State will lose $63M in tobacco payments in 2014
An arbitration panel found that the state hadn’t worked hard enough to collect funds from cigarette companies. The money is used to fund health programs in Indiana.
The Statehouse File
Articles
Pence appoints panel to develop transportation plan
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence announced Thursday he will turn planning for the state’s “next generation” of transportation infrastructure over to a panel that will be co-chaired by the lieutenant governor and an industry official.
Lawmaker says state suit could end tax break for 400,000
A key House Democrat says a lawsuit filed by the attorney general challenging the Affordable Care Act could lead to 400,000 Hoosiers losing out on tax breaks meant to make the insurance more affordable.
State, schools sue U.S. government over Obamacare
Fifteen Indiana school districts and the state of Indiana have filed a lawsuit challenging the federal health care law and subsidies that are available to Hoosiers under rules set by the IRS.
State tax collections miss budget expectations
Tax receipts for the first quarter of the state's fiscal year have missed projections that were used to write the current two-year budget.
Supreme Court weighs arguments in smoking-ban case
At issue in part is whether one business or industry can make enough money to be exempted from rules that apply to all others. The decision could have repercussions in communities throughout the state.
Panel leans away from Common Core, despite higher costs
A legislative committee studying controversial Common Core education standards is likely to recommend the state create its own curriculum rules and testing program despite higher costs, the group’s co-chairman said Tuesday.
Pence pleads for end to medical device tax
Republican Gov. Mike Pence wrote a letter Monday urging members of the U.S. Senate to vote to repeal the medical device tax that is helping to finance Obamacare. But the Senate on Monday night voted not to repeal the tax, with all 54 Democrats voting to keep it.
Shutdown means little to most Hoosiers in short term
Most Hoosiers are unlikely to feel much impact as the federal government experiences a partial shutdown – unless it lasts awhile.
Expert: 1-percent cut in recidivism could save state millions
Indiana lawmakers are studying the impact of a sentencing reform law the General Assembly approved earlier this year.
Sides speak out in hearing over so-called ag-gag bill
The debate before the Economic Development Study Committee comes five months after House Speaker Brian Bosma killed a bill that would have made it a crime to secretly shoot photos or video on private property with the goal of harming a business.
Democrats, labor question Indiana pension change
Democratic lawmakers and labor unions representing public employees continued their push Monday against a change in how public workers invest a chunk of their savings.
A-F panel begins work on new grading system
Members of a new group studying the state’s A-F school grading system got to work Thursday with a history lesson of sorts that raised questions about the difficulty of marrying state and federal rules for education accountability.
State ISTEP scores inch higher despite testing problems
Hoosier students scored slightly higher on Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus exams taken in the spring, despite computer problems that interrupted some of the exams.
Dozens of judges to visit schools for Constitution Day
The judges will primarily visit K-12 schools and most will distribute pocket-sized versions of the state constitution, the federal constitution and the Declaration of Independence to students.
Senate Dems push universal state-funded preschool program
Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, said the benefits of preschool are too important to ignore for Indiana to remain one of 10 states that doesn’t put state funding into the programs.
Democrat calls for investigation of Bennett lists
Indiana's Senate Democratic leader called for an investigation Thursday after fundraising lists for former state schools chief Tony Bennett were discovered on state computers.
Pence visits Subaru officials, plants tree in Japan
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is visiting Japanese companies that do major business in Indiana on a trade mission to Asia.
Lawmakers debate education standards, testing
New college and career-ready assessments will gradually replace ISTEP, schools chief Glenda Ritz said at a legislative study committee meeting. But whether those assessments will be based on the controversial Common Core standards is still unclear.
Pence: Indiana a ‘destination of choice’ for Japanese firms
Pence is on his first foreign trade mission as governor and spoke in Tokyo at the 45th Annual Joint Meeting of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association and Japan-Midwest U.S. Association.