Tougher law on watching dog fights advances
The bill makes attending animal fights a felony punishable by six months to three years in prison. Under current law, a first offense is a misdemeanor with a second offense considered a felony.
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Hoosier Environmental Council monitoring three bills in General Assembly
The state’s largest green group is seeking changes to measures it says could strip funding and oversight for environmental protection.
Bill aims to lift upside for 21st Century fund
Republican State Sen. Brent Waltz has filed a bill that would require the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and businesses seeking awards from the 21st Century fund to match the state’s money with outside capital at a four-to-one ratio.
Indiana Democrats continue right-to-work boycott
Indiana House Democrats kept up their legislative boycott over the right-to-work bill Thursday morning, a day after majority Republicans voted to start imposing $1,000-a-day fines.
Indiana Senate to consider changing tax-refund plan
An Indiana Senate committee is advancing a plan to put more money into state savings accounts before automatic tax refunds go out to taxpayers.
Indiana Republicans approve fines on House boycotters
Indiana House Republicans have approved $1,000-a-day fines against Democratic legislators who are boycotting over a right-to-work bill.
Bill requiring Indiana stage inspections advances
All outdoor stages in Indiana would have to pass inspections before any performances under a bill approved by a state Senate committee.
Indiana panel backs bill on right to resist police
An Indiana Senate committee has endorsed a proposal giving state residents limited rights to resist police officers trying to enter their homes.
House set to vote on right-to-work referendum
The vote comes out of a truce Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma and Democratic House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer negotiated to end Democratic boycotts.
Indiana lawmakers ponder more for state fair victims
State lawmakers could provide an additional $4 million to victims of last summer's stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair.
Indiana House panel backs fines on access violators
A bill that would allow fines of up to $500 against government officials found to have blatantly violated the state's open meetings or open record laws has been endorsed 11-0 by an Indiana House committee.
State sentencing overhaul to take another year
Legislators stung last year by county prosecutors who opposed a sweeping plan to overhaul Indiana’s criminal sentencing scheme won’t push the issue this year. Sheriffs now are worried that an attempt to reduce crowding in state prisons could aggravate overpopulation in their jails.
Indiana Dems: Voters should decide right-to-work
House Democrats say they’ll continue stall tactics at the General Assembly unless they get a referendum to decide whether Indiana will become a right-to-work state.
EDITORIAL: Democrats’ right-to-work wrangling pointless
Democratic lawmakers need to come to grips with this reality: The Republicans have the votes to pass right-to-work this session. It’s going to happen. Stop whining about it and staging walkouts, and get on with the work you’re paid to do.
Indiana House schedules initial right-to-work vote
Indiana's House of Representatives has scheduled its first vote on divisive right-to-work legislation that has prompted stall tactics by Democrats through the first week of the 2012 legislative session.
Indiana House panel backs smoking-ban bill
The House health committee voted 9-3 in favor of the bill Wednesday after adding an exemption for retail tobacco shops. The bill would prohibit smoking in most public places and workplaces, including bars.
Indiana chief justice says court can help economy
Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard used his final speech to the Legislature on Wednesday to chart how far the state's judicial system has come during his 25 years heading the state's highest court.
Indiana Senate backs tougher sex-trafficking law
The Indiana Senate has approved a bill to toughen penalties for sex trafficking, and supporters hope it will become law before football fans converge on Indianapolis for the Super Bowl in less than a month.
Daniels gives more modest agenda to Indiana lawmakers
Gov. Mitch Daniels asked Indiana lawmakers on Tuesday to approve a statewide smoking ban and dedicate more money toward victims from last summer's state fair stage collapse during his final State of the State speech.
Daniels to give final State of the State speech
Though the governor is completing his second term, he says he won't be using the address to focus on his achievements in the job.