EDITORIAL: Ignition interlock devices are key to safety

One of the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendations for decreasing the number of traffic fatalities seems dead on arrival in the Indiana General Assembly. But that shouldn't stop the state from following up on another suggestion.

Indiana lawmakers unlikely to adopt lower drunken driving threshold

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana's federal-phobic Legislature likely won't follow a national safety panel's recommendation that states reduce their drunken driving limits to 0.05 blood alcohol content from 0.08.

Pence orders cuts in Calumet Township spending

INDIANAPOLIS | Griffith leaders were ecstatic Friday after Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed into law mandatory reductions in Calumet Township spending and a path for Griffith to exit the township if its excessive spending continues.

Pence signs school safety grants, 40 other measures into law

INDIANAPOLIS | School corporations can each seek up to $50,000 in matching state funds to hire local police as school resource officers under a new law signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

New law entitles recent vets to in-state college tuition

INDIANAPOLIS | Military veterans who return or move to Indiana after completing their service are entitled to in-state college tuition under a new law signed last week by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

RICH JAMES: Credit Soliday for trying to help Lake County

I suspect state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, limped home from the Indiana General Assembly a bitter and beaten man.

Taxpayers may get hit with 'convenience fee' under new pay-to-pay law

INDIANAPOLIS | Hoosiers soon may be forced to pay a "convenience fee" when using a credit or debit card to pay municipal or utility charges under a new law signed by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Pence backs study of county government reforms

INDIANAPOLIS | State lawmakers are expected to study the structure of Indiana county government this summer with an eye toward establishing a single county executive.

Senate approves thaw of Lake levy freeze

INDIANAPOLIS | Legislation lifting the Lake County property tax levy freeze and providing new economic development opportunities for Gary is headed to the governor.

State may direct how Lake income tax is spent

INDIANAPOLIS | The General Assembly may control how most of the money raised by a Lake County income tax can be spent.

Lawmakers still divided on lifting Lake levy freeze

INDIANAPOLIS | A House-Senate conference committee, made up mostly of Northwest Indiana lawmakers, remained far apart Tuesday following more than an hour of discussion on whether the General Assembly should lift the Lake County property tax levy freeze.

Plan for unlicensed school chiefs heads to governor

INDIANAPOLIS | The Republican-controlled Indiana House voted 55-40 Monday to allow school corporations to hire any person as superintendent so long as he or she has a master's degree in any subject.

Eight NWI lawmakers to decide on thaw of Lake levy freeze

INDIANAPOLIS | Eight state lawmakers from Lake and Porter counties, along with two senators from outside the region, have been tapped to decide whether the General Assembly lifts the Lake County property tax levy freeze.

Speedway loan plan requires second lap to pass

INDIANAPOLIS | It took two tries, but the Indiana House approved legislation Monday providing $200 million in loans to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other Hoosier motorsports companies.

Thaw of levy freeze not a done deal

INDIANAPOLIS | Lawmakers will take another look at legislation lifting the Lake County property tax levy freeze and providing for studies of region economic development projects.

Veteran college progams among new laws signed by Pence

INDIANAPOLIS | Military veterans should have an easier time navigating the state's universities thanks to a new law sponsored by state Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh, D-Crown Point, that was signed last week by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Rogers ensures public records remain accessible

INDIANAPOLIS | Led by state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, the Indiana Senate last week voted to maintain a requirement schools publish their annual financial reports in widely read newspapers instead of on poorly trafficked websites.

Pence signs six laws championed by region legislators

INDIANAPOLIS | Republican Gov. Mike Pence has signed 25 proposals approved by the General Assembly into law over the past two weeks, including six measures primarily sponsored by Northwest Indiana legislators.

PHIL WIELAND: Tourism power play just political horse manure

Mr. Ed gave himself a case of email hoof-in-mouth when he sent comments complaining about Indiana Dunes Tourism lobbyist Brett Ashton and saying he had informed the mayors and Porter County commissioners that if Ashton's client, presumably Porter County tourism poobah Lorelei Weimer, wasn't …

Two NWI lawmakers picked for Midwest-Canada panel

INDIANAPOLIS | Two Northwest Indiana lawmakers have been chosen to serve on an international committee that promotes cooperation between Midwestern states and central Canadian provinces.