Here’s a rundown of some of the big political items making news across the state of Indiana.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law Indiana’s bias crime statute Wednesday, leaving Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, and Wyoming as the only states that do not more harshly punish crimes motivated by hate or bias.  (Times of Northwest Indiana)

Indy Politics talks to Sen. Ryan Mishler, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, about the state budget, school funding, teacher pay, gaming, and a variety other state financial issues.   (Indy Politics)

You shouldn’t be punished for not working by having your Medicaid taken away, says a group of faith leaders from across the state. Faith in Indiana is asking Gov. Holcomb to abandon any plans to make people prove they are working to be able to get government health care.   (WIBC)

A group of evangelicals in Indiana wants the state to expand wind and solar energy.   (Indiana Public Media)

Helping children find stability and success, according to Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington, should be a driving force in the legislature and for all elected officials.  (The Statehouse File)

Vice President Mike Pence is traveling to Indianapolis this week to discuss the proposed U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.  (South Bend Tribune)

Nine Indiana school districts are asking voters to increase funding for education this May, the latest sign that many school systems are relying on referendums to supplement the money they receive from the state.  (IBJ)

College-bound rates continue to decline among Indiana high school graduates, but those who seek a degree generally don’t need remediation and enroll with credits earned in high school, according to a new report by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.  (Journal Gazette)

Amtrak shaved 15 minutes in the trip from Indy to Chicago, including a stop in Lafayette. State leaders weren’t impressed, looking for increased ridership to justify a $6 million investment.   (Journal & Courier)

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is touting the work of Purdue University.   (Inside Indiana Business)