Indiana Senate narrowly OKs ban on texting while driving
A proposal making it illegal for drivers to send or read text messages narrowly cleared the Indiana Senate on Friday after several senators argued that the ban wouldn't be enforceable.
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Indiana poised to cut Planned Parenthood funding
The Indiana House voted 66-32 Wednesday to approve a bill cutting the $3 million in federal money the state distributes to the organization for family planning and health programs. The Senate approved the measure earlier this month.
Judge orders Indiana recount chief into court
A judge Monday ordered the head of the Indiana Recount Commission to appear before him this week to explain why the panel has not moved more quickly in considering whether Republican Secretary of State Charlie White was a valid candidate when he won election last fall.
Indiana lawmakers face busy final week
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma says Indiana lawmakers are on track to finish their work on time as the legislative session draws to an end this week despite a five-week boycott by House Democrats.
Senate OKs plan spurred by White indictment
The Indiana Senate has approved a bill that would allow Gov. Mitch Daniel to appoint a new secretary of state if indicted Republican Charlie White is found to be ineligible.
Indiana Senate backs setting daily fines for boycotts
Republican frustration over the five-week walkout by Indiana House Democrats re-emerged Wednesday as the state Senate approved a method for $1,000-a-day fines against boycotting legislators.
GOP forges ahead with Indiana redistricting
Republicans who now fully control the Legislature and the redistricting process say they've followed their commitment to draw new districts that are compact and avoid splitting up cities and counties.
State’s top anti-smoking agency could be abolished
Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, formed in 2001 and funded by money from a settlement with the tobacco industry, may be consolidated into the state Department of Health as a budget-cutting measure.
Bill would shift tax appeals in property owners’ favor
A bill expected to be heard Wednesday in the Indiana House would give property owners appealing the assessed value of their homes or buildings more clout in the fight.
State Senate OKs bill to cut Planned Parenthood aid
The Indiana Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would cut off funding to Planned Parenthood and give the state some of the country's tightest abortion restrictions.
Indiana House passes criminal checks on medical workers
The Indiana House has approved a bill requiring criminal background checks for anyone seeking a new license to be a doctor, dentist or several other health care jobs.
Bill on teacher union rights heads to governor
A bill to restrict Indiana teachers' collective bargaining rights has cleared its final legislative hurdle, becoming the first part of Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education agenda to make it to the governor's desk.
Statehouse fight continues over bank-insurance fund
Indiana lawmakers likely will avoid tapping an obscure bank-insurance fund to help bolster state coffers, but bankers may not survive the battle completely unscathed.
New law bans firms from asking workers about their guns
Indiana employers won't be allowed to ask workers about guns and ammunition that they might have in their vehicles under a bill that Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed into law.
UPDATE: Senate panel OKs budget with more school money
An Indiana Senate committee on Monday approved a state budget that relies on a new, more optimistic revenue estimate to direct more cash to schools, restore previously proposed cuts and leave Indiana with more money in the bank than prior versions.
House panel backs weakened immigration bill
An Indiana House committee has approved a watered-down immigration proposal a day after removing a contentious provision that would have given police officers more latitude to ask people for proof that they are in the country legally.
UPDATE: Extra tax dollars aimed at full-day kindergarten
A projected increase in state revenue should allow all Indiana school districts to provide full-day kindergarten, a long-time goal of the governor and many education officials.
Aggressive bills aimed at consolidating township governments fail
With two weeks left in the legislative session, only two statewide local-government-reform bills remain. Both fail to accomplish reformers’ key aim: removing layers of township government they say have outlived their use.
Arizona-style provision removed from immigration bill
The House Public Policy Committee made several changes Thursday to the bill proposed by Republican Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel and could vote on it Friday. The legislation includes tax penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants.
Indiana Democrats seek more time with GOP redistricting plan
Outnumbered Democrats in the Indiana House argued Wednesday that the new election districts proposed by Republicans would lead to fewer competitive races and create more solidly GOP seats.