TAXING POLICIES: Indiana’s regressive tax structure and ongoing cuts could harm all Hoosiers, experts warn
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen August 9, 2024 In the Indiana Statehouse and on Capitol Hill, taxes will likely be a major issue in 2025 with most of the discussion focused on cuts, but experts caution Hoosiers should not expect to get what they are not willing to pay for “...”
VOTING RIGHTS FIGHT: 7th Circuit to hear appeal in Lake County judicial merit selection lawsuit
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen August 7, 2024 Lake County residents are getting another day in court, as they continue to push for the ability to directly elect their superior court judges, rather than just having the option to vote for retention of those judges. Hammond “...”
SANCTUARY DISPUTE ADVANCES: AG Rokita ‘pushing forward’ with lawsuits against Monroe County and Gary, after claiming victory in East Chicago case
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen August 2, 2024 As Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita claimed a “big win” in his sanctuary cities lawsuit against the city of East Chicago, his office is continuing to litigate a similar lawsuit against the Monroe County Sheriff and pr “...”
JUDICIAL RESTRAINT: Retired Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard advises caution on reforming U.S. Supreme Court
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen August 1, 2024 As President Joe Biden makes a public call for reforming the U.S. Supreme Court, Indiana might be able to provide some helpful advice about judicial retirements and ensuring good behavior while justices are on the bench. Bide “...”
VOTING OUTREACH: Biden executive order promoting access sparks concerns about federal involvement in elections
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen July 31, 2024 The letter Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales sent to federal agencies in late June, telling them not to register voters without permission from his office, is reflective of the ongoing battle over the federal government “...”
CRYSTAL BALL OUTLOOK: Sabato’s forecast upgrades AG Rokita’s chances for reelection but won’t say victory is assured
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen July 25, 2024 Less than two weeks after Indiana Democrats picked Destiny Wells as their party’s nominee in the attorney general’s race, a national analysis of the contest has shifted its outlook and now sees the Republicans as more like “...”
APPELLATE NOMINEES: 3 trial court judges nominated for Court of Appeals of Indiana vacancy
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen July 24, 2024 The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission has recommended three northern Indiana trial court judges to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals of Indiana. After interviewing eight candidates on Monday for the appell “...”
REDISTRICTING DISPUTE: Anderson city council hurriedly adopts new maps; voting rights groups want federal court to act
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen July 22, 2024 With the lawsuit over redistricting in the city of Anderson seemingly stalled in federal court, the common council recently took an action it has resisted for years – it quickly redrew and adopted a new map, reconfiguring th “...”
COUNSEL QUITS: Famed conservative lawyer Jim Bopp suddenly withdraws from handling cases for AG Rokita
By Marilyn Odendahl The Indiana Citizen July 19, 2024 Prominent conservative attorney James Bopp Jr. has parted ways with Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office, withdrawing from ongoing cases and ending his $250,000 contract. On Thursday, Bopp filed motions to withdraw “...”
TSF story: Number of bills authored and passed creates scorecard for Indiana legislators
This story was originally published by TheStatehouseFile.com. By Jack Sells TheStatehouseFile.com July 17, 2024 The Indiana General Assembly has 150 members and puts forward hundreds of bills—this year, 714 to be exact—leaving it hard to keep track of what’s going down at 2 “...”