Weinzapfel says AG should be about policy, not politics
When the former Evansville mayor announced his candidacy in December, he believed he’d be facing embattled Republican incumbent Curtis Hill. Instead, is running against Republican Todd Rokita.
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Indiana scraps plans to buy land for Ohio River port site
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said it would take years to clean up the 725-acre site, making it not financially viable.
Indiana requests to borrow $300M from federal government for jobless benefits
Indiana Department of Workforce Development chief of staff Josh Richardson said the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund is expected to run dry by the end of September.
Indiana still has $1 billion in coronavirus relief funds left to spend
Indiana Office of Management and Budget Director Cris Johnston told the State Budget Committee on Tuesday that the state has been waiting for clearer guidance from the federal government on how the dollars can be spent.
Court denies appeal by groups challenging limits to Indiana religious freedom law
The state appeals court ruling upheld a suburban Indianapolis county judge’s decision last year that the three groups failed to prove they had faced any harm because of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Lawmakers consider using Government Center for House sessions
The Legislative Continuity Committee on Wednesday voted to recommend that staff begin to equip several rooms in Indiana Government Center South for the Indiana House to meet there for the 2021 session, which starts in January.
Merritt resigning after 30 years in state Senate
State Sen. Jim Merritt announced Tuesday that he will resign from the position he’s held since 1990 to “seek other opportunities for service.” He still had two years left in his term.
Holcomb unveils plan to equip state police with body cameras, create cabinet position
The announcement comes more than two months after Holcomb said he believed the state needed to take action to address racial inequality and injustice.
Meeting tenants’ legal needs in looming eviction cases could cost billions
As Indiana’s moratorium on evictions is set to end on Friday, legal aid providers are estimating the national price tag for helping tenants facing the prospect of losing their places to live will top $2.5 billion.
State revenue collections show impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Indiana’s monthly revenue report, released Friday, shows that the state is still falling short of the funds that were expected when the forecast was made last December.
Top GOP lawmaker says schools might see less funding if all classes taught online
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray sent a letter to school leaders on Thursday that said there’s “no guarantee” schools that choose not to resume any in-person classes due to health and safety concerns will receive 100% of expected funding.
Holcomb says he remains confident he can impose mask mandate, despite AG’s opinion otherwise
The Republican governor’s comments came a day after he announced the requirement, which is to take effect Monday, and less than a day after Attorney General Curtis Hill said the governor did not have the authority to enforce a mandate.
Lawmakers start debating possibilities for a virtual or hybrid 2020 legislative session
At issue is how to meet obligations under the Indiana Constitution that lawmakers hold a session in 2021—and meet at the capitol building—as well as the need to let the public participate in the process.
Two senators who asked for AG opinion say they won’t sue to stop Holcomb’s mask mandate
Attorney General Curtis Hill said in an advisory opinion—requested by five Republican senators—that state law doesn’t give the governor specific authority to require face coverings or to create penalties for failing to wear a mask. The opinion came just a few hours after Holcomb said a statewide mask mandate would take effect on Monday.
Attorney General: Holcomb has no authority to enforce statewide mask mandate
Attorney General Curtis Hill said in an advisory opinion Wednesday night that Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb should call a special session if he wants to make masks a requirement.
Democratic lawmakers call for special session, but House speaker says it’s not needed
The Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus, Indiana House Democratic Caucus and Indiana Black Legislative Caucus announced Tuesday during a press conference that they want lawmakers to come back to Indianapolis in August.
Indiana unemployment rate improves to 11.2% in June
Private sector employment increased as employees returned to work in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors, as well as in educational and health services.
Bosma stepping down early, after 34 years as state lawmaker
Brian Bosma, the longest-serving House speaker in state history, was set to submit his resignation letter Friday morning, stating that he would end his 34-year career as a state lawmaker on July 31.
State revenue comes in $1.4B less than expected for fiscal year 2020
Lower than expected revenues created a budget deficit of nearly $900 million, but the state still managed to end the year in the black by cutting costs in some areas, tapping into reserves and receiving additional federal dollars for Medicaid.
State rental assistance program set to launch Monday
The program is open to Hoosiers in every county except Marion, where a separate rental assistance program also opens Monday.