Senate unanimously passes massive coronavirus aid plan
The Senate passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Indiana Election Commission expands vote-by-mail options
Casting a ballot by mail will now be an option for all Indiana registered voters in the upcoming primary election. The Indiana Election Commission on Wednesday morning voted to make that change, along with approving several other updates to reflect the new June 2 primary election date.
Hill again urges dismissal of groping-related attorney discipline case
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is continuing his fight to have his lawyer discipline case dismissed, writing in a brief to the Indiana Supreme Court that if he must be sanctioned, it should be no more than a reprimand. Hill is also drawing on the recent discipline of three Indiana judges involved in a downtown Indianapolis shooting to argue that the recommended discipline against him is unfair.
Indiana legislators pass bill seeking to deregulate wetlands
Indiana’s protections for certain wetlands would end under legislation state lawmakers approved in the waning hours of their session, even though the state’s own environmental agency joined environmentalists in opposing the measure.
Bill that outlined requirement for ousting AG dies in last night of session
Despite a push from Indiana House lawmakers to clarify in state code whether Attorney General Curtis Hill could remain in office if his law license is suspended, state legislators failed to pass a bill before adjourning this year’s session Wednesday night.
Legislation aimed at reducing health care costs passes, but impact could be weak
Despite lengthy debates on reducing health care costs this year, Indiana lawmakers eliminated the provision business leaders said was likely to have the most impact.
Legislature passes controversial bill to block new Indy landlord-tenant rules
Tenant protections that the city of Indianapolis put in place just weeks ago are set to be overruled by state legislation that passed both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly on Wednesday.
Committee strips language that could remove AG Hill from office if suspended
A legislative amendment that would have disqualified from office an attorney general or candidate whose law license was suspended for 30 days or more has been stripped of key language removing disciplined AGs from office.
AG Hill: State agencies can’t use nonbinary gender marker
Indiana agencies are not allowed to use an “X” gender designation on identification documents for residents who don’t identify as male or female, the state attorney general said.
Court: House entitled to see Mueller probe grand jury testimony
The Justice Department must give Congress secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday, giving the House a significant win in a separation-of-powers clash with the Trump administration.
Bill to effectively ban panhandling in Indianapolis passes both chambers
Indiana lawmakers have taken steps to significantly expand the definition of panhandling in a measure that effectively bans the activity throughout downtown Indianapolis.
Indiana House sees leadership change as session nears end
The top leadership position in the Indiana House changed hands Monday for the first time in a decade in an unusual transition just as this year’s legislative session is about to wrap up.
Ex-South Bend officer justified in black man’s killing
A special prosecutor announced Friday that a white former South Bend police officer was justified in the fatal shooting of an African American man last summer and that he won’t be charged in the killing that roiled then-Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign.
Schumer: I ‘should not have used’ critical words on justices
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he “should not have used the words I used” when he declared at a rally in front of the Supreme Court that two justices would “pay the price” for their decision in an abortion case.
Indiana governor backs path for forcing out attorney general
Indiana’s governor is endorsing a proposal that could force the state’s attorney general from office if his law license is suspended over allegations he drunkenly groped a state legislator and three other women.
Justices OK state charges for immigrants who use fake IDs
The Supreme Court made it easier Tuesday for states to prosecute immigrants who use fake Social Security numbers to get a job. The issue for the court was whether states could pursue the immigrants in court or had to leave those choices to the federal government, which typically has authority over immigration.
Roberts chides Schumer for ‘dangerous’ remarks on 2 justices
Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday criticized as “inappropriate” and “dangerous” comments that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer made outside the Supreme Court earlier in the day about Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
Supreme Court divided in 1st big abortion case of Trump era
A seemingly divided Supreme Court struggled Wednesday with its first major abortion case of the Trump era, leaving Chief Justice John Roberts as the likely deciding vote.
Indiana lawmakers back dropping tests in teacher evaluations
Indiana legislators have voted to end the mandatory use of student standardized test results in teacher evaluations, dropping a requirement long opposed by teachers.
AG Hill’s ethical, political limbo leaves leaders guessing
The only thing certain in the discipline case against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is uncertainty. That’s the consensus of legislative and political leaders responding to the recommendation that the Republican AG serve a 60-day suspension without automatic reinstatement.