Republicans pick two for top Indiana Senate positions
Republicans who control the Indiana Senate have elevated two lawmakers to top leadership posts that were recently vacated by retiring Sen. Brandt Hershman.
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Holcomb calls for ‘complete assessment’ of child agency, appoints new director
The announcement Thursday comes in the wake of a scathing resignation letter from Gov. Eric Holcomb’s outgoing Department of Child Services director.
Indiana’s struggling child welfare system to test Holcomb
The number of children placed in foster care because their addict parents can't care for them has surged across the nation. But the problem is particularly acute in a handful of states, including Indiana.
Powerful state senator resigns to take D.C. law job
Republican Brandt Hershman, chairman of the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee, says he will be joining Barnes & Thornburg’s Washington D.C. office.
Indiana’s unemployment rate slips to 3.7 percent
The rate has crept up from 3 percent in June, when it narrowly missed a state-record low of 2.9 percent, last achieved in 2000.
Tax overhaul could mean fallout for state, local governments
The big changes in the federal tax code aren’t happening in a vacuum. They will force officials in most states to decide whether to apply similar changes, while some residents ponder whether they now might be better off living somewhere else.
UPDATE: Forecast projects $400M less in tax revenue for Indiana
Much of the anticipated shortfall is due to a sharp decline in corporate income tax collections as businesses claim all the state tax credits they’re entitled to, rather than applying them in future years.
Indiana’s chief utility regulator steps down less than a year after appointment
James Atterholt, appointed chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in February, will step down next month, saying his wife has been offered a job transfer to Florida.
UPDATE: Indiana child welfare chief pens scathing resignation letter
Mary Beth Bonaventura, who's stepping down after five years as director of the Department of Child Services, warned in her resignation letter to Gov. Eric Holcomb that a continuation of his administration's policies will "all but ensure children will die."
Indiana Gov. Holcomb avoids discussing many hot-button issues
Since taking office nearly a year ago, Holcomb has ducked substantive policy questions about everything from abortion and gun rights legislation, to federal health care policy or whether Indiana convenience stores should be able to sell cold beer.
UPDATE: Officials predict change unlikely to Indiana’s cold beer law
Public opinion polling suggests the general public widely supports allowing convenience and big-box stores to sell cold—and not just warm—beer.
Hamilton to leave recycling group to focus on Legislature
Carey Hamilton said she will leave the group in March after being employed there for nearly a decade and growing the organization. She was elected as a representative to the Indiana Legislature in 2016.
Holcomb grants paid parental leave for state employees starting in 2018
Holcomb on Wednesday announced he signed an order providing up to four weeks of paid leave for parents after the birth of a newborn or adoption. The policy was part of Holcomb’s 2018 agenda.
UPDATE: Indiana seeking to head off potential water crisis
Gov. Eric Holcomb is seeking to create a multi-agency working group to develop strategies to manage the state's water resources and infrastructure.
Wife of former GOP Rep. Stutzman eyes Statehouse bid
The wife of a former Indiana congressman who came under ethics investigation for spending campaign contributions on lavish hotels, meals and at least one family trip may soon announce that she will run for an open legislative seat.
Richardson to run for county, not state, position in next election
The highest-ranking Republican woman in the Indiana Legislature has decided to not seek a new term and instead run for a county clerk position next year.
Holcomb: Flailing online schools need ‘immediate attention and action’
The governor called the performance of one of the biggest online schools, Indiana Virtual, “unsatisfactory.” It has received more than $20 million in state funding while graduating about 61 students.
Is marijuana debate at a tipping point?
A fight over whether Indiana should legalize medical marijuana seems all but inevitable now.
Holcomb, lawmakers try to crack the code on a convoluted workforce system
Gov. Eric Holcomb says his workforce plan won’t just replace existing bureaucracy with new bureaucracy. He said he wants to “make sure we’re getting folks at the local level not just around the table, but that they have both the flexibility and the funding” to make necessary changes.
Expected hot topics in the 2018 General Assembly
Lawmakers returning to the Statehouse in January for their 2018 session will face questions about alcohol, autonomous vehicles, hate crimes and more.