From cellphones to STEM: Education issues to watch in Indiana’s 2026 session
Multiple education bills have already moved, and one—a cellphone crackdown proposal—was heard in the Senate education committee in early December.
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Gov. Mike Braun reinstates workforce development board previously dissolved by Legislature
The Governor’s Office said Tuesday that the new board will act as “a central coordinating body to align employers, education and training providers, and state agencies around measurable workforce outcomes.”
Without pennies, should retailers round up or down? States offer their 2 cents.
While the question revolves around only a few cents per transaction, it raises important consumer protection and legal questions for states to consider.
Trump rural health grants come with clawback threat to states
Indiana was awarded $206.9 million for fiscal 2026 from the rural health care fund. States will be forced to undergo a re-scoring process every year with the Office of Rural Health Transformation.
The last holdout: Why Vernon is Indiana’s only town still governed by an 1851 charter
The charter serves as a local constitution, spelling out everything from elections and offices to fines, taxes and the powers of town leaders.
2025 Year in Review: New property tax law forces tough decisions in cities
Motivated by rising property tax bills caused in part by rising home prices, Gov. Mike Braun and the Republican-majority Legislature last spring upended the funding structure for local government and forced tough budgeting decisions in cities and towns.
2025 Year in Review: Gov. Mike Braun launches audit of IEDC and related organizations
The investigation, which Braun labeled a “forensic audit,” launched in May and continued through the summer, leaving work by Elevate and other organizations in limbo and raising questions about whether the state would continue to invest in fledgling companies
Indiana business groups create nonprofit to push for civil, tort law reforms
Groups including the Corydon Group, the Indiana Motor Truck Association, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Manufacturers Association are banding together to advocate for pro-business reforms.
Indiana lawmakers to weigh joining Trump’s tax cuts
Legislators would likely need to act quickly to enact any tax breaks for 2025 before individuals and businesses begin filing their tax returns.
Fishers real estate agent becomes latest candidate in open Indiana Senate race
District 31, which includes parts of Hamilton and Marion counties, is currently held by Sen. Kyle Walker, R-Lawrence, who announced earlier this month that he will not seek a second term.
Behind the walls of Indiana’s ICE detention facility
The Indiana Capital Chronicle recently took an hourlong tour of Miami Correctional Facility—the first media allowed in what federal officials have referred to as “the Speedway Slammer.”
Forrest Lucas posthumously honored with 2025 Sachem Award
Lucas, who died in August at age 83, is the 20th Sachem Award honoree and the first chosen by Braun.
Indiana leaders offer glimpse into plans for compressed legislative session
Lawmakers can meet until mid-March during a non-budget year, but plan to adjourn early to offset the two weeks they spent this month on a failed partisan redistricting proposal.
Visit Indy leadership supports pursuit of downtown casino
The growing push for an Indianapolis casino is getting an assist from Visit Indy, with the executive committee opting to publicly back the effort.
New forecast shows big growth in Indiana surplus
Despite Thursday’s positive forecasts, Republican state fiscal leaders showed no signs of any spending boosts for the tight budget that took effect July 1.
Some Indiana lawmakers ponder taking up marijuana debate after Trump’s reclassification order
For several years, the common refrain among some state lawmakers has been that they had no desire to tackle the issue until the federal government reclassified the drug. That argument will be removed if the president’s order receives federal regulatory approval as directed.
Indiana lawmakers react favorably to most ILEA recommendations, discuss replicating them
Indiana legislative leaders leaders are already thinking about how they could replicate the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance’s proposal in other parts of the state.
‘Great opportunity’: Indiana House speaker reacts to Chicago Bears stadium search
Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said it speaks to Indiana’s reputation that a premier sports franchise like the Bears would consider placing a stadium in the region.
Indiana ethics panel approves Jennifer-Ruth Green settlement; possible criminal charges pending
Officials confirmed during Thursday’s meeting that the Indiana Office of Inspector General has already referred the matter for criminal review, and that process remains ongoing.
Republican senators file bill to restore alumni-elected positions to IU’s board of trustees
Senate Bill 110 would revert the board’s makeup to what it looked like before the 2025 legislative session, with five governor-appointed members, three alumni-elected members and one student representative.