Indiana Republicans hold fast against cash shift to schools
Gov. Eric Holcomb and GOP legislators maintain that more can be done about teacher pay in 2021 when the next new two-year budget is written.
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Hearing set on fight over disclosure of Indianapolis’ Amazon HQ2 bid
A not-for-profit tax policy group will make its case in court next month that the public is entitled to know the financial incentives that were offered to Amazon in the city’s unsuccessful bid to lure the firm’s multibillion-dollar secondary campus.
State Sen. Spartz considering run for Congress
Indiana State Sen. Victoria Spartz, R-Noblesville, announced Wednesday that she was suspending her race for another Senate term to explore a run for Congress in the 5th District, where a crowded field is hoping to replace Rep. Susan Brooks.
Lawmakers discuss potential creation of all-payer claims database
The Indiana House Public Health Committee on Wednesday discussed legislation that would create an all-payer claims database and require health care providers to give patients a “good faith” cost estimate of non-emergency procedures in advance, if requested by the patient.
Indiana considers tougher retailer penalties with smoking age change
Congress’ decision last month to raise the legal age to 21 has made opposing it on a state level moot, and Republican leaders of the Indiana House and Senate are endorsing proposals with tougher penalties.
Holcomb OK with not using state surplus for $50M swine barn
Gov. Eric Holcomb initially proposed spending $291 million from the state’s reserves on five major capital projects, including the new barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. But a bill recently filed by House Ways & Means Chairman Tim Brown left it out.
Redistricting reform advocates pushing for transparency
Redistricting reform advocates are taking a slightly different approach at the Republican-controlled Indiana Legislature this year, as they make more transparency the priority ahead of lines being redrawn in 2021.
Teacher pay action not on GOP’s agenda in 2020 General Assembly
Members of the Republican-dominated General Assembly are set to return Monday to the Statehouse in Indianapolis for their 2020 session, during which they will face continued calls from teacher unions and Democrats for better teacher pay.
Two veteran Indiana House members not seeking reelection
Reps David Wolkins of Warsaw and Rep. Ron Bacon of Chandler said they plan to retire after this year’s legislative session.
Cash-strapped Indy Parks seeks creative financing for community center
A deal to build a new family center at Broad Ripple Park could be just the first of several privately funded projects considered by the park system.
Indiana counties battle cyber attackers with help from state, feds
To fight cyberattacks, state and local government officials are taking a page from the enemy’s playbook by expanding protections against attacks from one entry point to thousands.
Public-private partnership launching venue to test, develop 5G technologies
Indiana is positioning itself to be the epicenter for the latest generation of wireless technology, which experts say will be revolutionary.
Indianapolis Democrats want to study impact of climate change on city
A City-County Council proposal introduced Friday calls for the creation of a year-long commission to take stock of climate-change effects and make recommendations to address them.
More than half of Indiana schools met feds’ academic expectations
Although 205 Indiana schools, or about 11 percent, didn’t meet the federal expectations, 620 Indiana schools, or about 34 percent, received the federal assessment’s Approaching Expectations rating.
Trump’s plan to curb teen vaping includes major exceptions
U.S. health officials will begin cracking down on most flavored e-cigarettes that are popular with underage teenagers, but the policy will spare a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market aimed at adults.
Buttigieg raises $24.7M during 4th quarter
The former South Bend mayor also said his campaign staff had 500 people nationwide, a show of organizational strength heading into the presidential primaries.
Illinois begins legal sales of recreational marijuana
The law approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker allows people 21 or older to possess of up to 30 grams of cannabis flower and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.
Trump says he’ll sign first-step China trade deal on Jan. 15
In the first-step agreement, the U.S. dropped its plan to impose new tariffs on $160 billion of Chinese imports and agreed to trim existing import taxes on about $112 billion in Chinese goods. In return, the U.S. said China agreed to buy $40 billion a year in farm products over two years.
Trump signs law to reduce robocalls, although they won’t end
The new law gives authorities more enforcement powers and could speed up measures the industry is already taking to identify robocalls. And when phone companies block robocalls, they must do so without charging consumers.
Live dealer games starting at 2 casinos in central Indiana
Officials of Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville have long pushed for the change that they expect will draw more gamblers and boost state tax revenue.