prompted an expedited review of the group’s curriculum by Indianapolis and state education officials.
Teachers could receive money to pay loans under proposed bill
A bipartisan group in the Indiana House is working to give some public elementary or high school teachers $9,000 towards their student loans after three consecutive years of teaching.
Commitee passes bill to protect veterans in hiring
Indiana House Bill 1242 says employers could be charged with unlawful employment practices if they refuse to hire applicants because of their military service.
Bill would create one-stop website for business owners
The bill specifies that the secretary of state’s office, and the departments of workforce development and revenue work together to develop and maintain the website.
Committee strips down, passes ag-gag bill
A Senate committee watered down a bill Tuesday that was meant to stop secret videography and photography of farming operations.
Bill seeks bigger tax breaks for individuals, families
The bill, backed by Gov. Mike Pence and authored by Chairman Tim Brown, R-Crawfordsville, would tie individual and family tax deductions to increases in inflation.
House sends redistricting bill to Senate after changes
The bill passed 77-20 after amendments meant to make the process as independent as possible and require a unanimous vote of the commission to pass the maps. Democrats offered both amendments.
Bosma moves marriage bill to elections committee
House Speaker Brian Bosma said he heard over the weekend from a majority of the members of the Republican caucus who said they wanted a chance to vote on the amendment, which would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Business tax cuts take next step at Statehouse
A Senate committee voted Tuesday to eliminate Indiana’s property tax on equipment for small businesses and further cut the state's corporate income tax.
Bill calls for concussion training for high school coaches
Indiana could soon become the first state to require high school football coaches to take part in a player safety and concussion-training course.
Prescription could be required to buy cold medicine
Over-the-counter medications for common colds and allergies could become more regulated under a Indiana House bill introduced last week.
Obamacare small-biz plan lags as employers stand pat
Greeted by higher premiums, less generous coverage and more paperwork, small businesses are choosing to renew existing health plans rather than buy them through President Barack Obama’s program.
Five questions: Indiana treasurer ponders course for yield rise
Richard Mourdock, a 62-year-old geologist and former coal-mining exec in his second term as Indiana treasurer, discusses his approach to managing $7 billion in state funds.
Proposal would expand public-private partnerships
Under Senate Bill 225, authored by Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, private firms may be able to build, abolish, or repair state facilities – and also operate them.
GOP bill would spend $400M on highway projects
The bill would give the State Budget Committee the authority to transfer $400 million from the Major Moves Trust Fund to the state’s main highway fund.
Bosma ‘exploring options’ for marriage amendment
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said he’s considering ways to move a constitutional same-sex marriage amendment out of committee and onto the House floor. He said an internal poll found 80 percent of voters want to cast a ballot on the issue.
Bill would bolster Hoosier homegrown products
House Bill 1039 – approved unanimously Thursday by the Agriculture and Rural Development committee – is meant to bolster a program that brands Indiana-grown produce and meat.
Carmel upstart fights nursing home moratorium
Nursing home companies went on a building spree in Indiana, and now most of them want the Legislature’s help reining in high operating costs brought by over-capacity.
State revamps its revenue forecasting after big miss
Growing ranks of dropout workers have nagged the economy throughout its recovery, and now Indiana’s budget forecasters feel they can’t ignore the trend. They recently revised their outlook on state revenue downward, partly because so many Hoosiers stopped looking for jobs.