Prominent Republicans back ‘safe and regulated’ marijuana legalization group
A Republican-backed group pushing Indiana’s lawmakers to “adopt safe and regulated” marijuana policies launched on Wednesday.
Indiana Capital Chronicle
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Democrat women push state party to act on sexual harassment allegations
Forty Democrat women sent a scathing letter Wednesday calling on Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl to take action following another case of sexual harassment allegations.
Indiana’s HIV criminalization laws are ‘outdated,’ report says
Indiana laws criminalizing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission are “outdated” and largely unnecessary, asserts a report from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.
Tax collections lag, bringing revenues below projections
Indiana’s revenues are down as tax collections continue to lag behind estimates, according to November’s state revenue report. Projections are based on analysis from December 2023 and due for an update next month.
Indiana Senate Democrats retain leader despite sexual harassment allegations
The Indiana Senate Democratic caucus on Monday reelected its leader, Sen. Greg Taylor of Indianapolis — just hours after the Indianapolis Star reported three woman have accused Taylor of sexual harassment.
EDC head David Rosenberg withdraws ‘premature’ conflict of interest ask
Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg withdrew his request to waive job change conflict-of-interest requirements midway through a State Ethics Commission meeting Thursday. A spokeswoman for his agency acknowledged the commission found his ask “premature” in comments to the Capital Chronicle.
Corcoran attorneys seek stay of execution on basis of mental illness
Attorneys for convicted murderer Joseph Corcoran on Friday filed for a stay of execution, arguing it’s cruel and unusual punishment to execute someone who is seriously mentally ill.
Braun taps 12 transition councils to evaluate key areas
Gov.-elect Mike Braun on Wednesday announced the formation of 12 transition councils to guide state agency reviews and policy development across Indiana’s government.
SCOTUS denies legal challenge of Indiana’s ballot access law
John Rust’s legal challenge over Indiana’s party affiliation statute is officially over. In June, he appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States — seeking review of the Indiana Supreme Court’s split decision that stymied his candidacy to run for U.S. Senate as a Republican this year.
Attorney general, adult websites clash in age verification lawsuit
Eleven adult content companies and a trade organization say the state of Indiana’s discovery requests in an age verification lawsuit are “invasive” and “harassing”—prompting Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office to dismiss the allegations of overreach as “outlandish.”
Indiana Republicans reelect legislative leadership following Election Day victories
Indiana Senate Republicans re-elected Sen. Rodric Bray of Martinsville as Senate president pro tempore. Separately, Indiana House Republicans stuck with Rep. Todd Huston of Fishers to serve a second full term as speaker.
Democrat spending on legislative races pales in comparison to Republicans
Republicans are pouring financial resources into a handful of legislative races around the state, recognizing potentially tight margins with an aim to protect the party’s supermajority hold in the General Assembly.
Indiana Supreme Court case mulls whether counties can strip health insurance from elected officials
Are elected officials entitled to health insurance regardless of the number of hours they work? That question is before the Indiana Supreme Court, who heard arguments in a Perry County case Thursday that could have statewide implications for local officials.
Indiana inspector general dismisses group’s ethics complaint against state elections chief
Indiana Inspector General David Cook has dismissed an ethics complaint lodged by the League of Women Voters in Indiana against Secretary of State Diego Morales—but suggested the group go to lawmakers to seek changes.
Indiana officials unveil new scenario-based training village at state law enforcement academy
The new, $70 million addition to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy provides a scenario-based training village that includes a mock liquor store and jail.
Voter enthusiasm drives up wait times at early voting sites
While it’s too early to know if this year’s turnout will eclipse previous years, Indiana traditionally has one of the worst turnout rates in the country.
Two of Indiana’s three U.S. Senate candidates take debate stage—not Jim Banks
A U.S. Senate debate attended Tuesday evening by two of three Indiana candidates covered inflation, health care, foreign affairs and more, but Republican frontrunner Jim Banks was notably absent.
Prosecutors, defenders ask for pension upgrades to aid recruitment, retention
The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council’s Chris Daniels said prosecutors struggle to keep their deputies because of low pay, unlimited caseloads and “emotionally heavy and stressful” subject matter.
Indiana death row inmate Joseph Corcoran files to reopen appeal window
Corcoran’s public defender, Amy Karozos, maintains that her client “was and continues to be severely mentally ill.” In the early 2000s, when the time was still ripe for Corcoran to initiate post-conviction review, he refused to sign the post-conviction petition, Karozos said.
Braun fends off fiery jabs from McCormick, Rainwater at gubernatorial debate
Democrat Jennifer McCormick tied Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Braun to the ultraconservative views of his running mate, Micah Beckwith, a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist.