Democrats’ win in Wisconsin court race also is a big loss for Elon Musk
Musk and his affiliated groups sunk $21 million into flipping the Wisconsin Supreme Court to conservative control, only to see his candidate defeated by 10 percentage points
Politics
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Advocates ask U.S. Supreme Court to review Indiana absentee voting laws
Hoosiers who unsuccessfully pushed for no-excuse absentee voting in Indiana during the 2020 election are turning to the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming the constitutional arguments they raised will become even more pertinent as some state legislatures are already trying to restrict mail-in balloting.
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Taft builds new lobby group with Ice Miller transplants
Taft Stettinius & Hollister is making a big push into public affairs and lobbying in both Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., and has nabbed seven attorneys and nonlawyer professionals — including several big names in Indiana politics — from rival Ice Miller to do it.
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Taft builds new lobby group with Ice Miller transplants
Taft Stettinius & Hollister is making a big push into public affairs and lobbying in both Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., and has nabbed seven attorneys and non-lawyer professionals — including several big names in Indiana politics — from rival Ice Miller to do it.
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Lawmakers reject no-excuse absentee voting, other election amendments
At least 13 bills dealing with election and voting have been introduced into the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly, but only three have received a hearing and none are addressing calls by Democrats for expanded absentee voting and easier access to early voting.
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Articles
Bill creating transparency measures for Indiana economic development agency heads to House floor
Critics of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., which receives hundreds of millions in tax dollars each year, have wondered whether the agency has been transparent and fiscally responsible enough.
Indiana Senate committee advances marijuana billboard advertising ban
Lawmakers said they’d be open to expanding the prohibition to other forms of advertising, too.
Trump signs executive order requiring proof of citizenship in federal elections
The order says the U.S. has failed “to enforce basic and necessary election protections” and calls on states to work with federal agencies to share voter lists and prosecute election crimes.
Senate committee advances hospital price bill, but expects more changes
Members of the Indiana Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services agreed with the need to address the high cost of health care. But they often disagreed with the approach of House Bill 1004.
Fair housing groups sue over DOGE cuts that hit Indianapolis nonprofit
The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, which says it lost an estimated $30,000 in federal funding, could soon be represented by a lawsuit filed in Massachusetts.
Indiana Democrats elect Karen Tallian as party chair
The state party’s central committee favored her over Destiny Wells by a vote of 18-14.
Trump’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports go into effect
While President Trump’s tariffs could help steel and aluminum plants in the United States, they could raise prices for the manufacturers that use the metals as raw materials.
House passes bill to fund federal agencies through September
The measure moves to the Senate, where bipartisan support will be needed to get it over the finish line.
Indiana elections chief joins call for federal upgrades to root out noncitizen voting
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales has joined 20 others in asking new Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for changes to a federal citizenship verification service—including that it be free to use.
Trump administration plans 15% cut to VA workforce
VA is among the largest employers of federal workers, with most employed operating its network of hospitals around the country, according to Pew Research Center.
Braun executive orders seek to limit misuse of unemployment benefits
For eligible Hoosiers on unemployment, Gov. Mike Braun said he wants the state’s unemployment program to provide more job assistance support and become a “springboard” for opportunity.
Call to amend congressional term limits into Constitution gains ground in Indiana
Last year, the Indiana House passed a resolution but it didn’t get a Senate hearing. This year, the Senate has jumped into the fray, passing a resolution despite bipartisan opposition.
LEAP spending nears $1B with projected budget shielded, investigation finds
The LEAP Research and Innovation District, led by the Indiana Economic Development Corp., is among the costliest economic development projects Indiana has attempted. But the agency’s structure obscures its spending and who benefits.
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.
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.
Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0
The former vice president’s refusal to break with Trump defined their time together in office until the two had a falling out over Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election.
Opposition brings likely end to Indiana utility siting bill, but the issue isn’t going away
A key lawmaker called the bill a response to ongoing resistance of local governments to greenlight solar, wind and other renewables projects that are necessary to support the state’s growing energy demands.