Indiana House backs abolishing all township assessor offices
House members voted 53-44 Tuesday in favor of the bill abolishing the 13 township assessor offices that remain in nine of Indiana’s 92 counties.
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Unemployment fund rates could stay the same for businesses for 5 more years
The discussion comes as state lawmakers try to strike a balance between growing the unemployment trust fund, which is used to pay benefits to unemployed Hoosiers, to comply with updated standards from the U.S. Labor Department while at the same time not burdening businesses with higher tax rates.
Indiana governor poised to discuss teacher pay in speech
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is expected to talk during his annual State of the State speech Tuesday about a possible additional boost in school funding—just not one that would happen this year.
Indiana House backs no test scores in teacher evaluations
Teachers have long objected to the requirement, and bill sponsor Republican Rep. Tony Cook of Cicero said removing it acknowledges the trouble with measuring teacher effectiveness based on a single student exam.
Indiana House passes $291M surplus spending bill
The vote came Monday after several failed attempts by House Democrats to amend the legislation and use the money for teacher pay bonuses and other “human capital” proposals, such as pre-kindergarten education and school safety.
Revenue chief resigning to campaign for Indiana AG, unseat Hill
Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Krupp said he would bring “leadership, integrity and results” to the job as Indiana’s top lawyer. Incumbent and fellow Republican Curtis Hill has been accused of unethical conduct.
Revenue commissioner to seek GOP nomination for attorney general
Adam Krupp—who has served in the gubernatorial administrations of Eric Holcomb, Mike Pence and Mitch Daniels—wants to replace embattled Republican incumbent Curtis Hill.
Ed Feigenbaum: The session will move fast—pay attention or you might miss it
Legislators returned Jan. 6. Even though, as of that morning, only 11 House bills had been filed, committee hearings were underway in earnest (especially in the Senate, where the file list topped 200 bills).
Indiana Republicans hold fast against cash shift to schools
Gov. Eric Holcomb and GOP legislators maintain that more can be done about teacher pay in 2021 when the next new two-year budget is written.
Hearing set on fight over disclosure of Indianapolis’ Amazon HQ2 bid
A not-for-profit tax policy group will make its case in court next month that the public is entitled to know the financial incentives that were offered to Amazon in the city’s unsuccessful bid to lure the firm’s multibillion-dollar secondary campus.
State Sen. Spartz considering run for Congress
Indiana State Sen. Victoria Spartz, R-Noblesville, announced Wednesday that she was suspending her race for another Senate term to explore a run for Congress in the 5th District, where a crowded field is hoping to replace Rep. Susan Brooks.
Lawmakers discuss potential creation of all-payer claims database
The Indiana House Public Health Committee on Wednesday discussed legislation that would create an all-payer claims database and require health care providers to give patients a “good faith” cost estimate of non-emergency procedures in advance, if requested by the patient.
Indiana considers tougher retailer penalties with smoking age change
Congress’ decision last month to raise the legal age to 21 has made opposing it on a state level moot, and Republican leaders of the Indiana House and Senate are endorsing proposals with tougher penalties.
Holcomb OK with not using state surplus for $50M swine barn
Gov. Eric Holcomb initially proposed spending $291 million from the state’s reserves on five major capital projects, including the new barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. But a bill recently filed by House Ways & Means Chairman Tim Brown left it out.
GOP lawmakers differ slightly from governor on 2020 priorities (including on swine barn funding)
Like Gov. Eric Holcomb, Indiana Senate and House Republicans are focused on health care, education and spending one-time dollars on capital projects this year. But lawmakers have slightly different views on how those surplus dollars should be spent.
Indiana governor changes stance on teacher pay action
Republican Eric Holcomb has said he would wait for recommendations later this year from a teacher pay commission he appointed in February, but he told reporters Monday—on the first day of the legislative session—that might change with state tax revenues growing faster than expected.
Redistricting reform advocates pushing for transparency
Redistricting reform advocates are taking a slightly different approach at the Republican-controlled Indiana Legislature this year, as they make more transparency the priority ahead of lines being redrawn in 2021.
Teacher pay action not on GOP’s agenda in 2020 General Assembly
Members of the Republican-dominated General Assembly are set to return Monday to the Statehouse in Indianapolis for their 2020 session, during which they will face continued calls from teacher unions and Democrats for better teacher pay.
Two veteran Indiana House members not seeking reelection
Reps David Wolkins of Warsaw and Rep. Ron Bacon of Chandler said they plan to retire after this year’s legislative session.
Senator tries again to withhold Indiana vouchers over gay firings by schools
The proposal would prohibit private school voucher money from going to schools that discriminate over factors including sexual orientation, disability, race, gender or religion.