INDIANAPOLIS  —  An effort to prevent soft drinks from being purchased with food stamps has died for this year in the Indiana General Assembly. State Rep. Cindy Ziemke, R-Batesville, filed House Bill 1118 (http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2020/bills/house/1118) that would have prevented Supplemental Nutrition Program Assistance benefits (formerly called food stamps) from being used to purchase energy drinks, carbonated …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — State Rep. Doug Gutwein’s (District 16) legislation that would save taxpayers millions of dollars by eliminating vehicle registration decals passed out of the House Roads and Transportation Committee Wednesday. Each year, Hoosiers pay to renew their vehicle registrations and receive decals from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to place on their license …read more.

MILFORD — Milford Redevelopment Commission had its last public meeting of an eventful year Monday, Dec. 9. In attendance was Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation CEO Alan Tio, who praised the commission for the work it has accomplished. “You’re ahead of the other redevelopment organizations in the county,” he stated, Tio was referring, in part, to …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Community School Corporation released the following letter Thursday, Nov. 14, signed by Dr. Tom Edington, superintendent; Rebecca Linnemeier, school board president; and Kim Jones and Angela Lortie, co-presidents of the Wawasee Community Educators Association: “Tuesday, November 19, is organizational day for the Indiana General Assembly. That day has also been designated as …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb issued a proclamation calling a special session of the 120th Indiana General Assembly for Monday, May 14. The Constitution of the State of Indiana provides that the governor may call a special session at his discretion if he believes public welfare requires it. “I’m calling lawmakers back to take …read more.

SYRACUSE — In most recent years when Indiana lawmakers are in session during the General Assembly, it seems there is at least one, if not more, issues being considered affecting public schools. And often school administrators are concerned about the proposed legislation in those sessions. The Indiana General Assembly convened Wednesday, Jan. 3, and already …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Straight party voting has changed in Indiana and this November Hoosiers should take note before going to the polls. Hoosiers will still be able to cast a straight ticket on Nov. 8, but that vote will not count for any individual candidate for county council or town council at-large. Voters now need to …read more.

MILFORD — Milford is among 121 Northern Indiana cities, towns and counties receiving funds from the Indiana Department of Transportation as part of the state’s Community Crossings matching grant fund. The town received $41,911.62 for use in road surfacing, bridge rehabilitation, road reconstruction and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in connection with road projects. “Northern …read more.

FORT WAYNE – Learn how you may be able to clear your criminal record with assistance from local Criminal Defense Attorneys and Volunteer Expungement Specialists. Second Chance Expungement Initiative, located in St. Mary’s Church, 1111 S. Lafayette St., Fort Wayne, will hold free assistance in obtaining criminal history expungement. There will be two opportunities, 7-8 …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced they are now accepting Letters of Intent for the new Historic Renovation Grant Program, which is designed to preserve and rehabilitate historic properties to further incentivize downtown economic development. “OCRA continues to invest our time and resources into creating hometowns that are positioned for …read more.

INDIANA —  House Bill 1019 was voted on and unanimously passed by both legislative bodies on Thursday, March 10. HB 1019 is a bill that concerns itself with the protocol surrounding the release of law enforcement recordings — police dash and body cams — under public records law. The bill now awaits the signature of …read more.

INDIANA — The Senate considered two proposals Tuesday, Feb. 2, that would address Indiana’s meth epidemic. One was Senate Bill 80. This bill approaches the topic of giving more power to pharmacists in deciding whether to sell pseudoephedrine or ephedrine on the basis of the pharmacists’ professional judgement. This bill would also give the pharmacist civil …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Earlier today, the Indiana General Assembly convened at the Statehouse for the ceremonial start of the 2016 legislative session. “Organization Day,” as it is commonly called, provides legislators an opportunity to meet with fellow lawmakers and staff and to begin discussing legislative topics. The 2016 session will reconvene in January and, by law, …read more.

By MAGGIE JOHNSON Office of Indiana Auditor of State Suzanne Crouch State Auditor Suzanne Crouch applauds the Indiana General Assembly for their work in the 2015 legislative session and thanks them for their hard work. “The 2015 session was labeled the ‘education session’ by the Legislature. While wonderful gains were made for Hoosier students and …read more.

By HILLARY CHERRY Press Secretary, Sen. Ryan Mishler Sen. Ryan Mishler has announced the passage of a new state budget that provides significant funding increases for K-12 education. The Indiana budget passed by the Indiana General Assembly is honestly balanced, focused on funding Indiana’s most important needs and creating a strong foundation for our economic …read more.

State Rep. Curt Nisly, as well as Senators Long and Bassler made statements reflecting on the key 2015 legislative session that recently adjourned. Nisly said, “At the start of the 2015 legislative session, House Republicans made a commitment to pass an honestly balanced budget that protects Hoosier taxpayers while continuing to strengthen our education system. …read more.

Community leaders from across Indiana urge state lawmakers to fully fund the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative at $84 million, after funding for the initiative was reduced to just $10 million a year in the state budget proposed last month by the Indiana House of Representatives. “The biggest threat today to Indiana’s continued economic growth is …read more.

The attempt to reduce Indiana’s meth problem by creating prescription-only policies for medicines containing pseudoephedrine – an ingredient of the highly addictive drug – could cost Indiana millions of dollars, says a new study from Ball State University “The Cost-Benefit Analysis of Pseudoephedrine Drug Laws in Indiana,” an analysis by the university’s Center for Business …read more.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced yesterday that 12 Indiana colleges will receive a portion of $1.8 million to fund the development or expansion of programs that help more low-income students graduate from college. Specifically, the money will fund programs that support students who receive state financial aid for college through either the 21st …read more.

As the debate over common construction wage repeal makes its way through the Indiana General Assembly, Americans for Prosperity is urging its activist base of over 60,000 Hoosiers to get involved. AFP Indiana, the state’s foremost group of grassroots activists advocating for economic freedom, is educating its supporters to encourage state legislators to end this …read more.

The Office of State-Based Initiatives (OSBI) recently released its annual report detailing the economic cost of federal regulations, as well as how the federal government limits the ability of the states to implement creative solutions to problems they face. The report can be found attached. “The cure for what ails this country will come more from …read more.

By MARIANNE HOLLAND The Hoosier Environmental Council The Hoosier Environmental Council, Indiana’s largest environmental policy organization, is warning residents in Indiana’s lakeside communities about a sweeping measure moving through the Indiana General Assembly that could decrease their ability to protect the waterways they enjoy for recreation, drinking water and natural beauty. Senate Joint Resolution 12, …read more.

The Indiana General Assembly is expected to take on several hot topics this session, which runs through April 29. Among the bills filed for consideration are legalizing medical marijuana, a push for Sunday alcohol sales and permitting caterers and florists to refuse to take part in same-sex weddings. A bill that could toughen gun laws, …read more.

By ZACH WEISMILLER Office of State Representative Curt Nisly State Rep. Curt Nisly is encouraging Hoosier students to apply for the Indiana House Page Program. The program offers students 13 to 18 years old the chance to visit the statehouse and see a full day of legislative activity. “This program provides a unique opportunity for …read more.

In response to growing concerns about online privacy and data protection, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller yesterday announced a legislative proposal to provide greater safeguards of Hoosiers’ personal and financial information online. Zoeller’s proposal has three main components aimed at providing stricter requirements for the safe storage of sensitive data, reducing harm to consumers in …read more.

State Representative Curt Nisly (Republican-Goshen) joined fellow legislators at the Statehouse today, Organization Day, for the first official meeting of the 119th General Assembly. All 100 members of the House, including eight new Republicans, were sworn in by Chief Justice Loretta Rush. Rep. Nisly was elected to represent House District 22, which includes portions of …read more.

While the Indiana General Assembly holds its annual Organization Day today n preparation for the 2015 legislative session, another organization, Indiana Moral Mondays, will be making its inaugural appearance to shape and affect laws in the Hoosier State. A large group of citizen-lobbyists from around the state, organized in the last nine months under the …read more.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar called the Indiana General Assembly’s action to reduce the business personal property tax “a positive move” for the state, but for communities like Warsaw, it is those taxes that largely support public services and schools. The package approved by lawmakers allows for a 4.9 percent reduction …read more.

After two years of waiting for a response, the state has learned it may be forced to close enrollment for the 42,000-plus people in the Healthy Indiana Plan beginning next year. Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Michael Gargano recently received notification from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a division of the U.S. …read more.