Vaping crisis could be impetus for Legislature to raise smoking age to 21
Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly. But the leadership support doesn’t make the bill a slam dunk.
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Ex-Evansville mayor enters race for Indiana attorney general
Democrat Jonathan Weinzapfel announced his campaign Tuesday, saying he would “restore honor and integrity to the attorney general’s office.”
Holcomb hopes to ban mobile-device use while driving as part of 2020 agenda
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said Tuesday that he wants the state to impose a hands-free-driving law in 2020. The proposal, which would prohibit the use of mobile phones while operating a motor vehicle, is part of the Republican governor’s 2020 legislative agenda.
Indiana lawmakers looking at state’s high health care costs
Indiana currently ranks highest in prices paid to hospitals by private health insurance plans, according to The Journal Gazette, but the problem is not the actual cost or charge of a procedure—it’s what individuals ultimately pay after insurance.
Indiana teacher rally not changing GOP school funding stance
Republicans who control the Indiana Statehouse aren’t showing any signs that a rally by several thousand teachers on its doorsteps two weeks ago has swayed them to boost education funding anytime soon.
Holcomb, labor officials insist Amazon death investigation handled properly
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Labor insist that the investigation into an Amazon employee’s death in 2017 was handled appropriately, even though the safety violations that were initially issued were eventually dismissed.
Indiana hopes to extend health insurance program to 2030
Indiana plans to seek federal approval to continue a health insurance program that covers about 418,000 low-income residents amid a pending lawsuit that could eliminate nearly all of the program’s funding.
Republicans tap deputy speaker to replace departing Bosma
Todd Huston, of Fishers, became co-chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee during the 2019 session and played a big role in crafting the 2020-2021 state budget.
Fishers deputy mayor to seek Bosma’s House seat
Leah McGrath, 42, had already announced plans to leave her role in city government for a private sector gig with Knowledge Services.
Republicans set to pick Indiana House speaker successor
The private vote Monday afternoon among House Republicans comes after longtime House Speaker Brian Bosma announced two weeks ago that he would retire after the 2020 legislative session.
Holcomb issues cease-and-desist letters in response to Amazon OSHA case articles
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Friday said cease-and-desist letters have been sent to two news organizations in response to published reports that include accusations that his administration dismissed safety citations against Amazon as the state tried to win the company’s coveted HQ2 project.
2020 election will direct Statehouse attention to teacher demands
State lawmakers might choose not to address some education issues in the upcoming legislative session, but they are likely to loom over Indiana politics in the election season.
Dem candidates call for probe into whether Holcomb helped Amazon in OSHA case
Gov. Eric Holcomb called an article that accuses him of helping Amazon escape fines following a worker’s death in Plainfield “both irresponsible and deliberately misleading.”
Complexity of Indiana school funding complicates teacher pay debate
Top Republicans touted “record investment” in school spending in defending themselves as thousands of teachers turned out for a Statehouse rally this past week calling for a bigger boost in education funding. But it’s not that simple.
Howey Politics Indiana newsletter postponed after founder injured in fall
Brian Howey, the longtime publisher of newsletters and a web site dedicated to politics in Indiana, is being treated in St. Vincent Hospital’s intensive care unit after surgery for a head injury.
Legislator for Greenwood area retiring from Statehouse after more than 30 years
Rep. Woody Burton has helped push for property tax relief, bullying prevention programs and increased accountability in the child welfare system.
Thousands of teachers gather for Red for Ed rally at Indiana Statehouse
Teachers say they are rallying for better working conditions, higher pay, increased funding for public school classrooms, less emphasis on standardized testing and more respect.
Indiana lawmakers signal openness to some—but not all—teacher demands before rally
The thousands of teachers descending on the state capitol Tuesday face an uphill battle when it comes to getting elected officials to raise their salaries. But top lawmakers appear open to changes on other issues.
Chamber gets support from key lawmakers on raising smoking age in Indiana
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce on Monday said one of its top legislative priorities was to get state lawmakers to pass laws to decrease the smoking rate of Hoosiers and get vaping products out of the hands of young people.
Indiana’s Red for Ed rally isn’t a strike, but it’s closing schools anyway
Tuesday’s fast-growing rally is expected to cancel school for half of the state’s students while as many as 12,000 teachers descend on the Indiana Statehouse to make a list of demands.