County jails on the hook as state stops paying prisoner costs
County jails haven’t received payments in months, and there are still four months left in the July-to-June fiscal year.
Indiana Capital Chronicle
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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.
Illinois secession bill passes first hurdle
Republican House Speaker Todd Huston’s proposal would create a commission tasked with exploring the secession and transfer of certain Illinois counties to Indiana.
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.
Gov. Mike Braun joins Indiana locals in long-held opposition against proposed forest project
A recent letter penned by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun urged federal officials to “immediately withdraw” a controversial plan to log and burn nearly 20,000 acres of The Hoosier National Forest.
iGaming legislation for Hoosier Lottery, casinos dead for session
A push to legalize online lottery and casino games won’t move forward this legislative session, Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston confirmed Thursday.
Lawmakers move THC test threshold for impaired driving
Marijuana, and the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels that make someone feel high, is legal for recreational purposes in three of Indiana’s four neighboring states. But figuring out when someone is too high to drive has proven to be a difficult task.
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.
Indiana Senate approves education measures, narrowly OKs carbon storage measure
Indiana’s Senate on Tuesday approved a trio of education measures – on supplemental teacher pay, sexual education materials and chaplain-counselors – largely along party lines. Then, the chamber nearly split on bulked-up carbon storage regulations.
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.
Senate lawmakers scale back Braun’s ambitious property tax proposal in heavily amended bill
The Indiana Legislature’s fiscal policy leaders heavily cut down a bill carrying Gov. Mike Braun’s ambitious property tax plan Tuesday morning.
Federal judge blocks ‘catastrophic’ Trump administration cut to NIH grant funding
A federal judge on Monday prevented the National Institutes of Health from changing the percentage that universities and medical schools are paid in facilities and administrative costs in 22 states that filed a lawsuit, blocking a decision that was rebuked by academic institutions throughout the country and members of Congress.
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.
Indiana House approves cremation alternative
Indiana’s House of Representatives on Thursday approved a water-based cremation alternative despite religious pushback.
Hoosiers rally at Statehouse to protest Trump administration
President Trump’s flurry of executive orders on immigration, transgender athletes and soldiers and more spurred organized protests at state capitols across the country.
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%.