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State Commemorates Safe Haven Anniversary
June 26, 2008
BY PATRICK GUINANE
pguinane@nwitimes.com
INDIANAPOLIS | Two of the six children saved by Indiana’s Safe Haven law shared birthday cake in the Statehouse rotunda Wednesday to commemorate the law’s eighth anniversary.
State legislators approved the 2000 law shortly after an abandoned infant froze to death just yards away from the emergency room entrance of an Indianapolis […]
Indiana Leads Midwest in Adding Tech Jobs
Study: 8.6% growth rate in the sector from 2001 to 2006 is 4th fastest in U.S.
June 25, 2008
By Erika D. Smith
erika.smith@indystar.com
From 2001 to 2006, Central Indiana added high-tech jobs faster than any other metro area in the Midwest, according to a new study from the national tech trade group AeA.
That doesn’t mean Indianapolis is […]
Families that stay together save money
April 26, 2008
By Russ Pulliam, Indianapolis Star
Reduced to a bumper sticker, the message might read: “End poverty now. Stay married.”
That’s a little too simple for state Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville. But he has signed up with the Indiana Family Institute to draft state policies that are friendlier to families.
A recent study puts the nation’s cost […]
Senator Beverly Gard gains endorsements
April 25, 2008
GREENFIELD, IN - Senator Beverly Gard released a list of endorsements today, strengthening her leadership credentials less than two weeks before the May 6 Primary Election.
These endorsements include:
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Farm Bureau
Indiana Right to Life PAC
Indiana Family Action PAC
Indiana Manufacturer’s Association
Professional Firefighters of Indiana
Senator Gard, who represents Hancock, Henry and portions of Hamilton […]
Read full story »Senator Lawson lists endorsements
April 25, 2008
DANVILLE, IN - State Senator Connie Lawson released a list of endorsements today, bolstering her credentials less than two weeks before the May 6 Primary Election.
The endorsements include:
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Manufacturer’s Association
Indiana Family Action PAC
Indiana Right to Life PAC
Hendricks County Farm Bureau
Professional Firefighters of Indiana
Senator Lawson, who has represented Hendricks and Putnam Counties […]
Read full story »Property tax plan a boon for homeowners (Sen. Long)
March 9, 2008
By Senator David Long
Last week’s editorial series in The Journal Gazette raises several interesting points and questions about property tax reform – many of which are being considered by Senate and House negotiators finalizing House Bill 1001. Unfortunately, the ultimate conclusion of The Journal Gazette appears to be that property tax reform is […]
Senator Ford dies after battle with cancer
March 5, 2008
Indianapolis - State Sen. David Ford died Wednesday at age 59 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The governor has ordered that flags fly at half-staff through the day of funeral services. Flags in Senate District 19 are to be flown at half-staff on the day of the funeral.
Ford, a Republican from Hartford City, […]
Update from Sen. Ford
February 24, 2008
I would first like to thank Rep. Tim Harris for hosting our town meetings while I have been ill. He has been a really great partner, as we have represented Blackford and Grant counties over the last four years.
Second, I profoundly want to thank everyone in the Senate district for their support, prayers, […]
Economic good already evident from telecom bill
February 19, 2008
Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette
By John E. Koppin
As Gov. Mitch Daniels highlighted in his State of the State address, Indiana is fast becoming a leader in broadband deployment because of the telecom reform bill that passed in 2006. By removing old regulatory barriers and allowing the state to franchise video services, telecom investment has […]
Indiana Senator Steele prolific author of bills (Goals: protection and preservation)
February 18, 2008
By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
The Courier-Journal
This is the sixth in a series of question-and-answer interviews with Southern Indiana legislators, and House and Senate leaders.
INDIANAPOLIS — Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, is one of the General Assembly’s most prolific bill authors, pushing legislation this year on diverse topics that include the sex-offender registry, hunting and fishing, […]
Kenley hopeful slip in state revenue won’t stand in way of property tax reform
February 6, 2008
(STATEHOUSE) – State Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) says he is “hopeful a recent slip in state tax receipts will not stand in the way of aggressive tax reform efforts.”
Kenley clarified an earlier warning the state may have to reduce efforts to shift some costs from local budgets to the state in […]
Referendums still alive
Senate could restore votes on construction as part of reform for property taxes
February 6, 2008
By Mary Beth Schneider
Referendums will likely be required for all major local government building projects, including those for growing school districts, under changes now being considered to property tax reforms by the Indiana Senate.
After hearing nearly five hours of testimony Tuesday, […]
Open government efforts honored (Sen. Gard)
February 1, 2008
By Keith Robinson Associated Press
Two state lawmakers were honored Thursday by Indiana’s largest newspaper industry group for their work in closing a loophole that enabled public bodies to skirt state law and meet in secret. Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield, and Rep. Russ Stilwell, D-Boonville, received Frank O’Bannon Sunshine Awards during the […]
Indiana gets 1,100 new jobs over five years
1/30/2008
By Don Riley/WIBC
A 10-year-old Indianapolis-based company is adding more than 1,100 new jobs throughout the state over the next five years.
Defender Direct is a national provider of security monitoring, alarms and satellite services.
Mayor Greg Ballard says Indianapolis will get 300 of those jobs as a result of the company’s decision to keep their headquarters here.
Governor […]
Sen. Lawson bill seeks to add tornado sirens
January 30, 2008
STATEHOUSE — Even in January, the importance of severe weather warning sirens could not be overstated. As funnel clouds swirled around the Indianapolis area, Sen. Connie Lawson’s bill aimed at improving severe weather sirens coverage areas unanimously passed the Indiana Senate.Senate Bill 334 will require each county to submit a severe weather warning […]
Trust the power of the vote
January 30, 2008
Andrea Neal
Lawmakers are getting needless cold feet over a plan to let taxpayers decide the fate of school construction jobs. Indiana House Democrats have watered down a bill that would require a referendum on bond issues for expensive public building projects. They don’t trust the people.
Their amendment exempted from […]
Property tax caps advance in Senate
January 29, 2008
Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News
Statehouse - As lawmakers near the halfway point of the legislative session, they are taking action on a number of hot-button issues.
Among topics for debate are property taxes, assessing, the definition of marriage and annexation. The State Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 1 by a 41-7 vote, which is a constitutional amendment […]
Indiana Senate OKs abortion bill
January 29, 2008
Star Staff
The Senate voted 39-9 today to require that pregnant women considering an abortion be given information about the possibility of fetal pain and when life begins.
Under Senate Bill 146, sponsored by Sen. Patricia Miller, R-Indianapolis, women would be told that medical opinions differ on whether the fetus feels pain. They also would […]
Senate approves amendment banning same-sex marriage
January 29, 2008
Associated Press
The GOP-controlled Senate approved a proposal to amend Indiana’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage, but the effort was expected to die in the Democrat-led House.
Sen. Brandt Hershman, the resolution’s sponsor, said Senate passage would give House members a chance to act on the measure if they choose. But a key House committee […]
Senators take up Ford’s causes
January 25, 2008
By Maribeth Holtz
INDIANAPOLIS - State Sen. David Ford’s bills will be pushed forward, despite his critical illness.Ford, R-Hartford City, is hospitalized at Fort Wayne’s Lutheran Hospital with cancer, his family confirmed this week. In Ford’s absence and with his approval, President Pro Tem David C. Long asked chairs of senate committees to name […]
Lawson: Senate passes bill reforming mortgage practices
Senate votes 48-0 to crack down on predatory lending; protect consumers
January 24, 2008
STATEHOUSE — State Senators passed by a vote of 48-0 today legislation aimed at reducing home foreclosures in Indiana through stricter regulations for mortgage lending. Senate Bill 89 authored by Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville) will improve regulations on loan […]
Steele, Nugent push bill to allow guns on state property
January 23, 2008
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Bedford State Senator Brent Steele (R-44th) has announced his co-authoring of a bill, along with State Senator Johnny Nugent (R-43rd), that would allow those with carry permits to carry a firearm on state property.
Currently, state law prohibits those with permits to carry on state property such as the statehouse or public […]
Delph: Legislation promoting sibling visitation for foster children moves to full Senate
January 23, 2008
(STATEHOUSE) – Legislation aiming to strengthen family bonds by allowing siblings of foster children to request visitation passed 7-0 out of committee today. Sen. Mike Delph (R-Carmel), author of the bill, is hopeful the bill will swiftly move through the Senate and onto the House of Representatives.
“Family is very important,” Delph […]
Editorial: Standardized school designs would ease burden on taxpayers
January 22, 2008
An overlooked but noteworthy bit of cost-saving legislation is scheduled to be considered today by the Indiana Senate’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.
State Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, is trying to reduce the cost of school construction.
Hershman is offering Senate Bill 13, which would require the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana Department […]
Veteran Goshen lawmaker retiring
January 20, 2008
Associated Press
State Sen. Marvin Riegsecker, who has served two decades in the Indiana Senate, announced Saturday that he won’t seek re-election this year.
Riegsecker, R-Goshen, told business and community leaders that he decided not to seek another term because he wants to focus on his wife, Norma, his family and his health.
Riegsecker, 70, was […]
Senate committee OK’s statewide vote center concept
January 17, 2008
Palladium-Item
INDIANAPOLIS — A Senate Committee today approved vote centers as a statewide voting alternative.Wayne County was one of two pilot sites that used vote centers in the 2007 city of Richmond election.
Expanding vote centers statewide, where voters can vote in advance of the election and without regard to precinct, is a major legislative […]
Bill targets mortgage practices
By Eric Bradner
Courier & Press correspondent
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS A panel of state lawmakers Tuesday quickly approved a bill aimed at curbing home foreclosures by cracking down on predatory mortgage lenders.
The bill would ramp up regulation of mortgage-only offices that currently operate with little regulation. It would require stringent national background checks on all appraisers […]
Walker bill would be step in right direction
January 16, 2008
Tom J Bechman
The Indiana State Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee took a step toward indirect but effective property tax reform last week when it passed Senate Bill 18 out of committee. It’s co-sponsored by Senator Greg Walker, R, Columbus.
“Approximately 24% of the net property tax levee is used for debt service, and […]
Senate considers further consolidation of local government
By Don Riley
1/16/2008
A state senate committee approved a bill that further consolidates Marion County government.
The senate’s local government and elections committee heard testimony about it Tuesday afternoon, starting with an endorsement from Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard. The mayor said voters elected him to reform local government and the senate bill accomplishes that goal.
The bill […]
Drozda: Senate committee passes bill aimed at outlawing hostile annexations
January 16, 2008
(STATEHOUSE) – Members of the Senate Committee on Local Government and Elections voted 6-4 today to approve legislation that will protect Hoosier property owners from aggressive municipalities by eliminating hostile annexations in Indiana. Indiana is currently only one of six states that still permit these types of involuntary annexations.
“The time has come […]
Court declines to reconsider ruling in legislative prayer suit
Associated Press - January 15, 2008 5:34 PM ET
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A federal appeals court has declined to reconsider a ruling that threw out a lawsuit challenging the practice of sectarian prayers in the Indiana House.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana had asked the full U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear […]
Property-tax bills move to full Senate
January 11, 2008
By RICHARD GOOTEE
INDIANAPOLIS — The Senate Appropriations committee moved four bills to the full chamber Thursday aimed at reducing the state’s reliance on property taxes.
With the issue already dominating early session activity, the Appropriations Committee wasted no time adding to proposed legislation to appease taxpayers upset by increased property taxes.
Casting the last vote of […]
Indiana to add almost 23,000 jobs this year
Rama Sobhani | IDS | Date: 1/11/2008
Despite fears of recession on a national level, Indiana’s economy continues to add new jobs including 22,600 this year, according to an Indiana Economic Development Corporation press release. The number represents commitments from over 150 companies, including some located out-of-state and a number of international companies that […]
Steele pushes anti-illegal immigration bill in Indianapolis
January 11, 2008
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Bedford State Senator Brent Steele has introduced and helped write a bill to make Indiana crack down on illegal immigrants and illegal immigration in general.
Senate Bill 335 will take a number of stringent measures, including requiring the state police superintendent to negotiate an arrangement with the federal government to allow troopers […]
Committee approves bill to eliminate township assessors
January 10, 2008
By DEANNA MARTIN
Associated Press Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Elected township assessors offices would be eliminated and their property tax duties would be shifted to the county level under a proposal advanced by a Senate committee Wednesday.
Supporters say the legislation, which passed the Senate Local Government Committee on a 5-4 vote, would bring more consistency […]
Bill would restrict legislators looking to become lobbyists
January 9, 2008
(STATEHOUSE) – Sen. Pat Miller (R-Indianapolis) has filed legislation which restricts Indiana legislators from becoming lobbyists immediately after they retire from the General Assembly. While more than two-dozen states mandate a cooling-off period of at least a year, Indiana allows former legislators to make an instant transition from the Statehouse into a lobbying […]
Appeasing the repeal crowd
January 6, 2008
Editorial
David Long has a target on his back, but the president pro tem of the Indiana Senate isn’t complaining. In fact, he’s the target of the repeal-property-taxes crowd by his own design.
State Sens. Luke Kenley and Robert Meeks are doing the tough work of forging a property-tax agreement amenable to the Republican-controlled Senate […]
Dillon bill would restrict local government debt
January 6, 2008
By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff writer
State senators Gary “Doc” Dillon, R-Columbia City, and Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, say the time has come to limit local government debt in Indiana.
Dillon has introduced a bill in the Indiana General Assembly that would establish controls and requirements for issuance and management of local debt.
Kenley, who chaired […]
Illegal immigration bill targets firms
By Bill Ruthhart
January 5, 2008
Employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants could lose their right to do business in Indiana under proposed legislation that would make the state’s penalties among the stiffest in the country.
The bill, authored by Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, gained support from Republicans and Democrats alike Friday but was criticized by Hispanic leaders, […]
Read full story »Bill aims to change Indiana’s lead laws
Staff and wire reports
Friday, January 4, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS — Concerns about health risks to children from toxic lead paint in old houses and on consumer products have prompted one legislator to try to change state law.
A bill before the Legislature, the comprehensive Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, would affect working parents, landlords, paint dealers, child care centers, […]
Weatherwax won’t seek re-election
January 3, 2008
Tribune Staff Report
Indiana state Sen. Tom Weatherwax, R-Logansport, announced earlier this week that he won’t seek re-election in 2008, ending a 24-year career in the Statehouse.
Weatherwax represents Senate District 18, which includes all or parts of Kosciusko, Pulaski, Wabash, Fulton, Cass, Miami and Wabash counties. Senate staffers said Monday that Weatherwax has chaired […]
Senator wants to protect Great Lakes
Lawmaker calls for Indiana to join compact that would prevent diverting of waters
December 20, 2007
Associated Press
A state lawmaker is pushing legislation that calls for Indiana to join a regional compact intended to prevent arid Sun Belt states from tapping the Great Lakes’ waters.
Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield, said her bill is supported by business and environmental […]
Senator seeks to fix tax snafu
Homeowners who pay property taxes in ‘08 could still deduct them from state income taxes
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
By Patrick Guinane
INDIANAPOLIS | A region legislator is working to ease one of the headaches caused by this year’s ultra-tardy property tax bills.
State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, said Monday he will author legislation allowing homeowners affected […]
Senator Jackman won’t seek re-election
Jim Cummings
December 13, 2007
This area received some abrupt news Thursday when Indiana Senator Bob Jackman (R-Milroy) announced he will not seek re-election in 2008.
He was elected to the Senate in 1996. Jackman was viewed as a strong advocate of District 42, which includes Decatur, Fayette, Rush and Shelby counties, as well as portions of Franklin […]
Republican leaders embrace Daniels plan, want swift action
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS - Republican legislative leaders presented a united front behind Gov. Mitch Daniels’ property tax restructuring and reduction plan Wednesday, and said they want work on legislation incorporating most of it to be put on a fast track.
Sen. David Long, president pro tem of the GOP-led Senate, said Senate Republicans will […]
News Archives:
State Commemorates Safe Haven Anniversary
Indiana Leads Midwest in Adding Tech Jobs
Families that stay together save money
Senator Beverly Gard gains endorsements
Senator Lawson lists endorsements
Property tax plan a boon for homeowners (Sen. Long)
Senator Ford dies after battle with cancer
Economic good already evident from telecom bill
Indiana Senator Steele prolific author of bills (Goals: protection and preservation)
Kenley hopeful slip in state revenue won’t stand in way of property tax reform
Open government efforts honored (Sen. Gard)
Indiana gets 1,100 new jobs over five years
Sen. Lawson bill seeks to add tornado sirens
Property tax caps advance in Senate
Indiana Senate OKs abortion bill
Senate approves amendment banning same-sex marriage
Senators take up Ford’s causes
Lawson: Senate passes bill reforming mortgage practices
Steele, Nugent push bill to allow guns on state property
Delph: Legislation promoting sibling visitation for foster children moves to full Senate
Editorial: Standardized school designs would ease burden on taxpayers
Veteran Goshen lawmaker retiring
Senate committee OK’s statewide vote center concept
Bill targets mortgage practices
Walker bill would be step in right direction
Senate considers further consolidation of local government
Drozda: Senate committee passes bill aimed at outlawing hostile annexations
Court declines to reconsider ruling in legislative prayer suit
Property-tax bills move to full Senate
Indiana to add almost 23,000 jobs this year
Steele pushes anti-illegal immigration bill in Indianapolis
Committee approves bill to eliminate township assessors
Bill would restrict legislators looking to become lobbyists
Dillon bill would restrict local government debt
Illegal immigration bill targets firms
Bill aims to change Indiana’s lead laws
Weatherwax won’t seek re-election
Senator wants to protect Great Lakes
Senator seeks to fix tax snafu
