House Speaker Huston resigns job at College Board amid criticism of his support for bill to limit curriculum
House Speaker Todd Huston (above) has resigned his $460,000 position with the College Board, the national nonprofit home to programs such as the SAT and Advanced Placement classes, amid criticism that his employment there posed an awkward conflict with his support of legislation “...”
In 5-4 vote, justices reinstate Alabama voting map despite lower court’s ruling that it dilutes Black votes
The following report by Amy Howe was first published in SCOTUSblog, and is republished according to SCOTUSblog republishing guidelines. The Supreme Court on Monday allowed Alabama to implement a redistricting plan that is being challenged as illegal racial gerrymandering. A low “...”
ACLU joins journalist Abdul-Hakim Shabazz in First Amendment lawsuit against AG Rokita
Last year, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita denied journalist Abdul-Hakim Shabazz (above) entry to a press conference through a spokesperson, who said he was not “credentialed media.” Now Shabazz has filed a suit against the AG. Shabazz has been covering politics in India “...”
ADVANTAGE INCUMBENTS: With election commission rulings, nearly half of legislators seeking reelection are unopposed in either party
UPDATE: The list of candidates in Indiana’s May 3 party primaries grew shorter — and the list of unchallenged incumbents grew longer — as the Indiana Election Commission reviewed more than 20 challenges to ballot qualifications during a long and at times noisy m “...”
Black political leaders call for Marion County Democratic Party chair’s resignation
The following report from Indianapolis Recorder writer Breanna Cooper was first published in the Recorder. Citing conflicts of interest and discrimination against minority candidates, Monroe Gray, president of the Marion County Black Elected Officials (MCBEO), and members of the “...”
Due to lack of applicants, Bloomington scales back its independent redistricting commission from 9 members to 5
Bloomington, Ind. — The Bloomington City Council has scaled back its plan for an independent citizen redistricting commission, reducing the panel from a proposed nine members to five. The change should make it possible for the commission to be appointed and begin meeting th “...”
Commentary: How redistricting congressional districts can undermine majority rule
This analysis, written by Marjorie Hershey, professor emeritus of political science at Indiana University, was first published in The Conversation, a Massachusetts-based independent, nonprofit news organization, under a Creative Commons license. It was adapted and republished, “...”
‘Harmful material for minors’ bill passes despite one question: Harmful according to whom?
The Indiana Senate Tuesday passed a controversial bill regarding “harmful material for minors.” Sen. James Tomes, R-Wadesville, author of SB17, holds up a book while talking about the vulgar material he says it holds. His bill seeks to change the law around such “harmfu “...”
RESPONSE ON INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING: State hasn’t changed the law, and ‘our council has followed state statute’
With their public hearings on the upcoming redrawing of district lines under way, Democratic leaders of the Indianapolis City-County Council are hearing renewed calls for the independent redistricting commission that they urged upon their counterparts in the Republican-led Indian “...”
House passes bill limiting classroom topics, requiring parental review of school curriculum
An Indiana House bill adding transparency for parents and restricting classroom topics in public schools is moving to the Senate, where its future is more uncertain. House Bill 1134, the controversial education bill attempting to limit “divisive” topics in the classroom while “...”