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Indianapolis Star
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Crews installing higher speed limit signs on I-465. Here's how long it will take
Can't drive 55? That's OK on most of 465, where the speed limit is bumping to 65 mph. Crews out along I-465 on July 1 are updating signage with the higher limit. The 10 mph speed limit increase came with the passage of House Enrolled Act 1461, signed into law May 1 by Gov. Mike Braun. HEA 1461 is largely a major road funding bill that also clears the path for new toll roads across the state. The I-465 speed limit provision was added while the bill was in the Indiana Senate. The work should cause "minimal traffic impacts" and drivers should expect daytime shoulder closures, the Indiana Department of Transportation said in a news release. Installation is set to take about a week, weather permitting. Once the signs are installed, the speed limit will increase on most of I-465, with exceptions "due to existing construction or design limitations," INDOT said. The speed limit will increase in construction areas once work is complete.
Indianapolis Star
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis 2027 mayoral race could be 'open season' as Hogsett's grip fades
It's unclear if Mayor Joe Hogsett is running for reelection for a fourth term but his continued fundraising hasn't put speculation to rest. Several potential candidates could be waiting to take over after Hogsett, including state Sen. Andrea Hunley, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears and City-County Council President Vop Osili. Local political observers say that the prospect of Hogsett running again has substantially dimmed due to the fallout over the harassment allegations. The 2027 Indianapolis mayoral race is already quietly underway. Several potential candidates waiting in the wings to take over after Mayor Joe Hogsett — like state Sen. Andrea Hunley, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, City-County Council President Vop Osili, among others — are weighing a run, setting up a competitive 2027 Democratic primary and general election, according to the politicians themselves or sources familiar with their thinking. Already one candidate, Pike Township Trustee Annette Johnson, said she is planning to run. The conversations have picked up with more vigor since Hogsett has faced calls for resignation by people who are frustrated with his handling of past sexual harassment allegations against his former chief of staff Thomas Cook, calling into question the mayor's own political future. Mears, for example, didn't rule out the idea of running for mayor in 2027 when asked by IndyStar, and sharply criticized Hogsett's response to the harassment allegations, along with a lack of "bold leadership" to address challenges like housing and economic inequality. "If you're fortunate to be in a position of leadership, you need to put the people you serve ahead of your own interests," Mears said. "Your focus should be on how I can help people, and not on trying to maintain power." Mears, who stressed he was focused on serving as prosecutor and his own reelection in 2026, said Indianapolis deserves a leader who will devote "not only the financial capital but the political capital to make significant progress and improvement" on tackling root issues of crime. "Certainly, some of the limitations of being prosecutor is we deal with a lot of the root cause issues in the criminal justice system whether it's housing or economic inequality," Mears said. "I think we have a tremendous opportunity to unify and bring people together if we focus on why we got into the job in the first place which is hopefully to try to help people." Hunley has also more openly talked about her ambitions of late, though she's also already decided to run for reelection to Indiana Senate in 2026. She recently said that city leadership failed survivors of sexual assault and harassment. "Indy needs undistracted leadership," she recently told local political newsletter Importantville. "And I am prayerfully, prayerfully listening, to our community's needs, and I'm keeping all future options on the table. ... We have a city leader who has failed his staff, and he's failed his people, and if he can't take care of them, how can we expect him to take care of us? How can we expect him to take care of our city?" There are also some additional names floating in the air: state Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, who has quietly amassed a promising campaign war chest of about $400,000, said "many have asked me to consider a run" for mayor, but he was focusing on "serving the residents of Senate District 30." And former Indianapolis Public School Board member Will Pritchard told IndyStar he is considering a run. And it's unclear whether state Rep. Robin Shackleford, who challenged Hogsett back in the 2023 primary, will try again. Shackleford didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. "This is what you'd consider open season for anyone who wants to run," Johnson said. "I don't see how (Hogsett would) be a viable candidate for 2027. We need new leadership. It's time for an African-American female." Still, the elephant in the room continues to be the mayor's own political intentions. Hogsett has continued to fundraise this year, fueling speculation that he could run for a fourth term, which he hasn't so far put to rest. Will Hogsett run for reelection in 2027? Destiny Wells, a former Democratic statewide candidate who most recently mounted an unsuccessful challenge to lead the state Democratic party, said she's frustrated that Hogsett is "continuing to stretch out this conversation." His campaign finance numbers dwarf those of the Marion County Democratic Party — Hogsett had $720,000 in the bank compared to less than $35,000 for the party at the end of 2024 — which she said is "a structural challenge that's holding Democrats back." "The real conversation needs to be about where political power and resources are concentrated," Wells said. "Right now, much of Marion County's donor network remains tied to Mayor Hogsett, making it difficult for new Democratic leaders to emerge and grow." Through a campaign spokesperson, Hogsett didn't answer directly when IndyStar asked whether he's decided to run again or if he's ruled it out. "Mayor Hogsett continues to be focused on the remaining 2.5 years of this term and delivering on the promises of improved public safety, stronger infrastructure and enhanced quality of life that Indianapolis voters overwhelmingly supported in 2023," Emily Gurwitz said. But local political observers say that the prospect of him running again has substantially dimmed due to the fallout over the harassment allegations. "This is such easy ammunition (for an election) that supersedes partisanship," said Laura Merrifield Wilson, associate political science professor at the University of Indianapolis. "This is something that would presumably speak to both sides, and arguably speak to Democrats more that see this as a serious concern and issue. " What remains to be seen is Hogsett's continued ability to fundraise, Merrifield Wilson said. He raised nearly $800,000 in 2024, an off-year for municipal elections. It won't be clear what he's raked in in 2025 until early next year due to the timing of campaign finance deadlines. "He's known for being a prolific fundraiser," she said. "That matters quite a bit. If you had a strong challenge that can underscore that they're able to fundraise, that would cut him at the knees." Then there's the question of what happens politically to people seen as Hogsett's allies, particularly Osili. He caught flak earlier this month, and separate calls for resignation, after ordering sheriffs to forcibly remove Lauren Roberts, a former campaign staffer accusing Cook of harassment and workplace abuse, from finishing her testimony at City-County Council. Two days later, he said he "failed Ms. Roberts." Merrifield Wilson said she thinks the situation is "survivable" for Osili but puts him in a tricky position moving forward if he feels a need to put more sunlight between himself and Hogsett. "Where does that funding go?" Wilson said. "It makes sense to go to Osili." Could the fallout over harassment scandal help Republicans? Indianapolis Republicans, who have been in the political wilderness in Marion County over the last decade despite their dominance in the state legislature and in statewide political offices, also see opportunity in 2027. They've fallen short by substantial margins in each of the mayoral races since former Republican Mayor Greg Ballard 's 2011 win. "The (Democratic) party is imploding, and Republicans can stand idly by," Merrifield Wilson said. "Hogsett has won handily, but this could be an opportunity for Republicans to mount an effective challenger there." Most of the Council's six-member Republican caucus has so far held back on calling for Hogsett to resign. Just one member, Joshua Bain, has done so. Still, new Marion County GOP chair Natalie Goodwin said she's eying 2027 with more optimism in light of recent events. "Iron sharpens iron," Goodwin said. "For a city of Indy's magnitude, we have to have two strong parties pushing against each other to get the best outcomes. We're a decade in to essentially one-party rule and we're seeing the decay of what happens when there isn't an efficient challenger." Goodwin said her job now is to find the "best candidates possible who we think can lead with integrity and do what's best to serve their constituents." "I think the city is really hungry for a bold new vision," Goodwin said.
Indianapolis Star
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
The speed limit on parts of I-465 increases on July 1. Here's what you need to know
Central Indiana drivers will see new speed limits on most of Interstate 465 starting on July 1. State lawmakers approved a bill earlier this year that raises the speed limit on I-465 from 55 to 65 miles per hour. Gov. Mike Braun signed the bill into law on May 1. It's just one of a series of bills from the 2025 legislative session that are slated to go into effect in July. Here's what you need to know. On May 1, Gov. Mike Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1461 into law, which raises the speed limit on I-465 to 65 miles per hour, a 10 miles per hour increase. HEA 1461 is largely a major road funding bill that also clears the path for new toll roads across the state. The I-465 speed limit provision was added while the bill was in the Indiana Senate. The speed limit will rise to 65 miles per hour on the majority of I-465 on July 1, but according to the Indiana Department of Transportation, there will be some areas with exceptions. Those spots include: On or after Tues. 7/1, the speed limit on the majority of I-465 in Indianapolis will increase from 55 to 65 mph following passage of HEA 1461 during the 2025 legislative session. Areas with exceptions are noted on the map below. Read more here: What laws take effect on July 1?: Bans, budget cuts and speed limit changes on I-465 We are not telling on anyone, but... INDOT in 2021 recorded speeds for 13 days on a portion of I-465 on the northwest side. Of the 1.1 million vehicles recorded, INDOT found that 96% were driving over the 55 miles-per-hour speed limit. While the I-465 speed limit is rising, that doesn't mean drivers should ignore the lower speed limits in work zones, such as the I-465/I-69 construction zone. A 2023 bill allowed INDOT to launch speed camera programs in work zones. Drivers going 11 miles per hour above the posted speed limit in a work zone can receive financial penalties. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.
Indianapolis Star
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
I'm here to challenge you and hopefully earn your trust
By now you may have read my two latest columns on the death penalty and solar farms, and wondered where I'm coming from as the newest member of the opinion section at IndyStar. Before I came to the newsroom, I worked for the Indiana Senate as a press secretary for the Republican caucus. Those reading that from the left or right might incorrectly assume that means I'm here to spout Republican talking points. The truth is, my drive for moral consistency and fairness means I'm unafraid to take positions you might not expect. I'm not here to make cheap shots, deliver hot takes or adopt stances that will leave any reader feeling complacent. Investigative and opinion journalism has played a vital role in expanding my worldview and challenging my thinking in the past, and I hope to provide a similar challenge to my readers, regardless of partisan leanings. While I'm here, I hope to stay true to that goal and gain your trust. Trust has never been so important at a time when the average person in our state probably feels abandoned by legacy media and disconnected from their community. Anyone can easily find a near-constant influx of doom-and-gloom, sensationalist punditry and incomplete narratives on social media, but long-term exposure can make them feel voiceless and weak. Local media has an imperative to validate itself and provide people with a valuable connection to their local communities, where they have the greatest ability to make a difference. Throughout my time in health care, education and public relations, I saw local media drive many important conversations this way. During my time as an investigative journalist, while managing a small news outlet, I was shocked by the outsized influence it had on the city and state. When reporting and investigative work is complemented by thought-provoking commentary with a connection to the local community, a newsroom's impact can stretch far beyond its readers. This is something IndyStar has been successful at for years, thanks to my boss, James Briggs, the other excellent people in our newsroom, and IndyStar's parent company, Gannett, which continues to invest in our opinion section. As IndyStar continues to evolve to make sure it represents and meets the needs of the city and state it serves, I'm excited to be a part of it and hit the ground running. I hope my readers will reach out to let me know what issues matter most to them.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
7 bills Indiana lawmakers approved in the final hours of the 2025 legislative session
Indiana lawmakers closed the books on the 2025 legislative session in the early hours of April 25, approving some of the most controversial bills of the session and the state budget on the last day. It's also the time of year where lawmakers in the House and the Senate make last-minute adds and eliminations to some bills and resurrect once-dead language in others before the final versions of legislation head to the governor's desk. The biggest lift was the two-year state budget. Lawmakers and Gov. Mike Braun on April 23 announced a deal on a slimmed down version of the bill following a dismal forecast last week that required more than $2 billion in cuts from what was originally proposed. But bills making school board elections partisan and reining in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in government entities saw tense debate before lawmakers gave their final approvals. Here are some of the efforts state lawmakers squeezed into the last day of the session. A tight budget year got even tighter with a surprise $2 billion revenue shortfall unveiled last week. The version of House Bill 1001, the two-year budget, that the House passed 66-27 and the Senate passed 39-1, was only a little more than a day old when those votes happened. In that time span, lawmakers added a cigarette tax hike, cut public health and public media funding, and enacted a litany of policies affecting universities and faculty that never saw the light of public testimony. Some of the most tense debate toward the early morning hours of April 25 centered around that process. Now Gov. Mike Braun will get to sign his first budget as governor. Senate Bill 287, a controversial plan to make school board elections partisan races narrowly passed the Indiana Senate by a vote of 26-24 on April 24. It's now on the way to Braun's desk. It was a rare close vote for the chamber with a Republican supermajority. Fourteen Senate Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the bill, with some GOP senators pleading with their colleagues to reject it Some Senate Democrats appeared surprised SB 287 squeaked through and following the vote said they expected the bill to fail. Sen. JD Ford, D-Indianapolis, urged Republicans who voted against SB 287 to call on Braun to veto the legislation. Opponents of SB 287 throughout the legislative session said they worried partisan school board races would continue to politicize the offices, while supporters said that's already the case. House lawmakers made it optional for school board members to disclose their affiliation, not mandatory, when running for office. Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, who authored the bill said partisan identifiers provide increased transparency for Hoosiers at the ballot box. "If we think the work of the sheriff, the judges, the coroners is partisan," Byrne said on the Senate floor on April 24. "Than I would say school boards are more partisan than that." After executive orders in January from President Donald Trump and Braun, Indiana lawmakers on April 24 signed off on a bill aiming to rein in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, known as DEI. The House voted 64-26 and the Senate voted 34-16 to send the bill to Braun. Senate Bill 289, prohibits publicly-funded entities from taking actions based on a person's "personal characteristics," such as race, religion and sex. It also allows individuals to bring legal actions over alleged violations, but plaintiffs would only be able to receive court and attorney fees and actual damages if a court rules in their favor. More: Lawmakers send anti-DEI bill to Gov. Braun. Here's what it does The version of SB 289 on its way to Braun is a slimmed down version of the bill that passed the Senate earlier this year. The session's landmark DEI bill began as a blanket ban on DEI concepts, trainings and even offices within state institutions, including colleges. Earlier this year, some state colleges began shutting down DEI-related offices and trainings due to what was proposed in the Senate. The key piece of legislation that attempts to add some controls on the prices nonprofit hospitals charge is now on its way to Braun, for whom the cost of health care is a top issue. House Bill 1004 passed the House 67-23 and the Senate 37-13. HB 1004 came out swinging at the start of the session, but was watered down significantly as it traveled through the Senate. What started as financial penalties and the revocation of their nonprofit status if hospitals charge prices above a certain threshold, ended as a bill asking for a study of these hospitals' average prices, and then have the nonprofit-status threat take effect in 2029. It also restructures the hospital assessment fee to allow hospitals to draw down more federal dollars, and requires insurance agents to publicize their commissions in quotes they give customers as well as the all payer claims database. Senate Bill 140, the main bill taking a crack at the powerful pharmacy benefit manager industry ― the middlemen between drug manufacturers and pharmacies ― is now heading to Braun. The House voted 84-1 and the Senate voted 39-10 on the final version of the bill. The bill requires PBMs to provide adequate coverage networks, prohibits them from steering business to their own affiliated pharmacies, and requires PBMs to reimburse independent pharmacies at cost, plus a dispensing fee. (The dispensing fee is what the PBMs liken to a "pill tax.") The final version of the bill exempted out Medicaid, managed care and state employee health plan from the provisions. When lawmakers approved a House bill with directions for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles on April 24, they also signed off on a ban on advertising of marijuana products 'by any medium' within the state. More: Marijuana isn't legal in Indiana. So should advertising be legal here? Lawmakers say no The language hopped around in different bills in the final weeks of April before landing in House Bill 1390. The ban applies to signs on the interstate and flyers sent to mailboxes, which had started appearing in Indiana as companies in neighboring states try to entice Hoosiers to spend their money across state lines. (All of the states bordering Indiana have some form of legalized marijuana.) Advertising bill proposals appeared in three different bills at the start of the legislative session, which all died without receiving a hearing in legislative committees. Other controversial language lawmakers approved after it bill-hopped in the final days: a ban on local governments hosting or funding 'obscene' performances and the ability for 'anyone' to sue a local entity they believe violates the language. Democrats and LGBTQ advocates said the provision targets drag shows and other performances someone might not like. The original language was added in the House to Senate Bill 326, a bill clarifying language about 'child sex abuse materials.' It was removed in a conference committee and then added to House Bill 1014 on April 24, a bill about the terms of imprisonment for misdemeanors. The bill passed the House 78-13 and the Senate 42-8. It now heads to Braun's desk. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@ or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 7 bills Indiana lawmakers approved in the final hours of the 2025 legislative session
