Governor wants Indiana state employees in offices in July
Staffers for many state agencies have been working remotely, but Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a Wednesday email to employees that “it is not the optimal way for us to serve Hoosiers.”
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GOP offers $928B proposal on infrastructure, funded with unused COVID aid
Republicans have rejected Biden’s proposed corporate tax increase to pay for new investments, and instead want to shift unspent COVID-19 relief dollars to help cover the costs.
AG says IU’s COVID-19 vaccine order violates new state law
Attorney General Todd Rokita’s advisory opinion contradicts a top Republican legislative leader who said he didn’t believe the law adopted last month applied to public universities or K-12 schools.
Biden asks U.S. intel officials to investigate COVID-19 origin
While the lab leak theory was initially dismissed as unlikely, recent reports about the hospitalization of Wuhan lab researchers in November 2019—weeks before the virus was identified in that city—have given it new traction.
GOP legislators protest Indiana University’s vaccine order
A letter dated Tuesday to Gov. Eric Holcomb calls on him to prohibit any state university from mandating vaccines that don’t have full U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
Noblesville OKs new vehicle taxes to chip away at Pleasant Street extension costs
The Noblesville City Council approved vehicle excise and wheel taxes Tuesday to generate $1.8 million in annual revenue starting next year. The money is slated to pay for a portion of the city’s estimated $113 million Pleasant Street extension project.
GOP senators ready $1T infrastructure counteroffer to Biden
The Republicans said their new $1 trillion offer, spread over eight years, would be aligned with what they discussed with President Biden in their first Oval Office meeting almost two weeks ago.
Indiana attorney general argues governor exceeding authority
Indiana’s attorney general argues in new legal filings that the governor is wrongly trying to use the courts to expand his powers with a lawsuit challenging the authority state legislators have given themselves to intervene during public emergencies.
Indiana governor traveling to Israel during ‘hour of need’
Gov. Eric Holcomb cited business and cultural ties between Indiana and Israel for making the trip.
White House ‘eager’ for GOP counteroffer on infrastructure
The White House said Monday that President Joe Biden is awaiting an infrastructure counteroffer from Senate Republicans after a core group of GOP negotiators rejected his latest $1.7 trillion proposal, leaving the talks at a standstill before a Memorial Day deadline.
Indiana lottery sees big jump in ticket sales amid pandemic
Officials told the State Lottery Commission this past week that they projected that scratch-off ticket sales would be up almost 27% for the fiscal year ending June 30 compared with a year ago.
How Rep. Greg Pence’s opposition to insurrection probe illustrates political divide
On Jan. 6, a violent mob surged through the halls of the U.S. Capitol chanting “hang Mike Pence.” But when the House moved this week to create an independent commission to investigate the tragedy, the former vice president’s brother voted no.
White House, GOP infrastructure talks hit crucial stage
Securing a vast infrastructure plan is Biden’s top priority, but Republicans are refusing Biden’s idea of a corporate tax hike to pay for the spending.
Ford betting big that fans of F-150 pickup will embrace electric
Ford is taking a significant risk by sinking so much capital into an electric version of a pickup that commands a huge and loyal following. In a typical year, Ford sells about 900,000 F-series trucks. It has been America’s top-selling vehicle for nearly four decades.
Buttigieg reinstates local hiring program piloted in Obama era
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday brought back a program that aims to aid minority and disadvantaged people by ensuring local hiring for public works construction projects, reversing a decision by the Trump administration.
Holcomb claims Rokita seeking to expand power of attorney general’s office
As part of his battle with the Legislature over executive powers, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is accusing Attorney General Todd Rokita of creating a legal fiction in order to expand the attorney general’s “authority beyond his statutory duties and powers.”
Indiana has plan to boost pre-K enrollment without increased state funding
On My Way Pre-K has also been slow to grow in the six years since its start, and enrollment plummeted during the pandemic by 40%. But the state is expecting increased demand.
Taxpayer files second legal challenge to new emergency-powers law
The suit challenges a new law that gives the Legislature the power to call itself into a special session whenever the governor declares a state of emergency that “the legislative council determines has a statewide impact.”
Biden plan would pick winners, losers in move to green jobs
President Joe Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan calls for investments in industries such as electric vehicles and semiconductors. Critics say the plan gives the government too much involvement in decisions better made by the private sector.
Indiana getting first new insurance commissioner since 2010
Amy Beard, general counsel at the department since 2017, will succeed Stephen Robertson, who was appointed to the role in 2010 by former Gov. Mitch Daniels.