Preschool advocates urge ‘aggressive’ action from lukewarm lawmakers
Preschool advocates want the Indiana Legislature to spend $50 million a year to expand the state’s pilot program. So far, lawmakers seem cool to that idea.
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Proposed bill will seek to make Indiana school chiefs appointed, not elected
Gov.-Elect Eric Holcomb on Thursday announced he wants to make Indiana’s elected superintendent of public instruction a governor-appointed position. House Speaker Brian Bosma is set to author the bill.
State’s dubious vaping law to get big overhaul
Sen. Randy Head of Logansport said he will file a bill to “stop the monopoly” that was created by legislation passed in 2015 and amended in 2016, which essentially put one private security firm in charge of deciding which firms could manufacture the “juice” used in e-cigarettes sold in Indiana.
Schellinger’s new role will have international focus
Jim Schellinger, the incoming secretary of commerce, previously was president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., a role that included frequent travel to communities across the state. In his new post, he'll be courting companies across the globe.
Financial consulting executive Bedel tapped as IEDC president
In addition to naming the president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb on Thursday picked a leader for the Indiana Department of Transportation and someone for a new position to fight substance abuse.
Holcomb calls to use $500M fund from Toll Road lease to fund entrepreneurship
Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb, who announced his legislative agenda Thursday, has roughly the same idea as Gov. Mike Pence when it comes to investing in early-stage Indiana companies, but wants to pay for the plan through a different fund.
Coats reportedly Trump’s favorite candidate for intelligence post
Former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats is the front-runner to become Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, according to two people familiar with the decision.
Pence extends minimum energy standards for buildings
The outgoing governor was set to let the rules expire on Jan. 1. A Department of Homeland Security spokesman says new outdoor stage rules are also in the works.
House Republicans’ road plan includes gas-tax increase, user fees
The proposal calls to raise three taxes and implement new user fees. House Speaker Brian Bosma said he expects the plan to cost most Hoosiers about $4 per month.
GOP leaders say road-funding plan top priority for Legislature
A coalition of not-for-profit and business community voices are urging the Republican majorities to add another priority: expanding a statewide preschool program for poor children.
Budget top priority as lawmakers head back to Statehouse
As GOP leaders preach frugality ahead of the annual legislative session that kicks off Tuesday, they are also planning for a big increase in infrastructure spending—and are considering raising taxes of some kind to pay for it.
Indiana lawmakers set to kick off annual legislative session
The Senate will gavel in for this year's session at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The House will gavel in Wednesday at the same time.
Holcomb picks Allen County official to serve as state auditor
Tera Klutz will be the first certified public accountant to be Indiana auditor, the top state official in charge of paying the state’s bills and accounting for state money, according to Holcomb’s office.
Critics want tighter restrictions on post-legislative work
The fact that two just-retired Indiana legislators are both already legally working for lobbying groups is leading some to question whether the state’s ethics laws are strict enough.
Critics decry Pence team for letting state fair stage collapse rule expire
Regulators had more than three years to approve permanent rules establishing stricter design and construction requirements for outdoor event equipment but did not do so before the emergency rules expired this year.
Indiana bill seeks to eliminate requirement for gun permits
Gun rights advocates view the upcoming legislative session as their best bet to get rid of an Indiana law that requires a license to carry handguns.
Holcomb reappoints Carter to lead state police, names chief of staff
Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb announced several appointments and reappointments Friday.
2016 TOP STORIES: Dramatic year sends Pence to D.C., Republicans to Statehouse
Donald Trump’s big victory in Indiana means his running mate Mike Pence will be vice president. It also swept Eric Holcomb into the governor’s office and Todd Young into the U.S. Senate.
State senator proposes casino for Terre Haute
Legislation to put a casino in one, specific location would be tough to pass. Lawmakers from Gary have tried for years to move one of its riverboat casinos inland and a previous proposal to move part of Rising Sun’s gambling operations to Indianapolis found a skeptical response.
2016 NEWSMAKER: Jennifer McCormick, new state schools chief
Political newcomer Jennifer McCormick was elected Nov. 8 as state superintendent of public instruction—a surprise to many who expected Democrat Glenda Ritz to keep her seat.