Indiana governor signs spending plan for surplus revenue
By paying for the projects with surplus cash instead of issuing debt as originally planned, state officials estimate it could save the state more than $130 million over 20 years.
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City awarded record federal funding for homeless initiatives
The city of Indianapolis on Wednesday was awarded $6.3 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for initiatives and organizations that aim to eliminate homelessness.
Lawmakers consider change to business personal property tax
Senate Bill 385, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, would change the way the state’s business personal property tax is calculated.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill aimed at addressing health care costs
The Indiana House approved legislation that would attempt to end surprise billing, and the Indiana Senate approved a bill that could establish a statewide all-payer claims database.
Measure aimed at forcing marijuana prosecutions advances
Republican legislators agitated with an Indianapolis prosecutor’s refusal to press charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana are seeking to empower the state attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to take over such cases.
Speedway Democrat not seeking re-election to Statehouse
Indiana Rep. Karlee Macer, of Speedway, announced Tuesday that she won’t run for re-election for House District 92 this year. She previously considered a run for governor.
Bill that seeks more protections for pregnant workers advances
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee voted 7-2 Monday to endorse the bill, even though some business groups argued it wasn’t necessary and could lead to greater burdens on small businesses.
Former Indiana House Speaker Bauer retiring after 50 years
Pat Bauer, 75, announced Monday he wouldn’t seek re-election this year in the South Bend district that he’s represented since 1970. He’ll retire as the longest-serving member in the Indiana Legislature’s history.
Holcomb says he supports gaming commission investigation into Centaur
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday said he backs the Indiana Gaming Commission’s probe into casino executives who have been implicated in a federal campaign finance scheme. The investigation has delayed action on a proposed new Indiana casino.
Indiana casino approval delayed while state probes former Centaur execs
The Indiana Gaming Commission confirmed Friday that is postponing approval of a new Indiana casino while it investigates allegations that top executives at former Indianapolis racino business Centaur Gaming were involved in directing illegal campaign contributions to an Indiana congressional candidate in 2015.
Health care bills unlikely to remedy cost crisis
Republican leaders of the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Eric Holcomb have made addressing high health care costs a top priority this year, but the bills proposed to do so are unlikely to have much direct impact.
Senate bill calls for reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers
Breastfeeding accommodations, bathroom and water breaks and lifting limitations are examples of accommodations employers would be required to make under Senate Bill 342.
Feds say local gaming company conspired with GOP strategist to make illegal contributions
A Republican strategist who pleaded guilty to conspiracy Thursday said in court that at least eight people were used as conduits for illegal corporate donations from an Indianapolis gaming company to former Indiana Sen. Brent Waltz when he ran for U.S. Congress in 2016.
How shifting political tides ended Indiana’s ambitious school takeover effort
The State Board of Education’s decision to end the takeover confirmed the waning enthusiasm in Indiana for state oversight of failing schools. But it also revealed how much Indianapolis Public Schools has transformed in recent years.
Indiana lawmakers send surplus-spending bill to Holcomb
The bill moved through the Indiana General Assembly faster than usual. The chambers usually wait until the halfway point of the session to consider legislation that originated in the opposite chamber.
City to consider purchase of Blue Indy’s assets
The city of Indianapolis will have up to 90 days after Blue Indy ceases operations in May to decide whether to purchase the electric-car-sharing service’s assets
Buttigieg’s unlikely Iowa rise now carries high expectations
Pete Buttigieg likely cannot finish lower than second in the Iowa caucuses if he wants to advance in the Democratic presidential nominating campaign.
Lawmakers push health care cost-saving, price-transparency bills forward
The measures are largely focused on ending surprise billing for patients, creating an all-payer claims database and requiring health care providers to give patients costs estimates in advance.
Indiana House committee advances hands-free driving bill
The committee listened to about two hours of testimony, with many of the speakers telling personal stories. No one spoke against the hands-free driving measure, which is a legislative priority for Gov. Eric Holcomb.
House passes bill to prevent companies from forcing employees to be microchipped
House Bill 1143 would prohibit businesses from using the implantation of some type of tracking or identification device as a condition of employment for current or prospective workers.