Indiana redistricting plan shores up suburban district for GOP
Other changes among Indiana’s nine congressional districts to account for population shifts don’t appear likely to shift the 7-2 control that Republicans now hold on those seats.
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Indiana governor’s lawyers could bill nearly $200K for suit
The Indiana governor’s office has signed a contract paying a law firm up to nearly $200,000 for challenging the increased power state legislators gave themselves to intervene during public health emergencies.
Indiana Democrats bracing for Republican redistricting plan
Republicans on Tuesday are set to release proposed new Indiana House and U.S. House maps that they’ve drawn behind closed doors.
Democrats seek corporate, wealthy tax hikes for $3.5T plan
n all, the tax hikes are in line with Biden’s own proposals and would bring about the most substantive changes in the tax code since Republicans with then-President Donald Trump slashed taxes in 2017. Business and anti-tax groups are sure to object.
Indiana health officials announce COVID-19 testing expansion
Under the partnership, the Covington, Kentucky-based company will provide staff and supplies needed to collect and analyze up to 5,000 COVID-19 tests per day.
Key Democrat favors cutting Biden budget plan by more than half
A Democratic senator vital to the fate of President Joe Biden’s $3.5 trillion plan for social and environmental spending said Sunday he won’t support even half that amount or the ambitious timetable envisioned for passing it.
Internet funding rule could favor rural areas over cities
Cities and urban counties across the United States are raising concerns that a recent rule from President Joe Biden’s administration could preclude them from tapping into $350 billion of coronavirus relief aid to expand high-speed internet connections.
Judge weighing Indiana governor’s suit over emergency law
A top state lawyer argued Friday that Indiana’s constitution gives the Legislature full authority to meet when it wants, urging a judge to reject the governor’s lawsuit challenging the increased power state legislators gave themselves to intervene during public health emergencies.
Kentucky lawmakers OK incentives bill aimed at mega projects
Economic development projects topping $2 billion would be eligible for the incentives. Gov. Andy Beshear has said the state is pursuing at least five projects of that magnitude.
TSA doubles fines for refusing to wear masks at airports, other transportation settings
People who refuse to comply with a federal mandate that requires them to wear masks in airports, and on trains, buses and in other public transportation settings will face stiffer penalties from the Transportation Security Agency.
Biden to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for larger U.S. companies
President Joe Biden announced sweeping new COVID vaccine mandates Thursday designed to affect tens of millions of Americans. He also adopted an antagonistic tone toward the unvaccinated Thursday, placing blame on those refusing to get shots for harming other Americans.
Indiana Republicans could seek to bolster congressional hold
Indiana Republicans will show next week just how far they’ll go in pushing their political control over redrawing the state’s congressional districts.
As experts debate boosters, some vaccinated people are calling their own shots
Booster confusion appears to have reached epidemic proportions amid a flood of new scientific studies that are not always consistent with one another. “Fully vaccinated” is suddenly a squishy concept.
Senate Democrats eye taxes on stock buybacks, excess CEO pay
The expanded menu of tax options would give Democrats more flexibility as they undertake thorny negotiations among themselves over how to pay for a proposed $3.5 trillion of long-term investments in child care, education and other social programs.
Road safety agency: Traffic deaths rise again as drivers take risks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said traffic deaths in the first quarter of 2021 rose by 10.5% over last year, even as driving has declined.
Indiana legislators eye Texas abortion law but not this year
Even though legislators will be meeting for an unusual session during the last two weeks of September, Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said they would limit that session to the redrawing of congressional and legislative district maps.
Holcomb orders hospitals to report ambulance diversions, ending secretive practice
The order cites the recent strain on hospitals from the pandemic, and states they must report the number of hours each day they close their doors to ambulances bringing in new patients.
Indiana schools get incentive to require classroom masks
Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a new statewide executive order that eases quarantine requirements for students if all children and adults in the school were wearing masks throughout the day.
First 1,000 Afghan refugees could arrive at Camp Atterbury this week
Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana National Guard on Wednesday released some details about the process of temporarily housing 5,000 Afghan refugees at Camp Atterbury.
Indiana’s Camp Atterbury tapped to house Afghan refugees
Camp Atterbury was one of eight military facilities around the nation approved by the Secretary of Defense to temporarily house up to 50,000 Afghan refugees in total.