Latest news with #IndianaLegislature
Axios
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Illinois Republicans endorse Indiana's move to annex counties
The Indiana Legislature has Illinois in its crosshairs, renewing a storied state rivalry. Why it matters: The political maneuvering could reimagine how both states look — or might just poke at your civic pride. The latest: The Indiana House has passed two bills in recent weeks, one targeting downstate counties and another targeting Chicago sports teams. But these measures may be designed more for political posturing than reality. The big picture: The majority Republican state seems to be emboldened, aiming for Gov. JB Pritzker and the majority Democratic state of Illinois. In Illinois, Democrats hold all statewide elected offices and a supermajority in the House and Senate. In Indiana, the GOP holds all statewide elected offices and supermajorities in both of its chambers. Zoom in: One bill would annex several downstate Illinois counties that approved ballot measures to separate from the state. Reality check: Indiana can't just grab counties, especially since most of the ballot measures weren't about leaving Illinois, but splitting with Cook County. Plus, Illinois would need to play along and OK the deal — which, in 2025, under Democratic control, is not happening. What they're saying: Illinois Republicans are seizing on the move to emphasize their frustrations with Democrats, pointing out their own bill to split the state. "The frustration in rural Illinois is real, and it is growing by the day, and so it is good to see Indiana continuing its efforts to support the liberation of Illinois counties," state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) tells Axios. "I hope Illinois considers following Indiana's lead. HB 1500 deserves a hearing in Illinois." HB 1500 would require Pritzker to appoint a commission to study adjusting the state boundaries if Indiana passes its bill. Yes, but: If Indiana did annex the 33 conservative-leaning downstate counties, Illinois Republicans would lose those voters. The intrigue: Indiana also seems to want to lure a Chicago sports franchise across the border. The House passed a bill to establish a task force to explore building a stadium for a sports franchise like the Bears. Zoom out: The Bears are pushing for the state of Illinois to invest billions for a new stadium on the Museum Campus or in Arlington Heights, but the governor and the legislature haven't shown much interest in making that happen on the state's dime. Even if the Bears, who haven't shown interest in relocating to Indiana, entertain the notion of building across the state line, it's highly unlikely the state of Indiana has billions of dollars to spend to make a new stadium a reality. Plus, Indiana already has an NFL team — the Indianapolis Colts. Between the lines: Indiana has made it clear that any sports franchise looking for a new stadium would be welcome, which could include other franchises in need of a new home — namely, the Chicago White Sox. That could be more appealing since Indiana does not have an MLB team. The bottom line: These latest moves may heat up an ideological fight between the two states, but the reality is that it may be more bluster than beef. What's next: The Indiana Senate would have to approve the two bills for either to be passed into law.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Makes Plea to Indiana Governor to Restore Program's Budget
Dolly Parton has called on Indiana Governor Mike Braun to reconsider his decision to cut funding for her charitable Imagination Library initiative. 'We are hopeful that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state's funding match for local Imagination Library programs,' Jeff Conyers, vice chair and president of the Dollywood Foundation, which oversees Imagination Library, shared in a statement to Rolling Stone. 'The beauty of the Imagination Library is that it unites us all—regardless of politics—because every child deserves the chance to dream big and succeed.' More from Billboard The Wombats Recall 'Pretty Freaky' Incident in Rio de Janeiro Jay-Z, Ja Rule & Ashanti Among Attendees at Irv Gotti's Private Funeral Service Ronnie Platt Reveals Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis His statement continued, 'Indiana's leaders have the opportunity right now, during this legislative session, to reaffirm their commitment to our Imagination Library partnership and the future of the state's youngest children. We are currently seeking to work closely with key decision-makers to ensure that every child in Indiana, no matter where they live, can continue to receive the gift of books each month — free to their families and full of possibility.' According to the South Bend Tribune, legislators in the Indiana House of Representatives proposed a budget recently that does not include its typical 50 percent matching funds to finance the program. The other half of funding is provided by the United Way and local foundations, making it difficult for Imagination Library to meet their funding needs if the state cuts its contribution. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library began in Tennessee and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Imagination Library programs exist in all 50 states and 5 countries around the world, mailing over 3 million books in the hands of children each month. The program aims to provide high-quality, age-appropriate books free of charge to children from birth to age five. The reason for Republican legislators' proposed budget cutting the funding remains unclear. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dolly Parton urges Indiana governor to restore funding for Imagination Library
Country music legend Dolly Parton is urging Indiana Governor Mike Braun to reinstate state funding for her Imagination Library, a program that provides free books to children under five. The state's proposed budget eliminates its usual 50% funding match, jeopardizing the initiative's future for 125,000 Hoosier children. Parton, who launched the Imagination Library in 1995 to promote early literacy, has called on state lawmakers to reconsider. "We are hopeful that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state's funding match for local Imagination Library programs," her representative stated. The program, inspired by Parton's father's struggle with illiteracy, distributes over two million books monthly worldwide. It operates through a shared funding model with local partners across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and Ireland. "For the past two years, Indiana has proudly partnered with the Imagination Library, helping nurture a love of reading and providing families with moments of joy," Parton's statement read. Research from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy highlights early literacy as a key factor in academic and personal success. Parton emphasized that her program transcends politics, uniting communities to support children's education. With Indiana's participation now uncertain, advocates hope lawmakers will restore funding to ensure the program continues benefiting young readers.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Condoms, IUDs removed from Indiana bill seeking to expand birth control access
A bill moving through the Indiana Legislature seeks to create a new state-funded birth control program for low-income Hoosiers — but would only make certain methods available. (Getty Images) Republican lawmakers on Tuesday removed condoms and long-acting contraceptives from a proposed Indiana program that seeks to increase access to birth control, instead replacing those options with 'fertility awareness based methods' like menstrual cycle tracking — also known as the rhythm method. The underlying legislation, House Bill 1169, would establish a statewide, taxpayer-funded 'Access to Birth Control Program' to expand birth control options for Indiana residents earning at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Bill author Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, said his goal is to increase birth control access for low-income Hoosiers, specifically. That roughly half of Indiana births were covered by Medicaid since 2017 'is not only tragic, but unsustainable fiscally,' he said. 'I started looking at ways that we could approach and deal with this issue and prevent unplanned pregnancies,' Lucas said before the House Public Health Committee on Tuesday. 'There are currently 1.8 million Hoosiers on Medicaid. That number also is unsustainable, and for every unplanned birth that is brought into this world, chances are you're going to have that mother join that child on Medicaid.' In the original draft of his bill, the proposed program would have covered the costs of condoms, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, prescription birth control pills, and other family planning options. But an amendment offered by Rep. Joanna King, R-Middlebury, changed that birth control list to only include hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered hormonal contraceptives, defined as a federally-approved hormone drug that a woman has been prescribed to administer to herself. That includes birth control pills, according to the amendment. King's revision additionally changed qualification requirements for the access program to include just Indiana residents who are eligible for Medicaid. The changes were accepted by the House committee Tuesday morning before the amended bill advanced 9-3 to the Ways and Means Committee. Lawmakers on that panel will decide how much — if any — state funding to earmark for the bill. If the proposal passes out of that committee, it will then head to the full House chamber for further consideration. King told the Indiana Capital Chronicle the intent behind her amendment was 'making sure we get information, good education, out for women.' She referred further questions to Lucas and said her change didn't prioritize one form of contraception over others. 'We're just looking at Medicaid and making sure we have great information out there for people that are looking,' she concluded. Lucas said in the health committee that he 'appreciated' King's work on the bill. 'This is a very simple bill. I wanted to keep it simple, and I wanted to leave this mostly at the local decision — with the individual. There is no force, there is no mandate here,' Lucas said. 'This is merely an option for the individual to work with their health care provider to develop a plan that is best for them.' Democrats originally said they were on board with the bill, but after the definition of birth control was narrowed, they withdrew their support. 'I think if we're going to have a conversation about contraception, we need to have the whole conversation,' said Rep. Maureen Bauer, D-South Bend. 'We are doing a disservice to (men and women) of the Medicaid population. And while I supported the original bill, I can't support the amended bill, and I think it's telling people what we prefer them to choose as contraception.' Multiple advocacy groups — including Planned Parenthood, Indiana's Good Trouble Coalition and the Indiana chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — said they, too, flipped their position on the bill after it was amended. Haley Bougher, the Indiana director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, emphasized that the exclusion of IUDs from the bill 'is a slippery slope based on anti-science misinformation, and viewed as an attack on contraceptives' in a state where nearly 25% of counties are maternal care deserts. Indiana, she added, continues to have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country. 'Additionally … fertility awareness should be offered only in conjunction with all other options of contraception to ensure the best outcome possible for all futures,' she said. 'This approach does not serve the best interests of Hoosiers, particularly young people who deserve accurate, comprehensive information about their own reproductive health.' Also in contention was a new provision limiting local health departments. Those participating in the new program could only prescribe and educate Hoosiers on the limited list of birth control options in the bill. Condoms and IUDs would be off limits. 'My fear is that this bill significantly limits women's access to comprehensive education on contraceptive options, which is not only a disservice to our patients and an infringement on women's reproductive liberty and rights, but it's also going to actively contradict the intent of this bill, which is to reduce unintended pregnancies,' said IU Health OB-GYN Dr. Amy Caldwell. 'We know that the most effective forms of contraception and reducing unintended pregnancies are long-acting reversible contraceptives, and that these methods are highly sought after by patients.' King, however, maintained that the amended bill 'creates a little bit more awareness for people that are wanting access to birth control.' 'I think the premise of this bill is really being able to give more education out to women in our communities, and giving kind of a guardrail for the health departments — this is what we would like you to do, and this is how we would like you to do it, so that it's the same in every community,' King said. She further pointed to benefits of increased education around 'fertility awareness based methods,' which she described as 'looking at a woman's cycle, and measuring your temperature, and taking into account when you are fertile, when you are not fertile.' Rep. Cindy Ledbetter, R-Newburgh, pointedly referred to 'the rhythm method,' a natural family planning method that involves menstrual cycle tracking to predict when a woman is most likely to get pregnant. 'I think that's respectful of faith. We're trying to include every possibility. We have a large Catholic population in Indiana, and I think for them to be able to be educated on that would be important, as well as the other types,' Ledbetter said. 'I'm excited in the fact that this is bringing contraception to the forefront of the health department, and making it more prominent to have those discussions, and to be able to address people of all faiths and all types and all creeds.' And while critics of the bill worried the exclusion of condoms from the proposed state program would also stymie efforts to reduce sexually transmitted infections, Rep. Matt Hostettler, R-Patoka, assured that local health departments already 'seem really proficient' at providing free condoms. Although the bill limits condoms from being provided via the new access program, health departments and other providers could still make those and other contraceptives available through existing avenues. 'I mean, I stopped at a package store on Super Bowl Sunday in Posey County, and there was a gallon jug of condoms that said 'Courtesy of the Posey County Health Department,'' Hostettler said. 'So, they're raining condoms down. They're already doing that.' Indiana Capital Chronicle Senior Reporter Whitney Downard contributed reporting. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indiana bill would ban state contracts with foreign adversaries, give AG's office more oversight
A bill up for debate in the Indiana Legislature would implement new oversight and restrictions on foreign adversaries seeking to conduct business in Indiana. (Getty Images) New legislation under consideration seeks to limit the state from making deals and contracting with businesses located in certain countries as part of an ongoing effort to curtail foreign adversarial investments within Indiana. House Bill 1032, authored by Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Mooresville, would double down on restrictions already in effect for investors located in China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela — all countries currently labeled as foreign adversaries in state and federal code. That list could grow or change as political climates evolve. Indiana law permits the governor to add to that list any country deemed to be 'a threat to critical infrastructure.' Republican state lawmakers spearheaded related measures during the last three legislative sessions that outlawed investors in foreign adversarial nations from acquiring or leasing property in Indiana; banned public universities from using state dollars to 'engage' or contract with 'sources' located in foreign adversaries; prohibited foreign business entities from acquiring agricultural land in the state; barred cities and towns from certain sister-city agreements and other partnerships; and mandated state pension funds to divest from China-related holdings. Haggard's proposal beefs up and 'closes loopholes' in several of those existing laws, in addition to increasing civil fines and penalties for violations. The bill was heard for the first time by the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, but a vote to advance the bill to the full chamber is not expected until next week. The representative said his aim is to reduce the influence of countries potentially posing a threat to the United States and Indiana. 'We do not want the people on the foreign adversary list to be involved with contracts and services,' Haggard said. 'I can say from serving in the military with former enemies, former Soviet folks, is that it's actually not the people — it's those heads of state. And unfortunately, when people come specifically from China, they're required to have discussions with their folks before they come over here,' he continued. 'These may not be direct agents at the time, but (heads of state) will say, 'If we need something … we will ask you. And if you don't do something, we're going to do something bad to your family that remains.' This isn't conjecture. It's not hyperbole. That's a real fact. Is what goes on. And so I don't want to look at any of these people as bad folks, but it's just the reality of life.' A similar proposal by Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, would require the governor to terminate economic development deals with companies or firms based in an adversary country, and prohibit the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) from establishing international offices in those countries. Senate Bill 20 has yet to be placed on a hearing calendar. As proposed, Haggard's bill would prevent the state from signing agreements with companies that are majority-controlled by citizens or residents of adversary nations or are headquartered within one. The proposal does not include people who are dual citizens between the U.S. and a flagged country, however. It would additionally require individuals and business entities from a foreign adversary to divest from any Indiana 'entity' — including corporations, nonprofits, limited liability companies, and partnerships — by Jan. 1, 2026. Another section would strike current Indiana law that allows a company from a foreign adversary to enter into a critical infrastructure agreement with Indiana as long as the company doesn't have access or control over that infrastructure system. Instead, language in the bill creates a blanket prohibition, banning all such companies from entering into critical infrastructure agreements. Bill limiting land buys by 'foreign adversaries' goes to governor Provisions in the 35-page bill would further take the state attorney general's office with implementing and overseeing a 'foreign agent registry.' Specifically, the bill mandates any 'agents' of a 'foreign principal' to register with the state. The legislation defines 'agent' as a person, business entity, or government who is an employee, representative, servant, a person engaging in political activities, a person who represents the interests of the foreign principal, or a person whose activities are directly or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed, or subsidized by a foreign principal. A 'foreign principal' includes those affiliated with governments, associations, political parties and businesses in several different 'countries of concern': Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Agents of those nations must provide a lengthy list of information, including their name, business and residential address, nationality, a complete list of employees, and a statement about the character of the agent's business or activities. Anyone who has acted as an agent at any time since Jan. 1, 2015, would have to complete retroactive registration with the attorney general by Dec. 31 of this year, according to the bill. 'What we really don't have now is the ability, or the infrastructure in place, the foundation in place, to have these folks register, have people monitored,' Haggard said. 'A majority of times this may come to light is when you have constituents — people, whoever — that say, 'Hey, we think there's an issue here.' And so this gives that investigative authority in the foundation, in the infrastructure, within the attorney general's office, to do that.' So far, no other state has proposed a similar provision that requires agents of a foreign principal to register with a state agency in an effort to monitor foreign activities within their state, according to the National Agricultural Law Center. Erin Tuttle, legislative and policy director for the Indiana Attorney General's office, explained that foreign agents would additionally be required to disclose themselves as such when interacting with state agencies or public officials; include a disclaimer that they are acting on behalf of a foreign principle on 'informational materials' that are disseminated in Indiana; and make 'periodic disclosures' to the attorney general's office about 'their relationship with, and the activities taken on behalf of,' a foreign principal. 'Importantly, House Bill 1030 does not prohibit a foreign agent from taking any action that is otherwise legal under the law,' Tuttle said. 'It doesn't limit freedom of expression. It does not restrict the publishing of materials or viewpoints, or prevent an agent from engaging in political activities. It simply requires that they register, that they submit documentations of activities conducted on behalf of the foreign principle, and disclose that they are a foreign agent on materials they disseminate, and when they're interacting with public officials.' Haggard's bill would allow the attorney general's office to investigate and issue subpoenas if the office 'is (led) to believe' there's been a violation. Potential penalties listed in the bill include injunctions, repayment of gains, a civil penalty of up to $100,000 and other damages. A legislative fiscal analysis estimates the cost for two attorneys and an investigator — staffed within the attorney general's office – along with expenses for the registry database to be created and maintained will require roughly $563,000 in state funds in fiscal year 2026, and another $418,000 in the following year. Haggard maintained the costs are largely upfront, though. Because the registry unit in the attorney general's office is intended to be 'self-funding' — using civil collections to pay for staff and operations — future annual appropriations would be lower, he said. Other staff from the attorney general's office reiterated that goal of the foreign agent registry and other investigatory actions that would be carried out by the office are not intended to duplicate existing efforts at the state and federal levels, but rather seek to 'streamline' reporting and enforcement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
