Lesley Weidenbener: Legislative efforts to strip power from governor could mean headaches for lawmakers
Lawmakers seeking to curb gubernatorial power in emergencies might want to think twice about whether they are prepared for the aftermath.
Politics & Government
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Democrats to ‘act big’ on $1.9T aid package; GOP wants plan split
Despite President Biden’s calls for unity, Democrats said the stubbornly high unemployment numbers and battered U.S. economy leave them unwilling to waste time courting Republican support that might not materialize.
Indiana Senate passes COVID-19 liability protection bill
Senate Bill 1, authored by Republican Sen. Mark Messmer of Jasper, would shield businesses and individuals from coronavirus civil liability lawsuits unless there was gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct that could be proven with “clear and convincing evidence.”
Whitcomb joins race for Democratic state party chair
Trish Whitcomb, who served as the campaign manager for former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz in 2012, announced Wednesday that she would be seeking the position.
GOP largely votes against holding Trump impeachment trial
The support of 45 Republicans for declaring the trial invalid indicates that there are long odds for Donald Trump’s conviction, which would require the support of all Democrats and 17 Republicans, or two-thirds of the Senate.
Trump impeachment goes to Senate, testing his sway over GOP
Mounting Republican opposition to the proceedings indicates that many GOP senators will eventually vote to acquit Trump. Democrats would need the support of 17 Republicans—a high bar—to convict him.
Revamped bill would severely limit government’s ability to restrict business, church operations
As amended, House Bill 1519 would prevent state and local governments from regulating hospital services and the number of people allowed at an event or private business.
Growing number of GOP senators oppose impeachment trial
House Democrats, who will walk the impeachment charge of “incitement of insurrection” to the Senate on Monday evening, are hoping that strong Republican denunciations of Trump after the Jan. 6 riot will translate into a conviction.
Indiana, other states eye allowing concealed carry of guns without permit
Fifteen states already allow concealed carry without a permit, and lawmakers in nine others have proposed allowing or expanding the practice.
Judge says Amazon won’t have to restore Parler web service
Amazon denied its move to pull the plug on Parler had anything to do with political animus. It claimed that Parler had breached its business agreement “by hosting content advocating violence and failing to timely take that content down.”
Pence returns to Indiana hometown as vice presidency ends
Former Vice President Mike Pence hasn’t revealed his plans, but told the crowd gathered outside the airport terminal in Columbus that he and his wife would be moving back to Indiana this summer.
Biden sworn in as nation’s 46th president
Joe Biden took the oath of office just before noon Wednesday during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The presidential oath was administered by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Trump bids farewell to Washington, wishes new administration ‘great luck and success’
President Trump declined to participate in any of the symbolic passing-of-the-torch traditions surrounding the peaceful transition of power, including inviting the Joe and Jill Biden to the White House for a get-to-know-you visit. But he did leave a note.
Pence heading to Indiana hometown after Biden inaugural
The Republican former Indiana governor and his wife, Karen, are expected to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration and will then fly into the Columbus Municipal Airport, where they will be greeted by some supporters.
Holcomb announces plans for new regional collaboration initiative in state address
Normally, the governor gives the annual State of the State address before a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly inside the Indiana House chamber. But for safety reasons, Holcomb pre-recorded the speech without an audience.
Biden to propose 8-year citizenship path for immigrants
Joe Biden is expected to take swift executive actions to reverse other Trump immigration actions, including an end to the prohibition on arrivals from several predominantly Muslim countries.
State capitols have boarded up, fenced off across the country—but not in Indianapolis
With the FBI warning of potential for violence at all state capitols, the ornate halls of government this weekend looked more like heavily guarded U.S. embassies in war-torn countries. In Indiana, however, there was little sign that officials were concerned about a protest scheduled for Sunday.
Holcomb closes Statehouse, state office complex next week ‘to err on the side of caution’
The FBI has warned that potentially violent protests could take place at all state capitols over the next several days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Trump backers seek online refuges after big tech backlash
Online supporters of President Donald Trump are scattering to smaller social media platforms, fleeing what they say is unfair treatment by Facebook, Twitter and other big tech firms looking to squelch what they label misinformation and threats of violence.
Biden expected to include new child tax credit in major new stimulus proposal
Biden officials are likely to include the expansion of an existing tax credit for children as part of a relief package that will also include $2,000 stimulus payments, unemployment benefits and other assistance for the ailing economy.