Republican Sen. Luke Kenley says passing the follow-up bill to clarify the original religious freedom law was an important step. And to help restore Indiana's image, he says he's increased tourism funding by $1 million a year in the Senate's version of the budget.

The Senate GOP budget appropriates $56 million in new funding for community correction programs at the local level. The House GOP budget had set aside $80 million.

The Associated Press analysis of wait times for appointments completed between September and February for 940 U.S. outpatient clinics and hospitals shows the South Bend VA Clinic had the nation's 45th-highest rate of long waits.

A bill that would prohibit abortions based on gender or fetal disabilities such as Down syndrome will not receive a committee hearing in the House this session.

Lawmakers are continuing to tinker with a plan to send extra cash for crime fighting to Marion, Lake and Allen counties as they face a Thursday deadline for action.

Indiana revenues have missed the mark seven out of the last nine months, with March collections coming in about $18 million below expectations.

A bill that would allow needle exchange programs across Indiana passed the House on Tuesday and is headed back to the Senate which hasn't considered that provision of the legislation.

The manufacturing of e-liquids, also called vaping liquids, is largely unregulated by the state. Legislation approved by the Senate would impose bottling and labeling requirements, including the use of child-proof safety caps, create a licensing system, and require stringent security measures.

A Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill repealing the state's common construction wage, while adding new requirements for contractors on public projects. The legislation eliminating the minimum wage for public construction projects heads to the Senate floor.

The House Judiciary Committee split 5-5 Tuesday morning on the proposal, but some committee members weren't present for the vote. Committee chair Greg Steuerwald allowed those members to cast their votes later in the hearing, allowing the measure to advance.