House passes 13th check, Senate approves sanctuary city ban enforcement
Indiana’s House of Representatives on Monday unanimously voted to offer former public employees a retirement benefit boost known as a 13th check.
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Banks, Rust spar over residency as primary battle for Indiana’s U.S. Senate seat continues
Where does U.S. Senate candidate John Rust actually live? That’s the latest question lobbed by his challenger, GOP favorite U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, as the race for Indiana’s open seat heats up.
Protestors disrupt antisemitism bill, critique lack of recognition for Islamophobia
House lawmakers unanimously passed a bill defining antisemitism in educational settings with little discussion, even as protestors interrupted proceedings and chanted outside.
Former Marion County clerk announces bid for attorney general
Beth White, a former elected official and longtime attorney, announced Thursday she is running for the Democratic nomination for Indiana attorney general.
Bill seeks to help local governments define decorum for public meetings
The city of Winchester in eastern Indiana has fewer than 5,000 residents but one glaring problem in the eyes of local elected officials: people purposefully disrupting government meetings and deliberately disregarding decorum.
Indiana lawmakers seem unlikely to tackle school consolidation in 2024 session
A new statewide report is fueling discussions about consolidating Indiana’s smallest school districts, but state lawmakers continue to lack an appetite for action — at least for now.
Judge rules in favor of South Bend in 25-foot ‘buffer zone’ lawsuit
A federal judge on Friday rejected a request to block an Indiana law establishing a so-called “buffer zone” around law enforcement during official duties, a measure that includes both the public and the press.
House panel moves retiree 13th check, hears concerns on school referenda levy cap
The House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday unanimously advanced a Republican leadership priority bill offering public retirees a bump in benefits.
Indiana lawmakers move forward with bills to ban antisemitism, expand workforce training funds
Indiana lawmakers are fast-tracking a bill they say will ban antisemitism in public educational institutions — although critics of the proposal maintain it limits free speech and conflates anti-Jewish rhetoric with criticism of a foreign government.
House Republicans to push retiree 13th check, antisemitism bills; Democrats call for IEDC transparency, ballot initiatives and more
Indiana’s House Republicans will prioritize boosting retirement benefits for public employees and banning antisemitism in public educational institutions, alongside bills on job training and administrative law. Democrats, meanwhile, focused on accountability.
Rokita files response in disciplinary case
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita submitted a new and bombastic filing on Wednesday accusing the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission of caving to outside pressure in a “political melee,” saying it could no longer give him fair treatment.
Hatfield won’t seek reelection; running for judge instead
A seventh House member announced he will not seek reelection in the fall, joining the growing list of House members opting to pursue other opportunities.
These are the major education topics Indiana lawmakers expect to focus on in 2024
Although Indiana lawmakers maintain the 2024 legislative session will be quicker, quieter and “noncontroversial,” there’s no shortage of critical — even touchy — education-related topics expected to be prioritized in the coming months.
Indiana GOP files brief against Rust in primary challenge
The Indiana Republican State Committee filed an amicus brief last week supporting a law that limits who can run under major party banners in Indiana.
17 abortions meet exceptions under ban, new report shows
Seventeen women had abortions in Indiana since a state ban officially went into effect Aug. 21 — with the majority falling under an exception for a lethal fetal anomaly.
Child care legislation coming, but pricey ideas iffy
Indiana lawmakers expect to file and advance significant child care legislation during the upcoming session, after years of advocacy from Hoosier parents, child care providers and worker-strapped businesses.
Quieter year expected for Indiana health care bills
The Chair of the Indiana Senate Health and Provider Services Committee doesn’t expect the same big health care legislation that was produced in 2023 in the upcoming legislative session.
Environmental groups want stronger rules for use of coal ash fill after EPA reveals new risks
In a draft risk assessment published last month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of a proposed broader revision of its coal ash management rules, the agency now says using coal ash as fill may create elevated cancer risk from radiation.
Early learning committee recommends new child care standards
The Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) voted Wednesday to advance a new set of standards for evaluating child care centers around the state, with an anticipated three-year rollout starting in 2024.
‘Get your house in order’: Lawmakers admonish gambling regulation agency, which defends processes
Key Republican lawmakers on Tuesday scolded the Indiana Gaming Commission over how it levies fines and more — threatening to take legislative action if changes aren’t made.