Governor vetoes transparency bill over records fee
A bill that would have allowed government agencies to charge private citizens for public research requests will not go into effect this year.
Legislature
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Savings from Indiana energy-efficiency law could be small
A new law aimed at decreasing energy usage in Indiana might not save consumers money as advertised and could leave the state at risk of violating federal emissions rules, environmentalists say.
Pence signs board bill, other education legislation
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed education bills Thursday that will revamp the State Board of Education, speed up state intervention into failing schools and give teachers more flexibility to experiment in the classroom.
Pence set to sign $31 billion Indiana budget plan
The new two-year state spending plan was approved by the General Assembly last week. Slightly more than half of the $31 billion budget goes toward K-12 education, with funding going up 2.3 percent each year.
Religious freedom turmoil likely to spill into next year
Legislative Democrats say they plan to push next year to add nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity to the Indiana civil-rights law covering education, employment, public accommodations and housing.
K-12 schools prepare for funding boosts, cuts in new budget
As Indiana’s fast-growing suburban districts breathe a sigh of relief with more funding on the way, many urban and rural districts are bracing for drastic cuts under the state’s new budget and experts say there might not be a middle ground between the two.
Legislative roundup: Which bills passed, and which died?
Lawmakers passed bills on topics ranging from ethics reform to "religious freedom." Meanwhile, they shot down legislation that would have helped the Indy Eleven build or renovate a stadium and that would have permitted Sunday alcohol sales.
Deal allows inland moves for Indiana’s riverboat casinos
Lawmakers have approved a deal to allow Indiana's riverboat casinos to build on-land facilities, but live dealers won't be working table games anytime soon at the state's two horse track casinos.
Indy Eleven stadium bill dies as session nears close
A bill that would have funneled state money into a new or substantially renovated soccer stadium for the Indy Eleven has died in the legislative session's final hours.
Budget deal means more for schools, less for roads
Most charter schools would get additional money, teachers would get a $100 tax credit and the governor’s regional cities initiative would be funded under a budget compromise the Indiana House and Senate reached Tuesday.
Indiana lawmakers send tougher ethics bill to Pence
Indiana legislators gave final approval Monday to a state ethics law overhaul that requires greater financial disclosure by lawmakers and expressly prohibits elected officials from using state resources for political purposes.
Lawmakers still unsettled over more live casino dealers
The question of whether the two horse track casinos in central Indiana will be allowed to add live dealers for their current electronic table games remained unsettled Monday with little more than a week left in this year's legislative session.
Angst over ISTEP continues in Statehouse, school districts
Lawmakers are at odds over a proposal to scrap the ISTEP+ standardized test for an off-the-shelf model. Meanwhile, schools are preparing to take the online portion of the high-stakes test, which has been glitchy in the past.
Pence signs bill expanding use of overdose drug
The new law allows Indiana residents to obtain and use a drug that can reverse heroin overdoses in their relatives, friends and loved ones.
Bills would allow public/charter partnerships to grow
After seeing a 2014 law fuel unprecedented collaborations between Indianapolis Public Schools and such charter schools as Phalen Leadership Academies, the Legislature decided to extend the same opportunity to school districts statewide.
Indiana House sends construction wage law repeal to governor
The bill repealing the state law that sets wages for public construction projects is on its way to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence after his strong push for the measure.
Indiana bill banning powdered alcohol sent to Pence
Senate members approved a bill Wednesday that would make it illegal to possess, purchase, sell or use powdered alcohol in Indiana. It also requires further study on the issue this summer.
Ethics legislation gets closer to becoming law
The Indiana Senate passed ethics legislation Wednesday that would require lawmakers to be more transparent about their finances and strengthen laws designed to keep legislators from taking advantage of state resources for political gain.
Lawmakers looking for compromise on gambling bill
The legislation will move to a joint House-Senate conference committee where members will try to strike a deal that can be passed by both chambers by midnight April 29.
Senate rejects proposed changes to construction wage bill
The Republican-controlled Senate defeated several proposed changes Tuesday to a measure that would repeal the state's construction wage law.