Brandon Smith

IN Legislative Council examines summer study committees

Brandon Smith — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:39:51 +0000

Top state lawmakers will meet at the Statehouse this week to establish the General Assembly’s top priorities for this summer’s study committees.

The Indiana Legislative Council, which governs the legislature when it’s not in session, is meeting earlier than usual this year. Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) says it’s partly to encourage study committees to begin their work earlier as they face what he says is “an inordinate number” of topics.

Ag Gag bill destined to return

Brandon Smith — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Though the so-called “Ag Gag” bill was killed in the waning hours of the legislative session, its proponents say the issue is not dead.

The measure was originally intended to criminalize certain activist behaviors such as animal rights advocates taking photos at farms or slaughterhouses and publishing them in an attempt to hurt the business.

IN extends ISTEP testing window after online problems

Brandon Smith — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:23:40 +0000

State Superintendent Glenda Ritz says the ISTEP testing schedule has been extended three days after two straight days of statewide glitches this week.

Both CTB/McGraw Hill, the testing company, and Superintendent Glenda Ritz report no problems with online ISTEP exams Wednesday. Tens of thousands of students Monday and Tuesday couldn’t complete their tests due to technical problems. Under guidance from Ritz, schools reduced their testing load to 50%, so if a school had scheduled two grades to take the exams, only one would.

Governor Pence signs abortion bill into law

Brandon Smith — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:06:59 +0000

Governor Mike Pence signed an abortion drug regulation measure he says will protect women’s health. However, Planned Parenthood of Indiana says it will likely challenge the law in court.

The signed legislation would require Indiana abortion clinics that only dispense the abortion inducing drug known as RU-486 to adhere to the same physical standards as surgical abortion clinics. That includes bigger door and room sizes and surgical equipment requirements. Only one Indiana facility will be affected – a Planned Parenthood clinic in Lafayette.

IN poised to expand school voucher program

Brandon Smith — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:55:44 +0000

Expansion of the state’s school voucher program is headed to Governor Mike Pence. The General Assembly passed the measure late Friday.

The House originally approved voucher expansion eliminating the requirement that recipients attend a public school for one year beyond kindergarten. But the Senate balked at such a broad expansion.

IN budget going to governor for signature

Brandon Smith — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:49:18 +0000

The Indiana General Assembly adopted a two year, $30 billion budget, one Republicans say contains the largest tax cut in state history. However, Democrats say the tax cut is an illusion.

Midwifery bill passes IN legislature

Brandon Smith — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:09:40 +0000

With the governor’s signature, Indiana would become the 28^th state to legalize and regulate midwifery after the House and Senate approved a bill Friday. This marked the first session during which a midwifery bill cleared both houses of the General Assembly. But key roadblocks remained as recently as last week.

IN criminal code overhaul goes to governor

Brandon Smith — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:49:07 +0000

Indiana took a major step toward overhauling its criminal code Friday as the Senate approved a bill four years in the making.

The revision bill is the result of work by the Criminal Code Evaluation Commission, a group of lawmakers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and law enforcement who analyzed the state’s entire code, line-by-line. The legislation aims to make sentences for the worst criminal offenses more severe while reducing the penalties for low-level crimes, particularly first-time drug offenses.

IN legislative leaders reach budget deal

Brandon Smith — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:41:14 +0000

House and Senate leaders say they’ve reached an agreement on the final two year budget. They say it includes significant increases for education and roads funding.

Though the budget isn’t expected to officially pass until late Friday, House and Senate fiscal leaders have hammered out a deal that includes more than $300 million in funding increases for K through 12 education. House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) says the budget goes beyond the goal of restoring education funding to pre-recession levels.

April revenue forecast predicts more money for IN than thought in December

Brandon Smith — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:55:45 +0000

A new revenue forecast predicts even stronger tax revenue growth for Indiana over the next two years. However, House and Senate fiscal leaders say it will not dramatically alter budget negotiations.

The April revenue forecast unveiled Tuesday shows a $290 million increase from December projections, with the biggest predicted gains coming from individual income taxes.

Senate Appropriations Chair Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) says the new forecast is good news but cautioned against reading too much into it as budget negotiations progress over the next two weeks.