IndyStar will go live for a session recap on Friday. Here's how to watch
Wondering which bills crossed the finish line in the final hours of the 2025 Indiana Legislative session? And who are the biggest winners and losers?
IndyStar's Statehouse team will go live with analysis and a recap of the session on Friday during your lunch break, less than 24 hours after lawmakers are planning to pack up and go home for the year.
Government and politics editor Kaitlin Lange will talk with senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo and Statehouse reporters Brittany Carloni and Kayla Dwyer about the most significant legislation debated this year, including bills increasing the cigarette tax, banning DEI and cracking down on illegal immigration.
We'll also talk about what savings Hoosiers can expect from the property tax bill Braun already signed.
Tune in here on at 11:30 a.m. Friday for our 2025 Legislative Session Recap show.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Morales challengers line up as criticism over international trips mounts
Secretary of State Diego Morales, left, at the 2025 National Election Conference in June 2025. After taking heat for back-to-back international trips, other Republicans are lining up to challenge the incumbent in 2026. (Photo from the official SOS X account) As Secretary of State Diego Morales takes heat for back-to-back international trips that blurred personal and professional lines, Republican hopefuls see an opportunity to challenge the embattled politician and establish themselves in contrast to the divisive officeholder. Mere weeks after taking flak for an unannounced visit to India initially paid for by an undisclosed business, the IndyStar revealed that he was out of the country — again without sharing his travel plans and paid for by an outside organization. Since the story broke, he has revealed that organizers with the Conservative Political Action Conference picked up the tab for his Hungary visit while pointedly posting about his 'personal time' online. But he spoke on both international trips as Indiana's Secretary of State, not in his personal capacity. 'This certainly, to me, looks political and partisan. And so if someone else is footing the bill for him to make these international trips, it's certainly worthwhile for your typical voter but also other branches of government … to know where that money is coming from,' said Greg Shufeldt, an associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis. The website for the Office of the Secretary of State doesn't include any mention of international relations, but is centered on election oversight, registering businesses and trademarks, and licensing vehicle dealerships. Returning the office's focus to those duties is part of the campaign platform for both Republican challengers who announced in recent weeks. Knox County Clerk Dave Shelton ran against Morales in the 2022 convention but fell short in the final tally. He announced his bid with Indy Politics in April, days before Morales posted about his intention to run for reelection. Shelton described the position itself as the destination, rather than a stepping stone for another office, adding that his early announcement is designed to give him time to meet with delegates. 'I want to do the job without fanfare. I don't need my picture taken; I don't need to make headlines,' said Shelton. 'I just want the personal satisfaction of doing the job to the best of my abilities. I will not be a taxpayer-funded tourist on a statewide search for photo ops. That is not me.' Party candidates for the secretary of state are chosen by delegates at a convention, rather than through a primary process. The convention is scheduled for next summer, meaning that candidates can't yet officially submit their names for consideration. Jamie Reitenour outperformed a former attorney general in the Republican primary election for governor last year and now has her sights set on the office. 'To be super honest, I'm just offended. I'm offended for Hoosiers that he is not taking the secretary of state job, in my opinion, very seriously,' Reitenour told the Indiana Capital Chronicle. 'It's an administrative job; it's not meant to be a job where you're constantly posting about all your travel.' Questions about international trips sent to Morales' campaign didn't get a response before publication, but the politician has shot back at critics online and in a recent WOWO interview. '… I will always take every opportunity to promote Indiana. I am always Indiana Secretary of State, even when I'm out of the office on personal time,' said Morales in a statement shared with Indy Politics. 'I will continue to promote Indiana across the nation and internationally.' Unlike other state employees, the State Personnel Department has little oversight over elected officials. Elected officials don't punch a time clock or have limits on personal or vacation time. And there are few restrictions or transparency about travel. The latter could change following a new state law mandating that such officeholders report their travel expenses from trips 'taken in an official capacity' and whether state funding was used. It's unclear if this would capture Morales' international trips, where he spoke as Indiana Secretary of State but wasn't explicitly on state business. 'Broadly, the travel that Diego Morales is doing is frequently not tied to the day-to-day functions of his secretary of state duties,' Shufeldt said. 'Moreover, if you assume that one of his chief responsibilities is the lead election official in the state, Hungary is not the place to go.' Indiana SOS publicly posts about India trip after 10 days away Hungary is no longer considered a democracy to European Union officials, but the CPAC conference could be a jumping off point for other offices for Morales. His wife is also Honorary Consul of Hungary to Indiana. 'He is an ambitious politician and if his end goal was to be secretary of state, he probably wouldn't be engaging in these sorts of things,' said Shufeldt. 'But he's trying to cement himself in conservative circles outside of the state — whether that is for a future gubernatorial run or congressional run — these things are very clearly tactical, strategic choices to put himself in conservative or illiberal spaces.' Former statewide elected officials, speaking generally about office travel, told the Indiana Capital Chronicle they tried not to overlap personal vacations with official duties. 'Vacation time was limited for me. And when I had vacation time, I valued that and prioritized that with my family,' said Tim Berry, who has held multiple statewide offices. 'I really tried to ensure that (it) was reserved just for family time and tried to keep that somewhat separate as much as possible.' Berry, a former Indiana Republican Party chair, served as the state's auditor from 2007 until 2013 after being state treasurer for eight years. Critics have questioned if paying for Morales' international trips would qualify as a campaign contribution. He recently revealed that he paid back the business that initially covered the excursion to India to protect them from 'the crazy left,' as reported by State Affairs Indiana. Morales is no stranger to criticism. The politician started his term by hiring his brother-in-law for a six-figure position — a loophole to the state's nepotism law — and bought a $90,000 vehicle with taxpayer money. Additionally, he showered his team with spot bonuses and has been accused of using his office for self-promotion with his name in large font on yard signs, an election security guide and printed maps — the latter of which was criticized by a sitting senator. Most recently, the office spent $100,000 for 5-second public service messages on digital billboards around the state, flashing messages about voting alongside directives to learn more about the office's business and automotive dealership oversight. Self-described election nerd Shelton spends much of his time tinkering with and thinking about the minutiae of administration, having won recognition from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for designing stabilizer brackets for e-pollbooks and improving accessibility for disabled voters. But, when he just started out, he said he conferred with other clerks rather than getting assistance from the secretary of state's office. Even today, 'they don't have that experience' in the office, he said. 'When you become a county clerk, you're left, basically, to your own devices on how to learn to do the job,' Shelton said. 'One of the things that I want to do is set up an in-person, intensive election boot camp for new clerks. Because our elections are not something you can learn by watching a PowerPoint presentation.' The eventual Republican nominee might face a familiar name in the fall. Beau Bayh, son of former Indiana governor and U.S. Senator Evan Bayh, is said to be interested. He told the Indiana Capital Chronicle he can't comment as a federal courts employee but his clerkship ends in August. Libertarian Lauri Shillings has also signaled her intention to seek her party's nomination. Since his showing at the 2022 convention, Shelton said some delegates have expressed 'extreme buyer's remorse' to him. 'I'm telling people that I want to be a very boring secretary of state,' Shelton summarized. For her part, Reitenour calls for a return to paper ballots, fortifying Indiana's election oversight and more state leadership aligned with President Donald Trump. 'There's been more than enough from the President's administration … in regards to foreign adversaries and the fact that our elections are targeted. So it needs to be taken really seriously,' Reitenour said. '… Obviously, I'm a fan of President Trump. I'm an even greater fan of his leadership. I just think it's unparalleled the way he's approached politics … I intend to operate with that same diligence.' She also vowed to hold weekly press conferences and emphasized the need for an officeholder who balances consumer and business interests, rather than someone who favors one party over the other. 'I think (the office) will be unrecognizable. It'll be like, 'That was Diego traveling the world and this is Jamie right now.' We'll be focused on the state of Indiana,' Reitenour concluded. Indianapolis Rep. Andrew Ireland has also been floated as a possible contender, though he declined to comment for this story. Candidates willing to challenge an incumbent 'is a promising sign for small-d democracy,' said Shufeldt, though the outcome is less certain. Morales himself defeated incumbent Secretary of State Holli Sullivan in 2022, but he was appointed by former Gov. Eric Holcomb and lost due to pandemic-era pushback to Holcomb. Delegates also rejected the establishment candidate, Rep. Julie McGuire, in favor of Micah Beckwith in the nomination for lieutenant governor last summer, signaling continued support for unconventional candidates. 'It doesn't necessarily bode well for that more pragmatic … governing wing of the Republican party,' said Shufeldt. 'Right now, the actions of Morales and Beckwith appear to be the types of actions I would think come from a politician that thinks they're untouchable.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Legislative immunity is an old concept gaining new notoriety
The National Conference of State Legislatures said most state constitutions contain similar immunity from arrest provisions. (Photo from Indiana State Archives) Many Hoosiers recently learned that Indiana has an immunity statute that protects lawmakers from some arrests during the legislative session. The reaction has been surprise and frustration. One social media user posted, 'How have we gotten to the point in this state where our elected leaders are above the law? This is pure insanity & would NEVER be acceptable for the average citizen.' Another reader responded, 'Are they immune from common sense too?' So, I thought I would delve into the provision and explain why it exists and how often it's used. State Sen. Mike Bohacek was pulled over for suspected drunk driving in January and recorded a blood-alcohol content of 0.238%. But the Michiana Shores Republican wasn't charged until this week due to the legislative immunity provision. The first important fact is that no modern-day lawmaker created this exemption, and it basically mirrors a similar provision for federal lawmakers. The National Conference of State Legislatures said most state constitutions contain similar provisions. The state's prohibition is found in Article 4, Section 8 of the Indiana Constitution. 'Senators and Representatives, in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, shall be privileged from arrest, during the session of the General Assembly, and in going to and returning from the same; and shall not be subject to any civil process, during the session of the General Assembly, nor during the fifteen days next before the commencement thereof.' Indiana's current Constitution was adopted in 1851 with numerous amendments since then. But this portion goes back as far as the state's 1816 constitution before Indiana became a state. Then it was under Article 3. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE For a long time, there was no definition of breach of the peace in Indiana code but lawmakers in 2021 added one: 'breaking or disturbing the public peace, order, or decorum by any riotous, forcible, or unlawful proceedings, including fighting or tumultuous conduct.' The federal immunity provision is almost exact. Some historical texts indicate the language was created so that lawmakers weren't blocked from being able to vote on a matter or otherwise participate in proceedings. In his Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story said this: 'When a representative is withdrawn from his seat by a summons, the people whom he represents, lose their voice in debate and vote, as they do in his voluntary absence. When a senator is withdrawn by summons, his state loses half its voice in debate and vote, as it does in his voluntary absence. The enormous disparity of the evil admits of no comparison. The privilege, indeed, is deemed not merely the privilege of the member, or his constituents, but the privilege of the house also.' The Supreme Court of the United States has interpreted the provision to apply to all crimes, but Indiana has generally seen it used in cases of misdemeanors. Bohacek's case is almost identical to one from 1992 when then-Rep. Keith Bulen was pulled over for drunk driving in January. Police also didn't arrest him due to the immunity clause and he was charged weeks later after session ended. Similar to Bohacek, Bulen refused the breathalyzer test and said a prescribed medicine made him groggy. But Bulen's incident resulted in him hitting an off-duty police officer's car. Bulen's case, though, was not hidden from public view at the time. He was eventually acquitted. In 2002, two northwest Indiana lawmakers — Reps. Charlie Brown and Vernon Smith — used the provision to contest their criminal case. The Gary Post Tribune reported the pair was arrested June 18 on traffic and related offenses. They protested the action and claimed they were shown a lack of respect as elected officials and residents. The legislature was in special session in Indianapolis, although the men were in Gary. They were arrested immediately but the chief of police quickly apologized. The men were charged with obstructing traffic later that year by a special prosecutor. Smith was acquitted but Brown was found guilty. If Hoosiers want to change the constitutional provision they will have to convince lawmakers to start that years-long process because Indiana doesn't allow citizen-initiated constitutional amendments or referendums. It remains to be seen what will happen to Bohacek, including any punishment by leaders of the Senate. Voters have the ultimate say on consequences at the ballot box, but they will have to wait a long time. Bohacek isn't up for election again until 2028. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Navy to strip gay rights activist Harvey Milk's name from oil tanker
WASHINGTON − The Navy will rename an oil tanker that named after slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday, the latest move in the military under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to root out diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2016, the U.S. Navy said it would name one of its new class of oil tankers after Milk, a Navy veteran who later became one of the first openly gay people elected to public office in the United States. The USNS Harvey Milk was christened in 2021, as part of the John Lewis class of tankers. More: Stonewall veterans sound alarm over Trump's attempt to erase trans history A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the directive for the change came from Hegseth's office. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth was committed to ensuring names of military installations and equipment "are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos. "Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete," Parnell said. The Pentagon and the U.S. Navy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The official said it was unclear when the renaming would actually take place, but noted that June is Pride Month, observed annually to honor the LGBTQ rights movement. More: Military schools threaten pro-DEI student protesters with disciplinary action Another official said it would not be surprising if additional ships in the John Lewis class were renamed, since other tankers honored civil rights and human rights leaders. The planned name change was first reported by military news website Milk served in the U.S. Navy in 1951 as a diving officer during the Korean War. Elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors as the first openly gay California politician, he was killed in office in 1978. Since taking office in January, Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has eliminated diversity initiatives at the Pentagon and ended observances of identity celebrations such as Black History Month. DEI programs seek to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and other traditionally underrepresented groups. Civil rights advocates argue that such programs, generally backed by Democrats, are needed to address longstanding inequities and structural racism. They have come under attack from conservatives, who say race- and gender-focused initiatives are inherently discriminatory and fail to prioritize merit. In February, Hegseth chided past celebrations of the U.S. military's diversity in a broad address to Pentagon staff, saying: "I think the single dumbest phrase in military history is 'our diversity is our strength.'" This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hegseth strips gay icon Harvey Milk's name from Navy ship
