Tech exec Owens drops bid for governor, endorses Myers
Supply Kick CEO Josh Owens said the move to suspend his campaign—which comes two days before the candidate filing deadline—lets Woody Myers become the party’s presumptive nominee.
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Senator drops push to force Indiana marijuana prosecutions
The proposal followed the Indianapolis prosecutor’s new policy of not pressing charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
Embattled Rep. Forestal won’t seek re-election; city councilor to seek his House seat
State Rep. Dan Forestal, a Democrat facing charges of drunken driving and impersonating a public servant, said he will not seek re-election so that he can “focus on my mental health.”
State lawmakers send school ‘hold harmless’ bill to governor
Schools won’t be punished for low test scores earned during the first two years of the state’s new ILEARN test—a move by state lawmakers Monday that will render schools’ 2019 and 2020 state grades essentially meaningless.
Report: First month of Illinois pot sales netted nearly $40M
Despite shortages, Illinois residents bought more than $30.6 million in January, while out-of-state visitor sales totaled $8.6 million. Dispensaries sold more than 970,000 products.
Indiana push for pregnant worker protections gets sidelined
The proposal faced opposition from some business groups, including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Manufacturers Association.
Indiana House passes bill to slow utilities from shutting down coal plants
The bill’s opponents call the legislation a “coal-bailout bill,” designed to prop up the state’s struggling coal industry just as utilities are preparing to shut down aging coal plants.
Ed Feigenbaum: Lobbying groups’ tactics test patience, boundaries
Perhaps it is no surprise that Bosma decided to step down as speaker soon, then resign his House seat yet this spring.
Distracted driving bill passes House, moves to Senate
The House has passed legislation that would bar all drivers from having their phones in their hands while driving. House Bill 1070 passed 86-10 on Wednesday. The two-page bill, authored by Rep. Holli Sullivan, R-Evansville, updates a current law passed in 2011 that requires all phones must be used hands-free while behind the wheel of […]
Indiana governor signs spending plan for surplus revenue
By paying for the projects with surplus cash instead of issuing debt as originally planned, state officials estimate it could save the state more than $130 million over 20 years.
Lawmakers consider change to business personal property tax
Senate Bill 385, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, would change the way the state’s business personal property tax is calculated.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill aimed at addressing health care costs
The Indiana House approved legislation that would attempt to end surprise billing, and the Indiana Senate approved a bill that could establish a statewide all-payer claims database.
Measure aimed at forcing marijuana prosecutions advances
Republican legislators agitated with an Indianapolis prosecutor’s refusal to press charges for possessing small amounts of marijuana are seeking to empower the state attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to take over such cases.
Bill that seeks more protections for pregnant workers advances
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee voted 7-2 Monday to endorse the bill, even though some business groups argued it wasn’t necessary and could lead to greater burdens on small businesses.
Former Indiana House Speaker Bauer retiring after 50 years
Pat Bauer, 75, announced Monday he wouldn’t seek re-election this year in the South Bend district that he’s represented since 1970. He’ll retire as the longest-serving member in the Indiana Legislature’s history.
IBJ Podcast: The session so far—health care, teacher evaluations and hands-free phone use
IBJ’s Statehouse reporter Lindsey Erdody breaks down what bills are moving, which ones already are dead and what’s about to hit Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
Indiana casino approval delayed while state probes former Centaur execs
The Indiana Gaming Commission confirmed Friday that is postponing approval of a new Indiana casino while it investigates allegations that top executives at former Indianapolis racino business Centaur Gaming were involved in directing illegal campaign contributions to an Indiana congressional candidate in 2015.
Ed Feigenbaum: State is failing to look to the future on key issues
The demise of the promising Indiana Future Caucus is unfortunate, because no one else seems destined or determined to take the lead on issues critical to Hoosiers going forward.
Health care bills unlikely to remedy cost crisis
Republican leaders of the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Eric Holcomb have made addressing high health care costs a top priority this year, but the bills proposed to do so are unlikely to have much direct impact.
Senate bill calls for reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers
Breastfeeding accommodations, bathroom and water breaks and lifting limitations are examples of accommodations employers would be required to make under Senate Bill 342.