‘Parent trigger’ would let parents convert schools
A measure being pushed in the Indiana House of Representatives would let parents vote to turn public schools over to charter school operators.
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Indiana House Democrats might end boycott Monday
The Indiana House's Democratic leader said Friday his boycotting members are willing to return at "high noon" Monday to begin debating a contentious right-to-work bill, although the ongoing dispute over whether a statewide referendum on the issue is constitutional could prevent legislative action.
Mass transit plan faces likely defeat, bill sponsor says
Chairman Jeff Espich said the central Indiana mass-transit plan faces almost certain defeat in the House Ways and Means Committee, and he is still mulling whether or not to bring it to a vote.
Tensions flare between state leaders as boycott continues
The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Indiana House had a tense 10-minute exchange on the House floor Friday morning over whether Democratic leaders will end their boycott over the right-to-work bill.
Tougher law on watching dog fights advances
The bill makes attending animal fights a felony punishable by six months to three years in prison. Under current law, a first offense is a misdemeanor with a second offense considered a felony.
Judge delays fines for boycotting Indiana Democrats
Indiana House Democrats got a boost Thursday when a judge temporarily blocked the collection of $1,000-a-day fines imposed on them for their legislative boycott over the contentious right-to-work bill, and their leader said they might return to the House chamber Friday to vote.
Daniels’ chief of staff purchased parcel from Bales
The chief of staff to Gov. Mitch Daniels, Earl A. Goode, bought a residential lot from the real estate broker John M. Bales about two years after an agency led by Goode awarded Bales a contract to handle state leasing.
Hoosier Environmental Council monitoring three bills in General Assembly
The state’s largest green group is seeking changes to measures it says could strip funding and oversight for environmental protection.
Bill aims to lift upside for 21st Century fund
Republican State Sen. Brent Waltz has filed a bill that would require the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and businesses seeking awards from the 21st Century fund to match the state’s money with outside capital at a four-to-one ratio.
Officials steered lease deal to Bales
State officials in 2005 vowed to run a competitive process to select a private firm to handle real estate leasing for public agencies, but a 20-page request for services to more than 400 potential bidders was a sham, according to three people with knowledge of the process.
House bill would cut barber licensing requirement
Besides no longer requiring barbers and cosmetologists to be licensed, the bill also exempts dieticians, hearing aid dealers, private investigators and security guards.
Indiana Democrats continue right-to-work boycott
Indiana House Democrats kept up their legislative boycott over the right-to-work bill Thursday morning, a day after majority Republicans voted to start imposing $1,000-a-day fines.
Indiana Senate to consider changing tax-refund plan
An Indiana Senate committee is advancing a plan to put more money into state savings accounts before automatic tax refunds go out to taxpayers.
Pence dominating money race for Indiana governor
Campaign finance numbers released Wednesday show Indiana Rep. Mike Pence raised $5 million last year and has $3.7 million in the bank. Former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg has raised $1.7 million so far and banked $1.2 million.
Democrats plan legal challenge to Indiana House fines
Indiana House Democrats say they'll go to court to challenge the $1,000-a-day fines they face for their legislative boycott over the right-to-work bill.
Indiana basketball tourney format to get second look
A state Senate committee rejected an effort Wednesday to resurrect Indiana's single-class high school basketball tournament, but the head of the statewide high school athletics governing body agreed to review the current format.
Indiana Republicans approve fines on House boycotters
Indiana House Republicans have approved $1,000-a-day fines against Democratic legislators who are boycotting over a right-to-work bill.
Bill requiring Indiana stage inspections advances
All outdoor stages in Indiana would have to pass inspections before any performances under a bill approved by a state Senate committee.
Indiana panel backs bill on right to resist police
An Indiana Senate committee has endorsed a proposal giving state residents limited rights to resist police officers trying to enter their homes.
Former head of IU program files EEOC complaint
The former director of an Indiana University scholarship program has filed a federal complaint accusing IU of gender and equal pay discrimination.