Democrats, activists call on governor to veto wetlands bill
All Democratic members of the General Assembly, as well as a member of the Senate Republican Caucus, urged the Republican governor to veto the bill in a letter sent last week.
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Marion County prosecutor facing criticism after FedEx shooting
The leader of the Indianapolis police union said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears “failed to do his part” when he chose not to bring Brandon Scott Hole before a judge for a hearing under Indiana’s “red flag” law.
Indiana lawmakers approve state budget, finish session
Several Democratic legislators called it the best state spending plan in years. Republicans described the plan as focused on helping the state’s economy grow in the coming years and helping to give long-deserved raises to teachers.
D.C. statehood approved by House as Senate fight looms
A decades-long movement to reshape the American political map took a further step Thursday as the House of Representatives approved a bill to make the nation’s capital the 51st state.
Legislators back expanded gambling at tribe’s Indiana casino
The 20-year agreement prevents state officials from allowing new casino competition across most of northern and northwestern Indiana, including no future moves by the existing casinos in Hammond, East Chicago, Gary and Michigan City.
Indiana legislative deal gives local officials say over health orders
The agreement released Tuesday requires that any local public health order that is more stringent than one issued by the governor must be approved by an elected county or city board.
Indiana unemployment rate drops below 4% for first time since pandemic
The state’s unemployment rate has been doggedly retracing its steps over the last year from its latest spike, falling from 16.9% in April 2020 to 3.9% last month.
Better-than-expected Indiana outlook brings calls for bigger education boost
Indiana educators on Thursday called for a bigger school funding boost to help improve the state’s lagging teacher pay, as new projections showed state tax collections are expected to bounce back stronger than expected from the pandemic recession.
Indiana poised to open school vouchers to families making more than $100,000
Indiana lawmakers are almost certain to approve a significant expansion of what is already a broad private school voucher program, setting one of the highest family income ceilings in the nation.
Indiana budget outlook shows bigger-than-expected tax revenue jump
A new state tax revenue forecast given Thursday to state legislators projects state tax collections going up by more than 4% in in each of the next two years.
Wetlands deregulation bill advances to Indiana governor
Lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a disputed bill seeking to remove protections from Indiana’s already diminished wetlands amid mounting criticism that the legislation could cause damage to the state’s waterways, wildlife and vegetation.
Controversial Indiana environmental bills inch near passage
Lawmakers approved two environmental bills Tuesday that critics say could damage the state’s ecosystems by scaling back current policy affecting water, energy and other resources.
Indiana lawmakers planning on return for redistricting votes
Legislative leaders are laying the groundwork for a return by all 150 lawmakers to Indianapolis months from now to approve new congressional and General Assembly districts based on data from last year’s census.
Proposed new Indiana vaping products tax blasted as ‘measly’
The president of the state’s largest business organization says the Senate’s proposed tax amounts to “a measly one-tenth” of the state’s cigarette tax and is “arguably worse than no increase at all.”
Could Indiana spend its $3B from feds on a one-time, impactful investment?
The state has an estimated $3 billion in federal funding coming its way. IBJ decided to ask what would happen if officials did something big and bold with the money.
Aging water systems, increasing demand require heavy investment
For nearly a decade, voices across Indiana have raised warning flags about the need to repair the state’s aging water-utility systems and make plans to meet the growing water demand.
Broadband ‘imperative for our professional and educational lives’
Most Indiana leaders and politicians agree that providing every Hoosier with a high-speed broadband connection is a worthy goal, if not a high priority. But they disagree over how to accomplish and pay for it.
White River could become a national-park-like amenity
Improving a 58-mile stretch of the White River and taking advantage of the natural resource that flows through the Indianapolis area has been on local leaders’ wish list for years.
Bill Oesterle: State needs to recruit new talent to Indiana
Unlike many other states, Indiana has its fiscal house in order so this federal money is a rare opportunity for thoughtful new investment.
Greg Porter: The American Rescue Plan can change the course of Indiana
It is up to the state to get relief into the hands of those who need it most.