Experts tell state panel marijuana prohibition has failed
A state panel heard from a parade of experts Thursday as it began studying whether to legalize marijuana in Indiana or reduce criminal penalties on small amounts of the drug.
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Lawmakers ponder Indiana’s marijuana laws
Legislators have approved medical marijuana in 16 states and the District of Columbia. They have eliminated penalties on small amounts of marijuana in 13 other states.
State commerce chief backs right-to-work law
Indiana's chief economic development officer told state lawmakers Tuesday that Indiana has lost deals to attract businesses because it lacks a right-to-work law.
Obesity, tobacco use among targets of state’s health priorities
Indiana health officials are targeting infant mortality, obesity, tobacco use and other health priorities in a new five-year plan aimed at improving the health of Hoosiers.
State’s high court to hear dispute over welfare denials
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to review a court ruling that found the Family and Social Services Administration wrongly cut off recipients' welfare benefits for not cooperating without telling them specifically what they did wrong.
Unions prepare for ‘right to work’ battle in Indiana
The General Assembly's Interim Committee on Employment will consider "right to work" legislation Tuesday. The measure would curb a union's ability to require workers to join its ranks.
Pence’s policy silence may be smart politics
One of Rep. Mike Pence's first campaign promises, made the day before he kicked off his campaign for governor last month, was that he won't talk policy until after the May 2012 Republican primary.
Indiana’s unemployment rate ticks up to 8.3 percent
After remaining stagnant in April and May, the state’s jobless rate rose one-tenth of a point in June.
States cut programs to help poor cool their homes
Many states hit hardest by this week's searing heat wave have drastically cut or entirely eliminated programs that help poor people pay their electric bills, forcing thousands to go without air conditioning when they need it most.
State pays attorneys’ fees in federal lawsuit
Midwest Title Loans prevailed in its lawsuit against the state, will collect $440,000.
Indiana AG won’t appeal immigration ruling
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller says he won't appeal a federal judge's decision to temporarily block part of a new state immigration law but will continue to fight against a ruling that would make the ban permanent.
Daniels giving most state workers bonuses
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is dipping into the state's $1.2 billion surplus to give bonuses to most state workers.
School voucher program draws early interest
About 385 families have requested state tuition assistance at private schools since July 11, when the Indiana Department of Education started accepting applications for its new voucher program.
Indiana gets 125 applications from schools for voucher program
The state Department of Education is working to process the applications for the program, which will initially allow a limited number of low- and middle-income families to use public money toward private school tuition.
UPDATE: Indiana ends budget year with $1.2B surplus
After a year of spending cuts to state agencies and school districts, during which state workers were asked to do more than ever, Indiana released its final budget numbers for the fiscal year that showed it sitting on a $1.2 billion surplus.
Notorious I-69 interchange slated for big upgrade
Getting onto and off of Interstate 69 at the 116th Street exit has long been a nail-biting experience, but traffic planners are about to propose reconstruction to unplug the bottleneck.
Cities weigh new law allowing bigger tax breaks
Communities across the state are trying to decide how they will use a new law that provides them more flexibility to employ economic development incentives but could increase pressure to give companies more tax breaks.
Legislative safeguards can’t keep state from court
Indiana conservatives appeared to win major national victories with a trio of laws passed this year, but rebukes from a pair of federal judges and a lawsuit raised questions about how proposed laws are vetted for legal issues before they get to a vote.
Indiana first to require drug tests for job training
The U.S. Department of Labor says Indiana is the first state to require drug testing of people seeking job training. But at least 30 states have considered requiring drug tests for those receiving government assistance.
Daniels revives agency mistakenly canceled
Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed an order restoring Indiana's largest state agency, the human services department, after it was accidentally eliminated due to a mistake in a new state law.