IPB News
@ipbnews.bsky.social
A state government reporting team for Indiana's NPR and PBS stations. We cover government and politics, education, energy and environment, labor and employment, and health policy issues.
Third graders currently have one chance to retake the IREAD-3 during the summer before being held back. HEA 1499 gives them an additional chance in the summer.
Third graders have an additional chance to pass IREAD-3 over summer under bill headed to governor
Lawmakers passed a measure last year that says most students who do not pass the state's third grade reading exam cannot move forward to fourth grade. The House gave its final approval this week for…
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April 25, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Third graders currently have one chance to retake the IREAD-3 during the summer before being held back. HEA 1499 gives them an additional chance in the summer.
House Bill 1007 would allow a company that manufactures small nuclear plants to claim a 20 percent tax credit — a minimum of $280 million.
Lawmakers question $280M tax incentives for small nuclear plants during state budget shortfall
A bill that could keep coal plants online and give tax incentives to small modular nuclear reactors is headed to the governor’s desk. Some lawmakers question whether Hoosiers should pay for those…
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April 24, 2025 at 10:04 PM
House Bill 1007 would allow a company that manufactures small nuclear plants to claim a 20 percent tax credit — a minimum of $280 million.
Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville), one of the bill’s authors, had proposed removing a current requirement to teach students about consent.
Human sexuality instruction bill heads to governor — without consent repeal
A measure meant to increase transparency about human sexuality education in schools passed both legislative chambers Wednesday without language to repeal instruction about consent to sexual activity.
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April 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville), one of the bill’s authors, had proposed removing a current requirement to teach students about consent.
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) said that tax hike will also help people stop smoking — or prevent them from starting in the first place.
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GOP leaders unveil final budget with cigarette tax hike and cuts to public health, higher education
Republican leaders plan to make up a $2 billion budget revenue shortfall by raising the cigarette tax, cutting public health and higher education funding, and spending down budget reserves.
www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org
April 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) said that tax hike will also help people stop smoking — or prevent them from starting in the first place.
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Rokita and Morales said they haven’t received a response from the federal government, prompting the lawsuit to compel the citizenship verification the Indiana officials have requested.
Rokita, Morales sue Trump administration over citizenship verification of Indiana voters
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and Secretary of State Diego Morales are suing the Trump administration over citizenship information. The lawsuit stems from a request last fall that the federal…
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April 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Rokita and Morales said they haven’t received a response from the federal government, prompting the lawsuit to compel the citizenship verification the Indiana officials have requested.
McConnell worked with lawmakers, testified at the Statehouse and advocated to remove Indiana’s 7 percent sales tax on period products and adult diapers.
An Indiana Girl Scout’s push to repeal the 'period tax' might be thwarted by a tight budget
A central Indiana Girl Scout made repealing the sales tax on menstrual products the goal of her Gold Award. With a “bleak” revenue forecast and the state’s constitutional requirement to pass a…
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April 22, 2025 at 10:04 PM
McConnell worked with lawmakers, testified at the Statehouse and advocated to remove Indiana’s 7 percent sales tax on period products and adult diapers.
Some of the very metals that make coal ash toxic also make it valuable. Things like lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel can be used to make batteries, smart phones and wind turbines.
Braun signs orders on mining coal ash for metals, statewide water inventory
Gov. Mike Braun released two executive orders on Monday that focus on the state's natural resources. One aims to develop a new market for Indiana’s toxic coal ash waste, while the other would further…
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April 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Some of the very metals that make coal ash toxic also make it valuable. Things like lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel can be used to make batteries, smart phones and wind turbines.
After last week’s revenue forecast, most people asked legislators just to keep their funding steady.
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Final public testimony on state budget centers on avoiding cuts after 'bleak' revenue forecast
Republican budget architects said they made “a lot of progress” over the weekend crafting a state budget that takes into account $2 billion less in revenue than previously thought. But those leaders…
www.wbaa.org
April 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
After last week’s revenue forecast, most people asked legislators just to keep their funding steady.
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Republican lawmakers championed the standards in 2018 as soft skills that were necessary to prepare Hoosier students for the workforce. Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) authored the law that created those standards.
Education deregulation bill moves forward, sparks debate over social-emotional learning guidance
A far-reaching education deregulation measure passed through the Indiana Senate Tuesday. The bill advanced despite fierce debate and concern from some lawmakers that it removes guidelines for…
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April 18, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Republican lawmakers championed the standards in 2018 as soft skills that were necessary to prepare Hoosier students for the workforce. Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) authored the law that created those standards.
Former Gov. Eric Holcomb sent members of the guard to the border last year as part of an ongoing showdown between the state of Texas and the federal government over the flow of migrants into the country.
Braun ends Indiana National Guard deployment at southern U.S. border
Gov. Mike Braun is withdrawing about 50 Indiana National Guard members from the southern U.S. border, ending a deployment that goes back to early 2024.
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April 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Former Gov. Eric Holcomb sent members of the guard to the border last year as part of an ongoing showdown between the state of Texas and the federal government over the flow of migrants into the country.
In a statement on social media, Braun called the legislation “historic tax relief” that benefits nearly every Hoosier.
Gov. Mike Braun signs 'historic' property tax relief bill into law, critics call it a 'lose-lose'
Indiana’s major property tax reform package is now law, as Governor Mike Braun signed the measure Tuesday.
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April 17, 2025 at 7:36 PM
In a statement on social media, Braun called the legislation “historic tax relief” that benefits nearly every Hoosier.
“What happens to a nonprofit that loses that status? I have no idea,” said Sen. Jim Buck (R-Kokomo). “And that scares the bejeezus out of me.”
'Chaos to the system': Senate moves nonprofit hospital bill forward, despite impassioned debate
Republican lawmakers passionately debated legislation to tackle health care costs among Indiana’s largest nonprofit hospitals. The Senate ultimately voted to move the measure forward and return it to…
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April 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
“What happens to a nonprofit that loses that status? I have no idea,” said Sen. Jim Buck (R-Kokomo). “And that scares the bejeezus out of me.”
So far, none of the small nuclear plants proposed in the U.S. have been built and many of them have gone billions of dollars over budget.
Bill to help power AI data centers puts more risk on tech companies, but Hoosiers would still pay
Though it was amended to put more of the risk on tech companies, House Bill 1007 could still raise Hoosiers’ electric bills and prolong coal pollution in Indiana communities.
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April 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
So far, none of the small nuclear plants proposed in the U.S. have been built and many of them have gone billions of dollars over budget.
National economic uncertainty is driving the sharp decline in projected tax revenue — $2.4 billion less over a three-year period than what was expected just four months ago.
Lawmakers have $2 billion less for new state budget, according to 'bleak' revenue forecast
“All options are on the table” for the state budget as lawmakers will have $2 billion less to spend than previously expected.
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April 16, 2025 at 10:17 PM
National economic uncertainty is driving the sharp decline in projected tax revenue — $2.4 billion less over a three-year period than what was expected just four months ago.
The “Make Indiana Healthy Again” initiative includes nine executive orders, with almost half focused on SNAP.
Braun launches 'Make Indiana Healthy Again' initiative, makes significant changes to SNAP
Gov. Mike Braun unveiled a new health initiative which makes several significant changes to Indiana’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The top U.S. health official said the changes go further than any other state’s so far.
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April 16, 2025 at 10:04 PM
The “Make Indiana Healthy Again” initiative includes nine executive orders, with almost half focused on SNAP.
Lawmakers will received a new revenue forecast *today* which will provide budget projections used to produce the final version of the budget.
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Senate advances $46.8 billion state budget that creates 'some angst,' will evolve further
The Senate advanced the budget bill Tuesday, a $46.8 billion spending plan that will evolve further over the next several days.
news.wnin.org
April 16, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Lawmakers will received a new revenue forecast *today* which will provide budget projections used to produce the final version of the budget.
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One of the orders directs state energy regulators to look at every coal plant in the state and consider extending its life. It cites the need to meet the high energy demand for AI data centers.
Braun orders aim to keep coal plants online, advance nuclear, sidestep climate damages
President Trump this week sent out a series of executive orders propping up the coal industry and sidestepping the need for climate action. Now Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signed similar orders.
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April 15, 2025 at 10:04 PM
One of the orders directs state energy regulators to look at every coal plant in the state and consider extending its life. It cites the need to meet the high energy demand for AI data centers.
Democrats proposed increasing Indiana’s cigarette, alcohol and gaming tax rates — and, Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) said, dedicating those dollars to health programs.
Senate Republicans reject Democrats' efforts to increase revenue for state budget
Senate Democrats proposed a series of amendments to the budget Monday that would generate more money for the state — and Republicans rejected them all.
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April 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Democrats proposed increasing Indiana’s cigarette, alcohol and gaming tax rates — and, Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) said, dedicating those dollars to health programs.
Indiana State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill had a message for communities: Call your lawmakers, tell them to stop the bills from passing, and encourage others to do the same.
Indiana educators rally at Statehouse for traditional public school funding, collective bargaining
Educators rallied at the Statehouse Monday to protest measures they said will hurt public education. One of those measures involves the complete dissolution of a public school district, but state…
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April 15, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Indiana State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill had a message for communities: Call your lawmakers, tell them to stop the bills from passing, and encourage others to do the same.
Senate Bill 1 is expected to cost local governments up to $1.8 billion over just the next three years. Republicans’ answer to that is new local income tax options.
Senate gives final approval to major property tax reform bill, sends it to governor
The Senate gave its final stamp of approval to a major property tax reform package Tuesday, sending the measure to the governor.
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April 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Senate Bill 1 is expected to cost local governments up to $1.8 billion over just the next three years. Republicans’ answer to that is new local income tax options.
Democratic concerns ranged from downstream effects on the South Shore Line in Lake County to defunding local fire and police departments.
Democratic lawmakers call property tax overhaul balance for local governments 'a mirage'
Democratic lawmakers say the House GOP property tax overhaul plan is not “ready for primetime.” Republican lawmakers pushed the overhaul through committee along party lines.
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April 8, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Democratic concerns ranged from downstream effects on the South Shore Line in Lake County to defunding local fire and police departments.
#ICYMI: The House GOP proposal creates a new property tax credit for all homestead owners: 7.5 percent, for a reduction of up to $200 on your final bill.
House Republicans unveil property tax reform plan that aims to help a majority of homeowners
House Republicans unveiled a property tax plan Friday they say will mean a majority of homeowners pay less on their property tax bills in 2026 than in 2025.
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April 8, 2025 at 11:19 AM
#ICYMI: The House GOP proposal creates a new property tax credit for all homestead owners: 7.5 percent, for a reduction of up to $200 on your final bill.
IDOH reports the case is an unvaccinated minor in Allen County, who is stable and recovering
IDOH confirms measles case in Allen County, first confirmed case in more than a year
The Indiana Department of Health confirmed Monday the state's first measles case in more than a year. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus.
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April 8, 2025 at 1:37 AM
IDOH reports the case is an unvaccinated minor in Allen County, who is stable and recovering
The state indicated this week it will enter negotiations with Deloitte Consulting for its Medicaid actuarial services, replacing Milliman.
Indiana moves to replace Medicaid consulting firm after $1 billion forecasting error
The state of Indiana is preparing to replace the consulting firm it works with to help prepare its Medicaid forecasts after a forecasting miss in 2023 that put the state $1 billion off the mark for…
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April 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM
The state indicated this week it will enter negotiations with Deloitte Consulting for its Medicaid actuarial services, replacing Milliman.
A Senate committee amended a "comprehensive plan" meant to address health care costs in Indiana.
Lawmakers remove several controversial policies from 'comprehensive' health costs plan
Lawmakers removed some of the more controversial policies — like guidelines for the 340B Drug Pricing Program and site neutrality — in the process.
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April 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A Senate committee amended a "comprehensive plan" meant to address health care costs in Indiana.