In a statement announcing he signed the bill, Gov. Mike Pence said wages should be set by the marketplace, not government bureaucracy. He says repealing the system puts taxpayers first. But opponents of the repeal say ending the common wage will create more economic disparity.

Gov. Mike Pence says excitement is palpable as he talks to local communities about the Regional Cities Initiative. He signed a bill creating the program into law Thursday.

The new law also provides immunity to licensed medical professionals who volunteer their services at no cost to taxpayers or patients. It applies to physician assistants, advanced nurses, podiatrists, and optometrists and allows them to provide basic treatments like physicals, routine services, and the treatment of minor cuts.

The law comes after Pence declared an emergency and created a temporary needle exchange program in Scott County, where more than 140 people have been diagnosed with HIV. The cases are all tied to intravenous drug use.

Supporters of the change say it will boost Indiana wineries and give wine consumers more choices.

Indiana lawmakers could return to the Statehouse next month to correct errors in new statutes or override a veto by the governor.

The new law establishes the Safety Protecting Indiana's Newborns grant program and has been referred to throughout the session as Safety PIN.

Gov. Mike Pence signed House Bill 1002 on Monday. The bill would require legislators to disclose any investments they hold that total $5,000 or more. Former Indiana law only required disclosures for investments of $10,000 or more.

About 300,000 people enrolled in HIP 2.0 will soon receive letters inviting them to participate in Gateway to Work, a program run by the state's Family and Social Services Administration.

The new state budget approved by the General Assembly includes $25 million toward a new archives building, but also has a provision barring its construction at the canal site.