Indiana Politics & News
Indiana news from The Daily Signal, tracking state legislation, economic development, conservative leadership, and the Hoosier State’s role in Midwest political and policy debates.
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How to Talk About the Indiana Law With Your Liberal Relatives at Easter
Editor’s note: Amid the discussion about the religious liberty laws in Indiana and Arkansas this week, there’s been a lot of misinformation—and a lot of thoughtful concerns about what religious freedom laws actually allow and what they ban. We talked to Heritage Foundation’s William E. Simon Fellow Dr. Ryan T. Anderson to get the facts—and…Ryan T. Anderson -
Indiana Has Changed Its Religious Liberty Law. Here Is What That Means.
Editor's Note: The Indiana Legislature passed a bill Thursday after facing backlash over the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Gov. Mike Pence quickly signed the bill into law before leaving for a European vacation. Earlier Thursday, The Heritage Foundation's Ryan T. Anderson explained why the so-called "fix" is bad policy. — • — At a press conference in the Indiana Statehouse Thursday morning, Senate President…Ryan T. Anderson -
The Misplaced Outrage Against Indiana
Despite the frenzied protests of critics, Indiana’s recent Religious Freedom Restoration Act is not the imposition of Jim Crow and is not going to lead to a kind of Selma for the gay rights movement. Indiana has simply passed a law that enshrines the First Amendment values that we hold dear and have taken for…Hans von Spakovsky -
Indiana Pizzeria Under Fire for Support of Religious Freedom Law
A pizzeria in Indiana has come under fire for supporting the state’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Memories Pizza is owned by the O’Connor family of Walkerton, Ind. Crystal O’Connor told Indiana’s WBND that the family business is “a Christian establishment.” “If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding,…Kate Scanlon -
Facts vs. Spin: Here Is What the Indiana Religious Freedom Law Would Do
There is so much noise and hype surrounding the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act it’s hard to know what is real and what is spin. So I decided to seek out a real expert to get the facts. I asked Ryan Anderson, my colleague at The Heritage Foundation, to explain exactly what the law does—and…Genevieve Wood -
Q&A on Indiana: Would Restaurants Be Allowed to Turn Away LGBT Customers?
Does the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act allow business owners to put their beliefs above the rights of their employees or customers? No, the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act protects the rights of all citizens. This law treats all American citizens equally. It ensures that people of all faiths have the right to live out…Ryan T. Anderson -
Where the 2016 Hopefuls Stand on Indiana’s Religious Freedom Law
Eight Republican presidential hopefuls have offered their support to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as he scrambles to put out a political wildfire over a new state law designed to protect the religious freedom of Hoosiers. “It’s a fix of a bill that through confusion has come to be greatly misunderstood.” —@GovPenceIN Other than unannounced front-runner…Ken McIntyre -
MSNBC Cuts Ryan T. Anderson’s Mic as He Defends Indiana Law
MSNBC host Ed Schultz cut Heritage Foundation’s Ryan T. Anderson’s mic off during a heated discussion about Indiana’s religious freedom law. >>> Download the ebook version of “Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom” today! (Paperback will be available end of August, but can be preordered.) Schultz did bring Anderson back for a…Daily Signal Staff -
The Indiana Law Treats All Americans Equally
The Heritage Foundation’s Ryan T. Anderson defended the Indiana religious liberty law on MSNBC last night with guest host Ari Melber on “All In With Chris Matthews.”Ryan T. Anderson -
Apple CEO Tim Cook Is Wrong About Indiana Religious Freedom Law
Apple CEO Tim Cook has taken to The Washington Post to tell the nation that, in the words of the headline, “Pro-discrimination ‘religious freedom’ laws are dangerous.” Notice the scare quotes around “religious freedom.” But the reality is that the only person in favor of discrimination in this debate is Tim Cook. It is Tim…Ryan T. Anderson -
How a Pastor Reacted to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Law
On Thursday, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act into law, creating a firestorm in the Hoosier State. The legislation allows residents to freely practice their religious beliefs while opponents believe it will allow businesses to discriminate against gay and lesbian patrons. >>> Read More: Mike Pence Signs Religious Freedom Bill In recent…Jamie Jackson -
Indiana Protects Religious Liberty. Why That’s Good Policy.
In a victory for religious freedom, earlier today Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., signed into law the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This is good policy that protects the fundamental freedom of Indiana citizens from unnecessary and unreasonable government coercion. The Indiana law is based on the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act—a law that has served…Ryan T. Anderson -
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Gets Plum Spot at Conservative Gathering
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who is high on the list of dream White House candidates for some conservatives, has grabbed a prime speaking slot at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, convening later this month outside Washington, D.C. The Daily Signal has learned that Pence will be the keynote speaker at CPAC’s Ronald Reagan Dinner on…Ken McIntyre -
Indiana Joins Growing Number of States Pushing Civics Exam to Graduate High School
FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Hoosier lawmakers have joined a growing number of states that want your kid to take another exam. To graduate high school, students would have to pass an exam similar to the naturalization test required for immigrants to become U.S. citizens. Still a work in progress, the bill will come up for debate during…Philip Wegmann -
Why an Indiana Police Officer Created This ‘Breathe Easy’ T-Shirt
One small business is booming as the debate rages over police shootings. With a T-shirt, police officer Jason Barthel ignited a national controversy. Ten days before Christmas, the owner of South Bend Uniform Co. debuted T-shirts emblazoned with this controversial message: “Breathe Easy, Don’t Break the Law.” Barthel twisted the rallying cry of a national…Philip Wegmann -
Indiana to Start Requiring Food Stamp Recipients Work, Be in Job Training, or Job Hunting
Next spring, thousands could be cut from Indiana’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Indiana has previously waived the federal requirement that SNAP recipients are either employed, actively seeking employment or in training for future employment. But now the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has announced that, as of 2015, the federal requirement will be enforced…Kate Scanlon -
Indiana Man Thought He Was Covered Under Obamacare … Until He Needed to Visit Dentist
An Indiana man who purchased health insurance through Obamacare’s federal exchange says he was assured he had dental coverage. When he needed care, though, he learned that his insurance provider wouldn’t cover the work. Now, he’s warning others they could also be getting misleading information. “You might be very surprised you’re not covered when you…Philip Wegmann -
Now There Are 3: Oklahoma, South Carolina Join Indiana in Exiting Common Core
Common Core is on the chopping block. Oklahoma today became the third state to exit the national education standards and reclaim its decision-making authority in education. The move comes on the heels of South Carolina, which days ago put an end to Common Core—setting precedent for other states to follow. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley…Kelsey Bolar