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.
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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.
Push for hate crimes law fails again in Indiana Legislature
Indiana will remain one of just five states without a hate crimes law after a bill was sidelined in the Senate. Critics said the failure to pass such a law could hurt the state’s chances of landing Amazon’s planned second headquarters.
Eliminating handgun permit fee could shrink state revenue by $11M
Some Republicans have sought a full repeal of Indiana’s handgun permit law. Legislators compromised by proposing to eliminate the permit fee starting in July 2019.
House panel approves bill to raise state smoking age from 18 to 21
Lawmakers stripped a provision from the bill that would have boosted the cigarette tax from 99 cents a pack to $2.99.
Cities, states seek alternatives to corrosive salt for melting ice on roads
Experts suggest using beet juice, molasses, and even beer or cheese waste to make slick roads safer, in an effort to stop polluting fresh water sources with salty runoff.
FEIGENBAUM: Why firm, fair leadership matters at this point in session
Contrary to popular public belief, the session’s driving issue is not Sunday-alcohol or cold-beer sales expansion.
Mayor joins critics of downtown north-split interstate plan, seeks new options
Mayor Joe Hogsett is echoing the chorus of community leaders and downtown residents expressing concern with the state’s $250 million plan to revamp the I-70/I-65 interchange.
Governor, key lawmaker differ on tech taxation exemptions
A House committee voted Thursday to fulfill half of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s request: It would exempt “software as a service” from sales tax for businesses, but individuals would have to pay a fare.
Indiana House backs mandated training on sexual harassment
The Indiana House has voted to require training about sexual harassment for lawmakers.
Indiana House calls for study of medical marijuana
The resolution was approved Thursday without opposition and comes after 29 other states have passed laws allowing medical marijuana in some form.
House panel advances ‘hillbilly venture capital’ legislation
An Indiana House committee on Wednesday advanced a bill that the payday loan industry says would create a longer-term, higher-value loan for people who have such bad credit scores that they can’t be helped by regular banks.
Proposal toughens rules on Indiana abortion providers
A doctor who treats a woman for complications arising from an abortion would have to report detailed information about the patient to the state, under a bill approved by an Indiana Senate committee on Wednesday.
Indiana House panel dumps proposed handgun licensing repeal
Instead, the committee voted for an overhauled bill that keeps the current handgun licensing process while eliminating what is now a $100 fee for a lifetime permit.
House panel votes to reverse Indianapolis-area ban on light rail
A proposal to reverse the ban that has precluded Marion County and surrounding suburbs from building or acquiring a light-rail mass-transit project passed an Indiana House committee Wednesday.