Rick has been a member of the WFPL News team since 2001 and has covered numerous beats and events over the years. Most recently he’s been tracking the Indiana General Assembly and the region’s passion for sports, especially college basketball.
The top Democrat in the Indiana House of Representatives is giving his Republican colleagues a good grade for avoiding divisive social issues during the first half of the legislative session, as he requested.
But Minority Leader Scott Pelath said that could change if the GOP majority takes up some controversial abortion legislation that has cleared the Senate.
Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers, and in a floor speech Thursday, Pelath said so far House Republicans have earned a B-plus for steering clear of volatile social issues.
A bill moving through the Indiana General Assembly would make it illegal to photograph or videotape a farm or industrial operation with the intent to defame, embarrass or otherwise harm the business.
The measure’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Travis Holdman, says it’s intended to prevent what he calls vigilante groups from disrupting the operation of a private business.
"We don’t know what’s going to be next, folks, if we don’t protect our private property, to hold sacred what goes on on our private property," Holdman said in a floor speech last week.
Friday night, The Healing Place will hold its 9th annual Celebrate Freedom Dinner, marking the success of those who have been helped by the Louisville addiction recovery facility and homeless shelter.
The guest speaker for the dinner is Pat O’Brien of Fox Sports Radio.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says he’s going to take lawmakers at their word that they’ll revisit his proposal for a ten-percent income tax cut later in the General Assembly session.
A state budget passed this week by the House does not include the tax cut, with the GOP-controlled chamber opting instead to boost spending on education and transportation.
But the first-term Republican governor says he’s been assured that a tax cut has not been taken off the table.
The list of finalists also includes jockeys Garret Gomez, Alex Solis, Craig Perret and the late Chris Antley, along with retired trainer Gary Jones and four thoroughbreds.
This is Borel’s third straight year as a finalist. In an interview prior to last year’s Kentucky Derby, Borel said he believes he’s earned his place in the hall of fame.
The Indiana Senate has passed a bill that would place tougher requirements on clinics that provide only abortion-inducing drugs. It would also require women who seek them to undergo an ultrasound exam.
The Republican-controlled chamber voted 33-16 for the measure, sponsored by Sen. Travis Holdman
"I am not active in a right-to-life organization. Introduced this bill because (of) my own religious conviction and my respect for life and the health of women," Holdman said in a floor speech.
The teams also have the top two spots in the USA Today coaches poll, followed by Duke and Michigan. Miami and Kansas are number five in the AP and coaches polls, respectively.
A bill that would require drug testing for some welfare recipients has been approved by the Indiana House of Representatives.
Under the measure, people who sign up for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program would have to complete a written test to screen for drug abuse. Those suspected of having a problem would be drug tested and if they fail, would have to seek treatment to continue getting benefits.
The bill passed the Republican-controlled chamber today, 78-17. Democrat Charlie Brown voted no, calling the legislation “elitist.”
