State House exempts bars from smoking ban bill
Casinos were already exempt from the proposal, but on Monday the House voted 56-33 to also exempt bars that don't allow anyone under age 21 to enter.
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UPDATE: Panel OKs bill to expand Indiana charter schools
A proposal to expand charter schools and allow them to share transportation money with traditional public schools in Indiana has cleared a legislative committee, despite complaints from minority Democrats.
Some big bills on back burner in Indiana Legislature
Three weeks into Indiana's legislative session, Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma is touting the hard work being done on major issues. Democratic House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer contends the session is off to a slow start.
Legislators put vote center bill on fast track
Indiana lawmakers are moving quickly to advance an election bill that would allow any Indiana county to create centralized vote centers to replace traditional neighborhood polling precincts.
Legislation seeks RFP option for selling state land
The bill would allow the Indiana Department of Administration to sell real estate using a request for proposals, in addition to existing options for competitive bids or an auction.
State lawmakers consider repealing alcohol ID bill
An Indiana law that requires all people—regardless of age—to show identification when buying alcohol has caused headaches for some shoppers, but liquor store representatives are urging lawmakers not to repeal it.
Indiana House panel backs texting ban for all drivers
Drivers wouldn’t be allowed to send or read text messages on cell phones under a bill approved by an Indiana House committee.
Bill would make Indiana schools start after Labor Day
Republican Sen. Mike Delph of Carmel said it makes sense to start school after Labor Day because families would have more summer vacation time together.
Daniels’ budget proposal wouldn’t cut hearing aids
State budget director Adam Horst said he misspoke when he told the State Budget Committee last week that Daniels&’ proposal would eliminate Medicaid coverage for hearing aids.
GOP lawmakers push plan to expand charters
The House Education Committee is considering a bill to allow more charter schools, which are public schools that are free of certain state regulations. The bill also allows charters to share state transportation funds with traditional public schools.
Indiana House panel head expects few budget changes
The chairman of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee says he expects the panel to make at most modest changes to Gov. Mitch Daniels’ state budget proposal
Indiana senator set to propose lower corporate tax
Republican Sen. Brandt Hershman of Lafayette, who chairs the Senate Tax Committee, says Indiana’s corporate income tax is seen as a hindrance to job creation.
Reports say Indiana townships inefficient
New investigations reported in Indiana newspapers say there are widespread patterns of inefficiency in the government of the state’s 1,008 townships.
FEIGENBAUM: Right-to-work debate could create sparks in Legislature
The bulk of legislative Democrats, allied with organized labor, are vehemently opposed to having Indiana join almost two dozen other states with right-to-work laws, labeling them as discriminatory against minorities and women, and contending that such laws will do little more than reduce wages and lower the living standards of many Hoosiers.
Advocates say most Hoosiers want school changes
Advocates met at the Statehouse Monday to push education proposals that have renewed life during this legislative session because of support from Gov. Mitch Daniels and leaders in the GOP-controlled House and Senate.
Bill would let Indiana pharmacies collect old meds
A bill authored by Republican Rep. Kevin Mahan of Hartford City would revise state law so that pharmacies could accept unused prescription drugs from customers and dispose of them securely and safely.
Lawmaker wants homeowners to pay for pond safety
An Indiana lawmaker worried about the dangers posed by retention ponds wants nearby homeowners to foot the bill of erecting safety barriers such as guardrails.
Legislators to debate bans on smoking, mobile phones
Lawmakers who want to ban smoking statewide and prohibit drivers from using handheld mobile phones have worked for years to sway opponents who denounce the bans as too much government intrusion. Now supporters say those arguments may be diminishing.
State House members pledge unity after rocky start
Democrats and Republicans in the Indiana House are pledging to work together after getting off to a rocky start with partisan bickering and procedural challenges.
Indiana House panel begins budget process
Indiana's budget director is meeting with lawmakers Thursday during the first House Ways and Means Committee meeting of this year's legislative session.