Could 2022 be the year for marijuana legalization in Indiana?
Eyes will once again be on Indiana to see if lawmakers will loosen the state’s marijuana laws as neighboring states continue to cash in on legal weed.
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Pelosi upbeat on Biden deal but Manchin pans billionaire tax
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s upbeat comments came as President Biden and Democrats try to strike agreement soon on his big proposal, now about $1.75 trillion in social services and climate change programs
White House, Dems hurriedly reworking $2 trillion Biden plan
President Joe Biden mentioned during a televised town hall Thursday the challenge he faces in wrangling the sharply divergent factions in the Democratic party to agree to the final contours of the bill.
House sends debt-limit hike to Biden, staving off default
Members of the House on Tuesday pushed through a $480 billion increase to the nation’s debt limit, ensuring the federal government can continue fully paying its bills into December.
ICU time doesn’t sway Indiana legislator on COVID-19 vaccine
An Indiana state senator who spent 10 days in a hospital’s intensive care unit with COVID-19 says he stands behind his decision to not get vaccinated against the illness.
Dems edge toward pared-down spending plan to boost support
The $3.5 trillion price tag on the social services portion of President Biden’s agenda has long been the sticking point, with progressives demanding the funding for their priorities and moderates balking at the eye-popping number.
Indiana drivers holding cellphones now face stiffer penalties
Violations will now result in four points against a driver’s license, BMV officials said.
Senators hit breakthrough on $1T infrastructure bill’s big issues
The bipartisan package includes about $600 billion in new spending on highways, bridges, transit, broadband, water systems and other public works projects.
House passes $700B transportation and water bill, making its pitch on infrastructure
The package provides $343 billion for roads, bridges and safety programs, $109 billion for transit agencies and $95 billion for rail. It also includes $117 billion for drinking water programs and $51 billion for wastewater infrastructure.
Bipartisan infrastructure deal back on track after Biden’s walk-back
Republican senators who brokered the agreement with the White House and Democrats to fund badly needed investments in roads, bridges, water and broadband indicated they were satisfied with President Biden’s comments that he was dropping the both-or-nothing approach.
Dems eye $6T plan on infrastructure, Medicare, immigration
Half of the total in the $6 trillion plan is expected to be paid for with Biden’s proposed taxes on corporations and those earning more than $400,000.
Senate approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday
The bill would lead to Juneteenth becoming the 12th federal holiday. It is expected to easily pass the House, which would send it to President Joe Biden for his signature.
IBJ Podcast: Sen. Todd Young on how his Endless Frontier Act could boost innovation in Indiana
David Johnson, the president and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Partnership, also joins the podcast talk about how Indiana should prepare for the act’s passage.
Taxpayer files second legal challenge to new emergency-powers law
The suit challenges a new law that gives the Legislature the power to call itself into a special session whenever the governor declares a state of emergency that “the legislative council determines has a statewide impact.”
Lawmakers to return to Statehouse with chance to override two vetoes
Lawmakers are set to return to the Indiana Statehouse on Monday to make technical corrections—a session in which they could also vote to overturn two vetoes by Gov. Eric Holcomb, including one affecting orders issued by local health departments during a public health emergency.
Businesses applaud Legislature’s ‘wow’ initiatives
State lawmakers came through in big ways for business and manufacturing interests this year.
Governor signs controversial wetlands bill into law
The bill, which scales back protections on Indiana wetlands, had gained support from the Indiana Builders Association, but numerous environmental, conservation and civic groups opposed it.
Recap: A glance at key issues during Indiana legislative session
The Indiana General Assembly concluded the year’s regular session late last week in Indianapolis. Here’s a look at some major issues debated during the nearly four-month session.
Scrutiny grows over whether officials enforced ‘red flag’ law in case of FedEx shooter
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has not said whether it sought to have Brandon Hole declared a dangerous person after a 2020 incident in which his mother told police he was suicidal. If a court had ruled he was dangerous, state law could have prevented him from buying another gun.
Equal pay bill passed by House, but faces long odds in Senate
The bill would make it easier to sue employers over pay discrimination, curb the ability of companies to retaliate and include a requirement that businesses submit detailed pay data to the federal government for use in policing pay discrimination laws.