U.S. Sen. Todd Young, others fight for progress on smoking
Young is out front nationally on a key anti-smoking platform: Raising the minimum age for buying tobacco to 21.
Legislature
-
Indy Eleven’s race to join Major League Soccer must clear many hurdles
Legislation passed by the Indiana Senate makes money for a soccer stadium available only if the city gains a Major League Soccer franchise—but that same legislation could make it more likely the MLS gives it a team.
Read More -
Lawmakers to tangle over sports wagering, Gary casinos
Hate-crimes legislation and increasing teacher pay might be the big talking points at the Indiana Statehouse this session, but it’s a safe bet that gambling will stir up a few debates, too.
Read More
Articles
State lawmaker resigning to take job in Indianapolis
A Republican state lawmaker is resigning from his seat to take a job with Community Health Network in Indianapolis.
Holcomb administration pushes $1 billion tax hike for unemployment fund
The proposed 17% increase would bring the premiums paid by companies to a level recommended by the federal government, which is meant to prepare the unemployment fund for the next recession.
Tax credit change poised to boost supply of venture capital from out of state
Indiana startups might soon have an easier time attracting out-of-state investments thanks to a change lawmakers made this year to an instrumental tax incentive program.
Republican caucus picks new Indiana House member
A former gubernatorial aide was selected by a Republican caucus Tuesday to serve out the remainder of State Rep. Dave Frizzell’s term in the General Assembly.
Area leaders balk at Indy Mayor Joe Hogsett’s regional infrastructure plan
Several area mayors say they’ve been meeting to discuss regional cooperation—talks that Hogsett has been a part of—but had not signed off on any plan like the one the Indianapolis Democrat proposed. The Hogsett plan would create winners and losers among counties.
Hogsett proposes ambitious, 9-county plan to fund infrastructure improvements
The mayor’s office says the strategy is a way to meet the city’s growing infrastructure needs—which amount to $160 million per year—without raising taxes. But the proposal would create winners and losers among area counties, even as it addresses what’s considered a regional problem.
Appeals court says Gary’s lawsuit against gun makers can proceed
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday revived the city of Gary’s lawsuit against 10 handgun manufacturers, thwarting the Indiana General Assembly’s attempt to derail the legal action in 2015.
Vaping, ticket scalping, drug prices on agenda for summer study
The Legislative Council, which is composed of members of both parties and chambers in the Indiana General Assembly, on Tuesday approved a 10-page list of topics that lawmakers will study for proposed legislation next year.
Car-sharing company Turo makes local inroads
Similar to peer-to-peer home-sharing platforms, car-sharing apps help individuals make their vehicles available to others for a fee.
Holcomb signs bill to make sports betting legal, allow casino in Terre Haute
Holcomb said he made the decision—which comes on the heels of multiple conflict of interest questions about the gambling bill—to “spur positive economic growth for our state and for an industry that employs over 11,000 Hoosiers.”
State bets tax breaks will lead to influx of data centers
State lawmakers last month passed a much-ballyhooed law that exempts sales taxes on equipment, infrastructure and electricity costs for sizable data centers constructed in Indiana.
Despite kudos, state doesn’t keep funding Regional Cities
State and local leaders seem to agree that Indiana’s Regional Cities Initiative was successful—but don’t expect to see another round of funding for the program anytime soon, if ever.
Holcomb signs bill that loosens car dealership rules on document-prep fees
Gov. Eric Holcomb declined to say why he signed the law, which allows dealers to charge up to $200 in document fees per transaction. A flurry of lawsuits has been filed against the practice.
What lawmakers did—and didn’t do—in the 2019 session
The 2019 legislative session ended April 24—five days ahead of the statutory deadline—with hundreds of bills sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his consideration.
A sweeping gambling bill passed the General Assembly. Here’s what you need to know.
Some observers say the upcoming changes are the most significant in the industry since the Legislature authorized riverboat casinos in 1993.
Governor says he could boost Indiana child agency funding again
Indiana's governor signed a new two-year budget Monday and pledged to work to restore some of the money lawmakers trimmed from his proposal to boost funding for the state's child welfare agency if the amount ends up being insufficient.
IBJ Podcast: Funding the CIB and the Pacers’ 25-year, $800 million deal
Podcast host Mason King talks with IBJ reporters Lindsey Erdody and Mickey Shuey about the legislation the General Assembly passed to help fund a 25-year, $800 million deal with the Indiana Pacers.
Republicans happy with session results; Democrats say lawmakers missed opportunities
The Indiana General Assembly ended the 2019 legislative session Wednesday night after passing a $34.6 billion two-year budget with an emphasis on K-12 school funding.
Alcohol legislation key to Bottleworks food hall approved by lawmakers
The Indiana House and Senate approved a bill Wednesday afternoon that creates a special food hall permit meant to benefit the $300 million Bottleworks project in downtown Indianapolis.