Democrats, hospital group cheer Healthy Indiana Plan ruling
The top Democrat in the Indiana Senate is applauding the federal approval of Gov. Mike Pence's proposal for expansion of the Healthy Indiana Plan.
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Department of Correction seeks prison expansions
The Indiana Department of Correction presented a budget proposal to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday that included about $50 million in additional funds to expand two of the state’s prisons.
UPDATE: Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 gets federal approval
Federal officials have approved Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s plan to provide health insurance to lower-income Hoosiers, despite provisions that require some participants to pay part of the premium.
Bill would let companies dock paychecks for more reasons
A bill that would let companies pull money out of employee paychecks for uniforms, education and other expenses could receive a vote next week in the House Judiciary Committee.
BMV moves license plate production away from prisons
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has entered into a $72 million contract with Intellectual Technology Inc. to produce and distribute the state’s license plates and vehicle registrations until the end of 2019.
Kokomo sues state over proposed downtown baseball park
The city filed a complaint Monday in a Marion County court against the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, saying the agency’s opposition inhibits the city’s ability to complete the $9 million project.
Pence to launch state-run news service in Indiana
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is planning a state-run news service that promises to break news ahead of traditional media outlets and deliver stories written by state press secretaries.
State redistricting issue headed to a study committee
House Bill 1032 would create a redistricting commission to hold hearings, take public comment and recommend plans to redraw legislative and congressional districts. But leaders plan to send the issue to a study committee first.
Indiana lawmakers facing renewed debate over casinos
Proposals aim to help boost Indiana's casinos after they've seen more big declines in revenue in the face of growing competition from neighboring states.
Behning drops lobbying plan that raised ethics questions
House Education Chairman Robert Behning has backed off plans to lobby in another state for a student-testing company that does business in Indiana.
Meth bills mandating cold-pill prescriptions face tough road
Bills aiming to reduce Indiana’s methamphetamine problem by requiring prescriptions for some cold medicines probably won’t be considered in House or Senate committees this session, key lawmakers said.
Utilities favor legislation changing economics of rooftop panels
Investor-owned utilities are lobbying for a bill that would allow them to alter customers’ credits for net metering, or generating energy on-site and selling it back to the grid.
FEIGENBAUM: Lawmakers weighing overwhelming stack of bills
Many of the new House and Senate members ran on limited, simplistic campaign platforms, and—because few had seriously contested general election campaigns—they had little opportunity to educate themselves on more than a handful of big-picture matters.
Bill loosening rules on wine sales clears committee
A state legislative panel has endorsed a proposal that would allow Indiana residents to buy wine directly from a winery without first having to make an in-person visit.
INDOT officials say they need more cash to keep up
INDOT Commissioner Karl Browning said more money needs to be budgeted to prevent more of Indiana’s roads and bridges from falling into poor condition.
Key lawmaker sponsors bill to allow Sunday alcohol sales
House Public Policy Committee Chairman Tom Dermody of LaPorte has authored the bill that would allow Indiana groceries, pharmacies and liquor stores to sell alcohol on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
UPDATE: House education chairman seeks OK for lobbying
Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, formed Berkshire Education Strategies last June to represent out-of-state clients in the education field.
State senators pushing for new Indiana standardized tests
A bill sponsored by three Republican senators calls for the State Board of Education to revise Indiana's K-12 academic standards and select a nationally recognized set of exams for testing students by July 2016.
More Indiana audits planned with local government fees boost
The state auditing agency would hire about 100 more field examiners to review spending by local governments and school districts under a plan being considered by Indiana lawmakers.
Transit advocates push to increase state funding
A fund for public transportation could be debated before the House Ways and Means Committee after Rep. Randy Truitt filed a bill that would provide about $20 million more per year than Gov. Mike Pence proposed.