Indiana Black Caucus pushes for more police accountability
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus on Thursday called for state lawmakers to increase accountability and transparency for the state’s police officers.
Indiana General Assembly
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Holcomb backs delay to possible Indiana school funding cuts
Indiana’s public schools would be assured of full state funding for the rest of this year under a plan announced by the governor Wednesday to sidestep a warning from a top fellow Republican that schools could face a 15% cut if they didn’t hold in-person classes.
State officials pressured to set school-shutdown benchmarks
With at least 31 positive cases of the coronavirus reported in Indiana schools since buildings began reopening in late July, district leaders, teachers and parents are pressuring state officials to identify benchmarks for what would require schools to go back online as confirmed cases of the virus increase.
Rape convictions affirmed but probation condition ruled unconstitutional
An appeals court Monday upheld an aggregate 24-year sentence for a man convicted of three counts of rape, but it also found a condition of probation that barred him from visiting “businesses that sell sexual devices or aids” was unconstitutionally broad.
Ex-fertility doctor who used own sperm must face civil lawsuit, COA affirms
A former Indianapolis fertility doctor who used his own sperm to impregnate dozens of women through artificial insemination must face a negligence complaint brought against him by the son of one of his patients, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Wednesday.
Weinzapfel calls out Rokita for ‘purposely muddled’ response to mask mandate
Controversy over Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s statewide mask mandate has spilled over into the race for attorney general, with Democratic candidate Jonathan Weinzapfel accusing Republican candidateTodd Rokita of purposefully declining to stand with the governor.
Holcomb says he remains confident he can impose mask mandate, despite AG’s opinion otherwise
Gov. Eric Holcomb said Thursday he is confident he has the legal authority to impose a statewide mask mandate, telling reporters after an event in Lafayette that “we do our research before we speak.” His comments came after fellow Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill issued an opinion saying Holcomb lacked the authority to enforce a mask order.
Two senators who asked for AG opinion say they won’t sue to stop Holcomb’s mask mandate
Two of the state senators who asked the attorney general for a legal opinion about whether Gov. Eric Holcomb has the authority to enforce a statewide mask mandate say they do not plan to file a lawsuit to challenge the measure.
AG Hill: Holcomb has no authority to enforce statewide mask mandate
Gov. Eric Holcomb lacks the authority to enforce the statewide mask mandate he announced on Wednesday and should call a special session if he wants to implement the requirement, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill said late Wednesday.
Appellate panel affirms IURC jurisdiction over Muncie sewer dispute
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission did not overstep its bounds when it granted a municipal sewer company exclusive license to do business in unincorporated areas near Muncie, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, finding Indiana Code gave the IURC jurisdiction in the Delaware County dispute.
7th Circuit snuffs out injunction on state smokable hemp law
An injunction prohibiting the state government from prosecuting certain uses of smokable hemp has been lifted after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the prohibition was overbroad. But when the smoke clears, the appellate panel said a revised injunction may still be appropriate.
Indiana Democrats call for special legislative session
Legislative Democrats want Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to bring the General Assembly back in a special session as concerns over racial injustice and rising coronavirus cases have created what they say is an immediate need for legislators to reconvene.
Virus downturn knocks Indiana surplus down $850 million
Plunging tax collections caused by the coronavirus pandemic have delivered an $850 million hit to Indiana’s state budget reserves, and a top state official said Thursday he anticipates possibly steep spending cuts in the coming years.
Bosma stepping down early, after 34 years as state lawmaker
Former Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said he plans to leave the Legislature at the end of the month — five months before his term expires.
Officer’s actions toward Black Indiana senator under review
Indiana State Police are reviewing allegations that a white Capitol Police officer reached for his handgun while confronting a Black state senator inside the Statehouse over the weekend, an agency spokesman said Tuesday.
Voting hours lawsuit highlights change in tactics for Common Cause
In its latest lawsuit seeking to overturn an amended state law that limits the extension of voting hours on Election Day, Common Cause Indiana said it is again having to go to court to fight voter suppression efforts that have increased since Republican supermajorities took control of both chambers of the Statehouse.
7th Circuit snuffs out injunction on Indiana smokable hemp law
An injunction prohibiting the state government from prosecuting certain uses of smokable hemp has been lifted after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the prohibition was overbroad. But when the smoke clears, the appellate panel said a revised injunction may still be appropriate.
Court strikes Indiana ‘abortion complications’ reporting law
A federal judge has struck down another Indiana abortion law as unconstitutional, continuing a years-long streak of court action against Hoosier abortion legislation. However, the state also secured a victory when the same judge upheld a requirement that abortion clinics be inspected annually.
Lawsuit challenges Indiana limits on voting site extensions
An Indiana law violates the U.S. Constitution by blocking voters and candidates from asking courts to keep polling places open longer because of Election Day troubles, a voting rights group argued in a lawsuit filed Thursday.
Web Exclusive: Legislative study panels may be remote; emergency planning is focus
Changes could be coming to the way Indiana legislators convene this summer, as teleconferencing and virtual meetings become more commonplace in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.