Quieter year expected for Indiana health care bills
The Chair of the Indiana Senate Health and Provider Services Committee doesn’t expect the same big health care legislation that was produced in 2023 in the upcoming legislative session.
Indiana General Assembly
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Zent latest state lawmaker to announce departure from General Assembly
State Rep. Denny Zent of Angola has announced his intention to retire following the conclusion of his current term, becoming the second GOP state representative this month to do so.
Early learning committee recommends new child care standards
The Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) voted Wednesday to advance a new set of standards for evaluating child care centers around the state, with an anticipated three-year rollout starting in 2024.
State Rep. Randy Lyness says he will retire after current term and won’t seek reelection in 2024
State Rep. Randy Lyness, a West Harrison Republican, announced his intention to retire from the Indiana House after eight years, becoming the latest Republican legislator to forgo reelection in the next cycle.
Safe storage bill sees revival following surge in youth gun shootings
The unprecedented surge in youth gun violence has left leaders scrambling for answers but one particular common factor prompted a Democratic lawmaker to revive a failed attempt to promote safe firearm storage and penalize adults who fail to do so with children at home.
Expect a tamer legislative session in 2024
Republican leaders in the Indiana General Assembly say not to expect the same level of heated debate in the 2024 legislative session as there was in recent sessions. Instead, look for lawmakers to “tweak” and “fine-tune” existing laws.
Holcomb defends LEAP pipeline, prepares for last legislative session
Gov. Eric Holcomb defended the timeline process for a water pipeline from Tippecanoe County to Boone County for a massive, high-tech development grounded by a multibillion-dollar investment from Eli Lilly.
With gambling legislation on pause, some push for reform
The leaders of the Statehouse’s dual Republican supermajorities have been clear: after recent gambling industry scandals involving former lawmakers, next year’s legislative session will include no expansion.
Committee provides updates on Medicaid programs for aging, maternal health
An estimated 130,000 Hoosiers over the age of 60 using Medicaid will receive notices in early 2024 advising them to choose a Managed Care Entity (MCE) to coordinate their health coverage under the state’s Pathways for Aging program.
Indiana teachers union presses reticent state lawmakers to reopen budget in 2024 session
Indiana’s largest teacher’s union is calling for better collective bargaining, increased pay for support staff and more say over curriculum in the upcoming legislative session.
Former Indiana lawmaker Eberhart pleads guilty to role in casino conspiracy
Sean Eberhart, a former state representative from Shelbyville, has pleaded guilty in connection with a conspiracy in which he agreed to advocate for legislation in exchange for a lucrative position at a casino.
Lawmakers to revisit reading proficiency, holding back third-graders
Too many Hoosier third-graders can’t read at an appropriate skill level — and some shouldn’t be going on to fourth grade, Indiana lawmakers said Tuesday during the ceremonial start to the legislative session.
Less ‘aggressive’ legislative session coming, Statehouse leaders say
Moderate your expectations for the next legislative session, say Indiana’s lawmaking leaders: more tweaks and fine-tuning, and fewer overhauls.
Indiana legislative committee weighs cannabis legalization but fails to make recommendations
Could Indiana be moving toward less stringent marijuana laws, or even total cannabis legalization?
Lawmakers grapple with legal, educational implications of AI
Artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize how people work, and nearly every aspect of life could be transformed — prompting lawmakers in an interim commerce committee to scrutinize the new technology and how to best regulate it.
New performance report cards go live on each Indiana school’s website, replacing A-F grades
To increase transparency around Indiana students’ education performance, new report cards issued by the state education department are now required to be posted on nearly every Hoosier school’s website.
Replacing income tax with sales tax hike would cost poor Hoosiers more, experts say
Axing Indiana’s individual income tax and replacing just half the revenue with a sales tax hike would cost the state’s poorest residents an additional $62 and hand the top 1% of earners a $30,000 tax cut, a think tank told state lawmakers Friday.
Carrasco wins caucus to finish Sandlin’s term in Indiana Senate
Former Indiana Inspector General Cyndi Carrasco was selected overwhelmingly by a caucus of Republican precinct committee members Wednesday to fill the remainder of the late Jack Sandlin’s term in the Indiana Senate.
State Rep. Schaibley of Carmel to retire after almost decade in office
Rep. Donna Schaibley, a Republican from Carmel, announced Thursday that she will retire after nearly 10 years in office.
Rep. Jerry Torr to retire from politics after 28 years in Indiana House
Rep. Jerry Torr, who has served in the Indiana House of Representatives since 1996, announced Tuesday that he will not run for reelection.