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Demystifying the end-of-session process
It’s not quite Schoolhouse Rock, but as months of legislative business comes to a head, we thought we would answer some burning questions about the final days. Lawmakers have spent the week so far resolving differences in legislation at conference committee meetings — scheduled on 15-minute intervals, with up to four happening at once — […]
Indiana Bar Foundation hosts inaugural Indiana Civics Summit
National, regional, state, and local leaders will discuss the role of civics in the Indiana business, education, legal, non-profit, and government communities. Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner are among the featured speakers. Hosted by the Indiana Bar Foundation on April 13, the Indiana Civics Summit will be […]
Firearm, IDEM fees and puppy sales in today’s legislative roundup
Republicans on Monday voted against a “parent rights” amendment to a bill that would cover expenses for teachers who undergo firearm training. Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, offered an amendment striking the confidentiality clause from the bill, saying that parents should know whether or not their child’s teacher is armed or has proper training. “Parents have […]
UPDATED: Young removed from committee
Indianapolis Republican Sen. Michael Young has been removed from the Senate Judiciary Committee and replaced with Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray made the move public last week in the latest chapter of a rocky relationship with Young. Bray Spokeswoman Molly Fishell said Young was removed because he wasn’t attending the […]
Doden shakes up campaign with Disney Channel hire
Fort Wayne governor candidate Eric Doden announced the hiring of Caroline Sunshine — a former Disney Channel star — as his press secretary and communications director. He is one of three Republicans in the 2024 race for governor. Sunshine is best known for her role as Tinka Hessenheffer opposite Zendaya and Bella Thorne on the […]
Supportive housing teams announced
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) have announced the five teams selected to participate in the 2023 Indiana Supportive Housing Institute. Each team is comprised of housing developers, service providers, and community-based organizations who will develop concept projects for affordable housing with access to supportive services for Hoosiers experiencing […]
Fort Wayne Air National Guard base converts to F-16 Fighting Falcons
The 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne has been officially approved for conversion to the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft under passage of the National Defense Authorization Act. The move sets events in motion to replace the 122nd FW’s 21 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft with the F-16, a news release said. “We look forward to transitioning […]
Federal grant to aid early childhood education
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning has been awarded a $42 million federal grant to be used over three years to improve early childhood opportunities. The grant was issued in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education Office of Kindergarten Readiness. A news release said the money […]
Abuse, neglect deaths of children rose in 2021
Sixty children died from abuse and neglect in 2021, a report issued Friday by the Indiana Department of Child Services found. That is up from 50 in 2020. The agency investigated 271 child fatalities in which abuse or neglect was suspected to be a factor but 22% were found to be from caregiver maltreatment. Of […]
Garten named to Budget Committee
State Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, is the newest m ember of the Indiana State Budget Committee. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray appointed him to replace alternate member, Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne. The committee facilitates the revenue forecasting, budget development and budget implementation processes and evaluates the fiscal and policy impacts of legislative proposals […]
New leadership for Black legislative caucus
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus met this week and elected Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, as chairman and Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, as vice chair. Harris, who formerly serviced as vice chair, succeeds State Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis, as Chair. “I’m very excited to begin this new chapter of Chair of the IBLC,” Harris said. […]
Woman fined, barred from state employment
The Indiana Ethics Commission on Thursday approved a settlement that bars a woman from ever working for the state of Indiana again and fined her $5,000. Bridget Murphy worked at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management from 2004 until her termination in February 2020. She was inspections chief and oversaw a team of 15 that […]