Legislators look at cutting college tax credit, other breaks
One of the 29 tax breaks targeted for elimination allows up to a $200 credit for contributions to Indiana universities or colleges.
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Hotly debated bill to regulate e-cigarette liquid advances
A large group came to protest Senate Bill 539, authored by Sen. Carlin Yoder, R-Middlebury, which would establish regulations on e-liquid – the fluid used in electronic cigarettes.
Medical-marijuana bill won’t fly this session, but attitudes shift
Indiana won’t put itself on the marijuana-friendly map this year, as a medical marijuana bill authored by Democratic Sen. Karen Tallian is unlikely to go further than a committee hearing.
Panel backs shifting power to Indiana state education board
An Indiana House committee has advanced a Republican-led proposal for shifting authority over education policy away from the elected state superintendent of public instruction.
Nearly 80 schools, districts could face takeover under bill
House Bill 1638 would give significant new powers to the State Board of Education to intervene in schools earning a D or F grade for at least four straight years—even creating new schools within a school district.
Legislation would allow alcohol at retirement, nursing homes
A group of residents at a Bloomington retirement home are spearheading a legislative push to allow alcohol to be served at Indiana's nursing homes and retirement communities.
House panel passes bill for Amish exemption on photo IDs
Bill sponsor Rep. Robert Morris, R-Fort Wayne, said it was created to give Indiana's Amish population more access to outside businesses such as banks and pharmacies that require a state-issued ID.
Indiana Senate committee approves ‘crime-reduction’ bills
An Indiana Senate committee on Tuesday approved a set of bills intended to fight crime that among other things would impose harsher sentences for violent offenders and provide funding for police overtime.
State redistricting issue headed to a study committee
House Bill 1032 would create a redistricting commission to hold hearings, take public comment and recommend plans to redraw legislative and congressional districts. But leaders plan to send the issue to a study committee first.
Utilities favor legislation changing economics of rooftop panels
Investor-owned utilities are lobbying for a bill that would allow them to alter customers’ credits for net metering, or generating energy on-site and selling it back to the grid.
FEIGENBAUM: Lawmakers weighing overwhelming stack of bills
Many of the new House and Senate members ran on limited, simplistic campaign platforms, and—because few had seriously contested general election campaigns—they had little opportunity to educate themselves on more than a handful of big-picture matters.
Transit advocates push to increase state funding
A fund for public transportation could be debated before the House Ways and Means Committee after Rep. Randy Truitt filed a bill that would provide about $20 million more per year than Gov. Mike Pence proposed.
Indiana House bill would legalize chemical cremation
The legislation would require the State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service to adopt rules for alkaline hydrolysis. The process is legal in 11 other states.
Proposal would overhaul state ethics laws after scandals
Indiana legislators would face more financial disclosure requirements and elected officials would be expressly prohibited from using state resources for political purposes under a proposed overhaul of ethics laws introduced Thursday.
FEIGENBAUM: Pence’s speech kept things simple, but expect detours
The governor took on the federal government for overreaching on health care and environmental regulations, and he reiterates his priorities on education.
Inmates could get trades training under Senate bill
Senate Bill 173, authored by Sen. R. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis, requires the Indiana Department of Correction to establish a specialized vocational program to train minimum-security inmates in trades.
Pence doesn’t push to expand preschool program
The governor said this will be an "education session" and said his priorities will include changes to the school funding formula and more money for school choice.
Pence pitches balanced budget amendment in address
In his third State of the State address, Gov. Mike Pence called for a balanced budget amendment that he says will protect Indiana from a possible economic downturn and will show Hoosiers their tax dollars are being spent wisely.
Blight-elimination bill targets tax-sale investors
Sen. Jim Merritt hopes that his bill would make tax sales a less attractive haven for investors, who he said lack incentives to maintain abandoned and vacant property.
Funding not only obstacle for Indy Eleven stadium
Even if the Indiana General Assembly approves a funding mechanism for a proposed $87 million downtown soccer stadium for the Indy Eleven—which is no sure thing—hurdles would remain. For starters: where to build it.