Regional Cities funding faces hurdle in Indiana House
The measure is stalled in the Ways and Means Committee, but Speaker Brian Bosma says the governor’s help on a long-term road funding bill could get it moving.
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Amendment to prevent LGBT workplace discrimination fails
A measure to prohibit workplace discrimination against LGBT people failed in the Indiana House on Thursday afternoon, despite gaining more than a handful of Republican votes in support.
U.S. Rep. Brooks not seeking Ivy Tech presidency
Sue Ellspermann, who has applied for the Ivy Tech job, is set to resign from her job as lieutenant governor on March 2.
Pence expresses ‘confidence’ in ISTEP report despite alterations
A review of documents showed a top education official made significant alterations to a report that detailed a so-called independent investigation into the unpopular standardized ISTEP+ exam for students.
Indiana official had say in independent report on tests
A report summarizing what was billed as an independent investigation into Indiana's new, unpopular standardized student exam includes edits and suggested changes by a state administrator hired by Gov. Mike Pence's State Board of Education.
Drug bill critics: Too early to change Indiana criminal code
Opponents of a bill that calls for mandating tougher sentences for some convicted drug dealers said Tuesday it's too early to change Indiana's criminal code since a major overhaul took effect only two years ago.
Lawmakers zeroing in on anti-meth plan
Bills would let pharmacists require prescriptions for suspicious customers trying to buy cold medicines with pseudoephedrine. But some drug store chains fear putting their pharmacists in danger.
Judge weighs bid to block Indiana’s Syrian refugee order
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt noted at a Friday hearing that Indiana had no actual ability to prevent Syrian refugees from entering the state.
Democrats attempt to restart the LGBT rights debate
Indiana Democrats unsuccessfully tried to add amendments dealing with LGBT rights to seemingly unrelated legislation Thursday in the House. Democrats said to expect more efforts to revive the issue.
Congress moves near final OK of local Internet tax ban
State and local governments would be permanently barred from taxing access to the Internet under a bipartisan compromise the Senate began pushing on Thursday toward congressional approval.
Stutzman joins Democrats to attack GOP rival’s Senate ballot
U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, who is backed by the tea party, piled on after Democrats raised questions about Todd Young’s candidacy and argued he was shy of meeting the requirement for ballot petition signatures.
Senate panel plans changes to limits in police video bill
An Indiana Senate committee is considering an overhaul of a bill that would give Indiana police departments broad authority to withhold body camera video amid opposition from open-government advocates.
Dems object but Holcomb should be easily confirmed
Republicans don’t need Democrats’ help to confirm Eric Holcomb as lieutenant governor. They hold a huge majority in the Legislature—and it appears they support the governor’s choice to replace Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann.
Pence taps Holcomb as lieutenant governor, running mate
The move is a major shakeup for the Pence administration with a primary election just months away.
Bill could put crimp in farm-to-table poultry trade
The bill’s sponsors say its purpose is consumer safety. Small poultry producers contend it would hamstring their ability to compete in a marketplace dominated by large producers.
Pence could announce new running mate, lieutenant governor
Gov. Mike Pence has scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference Tuesday at which he is expected to announce that former state GOP chairman Eric Holcomb will be his running mate for the November election—and perhaps take over as lieutenant governor even earlier.
GOP senator enters race for state attorney general
Sen. Randy Head of Logansport says he wants the attorney general’s office to challenge the expanding role of the federal government that’s diminishing the power of states.
State lawmakers warm to hate-crime bill
Although gay rights legislation is dead for this session, supporters of a hate crimes bill making its way through the Statehouse note that crimes committed based on a person’s LGBT status are included.
UPDATE: Nightingale CEO claims state retaliated for report of ‘racially tinged’ remarks
The home-health firm’s lawsuit alleges state officials discriminated against the company and CEO Dev Brar when they conducted inspections that led Medicare to terminate payments to the company.
UPDATE: Whitcomb remembered for ‘life of courage, service, adventure’
Edgar Whitcomb, a Republican small-town lawyer from southern Indiana who served as Indiana governor from 1969 to 1973, died Thursday at 98.