HIGHWAY MONEY
Gov. Mike Pence says Indiana will benefit from a short-term road funding deal that will pump roughly $230 million in new money into state highways and bridges over the next two years. Pence praised the package approved by legislators earlier this month during a ceremonial bill signing Wednesday in the Indianapolis suburb of Westfield. The package represents less than a quarter of the $1 billion boost in state highway money that Pence sought, but doesn’t include an increase in cigarette and gasoline taxes backed by House Republicans as a longer-term plan to increase funding. The plan also gives about $580 million to city and county governments for local road projects, with much of that coming from a one-time distribution of local income taxes held in reserve by the state.
ABORTION RESTRICTION
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says he’s considering arguments from both sides in the debate over a contentious bill that would ban abortions because the fetus has a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome. Pence reiterated his anti-abortion stance as he spoke about the measure Wednesday, one day before the deadline for him to act on bills the General Assembly has approved. He could allow the bill to go into law by not signing it, but it would take a veto to completely halt the measure. Critics including several Republican women lawmakers and a national group of gynecologists gave slammed the bill for going too far in restricting abortion access and telling women what they can and cannot do.
PLASTIC REGULATION BAN
City and county officials across Indiana won’t be allowed to tax or restrict the use of disposable plastic bags by grocery stores and other retailers under a new state law. The governor’s office says Gov. Mike Pence signed the bill Wednesday. The measure was approved with mostly Republican support during the legislative session that ended two weeks ago. Municipalities across the country, as well as the state of California, have banned single-use plastic bags. Others have adopted so-called bag taxes to discourage their use, which can harm the environment. The measure takes effect immediately and prohibits cities from considering bag restrictions, as Bloomington has.