MARY BETH SCHNEIDER: Government by the people?
No one from the public got a chance to directly and publicly tell lawmakers whether the newest hate crimes wording makes them feel more welcome and safer in Indiana.
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Indiana Senate panel votes down sheriff’s sale notification bill
The Senate Local Government Committee voted 5-4 on Thursday against House Bill 1212, which would have mandated that sheriff’s offices advertise foreclosure sales online rather than in printed newspapers.
Downtown hotel coalition launches ad campaign against CIB funding bill
A coalition opposed to the development of two downtown convention hotels plans to launch a “significant” multimedia advertising campaign Thursday with hopes of swaying the public—and lawmakers—on the issue.
Lawmakers make major changes to casino, sports-betting bill
State lawmakers significantly amended a major gambling bill on Wednesday, removing language that would have allowed mobile sports betting and adding a huge relocation fee for the owner of the Gary’s casinos.
IPS sees ‘tremendous market’ for Broad Ripple site, but first needs change in law
Indianapolis Public Schools offered a comprehensive analysis Tuesday, showing strong demand for housing, retail and office development on the 16-acre site of the closed Broad Ripple High School. But that can’t happen without changes to state law.
Bill addressing gender changes to Indiana IDs likely dead this session
A bill that would have created a hurdle for Indiana residents seeking to change their gender on their driver’s licenses or other credentials issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has stalled in the General Assembly.
Indiana one step closer to tax breaks for data centers
Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, who carried the bill on the Senate side, said it would make Indiana one of the top five states for tax policy on data centers.
Indiana’s unemployment rate holds firm as labor force ticks up
Private sector employment in Indiana grew by 4,400 in February over the previous month and is up more than 40,400 over the last year, the state said Friday.
Bill would make it harder to change gender on Indiana IDs
Under the proposal, only the submission of a certified, amended birth certificate to the BMV could be used to complete a gender identity change on BMV-issued credentials.
Professional leagues make pitch for official data in sports wagering
The House Public Policy Committee heard roughly five hours of testimony on Senate Bill 552—legislation that touches nearly every aspect of gambling in Indiana—during a hearing on Wednesday.
Legislation would increase physical therapists’ autonomy
A bill advancing through the General Assembly would allow PTs to be regulated by their peers, a move that would remove much of the medical hierarchy from the process.
Senate panel OKs compensation for wrongfully convicted
The legislation would generally permit people who are exonerated to receive $50,000 for each year they were wrongfully incarcerated.
Senate approves bill making state superintendent appointed post
Beginning in 2021, the Indiana Department of Education will be led by a secretary of education.
Court: Indiana cities subject to $5 cap on rental fees
The state's highest court ruled that exemptions on annual rental property registration fees were unconstitutional.
Disciplinary commission accuses Attorney General Hill of misconduct at party
A complaint filed Tuesday by the Indiana Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Commission alleges that Curtis Hill committed criminal acts of battery by groping four women at a party after the 2018 legislative session. The misconduct charges could impact Hill’s ability to continue serving as AG.
Top Indiana companies are increasingly weighing in on the key issues of the day
In recent years, some of Indiana’s biggest companies and trade organizations, including the Indiana Chamber and the Indy Chamber, have publicly voiced opinions on a variety of social issues, including pre-kindergarten funding, gay rights, mass transportation and higher cigarette taxes.
Indiana House Republicans suggest slashing $105M from aid for low-income students
For Indianapolis Public Schools, the proposed cuts could mean $7 million less to meet the needs of its students from low-income families between now and 2021.
Hotel owners voice concerns over Pan Am Plaza project to state lawmakers
Some of the most prominent hotel operators in downtown Indianapolis told state lawmakers Wednesday that the process that led to developer Kite Realty Group Trust and Hilton being selected for the Pan Am Plaza project was unfair.
Payday lending industry gains upper hand in Statehouse fight
A Senate bill addressing subprime lending, which had a 69-page strip-and-insert amendment released the night before passing out of committee, is headed to the House.
Demonstrators at teacher rally tell Holcomb to ‘come closer’
Hundreds of educators, administrators, students and community members flocked to the Indiana Statehouse on Saturday to show their frustration with Indiana’s treatment of public education.