Marilyn Odendahl
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Bill banning materials on “human sexuality” passed by Senate
Bringing hours worth of public testimony and protest, discourse and frustration, the controversial House Bill 1608 would require teachers to notify parents if their child requests to be called by a different pronoun or name that doesn’t reflect their gender. The bill passed the Indiana Senate on Monday by a vote of 37-12. In addition to this […]
Four attorneys assigned to abortion-related litigation resign from Indiana AG’s office
By Casey Smith Indiana Capital Chronicle April 4, 2023 With key hearings scheduled in licensing and civil litigation against Indianapolis OB-GYN Dr. Caitlin Bernard this month, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office will be down four attorneys who worked on the case but have now resigned. Three of the four were section chiefs for Attorney General […]
ELECTION SECURITY OR VOTER SUPPRESSION? With Monday’s passage in the Senate, HB 1334 could soon go to Holcomb’s desk
Above: House Bill 1334 was passed by the Indiana Senate on April 3, 2023. The bill, which adds identification requirements to absentee ballot applications, was debated by Sen. J.D. Ford D-Indianapolis (left) and Sen. Eric Koch R-Bedford (right) before it was passed in a 36-12 vote. (Photo by Abriana Onyai Herron) UPDATE: The Indiana House […]
A NEW LAW SCHOOL? Backers of Purdue proposal say it will foster civic health by expanding legal representation. Critics worry about lower standards.
The following report was written for The Indiana Citizen by veteran Indiana legal journalist Marilyn Odendahl. March 24, 2023 Patrick Ryan represents a dwindling resource in Indiana. The attorney in Kentland, population just over 1,600, is among a declining number of lawyers who practice in small towns and rural communities around the state. His workload […]
UPDATE: ROKITA’S TIES TO PRIVATE SECTOR EXCEED THOSE OF OTHER STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS, REPORTS SHOW
March 16, 2022 The following report was written for The Indiana Citizen by veteran Indiana legal journalist Marilyn Odendahl. Despite the public fallout from his decision to hold onto his job with Apex Benefits after taking office, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita continues to maintain strong ties in the private sector. Rokita’s 2022 financial disclosure statement, […]
MOONLIGHTING: ROKITA FIGHTS COURT ORDER TO RELEASE REPORT ON HIS PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT — EVEN THOUGH IT ALLOWS HIM TO REDACT AS MUCH AS HE WANTS.
The following report was written for The Indiana Citizen by veteran Indiana legal journalist Marilyn Odendahl. March 9, 2023 One day after being sworn in as Attorney General in January 2021, Todd Rokita asked a state watchdog agency, the Office of the Inspector General, for an opinion on his continued employment by his latest employer, Apex […]
Spartz won’t take on Senate run — or any campaign — in 2024
By Leslie Bonilla Muniz Indiana Capital Chronicle Feb. 3, 2023 Not only will U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz (above) of Indiana forego a run for an open Senate seat, but she’ll also leave office completely in 2024, she said Friday. Spartz was one of several politicians said to be considering a run for Sen. Mike Braun’s seat, […]
FROM THE ARNOLT CENTER AT IU: Legalization continues elsewhere, but marijuana lobby isn’t banking on Indiana.
Marijuana Legalization map by Olivia Oliver on 9 Jan 2023 By Olivia Oliver and Lily Wray Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism Jan. 17, 2023 INDIANAPOLIS – Advocates for marijuana legalization are making their voices heard at the Statehouse but remain wary to put cash toward a lobbying push in the Indiana General Assembly. A summer study committee […]
Holcomb focuses on education and the economy in his wish list for the 2023 session
Gov. Eric Holcomb (above, center) unveiled his Next Level Agenda for 2023 on Tuesday at Liberty Park Elementary School in Indianapolis, which served as what he called a “perfect backdrop” to discuss issues like literacy, education and more. With the upcoming 2023 legislative session being a budget year, Holcomb announced his spending goals for four […]