Biden team readies wider economic package after virus relief
During the presidential campaign, Joe Biden pledged to deploy $2 trillion on infrastructure and clean energy, but the White House has not ruled out an even higher price tag.
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Democratic leaders explore penalties on businesses paying below $15 an hour
Democrats are searching for a way to revive their derailed drive to boost the minimum wage as part of the proposed $1.9 trillion package aimed at helping the country rebuild from the pandemic.
Senate OKs bill to limit governor’s emergency orders to 60 days
Republican legislative leaders have generally praised Gov. Erric Holcomb’s handling of the pandemic, but they also say lawmakers should be able to provide input in the decisions when an emergency continues for an extended period of time.
House votes to override governor’s veto of landlord-tenant bill, allowing it to become law
Senate Enrolled Act 148 prevents all local governments from regulating any aspect of landlord-tenant relationships and blocks tenant protections that the city of Indianapolis had put in place last spring.
COVID-19 lawsuit immunity bill heads to Holcomb
Senate Bill 1, authored by Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, gives businesses, not-for-profits, schools and religious institutions immunity from COVID-19 civil liability lawsuits.
IBJ Podcast: Why business execs are pushing back against legislative interference in Indy
More than 60 business and not-for-profit executives have signed a letter telling lawmakers to back off proposals that would restrict or usurp power from city government in Indianapolis.
Senate votes to acquit Trump in historic impeachment trial
The vote was 57-43, short of the two-thirds needed for conviction. Seven Republicans broke for their party to find Trump guilty.
Former Buttigieg campaign manager joins race for Democratic state party chair
Mike Schmuhl, 38, will run on a ticket with Myla Eldridge, clerk of Marion County since 2014.
Susan Bayh, former Indiana first lady, dies after long battle with brain cancer
Married to former Indiana governor and U.S. senator Evan Bayh, Susan was the 46th first lady of Indiana and the youngest in 150 years, assuming the role in 1989 when only 29 years old. She enjoyed a distinguished legal career and served on the boards of several major companies in biotechnology, telecommunications and health care.
Senate committee approves bill to take away zoning control from Indianapolis
Senate Bill 392, authored by Republican Sen. Mike Young of Indianapolis, would give each township in Marion County—except for Center Township—its own board of zoning appeals. Speedway, Lawrence, Beech Grove and Southport would also have zoning boards.
Former VP Pence opens transition office in northern Virginia
Mike Pence announced Wednesday that the Office of the Former Vice President will handle correspondence, scheduling requests, public statements and official activities for him and his wife, Karen.
Biden meets with Republicans on virus aid, but rejects compromise
President Joe Biden told Republican senators during a two-hour meeting he’s unwilling to settle on an insufficient coronavirus aid package after they pitched their slimmed down $618 billion proposal that’s a fraction of the $1.9 trillion he is seeking.
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.
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.