Governor Responds to Last Week’s House Debate over John Glenn School Annexation Bill

Gov. Holcomb speaks during his weekly COVID-19 briefing on Feb. 24.

Last week’s heated debate over a bill that would let the John Glenn School Corporation try to annex territory from the South Bend Community School Corporation that began in Indiana House of Representatives and spilled out into the hallway has drawn a response from Governor Holcomb.

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Bill Outlining Rights of Full-Time Firefighters Heads to Indiana Senate

A bill that aims to strengthen the rights of professional firefighters was advanced Monday by the Indiana House of Representatives. House Bill 1015 would extend to full-time firefighters the same protections that the General Assembly put in place for police officers last year, according to the bill’s author, Representative Jim Pressel.

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Bill to Study Elimination of License Plate Stickers Heads to Indiana Senate

Rep. Doug Gutwein presents legislation to study the elimination of license plate stickers at the Statehouse on Jan. 28

License plate stickers may soon be a thing of the past, under a bill advanced Tuesday by the Indiana House of Representatives. The bill’s author, Representative Doug Gutwein, says the state spends over $6 million a year to make and send out the decals but only collected $450,000 last year in fines for expired plates.

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Township Consolidation Bill Advanced by House Committee, Local Officials Express Concerns

A bill that aims to reduce the number of townships in the state will soon be considered by the full Indiana House of Representatives. Under House Bill 1005, townships with a population of less than 1,200 would be required to merge with other townships by 2023. That would impact townships in Marshall, Starke, and Pulaski counties.

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House OK’s Measure to Allow Guns on School Grounds

  
 
Controversial legislation that would allow guns in vehicles on school grounds passed the Indiana House late Monday. It’s currently a felony to bring a gun onto school property, but Senate Bill 229 would allow those with proper carry permits to keep firearms out of sight in vehicles on school grounds. Nicki McNally with the Indiana Chapter of Moms Demand Action on Gun Violence says she’s disappointed and hopes some of the issues can be clarified in conference committee.

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Bill Would “Dismantle” Energy Efficiency In Indiana

  
 
Proposed legislation being reviewed at the Statehouse could dismantle Indiana’s energy-efficiency programs. The Demand Side Management program relies on both large and small users of electricity, but Senate Bill 340 would allow the large industrial users to opt out. The measure was written by Republican state Senator James Merritt and passed out of the Senate Utilities Committee last week.

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Indiana House Accepting Intern Applications

State Representative Douglas Gutwein
State Representative Douglas Gutwein
The Indiana House of Representatives is now accepting applications to intern during the 2014 legislative session.

This is a paid internship and it is an opportunity for college graduates and recent graduates to be part of the legislative process. Interns will issue press releases, handle constituent work or work in the IT department.

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Professor Questions Constitutionality of Ag-Gag Bill

  
 
The so-called Ag-Gag bill moving through the Indiana House won’t pass constitutional muster, according to an Indiana University law professor. Supporters say it will protect farmers from exploitation by activist groups. Senate Bill 373 cleared the House last week with an amendment that makes it a Class A misdemeanor to photograph at a farm or business without the owner’s written permission. IU law professor Seth Lahn believes the bill violates the First Amendment.

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