State predicts mild recession, stagnant economy in 2023
Indiana officials predicted Thursday that an economic downturn will dramatically slow the growth in state tax collections that have fueled a booming budget surplus over the past two years.
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Supreme Court won’t block California flavored tobacco ban
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused a request from tobacco companies to stop California from enforcing a ban on flavored tobacco products that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November.
Agency budget presentations document big needs
Requests for funding are up across the board for state agencies in their budget presentations before the State Budget Committee this week, especially for personnel, construction costs and technology services.
Justices skeptical of elections case that could alter voting
At least six U.S. Supreme Court justices sounded skeptical of making a broad ruling that would leave state legislatures virtually unchecked when making rules for elections for Congress and the presidency.
Opioid settlement cash to be in local hands within a week
Months after Indiana’s attorney general said he’d send local governments their shares of the state’s $507 million opioid crisis settlement, none have received the money. But state agencies say the cash will go out within a week.
New state voter fraud units finding few cases from midterms
State-level law enforcement units created after the 2020 presidential election to investigate voter fraud are looking into scattered complaints more than two weeks after the midterms but have provided no indication of systemic problems.
Hamilton Co. sues Indiana VA over denied benefits claims, seeks oversight responsibility for VA
Hamilton County has filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, alleging hundreds of veterans were denied medical benefits for five years due to mismanagement.
Beleaguered Morales emerges victorious in secretary of state race
Despite numerous controversies dogging his campaign, Republican secretary of state candidate Diego Morales emerged victorious Tuesday night, ending Democrats’ bid to land their first statewide election victory in a decade.
Statewide, local justice reinvestment efforts continue: Mental health summit prompts discussion, action from justice stakeholders
Leaders from all three branches of Indiana government rallied last month to discuss ongoing statewide efforts to address the growing mental health needs of Hoosiers — and to promote a new way of working together.
‘The beginning of the end of federal cannabis prohibition’: Change coming with federal pot pardon?
On its face, President Joe Biden’s mass pardoning of individuals convicted of federal simple possession of marijuana might appear to some as a measure to score political points before the midterm election.
Parties argue over privacy of report on AG Rokita’s previous employment
In separate motions for summary judgment, the parties in the lawsuit about Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s previous job are arguing over whether the Office of Inspector General has the authority to shield its reports from public review.
Costs pile up for abortion ban
A newly-released fiscal study of the state’s near-total abortion ban shows Indiana will need to spend almost $44 million in fiscal year 2023 to cover additional costs related to births and lawsuits.
Indiana Lt. Gov. Crouch says she has ‘mild’ COVID-19 illness
Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing cold-like symptoms on Monday, according to her office.
Marijuana pardons not coming to Indiana, Holcomb says
U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, granted full and unconditional pardons to all Americans with federal convictions of simple marijuana possession in an executive action this month, but don’t expect Indiana to follow suit.
Indiana well-positioned to legalize iGaming, state study says
Should Indiana legalize internet casino gambling, better known as iGaming, its introduction would be a “relatively smooth process,” bringing hundreds of millions in tax revenue, according to 103-page Indiana Gaming Commission report released Tuesday.
Government-wide mental health summit to be held next month
Leaders from each branch of Indiana government will come together next month to discuss ongoing statewide efforts for addressing the mental health needs of Hoosiers.
Rokita: No ‘woke’ criteria allowed in pension investments
Indiana and its investment managers can’t make government employee pension system investments based on environmental, social or governance criteria, Attorney General Todd Rokita wrote in an advisory opinion released Thursday.
‘Parents don’t know what they don’t know’: Protections under new special education grant program raise concerns
Described as being an additional option for Hoosier students to find the best fit for their special education needs, the Indiana Education Scholarship Account, or ESA, program offers parents the ability to choose where they want to spend state dollars for their child’s education.
Web Exclusive: COVID-19 vaccine mandate concerns nearly ‘moot’ for Indiana employers
After more than two years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Indianapolis employment attorney Melissa Macchia predicts that if the issue of vaccine mandates is not moot at this point for employers, it’s close.
Pilot program in 5 county jails to integrate mental health, addiction peer recovery
Inmates with mental health and substance use disorders in five Indiana counties will be offered new peer support and resources through a pilot program designed to connect them with treatment options, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction has announced.