Theft of public funds bill awaits Holcomb’s signature
Communities seeking restitution from public servants who personally profited from taxpayer dollars might have a new way to recoup stolen funds.
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Indiana Senate OKs second-trimester abortion procedure ban
The Indiana Senate has approved legislation that would largely ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure — a proposal that if signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb faces a certain challenge in federal court.
IU profs contribute to ruling upholding short-term rental regulation
With the help of an amicus brief from several professors — including two from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business — Santa Monica, California successfully urged the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold its local regulation of short-term rental properties offered through websites such as Airbnb.
Report: Holcomb got private flights from casino magnate
A newspaper reported that a casino magnate treated Gov. Eric Holcomb to two private jet flights last year and made big donations to Holcomb’s largest 2016 campaign donor while he was pushing for changes to Indiana law that would benefit his business.
Nonprofit denied abortion clinic challenging licensing rules
A nonprofit group stymied in its 18-month bid to open a South Bend abortion clinic is seeking a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order blocking Indiana’s rules licensing such operations.
High court questions judiciary’s role in partisan redistricting
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority sounded wary Tuesday of allowing federal judges to determine when electoral maps are too partisan, despite strong evidence that the political parties drew districts to guarantee congressional election outcomes.
Supreme Court tosses $315M award in USS Cole lawsuit
The Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out a nearly $315 million judgment against Sudan stemming from the USS Cole bombing, saying Sudan hadn’t properly been notified of the lawsuit.
Indiana House advances hate crimes bill that has mixed support
The Indiana House on Tuesday approved a hate crimes bill that is receiving mixed support from the business community, with nine Republicans joining all of the Democrats who voted against the measure.
Bill in response to Noblesville school shooting stalls amid concerns
A bill that would lower to 12 the age a juvenile charged with attempted murder could be tried as an adult has stalled in a House committee and does not have strong support from the chair, who is also a sponsor of the measure.
House Republicans endorse hate crimes language that pleases governor, but not biz groups
Indiana House Republicans approved hate crimes language Monday that references a list of victims against whom crimes could qualify for harsher penalties — a move lauded by Gov. Eric Holcomb but criticized by two coalitions of businesses and not-for-profits seeking a broader list.
A more skeptical high court to hear redistricting challenge
Last year, proponents of limiting partisan politics in the creation of electoral districts needed to win over Justice Anthony Kennedy. They couldn’t.
Mueller finds no Trump collusion, leaves obstruction open
Special counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence President Donald Trump’s campaign “conspired or coordinated” with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election but reached no conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. That brought a hearty claim of vindication from Trump but set the stage for new rounds of political and legal fighting.
Waiting for the final Mueller report and what happens next
America is waiting for special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. But anyone looking for a grand narrative on President Donald Trump, Russian election interference and all the juicy details uncovered over the past 22 months could end up disappointed.
Marijuana legalization elsewhere leaves Hoosier employers dazed
For the small-business owners who arrived at the Indiana Statehouse March 6 to spend the day speaking with lawmakers, issues such as taxes, tariffs and finding qualified workers were more important than marijuana.
Indiana moves toward expanding religious objection to abortion
Indiana lawmakers are moving closer to allowing nurses, physician assistants and pharmacists to object on religious or other grounds to having any role in an abortion. The Indiana House voted 69-25 on Thursday in favor of the legislation, which would expand the statute for medical professionals who don’t want to perform an abortion or participate in any procedure that results in an abortion.
Indiana legal community remembers Birch Bayh
Former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, a legend in Indiana politics who authored two amendments to the U.S. Constitution, has died at age 91. Bayh died Thursday morning of pneumonia, according to a statement from his family.
Manafort gets 47 months; Trump feels ‘very badly’ for ex-campaign chair
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, much less than what was called for under federal sentencing guidelines.
As marijuana bills die, hemp legislation raises concerns
Despite previous optimism among pro-marijuana lawmakers for the issue to have a higher chance of success during the 2019 legislative session, numerous-marijuana related bills faltered, most not even receiving a hearing in committee to move forward before the deadline for bills to be approved had passed.
Attorney general won’t recuse from overseeing Mueller probe
Attorney General William Barr will not recuse himself from overseeing the special counsel’s Russia probe after consulting with senior ethics officials, the Justice Department said Monday.
Indiana lawmakers have 400 bills at session’s halfway mark
Indiana lawmakers are entering the second half of the legislative session with more than 400 bills still alive, covering issues including teacher pay, gambling and hate crimes.