Government - The Indiana Lawyer

Holcomb opts in to accepting refugees

December 23, 2019 | Lindsey Erdody and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Gov. Eric Holcomb is giving the green light for federal officials to continue placing refugees in Indiana, following in the footsteps of a growing group of both Democratic and Republican governors who are opting in to the federal program. The move comes after President Donald Trump issued an executive order in September that, for the first time, required states and local government to provide written consent to continue to receive even a handful of the 26 million refugees worldwide.

Inside impeachment: How an ‘urgent’ tip became ‘high crimes’

December 23, 2019 | Associated Press

By the time lawmakers streamed into the House chamber last Wednesday to vote on impeachment for just the third time in American history, each side was more hardened in its belief that it was in the right. This account of how they got there is based on interviews with 21 people directly involved in the matter.

State expecting to bring in more revenue than previously estimated

December 20, 2019 | Lindsey Erdody and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

The state is expecting an additional $531 million in revenue over the next biennium, according to a forecast released Friday. The revenue forecast shared with the State Budget Committee predicted an increase of $239 million and $292 million in 2020 and 2021, respectively, from the previous forecast released in April.

McConnell rejects Dem push on impeachment trial witnesses

December 17, 2019 | Associated Press

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is rejecting the Democrats’ push for fresh impeachment testimony against President Donald Trump and making a last-ditch plea for them to “turn back from the cliff” of Wednesday’s expected vote to send the case to the Senate for trial.

Report: 5th straight year with under 30 executions in US

December 17, 2019 | Associated Press

Fewer than 30 people were executed in the United States and under 50 new death sentences were imposed for the fifth straight year, part of a continuing decline in capital punishment that saw only a few states carry out executions, a new report issued Tuesday said.

Bolstering impeachment case, Dems say Trump betrayed nation

December 16, 2019 | Associated Press

Bolstering its case for impeaching President Donald Trump, a House panel released a lengthy report Monday detailing its rationale for the charges and accusing Trump of betraying the nation for his own political gain.

Indiana resisting marijuana trend of neighboring states

December 16, 2019 | Associated Press and IL Staff

Indiana’s Republican Statehouse leaders are firmly against taking any steps toward following neighboring states in legalizing marijuana use during the upcoming legislative session. But they might not be able to avoid talking about it during the 2020 election campaign.

House gets 2 Trump impeachment charges after Judiciary vote

December 13, 2019 | Associated Press

Impeachment charges against President Donald Trump went to the full House on Friday, following approval by the House Judiciary Committee. The vote in the House panel was split along party lines, with 23 Democrats voting in favor and 17 Republicans opposed.

Newspaper report questions spending by AG’s office under Hill

December 13, 2019 | IL Staff

A newspaper investigation has exposed questionable spending of taxpayer money by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office under embattled Republican officeholder Curtis Hill.

Ex-Evansville mayor enters Indiana attorney general race

December 11, 2019 | Associated Press and IL Staff

A former mayor of Evansville is the second Democrat seeking to unseat embattled Republican Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, setting up potential convention fights for the nomination next year in both political parties.

Uhl and Bose: Domino’s effect: SCOTUS skips clarifying ADA web access

December 11, 2019

Businesses are increasingly facing lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding whether their websites are accessible to persons with disabilities. Recently, the United States Supreme Court declined an opportunity to address the law applicable to such claims, leaving businesses with little clarity as to what potential exposure they face.

Teacher pay, health care costs to feature in 2020 legislative debate

December 5, 2019 | Olivia Covington

With the start of the 2020 legislative session about a month away, party leaders are formulating their plans for the short session, with teacher pay continuing to be a point of contention.

Across Capitol Hill, impeachment saga shifts

December 5, 2019 | Associated Press

A different chairman. A committee twice the size. A shift from evidence to law. Wednesday’s Judiciary Committee hearing was full of signs that the impeachment of President Donald Trump is advancing away from the drama of his Ukraine conduct toward the grave business of approving charges against him.

Holcomb, labor officials insist Amazon death investigation handled properly

December 4, 2019 | Lindsey Erdody and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Labor insist that the investigation into an Amazon employee’s death in 2017 was handled appropriately, even though the safety violations that were initially issued were eventually dismissed. Reveal, part of the not-for-profit Center for Investigative Reporting, recently highlighted the investigation as part of a report on […]

Roberts seems to hold key to case over New York City gun law

December 3, 2019 | Associated Press

Chief Justice John Roberts appeared Monday to be the key vote in whether the Supreme Court considers expanding gun rights or sidesteps its first case on the issue in nearly 10 years.

Republicans tap deputy speaker to replace departing Bosma

December 3, 2019 | Lindsey Erdody and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff and IL Staff

Indiana House Republicans selected Fishers Rep. Todd Huston on Monday as their choice to become speaker-elect and succeed Speaker Brian Bosma after he retires next year.

Indiana residents speak out on proposed BMV gender rule

December 2, 2019 | Associated Press

Indiana residents spoke out at a hearing about a proposed rule regarding a policy that allows residents who do not identify as male or female to choose a nonbinary option on driver’s licenses. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ new rule would require nonbinary applicants to go through the Indiana State Department of Health to change gender on licenses and identification cards.

Huston elected Indiana House speaker successor

December 2, 2019 | Associated Press

Republican legislators have selected State Rep. Todd Huston as their pick to become the next leader of the Indiana House. Huston won Monday’s private vote that was held two weeks after longtime House Speaker Brian Bosma announced he would retire after the 2020 legislative session.

Hoosiers active and engaged but avoiding ballot box

November 27, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

Data from the US Census Current Population Survey shows Indiana residents are among the most active in their communities and most engaged politically in the country. However, going to the voting booth and casting a ballot are different matters.

Creating more Hoosier voters by offering one-stop resource

November 27, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

Bill Moreau describes himself as a “’born-again idealist.” The partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP has long been active in public service, and he now wants to boost Indiana’s voter registration and turnout, both of which have slumped below the national average for decades.

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