Lawmakers reach deadline week as key bills remain
Indiana lawmakers have a busy week ahead of them as they try to advance major bills before legislative deadlines arrive this week.
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GOP-led Indiana House panel OKs new budget proposal
A Republican-controlled Indiana House committee has approved a GOP budget proposal that would keep overall education funding at current levels while making major shifts in the way money is divvied up among individual school districts.
Senate OKs bill to ban texting while driving
Both chambers of the Indiana Legislature have now approved bills making it illegal for drivers to type, send or read text messages on mobile phones or other electronic devices.
GOP senators leery of Indiana immigration crackdown
A bill aimed at having an Arizona-style crackdown on illegal immigration in Indiana is on its way to the state Senate, but some Republican senators expressed concerns Thursday about the ramifications for law enforcement and taxpayers.
Budget would take slice out of growing horse industry
A move by budget-makers to tap the kitty that feeds the state’s horse-racing industry could deal a blow to the business just as Indiana is starting to gain ground on its neighbors.
Bills seek utility rate flexibility to comply with EPA mandates
Indiana’s utilities have energetically sought legislation this session that would allow them to quickly charge ratepayers for the cost of new federal mandates to reduce pollution.
EDITORIAL: Legislators need to create jobs, not kill them
Sadly, a legislative body supposedly focused on job creation continues to willfully disregard the advice of the very business community that is expected to create those jobs.
UPDATE: GOP budget includes big shift in school funding
Individual school districts could see major shifts in funding but overall education funding would remain at current levels under a state budget plan presented Thursday by Republicans who control the Indiana House.
Gun bill raises concerns for CIB properties
Legislation that would allow Hoosiers with gun permits to carry their weapons into municipal properties could affect Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.
Panel OKs plan to cut Indiana corporate tax rate
A proposed cut of more than 20 percent in the state's corporate income tax rate would improve Indiana's business climate without hurting the state budget, the leader of the Indiana Senate's tax committee said Wednesday.
Lawmaker wants state to stop funding Planned Parenthood
Rep. Matt Ubelor of Bloomfield said he wants to cut off about $1.6 million that Planned Parenthood of Indiana receives from the state because he believes abortion providers shouldn't receive taxpayer funding.
Indiana House OKs amendment banning gay marriage
The Republican-controlled House voted 70-26 to advance the proposal, which must clear two separately-elected Legislatures to get on the ballot for a public vote.
Senate committee passes sentencing-reform bill
An Indiana Senate committee has passed a plan that would keep violent felons in prison longer and reduce punishments for many thefts and drug crimes.
Bill would send taxpayer cash to private schools
Indiana lawmakers will start the debate Tuesday on the most controversial plank of Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education platform: a plan to use taxpayer money to help parents send their children to private schools
Governor keeping quiet on Indiana immigration bill
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels isn't saying how he feels about a proposal moving in the Legislature that would require police officers in the state to enforce federal immigration laws.
Bosma: Daniels ‘hands on’ with legislators
The leader of the Indiana House says the governor stays in contact with legislative leaders on his agenda, even as he continues to flirt with a presidential run.
Education reform inspires intense war of words
Sweeping education changes called for by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels have spurred angry protests and some of the harshest rhetoric the Statehouse has heard in years.
House could vote Monday on gay marriage amendment
The proposal for a constitutional ban against same-sex marriage has a better shot of passing now that Republicans again control both chambers. Opponents say the amendment isn't needed, because Indiana law already bans gay marriage.
Indiana moving ahead with plan to fix jobless fund
Legislators aren't holding up a plan to fix Indiana's debt-ridden unemployment insurance fund as they wait to see whether the federal government will put off charging the states interest on what they owe.
Lawmakers eye bonds for debt relief
State lawmakers are exploring the idea of paying back more than $2 billion in federal debt for unemployment insurance by issuing tax-exempt bonds.