Session takeaways: Next year’s budget, a ‘quieter’ cycle and Indianapolis nabs some wins
Indiana’s latest legislative session is over after a breakneck nine weeks that saw nearly 175 bills cross the finish line.
Politics & Government
Articles
Republican gubernatorial candidates trade jabs at first debate
Candidates U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Eric Doden, former Attorney General Curtis Hill and Jamie Reitenour took turns elevating themselves above their peers with interspersed jabs at opponents.
Key moments from the first GOP debate for Indiana governor
All six Republican candidates for Indiana governor gathered onstage Monday night at The Palladium in Carmel’s Center for the Performing Arts and attempted to set themselves apart from the crowded field.
Governor signs 67 bills ranging from reading remediation to bobcat hunting
More third graders will be retained due to lack of reading proficiency under a bill Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Monday, three days after the conclusion of this year’s annual legislative session.
Indiana political candidates can use donations for child care, election officials say
Indiana’s campaign finance laws generally bar candidates and their campaigns from spending contributions for “primarily personal” purposes, but do say candidates can use funds to “defray any expense reasonably related” to campaigning or service in elected office.
Sue or give up? States’ open records policies often leave residents facing costly choice
A nationwide review of procedures—included in Indiana—found that fewer than a third of states have offices that can force agencies to turn over documents or comply with open meetings requirements.
Gaming commission funding throttled by lawmakers in late-night move
A feud between the General Assembly and the Indiana Gaming Commission escalated late Friday when lawmakers approved language blocking the commission from getting more money without their approval.
Bill limiting land buys by ‘foreign adversaries’ goes to governor
Some critics worry the bill would compromise economic development deals in the works, but it passed easily.
Additional options for spending work-based learning funds approved by Indiana lawmakers
The final draft allows students to use up to $625 from annual CSA grants to pay for training for a driver’s license with an employer match.
Here are the education bills approved by the 2024 Indiana legislature
Stricter rules on school attendance, reading proficiency, and cellphone use in the classroom will affect Indiana students and schools beginning next year under legislation passed in the General Assembly’s 2024 session.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill defining antisemitism, with compromises
The final version accepted by both the House and Senate chambers made concessions in language that was opposed by critics of Israel.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill without controversial ‘forever chemicals’ definition
Proponents of the PFAS proposal, which included many in the chemical manufacturing industry, said the definition change is needed to preserve uses of PFAS in “essential” items like lithium batteries, laptop computers, semiconductors, pacemakers and defibrillators.
Indiana nears law allowing more armed statewide officials at state Capitol
The original state Senate proposal on the matter failed to advance past a second floor vote last month. But lawmakers brought back the idea by adding the language to another bill in the session’s final days.
Legislature sends new rules for Indy downtown tax district to governor
The bill, now headed to Gov. Eric Holcomb for consideration, would let some property owners opt out of paying the tax and cap the revenue but let the city expand the district.
Biden delivers State of the Union with fiery political tone
Biden engaged in repeated exchanges with Republican lawmakers in the House chamber, at times, turning the address into a form of political theater.
Lawmakers revive restaurant carry-out alcohol in finalized legislation
Expect to see happy hours and the option to add a cocktail to your carry-out restaurant order as soon as July, under finalized legislation approved Thursday by Indiana lawmakers.
Bill that could make TikTok unavailable in U.S. advances quickly in House
TikTok said “the legislation would trample the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans and deprive 5 million small businesses of a platform they rely on to grow and create jobs.”
New poll: Braun holds sizable lead in GOP gubernatorial race
The new Fox59/CBS4/Emerson College/The Hill poll also found 43% of those surveyed were still undecided about the GOP primary race for governor.
Indiana legislators send bill addressing child care costs to governor
Indiana is among a growing number of Republican-led states proposing legislative solutions to tackle the availability and affordability of child care.
Controversial ‘forever chemicals’ legislation could be resurrected in Indiana
Abandoned by the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee earlier this session, language that would change the definition of toxic PFAS chemicals could be inserted into another bill.