Indiana lawmakers discuss doubling cigarette tax rate
House Bill 1485, authored by Republican Rep. Julie Olthoff of Hebron, would increase the cigarette tax by $1 per pack and tax e-cigarettes and e-liquids.
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Legislation seeks to keep pregnant women on the job
Gov. Eric Holcomb and a group of lawmakers and family advocates are pushing for legislation that would require companies to offer more breaks or modify schedules and tasks for pregnant women—if they need them.
Lesley Weidenbener: Legislative efforts to strip power from governor could mean headaches for lawmakers
Lawmakers seeking to curb gubernatorial power in emergencies might want to think twice about whether they are prepared for the aftermath.
Census delay points to special session for Indiana lawmakers
State lawmakers face the once-a-decade task of drawing new districts for congressional seats, along with the 100 Indiana House and 50 state Senate districts, based on population shifts.
Senate committee advances bill to give Indy Eleven more time on stadium project
Senate Bill 385, authored by Republican Sen. Jack Sandlin of Indianapolis, would add two years to a 2019 bill that had called for a new special tax district—known as a professional sports development area—to be established in Marion County by mid-2022.
House committee advances bills to create small business, learning loss grant programs
The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday unanimously voted to approve pandemic-related bills that would allocate $30 million to help small businesses and $150 million to help students struggling from learning loss.
State lawmakers add $70M to bill to upgrade police training academy
The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday amended House Bill 1006 to add the funding to the legislation before unanimously voting to send it to the full House for consideration.
Holcomb extends county-by-county restrictions for another month
The current executive order outlines restrictions based on the rate of infection in each county. Under the county-by-county system, each county is assigned a color each week that is based on its seven-day positivity rate and number of infected individuals per 100,000.
State lawmakers again considering change to business property tax exemption
Senate Bill 336, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, would base the exemption on the assessed value of equipment—called personal property—rather on the value at the time the company acquired it.
Deal would allow expanded gambling at tribe’s Indiana casino
The agreement finalized this past week would allow the addition of live table games such as blackjack and roulette, slot machines and sports betting.
Indiana, other states eye allowing concealed carry of guns without permit
Fifteen states already allow concealed carry without a permit, and lawmakers in nine others have proposed allowing or expanding the practice.
Voucher expansion, education savings account plan could cost Indiana $100M
Indiana politicians are seizing on the upheaval caused by the pandemic to push forward a vast expansion of taxpayer funding for private education.
Holcomb announces plans for new regional collaboration initiative in state address
Normally, the governor gives the annual State of the State address before a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly inside the Indiana House chamber. But for safety reasons, Holcomb pre-recorded the speech without an audience.
Push for Indiana minimum wage increase likely stalled again
A Democratic-backed proposal that would unlink Indiana from the current federal minimum wage that’s remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009 is unlikely to get traction in the General Assembly.
State capitols have boarded up, fenced off across the country—but not in Indianapolis
With the FBI warning of potential for violence at all state capitols, the ornate halls of government this weekend looked more like heavily guarded U.S. embassies in war-torn countries. In Indiana, however, there was little sign that officials were concerned about a protest scheduled for Sunday.
Holcomb closes Statehouse, state office complex next week ‘to err on the side of caution’
The FBI has warned that potentially violent protests could take place at all state capitols over the next several days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
GOP lawmaker pushes bill to prevent renaming of Indianapolis
Bill sponsor Sen. Jack Sandlin of Indianapolis referred to the legislation as a “preemptive measure.”
House Republicans propose $30M for small businesses, $150M for learning loss grants
The two grant programs were initially announced last week as part of the House GOP legislative agenda, but the exact funding amounts were not shared at that time.
Lawmakers consider giving local governments more flexibility on road funding
House Bill 207, authored by Republican Sen. Blake Doriot of Goshen, would change how cities and counties with wheel and vehicle excise taxes in place are required to spend Motor Vehicle Highway funds for the next two years.
Indiana Senate committee advances COVID-19 legal immunity bill
The bill would shield businesses and individuals from coronavirus civil liability lawsuits unless there was gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct that could be proven with “clear and convincing evidence.”