Senate advances new $500 child tax credit
Bill author Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, said the tax credit is one of many measures lawmakers should consider to make it easier for Hoosiers to afford to have children.
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Indiana’s public records expert steps down as new law shapes office’s future
Luke Britt estimates that he wrote more than 2,000 advisory opinions in his tenure. He was appointed in 2013 by former Gov. Mike Pence and reappointed by former Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Indiana House OKs bill that could give county prosecutors less discretion
Republican lawmakers have tried for years to punish prosecutors who don’t prosecute certain crimes, such as low-level marijuana possession.
Senate kills early voting cuts, closed primary bills
Hoosier voters can currently cast ballots in person for 28 days ahead of elections. Failed legislation would have cut that timeframe to two weeks.
Gov. Mike Braun threatens to veto property tax bill, call special session if more cuts aren’t added
Senate Bill 1, which previously carried Gov. Mike Braun’s ambitious property tax relief plan, was pared down significantly in committee following outcry from local government leaders.
Some local governments are slowing spending as lawmakers debate property tax cuts
The bill would reduce property taxes—and therefore reduce local government revenue—by about $1.4 billion over three years, according to the bill’s fiscal plan.
Senate Republicans approve limiting health insurance program for Hoosiers
The bill would to impose various Medicaid restrictions like work requirements on an insurance program for moderate-income Hoosiers between the ages of 19 and 64.
Indiana panel advances Rokita-backed immigration crackdown
The measure would further loop all levels of Hoosier government into federal immigration enforcement while cracking down on the state’s employers.
Senate advances property tax relief over bipartisan opposition
Gov. Mike Braun says the amended proposal has a long way to go before it gets his signature.
Five takeaways from the House Republican state budget plan
The two-year spending plan funds many of Gov. Mike Braun’s agenda items—including additional funding for private school vouchers—but doesn’t include several state tax cuts the new governor proposed.
Panel seeks to block charities from operating like true casinos
Less than three months after Hoosier regulators busted a northern Indiana charity casino, lawmakers added anti-fraud measures to legislation loosening spending rules for charity gambling revenue.
Condoms, IUDs removed from Indiana bill seeking to expand birth control access
Republican lawmakers on Tuesday removed condoms and long-acting contraceptives from a proposed Indiana program that seeks to increase access to birth control, instead replacing those options with “fertility awareness based methods” like menstrual cycle tracking — also known as the rhythm method.
Weaver: Fix for Indiana’s police buffer law needs clearer standards
The need to protect an officer’s safety should be balanced against the rights of citizens and the media to document police work and bring attention to police abuses when they occur.
Bill to establish family recovery court fund advances out of IN House judiciary committee
A bill that would establish a state family recovery court fund is heading to the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives after unanimously passing through committee Monday.
Almost $30M spent lobbying Indiana General Assembly last year
Multi-national corporations, home-grown companies, industry groups, advocacy organizations, local government, lobbying firms and others collectively spent nearly $30 million attempting to influence Hoosier lawmakers, their family members and legislative employees last year.
Republican leaders cast doubt on new state tax relief
Despite being a top priority for new Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Republican leaders in the General Assembly seem to be taking a more cautious approach to new state tax relief in budget discussions.
Committee passes apprenticeship framework bill, strikes enrollment quota
Lawmakers this week advanced legislation that would require the state to establish a plan to develop stackable credentials for high school students—aligning with a similar effort outside the Indiana Statehouse to expand the ecosystem of apprenticeship opportunities.
Indiana lawmakers ponder requiring cameras in special ed classrooms
District administrators aren’t opposed — but only if the state foots the bill. Educators have been less receptive.
Locals, lawmakers struggle to compromise on Indiana property tax relief
Gov. Mike Braun’s proposal would cap annual increases on property taxes for all property types at 3%.
Bill to add judges in a few counties advances, but plan to cut elsewhere still unclear
The bill would add judicial officers in Elkhart, Hamilton and Vigo counties. A plan is being developed to cut judge positions in shrinking counties.