Indiana Senate panel advances bill protecting donor privacy
Not-for-profit organizations in Indiana would be permitted to keep the identity of their members and donors secret under a bill now advancing through the Indiana General Assembly.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Bill would require schools to report student requests to change names, pronouns
Gender identity and transitioning are the focus of a number of bills filed by Indiana lawmakers in the 2023 session, including one that would require teachers and schools to disclose if students request to change their names or pronouns.
Proposal could ax business personal property tax for thousands
The bill would raise the exemption that determines which companies must pay the tax. It would exempt companies that own machinery, equipment and other tangible goods that cost them, in total, less than $250,000. The current threshold is $80,000.
Carmel set to expand White River Greenway
The trail will wind and curve near the White River for 5.4 miles from East 116th Street to East 146th Street once it is completed next year.
IEDC looking to key U.S. markets to generate investments in Hoosier state
The IEDC says it would like to hire two more people this year, perhaps on the East Coast and in the Southeast, who can also scout for companies that might be persuaded to invest in Indiana.
Indiana Republicans propose career scholarship accounts
A new bill in Indiana would establish accounts for students to pay for career training outside their schools, as part of House Republicans’ campaign to “reinvent” high school and align it more closely to the workforce.
Indiana House Republicans propose fines for hospitals with high fees
Upset with what they say is the excessive cost of health care in Indiana, House Republicans want to levy fines against hospitals that charge more than 260% of what Medicare reimburses for services.
Where did ‘Hoosier’ come from? An Indiana bill seeks to answer that question.
Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City, has filed House Bill 1143 to establish “The Hoosier State” as Indiana’s official nickname. The bill also would put into state law the origin of the Hoosier terminology—and it’s a story that many Hoosiers today may have never heard before.
House GOP kicks off majority with vote to slash IRS funding
House Republicans have passed a bill that would rescind nearly $71 billion that Congress had provided the IRS.
Five environmental issues to watch for in Indiana’s 2023 legislative session
Renewable energy, climate change mitigation and ongoing efforts to improve statewide water quality are top issues for Indiana environmental advocates in the 2023 legislative session.
State education groups seek school-funding increase, expanded preschool access
Education advocates say they see expanding access to both early learning and higher education as critical to the state’s economic health.
Legalizing online casinos lands backing of House committee chair
Rep. Ethan Manning, a Republican from Logansport, said he’ll introduce a bill to allow online casino games, taxing revenue at an 18% rate and sharing some of the proceeds with cities and counties where casinos are located.
Lawmakers cautiously eye property-tax relief with big bills on horizon
Indiana lawmakers are drawing up changes to the state’s property-tax system, with rising assessments last spring pointing toward potentially high bills this year. But their approach has been cautious.
FTC proposes rule that would ban noncompete clauses
The FTC proposal is based on a preliminary finding that noncompete clauses quash competition in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Section 5 bans unfair methods of competition.
Indiana lawmakers closer than ever to expanding legalized online gambling
A recent study suggests Hoosiers are likely spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year in illegal, online gambling—things like poker and slot games.
Congress expands protections for pregnant and nursing workers
Experts say the provisions will help close the gender wage gap and improve conditions for pregnant workers, especially in physically demanding jobs.
Biden signs $1.7T bill funding government operations
The massive bill, which topped out at more than 4,000 pages, wraps together 12 appropriations bills, aid to Ukraine and disaster relief for communities recovering from natural disasters. It also contains scores of policy changes.
New tax credits for EVs expected to boost their appeal
Starting Jan. 1, many Americans will qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500 for buying an electric vehicle. But a complex web of requirements is casting doubt on whether anyone will be able to receive the full $7,500 credit.
States banking big bucks as Fed attempts to fight inflation
State governments emerging from the coronavirus pandemic built historic cash surpluses as inflation in prices and wages drove up sales and income tax collections.
Curriculum, pre-K, culture bills among education priorities for state lawmakers
Changes to early-childhood education and a response to Indiana’s ongoing teacher shortage are top-of-mind issues for lawmakers as the 2023 legislative session nears.