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Indiana Senate approves bail denial constitution change
Indiana’s Senate on Thursday approved a constitutional change that would let judges deny bail to anyone they deem “a substantial risk to the public,” as long “the proof is evident, or the presumption strong.” Currently, people accused of all offenses except murder and treason have a right to bail. Proponents — some prosecutors and Republicans […]
Committee affirms anti-ESG, anti-China pension investing bills
Indiana senators on Wednesday said the state’s pension system should prioritize return on investment in one bill — not environmental and social concerns — even as they advanced another bill requiring the system to divest from China-related investments. Senate Bill 292 would require the Indiana Public Retirement System to make investment decisions for its 500,000 […]
Service members at odds over National Guard court-martial bill
A proposal stripping Indiana National Guard members of the right to refuse non-judicial punishment and demand a trial by court-martial is drawing outrage from some veterans, even as guard leaders say it’ll ensure good order and discipline. The controversy has caused the American Legion of Indiana to withdraw from The Big Four — a coalition […]
Crouch leads governor race with cash on hand — but Braun picking up steam
Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch has the most cash on hand in a three-way race for governor, but U.S. Sen. Mike is out-raising her and businessman Eric Doden, according to campaign finance filings due last week. All three announced candidates are Republicans. Braun’s campaign logged more than $2.9 million in contributions — some of it […]
Lawmakers and energy advocates unite behind solar, wind disposal bill
Republican lawmakers — along with Democrats and clean energy advocates — want Indiana to figure out solar and wind energy equipment decommissioning and disposal before the hazardous waste involved becomes a large-scale problem. Senate Bill 33, authored by Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, would task the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Indiana Regulatory Commission […]
Groups eye income tax removal with enthusiasm, apprehension
Indiana Senate Republicans want to see if the state can ditch its individual income tax, and one influential economic policy group thinks the change couldn’t come sooner. For another, it’s a matter of how the state replaces the revenue source. Individual income tax revenue was nearly 39% of Indiana’s total revenue haul in 2022, according […]
Proposals limiting right to bail, home detention advance to Senate chamber
Indiana lawmakers went tough on crime Tuesday when a committee advanced a constitutional change restricting the right to bail and moved a less controversial bill barring people with more severe convictions from participating in community corrections programs. Under Indiana’s current Constitution, only people accused of murder or treason can’t get bail, as long as “the […]
Proposal seeks to change Constitution — and who has right to bail in Indiana
A Bedford Republican wants to change who has the right to bail in Indiana — and it will mean editing the state’s Constitution to make it happen. Prosecutors say Sen. Eric Koch’s Senate Joint Resolution 1 would keep dangerous people off the streets before trial, while defenders and civil rights advocates say its subjectivity could […]
Influential super PAC takes aim at Mitch Daniels over possible Senate bid
Prominent national conservative organization Club for Growth hopes to keep two-term Indiana Gov. and former Purdue University President Mitch Daniels out of a new race for U.S. Senate with a blistering new advertisement set to hit Hoosier TVs Sunday. Daniels is considering a run to replace Sen. Mike Braun, who is giving up the seat […]
Holcomb touts state’s “position of strength,” $30 million trail deal
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb praised Indiana’s economic “position of strength” in his annual State of the State address Tuesday evening — and argued the state can afford to invest in “needs” like economic development, public health, schools and public safety. The Republican also unveiled a $30 million grant for what would be Indiana’s longest trail. […]
2023 Session: First Day Wrap-Up
The unofficial first day of the 2023 legislative session kicked off with a flurry of activity, including caucus press conferences, a rally to reform marijuana laws and the ceremonial swearing in of newly elected statewide officials. House Republicans won’t release their agenda until later this week, but their Senate counterparts unveiled a series of priorities, […]
Update: state recovered $34,000 in laptops lost to contractors in vaccine hotline disarray
This story has been updated with new information. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration lost dozens of laptops, worth thousands in the chaos of setting up and winding down a statewide vaccination hotline during the height of the pandemic — but says it’s recovered all but two. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration lost nearly […]