Government

The criminal trial of Indiana's secretary of state is expected to begin today.

Charlie White is accused of voter fraud.

Prosecutors say he knowingly registered to vote at his ex-wife's house, while living somewhere else.

The discrepancy was revealed during White's campaign for office in 2010, and caused him to resign from his seat on the Fishers Town Council and pay back his council salary.

He faces charges of voter fraud, perjury, fraud on a financial institution and theft.

Lafayette area residents will have an opportunity to talk to local lawmakers and share their ideas.

The League of Women Voters is hosting a legislative breakfast Saturday, February 11th.

League Publicity Director Deb Schwarte says the goal is to prepare the public for upcoming elections.

She hopes community members as well as Purdue students attend.

So far, two legislators have confirmed they will be there, but as many as six of them may show up.

The Indiana House has added more exemptions to its statewide smoking ban, but supporters still think the bill can pass the General Assembly.

The bill originally exempted the gaming floors of gambling facilities, cigar and hookah bars, tobacco shops and social clubs.  But in order to help facilitate its passage, bill author State Representative Eric Turner (R-Cicero) expanded the gambling facility exemption to incorporate the entire property, including any bars, hotels or restaurants.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is calling on the General Assembly to get a human trafficking bill passed in time for the Super Bowl, February 5. 

A bill closing gaps in Indiana’s human trafficking laws has been on a fast track through the Assembly.  The Senate passed it unanimously, but it’s been held up by unrest in the House.  Now, with Super Bowl festivities arriving in Indianapolis, Zoeller is urging the legislature to act quickly.

Despite five members voting against it, Indiana House Republicans still garnered enough votes to pass Right-To-Work legislation.

The bill passed by a 54-to-44 vote.

It goes to the Senate, where last week members there approved an identical measure, and then is expected to go to Governor Mitch Daniels desk.

His signature would make Indiana the 23rd state in the nation to adopt a bill banning unions and companies from charging dues to non-union members.

A bill passed by a state senate committee would tell doctors how to administer medications they use to perform abortions. However, some doctors disagree with the legislatively-prescribed protocol.

The bill mandates that drugs used in so-called chemical abortions be administered according to Food and Drug Administration guidelines only.  But some physicians say they prefer using evidence-based, off-label practices, while the F.D.A. protocol requires a dose three times higher than those doctors prefer using.

Indiana is closer to becoming a Right-To-Work state.

The Senate passed a measure that would prohibit unions from charging dues to non-members by a 28-to-22 vote.

Nine republicans and 13 Democrats voted against it.

There are currently 22-states with similar laws in place, but Democrats in the House are trying to stop the bill from moving forward.

Party members walked out of the session again Monday in an effort to halt the legislation.

They are pushing for it to be put on a referendum during the November election.

West Lafayette is close to filling its new Information Technology Director position.

Mayor John Dennis says the job was created to identify and improve some of the city’s technological deficiencies. He says it's taken three years to coordinate what needs to be done and move to writing a job description for someone who can achieve the city's goals.

The position includes overseeing technology with emergency services, utilities, and the website outreach programs.

An amendment by House Democrats to place Right to Work on a statewide referendum has been redrafted and filed, but Democrats remained off the floor Friday.

An initial referendum amendment was thought by legislative attorneys to be unconstitutional.  Democrats then vacated the floor all this week to redraft it.

Friday morning Minority Leader Pat Bauer said he wanted assurances from the Republicans that they believe the new amendment passes constitutional muster.  But Speaker Brian Bosma will only promise to hear, debate and vote on the amendment.

The City of West Lafayette introduced its new Fire Chief, Friday.

Timothy Heath is replacing Phil Drew who stepped down at the end of last year at the request of Mayor John Dennis.

He says he views the department as a family and hopes to build on that relationship, but in a different capacity.

The city held a pinning ceremony for Heath Friday, but he officially took office Thursday.

The 22-year veteran of the department previously worked as the Lieutenant of firehouse number two.