Indiana lawmakers return for session of spending decisions
Indiana lawmakers return Monday to the Statehouse for the start of this year’s legislative session with a large budget surplus and a long list of big-ticket spending wishes to sort through.
proposed legislation
Articles
Legalizing online casinos lands backing of Indiana House committee chair
A rising Indiana lawmaker from Cass County will sponsor legislation to legalize online casino gambling and online lottery games, which would give Hoosiers the ability to play state lottery and casino games on their smartphones, tablets and desktop computers.
Lawmakers cautiously eye property tax relief with big bills on horizon
Indiana lawmakers are drawing up changes to the state’s property tax system, with high value assessments last spring pointing toward potentially high bills this year. But their approach has been cautious.
New year expected to bring more changes to state voting laws
States routinely make adjustments in their voting laws — some subtle, some dramatic. But experts have never seen an explosion of legislation like that which followed the 2020 presidential election.
Should the state ax its individual income tax?
A powerful Indiana Senate Republican plans to introduce legislation next year to create a commission to consider changes to Indiana’s tax structure, including phasing out the state income tax.
Indiana Chamber, state lawmakers lay out legislative priorities
Lowering health care costs, improving child care access, attracting and retaining talented employees, and creating a state energy plan are among the top priorities of business leaders as Indiana lawmakers prepare to return to the Statehouse next year.
Task force recommends crackdown on bad landlords, more funding to ease housing woes
An interim study committee examining solutions to Indiana’s housing crisis has approved a lengthy list of recommendations for future legislation.
Law enforcement, public health experts still targeting fentanyl
With the highly lethal synthetic substance fentanyl being trafficked across state and country borders, often laced with other drugs on the black market, law enforcement and public health experts are trying to keep up with its increased use and distribution.
Senators push to reform police’s cellphone tracking tools
Civil rights lawyers and Democratic senators are pushing for legislation that would limit U.S. law enforcement agencies’ ability to buy cellphone tracking tools to follow people’s whereabouts.
Indiana becomes 1st state to approve abortion ban post Roe
Indiana on Friday became the first state in the nation to approve abortion restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, as the Republican governor quickly signed a near-total ban on the procedure shortly after lawmakers approved it.
VP Harris meets with Indiana lawmakers, abortion-rights advocates
Vice President Kamala Harris stopped in Indianapolis on Monday as part of what appears to be a more aggressive and personal campaign for abortion rights and an effort to elevate Democratic lawmakers in red states as they oppose proposed abortion bans.
Indiana lawmakers propose near-total ban on abortion with exceptions for rape, incest, mother’s life
Indiana Republicans are pursuing legislation to ban abortions in the state except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of a mother. GOP leaders also announced economic packages to invest in Hoosier women and babies.
GiaQuinta joins VP Harris at national abortion roundtable
Indiana House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, joined lawmakers from Florida, South Dakota, Nebraska and Montana for a discussion with Vice President Kamala Harris about abortion, which she called “one of the most challenging and troubling issues of the day.”
Filter blocked 70,000 emails to Indiana lawmakers on bill
A spam filter blocked as many as 70,000 emails sent to Indiana legislators about a contentious bill that aimed to place restrictions on teaching about racism and political topics.
COVID-19 surge not deterring push to end Indiana emergency
Indiana’s ongoing spike in COVID-19 illnesses isn’t deterring state leaders, who remain determined to bring an end to the official statewide public health emergency.
Indiana lawmakers face debates on vaccine limits, tax cuts
Indiana lawmakers expect to start their new session by quickly diving into a contentious debate over a Republican-backed proposal aimed at limiting workplace COVID-19 vaccination requirements, even as the virus threatens to overwhelm the state’s hospitals.
Indiana lawmakers take up vaccine limits amid COVID-19 surge
Some Indiana doctors and health experts warned Thursday that a Republican-backed proposal aimed at limiting workplace COVID-19 vaccination requirements would hurt efforts to stem the illness as the state’s hospitals are strained with their highest-ever overall patient counts.
State lawmakers eye business tax cuts
Whether Indiana lawmakers will cut business taxes in the 2022 session could be a $300 million question.
Legislation pits religious freedoms against employer rights
It’s one of the trickiest paths an employer must tread: when to make allowances for workers who express sincerely held religious views on matters ranging from work schedules to dress and grooming practices. And for the past year, Indiana employers have faced one more sensitive area: whether to enforce COVID-19 vaccination mandates on workers who say the vaccines violate their religious beliefs.
Indiana Sen. Braun backs businesses setting vaccine rules
An Indiana senator heading a congressional fight against President Joe Biden’s proposed federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates said Wednesday he was against state-level efforts to block businesses from imposing their own workplace vaccination requirements.