With gambling legislation on pause in Indiana, some push for reform
The gambling industry and its advocates have for several years wanted to legalize i-gaming, but that timeline may now be years longer than previously expected.
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Indiana teachers union presses reticent lawmakers to reopen budget in 2024 session
Indiana’s largest teacher’s union is calling for better collective bargaining, increased pay for support staff and more say over curriculum in the upcoming legislative session.
Statehouse committee provides updates on Medicaid program changes
An estimated 130,000 Hoosiers over the age of 60 using Medicaid will receive notices in early 2024 advising them to choose a Managed Care Entity to coordinate their health coverage.
Brinegar reflects on decades-long career at Chamber, Statehouse
From his first legislative session in 1981 to his last in 2023, Kevin Brinegar has personally witnessed some of state’s most pivotal, historic moments—either crunching numbers for Senate Republicans or leading the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Holcomb taps Boone County Council president Nieshalla as state comptroller
Elise Nieshalla, a real estate investor and president of the Indiana County Councils Association, will replace Tera Klutz, who is stepping down Thursday despite having more than three years left in her term.
Holcomb releases 62 videos promoting Hoosier attractions
The video project, All Around Indiana, features a buffalo preserve, caves, parks, racing, sandhill crane migration and much more more—and highlights a variety of industries. Holcomb narrates the videos.
DCS staffing levels nearly full statewide, but lacking in some areas
Of the Department of Child Services’ 19 regions, 10 meet staffing standards and an additional four have at least 90% of the staff they need. The statewide staffing level is 99%.
After 20-year-old Amazon employee dies at work, Indiana issues $7,000 fine
Such cases reveal the limited ability of state and federal safety regulators to effectively levy penalties or enforce safety policies on powerful corporations like Amazon, which made $9.9 billion in profit in the last quarter.
Less ‘aggressive’ legislative session coming, Statehouse leaders say
Leaders in the Republican-dominated Indiana Legislature say they’re not planning on taking on gambling expansions, water fights or costly initiatives during the shorter non-budget session, which begins in January and must end by mid-March.
INDOT facing fiscal cliff without road-funding changes
Indiana’s Department of Transportation expects to lose billions of dollars in revenue in the coming decades as more Hoosiers buy alternative fuel-using and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Doden, Braun exchange shots over qualified immunity, IEDC record
Indiana gubernatorial candidates Eric Doden and U.S. Sen. Mike Braun traded jabs Wednesday over the legal practice of qualified immunity and the use of state tax dollars in economic development—an escalation in the 2024 race to succeed Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Candidates Chambers, Hill release gubernatorial proposals
One GOP candidate for governor proposed massive tax changes Wednesday while another outlined a plan to strengthen public safety.
State study committee recommends boosting food assistance access
An interim task force set its sights on food insecurity on Tuesday—recommending legislation to make it easier for Hoosiers to qualify for food assistance, fund transportation or delivery for their groceries and more.
State health care panel adopts final report, targets prior authorizations
The interim Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force unanimously agreed on a final report Monday detailing seven recommended legislative proposals for the upcoming session.
Rep. Bob Cherry won’t seek reelection, ending 25 years in seat
The Greenfield Republican, whose district includes parts of Hancock and Madison counties, co-authored the state’s latest biennial budget.
Braun launches first TV ad in gubernatorial bid
U.S. Sen Mike Braun is the fourth Indiana GOP gubernatorial contender to go on air with campaign advertising.
Curtis Hill tries for a comeback with gubernatorial bid
Five years removed from a groping scandal that derailed his political ambitions, the former attorney general is working to rehabilitate his image as he revs up his campaign for the Republican nomination.
Indiana legislative group weighs cannabis legalization, but fails to make recommendations
The Interim Study Committee on Commerce and Economic Development is examining “the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Indiana as it relates to workforce impacts and teen use.”
Secretary of State Morales doles out $308K in spot bonuses
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales has given a spot bonus to nearly every employee in his office this year—including a family member and his former campaign manager.
State lawmaker drainage task force fumbles on final report
Sen. Jean Leising called it the “most miserable task force or interim committee meeting I have ever been a part of.”