Tight job market opens doors for ex-offenders
Once shunned as too risky to hire, men and women with criminal records are finding more open doors in business and industry.
State Government
Articles
Indiana Senate panel backs Sunday sales with limited hours
The Senate public policy committee voted unanimously Wednesday to advance the proposal, which would allow carryout sales of alcohol throughout Indiana for an eight-hour period on Sundays, sending the bill to the full Senate for amendments or approval.
Indiana governor pledges ‘transparent’ child agency review
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb vowed in his State of the State address Tuesday night to “do whatever is necessary to ensure the success” of the Department of Child Services.
Holcomb lays out plan to ‘skill up’ thousands of Hoosier workers
In his State of the State address, the governor offered specific targets for returning college dropouts to school, helping inmates earn work certificates and pushing more companies to offer training programs.
Bill proposes faculty grants as way to ease nursing shortage
Senate Bill 28 would offer grants of $5,000 a year to eligible instructors at Indiana nursing programs, with a lifetime cap of $25,000.
11 ideas to boost workforce development in Indiana, as proposed by legislators
Faced with a shortage of skilled workers to fill some available jobs, legislators have proposed myriad bills this session aimed at tackling the issue and improving the effectiveness of the state’s system.
Two bills address financial distress in troubled school districts
Lawmakers warn that more school districts will face budgetary distress in the coming years.
Bathroom bill would allow customers access to employee restrooms
A state Senate committee approved legislation Monday that would require businesses to allow customers with medical conditions to access employee restrooms if a public restroom is not available.
Indiana senate proposes one high school diploma
The Indiana senate has filed a bill that aims to solve the state’s high school diploma dilemma by combining its four current diplomas into one.
Indiana lawmaker proposes bill to count dead people’s votes
Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, is sponsoring a bill that would require election officials to count absentee ballots "marked and forwarded" by a voter who subsequently dies before Election Day.
Holcomb to bring measuring stick to State of State address
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb in his Tuesday evening speech plans to lay out benchmark goals in key priority areas—especially in workforce development.
Senate committee to take up cold beer, Sunday sales bills
Sen. Ron Alting said the Sunday sales measure will be heard Wednesday. He also has scheduled a hearing for Jan. 17 on a bill that would allow convenience and big-box stores to sell cold beer.
Influential GOP lawmaker calls for medical marijuana study
One of the most powerful Republicans in the Indiana House of Representatives says the Legislature should study the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana.
Longtime Indiana Statehouse leader to retire
Rep. Bill Friend of Macy, the speaker pro tempore, said he will finish out his term, but won't run again in 2018.
Indiana House GOP wants small townships to consolidate
Nearly a third of Indiana's 1,005 townships would be consolidated with others under a plan proposed by House Republicans.
Key lawmakers, governor skeptical about chance for redistricting reform this year
Despite strong support from influential Republicans and fired-up grassroots activists, redistricting reform legislation faces several significant hurdles in the short session.
Tax, education, broadband bills top legislative priorities for tech industry
Gov. Eric Holcomb is asking lawmakers to clarify that the state’s sales tax doesn’t apply to software provided on the cloud. But that’s not the only tech-related legislation introduced at the General Assembly.
Democratic leader questions GOP ‘secrecy’ on child agency
Statehouse Democrats say they are troubled by Republican "secrecy" as Gov. Eric Holcomb and the GOP majority scramble to contain fallout from a burgeoning crisis in Indiana's child welfare agency.
Indiana bill would tap savings to fix $11.8M school-funding shortfall
Indiana lawmakers have a proposal to shuffle state money around to cover an $11.8 million shortfall in school funding that emerged late last year.
Judge orders IBM to post $25M bond in Indiana welfare case
IBM Corp. must the bond as it appeals a $78 million judgment in a long-running case that stems from the company’s failed effort to automate much of Indiana’s welfare services, a judge has ruled.