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.
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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.
Lawmakers to discuss high school civics test measure
Indiana House committee members are set to discuss legislation that would require high school students to take the same test that immigrants must pass to become a U.S. citizen.
Bills filed that would allow medical marijuana in Indiana
Two Democratic lawmakers have filed bills that would allow the use of medical marijuana in Indiana, although neither measure is likely to advance in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Indiana House bill would legalize chemical cremation
The legislation would require the State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service to adopt rules for alkaline hydrolysis. The process is legal in 11 other states.
Pence’s $51M prison expansion proposal met by skepticism
The proposal comes just months after Indiana's criminal sentencing laws changed in part to reduce the need for more prison space.
Pence gubernatorial campaign raises record amount
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence raised a record $3.3 million in campaign funds last year, including nearly $2.1 million over the second half of the year, his campaign announced Friday.
Education officials’ plan for school money differs from Pence’s
Indiana Department of Education officials presented their two-year budget proposal to the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday. It includes large increases to the Non-English Speakers Fund, textbook relief funding, and tuition support.
Key lawmaker introduces bill to allow live dealers at racinos
Two of the state’s largest casinos and horse track betting facilities, Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, stand to benefit most if the proposed legislation becomes law.
Bill seeks to limit referendums to general elections
Lawmakers raised questions and community leaders testified against a bill that would require that referendums for school and government construction projects occur only during general elections every other year.
Proposal would overhaul state ethics laws after scandals
Indiana legislators would face more financial disclosure requirements and elected officials would be expressly prohibited from using state resources for political purposes under a proposed overhaul of ethics laws introduced Thursday.
FEIGENBAUM: Pence’s speech kept things simple, but expect detours
The governor took on the federal government for overreaching on health care and environmental regulations, and he reiterates his priorities on education.
Senate bill would increase access to adoption records
Senate Bill 352 would allow those adopted from 1941 through 1993 to access their records unless their birth parents sign a form prohibiting it.
Pence traveling to Detroit for meetings at auto show
The governor has meetings planned with General Motors CEO Mary Barra and executives of other companies, including Honda, Subaru, Fiat Chrysler, and Toyota.
Details being worked out on Pence’s balanced budget proposal
Republican legislative leaders are backing Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's proposal to add a balanced budget amendment to the state constitution, even as details of how it would work are still being sorted out.
Governor eyes cell tower leases to fund bicentennial projects
The state is looking to raise as much as $50 million from long-term cell tower leases in order to help finance Indiana’s 2016 bicentennial plans.
Inmates could get trades training under Senate bill
Senate Bill 173, authored by Sen. R. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis, requires the Indiana Department of Correction to establish a specialized vocational program to train minimum-security inmates in trades.
Pence doesn’t push to expand preschool program
The governor said this will be an "education session" and said his priorities will include changes to the school funding formula and more money for school choice.
Bill would let state education board select its own chair
Democrats called the legislation a political attack that would let Gov. Mike Pence replace Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, a Democrat, with his own leader.
Pence pitches balanced budget amendment in address
In his third State of the State address, Gov. Mike Pence called for a balanced budget amendment that he says will protect Indiana from a possible economic downturn and will show Hoosiers their tax dollars are being spent wisely.