House Leaders Say Property Tax Plans Are Moving Well

Leaders in the Indiana House of Representatives say they’re pleased with the overall progress the General Assembly has made on property tax restructuring during the first have of the legislative session.  However, both parties agree they want to see considerable changes before the session comes to an end.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.

Daniels Says Property Tax Bills ‘Making Progress’

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels today addressed property tax bills before the Indiana General Assembly.  While he declined to comment on those bills specifically, he says he’s pleased with progress being made.  Colleen Iudice reports. 

Climate Registry Bill Wins Majority Vote, Advances to Senate

A bill that would have Indiana join the Climate Registry to weigh in on future greenhouse gas standards has advanced in the House.  The legislation failed to get the required constitutional majority vote Tuesday, but today was approved with fifty three votes.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.

Senate Votes to Cut Back on Township Assessors

The Senate has voted to advance a bill that drastically cuts the number of township assessors in the state.  But the move, which is in reaction to taxpayer angst over high property tax bills, may not result in cost savings in some counties.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.

Fetal Pain Bill Passes Senate

A bill that would require doctors to inform women seeking an abortion that a fetus might feel pain has passed the Indiana Senate.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.

Indiana House Takes Final Vote on Several Bills

Lawmakers at the Indiana Statehouse are rushing to get their bills voted on before looming deadlines to get legislation out of its chamber of origin later this week.  Among the bills that have obtained final passage in the Indiana House is one that would establish standards for a neighborhood to be designated as an art or cultural district.  Bill author Representative Eric Koch of Bedford says the legislation is modeled after a similar plan in Iowa.

A bill from Representative Ryan Dvorak of South Bend that would have had Indiana join the National Climate Registry failed to get a constitutional majority vote to move forward.  Dvorak says registry states are working to get their interests considered when the federal government eventually passes tougher greenhouse emissions standards. 

Lawmakers Say Property Tax Caps Could Hurt School Funding

Senate Democrats and state educators say Indiana’s public schools could face serious funding shortfalls if a plan to cap homeowner property tax rates isn’t paid for by state government. Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.

Illegal Immigration Meeting Held at Statehouse Sunday

Yesterday state senator Mike Delph held a meeting for members of the Hispanic community to discuss their concerns and opinions about his illegal immigration bill now being considered by the Indiana legislature.  Jay Johnson reports.

Former Congressman Endorses Obama

Former Indiana Congressman Tim Roemer has endorsed Illinois Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.  Roemer, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 2003, is the highest-profile Hoosier Democrat to endorse Obama this far.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Tony Krabill reports.

House Passes Plan to Curb Sheriff Pay

The Indiana House has approved a bill that would limit sheriff salaries to no more than that of a county prosecutor.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.