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 “...”
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 “...”
Bill making school board elections partisan has died in committee
UPDATE: A bill that would have put an end to Indiana’s nonpartisan school board elections has died in a House committee. After drawing sharp criticism and no public support in testimony during a hearing earlier this month, House Bill 1182 was not return to the House Electio “...”
In township hearings, city-county redistricting process is under way with familiar complaints
The following report from Indianapolis Recorder writer Tyler Fenwick was first published in the Recorder, and is shared through The Indiana Citizen redistricting reporting project. *** No, you’re not stuck in a time loop. Redistricting is happening again, this time locally with “...”
Amended elections bill would add more restrictions on absentee voting
A bill dealing with electronic voting machines was amended in an Indiana House committee Tuesday to add provisions that would further tighten the state’s absentee voting laws, already among the nation’s most restrictive. House Bill 1116, as introduced on Jan. 11, incl “...”
Transgender student-athlete bill draws testimony, advances to House floor
Ask both sides what the debate over transgender student-athletes’ inclusion in sports comes down to and they will likely give the same answer: fairness. Rep. Michelle Davis (above), R-Whiteland, has authored House Bill 1041 in an attempt to require non-postsecondary schools to “...”
John Krull commentary: ‘Talk to the hand’ is lawmakers’ response to the public on redistricting and other issues
If you want to understand why government in our country is so often lost, ineffectual and misguided, just look at what’s happening in our Indiana General Assembly. And, by the way, it is our—meaning it belongs to the citizens of this state—General Assembly. More on that in “...”
House passes vaccine mandate bill
UPDATE: A House bill that would give employees exemptions to workplace vaccine mandates and end Indiana’s state of emergency passed on to the Senate with a vote of 57-35 Tuesday. All Democrats and seven Republicans voted no on House Bill 1001, which would require businesses imp “...”