Here are a few news items you might find useful this morning. For the latest, sign up for the Indy Politics Statewide Summary.
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Stage 3 of the state’s reopening will begin Friday, May 22, for most of the state – two days earlier than previously planned. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the change in a Wednesday afternoon press conference. (Indy Star)
A group of 23 local business and not-for-profit leaders has gone on record to oppose the city’s decision to close Massachusetts Avenue to traffic and is asking the mayor and the City-County Council to halt the plans until a public meeting on the matter can be held. (IBJ)
You may have last heard Todd Rokita’s voice when he was defeated by Mike Braun for the nomination for U.S. Senate in 2018. Now the former Sec. of State and 4th District Congressman says he wants to be the state attorney general. (WIBC)
County clerks across Indiana were notified this week by the Indiana Election Division that voters cannot be required to be screened for COVID-19 or forced to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, wash their hands or even respect social distancing guidelines when showing up to vote in person. (Lebanon Reporter)
In a few months, thousands of Indiana students will start fourth grade without ever having taken the state’s third-grade literacy exam — the test that typically decides whether or not a student can advance. (Chalkbeat Indiana)
Monday Evansville City Council gave its OK to borrowing $16 million to cover an expected revenue shortfall from late property tax payment (Courier Press)
What one St. Joseph County official criticized as “astronomically large” pay raises for two employees another defended as potential cost savings of “tens of thousands of dollars.” (South Bend Tribune)
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun predicted Wednesday that history will be unkind to governors who ordered statewide shutdowns of commercial activities during the coronavirus pandemic. (Journal Gazette)
