Government & Politics
Crouch doubles down on tax cut proposal in first campaign ad
Indiana gubernatorial candidate Suzanne Crouch used her first campaign advertisement Friday not to introduce herself — she currently holds the state’s second-highest elected position — but to sell her now-signature tax-cutting proposal. “Bidenomics is draining the hopes and savings of Hoosier families,” Crouch said, in a reference to President Joe Biden’s economic approach. “Combatting high […]
Reflecting on democracy
Democracy is at the core of the public sphere, and on this commemorative day, we reached out to Hoosiers of various stripes to ask what democracy means to them. From elected officials to students working to make Indiana better, here is what they had to say: “One of the best lessons we have in my […]
Vanessa Green Sinders to lead Indiana Chamber
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce on Thursday named Vanessa Green Sinders as its next president and CEO, replacing outgoing longtime leader Kevin Brinegar. Sinders was chosen from a “deep pool” of candidates, said board chair and search committee member Paul Perkins. She’ll be the influential business advocacy organization’s first female leader. “What really set Vanessa […]
Universal occupational licensing far off, lawmakers say
More than a dozen U.S. states have passed laws recognizing occupational licenses issued by other states — but Indiana won’t be joining them anytime soon. In its first meeting Wednesday, a committee charged with considering the idea heard calls for an exhaustive analysis of the impacts on the dozens of industries whose licensing the state […]
Democrats push to extend child care grant program
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats introduced a bill Wednesday to extend funding for five years for a pandemic-era child care subsidy program set to expire at the end of the month. The legislation would extend the child care stabilization grant program, which Congress established in 2021 to help child care providers meet additional costs during the […]
Holcomb ‘confident’ Japan economic development trip will generate results
Although he’s just days into an economic development trip in Japan, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is “confident” his efforts with Japanese government and business leaders will bear fruit. He said competition is fierce: four other U.S. governors are also in Japan, promoting their own states and stories. “We were born and raised Hoosiers — I […]
Indiana officials expect — and encourage — more Hoosiers to use 988 suicide prevention hotline
Indiana officials are renewing their push to make Hoosiers aware of the 988 suicide prevention hotline, although more funding will be needed to further expand the state’s crisis response system. One year after the federal crisis number was rebranded and relaunched as 988, Indiana reported one of the highest in-state response rates for calls. The […]
U.S. House Speaker McCarthy tells committees to launch Biden impeachment probe
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday announced that he has directed several House committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into unproven GOP allegations that President Joe Biden profited from his son’s business dealings when he was vice president in the Obama administration. “These allegations paint a picture, a picture of corruption,” […]
Battles over spending, farm bill, Ukraine and yet more loom over a divided Congress
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House and Senate are both back in D.C. on Tuesday following a long summer recess, facing an overwhelming agenda of unfinished work — funding the federal government and reauthorizing major spending programs set to expire at the end of the month. Congressional leaders and President Joe Biden have only a few […]
Some states back hospital mergers despite record of service cuts, price hikes
Some illnesses and injuries — say, a broken ankle — can send you to numerous health care providers. You might start at urgent care but end up in the emergency room. Referred to an orthopedist, you might eventually land in an outpatient surgery center. Four different stops on your road to recovery. But as supersized […]
Fifth Congressional District sees another candidate
When U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz declined to run for re-election, she opened up her Fifth Congressional District seat for the taking — with the list growing to four candidates following a weekend announcement. Raju Chinthala, a speech-language pathologist and business owner, released an advertisement Saturday proclaiming his intention to run for the vacancy. “I will […]
From Hawaii to Taiwan, state picks up the tab when legislators hit the road
When the Indiana General Assembly is not in session, state legislators are often traveling to conferences on the taxpayer’s dime — but not all are run-of-the-mill policy talks. From organizations with religious undertones to opportunities for corporate influence, legislators are rubbing shoulders with a range of controversial actors. And the state of Indiana pays for […]