13th checks distributed to more than 160,000 public retirees
The Indiana Public Retirement System last week finished disbursing almost $60 million to more than 160,000 retired former public employees.
Legislature
Articles
ACLU files new lawsuit over SEA 202, citing policies at Purdue, IU
The ACLU of Indiana filed a new lawsuit over SEA 202, a law requiring professors to be disciplined for not fostering “a culture of free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity,” citing policies recently enacted at Purdue University and Indiana University.
U.S. District Court dismisses ACLU lawsuit over new tenure law
The U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana granted a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against the trustees of Purdue University and Indiana University over a new law requiring trustees to implement policies regarding faculty tenure.
Many of the 171 new state laws signed this year take effect July 1
Some of the initiatives are aimed at improving third-grade reading skills, increasing “intellectual diversity” at publicly funded colleges and allowing the return of happy hours at bars.
Public colleges preparing for new state law that calls for ‘intellectual diversity’
Under the new law, faculty members at public universities will be required to teach scholarly works “from a variety of political or ideological frameworks” within the faculty member’s purview of instruction.
State senator’s letter critical of hospital association casts shadow on 2025 health care discussions
Sen. Chris Garten, a Republican from Charlestown, wrote that some legislators had described the Indiana Hospital Association as “arrogant” and “disingenuous.”
DNC awards $70,000 to Indiana Democratic Party in down-ballot ‘boost’
The Indiana Democratic Party hopes to break GOP supermajorities in the Legislature. The funds will go toward hiring organizers and improving data capabilities, according to a news release.
After legislative changes earlier this year, what’s next for Indy’s downtown tax district?
Although Majority Republicans in the Indiana Legislature didn’t kill a taxing district meant to help the city of Indianapolis and the not-for-profit Downtown Indy Inc. enhance public safety, beautification and homeless services downtown, the changes they made to the law that authorized it have sent local architects of the district back to the drawing board.
Recount Commission to release some ballots impounded in contested races
The Indiana Recount Commission is moving forward with two recounts in state legislative races despite large margins of victory.
Softer federal stance on marijuana could boost legalization efforts in Indiana
With the federal government’s recent announcement that it intends to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug with potential medical benefits, some advocates wonder if that could be the game changer that opens the floodgates for legalization in Indiana’s 2025 legislative session.
Lawmakers to examine AI, Medicaid costs and more over interim
When Indiana lawmakers next converge upon the Statehouse for interim committee meetings, they’ll take on artificial intelligence (AI), Medicaid spending and more — but won’t take another look at marijuana.
State Rep. Rita Fleming announces retirement a week after primary election
The Indiana Democratic Party will hold caucuses to fill the office and ballot vacancies once Fleming leaves.
Delta-8 legal clarification unlikely as Statehouse stalemate persists
In the nearly six years since a federal law appeared to open the doors to delta-8, the marijuana-like drug has grown into a billion-dollar Hoosier industry. But it’s done so on shaky legal ground.
Two Purdue professors sue to challenge new state law regulating tenure
The law mirrors conservative-led efforts in other states to influence higher education viewed as unfriendly or hostile to conservative students and professors.
Democratic lawmaker seeks changes to Marion County judiciary after sentence in IMPD officer’s death
State Rep. Mitch Gore, who is a captain at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, said he would explore “all legislative remedies” to address what he said is a sentence that is too lenient. A Republican committee chair said he’s open to legislative proposals that come out of the case.
Pet stores, breeders brace for new state regulations on dog sales
While House Enrolled Act 1412 will undo local regulations in Indianapolis and several other Hoosier cities that ban the retail sale of dogs at pet stores, it will impose new regulations on an entire range of businesses involved in the selling of dogs.
Few schools take lawmakers up on allowing staff, teachers to carry firearms
The Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism and the Indiana Capital Chronicle found that the vast majority of respondent school districts haven’t authorized staff to carry firearms even as Indiana’s General Assembly offers up funds for training.
Indiana businesses win new protections from lawsuits
Tweaks to tort law were among the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s top legislative priorities this year, but not everyone was happy with all of the tort-related changes that came out of the Indiana General Assembly.
New law makes it a crime to distribute fake nude photos generated by AI
A new provision in House Enrolled Act 1047 makes the distribution of unauthorized and undisclosed “intimate” images generated or altered by AI a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Legislation that would reel in IEDC likely to return in 2025
State Sen. Spencer Deery said he plans to reintroduce similar legislation in 2025. From his viewpoint, the agency has become too focused on big deals.