Lawmaker seeks to drop welfare drug-testing measure
An Indiana lawmaker says he no longer supports his proposal that would require certain welfare recipients to take drug tests and instead wants more study on the issue.
Government
Articles
Lawmakers still unsettled over more live casino dealers
The question of whether the two horse track casinos in central Indiana will be allowed to add live dealers for their current electronic table games remained unsettled Monday with little more than a week left in this year's legislative session.
Lawmaker renews efforts to require schools to teach cursive
A longtime supporter of requiring Indiana schools to teach cursive writing is making her fifth attempt to restore the skill to Indiana's curriculum.
Angst over ISTEP continues in Statehouse, school districts
Lawmakers are at odds over a proposal to scrap the ISTEP+ standardized test for an off-the-shelf model. Meanwhile, schools are preparing to take the online portion of the high-stakes test, which has been glitchy in the past.
Pence signs bill expanding use of overdose drug
The new law allows Indiana residents to obtain and use a drug that can reverse heroin overdoses in their relatives, friends and loved ones.
Final state budget negotiations get underway
Legislative fiscal leaders launched final budget negotiations Friday with a somber tone, a reflection of this week’s downward revision in the state’s revenue projections.
Economic development exec leaves Indy Chamber
Martin Vanags, who leads economic development efforts for the Indy Chamber, is moving on to a new position in upstate New York.
Indiana lawmakers approve rules for e-cigarette liquids
The bill's provisions include banning sales to those younger than 18, establishing manufacturing safety standards, and requiring child-proof and tamper-proof caps on containers.
Indiana House sends construction wage law repeal to governor
The bill repealing the state law that sets wages for public construction projects is on its way to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence after his strong push for the measure.
Poll: RFRA fallout does damage to Pence’s approval rating
Gov. Mike Pence is underwater and vulnerable to a challenge in 2016, according to a poll released Thursday morning by Howey Politics Indiana.
State revenue forecast comes in lower than expected
State lawmakers will have about $213 million less to spend during the next two years than they thought they would when they started working on the next two-year budget.
Indiana bill banning powdered alcohol sent to Pence
Senate members approved a bill Wednesday that would make it illegal to possess, purchase, sell or use powdered alcohol in Indiana. It also requires further study on the issue this summer.
Indiana Senate hears warning of possible budget cuts
The Indiana Senate endorsed a proposal for a new two-year state spending plan on Wednesday, just after its chief budget writer warned that cuts might soon have to be made.
Ethics legislation gets closer to becoming law
The Indiana Senate passed ethics legislation Wednesday that would require lawmakers to be more transparent about their finances and strengthen laws designed to keep legislators from taking advantage of state resources for political gain.
Redistricting study committee bill heads to Pence
A bill that will establish a study committee to consider how to handle redistricting and evaluate the benefits and problems with changing the state’s mapping methods passed the Indiana Senate on Wednesday.
Pence communications director Denault stepping down
Christy Denault, who started with Pence during his campaign for governor in 2012, said in a resignation letter that the “time has come for me to devote my energy and time to my family.”
Indiana Senate backs repeal of construction wage law
Senators voted 27-22 Wednesday to support eliminating the boards that set wages for state or local projects costing more than $350,000.
Senate shoots down bill regulating fenced-in deer hunting
The Indiana Senate has narrowly voted down a proposal to legalize high-fenced preserves where farm-raised deer are hunted, officially killing any movement on the issue for this session.
Finally, Congress OKs bill reshaping Medicare doctors’ fees
The Senate gave final congressional approval late Tuesday to the $214 billion bipartisan measure, which rewrites how Medicare pays doctors for treating over 50 million elderly people.
Oesterle could follow Angie’s List exit with gubernatorial run
Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle, a Mitch Daniels confidant who strongly opposed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, is well-positioned for a run at Gov. Mike Pence’s seat, observers said Wednesday.