Bill to drug test Indiana welfare recipients advances
A legislative committee is backing a proposal to require drug testing for some Indiana welfare recipients despite complaints that it's unfair to the state's neediest residents.
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Pence salary of $111K highest for Indiana governor
Mike Pence's annual salary of $111,687 is the highest ever for an Indiana governor, due to a law that boosts the salary of the state’s chief executive at the beginning of every term.
Indiana Senate panel weighs preschool pilot program
Public and private school advocates displayed rare unity Wednesday in support of preschool for Indiana children but split over an effort to give children school vouchers once they complete preschool.
Indiana Senate approves new specialty plate limits
Indiana legislators have approved a proposal overhauling the state's specialty auto license plate system that requires all the groups with plates to sell 500 a year and undergo a financial review once a decade.
State audit finds Beech Grove finances in disarray
Mayor Dennis Buckley requested the audit in March 2012 after uncovering a range of problems, including missing files and delinquent loans in the Main Street program.
Pence objects to proposed gambling expansion
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is asking lawmakers not to approve an expansion of gambling despite pressure from new casinos in bordering states.
Bill would add rules for Indiana financial aid
A bill making its way through Indiana's General Assembly would change the laws governing need-based state financial aid to add more requirements for students.
Indiana House backs bill allowing younger sports referees
The Indiana House voted 92-4 on Monday in favor of the bill adding youth sports officials to the list of jobs for which children younger than 14 can be hired.
Land bank bill likely heading for study committee
Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany, said his bill on land banks may have tried to tackle too many issues involving abandoned housing, including Indiana’s tax-sale process.
Rally backs Indiana charter school, voucher programs
Supporters of Indiana's charter schools and private school vouchers packed a Statehouse corridor with hundreds of children from those schools for a rally Monday as they backed expansion of those programs.
Love-hate relationship with D.C. money grows
On the same day last week that state budget director Chris Atkins announced Indiana would be able to tough out a series of automatic federal budget cuts, Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann announced the creation of a new office that will lobby for more federal defense spending.
Families want answers about missing funeral money
A group of Indiana funeral directors wants the state to add more inspectors to monitor the industry.
Attorney general shows support for school resource officers
Attorney General Greg Zoeller said Thursday he supports a bill in the General Assembly that would provide matching state grants to help schools create or expand school resource officer programs.
Indiana House plans $750,000 Statehouse renovation
Indiana's House Republicans are looking to spend $750,000 on renovations to desks, leather chairs and a ceiling in their Statehouse chamber, after spending $74,000 to replace worn carpeting in the Statehouse last summer.
New economic development chiefs plan branding blitz
The state of Indiana will have a new brand, under a campaign the Indiana Economic Development Corp. plans to launch this summer. The campaign is one of a few tweaks that Commerce Secretary Victor Smith and IEDC President Eric Doden are making to Indiana’s job-growth strategy.
Lawsuit claims BMV overcharged Indiana residents by millions
A newly-filed lawsuit seeking class-action status accuses Indiana's Bureau of Motor Vehicles of "systematically" overcharging state residents by tens of millions of dollars for driver's licenses.
Lawmakers struggle with bill to stop synthetic drug sales
Lawmakers are finding it difficult to write a law that effectively cracks down on the sale of synthetic drugs while remaining fair to businesses that might not know they’re on their shelves.
Senate budget leader: Schools, roads need boost
Indiana lawmakers have been aggressive in cutting taxes in recent years, the state Senate's top budget writer said Thursday as his committee started reviewing a spending plan that leaves out Republican Gov. Mike Pence's proposed 10-percent income tax cut.
Indiana mayors want law for cold-med prescriptions
Local officials from around Indiana are making a push for the Legislature to require that people obtain a doctor's prescription to buy cold medications often used to make methamphetamine.
Indiana House panel OKs child labor-referee measure
An Indiana House panel on Tuesday unanimously approved a measure pushed by a 13-year-old boy that would allow sports leagues to hire youngsters like him as referees.