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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Plan to postpone LaPorte County spring property tax bill headed to governor

INDIANAPOLIS | All that stands between LaPorte County property owners and one less tax bill this year is the signature of Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Munster lawmaker: Restore tuition benefit for vets' kids

INDIANAPOLIS | State Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, will continue fighting for legislation awarding free college tuition to the children of all disabled veterans, despite a warning by a top House Republican that her proposal is too costly.

House OKs regulations on cash for gold shops

INDIANAPOLIS | Cash for gold stores would be regulated similar to pawn shops under legislation approved 96-1 by the Indiana House Thursday.

House votes 97-0 for LaPorte tax bill breather

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House agreed Monday that LaPorte County property owners deserve to get one less tax bill this year after paying four years' worth over the past few months.

LaPorte property owners may get tax bill reprieve

INDIANAPOLIS | LaPorte County property owners may get a break from the barrage of tax bills they've recently received as the county strives to catch up on delayed prior year tax billings.

House sets fine of $10K for taking cellphones into prisons

INDIANAPOLIS | Sneaking a cellphone into a state prison and giving it to an inmate is already a felony, but the Indiana House voted 98-0 Tuesday to add a fine of up to $10,000 for the crime.

House sets July 1 start for Hoosiers to pay online sales tax

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House overwhelmingly approved legislation Monday requiring all online merchants, including web giant Amazon.com, to begin collecting the state's 7 percent sales tax on purchases made by Hoosier customers starting July 1.

Dermody's online sales tax plan survives bid to kill it

INDIANAPOLIS | A Northwest Indiana lawmaker's plan to require all online retailers collect sales tax from Hoosier customers starting July 1 remains intact after an attempt to scuttle the legislation was soundly defeated Thursday.

Dermody plan moves up start date for online sales tax collection

INDIANAPOLIS | Online retailers, including web giant Amazon.com, would be required to collect sales tax from Indiana customers starting July 1 under legislation approved by a House committee Thursday.

State Rep. Tom Dermody

20th House District State Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte Represents: LaPorte Experience: State representative since 2006; small business owner Committees: Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development; Ways and Means

Region lawmakers hold leadership posts on many House panels

INDIANAPOLIS | Two of Northwest Indiana's five Republican state representatives will be chairmen of House committees when the General Assembly convenes Jan. 7. Region Democrats will serve as the top minority party member on six House committees.

LaPorte lawmaker seeks change in Amazon.com sales tax deal

INDIANAPOLIS | As online retailers total up their Cyber Monday sales, a Northwest Indiana lawmaker wants to speed up a deal requiring the Internet's biggest merchant to collect and remit the state's 7 percent sales tax.