The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Indiana

There’s an App for That State Service

States are increasingly turning to mobile applications to provide information and services to citizens.

Attorneys General Prepare to Defend Controversial Laws

State attorneys general are about to head to court to defend controversial state laws. Are they required to defend laws that might not survive legal scrutiny?

Pay Boost on the Horizon for Some State Workers

Far fewer people are working for state governments than before the recession began, but those who remain may get modest salary increases this year.

Proposals Would Shift Utility Infrastructure Costs to Ratepayers

Electricity and gas bills could creep higher in several states, as lawmakers consider whether to allow utilities to charge customers upfront for upgrades to aging infrastructure.

Governors Ask Lawmakers to Prevent Future Shootings

The recent mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut reshaped governors’ legislative agendas this year, and many used their once-a-year legislative addresses to ask lawmakers to take up gun control, mental health treatment and school safety.

Republicans Reassess Social Issue Strategy

Political pressure and last year’s elections have led Republican lawmakers to rethink their approach to controversial social questions.

Gas Tax Loses Favor as Governors Look for New Transportation Money

In the search for more transportation money, governors and state lawmakers are largely avoiding one of the most obvious and straightforward funding sources: state gasoline taxes.

Issue to Watch: Collective Bargaining

While this year’s legislative battles in the states over collective bargaining rights are likely to be more restrained than previous years, the legislation put forward would still have a significant impact on employer-labor relationships, if passed.

Indiana State of the State Address 2013

Indianapolis, Indiana -- Jan. 21 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mike Pence's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Public Safety in Indiana

Public safety in Indiana.

The Uncertain Effects of Right-to-Work

Michigan and Indiana endured divisive and bruising political battles to enact right-to-work legislation in 2012. It will be years before the full impact on economic development and on labor unions becomes clear.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Indiana

How well is Indiana protecting kids from tooth decay?

Economic Development Agencies Face New Scrutiny

When Wisconsin partially privatized its Department of Commerce last year, the hope was to create a less bureaucratic job creation organization. Since then, though, the new entity has faced a series of setbacks.

Florida Hires Outgoing Indiana Ed Chief

When Indiana voters chose last month not to renew the tenure of the state’s top education official, Tony Bennett, it was seen as a blow to the so-called “Education Reform” community nationally.

States Nervous About New Common Core School Standards

Concerns about local control have make implementation of the national education standards controversial in some states.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Indiana

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Super-Sized Majorities Shift Legislative Power

After he was reelected by a comfortable margin on Tuesday, Democrat Jay Nixon will serve four more years as governor of Missouri. Whether he’ll really be leading the state, however, is open to debate. Even as Nixon was winning, Missouri Republicans triumphed in enough legislative races to secure a veto-proof two-th

Unions Make Strong Showing at the Polls

Labor won big contests in Indiana, California and New Hampshire, while results were mixed in Michigan.

Republicans Win Big in North Carolina Governor’s Race But Struggle Elsewhere

Despite heavy spending by outside groups in nearly a dozen races for governor, the partisan mix of Democrats and Republicans leading states appeared to change only slightly as a result of Tuesday’s elections.

Federal Court Blocks Indiana Effort to Defund Planned Parenthood

A federal court has blocked an Indiana law that would cut off Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood because its clinics perform abortions.

Should State Education Chiefs Be Elected?

Thirteen states choose their top education official in a partisan campaign. Some people think that makes little sense, but it’s very hard to change.

Best of #StateReads: “State Faces Major Doctor Shortage”

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in Indiana

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Seven of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in Indiana and hold 30 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in Indiana may be paying.

Democrats Play Defense in Governors’ Races

The race for New Hampshire governor has the hallmarks of the biggest gubernatorial races this fall: heavy involvement from outside groups, a national contest stealing the spotlight and messages that echo themes from this year’s presidential campaigns.

Best of #StateReads: Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman's Political Career Ended with a 'Mighty Fall'

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Nine States Where Lenders Take Your Paycheck

Payday loans — small, short term loans secured against a customer’s next paycheck — are highly controversial. A new study from Pew Charitable Trusts explains that opponents believe the practice “preys” on people who, because of the high interest rates

States Loosen Up on Fireworks Laws

In amateur hands, fireworks are as dangerous as ever. But states have a hard time passing up the revenue they bring in.

Indiana Highway Building Ramps Up as Daniels’ Term Winds Down

A road construction spree funded by a 75-year toll road lease may be Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels’ biggest legacy, but most of the projects will still be unfinished when he leaves office.

Widening Gap Update: Indiana

Indiana paid, or exceeded, its full annual pension contribution four times from 2005 to 2010, but the system was 65 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $14 billion funding gap. Of that unfunded liability, 80 percent was the result of the poorly funded State Teachers’ Retirement Fund.

Next Class of Teachers Enters Changing Profession

Indiana is among several states across the country that have changed the way they evaluate, pay and retain teachers. The changes are controversial, but advocates say they will improve student performance and keep better teachers in the profession.

Primaries Set Gov Races in Wisc., N.C.

Voters Tuesday (May 8) formally picked candidates for governors' races in four states while North Carolina voters approved a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage in the state.

A Labor Challenge to Republicans in Indiana

In some states, labor unions have decided the best way to regain influence may be to work on the Republican Party from within.

Indiana Gov Squashes VP Speculation

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels said Sunday that if Mitt Romney asked him to be his running mate that he would “demand reconsideration” and send a list of people who “could suit better.” But he declined to say what names would

States Move Slowly Toward Digital Textbooks

Despite enthusiasm for digital textbooks at the national level, states have been slow to get on board. But the movement is gaining strength.

AAA Criticizes Higher Fees for Out-of-State E-ZPass Drivers

The national drivers’ group wants tolling agencies to treat E-ZPass users the same, regardless of where they bought their transponders.

Could Another Candidate Still Enter Republican Race?

TODAY'S TAKE: It's already too late for a new candidate to win enough delegates to capture the Republican nomination. But that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Super Bowl Prompts Indiana to Rewrite Human Trafficking Law

Law enforcement officials say the parties leading up to football's biggest game attract human traffickers who coerce adults and children into prostitution. Although some doubt there is a link between big sporting events and trafficking, the concern was enough for Indiana to update its laws ahead of this Sunday's Super Bowl.

The Uncertain Political Consequences of 'Right-to-Work'

MANAGEMENT BEAT: As Indiana's controversial labor bill heads toward final passage, Republicans and Democrats both think the issue will play to their electoral advantage.

Transit Gets Republican Boost in Indiana and Michigan

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Republican governors of two Midwestern states helped along proposals to expand public transit, but transit funding remains controversial in other statehouses.

'Right-to-Work' Raises a Ruckus in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS - Is it fair to require workers to pay union fees? That's the polarizing issue this winter at the state Capitol in Indianapolis.

Indiana House Fines Absent Democrats $1,000 a Day

MANAGEMENT BEAT: A Democratic boycott has once again stalled all action in the Indiana House. Republicans are hoping that steep fines will jolt the House back into motion.

Indiana State of the State Address 2012

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Jan. 10 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mitch Daniels' (R) 2012 state of the state address: Members of the General Assembly, honored guests, fellow citizens. For an eighth time, and the final time, you afford me the unrivaled privilege of this podium. As it's my last su

'Right to Work' Stalls Indiana Legislative Session Before It Begins

TODAY'S TAKE: Democrats in the Indiana House of Representatives are picking up where they left off last year - by refusing to turn up for votes and denying majority Republicans a quorum in protest of "right-to-work" legislation.

Election Websites: Indiana

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Notable Counties—Tippecanoe County, Ind.

In 2007, Tippecanoe County, Ind., home of Purdue University, shifted from precinct-based elections to vote centers.

Indiana Ready to Restart Battle Over Union Rights

TODAY'S TAKE: Republican legislative leaders intend to make Indiana a "right-to-work" state next year, all but ensuring that this year's bruising contests over union rights will return to the Midwest in 2012.

Indiana Places a Big Bet on Consumer-Driven Health Insurance

If Americans have to pay more money out of pocket to get health care, will they use the system more wisely? One state has invested heavily in the idea that they will.

Indiana Vouchers Spur an Unintended Migration

EDUCATION BEAT: A new law in Indiana gives students vouchers to attend private schools. But some parents have moved their children from private schools to public schools as a result of the law.

Indiana Shows Perils of Insolvent Jobless Funds

ECONOMY & BUSINESS BEAT: Indiana, like 27 other states, has an unemployment insurance fund that is essentially broke. Legislators recently moved to address the problem, but their changes are costing businesses 44 percent more in premiums and fees in a still-struggling economy.

Abortion Laws Blocked in Indiana, Kansas and South Dakota

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: States enacted a record number of restrictions on abortion this year, but some of the most-closely watched new laws are on hold until the courts determine if they are legal.