Indiana Senate leader Long retiring from Legislature
Senate President Pro Tem David Long of Fort Wayne announced his decision Tuesday, saying that his resignation will take effect in November.
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Indiana facing larger school funding gap than projected
The Indiana House and Senate have approved bills allowing an additional $25 million in school funding this year, but a new state legislative analysis predicts a shortfall of nearly $60 million next year.
Farmers train on using herbicide blamed for crop damage
Tens of thousands of soybean and cotton farmers across the country are taking free but mandatory training in how to properly use a weed killer blamed for drifting and damaging crops in neighboring fields.
New state senator sworn in to replace Hershman
Brian Buchanan took the oath Monday from Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush. Republican precinct committee members picked the former Boone County councilman to fill the vacancy left by former Senate majority leader Brandt Hershman.
Two Indiana initiatives aimed at fighting opioid epidemic
The state's Division of Mental Health and Addiction has added two dependency recovery initiatives—one virtual and one concrete.<
Checking in with the Indiana legislative session at halftime
Indiana lawmakers have reached halftime in this year's legislative session, which has been marked more by plans deferred and legislation killed than major changes.
Bosma: Major changes to state workforce system likely must wait
Pushing the discussion to next year is likely to frustrate advocates in the business community who believe lawmakers have toiled long enough on the workforce development system, making incremental changes year after year.
Indiana township merger bill fails without legislative vote
The plan would have required consolidation by townships with fewer than 1,200 residents.
Indiana Senate joins House in passing cannabis oil measure
The Indiana Legislature is poised to allow anyone to purchase and use a cannabis-derived extract believed to have therapeutic benefits, following a key vote by the state Senate on Monday.
House passes bill to overhaul high school diplomas
Currently four different diplomas are offered. The bill would require the state board of education to create the “Indiana Diploma” as the state’s new baseline.
Indiana House backs bill eliminating handgun licensing fee
Under the proposal, anyone wanting to legally carry a handgun in public would still be required to undergo a background check before obtaining a state permit, but the lifetime licensing fees would be eliminated.
Push for merging small Indiana townships nears House vote
Hundreds of Indiana’s least-populated townships face forced mergers with their neighbors in what would be the most significant overhaul of the local governments since a gubernatorial commission called for their elimination a decade ago.
New data: Child abuse deaths rise, notably in Indiana, Texas
Newly released federal figures show a sharp rise in child abuse fatalities in the U.S., with the bulk of the increase occurring in two states—Indiana and Texas—where child-welfare agencies have been in disarray.
Greenwood businesses to get digital boost with state’s online service
INBiz is designed to save companies time and legwork when they have business with the state—and soon services through the city of Greenwood will be available as well.
Report: Indiana putting children in foster care at twice national rate
The number of children placed in foster care has surged as states struggle to address the opioid epidemic. But the problem is particularly acute in a handful of states, including Indiana.
House advances ‘hillbilly venture capital’ bill pushed by payday loan industry
House Bill 1319, which would allow the short-term loan industry to offer high-interest consumer loans, is opposed by veteran groups, religious institutions and consumer advocates.
Last-minute proposal would let 10 percent of teachers be unlicensed
The measure, added during a Senate Education Committee meeting, would ostensibly let public schools be more competitive with charter schools at a time when many districts are having difficulty finding qualified teachers.
IURC chairmanship attracts 7 candidates
The five-person commission regulates $14 billion in electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer utilities. It approves utility projects and determines how much utilities can charge customers.
Indiana House approves bill to lift Indy-area ban on light rail
Lawmakers are reconsidering the ban with hopes of landing Amazon’s second North American headquarters.
Indiana House Republicans kill bill to raise smoking age to 21
House Republicans justified the decision, stating that their calculations indicate the change would cost state government $14 million a year in lost cigarette tax revenue.