AG Rokita sues Biden administration over preschool masks, vaccine mandates
Indiana and 23 other states filed the suit to stop rules that require students as young as 2 years old to wear masks if they attend a preschool program funded by Head Start.
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Indianapolis-area state senators target criminal justice system with new bills
Republican legislators on Thursday introduced a spate of new bills targeting the criminal justice system in the Indianapolis area and across Indiana.
Poll backs lawmakers’ moves to restrict employer vaccine mandates
The survey of 576 adult Hoosiers by the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University shows that while 30% support employer vaccine mandates, 40% want employers only to encourage vaccines. Another 28% don’t want employers to encourage or require the shots.
Explainer: Must employers follow Biden’s vaccine mandates?
Tens of millions of workers across the U.S. are in limbo as federal courts have put President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates affecting private companies largely on hold. Here’s where everything stands.
Indiana officials projecting big jump in budget surplus
The State Budget Committee on Thursday projected booming growth in Indiana’s budget surplus, setting up a debate during the upcoming legislative session over possible tax cuts.
Governor taps his former speech writer to lead White River State Park
Jake Oakman, who has a history in tourism and Republican state politics, has been appointed executive director for the White River State Park Development Commission by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Biden, Manchin said to be sharply divided over $2T Dem social bill
The rocky status of their talks, described only on condition of anonymity by a person familiar with the talks, was among several indications that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer faces a struggle to even begin debate on the massive measure before Christmas.
Evictions on the rise months after federal moratorium ends
Eviction filings in Indianapolis were 49% below average in August but just 7% below average in the first 11 days of December, according to Eviction Lab at Princeton University.
UPDATE: Indiana taxpayers to get $125 refunds as state gives back $545M in surplus
The size of the state surplus has triggered Indiana’s automatic tax-refund law, with an estimated $545 million being divided evenly among 4.3 million taxpayers.
Child tax credit ending just as inflation hits new highs
The last of six monthly payments, up to $300 per child, is scheduled to hit bank accounts on Wednesday.
Treasury awards $8.7B for lending in minority communities
The funds from the Emergency Capital Investment Program, which was created this year, will go to 186 community-based financial institutions.
Which communities will land $500M in regional grants? Answers come Tuesday
The 17 applications outline hundreds of projects in urban and rural communities, from mixed-use developments, affordable housing, local downtown renovations and workforce training programs to new parks, trails, sports complexes and concert venues.
IDEM chief of staff Rockensuess named new commissioner
Brian Rockensuess replaces Bruno Pigott, who stepped down Dec. 3 to become deputy assistant administrator in the office of water for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Holcomb to seek more funding for READI regional grants amid overwhelming interest
Gov. Eric Holcomb said interest in the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI, has surpassed the state’s expectations—so much so that the allotted $500 million in funding will fall far short of meeting every region’s vision.
Lawmakers say they will try again to regulate airline fees
The legislation would require that fees be “reasonable and proportional” to the airline’s cost of providing the service. It will also require airlines to let children under 14 sit with family members at no extra charge.
Senate passes bill easing way for debt limit increase
Key to the agreement is that Democrats will have to vote on a specific amount by which the debt ceiling will be lifted. The amount has not yet been disclosed, but it is sure to be a staggering sum.
Michigan House OKs incentives to land major business deals
While proponents did not specify pending deals for which Michigan is vying, several told the House Government Operations Committee that Michigan must stay competitive in the auto industry.
Led by Braun, Senate votes to repeal key Biden vaccine and testing policy
In their most public, forceful protest to date, Republicans led by Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana muscled to passage a proposal that aims to repeal rules ordering large private businesses to require vaccination or implement comprehensive coronavirus testing for their workers.
Holcomb frustrated with ‘absurd’ vaccine-refusal reasons
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said the pandemic remains a real threat and is taking lives, but he maintains that the state’s role is to provide vaccines and other resources, not impose vaccine requirements or mask mandates.
Treasury proposes new disclosure rule to fight corruption
The proposed new rule would require companies to identify who owns and controls them, rather than the names of the people who formed the company.