House Republicans reveal agenda that doesn’t include hate crimes legislation
The priorities for Indiana House Republicans this year align with Gov. Eric Holcomb’s agenda, but one significant issue did not make the list: a hate crimes bill.
Gov. Eric Holcomb
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Latest hate crimes proposal leaves out specific protected classes
In an effort to remove Indiana from a list of five states without hate crimes legislation, lawmakers have filed three separate bills so far in the Indiana General Assembly, but the latest measure does not specify the classes of individuals and groups who would be protected.
Holcomb remains against legalizing marijuana
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb remains opposed to efforts by state lawmakers to allow medical or recreational marijuana in the state, even as such uses are becoming legal in a growing number of other states.
Records: Probe of Indiana’s AG cost taxpayers at least $26K
An investigation into allegations that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill drunkenly groped four women at a party last March cost taxpayers at least $26,300, according to records obtained through open records requests. The bulk of the expenses, $17,861, came from the office of Inspector General Lori Torres, which opened its inquiry after requests by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and legislative leadership.
Year in Review: Hill sexual misconduct scandal top legal news story of 2018
Indiana Lawyer’s top story of 2018 began inside an Indianapolis bar in the cool early-morning hours of Thursday, March 15. Attorney General Curtis Hill had had a few drinks. A few too many, several witnesses would later claim.
Holcomb says passing hate crime law ‘long overdue’
The spray-painting of a swastika outside a suburban Indianapolis synagogue this summer was the final straw for Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, who quickly called for Indiana to join the 45 states that have hate crime laws.
DCS budget could grow significantly next year
The Indiana Department of Child Services is requesting a 42 percent increase in its budget next year compared to the funding it was designated to receive this year in the previous budget cycle. The proposed budget from DCS would include $965 million from the state’s general fund per year for the next two fiscal years.
Magistrate DeGroote appointed to Allen Superior Court bench
Allen County Magistrate Jennifer DeGroote has been appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Allen Superior Court. DeGroote will succeed Judge Stanley A. Levine, who will retire Dec. 31.
Lake County judge appointed; finalists named for second vacancy
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed a magistrate judge as the newest judge of the Lake Superior Court and will soon begin the process of filling another Lake County court vacancy.
Judge strikes lethal injection secrecy law, says lawmakers ‘overstepped’
The Indiana Department of Correction has again lost a suit in which it argues to keep secret the drugs it would use in a lethal injection. The judge in the case extraordinarily outlined how the DOC, the governor’s office, and the Indiana General Assembly appeared to directly undermine her order that the department disclose the drugs it might use in a potential execution.
Interview schedule set for Lake Superior judgeship
Interviews with 19 applicants for the Lake Superior Court opening left by the resignation of Judge Jesse M. Villalpando are scheduled to take place next month over a two-day period.
New judges named in Allen, Monroe counties
An Allen County magistrate judge has been selected to fill one of two upcoming vacancies in the Allen County courts, and the successor has been chosen for a longtime jurist in Monroe County.
Special prosecutor believes women but won’t charge AG Hill
Special prosecutor Daniel Sigler said he believes the four women who accused Attorney General Curtis Hill of groping them, but he said he chose not to file criminal charges against Hill because believing the women would not be enough in a court of law.
AG Hill to continue to serve despite likely suits by accusers
Facing the prospect of lawsuits from four women he is accused of groping, embattled Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill vowed through his legal team Tuesday to stay in office. A special prosecutor Tuesday declined to criminally charge Hill but said the AG admitted he consumed a significant amount of alcohol and touched his accusers the night of the alleged incidents.
No charges against AG Hill, but lawmaker, victims to sue
While a special prosecutor Tuesday morning said he would file no criminal charges against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill on allegations he groped four women, the prosecutor said Hill admitted that he consumed a significant amount of alcohol and admitted to touching the alleged victims, who said Tuesday they intend to sue Hill and the state.
Indiana child welfare agency to spend $22M on raises
The Indiana Department of Child Services is spending $22 million on raises for staff as part of an effort to improve the agency that’s seen rising caseloads and internal battles. The raises will take effect Wednesday for more than 3,600 employees, or about 87 percent of the agency’s staff.
New COA judge Tavitas honored as ‘true public servant’ at robing ceremony
There are many adjectives friends and colleagues used to describe Elizabeth Tavitas, the newest Indiana Court of Appeals judge, when they gathered to celebrate her ceremonial robing on Monday. But as each speaker described their unique experiences with Tavitas, there was a common theme running through each set of remarks: service.
Holcomb’s office ordered to hand over Pence Carrier emails
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration has 30 days to turnover emails that passed between former Gov. Mike Pence, the Trump Organization and Carrier Corp. related to the negotiations that led then newly elected President Donald Trump to take credit for saving the Indianapolis plant from closing.
COA to host Tavitas robing ceremony next week
Newest Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth F. Tavitas will be ceremonially sworn into office next week when the court hosts a public robing ceremony.
House speaker: Top GOP lawmaker in critical condition
Indiana’s House speaker said Thursday a top-ranking Republican lawmaker is in critical condition after a motorcycle accident in Michigan. Rep. Tim Brown had been placed in a medically induced coma after the crash.