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.
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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.
Covering $1B shortfall in Medicaid forecasting means dipping into reserves
The state’s April Medicaid expenditure forecast missed the mark by roughly $984 million due to a combination of state budget reversions and unexpected growth of services for aging and disabled Hoosiers.
Holcomb considers his legacy, next steps as 2023 winds down
As Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb heads into his last year leading the Hoosier State, he emphasized that his administration won’t be resting on its laurels — and will continue to be aggressive about new projects.
Rust challenge set for argument in February
The Indiana Supreme Court has set arguments in John Rust’s election law challenge for February 12, three days after the filing deadline to run for U.S. Senate.
Safe storage bill sees revival following surge in youth gun shootings
The unprecedented surge in youth gun violence has left leaders scrambling for answers but one particular common factor prompted a Democratic lawmaker to revive a failed attempt to promote safe firearm storage and penalize adults who fail to do so with children at home.
Disciplinary commission files to unseal Rokita agreement after contradictory remarks
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission on Monday filed a petition asking to release a conditional agreement signed by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita after he publicly denied wrongdoing following a settlement.
Rokita appeals primary ruling
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita on Friday filed a notice of appeal, requesting the Indiana Supreme Court step in after a trial court judge last week found a state elections law unconstitutional.
Indiana Attorney General’s office undefeated in jury trials this year
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita this week congratulated his litigation team for winning all of its eight civil jury trials this year. Rokita is the state’s chief legal officer and his office is its law firm.