Indiana House passes watered down smoking-ban bill
The added exemptions include bars, taverns, tobacco shops and fraternal clubs such as American Legion posts.
State Government
Articles
Daniels trims slaughterhouse inspection cuts
The administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels is backing away from a plan to cut in half the budget for state inspections of meat
processors after complaints that it would drive some plants out of business and hurt small farmers.
Lawmakers approaching session’s half-way point
Members of the Indiana General Assembly face a key mid-session deadline this week. Wednesday is the deadline for bills to
pass their house of origin and be sent to the opposite chamber.
Report: Indiana counties could save cash with vote centers
The Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute says that all 92 state counties could reap big cost savings — more than $300,000 in Marion
County alone — if they used vote centers on Election Day instead of traditional precinct locations.
State sells $300 million in Tax Anticipation Notes
The proceeds will help more than 120 local government units pay their bills while they wait for their
property tax receipts.
Daniels revives push to merge PERF, TRF pension funds
Gov. Mitch Daniels wants legislators to revive a merger of the Indiana Public Employees Retirement Fund and the Indiana
State Teachers Retirement Fund. He says the move could save up to $50 million a year in fees.
FEIGENBAUM: Debate rages over the right to bear arms
House Bill 1065 would bar business owners
from prohibiting an employee from keeping a legally owned firearm in his or her locked vehicle at work.
Panel OKs bill to provide pet buyers with info
The bill would require pet stores to put information about the dog or cat on its cage in the store, including the animal’s
medical history, the name of the breeder and any congenital disorders.
Indiana Senate panel approves school-start-date bill
The committee endorsed legislation that would prevent the state’s public schools from starting classes before Labor Day.
Hoosiers can now renew driver’s licenses online
The BMV said Tuesday it has started offering online driver’s license renewals at the agency’s Web site.
Indiana House approves bill allowing guns at work
Legislation that would prohibit employers from banning guns in people’s locked cars on company property has cleared both the
House and Senate.
House lawmakers put statewide smoking ban on hold
The bill, would ban smoking in public places statewide except casinos and pari-mutuel horse racing venues.
New library standards to enhance online access
Hoosiers will have more access to the Internet and to public library materials across the state under a new set of standards
adopted by the Indiana State Library and Historical Board.
Bill would give CO2 pipeline firms right to take private land
A consumer group opposing Senate Bill 115 argues the measure is yet another concession to the developer of a coal-to-methane
plant proposed in Rockport.
Ind. House muddies future of unemployment tax bill
The fate of a bill that would delay unemployment tax increases on businesses remains unclear in the Democrat-controlled Indiana
House.
Rights, safety in debate over guns-at-work bill
The House Natural Resources Committee voted 10-1 to advance the bill last week amid strong support from the National Rifle Association and opposition from business interests and domestic violence advocates.
Senate bill would snuff out Indiana’s smoking-cessation agency
Anti-tobacco advocates worry cost-cutting move could seriously diminish state’s efforts to curb Hoosier tobacco use.
State’s unemployment rate jumps to 9.9 percent
Indiana’s jobless rate made its biggest increase since mid-2009. Department of Workforce
Development Commissioner Teresa Voors attributed the rise, in part, to a decrease in construction in December.
Bill on Sunday microbrewery sales clears Senate
The bill would limit the amount of Sunday carryout sales from Indiana microbreweries to about three cases per transaction.
Senate, House panels approve ‘net metering’ bills
A bill aimed at utility customers who install renewable power sources is seriously flawed and would hurt Indiana’s renewable
energy movement, advocates say.