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.
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Three community leaders explain how they would spend $3B in federal stimulus dollars
IBJ is exploring how the state should spend $3 billion it will receive from the federal government as part of a pandemic-related stimulus bill. We asked three community leaders—Indiana Economic Development Corp. board member John Thompson, entrepreneur Bill Oesterle and state Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, what they think the state should prioritize.
Indiana Legislature OKs religious activities as essential
The measure, which heads to the governor, would prohibit state and local orders from restricting anyone’s ability to attend religious services during disaster emergencies.
Lawmakers adopt penalties for failing to protect monuments
The Indiana Legislature passed a bill Thursday that allows the state to withhold funding to cities that fail to protect public monuments and memorials from vandalism.
Indiana panel drops contentious requirement from voting bill
A legislative committee has overhauled a contentious proposal to require Indiana voters to submit identification numbers with mail-in ballot applications.
New Indiana budget proposal scales back private school voucher expansion
The budget proposal, presented Thursday to the Senate Appropriations Committee, would increase state funding for K-12 education by $408 million over the next two years.
Indiana lawmakers dial back controversial wetlands bill
Although the bill still broadly reduces wetlands protections, the Hoosier Environmental Council called the amendment “much less damaging” than the Senate-passed version of the bill.
Indiana Senate OKs optional pregnant worker accommodations
The proposal allows a pregnant employee to request accommodations and requires the employer to respond in a reasonable time frame, but it does not mandate that managers grant any of the requests.
Proposed Indiana voting law change faces corporate criticism
Stephen Fry, Eli Lilly and Co.’s senior vice president for human resources and diversity, told a legislative committee Tuesday that the company believed the bill aimed at reducing voter fraud wasn’t needed.
State lawmakers amend environment bills as deadlines near
The proposed changes arrive as members of the General Assembly decide whether the state should adopt greener initiatives or scale back current policy protecting water, energy and other resources.
Indiana’s COVID vaccine rollout gets mixed reviews
While the state’s rollout of eligibility for the vaccine has come under some fire, many Hoosiers have begun planning for a summer and fall free from worry, ready to resume their normal lives.
Holcomb signs police reform, school funding bills into law
Bills aimed at increasing police accountability and ensuring Indiana’s public schools receive full funding for all students during the coronavirus pandemic were among 19 measures signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday.
Indiana to make COVID-19 vaccines available at some large companies, universities
The move comes as the state gets a larger allotment of doses from the federal government and seeks to expand vaccination sites beyond hospitals, pharmacies and health centers.
Holcomb says he will veto legislation that allows lawmakers to call ’emergency sessions’
The final version of House Bill 1123, which would create what would be called an “emergency session,” could pass out of both chambers as early as Thursday.
State Senate passes legislation to create new emergency session
The Indiana Senate has passed legislation that would give lawmakers the power to convene at any time during a statewide public emergency and more oversight over federal stimulus dollars.
Gambling bill could help bars recover
Senate Bill 245 would double the prize limits for certain pull-tab games and allow the 1,242 bars and taverns with Type II gaming licenses to offer sports-themed pull-tab games and tip boards.
Indiana unemployment rate closing in on pre-pandemic level
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 to 4% in February.
Indiana health chief: Pandemic ‘far from over’
A day after the governor announced plans to relax precautions meant to stem COVID-19 spread, the state’s top health official cautioned Hoosiers that it’s still too early to return to “normal” life.
State to open vaccines to all adults March 31, nix mask mandate on April 6
In a statewide address Tuesday evening, Gov. Eric Holcomb said he will also let statewide capacity restrictions expire.
Holcomb extends state income tax filing deadline
In addition to giving taxpayers more time to file their state taxes, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s executive order also extends the temporary licensing of health care workers.