UPDATE: Debate renewed over Sunday alcohol sales
Big-box grocery chains and liquor store lobbyists bickered in front of lawmakers Wednesday over the latest attempt to lift Indiana's longtime ban on Sunday carryout alcohol sales.
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UPDATE: House panel OKs road bill with tax increase
A measure that would finance improvements to Indiana's transportation infrastructure by raising cigarette and gasoline taxes was approved by a House transportation committee Wednesday.
Senate approves $430 million for local road funding
The bill would provide one-time funding from reserve funds that are set aside when the state distributes shares of income taxes to local governments.
Ritz objects to ISTEP re-score measure proposed by GOP
Whether the 2015 ISTEP should be re-scored due to well-documented problems with the roll-out and administration of the exam is once again pitting GOP leaders in the Legislature against Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz.
UPDATE: Pharmacist consultation bill clears senate committee
Indiana pharmacists could get the legal right to refuse to sell a common cold medicine used to make methamphetamine to suspicious customers under a bill a Senate committee approved Tuesday.
Lawmakers won’t seek ban on over-counter pseudoephedrine
Indiana legislators are poised to start debates on how to combat growing methamphetamine production in Indiana, but adding a prescription requirement for one of the illegal drug's key ingredients is off the table.
Bill to ease limits on handgun permits draws concerns
A proposal to lift Indiana's restrictions on alcohol offenders obtaining handgun licenses would remove one means of protecting victims, an advocate for domestic violence victims told state lawmakers Wednesday.
Pence’s $481M road-funding plan clears preliminary hurdle
Gov. Mike Pence’s plan differs sharply with a longer-term plan offered Monday by Indiana House Republicans, who want to raise gasoline and cigarette taxes to boost funding levels for road improvements.
UPDATE: House GOP unveils road-funding plan with tax hikes
Indiana House Republicans are proposing tax increases to cigarettes and gasoline in their road-funding proposal that's an alternative to a rival plan proposed by Gov. Mike Pence.
Bill targets homeowners in revitalized neighborhoods
An Indianapolis woman is advocating for state legislation that would provide property-tax relief for longtime homeowners in designated distressed areas.
Influential senator, health advocate Miller to retire
Indiana Sen. Patricia Miller, who has represented the southeast portion of the Indianapolis area for 34 years, has served as chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services since 1993.
Senate GOP to press road funding, malpractice reform, drug sentences
The legislative priorities for Indiana Senate Republicans include $418 million to improve local roads, another $42 million for the Regional Cities program, and protecting educators from negative impacts of ISTEP.
Pence signs on to Ritz approach to ‘pause’ sanctions
Democrats and Republicans are backing a proposal expected to be considered by the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. The bill proposes schools may not receive a lower grade for 2015 than they received in 2014.
Vaping industry sues state over new regulations
Manufacturers and distributors of e-liquid claim the Indiana law is unconstitutional because it regulates products used in vaping devices but not e-cigarettes.
Indiana adoption advocates optimistic about legislation
The leader of an advocacy group for Indiana adoptees says there’s a good shot that state lawmakers will endorse a bill to expand access to sealed adoption records.
Battle looms over restriction on cold medicine used for meth
Indiana lawmakers have yet to gather for the 2016 legislative session, but a fight is shaping up over a proposed law that would require a prescription to buy a common cold medicine also used to make methamphetamine.
Under new law, Indiana alcohol sales OK on Christmas Day
Indiana residents will be able to purchase wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages on Christmas Day for the first time in decades under a change in state law.
Lawmakers offer alternative to cold medicine sales crackdown
Two Indiana lawmakers have unveiled a proposal that they say will curb illegal sales of a common cold medicine used to make methamphetamine but would not penalize sick people by requiring prescriptions for the drug.
UPDATE: Senate Republicans unveil draft of LGBT rights bill
The proposal comes as a new poll finds that most Indiana voters support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Indiana’s civil rights law.
GOP leader says social conservative will sponsor LGBT bill
Republican leader David Long refused to give details about what the proposal will entail other than stating that Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, is drafting the measure, which will be heard when the Legislature meets in January.