Indiana

This week in the Indiana Statehouse: A Senate committee advances a bill pressuring nonprofit hospitals to lower costs. Language banning government involvement in “obscene performances” gets added to an unrelated bill. And an expansion of the state’s Lifeline Law heads to the governor.

Two years in, negotiations continue in a legal challenge over the future of the former Colgate-Palmolive property in Clarksville. Town officials initiated legal action to take the real estate by eminent domain, saying they want to make sure the historic property is preserved.

An Indiana judge has approved an emergency hearing next week to consider whether the Clark County Commissioners acted illegally when they removed every member of a Utica fire board the day before a vote to create a fire territory.

State lawmakers want to remove the income cap on Indiana’s school voucher program. Voucher parents support it, opponents say it puts the cost on traditional public schools.

This week at the Indiana Statehouse: A bill boosting local prosecutors’ salaries is discussed in the Senate. A House lawmaker proposes an overhaul to the property tax system. And lawmakers want to increase minimum teacher salaries.

Proponents of a proposed fire territory in Southern Indiana say they hope legal intervention can bring it back to the table. Members of the Utica Township Fire Protection District board who were removed this week are taking legal action.

The Clark County Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to remove all three members of the Utica Township Fire Protection District board. It came one day before the board was expected to approve creation of a fire territory with Jeffersonville, a move some other local leaders have opposed.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed two executive orders Wednesday. One aims to reduce environmental “over-regulation” to help businesses grow and another to cut environmental justice out of decision-making.

Pharmacy benefits managers, or PBMs, are meant to lower drug prices by acting as a middleman between drug manufacturers and either insurance companies or employers who sponsor health plans. Advocates said employers and consumers often don’t understand what PBMs are and how they work.

This week in Indianapolis: A House committee kicks off second-half debate on property tax reform. Legislation aims to help improve energy transmission. And a bill to create an online portal for Hoosier farmers nears the governor’s desk.