Kettler stepping down as state agriculture chief
Bruce Kettler is set to become president and CEO of the Agribusiness Council of Indiana.
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Indiana BMV to offer digital driver’s licenses, but when?
More than three years after Indiana lawmakers passed legislation to authorize the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue digital driver’s licenses, the effort to bring mobile credentials to Hoosiers appears stuck in neutral.
Holcomb gearing up to propose ‘READI 2.0’
In the current iteration of the statewide program, 230 projects have been accepted with a total funding request of $350 million, which in turn has leveraged more than $6 billion in funding from other sources.
Holcomb holding endorsements to focus on upcoming legislative session
It also remains unclear whether Holcomb will seek a new political office after he concludes his second term as governor.
Funding for education, public health expected to dominate 2023 Legislature
Also looking for state support are initiatives related to workforce training, road funding, energy standards and affordable housing.
IBJ Podcast: Former budget hawk flips role, asks for big increase in state health spending
Former state senator Luke Kenley and Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana state health commissioner, break down their big ask of the Indiana Legislature: Increase public health spending by $242 million per year.
Opioid settlement cash to be in local hands within a week
Months after Indiana’s attorney general said he’d send about 660 local governments their shares of the state’s $507 million opioid crisis settlement with drug manufacturers and distributors, none have received the money.
New Indiana professional licensing agency boss named
Lindsay Hyer has been named executive director of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, succeeding Deborah Frye, who is retiring after seven years in the role.
Sen. Mike Braun planning to run for Indiana governor
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun has ended months of speculation over whether he planned to run for Indiana governor in 2024 rather than seek a second term in the Senate.
Indiana lawmakers, teacher unions outline education priorities for General Assembly
Indiana’s top Republican lawmakers said they plan to prioritize school choice and enact a plan to “reinvent” high school education during the next legislative session. Teacher unions have other priorities.
Luke Kenley: State must boost public health spending
The former chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee will testify before that same committee to ask lawmakers to allocate an additional quarter-of-a-billion dollars annually toward public health programs.
Indiana lawmakers return ahead of new state budget debate
The four-month-long 2023 session that begins in early January will focus on drafting a new state budget, with Democrats calling for a pause on debating contentious social issues after Republican lawmakers pushed through the state’s abortion ban over the summer.
Doctor defends actions in 10-year-old’s abortion
Dr. Caitlin Bernard testified during the second day of a court hearing on an attempt to block Indiana’s Republican attorney general from seeking patient medical records.
Indiana Chamber, state lawmakers lay out legislative priorities
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce laid out its agenda as lawmakers prepare to return to the Statehouse next year to craft a two-year budget and consider dipping into the state’s $6 billion surplus to improve public health outcomes, education and workforce development.
Steve Braun, former state commissioner of workforce development, dies at 63
Steve Braun represented Indiana House District 24, which includes parts of Boone and Hamilton counties, from 2012 to 2014 before being appointed commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development by Gov. Mike Pence.
Governor’s panel pushes strategic, practical workforce changes to prep state for job growth
On the group’s list of recommendations are creating an Indiana Talent Agency, more flexibility in high school diplomas, removal of barriers for child care workers, and incentives for colleges to funnel students into STEM fields.
Braun says decision near on Indiana governor run
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana is approaching a decision about whether to make a run at replacing Gov. Eric Holcomb, who can’t seek reelection in 2024 because of term limits.
Share of women in Indiana legislative chambers hits record high
The percentage of women in the Indiana General Assembly, 26.7%, is comparable to the nationwide rate in Congress, which hit its own record last year.
Indiana higher education commission advances funding model amid some pushback
The proposed funding model was crafted by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, which the General Assembly tasked with researching a new formula to cover costs at Indiana’s state colleges and universities.
Lawmakers: Giving AG power over prosecutors ‘least preferred’ route in dispute
A bipartisan group of lawmakers and justice system leaders that assembled on Thursday to consider how best to address county prosecutors with “blanket” non-prosecution policies agreed that handing authority to Indiana’s Attorney General isn’t the best solution.