UPDATE: Bill hikes marriage fees unless couples take class
Under the bill, couples who complete premarital classes would pay the standard $18 fee for a marriage license and certificate. But couples that don't take a course would pay $72.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Indiana teachers rally against GOP education plan
More than 1,000 Indiana teachers swarmed the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday for a rowdy rally denouncing the sweeping education proposals moving through the Republican-dominated state House and Senate.
House passes bill to expand charter schools
The House approved the proposal Tuesday on a 59-37 mostly party-line vote following hours of debate. Republicans say the bill would mean more options for families, while Democrats contend that it will erode funding for traditional schools.
Nuclear power bill at statehouse conjures up ghosts
A controversial bill in the Indiana Senate would make it easier for utilities to quickly bill ratepayers for proposed nuclear and other clean-energy projects.
Lawmakers eye cutting corporate taxes
Legislators are moving ahead with a plan to cut Indiana's corporate income tax by about 40 percent while holding off on phasing out the state inheritance tax.
Job openings fall for second straight month
Employers posted fewer job openings in December, the second straight month of declines. That's a sign hiring is still weak even as the economy is gaining strength.
‘Clean energy financing districts’ face tough sell at Statehouse
Districts would finance solar panels and other clean-energy projects through special tax levies on participating properties.
Technicality delays council’s North of South vote
A technicality caused the City-County Council on Monday night to put off a final vote on the massive North of South mixed-use project slated to be built on 14 acres north of the Eli Lilly and Co. corporate campus.
Indiana House budget leader expects plan next week
The House Ways and Means Committee began taking public testimony Monday about the two-year state budget plan after four weeks of hearings with state agencies and universities.
UPDATE: Lawmakers again seek gay marriage amendment
Republican and Democrat lawmakers in Indiana are resuming their push for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Mourdock says he’s made decision about Senate run
Indiana state Treasurer Richard Mourdock says he's made a decision and will make an announcement soon about whether he'll challenge longtime U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar in the 2012 Republican primary.
Bill would limit school referendum campaigns
State Rep. Cindy Noe, R-Indianapolis, wants to stop schools from using public money and bar school employees from campaigning for referendums that would raise property taxes.
Indiana’s promised scholarships caught in budget bind
The growing popularity of the 21st Century Scholars program and the state’s recession-driven budget bind has state officials looking to tighten up both the academic and financial requirements.
Indiana lawmaker pushes Sunday sales of alcohol, cars
Indiana shoppers would be able to buy a six-pack of beer or a new car on Sundays if state Sen. Phil Boots is successful in rolling back two of the few remaining blue laws still in effect in Indiana.
Bill would expand powers of campus police officers
Police officers at Indiana colleges and universities could have the same authority as city and county officers under a bill introduced in the General Assembly.
Indiana plans Reagan celebration at Statehouse
The Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration is scheduled for Feb. 10 at the Indiana Statehouse. The celebration is part of events nationwide celebrating Reagan's life.
Jobless rate falls to 9 percent despite weak job growth
The economy generated only 36,000 net new jobs in January, the fewest in four months, but the unemployment rate fell because many of those out of work gave up on their job searches.
Panel OKs criminal checks on medical workers
Physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, pharmacists and other medical workers would have to pay for a national criminal background check when applying for a state license under a bill pending with the Indiana Senate.
Tighter rules for scholarship program advance
Indiana's popular 21st Century Scholars program that provides full college scholarships to needy students who stay out of trouble would have stiffer requirements under a proposal approved Thursday by a legislative committee.
Bond wariness might make it tough for cities to borrow
Interest rates on municipal bonds have ticked up in the last two months to pre-recession levels as investors have pulled their money from bond funds in droves. That pattern has begun, gradually, to reverse, but the higher rates could add to the cost of issuing debt for pending city projects.