2022 in review: Honorable mentions
While the “top stories” of each year are usually easy to define, there are always other stories that, while perhaps not as high-profile, are equally as important to our readers.
Indiana General Assembly
Articles
Lawmakers, state leaders on tap for LegCon
Policymakers, leaders in state government and other influential voices in the Hoosier State will gather at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on Friday for the 31st annual Dentons Legislative Conference.
‘Blanket’ refusal, blanket solution? ‘Noncompliant prosecutor’ bills likely returning in 2023 session
At the conclusion of the 60-minute meeting at the Indiana Statehouse, members of the Prosecutorial Oversight Task Force reached no consensus on how to handle prosecutors who “blanketly” refuse to prosecute certain crimes.
Statehouse basement renovations approach $600k
Indiana paid nearly $600,000 to remodel and reconfigure several committee rooms on the state capitol building’s first floor. The renovations took place after last year’s legislative session.
Indiana lawmakers return ahead of new state budget debate
Indiana lawmakers returned to the Statehouse on Tuesday, fresh off Republican election victories that maintained the party’s dominance of the Legislature and facing a possible list of expensive proposals from GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Indiana Chamber, state lawmakers lay out legislative priorities
Lowering health care costs, improving child care access, attracting and retaining talented employees, and creating a state energy plan are among the top priorities of business leaders as Indiana lawmakers prepare to return to the Statehouse next year.
Share of women in Indiana legislative chambers hits record high
The number of women holding an elected legislative office at the Indiana Statehouse hit a record high of 40 following the outcomes of last week’s elections.
Lawmakers: Giving AG power over prosecutors ‘least preferred’ route in dispute
A bipartisan group of lawmakers and justice system leaders that assembled on Thursday to consider how best to address county prosecutors with “blanket” nonprosecution policies agreed that handing authority to Indiana’s attorney general isn’t the route to go.
Indiana GOP adds to supermajorities, reelects chamber leadership
Indiana Senate Republicans picked up a seat while the House GOP appears to have improved its advantage pending final tallies in Tuesday’s General Election — a red victory that strengthened supermajorities and led to reelection of leadership in both chambers.
Indiana GOP keeps Legislature control amid abortion debate
Indiana’s Republican legislators didn’t pay a political price for enacting a state abortion ban despite Democrats trying to capitalize on anger among voters who support abortion rights.
Task force recommends crackdown on bad landlords, more funding to ease housing woes
An interim study committee examining solutions to Indiana’s housing crisis has approved a lengthy list of recommendations for future legislation.
Indiana Democrats pin legislative gains on abortion debate
Even before Republican legislators this summer made Indiana the first state to pass an abortion ban since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats started urging angry voters to take their revenge at the ballot box.
Can Democrats put dent in Indiana GOP’s legislative supermajority?
Indiana Democrats would like to puncture the GOP’s overwhelmingly dominating grip in the Nov. 8 election, but that will be a tall order.
Lawmakers recommend lessening HIV criminal penalties
A group of lawmakers on Tuesday recommended that the Indiana General Assembly develop legislation lessening criminal penalties specific to the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, as well as to help psychiatric patients ready for release.
Lawmakers eye next budget session with $5B in reserves
Indiana’s revenues continue to outperform projections, bolstering swollen coffers as stakeholders prepare to draft the 2023 budget amid ongoing inflation and economic concerns.
Indiana legislators hear testimony for, against legalizing marijuana
Lawmakers considered the advantages and shortcomings of legalizing certain cannabinoids Tuesday, potentially as a precursor to legalizing the plant itself for recreational use.
First day of new abortion law brings diverse reactions
With Indiana’s new abortion ban in effect starting today, the state’s Democratic senators, representatives and candidates spent the day decrying the law passed by the Legislature earlier this summer while Republicans remained mostly quiet.
Web Exclusive: Recent COA opinions prompt more questions for future of marijuana laws in Indiana
While debates over the legalization of marijuana are nothing new, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has given the Indiana Legislature’s Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services a new wrinkle.
In Indiana, a shifting abortion landscape without clinics
Starting Sept. 15, abortion clinics in Indiana will be prohibited from providing any abortion care, leaving such services solely to hospitals or outpatient surgical centers owned by hospitals.
Study committee weighs HIV laws, funding for mental health in Indiana
Lawmakers and other stakeholders on Tuesday discussed possible changes to Indiana laws concerning HIV-specific criminal penalties and sentence enhancements.