Pence signs 291 new laws

INDIANAPOLIS | Republican Gov. Mike Pence has now acted on all 295 legislative proposals submitted to him by the Republican-controlled General Assembly — signing 291, allowing one to become law without his signature and vetoing three.

Speedway bailout crosses finish line

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence has agreed to loan the Indianapolis Motor Speedway $100 million in state funds to pay for renovations, video boards and other improvements to the home of the Indianapolis 500 auto race.

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.

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.

General Assembly wraps session distinguished by cooperative tone

INDIANAPOLIS | Hands were shaken, hugs were shared and state lawmakers, who spent the past four months passionately opposing each other in great and small policy debates, were all smiles Saturday morning after House Speaker Brian Bosma gaveled out the 2013 Indiana General Assembly.

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.

Pence OKs legislative study of South Shore Line

INDIANAPOLIS | State lawmakers this summer will review possible expansion plans for the South Shore Line and consider changes to the membership of its operating board, under a measure signed into law last week by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

EDITORIAL: Mixed news on public access issues

Hoosiers must remain ever vigilant when the Indiana General Assembly is in session, alert to any action that could affect the public's access to government records and government meetings. There's mixed news so far this session.

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.

Senate OKs restitution requirement for killing, injuring police dog

INDIANAPOLIS | Debate over a proposal requiring convicted criminals who kill or injure a police dog to pay for its replacement turned surprisingly contentious in the Indiana Senate Tuesday.

LaPorte property owners may get one less tax bill

INDIANAPOLIS | LaPorte County property owners are likely to receive only one bill for the current tax year after the Indiana Senate on Monday approved a plan to temporarily eliminate the provisional spring tax bill.

Senate backs 'Blue Alert' for endangered cops

INDIANAPOLIS | Hoosiers may soon get alerts on their televisions, radios, mobile phones and other devices if a police officer is killed, injured or missing in the line of duty and the perpetrator is on the lam.

Senate sends several region-sponsored proposals to governor

INDIANAPOLIS | The Senate passed several House-approved legislative proposals sponsored by Northwest Indiana lawmakers Tuesday that are now headed to Gov. Mike Pence for his signature or veto. They include:

NWI lawmakers win approval for several legislative proposals

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House on Monday completed its work on House-sponsored legislation and will begin hearing Senate-approved measures starting next week.

Court: Define role of school resource officer

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Supreme Court on Friday asked the General Assembly to clarify whether school resource officers -- off-duty police employed by schools for security and discipline purposes -- are engaged in law enforcement duties.