Gambling bill would allow Terre Haute casino, accelerates timeline for live games at racinos
The bill, filed by Republican Sens. Mark Messmer and Jon Ford, covers a wide range of gambling issues expected to be debated this year.
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Hogsett kicks off 2019 mayoral campaign with $3.2M war chest
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has a huge fundraising advantage over his Republican challengers, who are starting their campaigns with bank accounts in the four-figure range.
Panel backs proposal to move up appointing state schools chief
Indiana’s governor would begin appointing the state schools superintendent in 2021 instead of 2025, under a proposal endorsed Wednesday by the House Education Committee. Voters traditionally have elected the superintendent.
From travel to IPOs, here’s how shutdown is upsetting U.S. economy
Delta Air Lines can’t get eight new aircraft in the air. Roughly a million government employees and contractors aren’t being paid. Some Americans who are trying to start small businesses face delays in obtaining information from the IRS.
Legislators try to get tighter grip on virtual charter schools
New proposals stem from recommendations made by education officials, including potential solutions to low test scores and graduation rates, a lack of student and parent participation, and the need to improve their oversight.
Senators ask FDA to update rules on CBD, hemp products
Congress legalized the production and sale of industrial hemp and hemp derivatives, including CBD. But FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has restated his agency’s stance that CBD is a drug ingredient and therefore illegal to add to food or health products without his agency’s approval.
Indiana lawmaker seeks tighter management of veterans fund
Republican Rep. Randy Frye, of Greensburg, submitted a bill Thursday that would make Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs employees ineligible for grants from the Military Family Relief Fund and would firmly cap the lifetime amount a person could receive at $2,500
Gov. Holcomb announces plan to pay off pension liability, free up money for teacher raises
On Tuesday night, Holcomb said in his State of the State speech that the state will use $150 million from its surplus to pay off a teacher pension liability that schools have been gradually paying down.
Bill would boost CIB funding, require new 25-year deal with Pacers
A bill filed by Senate Appropriations Chairman Ryan Mishler would extend the life of multiple tourism- and entertainment-related taxes that help fund the Capital Improvement Board and expand the footprint of what’s known as the Professional Sports Development Area to capture even more tax revenue for the CIB. But there’s a catch.
Former Rep. Luke Messer joins FaegreBD consulting team in D.C.
Messer will co-lead the firm’s federal advocacy team with FaegreBD principal Ted Bristol, who served as legislative advisor to senior Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate.
Justice Department opinion could threaten online gambling
Several states—but not Indiana—moved to authorize online gambling after an Obama administration decision appeared to allow it. Now, the Justice Department is reversing that opinion.
Council panel postpones vote on controversial billboard plan to consider changes
Council Vice President Zach Adamson said “we all have received lots of calls” on the proposal and said postponing the matter would “allow additional conversation” on whether or not to amend the proposal or accept it as written.
Gov. Holcomb says ‘what’s next’ could be soccer stadium
The Republican governor did not take a position on an Indy Eleven plan to have state and local taxpayers fund a new stadium, but he said officials always need to embrace the future.
Trump rejects suggested short-term government shutdown fix
Leaving the White House for a trip to New Orleans, Trump said he had dismissed the proposal from Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham to reopen for several weeks and continue dealing with Democrats over Trump’s long-promised wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Indiana lawmakers look at charity gaming regulations
The bill would allow for higher prize payouts and more not-for-profits to offer charity gaming.
Veep Pence tested in role of messenger for Trump policies
The vice president has been one of the administration’s most visible emissaries during the shutdown fight, meeting with lawmakers, sitting for interviews and leading staff-level talks. But he’s been repeatedly undermined and contradicted by his boss.
Shutdown update: Trump says he’ll sign off on back pay for federal workers
The partial government shutdown stretched into its 21st day on Friday, tying the record for the longest. Judges, law enforcement officers, NASA engineers, weather forecasters and office staff were among some 800,000 federal workers who missed their first paychecks.
Indiana attorney general accuser seeks easier removal path
An Indiana legislator who says she was groped at a bar by state Attorney General Curtis Hill wants to make it easier to remove some state officeholders from their positions.
Trump eyeing citizenship path in worker visa program
President Donald Trump said his administration is looking at changing a foreign worker visa program to include a more direct path to citizenship, as he wrestles with Democrats in Congress over funding for his border wall.
Local accounting firm sanctioned by feds, pays $102K penalty
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has accepted settlement offers from Katz, Sapper & Miller—the area's largest locally based accounting firm—and one of its partners for what the SEC described as "improper professional conduct."