Indiana attorney general bills state $2,300 for border trip
The state Democratic Party criticized Rokita for spending taxpayer money on what it called a “political trip.”
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State election watchdog forms Indianapolis redistricting commission
Common Cause Indiana announced Wednesday that it has formed a nine-member, “politically balanced” group called the Indianapolis Citizens Redistricting Commission, similar to a project it led last year aimed at Congressional and state redistricting.
Limits on insulin costs revived in push for Senate action
Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and more than 6 million use insulin to keep their blood sugars under control. It’s an old drug, refined over the years, that has seen relentless price increases.
Ukrainian American Rep. Spartz takes on leading role in GOP response to Russian invasion of her home country
On Tuesday night, she will be part of the group of lawmakers who will escort President Joe Biden into the House chamber for a State of the Union address that is expected to focus heavily on the conflict happening in her home country.
Indiana House unanimously supports sanctions against Russia
An amendment approved to Senate Bill 388, which deals with foreign gifts and ownership of agricultural land, would block Russian-controlled businesses from acquiring property in Indiana for one year.
Legislators vote to ban some officeholders from being Marion County party chair—but not themselves
A Democrat-authored amendment aimed at ousting Marion County Democratic Party Chair Kate Sweeney Bell made it a step further this week when the Indiana House approved the elections bill it’s tacked onto. And the bill leaves the door open for state legislators to pursue her job.
Sources: Biden to nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court
In Jackson, Biden delivers on a campaign promise to make the historic appointment and to further diversify a court that was made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries.
Indiana State Police leader blasts GOP on gun permit repeal
A proposal that could ultimately repeal Indiana’s handgun permit requirement remained alive in the Legislature on Thursday despite the objections of major law enforcement groups and officials, including the head of the State Police.
Council committee OKs proposal tracking federal pandemic relief spending
Proposal 58 is a rare Republican-led initiative to gain traction in a legislative body with a 20-5 Democratic supermajority.
Despite supermajority, Indiana Republicans change curriculum bill
Although the changes haven’t satisfied most critics, the effort highlights the tightrope walk between appeasing core conservative voters and not alienating moderates as political opinions in rural and suburban areas pull in opposite directions, analysts said.
State lawmakers table IndyGo Blue Line amendment
The House Ways and Means Committee on Monday tabled an amendment that would have conditioned the removal of some public transportation funding requirements on compliance with new lane minimums—which would’ve involved budget-busting redesign and land acquisition over several miles of the proposed 24-mile route.
Indiana lawmakers name mastodon as first state fossil
Mastodons roamed Indiana starting about 2.5 million years ago and became extinct about 10,500 years ago, according to Hanover College geology professor Stanley Totten. They’re now the most common Ice Age fossil found in Indiana.
City-County Council announces last Indianapolis redistricting forum
The event will be remote. The Zoom meeting is set for Feb. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is open to any interested Marion County resident with registration online.
Senate Republicans strip down key Indiana House bills in second half of session
Republican leaders of the House and Senate say they are optimistic they’ll find compromises before the Legislature adjourns in March.
Biden puts focus on drug prices as he tries to revive agenda
Efforts to lower prescription drug costs have long been popular with voters, but bipartisan consensus has proved elusive. It’s unclear if there’s a political path forward for Biden’s plans in Congress.
Report: Opioid fight needs new strategy, Cabinet leadership
With vastly powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl driving record overdose deaths, the scourge of opioids awaits after the COVID-19 pandemic finally recedes, a shift that public health experts expect in the months ahead.
IBJ Podcast: Is nuclear power headed to Indiana?
IBJ reporter John Russell joins the podcast to talk about why the Indiana Legislature is consider a proposal that could help clear a path for smaller, modular nuclear reactors to be located in Indiana.
Pence: Trump is ‘wrong’ to say election could be overturned
The audience applauded Pence’s line about beating the Democrats in the upcoming presidential election but remained silent when Pence said earlier that “Trump is wrong.”
China’s pandemic Olympics begin, with lockdown and boycotts
For Beijing, these Olympics are a confirmation of its status as world player and power. But for many outside China, particularly in the West, they have become a confirmation of the country’s increasingly authoritarian turn.
Brian Flores’ allegations against NFL lead to call for congressional hearing
Flores said in a televised interview earlier Wednesday that he is trying to “create some change” to the league’s minority hiring practices.