White House to extend student loan pause through August
The action applies to more than 43 million Americans who owe a combined $1.6 trillion in student debt held by the federal government, according to the latest data from the Education Department.
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INDOT issues request for information for EV charging infrastructure plan
In its request for information released Monday, INDOT is soliciting feedback and recommendations from stakeholders, such as utilities and energy and fuel companies, for the planning, coordination and development of charging networks across the state.
Indiana to double post-election audits in general elections
Post-election audits are done by manually checking a randomized sample of paper-voted ballots. In an audit, ballots are not tallied by scanners, and every sampled ballot is hand-counted to determine if the initial machine readings are confirmed and accurate.
UPDATE: Biden tapping oil reserve for 6 months to control gas prices
The release of reserves in the U.S. could create pressures that could reduce oil prices, though Biden has already twice ordered releases from the strategic reserves without causing a meaningful shift in oil markets.
Pence unveils Republican policy agenda for midterm elections
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s “Freedom Agenda,” released Thursday, combines traditional Republican goals like increasing American energy production, cutting taxes and rolling back regulations with priorities pursued by former President Donald Trump on issues like trade and immigration.
Indiana governor visits refugees as state cuts Russian ties
Indiana’s state government is selling off nearly $150 million of Russian-related investments as the governor said he’s looking at ways the state could help Ukrainian refugees fleeing from the Russian invasion of their country.
Biden budget seeks minimum tax on households worth $100M
The introduction of the minimum tax on the wealthiest Americans would represent a significant reorienting of the tax code.
Braun: Supreme Court should leave decisions on interracial marriage, abortion to states
During a conference call to discuss the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, Sen. Mike Braun from Indiana said he’d welcome the rescinding of several key decisions made by the court in the past 70 years to pass the power to the states.
New corporate climate change disclosures proposed by SEC
The required disclosures would include greenhouse gas emissions produced by companies directly or indirectly—such as from consumption of the company’s products, vehicles used to transport products, business travel and energy used to grow raw materials.
Pence distances himself from Trump as he eyes 2024 campaign
Former Vice President Mike Pence is working to craft a political identity independent of his former boss Donald Trump. The strategy carries substantial risk in a party still dominated by Trump and his claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Congressional leaders call NCAA’s gender-equity efforts ‘inadequate’ on eve of March Madness
The letter faults the NCAA for failing to make several substantive changes—or simply commit to making the changes—recommended by the law firm it retained to conduct a review of its policies and procedures.
Indiana legislators passed these education bills in 2022
Indiana lawmakers managed to pack the calendar with education-related legislation this year. Here’s a look at what survived and what didn’t.
Hacked U.S. companies to face new reporting requirements
The rules are part of a broader effort by the Biden administration and Congress to shore up the nation’s cyberdefenses after a series of high-profile digital espionage campaigns and disruptive ransomware attacks
Senate gives final approval to Ukraine aid, huge budget bill
The Senate rejected an amendment by Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., to strip earmarks from the legislation. Braun said they encompassed 367 pages that weighed five pounds and showed “the swamp is rising again.”
Ivy Tech exec tapped as state’s next higher education commissioner
Chris Lowery succeeds Teresa Lubbers, who in November announced plans to step down at the conclusion of the 2022 legislative session.
Amendment aimed at Indy Democratic chair stripped out of bill
State lawmakers approved an election bill this week after rejecting an amendment targeting Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell, which would’ve required her to choose between her role as chairwoman and elected position as county recorder.
Indiana lawmakers seek possible special session on abortion
The vast majority of Indiana’s Republican state legislators have signed a letter asking the governor to call them back into special session later this year if the U.S. Supreme Court rolls back the limits states can place on abortion.
Limits on insulin costs revived in push for Senate action
Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and more than 6 million use insulin to keep their blood sugars under control. It’s an old drug, refined over the years, that has seen relentless price increases.
Biden signs order on cryptocurrency as its use explodes
Biden’s top economic and national security adviser said the order establishes the first comprehensive federal digital assets strategy for the United States.
Congress passes bill to shore up Postal Service, delivery
Congress mustered rare bipartisan support for the Postal Service package, dropping some of the more controversial proposals to settle on core ways to save the service and ensure its future operations.