Legislative Round-Up

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Updated: February 27, 2012 9:57AM

Full-day kindergarten

A bill providing $80 million in additional funding for full-day kindergarten passed a House committee unanimously Wednesday.

The bill authored by state Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, makes use of new income discovered by the state. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced in December that state officials found funds were being misplaced from corporate income taxes paid by electronic checks. 

Espich is proposing funding for full-day kindergarten comes from the approximate $100 million he expects the state will collect annually from those e-checks. The bill also gives $5 million to Indiana State Fair victims.

The bill now goes to the full House.

Valpo historic district

A bill that passed a House committee unanimously on Wednesday extends the area where Valparaiso restaurants can apply for liquor licenses near the historic district.

The bill authored by state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, is meant to compensate for development on the city’s west side. The bill extends the buffer up to 1,000 feet from Valparaiso’s historic district and limits the alcoholic beverage permits to 10 being active at any time.

“We’re not giving any more liquor licenses. We’re not creating any more competition,” Soliday said. “All we’re doing is just extending the buffer.”

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas said the bill gives the city flexibility.

“There has been some development occurring in the downtown just outside the historic limits,” Costas said. “This allows us to have greater flexibility for the development that occurs just outside the historic district but still really is a part of that district.”

Creationism in classroom

Indiana’s public schools would be allowed to teach creationism in science classes under a bill endorsed Wednesday by a state Senate committee.

The Senate Education Committee voted 8-2 in favor of the bill despite experts and some senators saying teaching creationism likely would be ruled unconstitutional if challenged in court.

Committee Chairman Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, sponsored the bill. “This is a local option and the local school board decides,” he said.

— P-T staff and wire reports