Legislation seeks speedier path to home building
House Bill 1001 would allow single-family houses and duplexes to be approved without a hearing in areas that are zoned residential.
State Government
Articles
Stakeholders weren’t happy with Indianapolis decisions, so they took fights to the Statehouse
Local Democrats who have a stronghold on Indianapolis generally oppose intervention from the Republican supermajority that passes policies at the Indiana Statehouse, but Indianapolis Republicans are willing to invite it.
State tax cut for overtime, tips clears Senate; House sends other tax breaks to Braun
The Senate plan is expected to reduce state tax revenue by about $250 million and apply to 2026 income on tax returns filed in 2027.
Senate passes Chicago Bears stadium bill in show of support for NFL team
Senate Bill 27 would establish the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to issue bonds, acquire land, finance capital improvements and enter into leases with private entities.
Trump endorses 2 more Republican challengers over Indiana redistricting votes
In social media posts Tuesday night, President Trump threw his support behind primary challengers to Sens. Greg Goode of Terre Haute and Spencer Deery of West Lafayette.
Senate greenlights bill to help Carmel build new hotel, conference center complex
State senators passed a measure to help Carmel fund a new hotel and conference center by rearranging collections from the Hamilton County Innkeepers’ tax.
Indiana Senate set to vote on Bears stadium bill this week
Senate Bill 27 creates the framework for a stadium deal by establishing a public body that can issue bonds, acquire land, finance capital improvements and enter into leases.
Immigration enforcement bill clears Indiana Senate amid national ICE controversy
The vote comes as immigration enforcement—particularly actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE—has sparked protests, clashes with law enforcement and heightened political tensions in several states, especially in Minnesota.
Indiana governor declares state of emergency over winter storm
Thousands of flights across the U.S. that were set to take off over the weekend were canceled as a monster storm started to wreak havoc Saturday across much of the country, knocking out power and snarling major roadways with dangerous ice.
The Chicago Bears, Indiana and the math behind NFL stadium deals
Professional sports experts say past NFL stadium deals might offer Indiana lawmakers a few clues to what a Lake County deal could mean for both the team and the state.
Legislative roundup: Here’s what IBJ is following as the session’s halfway point approaches
The halfway point of the 2026 legislative session is fast approaching, with next week marking key deadlines for bills to get through their respective chambers.
Braun opts into new federal school choice program
Families can access scholarships through eligible scholarship-granting organizations to support qualified educational expenses, including costs incurred for children at public and private schools.
Indiana’s latest attempt to rein in THC heads to Senate floor, but business owners worry it will ban the market
Business owners say Indiana’s Senate Bill 250 would effectively ban the growing delta-8 market—which was estimated to have generated more than $1 billion in economic impact in 2023—and urge caution amid changing federal rules.
UPDATE: Key lawmaker wants Bears commitment before finalizing stadium bill
Gov. Mike Braun told IBJ on Thursday that he hopes more concrete developments regarding the Chicago Bears’ potential move to northwest Indiana could come “within 10 days or a couple weeks.”
DeKalb, Steuben, Wayne counties join hunt for new Indiana casino
These counties join Allen County as possible sites for a new casino under changes to House Bill 1038. Some Indianapolis-area lawmakers are still pushing for Marion County to be included in that group.
Bill allowing Hoosier Lottery online sales won’t win in Legislature this year
The plug has been pulled on a bill that would give the Hoosier Lottery permission to sell tickets online and host instant games on its website.
Indiana public records access law to get anti-bot overhaul
Local units suspect some requests from possibly fake entities are phishing attempts.
Indiana pharmacist charged in ‘astronomical’ drug theft case still holds ‘free and clear’ license
Regulators on the Indiana Board of Pharmacy say they’re “frustrated” but cite procedural constraints amid ongoing investigations.
Legislative committee sends amended Bears stadium bill to full Senate
The vote came after little discussion and no testimony—no one from the public signed up to talk about the bill.
Lawmakers draft timeline for new Indianapolis education board
Indiana lawmakers have advanced a bill that would give a new governing body power over buildings, buses and taxes for Indianapolis schools, after adding key dates for when these changes would happen.