Lawmakers Close Book on Roller-coaster Session
By: Robert Bumsted
Updated: March 14, 2012
Indiana lawmakers are closing the books on this year's legislative session.
The legislature was up until nearly 2 A.M. on Saturday casting their final votes for the regular session -- one that was full of controversy and important state-wide changes.
Much of this year's session was stalled because of controversy surrounding the state's "right to work" bill. The law prohibits employers from requiring their workers to join a union. The bill was signed into law on February first.
But this week, lawmakers moved forward with several bills just before the deadline.
On Friday, the Assembly passed Senate Bill 1 -- a law allowing hoosiers to use force against officers who illegally enter their home if running away isn't an option.
The Legislature also passed a series of bills affecting students. House Bill 1376 provides $80 mil. in funding for full-time kindergarten throughout the state. The same bill also provided millions in compensation to victims of the State Fair stage collapse.
The state's death tax will soon be getting the ax. This week, lawmakers voted on a plan to phase it out by 2022. This year, the state exemption for donations to children and grandchildren was increased from one hundred to $200 thousand.
Also passed Friday -- Indiana's first state ban on Smoking. The law prohibits smoking indoors, but gives exceptions to bars, casinos and private clubs.
The legislature was up until nearly 2 A.M. on Saturday casting their final votes for the regular session -- one that was full of controversy and important state-wide changes.
Much of this year's session was stalled because of controversy surrounding the state's "right to work" bill. The law prohibits employers from requiring their workers to join a union. The bill was signed into law on February first.
But this week, lawmakers moved forward with several bills just before the deadline.
On Friday, the Assembly passed Senate Bill 1 -- a law allowing hoosiers to use force against officers who illegally enter their home if running away isn't an option.
The Legislature also passed a series of bills affecting students. House Bill 1376 provides $80 mil. in funding for full-time kindergarten throughout the state. The same bill also provided millions in compensation to victims of the State Fair stage collapse.
The state's death tax will soon be getting the ax. This week, lawmakers voted on a plan to phase it out by 2022. This year, the state exemption for donations to children and grandchildren was increased from one hundred to $200 thousand.
Also passed Friday -- Indiana's first state ban on Smoking. The law prohibits smoking indoors, but gives exceptions to bars, casinos and private clubs.
