Vaping crisis could be impetus for Legislature to raise smoking age to 21
Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly. But the leadership support doesn’t make the bill a slam dunk.
Legislature
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Legislative study committee to debate vaping taxes
With vaping on the rise, Indiana lawmakers are set to launch another debate about whether to impose taxes on e-cigarettes and e-liquids like they do on traditional cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products.
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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.
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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.
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Articles
2020 election will direct Statehouse attention to teacher demands
State lawmakers might choose not to address some education issues in the upcoming legislative session, but they are likely to loom over Indiana politics in the election season.
Complexity of Indiana school funding complicates teacher pay debate
Top Republicans touted “record investment” in school spending in defending themselves as thousands of teachers turned out for a Statehouse rally this past week calling for a bigger boost in education funding. But it’s not that simple.
Legislator for Greenwood area retiring from Statehouse after more than 30 years
Rep. Woody Burton has helped push for property tax relief, bullying prevention programs and increased accountability in the child welfare system.
Indiana to drop Pearson, return to ETS teacher licensing
The move comes after Republican state Sen. Jean Leising, of Oldenburg, introduced legislation this year that required the state Board of Education to adopt a program that’s administered nationally.
Cities seek state authority to join forces on taxes, projects
Central Indiana elected officials want to create a formal organization that could combine regional resources to pursue transformational projects.
Convenience vs. security: The dilemma of digital tickets
Some state lawmakers want to require paper tickets, but event organizers say they can easily be manipulated and duplicated. Digital ticketing reduces fraud, they say.
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.
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.