Officials seek tougher prostitution law before Super Bowl
Those trying to fast-track legislation cite estimates that the 2010 Super Bowl brought 10,000 prostitutes to Miami and resulted in 133 arrests in Dallas at the 2011 Super Bowl.
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Taxpayer refund has to survive 2012 session
A state tax processing error resulting in $320 million more in the bank for the state and improved tax collections could put a nominal amount back in Hoosiers' purses and wallets next year. But a bi-partisan thirst to restore education funding and pay down state debts could just as easily take that refund away.
State AG to challenge order for Daniels to testify
An Indiana judge on Friday ordered Gov. Mitch Daniels to be deposed in two lawsuits over the state's cancellation of a $1.37 billion contract IBM received to modernize the state's welfare system, but the state attorney general said he would challenge the order.
Daniels appoints new general counsel
Anita Kolkmeier Samuel, Mitch Daniels' assistant general counsel and policy director, replaces David Pippen, who recently resigned to become chairman of the environmental law group at Indianapolis law firm Bose McKinney & Evans LLP.
Smoking ban, government reform on Daniels’ 2012 agenda
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he will push for a statewide smoking ban and mild local government reforms in the 2012 legislative session.
Panel hears arguments over Indiana abortion funding
A federal agency will reconsider whether Indiana violated federal law when it decided to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.
Warnings about broker’s tactics went unheeded
Several state employees openly questioned how John Bales' real estate brokerage did business long before the FBI launched an investigation that led to his indictment.
Lawmaker: Lift ban on paying people to run charity gambling
State Sen. Ron Alting, chairman of the Public Policy Committee, wants to let charities pay people to run their bingo, poker and other games, a practice that has led to disciplinary action for some organizations.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana brings on new lobbyists
The new hires could be important following last year’s legislative session, in which state lawmakers passed a law to cut off Medicaid funding to groups that offer abortions.
Daniels says he’ll back efforts for right-to-work
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced in a statement Thursday that he would support Republican right-to-work proposals at the General Assembly next month, saying that Indiana "gets dealt out of hundreds of new job opportunities" because it doesn't have the law.
House Speaker: State lawmakers may seek smoking ban
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma says lawmakers may seek passage of a statewide smoking ban before the nation's attention turns to Indianapolis for the February Super Bowl.
Attorney general cheers death of federal cellphone measure
Attorney General Greg Zoeller had testified against the legislation, which would have allowed robocalls to cellphones, at a congressional hearing.
Group plans another push for Sunday alcohol sales
A coalition of convenience and grocery stores said Wednesday that they will renew their push for Sunday carry-out alcohol sales and cold sales of beer, but with a twist.
Almost all state fair claimants accept offers
The Indiana Attorney General's office said Wednesday that 63 of the 65 claimants have confirmed they'll accept the settlements over the State Fair stage collapse.
Indiana may be ground zero for right-to-work fight
Indiana’s anticipated battle next month over a right-to-work law is expected to rival last year’s epic Wisconsin union fight that drew 180,000 protestors to Madison rallies and became the focus of national media attention.
SHELLA: Indiana Legislature likely to deliver the unexpected
If you want to know what really matters in the upcoming legislative session it’s likely impossible to find out now.
FEIGENBAUM: Indiana General Assembly will be known for trading paint
Expect scores of Democratic amendments, particularly if right-to-work hits the House floor.
Budget official: State was warned about tax collections
Democrat Erik Gonzalez of the state's budget-forecasting committee said his panel warned the Indiana Department of Revenue something was wrong with corporate tax collections two years before the state discovered it misplaced $320 million.
Panel rejects audit of Indiana revenue department
Republican members of the State Budget Committee have rejected Democrats' request for an independent audit of the Indiana Department of Revenue for misplacing $320 million.
Democrats outline legislative plans for General Assembly
Indiana Senate Democrats, who hold just 13 of the chamber’s 50 seats, released their 2012 legislative agenda, which will push for work-share legislation as well as consumer and job protections when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.