Chronic absenteeism and Cumberland carve out on legislative agenda
We're almost a month into the legislative session, which means dozens of bills are moving.
The big picture: Priority bills dealing with property taxes, health care costs and the state's two-year budget aren't on any agendas yet, but plenty of other issues are getting hearings.
Here are the bills we're watching this week:
🧩 Carving out Cumberland
House Bill 1131 would exclude the town of Cumberland from Marion County's "unigov" system.
Driving the bill: Cumberland straddles Marion and Hancock counties, so the quarter of residents living in Marion County are subject to different rules and services.
It will be heard in the House Local Government Committee at 8:30am Tuesday.
🏠 First-time homebuyers
House Bill 1519 would create a new fund to provide downpayment assistance and other financial help for qualified first-time homebuyers.
It's on the docket for the House Financial Institutions Committee at 10:30am Tuesday.
Why it matters: Indy's hot housing market is still challenging for young people, low- and middle-income families and first-time buyers.
🟢 Chronic absenteeism bills keep moving
House Bill 1201, which seeks to identify common reasons behind absenteeism and provide support for students and schools, passed the House Education Committee unanimously last week.
Senate Bill 482 includes some of the same language and was heard in the Senate Education Committee last week. It should get a vote on Wednesday and is expected to pass.
Between the lines: Lawmakers have been discussing chronic absenteeism for the last several years after a report showed that nearly one-quarter of Hoosiers kids were chronically absent from school.
⏳ Shutting down "spinning" on hold
For the second year in a row, lawmakers are trying to crack down on "spinning," but the bill is hung up in the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee.
How it works: Senate Bill 13 would outlaw spinning your car in a circle, also known as doing doughnuts, a practice that's become part of the illegal street takeovers plaguing IMPD.
A similar bill passed the Senate last year but wasn't taken up by the House.
It's on the committee's agenda again, scheduled for 9:30am Tuesday.
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9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Is Indiana a welcoming state for LGBTQ+ people? A national report says it's worse than Texas
Indiana is among the least welcoming states for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans, according to a recent national study. Advocacy group Out Leadership this week released its seventh annual Business Climate Index Report, which assigns numbered scores to all 50 U.S. states based upon the government policies and local attitudes impacting LGBTQ+ communities. Indiana scored lower than Kentucky, Wyoming and Texas, where lawmakers in the Lone Star State have recently considered banning high school pride clubs. Indiana performed poorly across Midwest states as well, according to Out Leadership, while neighboring Illinois ranked among the safest places to live and work for LGBTQ+ people. Here's what we know about the study and why Indiana scored so low. Story continues after photo gallery. The recent findings by Out Leadership paint a "discouraging picture," it said, for LGBTQ+ Americans. The report's national average equality score fell across the country for a third year in a row, dropping slightly from 62.77 to 62.22. "While this drop may seem small, it indicates a deeper regression," stated the report. "Political polarization is widening, and following the 2024 elections, a new wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws is sweeping the nation." Data from the ACLU shows more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed in 2025 alone — nine of which were in Indiana. As many as 277,100 estimated Hoosiers, or roughly 5.4% of Indiana's population, identify as LGBTQ+, according to a 2023 study performed by the Williams Institute. The same report estimates the Midwest is home to roughly 2.9 million LGBTQ+ people — 21% of the region's total population. "Only 50.8% of LGBTQ+ workers in the Midwest are out at work," according to the report. According to Out Leadership, its annual Business Climate Index Report serves as a bellwether to alert companies on which U.S. states are making it harder for LGBTQ+ people to work and live. Where discrimination becomes a problem, they argue, queer Americans are more likely to leave, taking their skills with them. This can cost states money in the long run. The collective personal income of Indiana's LGBTQ+ population is conservatively around $12.6 billion, according to Out Leadership, which urges business leaders not to dismiss the needs of queer people. Out Leadership measured each U.S. state under five items of criteria, assigning each a total of 20 points. Here's how Indiana performed: Legal & Nondiscrimination Protections: Indiana received 9 out of 20 points. Youth & Family Support: Indiana received 6.57 out of 20 points. Political & Religious Attitudes: Indiana received 9.6 out of 20 points. Health Access & Safety: Indiana received 6.5 out of 20 points. Work Environment & Employment: Indiana received 11 out of 20 points. The Hoosier State earned a total score of 42.67 out of a possible 100 points, according to Indiana's LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index Report. The low score it received placed Indiana near the bottom of the rankings, and gave Indiana the dubious distinction of being named a "high risk" area for LGBTQ+ people. In total, Indiana ranked 38th out of 50 states, with Arkansas receiving the worst score overall. Accounting for Indiana's low score, Out Leadership cited several laws passed by Indiana's state legislature in recent years harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. They include restricting the ability of pronouns at schools, blocking gender affirming care and banning transgender women from playing collegiate sports. A full copy of Indiana's Business State Climate Index Report with more details can be accessed online at Story continues after photo gallery. In order of worst to better, states that appeared at the bottom of the rankings are as followed: Arkansas: 29.50 South Carolina: 32.15 Louisiana: 33.00 South Dakota: 34.80 Tennessee: 35.00 Both Massachusetts and New York tied for first place, according to the report, with Midwest states like Illinois and Minnesota appearing among the top ten places for LGBTQ+ people to work and live. Massachusetts: 93.67 New York: 93.67 Connecticut: 92.27 New Jersey: 90.07 Vermont: 89.50 Indiana ranked almost at the bottom of the list of regional Midwest states for LGBTQ+ people, coming in 10th place out of 12 states. The rankings are as follows: Illinois: 88.47 Minnesota: 87.33 Michigan: 82.07 Wisconsin: 68.72 North Dakota: 56.47 Nebraska: 53.4 Kansas: 51.8 Iowa: 47.45 Missouri: 43.60 Indiana: 42.67 Ohio: 42.35 South Dakota: 34.8 More about Pride Month in Indianapolis: Here's how Indy's LGBTQ+ community is celebrating Pride 🌈 Story continues after photo gallery. Massachusetts: 93.67 New York: 93.67 Connecticut: 92.27 New Jersey: 90.07 Vermont: 89.50 Maine: 88.67 Illinois: 88.47 Colorado: 87.67 Minnesota: 87.33 Oregon: 87.00 New Mexico: 86.93 California: 86.67 Rhode Island: 85.70 Maryland: 84.83 Washington: 84.83 Michigan: 82.07 Hawaii: 81.27 Virginia: 80.47 Nevada: 79.67 New Hampshire: 76.08 Delaware: 71.43 Wisconsin: 68.72 Pennsylvania: 66.27 Arizona: 61.05 North Dakota: 56.47 Alaska: 56.00 Georgia: 53.50 Nebraska: 53.40 North Carolina: 53.05 Utah: 52.50 Kansas: 51.80 Iowa: 47.45 West Virginia: 46.90 Wyoming: 45.42 Texas: 44.70 Missouri: 43.60 Kentucky: 43.25 Indiana: 42.67 Ohio: 42.35 Florida: 42.20 Idaho: 42.07 Montana: 40.62 Alabama: 39.40 Oklahoma: 37.62 Mississippi: 37.27 Tennessee: 35.00 South Dakota: 34.80 Louisiana: 33.00 South Carolina: 32.15 Arkansas: 29.50 John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@ Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana ranks among worst states for LGBTQ+ people to live and work
Indianapolis Star
9 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Is Indiana a welcoming state for LGBTQ+ people? A national report says it's worse than Texas
Indiana is among the least welcoming states for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans, according to a recent national study. Advocacy group Out Leadership this week released its seventh annual Business Climate Index Report, which assigns numbered scores to all 50 U.S. states based upon the government policies and local attitudes impacting LGBTQ+ communities. Indiana scored lower than Kentucky, Wyoming and Texas, where lawmakers in the Lone Star State have recently considered banning high school pride clubs. Indiana performed poorly across Midwest states as well, according to Out Leadership, while neighboring Illinois ranked among the safest places to live and work for LGBTQ+ people. Here's what we know about the study and why Indiana scored so low. Story continues after photo gallery. The recent findings by Out Leadership paint a "discouraging picture," it said, for LGBTQ+ Americans. The report's national average equality score fell across the country for a third year in a row, dropping slightly from 62.77 to 62.22. "While this drop may seem small, it indicates a deeper regression," stated the report. "Political polarization is widening, and following the 2024 elections, a new wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws is sweeping the nation." Data from the ACLU shows more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed in 2025 alone — nine of which were in Indiana. As many as 277,100 estimated Hoosiers, or roughly 5.4% of Indiana's population, identify as LGBTQ+, according to a 2023 study performed by the Williams Institute. The same report estimates the Midwest is home to roughly 2.9 million LGBTQ+ people — 21% of the region's total population. "Only 50.8% of LGBTQ+ workers in the Midwest are out at work," according to the report. According to Out Leadership, its annual Business Climate Index Report serves as a bellwether to alert companies on which U.S. states are making it harder for LGBTQ+ people to work and live. Where discrimination becomes a problem, they argue, queer Americans are more likely to leave, taking their skills with them. This can cost states money in the long run. The collective personal income of Indiana's LGBTQ+ population is conservatively around $12.6 billion, according to Out Leadership, which urges business leaders not to dismiss the needs of queer people. Out Leadership measured each U.S. state under five items of criteria, assigning each a total of 20 points. Here's how Indiana performed: The Hoosier State earned a total score of 42.67 out of a possible 100 points, according to Indiana's LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index Report. The low score it received placed Indiana near the bottom of the rankings, and gave Indiana the dubious distinction of being named a "high risk" area for LGBTQ+ people. In total, Indiana ranked 38th out of 50 states, with Arkansas receiving the worst score overall. Accounting for Indiana's low score, Out Leadership cited several laws passed by Indiana's state legislature in recent years harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. They include restricting the ability of pronouns at schools, blocking gender affirming care and banning transgender women from playing collegiate sports. A full copy of Indiana's Business State Climate Index Report with more details can be accessed online at Story continues after photo gallery. In order of worst to better, states that appeared at the bottom of the rankings are as followed: Both Massachusetts and New York tied for first place, according to the report, with Midwest states like Illinois and Minnesota appearing among the top ten places for LGBTQ+ people to work and live. Indiana ranked almost at the bottom of the list of regional Midwest states for LGBTQ+ people, coming in 10th place out of 12 states. The rankings are as follows: Story continues after photo gallery.
Indianapolis Star
9 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Is Indiana a welcoming state for LGBTQ+ people? A national report says it's worse than Texas
Indiana is among the least welcoming states for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans, according to a recent national study. Advocacy group Out Leadership this week released its seventh annual Business Climate Index Report, which assigns numbered scores to all 50 U.S. states based upon the government policies and local attitudes impacting LGBTQ+ communities. Indiana scored lower than Kentucky, Wyoming and Texas, where lawmakers in the Lone Star State have recently considered banning high school pride clubs. Indiana performed poorly across Midwest states as well, according to Out Leadership, while neighboring Illinois ranked among the safest places to live and work for LGBTQ+ people. Here's what we know about the study and why Indiana scored so low. Story continues after photo gallery. The recent findings by Out Leadership paint a "discouraging picture," it said, for LGBTQ+ Americans. The report's national average equality score fell across the country for a third year in a row, dropping slightly from 62.77 to 62.22. "While this drop may seem small, it indicates a deeper regression," stated the report. "Political polarization is widening, and following the 2024 elections, a new wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws is sweeping the nation." Data from the ACLU shows more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed in 2025 alone — nine of which were in Indiana. As many as 277,100 estimated Hoosiers, or roughly 5.4% of Indiana's population, identify as LGBTQ+, according to a 2023 study performed by the Williams Institute. The same report estimates the Midwest is home to roughly 2.9 million LGBTQ+ people — 21% of the region's total population. "Only 50.8% of LGBTQ+ workers in the Midwest are out at work," according to the report. According to Out Leadership, its annual Business Climate Index Report serves as a bellwether to alert companies on which U.S. states are making it harder for LGBTQ+ people to work and live. Where discrimination becomes a problem, they argue, queer Americans are more likely to leave, taking their skills with them. This can cost states money in the long run. The collective personal income of Indiana's LGBTQ+ population is conservatively around $12.6 billion, according to Out Leadership, which urges business leaders not to dismiss the needs of queer people. Out Leadership measured each U.S. state under five items of criteria, assigning each a total of 20 points. Here's how Indiana performed: The Hoosier State earned a total score of 42.67 out of a possible 100 points, according to Indiana's LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index Report. The low score it received placed Indiana near the bottom of the rankings, and gave Indiana the dubious distinction of being named a "high risk" area for LGBTQ+ people. In total, Indiana ranked 38th out of 50 states, with Arkansas receiving the worst score overall. Accounting for Indiana's low score, Out Leadership cited several laws passed by Indiana's state legislature in recent years harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. They include restricting the ability of pronouns at schools, blocking gender affirming care and banning transgender women from playing collegiate sports. A full copy of Indiana's Business State Climate Index Report with more details can be accessed online at Story continues after photo gallery. In order of worst to better, states that appeared at the bottom of the rankings are as followed: Both Massachusetts and New York tied for first place, according to the report, with Midwest states like Illinois and Minnesota appearing among the top ten places for LGBTQ+ people to work and live. Indiana ranked almost at the bottom of the list of regional Midwest states for LGBTQ+ people, coming in 10th place out of 12 states. The rankings are as follows: More about Pride Month in Indianapolis: Here's how Indy's LGBTQ+ community is celebrating Pride 🌈 Story continues after photo gallery.
