Bill that riles solar industry passes House committee
A controversial bill to change the guidelines governing Hoosiers using alternative energy sources – including solar and wind power – passed a House Committee on Wednesday.
Jacob Rund
Articles
Obama pitches free community college plan at Ivy Tech
President Barack Obama pitched his plan for two free years of community college to a raucous crowd of students and Democratic officials during a Friday stop on Ivy Tech Community College’s campus.
Court costs could increase to pay for more technology
Court fees to pay for new technology would rise at least 80 percent if legislation passed by the Indiana House Courts and Criminal Code Committee on Wednesday becomes law.
Department of Correction seeks prison expansions
The Indiana Department of Correction presented a budget proposal to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday that included about $50 million in additional funds to expand two of the state’s prisons.
Lawmakers debate Pence plan to boost charter funding
The Senate Appropriations Committee heard almost two hours of testimony Thursday from representatives both for and against the governor’s suggested $1,500 per-student grant to the state’s public charter schools.
Education officials’ plan for school money differs from Pence’s
Indiana Department of Education officials presented their two-year budget proposal to the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday. It includes large increases to the Non-English Speakers Fund, textbook relief funding, and tuition support.
Key lawmaker introduces bill to allow live dealers at racinos
Two of the state’s largest casinos and horse track betting facilities, Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, stand to benefit most if the proposed legislation becomes law.
Pence pitches balanced budget amendment in address
In his third State of the State address, Gov. Mike Pence called for a balanced budget amendment that he says will protect Indiana from a possible economic downturn and will show Hoosiers their tax dollars are being spent wisely.
Pence: HIP 2.0 timeline not as important as approval
The state and federal government have been in negotiations since the summer, but the governor said he remains confident that an agreement will be reached, even if it isn’t by his original deadline.
Lawmakers move to monitor State Board of Accounts
A subcommittee of the Indiana Legislative Council met this week to determine the goals and best practices of a new Audit Committee, which is meant to operate as a type of peer-review system for the State Board of Accounts.
State tax collections fall just below projections
The state brought in a total of $1.04 billion in July general fund revenue, a decrease of 0.5 percent from the December 2013 state revenue forecast.
Ivy Tech to ask state lawmakers for more cash
The Ivy Tech Community College trustees have passed a resolution telling the college’s leaders to ask the Indiana General Assembly and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for additional funding.
Schools label few teachers, administrators as ‘ineffective’
Performance results released Monday by the Department of Education revealed that only one of every 250 educators was ranked in the lowest category. And fewer than three in 100 were rated as needing improvement.
Study will seek answers to transportation funding issue
The Indiana Department of Transportation will launch an expansive study seeking new ways to finance road construction and maintenance, according to a bill passed by the Indiana legislature awaiting the governor's signature.
Indiana lawmakers pass package of business tax cuts
The corporate income tax and state banking tax would be reduced to 4.9 percent and local governments would be left to decide whether to cut the business equipment tax.
Deal on mass-transit legislation headed for vote
The compromise language does not include a provision to establish a light-rail system or an increase in corporate taxes. However, the legislation would still allow for an increase in individual income taxes pending voter approval.
Bill to protect vets from discrimination passes Senate
Indiana House Bill 1242, authored by Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne, would ban an employer from refusing to hire anyone because of his or her status as a veteran of the U.S. military.
Biosimilars bill passes House, heads to governor
Pharmacists would be able to substitute an interchangeable biosimilar drug for a prescribed name-brand product under a bill passed by the Indiana House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Bill allowing state fair alcohol sales heads to governor
The bill, authored by Sen. James Merritt, R-Indianapolis, seeks to end a nearly 70-year old ban on beer and alcohol sales at the state fair.
Bill to free $400M for highways passed by House
House Bill 1002 transfers the balance of the Major Moves 2020 Trust Fund to the state highway fund before July 1, 2015. The legislation received support from both parties and passed 91-2.