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.
The Statehouse File
Articles
More than 1,300 ISTEP test results to be tossed
When ISTEP scores are released next week, parents and teachers will be able to easily identify whether a student’s exam was interrupted during last spring’s testing period and whether the results are valid.
Panel to make recommendations for grading system
State leaders have created another new education panel – this one to help develop an A-F grading system to replace one that has come under fire following accusations it was adjusted to help a specific school.
Indiana splashes economic message on Times Square
The state has taken its economic development efforts to Times Square in New York City, where a couple of 15-second ads promoting Indiana are shown every hour on a 26-foot wide digital screen.
Indiana chooses new test to replace GED
The state plans to hire the company that struggled to administer this year’s ISTEP test to provide a high school equivalency exam that will replace the one in use for decades.
Small biz owners: Unemployment systems not working
Business owners told members of the Indiana General Assembly’s Small Business Caucus that there’s a problem: They can’t compete with public assistance programs.
Dems, Republicans bring Obamacare fight to Indy
The conservative Heritage Action for American organization brought its anti-Obamacare tour to Indiana’s capitol city on Monday. Meanwhile, supporters of the existing federal health care law held their own event.
Pence: State on right track, but too many Hoosiers out of work
Gov. Mike Pence challenged members of the Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis to encourage out-of-state entrepreneurs to consider building their businesses in Indiana.
BMV says drivers owe $130M in uncollected fees
Elizabeth Murphy, general counsel for the BMV, told lawmakers at a meeting of the Interim Study Committee on Insurance that uncollected fees have averaged anywhere from $11 million to $13 million annually over the past few years.
Dermatologists seek ban on minors using tanning beds
Dermatologist Carrie Davis of Bloomington, a member of the Indiana Academy of Dermatology, told the legislative commission Wednesday that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.
Legislators mull allowing farm wineries to sell direct
Indiana wineries complain that current rules about selling to retailers and dealers are onerous and can mean splitting up a family business.
New law lets pharmacists provide pneumonia, HPV vaccines
Starting July 1, pharmacists will be able to offer a much wider variety of immunizations to customers, in an effort from lawmakers to make health care more accessible.
New law helps protect seniors from unscrupulous relatives
The law is meant to help seniors fight back against more subtle manipulation that happens when a caregiver, friend or loved one uses intimidation—but not force—to gain access to money, credit cards or other resources.
State unlikely to act on push for lower booze level for driving
Federal officials are recommending that states reduce the amount of alcohol people can drink and still get behind the wheel. But a key state lawmaker says that’s not likely to happen in Indiana.
State’s April tax receipts beat latest forecast
The first monthly revenue report since lawmakers passed a new two-year state budget came in 4 percent higher than projections made just a few weeks ago.
Lawmakers forge deal to help Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The plan authorizes the state to loan the Speedway $100 million—money it will borrow through bonds—to make the grandstands more accessible to people with disabilities and to install lights for night races.
Boots says live dealers dispute won’t kill gambling bill
Lawmakers remain at odds over whether a bill meant to bolster the gambling industry in Indiana should authorize live dealers at the state’s horse track casinos.
House OKs IMS bill, despite dispute over funding source
A bill to help pay for $100 million in improvements at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway passed the House on Monday—but only on its second try, as some lawmakers expressed frustration about tapping horse racing money for the projects.
Plan would shift money from horse racing to auto racing
The move—debated Monday in the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee—is meant to subsidize upgrades at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and make low-interest loans available to other auto tracks and businesses across the state.
Lawmakers hope to woo gun manufacturers to Indiana
Two resolutions, including one that passed the House on Tuesday, aim to attract gun manufacturers to Indiana by touting the state’s tax climate and gun-rights laws.