Mike Braun

Governor Braun suspended Indiana's gasoline use tax and excise tax through executive orders issued on April 8 and May 6, 2026, totaling approximately 60 cents per gallon in state tax relief in response to rising fuel prices. Braun stated on May 22, 2026 that he was considering extending the suspension beyond its scheduled June 7 expiration date and indicated he might have authority to do so under Indiana's energy emergency law. The governor noted that any extension would reduce revenue allocated to road and bridge projects and said he would make a decision in the week before the current suspension expires.

Indiana Comptroller Nieshalla launched the Federal Funding Expenditures Dashboard on the Indiana Transparency Portal on Monday, a public tool that tracks six years of federal spending data across state agencies. The dashboard allows users to sort expenditures by federal department, state agency, spending category, and individual accounts, providing detailed information on how federal grants—which accounted for 42 percent of Indiana's general revenue in fiscal year 2025—are spent by state government. Officials stated the tool provides greater transparency than existing federal databases by focusing on dollars actually spent by Indiana agencies rather than just federal awards issued to the state.

Indiana approved a Medicaid financing overhaul in May 2026 that ties Medicaid reimbursement increases to hospitals' commercial prices, with federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on April 28 and May 1. Under the revised Hospital Assessment Fee program and new State Directed Payment program, hospitals with lower commercial rates will receive larger Medicaid payment increases beginning January 1, 2026, while systems with higher commercial prices will receive smaller increases. The State Directed Payment program will distribute up to $1.866 billion in supplemental Medicaid payments across participating Indiana hospitals in the Healthy Indiana Plan, Hoosier Healthwise, and Hoosier Care Connect programs.

Braun defended Senate Enrolled Act 1, the property tax reform law approved the previous year, during a public event in Fort Wayne. He stated that homeowners needed relief from property tax bills while acknowledging that amendments to the legislation might be necessary to address financial strain at the local level. Braun indicated willingness to adjust certain provisions of the law to ensure implementation feasibility for local governments and schools.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide energy emergency on April 8, 2026, suspending the state's 7% sales tax on gasoline and subsequently extending the declaration to also suspend the gas excise tax, together saving drivers approximately 60 cents per gallon. Braun extended the emergency declaration a second time, though state law prohibits further renewal without General Assembly approval. As of mid-May 2026, Braun had not made a decision about calling a special legislative session to extend the tax suspension beyond the June 7 expiration date, while legislative leaders indicated they had not yet held formal discussions with the governor on the matter.

On May 13, 2026, Braun signed an executive order directing the Department of Child Services to establish accounts allowing foster care youth to access their federal survivor benefits upon aging out of the system. The order covers benefits from Social Security, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board that Indiana had previously retained to fund foster care services, totaling approximately $3.2 million annually. The executive order takes effect immediately and requires DCS to provide annual accountings, financial literacy education, and procedures for youth to request fund distributions while in care.

Governor Braun extended Indiana's suspension of the 7 percent sales tax on gasoline for an additional 30 days on May 6, 2026, and simultaneously suspended the state's 36-cent-per-gallon excise tax during the same period. The combined suspensions are expected to cost state coffers $104 million and local units $52 million, providing motorists a combined savings of 59.3 cents per gallon. This marked the first time in modern Indiana history that both the sales tax and excise tax on gasoline were suspended concurrently.

Braun extended the suspension of Indiana's 7 percent sales tax on gasoline for an additional 30 days and simultaneously suspended the state's 36-cent-per-gallon gas tax, effective Wednesday. The combined tax suspensions were projected to reduce state revenue by $104 million and local unit revenue by $52 million over the 30-day period. Braun stated the action was taken to address energy costs, with the suspensions expected to provide Hoosier motorists a combined 59.3-cent-per-gallon reduction in fuel costs.

Governor Mike Braun has not yet responded to calls from over 700 Hoosiers requesting the creation of a Commission on Housing Safety, Stability, and Affordability, according to reporting in May 2026. This contrasts with Michigan and Minnesota governors, who have approved comprehensive housing strategies during the same period. The article notes that Indiana's per capita personal income ranks 41st nationally and last in the Midwest, with nearly four in ten households classified as ALICE (asset-limited, income constrained, employed).

The Braun administration announced an initiative to reduce Medicaid spending in Indiana through increased audits conducted by the Family and Social Services Administration. FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob characterized the effort in public statements to media. Indiana's Medicaid appropriations had increased 134 percent prior to the administration's announcement of the spending reduction effort.

Governor Braun signaled openness to marijuana legalization, stating he would "do what makes sense" while considering input from law enforcement and the Indiana legislature. Braun's remarks followed the release of a RAND report commissioned by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation indicating that Hoosiers spend nearly $2 billion annually on marijuana purchased in neighboring states where the drug is legal. The governor noted that recent federal rescheduling of medical marijuana to a less restrictive category makes legalization "more likely" and that Indiana's position relative to surrounding states with legal marijuana would factor into any policy consideration.

Governor Braun declared an energy emergency on April 8, 2026, and suspended Indiana's 7 percent gasoline sales tax for 30 days, reducing the per-gallon tax by 17 cents through May 8. Attorney General Todd Rokita released the IN Fuel Watch portal on April 29, 2026, which tracks real-time gasoline prices at over 4,600 gas stations across Indiana and displays statewide metrics including average prices and price changes since Braun's emergency declaration. The portal includes a searchable database and color-coded indicators to help consumers identify stations with the largest price reductions, while the Consumer Protection Division monitors the data to investigate suspected price gouging violations.

Indiana Gov. Braun stated he was open to considering marijuana legalization, citing that Indiana is surrounded by states that have legalized the drug to some degree, including Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio, which permit recreational use. Braun's statement indicated a shift in his willingness to engage with the policy question of cannabis legalization in Indiana. No specific legislation or executive action was announced at the time of the statement.

Governor Braun announced the Indiana AI initiative, dubbed IN AI, on April 28, 2026, at the Indiana Statehouse to help businesses integrate artificial intelligence into their workflows. The program includes roadshows, workshops, and virtual information sessions designed to assist businesses in identifying operational areas where AI technology can be implemented. Secretary of Commerce David Adams characterized the initiative as human-centered, stating it aims to equip people rather than replace them.

Governor Braun announced IN AI, a new initiative designed to help Indiana businesses grow, create jobs, and raise wages through the use of artificial intelligence. The program represents the state's effort to integrate AI technology into business development and workforce expansion. Braun unveiled the initiative on Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Governor Braun warned school districts and local governments that he would not allow their revenue to grow faster than the economy following the Indiana General Assembly's 2025 passage of Senate Enrolled Act 1, which cut $2 billion from the state's previous spending plan. The warning was issued in the context of fiscal pressures facing Indiana government entities, including state agencies and public universities that experienced funding cuts. This guidance informed subsequent budget decisions by local governments, including the City of Fort Wayne's contract negotiations with firefighters regarding paid leave benefits.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1, legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly that limited the growth of property and income tax revenues for local governments. Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker and City Controller Pat Roller announced vehicle policy changes in response to the expected revenue decline from this legislation, restricting the use of city-owned vehicles outside Allen County boundaries and prohibiting overnight use of vehicles outside the county, measures projected to save approximately $500,000 annually. The policy changes, scheduled to take effect July 1, were developed from recommendations of an SB1 Fiscal Task Force and directly affect approximately 90 city employees.

The Family and Social Services Administration under Secretary Mitch Roob initiated audits of Medicaid claims submitted by Indiana's five largest attendant care providers between January 1, 2022 and March 31, 2025, following a $150 million surge in claims that could not be explained by changes in member need or program structure. The audits used statistically valid random sampling to review 625 claim lines and found errors in nearly all claims reviewed, including failures to activate electronic verification, services provided outside patient locations, missing or incomplete consent forms, and incomplete visit notes. The FSSA is seeking the return of $200 million in improper payments from Guardian Care, Healing Hands Personal Services, Help at Home, Tendercare Home Health, and Team Select Home Care.

On April 8, Braun signed an energy emergency declaration suspending the 7% state sales tax on gasoline purchases for 30 days, estimated to cost state coffers $50 million. On April 23, Braun stated he was "likely" to extend the suspension for another 30 days, citing ongoing geopolitical concerns, though he noted that by law he could not renew the emergency declaration again without approval from the General Assembly. Braun also announced that Adam Krupp, the former Department of Child Services Director, would transition to a special adviser role, with Jennifer Dorfmeyer named as the new DCS director.

Governor Braun signed legislation that criminalizes camping on public property in Indiana, making the act a class C misdemeanor if someone continues to camp in an area for more than two days. The law requires law enforcement to first assess mental health needs, issue a warning, and provide information about shelter and services before enforcement action. The statute includes provisions exempting individuals from conviction if no shelter beds are available within five miles and requires reporting of encounters to direct federal funding for homeless assistance programs.

Governor Braun issued an executive order on April 8, 2026, suspending Indiana's 7% state sales tax on gasoline, which had been set at 17.2 cents per gallon at the time of suspension. The suspension was scheduled to continue until May 8, 2026, when Braun stated he would consider whether to extend the executive order. The state Department of Revenue announced that without an extension, the sales tax on gasoline would increase to 23.3 cents per gallon in May, representing a 6.1-cent increase from the suspended rate.

Governor Braun issued an executive order on April 8, 2026, suspending Indiana's 7% state sales tax on gasoline, which was set to increase from 17.2 cents per gallon to 23.3 cents per gallon in May. The suspension was scheduled to expire on May 8, 2026, at which point Braun indicated he would decide whether to extend the executive order. State Representative Greg Porter called on Braun to also suspend the state excise tax on fuel in addition to the sales tax suspension already in place.

Governor Mike Braun appointed Jennifer Dorfmeyer as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services effective immediately on April 21, 2026, following her service in an acting capacity since January. Dorfmeyer, the agency's former chief deputy director, replaced Adam Krupp, who returned to work as a special adviser to Braun on child welfare issues after a medical leave that began in January. Dorfmeyer's salary increased from $167,500 to $210,000 annually in the director position.

Indiana revoked commercial driver licenses from approximately 1,800 drivers following the implementation of a new law that took effect April 1, 2026. The law narrowed CDL eligibility by requiring non-domiciled commercial drivers to hold specific immigrant work visa status, demonstrate English proficiency, and established penalties including fines up to $50,000 for employers and level 6 felonies for drivers with illegally obtained licenses. Governor Braun ceremonially signed the legislation into law on April 20, 2026, stating the measure aligned Indiana with federal policies and enhanced roadway safety.

Governor Braun appointed Jennifer Dorfmeyer as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services, the state's third largest agency. Dorfmeyer stated upon taking office that the agency is prepared for organizational change. The appointment was announced in April 2026.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced on Tuesday that Jennifer Dorfmeyer would replace Adam Krupp as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services effective immediately. Krupp had been on leave of absence since January 2026. The announcement followed investigative reporting that raised questions about Krupp's conduct while serving as DCS director.

Braun removed Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter from the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board. The action followed the board's rejection of a proposed settlement that would have allowed Kleinhelter to maintain his law enforcement certification. Kleinhelter had faced disciplinary proceedings before the board.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 285 on April 21, 2026, legislation that prohibits unauthorized camping, sleeping, or long-term shelter on state or locally owned public land throughout Indiana. The law applies statewide and restricts camping activities on government-owned property. According to Braun's statement, the legislation aims to direct unhoused individuals toward social services resources.

Braun announced an agreement with Eli Lilly and Company on April 16, 2026, to explore nuclear energy technologies including small modular reactors as a means to address Indiana's growing energy demands. The agreement establishes a framework for the state and Lilly to coordinate on planning, regulation, permits, and siting of nuclear facilities, with potential for more formal partnership agreements in the future. This announcement followed Braun's signing of legislation that removed the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's authority to issue permits for new nuclear facilities and conduct public hearings on nuclear safety.

Governor Braun requested $200 million in additional funding from the State Budget Committee to reopen enrollment in Indiana's Child Care and Development Fund after the state had frozen the program when federal pandemic aid expired. The committee approved the one-time emergency appropriation on Thursday, which is expected to allow enrollment of approximately 14,000 children from a waitlist of 35,000 by late May. State officials indicated that long-term funding for the program would require additional legislative support in the next two-year budget cycle beginning in January 2027.

Governor Braun announced a proposal to shift $200 million into Indiana's child care voucher system, which would remove approximately 14,000 children from the state's waitlist that had accumulated over more than a year. The reallocation addresses a system where enrollment had exceeded available funding, reimbursement rates had been cut, and new applicants were closed out for an extended period. Braun framed the investment as the beginning of a sustained commitment to child care as an economic engine, citing economic research showing returns of $4 to $9 for every dollar invested in quality child care.

Governor Braun's administration announced a $200 million proposal in April 2026 to expand Indiana's Child Care and Development Fund, a state-administered federal program serving low-income families. The administration requested that the State Budget Committee approve diverting $200 million from the General Fund to reopen admissions to the program and remove approximately 14,000 children from the waitlist, which had grown after enrollment peaked at 69,000 in December 2024. The proposal followed a revised revenue forecast showing the state $653 million ahead of budget projections and came after lawmakers approved Senate Enrolled Act 4, which authorized the state to allocate funds to the child care program.

Governor Braun signed legislation requiring local governments to evaluate and address barriers to housing production. The law mandates that every city, town, and county hold a public hearing during the year to discuss methods for expanding housing supply. Braun stated the measure aims to increase housing production and affordability.

Governor Braun announced a proposal to allocate $200 million to the Child Care and Development Fund to resume enrollment in the state's child care voucher program after a 15-month freeze. The funding would provide vouchers to approximately 14,000 children from the waitlist, with priority given to children in foster care. Braun described the allocation as a temporary measure until lawmakers develop a new state budget, framing it as necessary to support workforce participation and child care access.

Braun participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Hanjung America Corp.'s new manufacturing facility in Huntington, Indiana, a 400,000-square-foot plant expected to employ over 440 workers producing energy storage system components. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered the company up to $4.5 million in incentive-based tax credits, up to $400,000 in Hoosier Business Investment tax credits, and up to $200,000 in training grants, with benefits contingent on projected investments and job creation. Huntington County's Common Council approved a tax abatement of 57.26 percent for each of the facility's first ten years of operation.

Braun announced a $200 million investment to expand affordable child care access across Indiana on April 14, 2026. The funding was allocated from the Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth Fund to broaden access to Child Care and Development Fund vouchers, which assist low-income families with child care costs. The investment was intended to increase the availability of affordable child care options throughout the state.

Braun announced a $15 million state investment through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation as part of a $60 million partnership initiative to attract Israeli technology start-ups to Indiana. The partnership, which includes the Iron Nation platform and expected private investment of $30 million, aims to integrate Israeli start-ups with Indiana universities, healthcare systems, and other companies. The initiative represents an expansion of Indiana's economic ties to Israel's technology sector.

Governor Braun held a ceremonial signing for HB 1001, legislation designed to increase Indiana's housing supply by modifying local zoning restrictions and reducing construction costs for builders. The law eliminates certain zoning requirements around density and off-street parking while allowing local jurisdictions to opt out of compliance and requiring cities, towns, and counties to hold public hearings on expanding housing supply. Braun stated the legislation represents "an important step for building more homes and making the American dream of home ownership more affordable to Hoosiers" while acknowledging that additional measures could have been pursued.

Braun suspended Indiana's 7 percent gas tax for a minimum of 30 days in April 2026. The suspension was implemented in response to elevated fuel costs affecting the state. The action temporarily reduced the state gasoline tax rate during the specified period.

Governor Braun announced that Wisconsin-based Faith Technologies Incorporated will invest $67.5 million to construct a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Pittsboro, Indiana, with plans to create up to 200 jobs by the end of 2027. The facility will support the company's Excellerate brand, which manufactures modular electrical assemblies and energy solutions for data centers and mission-critical facilities. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation committed up to $3 million in performance-based tax credits to support the project.

On April 8, 2026, Braun declared a 30-day gas tax holiday in Indiana, suspending the state's sales tax on gasoline in response to conditions in the Middle East. The suspension removed the sales tax on gasoline, which was then 17.2 cents per gallon, while leaving the diesel fuel sales tax unchanged. The holiday was set to remain in effect for 30 days from the date of the declaration.

Braun announced a partnership between Indiana and Lilly pharmaceutical to explore nuclear energy as a means of addressing energy affordability issues in the state. The announcement reflected state efforts to evaluate alternative energy sources for economic and utility cost considerations. Braun did not specify implementation timelines or regulatory requirements for the proposed partnership at the time of the announcement.

Braun signed an executive order on April 8, 2026 to suspend Indiana's 7 percent sales tax on gasoline for 30 days, effective immediately, in response to gas prices reaching $4 per gallon in the state. The suspension applies only to gasoline sales tax and not diesel fuel or the state's 36-cent-per-gallon excise tax, and does not require legislative approval under Indiana state law. According to Braun's statement, the action was intended to provide relief to residents amid elevated fuel costs driven by global supply disruptions.

Governor Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1002 into law in February 2026 and held a ceremonial signing ceremony on April 6, 2026 to publicly commit to enforcing the legislation. The law restructures how the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approves utility rates by tying them to performance data and requires utility companies to make bills more consistent and predictable while offering programs to low-income customers. Braun stated that his administration would be responsible for implementing the law's provisions to hold utility companies accountable for affordability.

The Braun administration defended a proposal regarding the 340B Drug Program that was expected to save the state millions of dollars, despite concerns raised by hospitals and clinics about potential costs to their operations. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration head led the defense of the proposal. The specific financial impact and programmatic details of the proposal were subjects of dispute between state officials and healthcare providers.

Governor Braun signed two bills into law on Wednesday designed to increase protections for Indiana children following the death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee. The first bill establishes age and account restrictions on social media platforms, requiring parental consent for children 15 and younger and limiting direct messaging capabilities for minors. The second bill creates a special designation within the state's silver alert system to address cases involving online safety concerns.

Braun signed the Indiana Child Protection Bill into law on April 1, 2026, legislation designed to protect children from social media exploitation and online predators. The signing ceremony included the family of Hailey Buzbee, whose case prompted attention to child safety issues. The bill represents Indiana's statutory action to establish protections for minors in online environments.

Braun pursued a federal waiver to implement tolling on Interstate 70 across Indiana, proposing rates of 10 cents per mile for passenger vehicles and 54 cents per mile for semitrailers to fund infrastructure maintenance and expansion. The state's application to the federal government outlined plans to expand I-70 to six lanes from the Illinois border to Ohio using revenue generated from tolling. A 2017 feasibility study estimated that a statewide interstate tolling program could generate between $39 billion and $53 billion by 2050, addressing funding shortfalls in the Highway Trust Fund.

Braun did not take the action described in this article, which documents changes made to Indiana House Bill 1210 during the 2026 legislative session. The article reports that private meetings between Republican legislators and data center company lobbyists resulted in rewritten incentive provisions that reduced potential local government payments from data center projects. The final bill version limited payments to local governments to approximately one-fourteenth of the amount the state Senate had previously endorsed, with the incentive capped at a maximum of one penny per dollar of the 7% sales tax exemption rather than the originally proposed 1% of electricity costs.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 76, known as the FAIRNESS Act, into law in March 2026. The legislation requires schools, local governments, police, and sheriffs' offices to comply with federal immigration enforcement and mandates that businesses verify the legal status of employees, with some provisions taking effect immediately and others on July 1st. The law also authorized by House Enrolled Act 1343 grants the governor authority to deploy the Indiana National Guard with policing powers.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun stated that tolling on Interstate 70 would be considered only "if it makes sense" following the state's submission of a federal waiver application under the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program in September 2025. Braun indicated that the state pursued legislative approval before seeking the federal tolling waiver, distinguishing Indiana's approach from other states that have applied to the nearly 30-year-old federal program without establishing toll roads. Braun noted that widening I-70 to six lanes across the state would require new revenue sources given current road funding limitations, presenting tolling as one potential mechanism to address infrastructure costs.

Governor Braun issued an executive order that prompted the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to formalize a ban on driver's license gender marker changes. The order was cited as the basis for the policy, which took effect the previous month. This action occurred during a legislative session in which Senate Bill 182, a wide-ranging gender restriction measure, failed to advance beyond the Indiana House of Representatives.

Braun's former U.S. Senate campaign committee filed a lawsuit in Dubois County Superior Court against its ex-treasurer Travis Kabrick and his employer Same Day Processing Inc., alleging improper reporting of loans and transactions to the Federal Election Commission. The Federal Election Commission had fined the campaign, now called the Freedom & Opportunity Fund, $159,000 in 2024 for failure to correctly disclose $11.5 million in transactions from July 2017 through December 2018, with an additional $97,000 in loans and lines of credit found to be undisclosed. The campaign seeks to recover damages and alleges Kabrick was grossly negligent in his duties as treasurer, including destroying files and failing to maintain accurate records.

Governor Braun stated that the Indiana Economic Development Corp. foundation would remain operational while the state evaluates its necessity as a business development tool, reversing earlier indications that the entity would be shut down. Braun indicated that spending through the foundation would continue but at reduced levels and with greater focus on targeted business recruitment rather than travel, meals, and entertainment expenditures. The foundation spent nearly $500,000 in 2025 as of November, according to statements made during a board committee meeting on March 18, 2026.

Gov. Braun announced a $1 billion tax credits initiative on March 17, 2026, directed at agriculture and life sciences sectors with the goal of creating 100,000 high-wage jobs over ten years. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. will distribute the tax credits, which are conditional on jobs paying at least 125% of county median wage, with the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority designated as the first regional steward to coordinate implementation. This initiative followed an executive order Braun issued the previous year requiring Indiana's 15 economic regions to submit formal growth plans.

Braun approved an emergency declaration law that prohibits cryptocurrency ATMs in Indiana, effective March 10, 2026. The legislation, written by State Rep. Wendy McNamara in coordination with the Evansville Police Department and AARP, was enacted in response to documented fraud involving approximately $400,000 in losses over four years, with individual victims losing an average of $11,000. The emergency order resulted in the shutdown of approximately 800 cryptocurrency ATM units statewide, including 77 Bitcoin Depot machines in Evansville alone.

Governor Braun issued a proclamation on March 12, 2026, recognizing freedom of speech and calling on Indiana colleges and high schools to facilitate chapters of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization that promotes "the values of liberty." The announcement followed similar actions in Tennessee and Texas and coincided with Secretary of State Diego Morales's announcement that Indiana would partner with Turning Point USA to register high school voters. Braun stated that schools would not be required to host the organization but would have the ability to do so in the same manner as other groups.

Governor Braun announced a partnership between Indiana state government and the conservative activist group Turning Point USA, with plans to establish Club America chapters in high schools across the state. Secretary of State Diego Morales simultaneously announced a voter registration partnership with Turning Point's Club America organization to host registration drives on high school campuses and encourage student participation in the Hoosier Hall Pass poll worker program. Both initiatives involved the use of state resources and represented formal coordination between state offices and the activist organization.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 140, legislation that criminalizes doxxing, the malicious posting of personal information online with intent to cause harm. The bill was introduced by Senator Becker in January 2026 following threats directed at multiple Indiana elected officials in November and December 2025, including threats against Braun's family. The measure classifies doxxing as a Class A misdemeanor when it includes two or more pieces of personally identifiable information and is intended to cause bodily harm, property damage, or encourage criminal acts against the targeted person.

Governor Braun declared March 8 to 14 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana. The declaration accompanied a statewide tornado drill scheduled for 10:15 a.m. on March 9, to be broadcast via the Emergency Alert System on television and radio. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security encouraged residents to develop tornado safety plans and prepare emergency supplies during the week-long initiative.

Braun's administration submitted an application to the Federal Highway Administration seeking approval to implement tolls on Interstate 70 across Indiana as a funding mechanism for a $6.5 billion highway widening project. The proposal calls for a toll rate of 10 cents per mile for passenger vehicles, resulting in a charge of $15.60 to drive a car across the state, with tolling projected to begin in early 2029 and improvements completed over eight to ten years. The application was submitted under the federal Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program, which permits up to three states to implement interstate highway tolls for road improvement projects.

Governor Mike Braun eliminated state funding for Indiana's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in the 2025 budget, removing a $6 million annual allocation that had been established by his predecessor to support the program statewide. First Lady Maureen Braun subsequently launched a fundraising campaign to sustain the program, which has reached 90 percent of its two-year fundraising goal as of March 2026. The program currently serves over 143,000 children across all 92 Indiana counties, providing free monthly books to children from birth through age five.

Braun's administration submitted an application to federal authorities requesting approval to implement tolling on Interstate 70 across Indiana, with proposed charges of $15.60 per vehicle to cross the state. The application outlines a $6.5 billion improvement plan that would fund the widening of I-70 to six lanes throughout Indiana. The proposal requires federal authorization before the tolling system can be implemented.

Braun signed Public Law 128, a 140-page state law that eliminates the need for pennies in Indiana cash transactions by requiring businesses to round to the nearest nickel. The law was enacted following President Trump's order to cease federal penny production and aligns Indiana state taxes with new federal provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Indiana Legislative Services Agency estimates the rounding requirement will result in approximately $2 million in reduced annual sales tax revenue for the state.

Braun discussed legislation passed during the 2026 legislative session aimed at reducing energy costs for Indiana residents and holding utility companies accountable during a March 9 press conference. Braun announced that any data centers relocating to Indiana would be required to provide 100 percent of their own energy, citing the agreement Indiana negotiated with Meta for its data center facility in Lebanon as an example of this policy. Braun stated he would support codifying the data center energy requirement into law.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 76 into law on February 26, 2026, a measure that mandates local government cooperation with federal immigration detainer requests and establishes penalties for businesses employing unauthorized workers. The bill also enhances the state's ability to track public benefits usage by non-citizens and authorizes the attorney general's office to pursue penalties against employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. Braun additionally signed approximately four dozen bills into law during this signing session, including measures addressing homelessness, student cellphone use in schools, township consolidation, and environmental regulations.

Indiana's State Board of Education unanimously approved a new K-12 school grading system following a nearly yearlong development process that included public hearings, focus group discussions, and over 800 online comments. The accountability model, which aligns with the state's Graduates Prepared to Succeed framework, uses letter grades A through D based on student performance across five characteristics including academic mastery, career and postsecondary readiness, and communication skills. Governor Mike Braun is expected to sign the model into law following review by the attorney general's office, with school letter grades under the new system to be released beginning in fall 2026.

Governor Mike Braun received Senate Bill 76, known as the FAIRNESS Act, which passed the Indiana legislature with Republican support and awaited his signature approval as of March 2026. The bill requires schools, local government, and law enforcement agencies to comply with federal immigration enforcement and mandates that businesses verify the legal status of employees or face penalties for hiring individuals without legal authorization. The legislation was discussed at the Indiana Latino Institute's annual legislative breakfast, where lawmakers and community advocates examined its implications for the state's Latino population.

Governor Braun signed House Bill 1343, legislation that authorizes him to deploy an Indiana National Guard military police unit with arrest and search powers throughout the state at his discretion after providing reasonable notice to local law enforcement. The bill allows Adjutant General Lawrence Muennich to establish the military police force by consolidating six existing National Guard units, with members required to complete military police training, Indiana law enforcement instruction, security clearances, and an oath of office. The measure takes effect July 1 and requires the military police force to coordinate with Indiana State Police and comply with the National Incident Management System.

Governor Braun signed House Bill 1002 on Thursday, legislation that establishes new rate approval processes for Indiana public utility companies and creates billing protections for residents. The law requires utilities to transition to multi-year rate plans subject to Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission approval and implements performance-based ratemaking that considers customer affordability data when evaluating rate changes. The legislation also expands access to levelized billing options that distribute costs evenly throughout the year and establishes a summer disconnection moratorium during heat index conditions of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

The Indiana House of Representatives approved House Bill 1423 on February 25, 2026, by a vote of 67-30, following Senate approval the previous day by a vote of 27-21. The bill would create an Indianapolis Public Education Corporation to reshape the governance structure of Indianapolis Public Schools. The measure was sent to Governor Braun for consideration.

The Indiana Senate sent legislation establishing new requirements for Medicaid and SNAP to Governor Braun for approval on Wednesday. The bill aims to align Indiana's state requirements for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with new federal rules. The measure awaited the governor's signature to become law.

The Indiana Senate gave final approval to an immigration enforcement bill on Wednesday evening that requires all governmental bodies, including school corporations, to comply with immigration detainers issued by federal authorities. The bill also requires that judges be informed in writing about immigration detainer requests. The legislation was sent to the governor for consideration.

Indiana lawmakers passed a bill that would ban students from using cellphones during the entire school day, expanding existing restrictions that only applied during instructional time. The legislation was sent to Governor Braun for consideration. Braun has not yet signed or vetoed the measure as of the report date.

At the end of the 2025 legislative session, Braun signed Public Law 70, which specifies that proof of identification for voting may not include an ID issued by an educational institution, mandates voter-list maintenance at least twice a year, and requires county offices to verify the status of inactive voters. The legislation modified Indiana's voting procedures through changes to identification requirements and voter registration maintenance protocols. The signing occurred following legislative debate over early voting access, with the bill becoming law during the 2025 session.

Gov. Braun's office did not respond to requests for comment regarding internal Department of Homeland Security documents obtained by The New York Times that outlined plans for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Indianapolis with capacity for up to 8,500 people. During the 2026 Indiana legislative session, legislation advanced through the General Assembly that would require local governments, schools, universities, public hospitals, police and sheriff's offices to comply with federal immigration enforcement requests, and would require businesses operating in the state to verify the legal status of their employees. The proposed facility is part of the Trump administration's expanded federal immigration enforcement campaign that includes plans to open at least 20 additional detention facilities across the country.

Governor Mike Braun previously disclosed in June that Indiana had spent more than $1 million obtaining execution drugs, with at least $600,000 spent on pentobarbital that expired before use, attributing losses to the drug's short shelf life of approximately 90 days and difficulty obtaining it due to pharmaceutical industry concerns. Newly released records from the governor's office show Indiana paid $100,000 for pentobarbital used in the October 2025 execution of Ward, bringing total state spending on the drug to at least $1.275 million. The Department of Correction inventory log reveals that pentobarbital purchased in February 2024 was stored for nearly 10 months before being used in the December 2024 execution of Joseph Corcoran, a duration that extends significantly beyond the 90-day shelf life previously stated by Braun.

Indiana Governor Braun issued a press statement supporting proposed amendments to Indiana's commercial driver license regulations that would enable the state to more easily revoke CDLs from drivers who lack proper legal status, required documentation, or pose a public safety risk. The amendments align Indiana's policies with new federal guidelines and include a requirement that all CDL drivers provide proof of English language proficiency. Braun stated that the changes would strengthen the CDL licensing process and that violators could face a level six felony and $5,000 fine, while trucking company owners employing drivers with improper licenses could be fined $50,000.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 258 on Tuesday, which eliminates the requirement for nuclear power facility operators to obtain permits from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and removes the state agency commissioner's authority to convene public hearings on such facilities' environmental impacts. The legislation transfers regulatory oversight to the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, aligning state law with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and prior Supreme Court decisions according to state environmental officials. Indiana currently operates no commercial nuclear power plants, though the measure reflects growing legislative interest in nuclear energy as a power source.

Following a fatal February 3 vehicle crash in Jay County that killed four people, Braun used Facebook to attribute responsibility to Democrats in connection with the driver's immigration status. The driver, Bekzhan Beishekeev, a Kyrgyz national, had entered the country via the CBP One App during the Biden administration and was later turned over to ICE on an immigration warrant. Braun's statement characterized the incident as stemming from Democratic immigration policy without addressing other contributing factors such as the trucking company's safety record with federal regulators.

Governor Braun attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Lebanon on Wednesday for Meta's $10 billion data center campus, which will span 4 million square feet across 1,500 acres and include 13 buildings with 10 data center facilities. The project is expected to create approximately 4,000 construction jobs at peak and 300 permanent jobs once operational. Braun stated that data centers would increase wages in Indiana while emphasizing the importance of protecting residents' quality of life and electric bills, noting that Meta has committed to covering the full energy costs for the campus and supplying 100 percent clean and renewable energy back to the grid.

The Indiana Senate passed House Bill 1035, the "Let Kids Be Kids" bill, by a vote of 48-0 on February 11, 2026, and sent it to Governor Braun's desk for consideration. The legislation establishes protections for parents who allow children age-appropriate unsupervised activities such as walking, biking, playing outdoors, or remaining home alone, preventing such activities from being solely construed as child neglect under state law. The bill defines independent activity and specifies that a child may not be designated as a child in need of services based solely on engaging in such activities unless a parent or guardian acted recklessly to endanger the child's health or safety.

Gov. Braun called on Tuesday for technology companies operating social media platforms to implement greater safety controls and increase cooperation with law enforcement to address rising online child exploitation. Braun's statement followed announcement that Indiana State Police arrested 499 people for crimes against children in 2025 and rescued 126 children, with the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force receiving 29,635 cyber tips in 2025, a 38 percent increase from the prior year. The governor's comments accompanied renewed legislative efforts at the Statehouse to restrict minors' access to social media platforms.

Gov. Mike Braun appointed former Indiana State Senator Andy Zay as chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, effective January 8, 2026, creating a vacancy in Senate District 17. The appointment resulted in the state Senate seat remaining vacant until Republican Nick McKinley took the oath of office on Monday to serve the final three weeks of the legislative session. McKinley, a Marion City Council member and Grant County Republican Party chairman, was selected through a Republican Party caucus to fill the remainder of Zay's term.

Governor Braun issued Executive Order 25-36, which the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles implemented through a rule change effective February 12, 2026, that eliminated the option for residents to change the gender marker on driver's licenses and identification cards. The administrative rule change process included two rounds of public comment periods and hearings in 2025, during which over 75 speakers at the November hearing predominantly expressed concerns about the policy's effects on transgender and gender diverse residents. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles stated the rule change was enacted to properly execute the Governor's executive order.

Governor Braun issued an executive order in March 2025 prohibiting what he characterized as "modern gender ideology" by state agencies. Following an administrative rules process that included two public hearings, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles implemented a new policy effective February 12, 2026, that eliminated the option for customers to change gender markers on their Indiana credentials using court-ordered gender changes or physician statements. The BMV executive director of communications stated the agency considered public comments and made the decision to execute Braun's order properly.

Braun issued an executive order on Monday creating the Council on Fraud Detection and Prevention to increase scrutiny of federally funded, state-administered social services programs in Indiana. The council will review Medicaid, child nutrition programs, SNAP, TANF, WIC, the Child Care Development Fund, and special education programs, with agency heads meeting quarterly to coordinate fraud detection and prevention efforts. The council is required to submit annual reports to Braun, the attorney general, and lawmakers by November 1 each year.

Governor Braun issued an executive order directing the reduction of environmental "over-regulation" to support business growth. Senate Bill 277 was introduced to implement this executive order by making several IDEM environmental requirements optional, prohibiting IDEM from adopting rules more stringent than federal standards, and limiting IDEM's ability to review permits for nuclear power plants. Environmental groups expressed concerns that the bill would substantially reduce the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's capacity to protect public health from pollution and enforce environmental standards.

Braun backed House Bill 1001, legislation that won Indiana House approval on a 76-15 vote in January 2026 to limit local zoning regulations and streamline residential development approvals. The bill prohibits local officials from imposing requirements on exterior design elements of homes unless a city or county adopts an ordinance to opt out of the limitation. Braun identified the legislation as a top priority for House Republicans in the legislative session as a means to address housing affordability concerns in the state.

Indiana lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 76 during the 2026 legislative session, which would require law enforcement to comply with federal immigration detainer requests and mandate the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to report on the immigration status of individuals accessing Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The bill would also authorize the attorney general's office to investigate employers for hiring unauthorized workers. Braun identified immigration enforcement through partnerships with federal authorities as a priority for the state.

Governor Braun announced on January 22, 2026, that Indiana will opt into a federal tax credit program established under President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, allowing residents to claim federal tax savings for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations serving K-12 students. Beginning January 1, 2027, Indiana residents will be eligible for a nonrefundable federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to participating scholarship-granting organizations, with unused credits carrying forward for up to five years. Braun visited Saint Philip Neri Catholic School to mark the announcement and noted that Indiana's participation complements the state's existing 50% tax credit for donors to qualified Indiana scholarship-granting organizations.

President Donald Trump endorsed Blake Fiechter, a Bluffton City Council member, as a potential Republican primary challenger to Indiana State Senator Travis Holdman in Senate District 19. Trump's endorsement came after Holdman voted against a congressional redistricting plan in December that Trump had supported, joining 21 Republicans and all 10 Democratic senators in a 31-19 vote against the measure. Fiechter, a real estate broker in his first term on Bluffton's city council, had not filed candidacy documents or established a campaign committee as of the article's publication.

Indiana's Department of Education awarded $15 million in career coaching grants to twenty-one organizations statewide, with four northeast Indiana groups receiving $2.62 million of the total. The recipients were the Adams Wells Manufacturing Alliance, J. Kruse Education Center, Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana, and Region 8 Educational Service Center, selected based on their capacity to provide innovative career coaching not currently available in their service areas. Governor Braun stated the investment aims to help students explore career options and prepare for high-demand employment opportunities.

In his State of the State address, Governor Braun signaled support for House Bill 1002, legislation authored by Representative Alaina Shonkwiler that would regulate electric utility rates in Indiana. The bill requires utility companies to make billing consistent and predictable for customers and transitions them to three-year rate plans subject to state approval. Braun stated that the legislation would hold investor-owned utilities accountable to provide affordable energy before increasing profit margins.

Legislation headed to the Governor will tighten eligibility requirements for Indiana's Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs, with co-author Sen. Chris Garten identifying the bill as a priority measure to align the state with federal requirements and reduce payment error rates that could result in substantial financial penalties. The bill establishes regular eligibility checks for both programs, responding to federal rules that will require states with SNAP error rates above 6% and Medicaid error rates above 3% to cover a portion of program costs beginning in 2028 and 2030 respectively. According to Garten, Indiana's current SNAP error rate of 9.5% and historic Medicaid error rates could expose the state to $143 million in SNAP penalties and over two billion dollars in Medicaid penalties without intervention.

In October 2025, Governor Braun signed an executive order establishing the Indiana Initiative for Drone Dominance, a statewide task force designed to coordinate policy, research, military assets, and private-sector development around unmanned systems technology. The executive order was part of broader state-level groundwork that contributed to the Trump administration's designation of Indiana as one of two new national drone test sites announced in January 2026. The designation aims to position Indiana to attract research and development jobs, manufacturing employment, and entrepreneurial activity in the drone technology sector.

Indiana legislators declined to fully adopt federal tax cuts enacted under President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," with the Senate Tax and Fiscal Committee endorsing Senate Bill 212 that selectively incorporated certain federal tax provisions while excluding a production property tax break estimated at $60 million in the first year and growing to $300 million over five years. Governor Braun's administration estimated that complete conformity with federal changes could cost the state over $900 million in tax breaks over two years, leading fiscal leaders to advance legislation through the Senate that addressed only certain federal tax changes set to take effect for the 2025 tax year. A separate bill was scheduled for committee consideration to address whether to conform state law with 37 additional federal tax provisions, including temporary deductions for overtime wages and tips.

Governor Braun announced in January 2026 that Indiana would withdraw from the federal SUN Bucks program for the second consecutive summer, declining to participate in the food assistance initiative that provided eligible school-age children with monthly food benefits during summer break. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration stated the program would cost the state between $12 million and $15 million, citing insufficient appropriations and bandwidth to implement it. Indiana joined eleven other states in opting out of the program, which was being implemented by thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia.

Governor Braun signed an executive order in April 2025 titled "Making Indiana Healthy Again by Increasing Hoosier Access to Local Foods," which mandated a comprehensive study of Indiana's local food system to identify regulatory obstacles, capital access gaps, and infrastructure needs affecting the state's 52,000 farming businesses. In response to this order, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture partnered with the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network to host a listening session on January 27, 2026, to gather stakeholder feedback on regulatory barriers, infrastructure gaps, and economic strategies for the state's local food sector. The state agriculture department is collecting this input for a final report to the governor due by July 1, 2026.

Indiana's high school graduation rate reached 92% for the class of 2025, a record high and a 1.6 percentage-point increase from the previous year, according to data released by the Indiana Department of Education. Governor Braun commented on the improvement in a statement, noting that the gains reflected efforts focused on academic excellence and personalized student pathways. All student subgroups showed gains from 2024, including English language learners, students in special education, low-income students, and Black students, whose graduation rate increased by 3 percentage points to 87%.

Braun signed an executive order reinstating the State Workforce Development Board, which oversees Indiana's workforce training programs. The board had been dissolved months prior to Braun's action. The executive order established the board to address the state's workforce development needs.

Governor Braun issued his first pardon nearly a year into his term, granting clemency to Kashinda Robinson, an Ohio mother of three convicted in Indiana in 2013 of promoting prostitution. Robinson had applied for clemency years earlier and received notification of the pardon at the end of 2025 following a unanimous recommendation from the Indiana Parole Board. Robinson completed her sentence over a decade ago and has stated her intention to pursue a career in counseling.

Governor Braun announced that Indiana instituted new policies for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that prohibit the purchase of most sugary drinks and candy with EBT cards, effective in 2026. The policy change was coordinated with retailers, community organizations, and food banks to facilitate the transition. Indiana joined nearly twenty other states in pursuing similar nutrition restrictions as part of a national initiative led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Governor Braun announced that Indiana received over $200 million in federal funds to support rural healthcare initiatives as part of a five-year national program included in the tax and spending legislation passed by Congress in July. The funds will be distributed statewide through grants to attract healthcare workers to rural areas, promote preventative care, enhance access to remote care and technologies, and address infrastructure challenges. Braun stated the funding would help ensure that all Indiana residents have access to high-quality, sustainable healthcare regardless of their location.

The Indiana State Ethics Commission unanimously approved a settlement on December 19, 2025, requiring former Public Safety Secretary Jennifer-Ruth Green to pay a $10,000 civil fine after she violated the state's political activity and misuse of state property rules. Green admitted to having state employees generate content for her personal "Elect Jennifer-Ruth Green" Facebook account and to using her assigned state vehicle for personal tasks. The settlement closed the ethics commission's case, though the matter remains under criminal review by the Marion County prosecutor's office following a referral from the Indiana Office of Inspector General.

Braun signed Senate Bill 1, a local government finance bill in April 2025, under which an estimated two-thirds of Indiana homeowners will pay less in property taxes in the following year. The governor acknowledged that the legislation differed significantly from his original proposal after the Senate substantially modified the bill, requiring reconstruction in the House over a three-month period. Braun characterized the final bill as achieving substantial property tax relief despite the compromises made during the legislative process.

Governor Braun released an executive order earlier in 2025 stating that Indiana would not adopt any environmental regulations stricter than existing federal requirements. The order exemplifies state preemption laws that limit local government authority, according to a report released by the Indiana Coalition for Human Services. The coalition argues that preemption laws across multiple policy areas, including environmental regulation, wages, housing, and firearms, have cumulative negative effects on communities' ability to establish their own policies.

Governor Braun ordered an independent forensic analysis of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation by FTI Consulting in response to longstanding concerns about opaque spending and weak oversight of the quasi-public agency. Simultaneously, the state engaged McKinsey & Co. to develop a new regional economic development framework designed to increase structure and accountability in deal-making processes. The FTI review identified significant transparency issues, including 46 of 107 donors to IEDC's nonprofit arm that also received state incentives or tax credits, alongside documentation of 38 international trips costing $4.68 million with limited results documentation.

Governor Mike Braun announced the appointment of State Senator Andy Zay, R-Huntington, as the new chair of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission on Friday. Zay's appointment to the position requires his resignation from the Indiana State Senate, representing District 17. A caucus of precinct committeemen from the district will elect Zay's successor.

Braun, who leads the Indiana Economic Development Corp. board of directors, announced that the agency has secured company commitments to add 10,600 new jobs as of December 1, 2025, with an average hourly wage of $40.59. The board convened on December 11, 2025, to review updated economic development data and implement governance changes recommended by a forensic analysis, including revised conflict of interest policies and new investment procedures. The IEDC has contracted McKinsey & Company to develop guidelines for regional strategic plans as part of a renewed focus on regional economic development.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun supported a redistricting plan that would have redrawn the state's congressional maps to create a 9-0 Republican delegation, following the proposal's approval by the Indiana House. The Indiana Senate voted 31-19 on December 12, 2025, to reject the redistricting bill, with 21 Republicans joining all 10 Democratic senators in opposition. Following the defeat, Braun stated he was "very disappointed" and indicated he would work with President Trump to challenge senators who voted against the measure.

Gov. Braun appointed three commissioners to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the agency responsible for determining whether utilities can charge customers for infrastructure costs including new power plants and transmission lines. The appointees include Anthony Swinger, a former employee of the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor; Bob Deig, a former state senator from Vanderburgh County; and Sen. Andy Zay, who was named chairman and has advocated for baseload power sources such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. The appointments drew mixed responses from consumer and environmental advocates, with some praising the selection while others expressed concerns about certain appointees' policy perspectives.

On November 25, 2025, Governor Braun publicly urged state senators to vote on a new congressional district map for Indiana, posting on social media that the General Assembly should "deliver a 9-0 map which will help level the playing field." Braun's statement indicated support for a redistricting effort that would result in all nine Indiana U.S. House seats being held by Republicans, despite the 2024 election producing a 7-2 Republican majority from the existing map. The redistricting effort proceeded without waiting for a new census, representing a mid-decade map change rather than the standard decennial redistricting process.

Governor Mike Braun stated on Friday that he believed the Indiana state Senate would approve a congressional redistricting bill that the House had just passed 57-41, which would redraw Indiana's congressional districts to create a 9-0 Republican delegation. Braun maintained that opponents of the redistricting measure were "out of sync with most Republicans and conservatives in the state" and reiterated previous threats made alongside President Donald Trump to support primary challengers against Republican senators who did not vote for the new maps. The redistricting plan was scheduled to proceed to the Senate Elections Committee for a hearing on Monday.

Braun announced the Family First Workplace program on Tuesday, a pilot initiative allowing eligible state employees to bring infants to work during the first six months of life. The program will begin as a pilot in the Governor's Office and the Indiana Department of Education. The initiative represents a workplace policy modification for state government employees regarding parental leave and childcare arrangements.

Indiana House Republicans released a proposed redistricting plan on December 1, 2025, that would redraw the state's nine federal congressional districts with the stated aim of producing a 9-0 Republican U.S. House delegation. The plan, embodied in House Bill 1032, includes provisions that would prevent county-level judges from blocking the new congressional maps and direct any legal appeals directly to the Indiana Supreme Court. The House Elections and Apportionment Committee scheduled a public hearing for December 2, 2025, to consider the redistricting legislation as part of a one-week fast-track process.

Amazon announced a $15 billion investment in northern Indiana data center campuses that will create 1,100 new jobs and add 2.4 gigawatts of data center capacity to the region. Governor Braun issued a statement characterizing the project as benefiting job creation and Indiana's economic foundation, and noting the state's position in artificial intelligence and advanced computing innovation. The data centers will be located at undisclosed sites within NIPSCO's power coverage area in northern Indiana.

Braun signed an executive order earlier in 2025 focused on reducing recidivism among individuals released from Indiana prisons. The order directs the Indiana Department of Correction to study factors contributing to recidivism and identify steps to improve the re-entry process, with particular attention to barriers in obtaining stable housing and employment. The order requires the IDOC to work with community partners to provide support for individuals deemed at high risk of homelessness following release.

Governor Braun authorized the deployment of approximately 300 Indiana National Guard members to Washington, D.C. in December 2025 at the request of the D.C. National Guard. The deployment supports a federal public safety campaign focused on reducing crime and minimizing property damage in the district, with the mission expected to last up to four months. Indiana National Guard members, primarily from units based in Bloomington and Gary, will receive additional training from the D.C. National Guard upon arrival.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1, a property tax reform law passed by state legislators in 2025 that implements new property tax caps and reduced levies for school districts. The legislation is projected to reduce Southwest Allen County Schools' operations fund levy by approximately $3.5 million annually beginning in 2026. The anticipated revenue losses from the law influenced the school district's decision to approve a $1.2 million synthetic turf field project rather than an $800,000 natural grass alternative, citing lower long-term maintenance costs.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1, which implements changes to Indiana's property tax system including phasing out a fixed $48,000 homestead standard deduction by 2031 and increasing a supplemental deduction from 37.5% to 66.7% by the same year. According to analysis by tax expert Larry DeBoer, the law is projected to reduce property tax bills for most homeowners statewide, though owners of low-valued homes may experience tax increases while owners of high-valued properties receive larger breaks. The changes are expected to restrict assessed value growth statewide through 2031, potentially causing property tax rates to increase as local government levies rise.

Indiana state senators voted to convene in January 2026 for the new legislative session rather than in December, declining requests from President Trump and Governor Braun to meet early to redraw congressional maps. Braun responded by stating he would support primary challenges against Indiana senators who refused to back what he characterized as fair maps. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray explained that Republican senators did not view redistricting as necessary to maintain or expand their congressional representation in the state.

President Donald Trump publicly criticized Governor Braun, State Senator Rod Bray, and State Senator Greg Goode on Truth Social in November 2025 for Indiana's failure to advance congressional redistricting, stating that their inaction could result in the loss of two Republican seats in the U.S. House. Braun had previously worked behind the scenes for months to secure legislative support and called a special session to redraw congressional boundaries, but Senate President Pro Tempore Bray announced on Friday that the chamber lacked the necessary votes and would not convene as planned on December 1. Trump's public statement naming Goode was followed hours later by a swatting incident at Goode's Vigo County home, in which deputies responded to a false report of a domestic violence emergency.

Following a call with President Donald Trump, Governor Braun called on Indiana state lawmakers to convene for a special session to redraw the state's legislative maps. The Indiana State Senate leadership had declared on Friday that insufficient votes existed to hold an early December redistricting session that Braun had requested. Braun stated that lawmakers must "show up for work" rather than refuse to bring redistricting to a vote, citing the need to counter gerrymandering in neighboring states.

Braun issued an executive order in 2025 seeking to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in public schools and universities across Indiana. This executive order was subsequently strengthened by the passage of Senate Bill 289, which became Public Law 196. Following these directives, the University of Southern Indiana folded its Multicultural Center into a new Student Life department as part of what the university termed a strategic realignment.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced in November 2025 that MDwise would be removed from the state's Medicaid managed care provider list effective January 1, 2026, affecting approximately 300,000 enrollees in the Healthy Indiana Plan and Hoosier Healthwise programs. FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob stated that the review found MDwise was the most expensive and lowest-quality plan among the four available options, and federal rules require maintaining at least three plans. MDwise filed a lawsuit challenging the termination of its four-year contract, with a Marion County judge denying the company's request for a temporary restraining order, though the judge permitted an appeal of that decision.

Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray announced in November 2025 that the state Senate would not convene in a December special session to consider congressional redistricting, stating there were insufficient votes to advance the proposal. Governor Mike Braun had called for legislators to redraw the state's congressional maps following a pressure campaign by President Donald Trump's administration. The Senate's decision meant Indiana became the first Republican-led state to decline Trump's request to create additional Republican-leaning U.S. House districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, under Governor Braun's administration, announced the termination of MDwise's contract as a managed care provider in the state's Medicaid program effective January 1, 2026. The agency stated that MDwise was the most expensive and lowest-quality plan among the four available options and that removing it would allow the state to maintain the federally required minimum of three plans while reducing program costs. Approximately 300,000 people enrolled in MDwise will be required to select coverage from the three remaining providers—Anthem, CareSource, or Managed Health Services—by the transition date.

The Indiana Department of Health approved a merger between nonprofit Union Hospital and for-profit Terre Haute Regional Hospital under the state's Certificate of Public Advantage law, creating a single hospital system in Vigo County. Braun's office announced the approval on Sunday, noting that Union Hospital had accepted strict operating terms and conditions including price caps, requirements to maintain both hospital facilities and emergency departments, and detailed oversight provisions. The state will monitor compliance annually and retain authority to impose penalties or revoke the approval if the hospitals fail to meet their obligations over the five to ten year COPA term.

Braun's office announced that Indiana would distribute partial Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November to 274,000 households in the state via Electronic Benefits Transfer cards on Tuesday. The partial benefits were calculated by subtracting 30 percent of a household's monthly net income from the maximum allotment, a recalculation made necessary by federal benefit reductions. Braun stated that Indiana would distribute full SNAP benefits to qualifying households as soon as a new federal spending deal was approved by Congress.

Braun's office announced approval of a merger between Union Hospital and Terre Haute Regional Hospital under a Certificate of Public Advantage issued by the Indiana Department of Health in November 2025. The two hospitals had initially applied for merger approval in 2023 but withdrew after the Federal Trade Commission indicated the combination would violate antitrust laws. The state approval required Union Health System to accept operating conditions regarding pricing, employment, and other categories as conditions of the merger.

Governor Braun announced that partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments would reach eligible Indiana residents beginning November 11, 2025, following a government shutdown that depleted the program's funding on October 31. The U.S. Department of Agriculture temporarily reduced maximum SNAP benefits by 50 percent due to the shutdown, requiring the state to recalculate benefits for more than 571,000 Indiana recipients. Braun stated that full SNAP payments would likely be distributed once federal funding was restored, and indicated that Indiana was prepared to process complete benefits as soon as possible.

Braun announced that Indiana residents would receive partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning November 11, 2025, following a federal funding freeze. The governor's office stated that benefit processing commenced on November 10, 2025, with funds becoming available to eligible recipients the following day. The partial benefit distribution addressed a gap in federal SNAP funding that had affected Indiana households.

In March 2025, Braun issued an executive order prohibiting what he characterized as "modern gender ideology" by state agencies. Following this order, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles proposed a regulation revision to prohibit gender marker changes on driver's licenses, a practice that had been permitted since 2009. The BMV initially withdrew the proposal after a July public hearing but refiled an identical rule change in October, with a new public comment period scheduled ahead of possible adoption.

Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner filed a waiver request with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on October 17, 2025, to allow the state to combine most of its federal education grants into a single allocation. Governor Mike Braun stated that the waiver would provide flexibility to expand "high-quality educational options" for parents and reduce federal regulatory requirements on education funding. The article indicates that Indiana has allocated over $2.65 billion to private and religious schools through its Choice Scholarship program since 2011-12.

Governor Braun issued a March executive order directing state agencies to "enforce the biological binary." In response to this directive, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles proposed a rule to ban gender marker changes on state driver's licenses, a process that had been in place for approximately two decades. The BMV held a second public hearing on the proposed rule after receiving over 1,600 comments and two and a half hours of testimony in opposition during an initial hearing period.

Braun spoke at the Global Nuclear Economic Summit held at Purdue University in West Lafayette on November 6, 2025, where energy leaders announced plans to expand nuclear capacity in Indiana. During the summit, AES Indiana announced it would conduct a feasibility study for deploying small modular reactors at its Eagle Valley and Petersburg power plants, with results expected by mid-2026. The study will examine licensing, construction, operations, siting factors, and transmission infrastructure requirements to determine the most suitable location for reactor deployment.

Pritzker stated that Illinois may redraw its congressional districts in response to redistricting efforts undertaken by other states, particularly Indiana. Pritzker indicated that Illinois lawmakers have considered redistricting but that any action would depend on decisions made by Indiana's Republican-led legislature, which was scheduled to convene on December 1 to consider a new congressional map. Pritzker characterized the national redistricting efforts as problematic but acknowledged that Illinois might need to respond to actions taken by other states.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun stated that redistricting Indiana would result in "fair representation in DC" during a question-and-answer session at a Lunch with the Governor event in Evansville on November 4, 2025. Braun characterized redistricting as leveling an imbalance created by gerrymandering in other states, specifically referencing six northeastern states and six western states as examples of existing partisan district mapping. The governor did not elaborate on specific redistricting legislation or proposals during his moderated remarks but addressed the topic in response to audience questions.

Gov. Braun signed legislation in April that implemented Indiana's new property tax reform law, which the governor characterized as "historic property tax relief." Fort Wayne Community Schools faces an estimated $11 million loss in property tax revenue due to the caps established by the law. The district announced the closure of South Wayne Elementary School at the end of the academic year, citing the need to operate efficiently in response to the funding reductions caused by the property tax reform.

Governor Mike Braun called for a special legislative session in November 2025 to consider new congressional maps and tax code changes, but Indiana legislative leaders announced on November 3, 2025, that lawmakers would instead convene from December 1-12 to address these matters. Republican leaders cited cost concerns, noting that a comparable 2022 special session cost taxpayers approximately $240,000 in per-diem and travel expenses, and indicated they would adjust the 2026 legislative calendar to offset expenses. Braun released a statement supporting the December timeline, stating he was "happy to see" the legislature had committed to work on congressional redistricting and tax code conformity.

Braun called a special legislative session for Indiana lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional boundaries following pressure from President Donald Trump to create voting maps favorable to the Republican party. The redistricting proposal prompted constituent objections at town halls across the state, with dozens of residents in Terre Haute appearing to voice concerns to Republican state Sen. Greg Goode, while no attendees spoke in support of the plan. The outcome of the special session remained uncertain, with questions about whether sufficient Republican support existed in the state senate to enact new congressional districts.

Governor Braun called for Indiana lawmakers to hold a special session to redraw congressional districts, prompting Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray to announce a tentative timeline for the legislature to reconvene in the first two weeks of December with an anticipated completion date of December 12. The special session would address redistricting of Indiana's congressional maps following pressure from the Trump administration. Bray stated that scheduling the session after Organization Day would allow the legislature to consider redistricting in a deliberate manner while managing costs to taxpayers.

Braun called the Indiana legislature to a special session earlier in the week to redraw congressional maps, with lawmakers required to start and finish within 40 days beginning November 7. The special session was initiated ahead of the 2026 midterm elections in response to pressure from the Trump administration to create new congressional districts. ReCenter Indiana, a nonpartisan group, launched educational listening sessions across the state to inform community members about redistricting and gerrymandering as lawmakers prepare for the redistricting process.

Noem announced that Operation Midway Blitz, a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Indiana State Police launched in September 2025, resulted in 223 arrests of individuals alleged to be residing in northwest Indiana without legal authorization. The operation, conducted under a 287(g) agreement established over the summer, focused on roadway enforcement and identified 146 drivers, including commercial vehicle operators holding licenses from multiple states. Braun attended the announcement in Gary and stated that Indiana State Police would expand cooperation with ICE by assigning additional troopers to commercial vehicle enforcement.

Governor Braun stated that Indiana would coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in response to Operation Midway Blitz, a federal enforcement initiative that resulted in over 200 arrests of immigrants without legal status on Indiana highways. Braun noted that Indiana's extensive network of interstate highways created particular enforcement considerations and indicated his administration's intention to work with federal agencies on the matter. The governor's remarks came during a press conference in Gary organized by federal immigration officials and attended by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Bombardier announced plans to open a 64,500-square-foot service center at Fort Wayne International Airport, with operations beginning in the second half of 2026. The project is expected to create approximately 100 high-wage positions for skilled professionals to provide aircraft maintenance and support for the Global 8000 business jet and other aircraft across the Midwest. Governor Braun collaborated with local officials including Mayor Sharon Tucker and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. to facilitate the expansion.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun called a special session to address mid-cycle congressional redistricting and state tax code issues, with the session officially beginning on November 3, 2025. House Speaker Todd Huston announced that lawmakers would not convene on the governor's suggested date but would meet later within the 40-calendar-day window permitted by state law. Both chambers indicated they would likely delay convening until after the week of November 3 to allow for member scheduling coordination.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 in April 2025, legislation establishing property tax caps that reduced Fort Wayne Community Schools' projected operation fund revenue by approximately $11 million. The property tax reform law generally limits revenue for district-level services and utilities not directly tied to instruction. The Fort Wayne Community Schools board adopted a $419 million budget in October 2025 that accounts for this $11 million state-imposed cut while maintaining the education fund at $269 million, which primarily supports teacher salaries and instructional costs.

Governor Braun announced on Monday that he is calling for a special session of the Indiana General Assembly to redraw the state's congressional district maps. The announcement follows similar actions taken by states including Texas, California, North Carolina, and Illinois to conduct mid-decade redistricting. State legislative leaders and party officials responded with differing positions on whether Indiana should proceed with the redistricting effort.

Braun announced on Monday morning that he would call state lawmakers into special session beginning November 3 to redraw Indiana's congressional maps. The announcement came as spokespeople for House and Senate Republicans indicated the two chambers held substantially different positions on redistricting. The special session was scheduled to address the redrawing of Indiana's congressional district boundaries.

Governor Braun called a special legislative session beginning November 3, 2025, to consider redrawing Indiana's congressional map, citing the need to protect Hoosiers' representation in Washington. The redistricting effort followed sustained pressure from President Donald Trump and the White House, as well as outreach from Vice President JD Vance to Indiana Republican leaders. Braun also requested the legislature address conforming Indiana's tax code with new federal tax provisions during the special session.

Governor Braun publicly supported a mid-decade redraw of Indiana's congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm election, stating he was engaged in ongoing conversations with state legislators about the proposal. Senate Republican leadership announced in October 2025 that sufficient votes did not exist within the 40-member Republican caucus to advance the redistricting effort, with only four senators publicly supporting the plan and three opposed. Braun responded by expressing confidence that a majority of Indiana's statehouse Republicans would eventually support the redistricting initiative, though no legislative action was taken.

Indiana submitted a federal waiver request to the U.S. Education Secretary on Friday seeking permission to overhaul its administration of billions in education aid by combining more than 15 federal education programs into a single "strategic block grant." Governor Braun stated that the request would return education authority to the state level and allow educators greater flexibility by removing federal compliance requirements. If approved, the changes would take effect in the 2026-27 school year and would streamline funding administration across Title I, II, III, and IV federal education programs.

Gov. Mike Braun appointed Lili A. Dailey, vice president and trust officer at Lake City Bank, to the state of Indiana's Probate Code Study Commission. The commission examines the probate, trust and fiduciary sections of Indiana Code and recommends changes to the Indiana General Assembly. Dailey's appointment was announced in October 2025.

Governor Mike Braun rejected a clemency request from death row inmate Roy Lee Ward, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne in Spencer County. Ward was executed by lethal injection on October 10, 2025, at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, marking the state's second execution of 2025. The execution proceeded following the Indiana Supreme Court's setting of the execution date and Braun's denial of the clemency petition.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law in 2025, legislation that reduced property taxes and altered local income tax revenue received by local government entities. Allen County Council members Fries and Armstrong cited concerns about the budget's preparation for reduced property tax revenue stemming from Braun's action when voting against the 2026 county budget. The bill's passage created fiscal pressures that county officials acknowledged would impact local governments in 2027 and 2028.

Governor Braun denied clemency to Roy Lee Ward in late September 2025, following a recommendation from the Indiana Parole Board. Ward subsequently withdrew his final two federal lawsuits challenging his execution, which removed legal barriers to carrying out his death sentence. Ward was convicted and sentenced to death for the 2001 rape and murder of a 15-year-old in Spencer County.

Braun ordered a forensic audit of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. that was released in October 2025, which documented lavish spending by the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, nearly half of whose donors received millions in IEDC contracts and tax credits, along with numerous no-bid contracts and undocumented conflict-of-interest reviews. The 127-page audit confirmed practices including luxury travel expenses, race tickets, VIP airport services, and payments for officials' family members, as well as hundreds of millions in funding directed to the Lebanon-based LEAP innovation district project. Braun announced reforms including winding down the foundation, though the editorial board called for additional action by the state Attorney General to examine potential civil or criminal liability.

Governor Braun denied clemency for Roy Lee Ward, who was sentenced to death for the 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne, allowing the execution to proceed. The Indiana Parole Board had unanimously recommended against clemency, and Braun agreed with that recommendation. Ward's execution was scheduled to take place following the clemency decision.

The Braun administration shifted Indiana's business recruitment strategy away from large corporate incentives toward an approach emphasizing regional input and smaller business support. The state's ranking in Area Development's annual business climate assessment dropped from fifth place in 2024 to twelfth in 2025, with declines noted in categories including business incentive programs, access to qualified labor, and logistics and infrastructure. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation underwent organizational changes including replacement of its entire board in June and departure of its executive director in September.

Count US IN, a Fort Wayne-based nonprofit, filed a public records request in October 2025 seeking written correspondence between the White House and Governor Braun's office regarding mid-decade redistricting in Indiana, specifically covering communications from August 1 to September 26 and requesting records that reference federally funded programs or initiatives tied to Indiana's compliance with a congressional map redraw. The request was prompted by public statements from Braun indicating that the state could face consequences from the Trump administration if Indiana Republicans rejected redistricting efforts. Governor Braun had previously stated to WOWO radio that Indiana might experience "consequences of not working with the Trump administration as tightly as we should" if the state delayed redistricting.

Governor Braun held a public safety news conference in Fort Wayne where he stated that Indiana might move toward federal redistricting but that he did not expect repercussions from the Trump administration if legislators declined to pursue mid-decade redistricting. Braun indicated that whether redistricting occurs would be determined by state legislators, with his role limited to calling a legislative session if requested. The news conference occurred one day after the nonprofit Count US IN filed a public records request seeking correspondence between the White House and Braun's office regarding redistricting and potentially tied federal programs.

Governor Braun denied clemency to death-row inmate Roy Lee Ward on September 29, 2025, allowing Ward's scheduled execution by lethal injection to proceed on October 10, 2025. Braun's decision followed a unanimous recommendation against clemency from the Indiana State Parole Board, which cited the "brutal nature" of Ward's 2001 rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne. Ward would be the third person executed under Indiana's capital punishment protocol since the state resumed executions in December 2024 after a decade-long pause.

Governor Braun signed Senate Bill 1 into law in 2025, legislation that restructures local income tax and implements property tax caps through a circuit breaker mechanism. The law created significant financial challenges for Fort Wayne, including an estimated $25 million reduction in property tax revenue and necessitating the use of $8.8 million from city cash reserves to fund the 2026 budget. In response, Mayor Sharon Tucker established the SB1 Fiscal Task Force to assess the legislation's impact on city finances and develop budgeting strategies for the uncertain fiscal environment created by the new law.

Governor Mike Braun issued an executive order in March 2025 that directs Indiana state agencies to recognize only biological sex rather than gender identity on birth certificates and defines sex and gender according to a biological binary framework. The order defines multiple terms including sex, gender, woman, man, girl, boy, female, and male in accordance with this policy. A federal court denied a preliminary injunction request filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of transgender residents seeking to update their birth certificates to reflect their gender identity, with the judge determining the order provides consistency with Indiana's historical practice of recording biological sex on vital documents.

Braun signed the 2026 state budget passed by the Republican supermajority, which eliminated $38 million in annual state funding to the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County for Eskenazi Health, the public hospital system serving low-income and uninsured patients. In response to the state funding cut, HHC proposed maximizing property tax collection from Marion County residents, a move previously restricted under an agreement tied to the state subsidies. The reallocation of property tax revenue is projected to redirect approximately $16 million away from Indianapolis schools, libraries, and local governments.

Governor Braun denied clemency to death row inmate Roy Lee Ward in September 2025, allowing the scheduled execution to proceed on October 10. Braun's decision followed a review of the unanimous recommendation from the State Parole Board. Ward's execution was set to move forward as originally planned.

Governor Braun implemented a 10% spending reduction mandate across Indiana state agencies beginning in 2025. State employee headcount declined from 32,218 in December 2024 to 30,616 by September 2025, representing a 5% reduction in less than one year, with most agencies reducing workforce through layoffs and unfilled positions rather than operational cost cuts. Certain agencies received exemptions from the mandate, including the Indiana Department of Health for healthcare facility licensing and surveying functions, while remaining agencies addressed budget gaps through contract cancellations, vehicle replacement deferrals, and reassignment of duties to remaining staff.

The Trump administration's U.S. Department of Education canceled a $34.9 million federal grant to Purdue University for GEAR UP, a college preparation program serving more than 13,000 low-income students across ten Indiana school districts. In a September 12 termination letter, the Education Department stated that provisions in Purdue's grant application regarding diversity, equity and inclusion training for hiring managers, culturally responsive teaching professional development, and social and emotional learning in STEM instruction conflicted with federal civil rights law and the department's policy priorities. The program ceased operations on the following Tuesday after being scheduled to continue through 2031.

Governor Braun signed letters of intent with Taiwanese delegates at the Indiana Statehouse on September 25, 2025, committing Taiwan to purchase approximately $6.4 billion in Indiana corn and soybeans over four years, from 2026 to 2029. The agreement specifies purchases of nearly $2.12 billion in corn and corn products alongside between $3.44 billion and $4.2 billion in soybeans. The letters of intent were executed between the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and the Taiwan Feed Industry Association, as well as between the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association.

Governor Braun hosted Taiwanese Deputy Minister of Agriculture Wen-Jane Tu and representatives from the Taiwanese agriculture industry at the Indiana Statehouse for a ceremonial signing of letters of intent regarding agricultural trade. Taiwan agreed to purchase $10.4 billion in U.S. farm products, including crops from Indiana. The agreement was characterized by Taiwanese officials as strengthening food security ties between the two regions.

Braun voted as part of the state's top economic development leadership to release a redacted forensic audit of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation following completion of a final legal review. The audit examined the use of taxpayer dollars by IEDC to fund economic development projects. The action addressed public concerns regarding financial oversight and expenditure practices at the state economic development agency.

Braun led the Indiana Economic Development Corp. board of directors in a unanimous vote on September 24, 2025, to release results of a forensic analysis conducted by FTI Consulting following the completion of a legal review for redactions. The forensic examination, which began in May 2025 under a contract valued up to $800,000, reviewed past IEDC operations and identified five entities of interest including the IEDC, its nonprofit subsidiary, Elevate Ventures, Applied Research Institute, and IIP, LLC. Braun announced concurrent governance changes including requiring all votes to be taken by the full board instead of committees and directing the Indiana Economic Development Foundation to wind down operations.

Gov. Braun opened applications on Tuesday for three vacancies on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the body responsible for regulating utility companies and setting their rates in Indiana. The application period runs through October 14, with a nominating committee composed of appointees from Braun's office and the Indiana General Assembly conducting interviews and making recommendations for the positions. Braun stated that the administration seeks candidates focused on protecting ratepayers and ensuring energy affordability while maintaining a stable energy supply.

Governor Braun appointed Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner to serve simultaneously as the state's higher education commissioner while retaining her K-12 role, with her salary remaining at $275,000. Following the resignation of Jennifer-Ruth Green as secretary of public safety, Braun designated Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott to assume the public safety position as a second post while maintaining his superintendent role, with his compensation increasing from $184,842 to approximately $275,000. Administration officials characterized the dual appointments as consistent with the governor's campaign objective to streamline government operations and reduce costs.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1, property tax reform legislation, in April 2025. The law implemented property tax caps that reduced Fort Wayne Community Schools' operation fund levy by an estimated $11 million, representing approximately 15% of the district's $70.9 million operation fund. The school district responded by adjusting its $419 million budget for the following year, including funding capital projects through general obligation bonds and increasing transfers from its education fund.

Gov. Braun appointed three new members to the nominating committee of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in September 2025. The appointments were announced as part of measures designed to enhance oversight of the state's regulatory commission and address rising utility costs. The nominating committee is responsible for selecting members to the IURC, which regulates Indiana utilities' service.

Indiana Attorney General Rokita issued a civil investigative demand (CID) to Exodus Refugee Immigration, an Indiana nonprofit organization that resettles refugees, alleging potential involvement in labor trafficking and interference with federal immigration enforcement. The ACLU of Indiana filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Exodus on Friday, arguing that Rokita's investigation violates the organization's First Amendment rights by seeking to obtain personal information about clients including social security numbers, employers, home addresses, and three years of documents, phone records, and oral conversations. Rokita's office responded that the CID is not an accusation of wrongdoing and stated that Exodus had not contacted the attorney general's office about the demand prior to filing the lawsuit.

Governor Braun stated that Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner possesses the authority to revoke or suspend K-12 teachers' licenses for statements made on social media regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Braun indicated that Jenner's office would review reported statements by K-12 teachers and administrators that "celebrate or incite political violence," citing state code provisions permitting license suspension or revocation for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency, or willful neglect of duty. The announcement followed similar employment actions taken against Department of Child Services employees and a Ball State University employee over social media posts related to Kirk's death.

Indiana Gov. Braun announced the launch of Power Up Indiana, an upskilling reimbursement initiative designed to provide employers with financial incentives for training and advancing current employees. The program offers employers reimbursement of up to $5,000 per employee trained, with a maximum of $50,000 annually, contingent upon employees receiving industry-recognized credentials and experiencing at least a 25% wage increase that exceeds regional median wages. The state allocated $10 million in funding for the program, which is available to all Indiana-registered businesses of any size that meet eligibility requirements and can apply for reimbursement retroactively for training completed since the start of the year.

Braun suggested in a September 2025 radio interview that Indiana lawmakers could convene for a special session in November to redraw congressional district boundaries, describing the state as "in the process where we will evolve in that direction." Braun stated he wanted legislative leaders to take the initiative on the redistricting matter rather than have it imposed upon them, while noting that some legislators had already shifted their positions after examining potential benefits. Braun also referenced Ohio and Florida as examples of states pursuing mid-cycle redistricting and indicated that Indiana's timeline connected to national Republican political objectives.

Governor Braun announced the Power Up Indiana program, a state workforce initiative designed to reimburse employers who invest in training and promotion opportunities for their workers. Eligible companies may receive up to $50,000 to support activities including leadership development, apprenticeships, cross-training, and re-skilling. The Indiana legislature allocated $10 million in training grants during the legislative session to fund the program.

Gov. Braun stated on September 16, 2025, that a special legislative session to redraw Indiana's congressional redistricting map was "increasingly likely." Braun made the statement to media following a morning event at the Indiana Statehouse. The governor did not announce a final decision on whether to formally call such a session at that time.

The Indiana Department of Correction requested $15.79 million in capital funding from the State Budget Committee to upgrade Miami Correctional Facility in preparation for housing federal immigration detainees under a proposed federal immigration and law enforcement agreement. Governor Braun stated that his goal is for the state to receive compensation from the federal government for expenses related to the detention facility operations. The requested funding would cover infrastructure improvements including perimeter fencing and lighting enhancements, temporary housing structures, intake and processing modifications, and detection and screening equipment installations.

The Indiana Office of Inspector General filed a formal ethics complaint against former Public Safety Secretary Jennifer-Ruth Green, accusing her of ghost employment, misuse of state property, improper involvement of state employees in her political campaign, and retaliation against an employee who cooperated with investigators. The complaint alleged that Green directed state employees to generate campaign content for her political Facebook page and perform personal errands during state time, actions that investigators characterized as violating the state's ban on political activity during official duties. The case will proceed to a public meeting before the state ethics commission, where the inspector general will present evidence and Green will have the opportunity to respond, with the commissioners determining whether violations occurred and what sanctions should apply.

Governor Braun signed Indiana's Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law in April 2025, a property tax revenue overhaul that reduced statewide local government funding by an estimated $1.4 billion between 2026 and 2028. The legislation created significant budget uncertainty for counties, municipalities, and school districts across the state, requiring local leaders to reassess service delivery and operational costs. Allen County Commissioner Ron Turpin subsequently proposed collaborative efforts between Allen County and its municipalities to identify cost efficiencies and service consolidations in response to the revenue reduction.

Braun pushed for phased-in property and income tax cuts during the legislative session, which contributed to state budget constraints. The Family and Social Services Administration subsequently announced reductions of 10% to 35% in reimbursement rates for child care providers participating in the Child Care and Development Fund program, affecting approximately 55,000 children whose families rely on vouchers for care. The rate cuts included a 10% reduction for infant and toddler care, 15% for preschool care, and 35% for school-age care.

Indiana's Department of Transportation requested a temporary waiver from federal diverse contractor requirements in September 2025, becoming the first state to do so. The waiver request was prompted by a preliminary injunction in a federal case involving an Indiana subcontractor and was supported by Governor Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita. INDOT proposed a three-year exemption that would replace race and gender-based contractor selection criteria with a methodology based on geographic and industry-specific availability of economically disadvantaged small businesses.

Jennifer-Ruth Green, Indiana's secretary of public safety, resigned on September 5, 2025, following a review of findings by the state's Office of Inspector General. A remediation agreement signed in July 2025 by Green, Governor Mike Braun's chief of staff Josh Kelley, and the governor's general counsel Patrick Price documented an investigation into allegations including misuse of state vehicles and travel cards for personal purposes, inappropriate workplace conduct, and employee retaliation. Braun reviewed the inspector general's confidential personnel findings on September 5 and instructed his staff to meet with Green, after which she submitted her resignation.

Governor Braun signed legislation in April 2025 that implemented Indiana's property tax reform law, which the administration characterized as historic property tax relief. The law has resulted in property tax revenue reductions for public school districts across the state, including Fort Wayne Community Schools, which faces an estimated $10.7 million property tax cap loss. In response to these reduced revenues, Fort Wayne Community Schools announced a $64.1 million borrowing plan financed through general obligation and first mortgage bonds to fund facility improvements and equipment purchases.

The Braun administration requested a legal opinion from the Indiana Attorney General's Office on August 26, 2025, regarding the legality of the Governor's Commission on Supplier Diversity and the Minority and Women's Business Enterprises Program. The request, submitted by Department of Administration Commissioner Brandon Clifton, cited a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on college admissions and a 2025 memorandum from the U.S. Attorney General on federal funding and discrimination. The administration subsequently postponed the commission's meeting and canceled the state's 2025 Business Conference and B2Bloom Expo, an annual event that had showcased procurement opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 in April 2025, Indiana's property tax reform legislation that the governor characterized as "historic property tax relief." Northwest Allen County Schools estimated a $2.7 million property tax cap loss under the new law, with approximately $1.6 million affecting the district's operations fund. The school district responded by appropriating $11 million in general obligation bonds over two years to support technology and transportation costs while managing the financial impact of the legislation.

Indiana Public Safety Secretary Jennifer-Ruth Green resigned from the cabinet position in September 2025, less than a year after Governor Mike Braun appointed her to the newly created role in January 2025. Governor Braun announced the appointment of Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott to fill the public safety secretary position, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Correction, state Law Enforcement Academy, Criminal Justice Institute, and Parole Board. Green had held the position as part of Braun's state government reorganization effort.

Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal faced public criticism and budget pressure from Democratic council members during a September 3, 2025 City-County Council hearing regarding his office's agreement to house Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees in the local jail. Forestal cited Governor Mike Braun's executive order on immigration and a letter from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita threatening legal action against sheriffs who do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities as legal requirements for the arrangement. From January to July 2025, approximately 700 individuals were detained by ICE in the Marion County Jail under this agreement, which generates $75 per day per detainee.

Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration implemented reimbursement rate cuts of 10% to 35% for child care providers participating in the Child Care Development Fund to address a $225 million funding gap. Adam Alson, director of the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, stated the decision was made to maintain services for the approximately 55,000 children currently receiving vouchers rather than reduce program enrollment. The rate adjustments were determined through surveys of licensed child care providers and analysis of their operational costs to establish reimbursement levels aligned with current expenses.

Braun appointed Abby Gray to serve as head of the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, an agency that represents utility customers in regulatory proceedings. Gray was directed to evaluate utility company profits and identify cost-saving measures to reduce customer bills. Two members of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission announced plans to resign early, creating additional vacancies that Braun may fill.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 in April, legislation described as implementing property tax reform across Indiana. The law reduces property tax revenue for schools and other municipal units through a phased implementation, with the largest revenue losses anticipated in calendar year 2028. Southwest Allen County Schools estimated a $4.4 million property tax cap loss for the upcoming year and convened school board discussions to address the financial implications of the legislation.

Indiana maintained its AAA credit rating from all three major credit-rating agencies — S&P Global Ratings, Moody's Investors Service, and Fitch Ratings — in 2025, a distinction held by only 14 states. The rating agencies cited the state's active budget management, low debt, strong fiscal policies, and budgetary reserves as reasons for the top rating. Braun's administration announced the rating in a news release, noting that the AAA designation allows the state to borrow at lower interest rates and strengthens its ability to invest in infrastructure, education, and public services.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law in spring 2025, implementing property tax cuts that phase in over three years. The legislation creates budgetary pressures for cities including Fort Wayne, which faces uncertain annual revenue losses as property tax dollars shrink. Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker responded by assembling the SB1 Fiscal Task Force, composed of city and county officials, business leaders, and public finance experts, to develop strategies for maintaining core city services amid the reduced tax base.

Governor Mike Braun appointed Philip Clay as the executive director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, an agency responsible for investigating discrimination in housing, employment, and public services. Indiana Democratic Party vice chair Alex Nyirendah criticized the appointment, stating that Clay's background in real estate and investor relations did not provide the legal expertise and civil rights experience necessary for the position. The governor's office stated that Clay's management experience and community involvement qualified him for the role, and Clay was expected to take office in the fall.

Braun signed four election bills in spring 2025 requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, banning college-issued IDs as acceptable identification, allowing school board candidates to affiliate with political parties, and expanding poll watcher access at voting sites. Indiana's Republican supermajority subsequently considered a redraw of the state's congressional map to increase party dominance in the U.S. House, where Republicans already hold seven of nine seats. Two recent polls indicated majorities of registered voters did not support the proposed congressional map revision.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law in April 2025, which phases in property tax cuts over three years. Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker announced the formation of the SB1 Fiscal Task Force in response to the law's anticipated impact on city revenue that funds police, fire, and road services. The task force, led by Controller Pat Roller and comprising 11 members including elected officials, city staff, and community leaders, was charged with examining how the city could adjust its finances and maintain essential services amid the shifting revenue structure.

Braun announced that his administration achieved $37 million in state budget savings during the first several months of his tenure through renegotiated state contracts and reduced vehicle expenses. The savings resulted from executive orders directing state agencies to operate more efficiently and from leveraging the state's purchasing power to lower costs. The budget savings will be reverted into the state's General Fund at the end of the fiscal year.

Governor Braun replaced the Indiana Economic Development Corp. board with nine new members in April and moved to increase transparency within the agency and its foundation following years of unreported financial filings. In August, the IEDC declared Elevate Ventures in breach of all active loan agreements after the venture capital firm defaulted on the Indiana Angel Network Fund, owing $4.3 million on a $17.2 million repayment due August 2. The agency set a September 12 deadline for Elevate to resolve the default or face declaration of all managed loans as immediately due and payable.

Governor Braun stated he would not call a special legislative session to redraw Indiana's congressional districts until legislative leaders decided whether to proceed with redistricting, despite pressure from the Trump administration to do so. The article reports that Vice President JD Vance had met with Braun and other lawmakers earlier in the month as part of a federal effort to redraw maps in multiple states. Braun's position left the timing and outcome of any potential redistricting effort dependent on decisions by Republican legislative leaders who hold a supermajority in the state.

Governor Braun announced the appointment of Katie Jenner as commissioner of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, a position she will assume on October 11, 2025, while continuing her role as Indiana Secretary of Education. Braun stated in a news release that the dual appointment represents a cost-saving measure and part of broader government restructuring efforts, noting that having one leader oversee both K-12 and higher education would ensure student interests remain central throughout their educational journey. Jenner's current annual salary as education secretary is $275,000, while the higher education commissioner position pays approximately $238,000, with her new combined salary to be determined.

Governor Mike Braun, in coordination with Attorney General Todd Rokita and the Indiana Department of Administration, implemented a policy effective July 1, 2025, requiring companies seeking to partner with the state to certify that they do not engage in diversity, equity, or inclusive practices that treat people differently based on race and sex in recruiting, hiring, promoting, and other employment activities. The state canceled the 2025 Business Conference and B2Bloom Expo, the 17th annual gathering hosted by the Indiana Department of Administration's Division of Supplier Diversity that had showcased contracting opportunities for underrepresented companies. The new state contract language prohibits contractors from operating DEI programs or similar practices that violate Indiana or federal civil rights laws, with potential consequences under the state's False Claims Act for violations.

Indiana Gov. Braun stated that the state would fully cooperate with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement, including the use of federal facilities within Indiana to process undocumented migrants. The announcement came after U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Indiana would host a large state-run facility holding undocumented immigrants and as plans emerged to use Camp Atterbury, a military installation in the state, for Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees. Braun's statement of cooperation reflected the state's alignment with the federal administration's immigration enforcement agenda.

The Indiana Department of Correction announced in August 2025 that it would keep the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City operating beyond 2027, reversing its 2023 consolidation plan that called for closing both the Michigan City facility and the Westville Correctional Facility. The new Northwest Indiana Correctional Facility, under construction in Westville at a cost of $1.2 billion, will open in 2027, but Westville will close as originally planned while Michigan City will remain open indefinitely. The DOC cited recent growth in the state's incarcerated population as a factor in the decision, though the timing coincided with Governor Braun's administration announcing an agreement to lease up to 1,000 empty state prison beds to the federal government for immigration detainees.

Braun attended a fireside chat with the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, a group of clergy and community leaders including representatives from predominantly Black churches. During the meeting, Braun stated that ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs does not constitute an end to support for minority-owned businesses. The event provided a forum for Braun to discuss his administration's policy changes regarding DEI initiatives.

Governor Braun indicated support for increased immigration enforcement efforts by the federal government and directed the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Correction, state police, and Indiana National Guard to assist with immigration enforcement operations. The state subsequently approved two detention facilities, Camp Atterbury and Miami Correctional Facility, to be added to the network of immigrant detention centers following $45 billion in federal funding allocation. These actions occurred in the context of the cancellation of the 44th annual FIESTA Indianapolis festival, an event organized by Latino nonprofit La Plaza that cited safety concerns for the Hispanic community as the reason for discontinuing the celebration.

Indiana Secretary of Education Jenner is scheduled to be voted on by the Indiana Commission on Higher Education to also serve as Commissioner for Higher Education, a position she would assume on October 11 while retaining her current K-12 leadership role. Governor Braun announced the dual appointment as part of his effort to streamline state government and create unified oversight across Indiana's education system from pre-K through higher education. Jenner will not receive additional compensation for the expanded responsibilities.

Governor Mike Braun's administration announced that Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner would be nominated to serve as commissioner of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, a position that would combine oversight of both K-12 and higher education under a single leader. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education scheduled a special meeting for Friday to vote on Jenner's appointment, with her new role set to begin October 11 if confirmed by the 14-member board. Braun characterized the restructuring as part of his administration's effort to streamline state government operations and increase accountability and transparency.

Braun announced that the federal government will reimburse Indiana for housing immigration detainees at the Miami Correctional Facility. The state will provide up to 1,000 beds for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees under the arrangement. Braun stated that while the reimbursement agreement has been established, specific details of the payment terms remained under development.

Governor Mike Braun stated that Indiana University's Board of Trustees should act quickly if President Pamela Whitten is found to have committed plagiarism in her doctoral dissertation. Braun said he expects the board "to do the right thing" and "get on that right away," while also stating he would want to ensure the allegations are true before any action is taken. Braun did not specify what steps the trustees should take to verify the plagiarism claims or how they should proceed with any investigation.

Governor Braun announced the appointment of Julie Smith to lead Indiana's newly created Office of School Safety. Smith, a 20-year veteran of the Columbus Police Department, was named the state's first school safety director. The announcement was made at a ceremony at Hornet Park Elementary School in Beech Grove on August 12, 2025.

Braun's administration, through education secretary Katie Jenner, redesigned Indiana's high school graduation requirements, resulting in the "New Indiana Diploma" signed into law in April 2025. The policy allows students to earn different credential "seals" alongside a basic diploma based on their intended path: college enrollment, direct workforce entry, or military service. The initiative was developed in response to declining college enrollment rates, chronic absenteeism, and student reports that traditional high school curricula lacked relevance to their future plans.

Braun stated that the federal government should reimburse Indiana for costs incurred by state personnel assisting in federal immigration enforcement. This statement followed agreements signed by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Correction, state police, and Indiana National Guard to increase cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in deportation activities. Braun indicated concern about ensuring proper differentiation between undocumented immigrants with and without criminal records during the enforcement process.

Braun entered into a partnership with the federal government to make approximately 1,000 existing but unused beds available at Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill for immigration detention purposes. The arrangement involved no new construction, as the Indiana Department of Correction confirmed that the facility already possessed the capacity with unfilled beds. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the partnership on August 6, 2025, designating the initiative as part of expanded federal detention capacity.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun confirmed on Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance will visit Indianapolis to discuss potential congressional redistricting in the state, characterizing the discussion as exploratory with no commitments made. Indiana redraws congressional boundaries every ten years following census data and has not historically conducted redistricting outside this cycle, with legal questions remaining about whether off-cycle redistricting would be permitted under state law. The redistricting effort is part of a broader Republican strategy to increase the party's congressional representation, though Democratic officials and good-government organizations have raised concerns about the legitimacy and legal standing of such mid-decade boundary changes.

Braun proposed a sales tax holiday covering school supplies and youth sports purchases in his draft budget, which would have provided tax relief to families purchasing items for students. The proposal was ultimately removed from the state budget as other priorities were prioritized in the fiscal allocation process. The removal of this initiative occurred amid broader state budget constraints that also resulted in reduced funding for other programs including Jobs for America's Graduates and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library initiative.

Indiana Gov. Braun announced on August 1, 2025, that three state agencies—the Indiana State Police, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Correction—had submitted memoranda of agreement to establish Section 287(g) immigration enforcement partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agreements, if approved by ICE, would authorize these agencies to exercise federal immigration enforcement powers through task force, warrant service officer, and jail enforcement models. Braun also indicated that Camp Atterbury, a federal military installation operated by the Indiana National Guard, would be made available to the Department of Homeland Security to temporarily house immigrants subject to deportation.

Governor Braun's administration signed 287(g) agreements between the Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Correction, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, and Indiana National Guard with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide enhanced support for federal immigration enforcement operations. Under these agreements, designated state personnel are authorized to perform federal immigration enforcement functions including arrest and deportation assistance. The Indiana Department of Correction committed up to 1,000 beds at Miami Correctional Facility to house individuals detained through these enforcement operations.

Braun announced that multiple Indiana state agencies, including the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Correction, and Indiana National Guard, signed agreements to collaborate with federal immigration enforcement officials. The partnerships establish cooperation between state agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation operations involving individuals present in the country without legal authorization. The announcement was made on August 1, 2025.

Maureen Braun, Indiana's first lady, announced a $500,000 donation from the CenterPoint Foundation to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Indiana at an event held at the Indiana State Library on Wednesday. The foundation's contribution represents the program's first major donation following its inclusion in Governor Mike Braun's directive to secure private funding after state budget allocations were eliminated. The Imagination Library distributes free books monthly to children from birth to age five throughout Indiana, currently serving over 125,000 young residents.

Governor Braun announced that his wife, Maureen, would lead a fundraising campaign through the Indiana State Library Foundation to sustain the state's Dolly Parton Imagination Library program after the state legislature removed funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The program, which mails books monthly to children in low-income families, had previously received $2 million in 2023 and $4 million in 2024 under former Governor Eric Holcomb's legislation. Without the state's 50% financial match, county-level programs faced potential cancellation unless alternative funding could be secured.

Braun stated during a July 2025 meeting with Forge ECI that he viewed the READI grant program as effective and intended to sustain it, citing its multiplier effect on state investments in communities. However, Braun did not include funding for a third round of READI grants in the state budget passed in April 2025, and provided no timeline or funding mechanism for future rounds. The second round of READI grants, awarded in 2024, was funded entirely with state money after the first $500 million round in 2021 utilized federal COVID-19 funds.

Braun announced that Indiana would discontinue state funding for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that distributes monthly books to children under age five. The governor's office stated that his wife, Maureen Braun, would lead efforts to secure private donors to continue the program's operations. The transition from public to private funding represents a shift in the state's financial support for the book distribution initiative.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a proposal to reverse the agency's 2009 finding that greenhouse gases harm people and to eliminate federal greenhouse gas emission standards for automobiles and trucks. The announcement was made at a commercial truck dealership in Indianapolis, where Governor Braun appeared alongside other state and federal officials. Zeldin characterized the reversal as the largest deregulatory action in the country's history, stating that greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles have declined in recent decades and that eliminating the standards would prevent Americans from being forced to purchase electric vehicles.

Braun participated in a ceremonial signing of Senate Enrolled Act 306 at Huntington University on July 17, 2025. The legislation makes Indiana's film and media production tax credit transferable, allowing recipients whose credit exceeds their total tax liability to sell unused benefits to another taxpayer. The new law is intended to enhance Indiana's competitiveness in attracting film, media, and digital production projects.

Braun stated that he did not anticipate problems with conditions at a planned ICE detention facility at Camp Atterbury in Johnson County. The facility was proposed to house migrants in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. Braun's statement was made in response to concerns raised by immigrant rights groups regarding conditions at ICE detention facilities.

Indiana Governor Braun called for "full transparency" regarding files related to financier Jeffrey Epstein on July 24, 2025, while speaking from the Indiana Statehouse. Braun stated that the American public deserved access to the files and expressed expectation that transparency would be achieved. His comments came as the U.S. House of Representatives debated whether to release grand jury testimony and other documents related to Epstein's death in custody.

Indiana Governor Braun established an Emergency Alert Task Force following a catastrophic flash flood in Texas to evaluate existing alert systems in Indiana and identify areas for improvement. The task force was directed to assess resources including the Emergency Alert System established in 1994, countywide emergency text notification systems, and weather-alert sirens distributed across the state. Braun requested the task force submit a report with recommendations for Indiana's emergency systems by November 1.

In late March, Braun appointed Indianapolis attorney Jennifer Ruby as Public Access Counselor, succeeding Luke Britt who had resigned in February. Ruby assumed office amid complaints of non-responsiveness and long wait times at the Public Access Counselor office. The Indiana Coalition for Open Government subsequently launched a volunteer-staffed hotline on August 1, 2025, to help answer public records and open meeting questions in order to ease the workload on the newly installed counselor.

Braun announced the creation of a task force to evaluate Indiana's emergency alert system following deadly floods in Texas. The task force, led by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Integrated Public Safety Commission, will assess whether the state's emergency alert systems are current and functional and identify potential upgrades. The task force will gather input from local fire and law enforcement officials, the Indiana Geographic Information Office, the National Weather Service, and cell phone network carriers, with a report due by November 1.

Braun hosted U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon at Purdue University on July 16, 2025, where McMahon praised Indiana's education initiatives including Purdue's 14-year frozen tuition policy as a model aligned with the Trump administration's education goals. Braun characterized Indiana's approach of parental choice in K-12 and higher education as a model that other public schools in the state had adopted. McMahon declined to comment on a federal review of $6.8 billion in frozen education funding, including $107 million designated for Indiana schools.

Braun addressed reporters on July 15 at the Governor's Mansion regarding Indiana's fiscal year 2025 closeout, which concluded with a $337 million surplus and $2.5 billion in state reserves. The governor appeared alongside State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and State Budget Director Chad Ranney as they presented the state's financial results following an April forecast that had projected significantly lower revenues. Braun's fiscal leadership team characterized the financial outcome as evidence of Indiana's stable fiscal footing despite economic fluctuations during the budget year.

Governor Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1111 at a closed ceremony in July 2025, legislation that expands benefits for Indiana National Guard members. The law allows 21st Century Scholars to use Guard grants toward room, board, and other higher education expenses for two years, increases funeral expense caps from $8,800 to $20,000, adds soldiers on state-authorized active duty to the definition of state employees for death and worker compensation purposes, and authorizes the adjutant general to provide health insurance to members ordered to active duty by the state. State officials indicated the benefit changes were intended to support recruitment efforts in the Indiana National Guard, which had 12,173 members as of June 30, 2025.

Indiana completed its fiscal year with a $336 million surplus and a $2.5 billion reserve fund, according to financial reports released by State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla on July 15, 2025. Governor Braun characterized the fiscal closeout as positive news for the state's financial stability. Braun stated he was not concerned about the potential impact of federal Medicaid and SNAP cuts on state finances contained in recently enacted federal legislation.

Braun released a report identifying 350 examples of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within Indiana state government agencies. The report documented DEI programs across multiple state departments, including training programs and related initiatives. Following the report's release, the state began eliminating various DEI programs that had been in place across state agencies.

Governor Braun issued an executive order requiring Indiana state agencies to eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the administration characterized as incompatible with merit, excellence, and innovation. State reports indicate that 70 DEI-related trainings, instructional efforts, and programs have been removed across K-12 schools and public universities, including elimination of the Padres Estrellas outreach initiative and non-renewal of a grant program targeting first-generation students and students from underrepresented backgrounds. The Department of Education conducted an audit to remove references to equity and inclusion from state academic standards, instructional materials, and grant applications, while state-run schools for the blind and deaf were required to remove DEI-related language from their handbooks and policy documents.

Governor Braun issued an executive order in January requiring state agencies to replace "diversity, equity and inclusion" initiatives with "merit, excellence and innovation" throughout their policies and programming. The directive required agencies to complete a review and identify DEI programs by July 1, resulting in a report detailing 350 DEI initiatives across more than 3,800 pages of documentation released in July 2025. The identified programs included grants to reduce racial health inequities, scholarships for Black and Hispanic students, racial bias training, and a camping initiative for Black Hoosiers, many of which were subsequently abolished and removed from agency websites.

In April 2025, Governor Braun issued an executive order directing the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to cease development of climate plans under federal programs without prior consent from the governor or state legislature. The order cited concerns that such federal initiatives represented one-size-fits-all policies that would produce unfavorable economic and environmental results for Indiana residents. This decision reversed the state's previous commitment to implement a climate action plan that had been developed with a $3 million grant from the Biden administration.

Braun signed legislation implementing a tobacco tax increase effective July 1 that raised cigarette taxes by two dollars per pack. The increase was enacted as part of broader Indiana tax policy changes during the legislative session. According to public health estimates, the tax increase was projected to result in approximately 38,000 additional smokers in Indiana attempting to quit tobacco use.

Governor Braun released a report detailing the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs across Indiana state government pursuant to an executive order he issued requiring state agencies to remove DEI initiatives. The Indiana Department of Health eliminated coordinator positions focused on health disparities and maternal health equity, cut nineteen contract positions within the Office of Minority Health, and removed equity-related language from department materials and grant applications. The Family and Social Services Administration also implemented planned cuts to programs identified in the report as part of the administration's broader effort to eliminate DEI programming across state agencies.

After catastrophic flooding in Texas exposed shortcomings in emergency preparedness and public warning systems, Indiana Gov. Braun stated that Indiana must reassess how it communicates emergency warnings and coordinates disaster response. Braun expressed interest in examining whether Indiana's Department of Homeland Security coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local entities contains any weaknesses, though he indicated he was not yet prepared to propose specific changes. Indiana Task Force One, a 49-member team of first responders, was deployed to assist with search and rescue operations in Kerr County, Texas.

Indiana Attorney General Rokita filed legal action to block the ability to change gender designations on birth certificates, characterizing such changes as falsification of official documents. Rokita argued that permitting gender changes on birth certificates presents an integrity concern and establishes an undesirable precedent for official record modification. The action targeted existing state procedures that allowed individuals to update gender information on their vital records.

Governor Braun issued an executive order directing the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to reconsider environmental rules that increase costs of living, burden businesses, or exceed federal requirements. IDEM identified ten rules for modification or elimination, including extending solid and hazardous waste permit timeframes, allowing additional time for industries to meet water pollution limits, and revising malfunction reporting requirements for air pollution control. Environmental advocates noted that some proposed changes would require federal Environmental Protection Agency approval and raised questions regarding oversight of biomass feedstock standards.

Governor Braun directed the Department of Correction to proceed with preparations for the execution of death row inmate Roy Lee Ward following the Indiana Supreme Court's tentative scheduling of an October 10, 2025 execution date on July 7, 2025. Ward was sentenced to death in 2007 for the 2001 rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Spencer County. Braun's directive came after the state Attorney General's Office filed a motion to set an execution date, and Braun stated that state lawmakers should debate the future of capital punishment in Indiana during the 2026 legislative session.

Braun launched the Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a new state office designed to assist small businesses with formation and growth. Brian Schutt, co-founder of the Indianapolis startup incubator Refinery46, was appointed to lead the office. The state legislature allocated one million dollars annually in the budget to support the office's operations.

Rokita filed motions to involve the State of Indiana in a class action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana challenging Governor Mike Braun's executive order restricting birth certificate gender marker changes for transgender individuals. The case centers on the procedures and legal authority governing how transgender people may update their vital records in the state. Rokita's involvement as Attorney General placed the state as a defendant in the litigation.

Governor Mike Braun appointed Brian Schutt, co-founder of Refinery46 and Homesense Heating and Cooling, to serve as director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a position established by the Indiana General Assembly earlier in 2025. The office is charged with developing and administering programs to support small business growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation across Indiana. Schutt will report to Secretary of Commerce David Adams and will also oversee the state's certified technology parks, with statutory responsibilities including support for rural communities and youth entrepreneurship initiatives.

Braun issued an executive order directing the elimination of regulations deemed "unduly burdensome" or costly. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management identified several existing regulations that could potentially conflict with this directive, though most were characterized as minor modifications. Environmental agencies and advocates responded to the executive order's implementation.

Braun issued an executive order earlier in 2025 requiring a report evaluating how Indiana's anti-abortion laws and regulations are implemented across state agencies. The resulting report documented improved coordination between the Indiana Department of Health, the office of the attorney general, and the Indiana Department of Child Services on abortion-related enforcement matters, as well as the establishment of executive-level oversight at IDOH. The state health department is developing rules that would authorize fines against hospitals and surgical centers that do not comply with abortion regulations.

Governor Braun signed Senate Bill 1, a property tax relief bill passed by the Indiana General Assembly, which mandates that public schools share revenue from referendum tax levies with local charter schools beginning in 2028. Fort Wayne Community Schools projects a $14.5 million loss in state funding under SB 1, consisting of $12.5 million in direct cuts and $2 million directed to charter schools. The bill continues Indiana's practice of directing hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars toward private educational institutions through the state's school voucher program, which expanded significantly following 2023 legislation that removed enrollment requirements and increased income eligibility thresholds.

Governor Mike Braun's administration rescinded 8,486 hybrid remote work agreements for Indiana state employees effective July 1, 2025, implementing an executive order issued in January that eliminated the option for employees to work on hybrid schedules. Under the new policy issued by State Personnel Director Matthew Brown, state employees must work either entirely in state offices or entirely remotely, with remote work limited to positions identified as best performed off-site. The number of active remote work agreements decreased from 10,588 in January to 537 as of July 1, with state officials reporting a concurrent decline in total state employment from 32,212 in December 2024 to 31,222 as of June 21.

Governor Braun directed all state agencies in January to ensure Indiana's abortion laws are "fully and faithfully executed," requesting a review of enforcement practices by the Indiana Department of Health with findings due by July 1. The resulting Department of Health report, released in July 2025, recommended stepped-up enforcement of Indiana's near-total abortion ban, including the development of new rules allowing financial penalties for hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers that fail to comply with abortion-related reporting requirements. The report also identified ongoing noncompliance by IU Health and Eskenazi Health systems with mandatory Terminated Pregnancy Report filing requirements and indicated the state health department was working with the Indiana attorney general's office to resolve the dispute.

In February 2025, Braun declined to complete administrative paperwork required to participate in the federal SUN Bucks program, which would have provided direct financial assistance to low-income Indiana children for summer food purchases. The decision resulted in thousands of children in Indiana, including those in DeKalb County, being denied access to the program. The subsequent surge in demand on alternative meal programs, including DeKalb Central School District's SUN Meals to Go initiative, led to food shortages during the program's first day of summer operation.

In March 2025, Indiana Secretary of Business Affairs Mike Speedy, acting under Governor Braun's administration, ordered the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to close its emergency rental assistance program despite approximately $20 million in remaining federal COVID-era funding. Marion County Judge Richard Blaiklock issued an order on June 6, 2025, requiring the state to reopen the program and resume processing applications that had been halted at the time of closure. The judge found that the state had provided no documented rationale or analysis for discontinuing the federally funded program months before its scheduled expiration.

In March, Braun signed an executive order requiring Indiana to adopt no new environmental regulations more stringent than federal regulations and directing state agencies to review existing environmental regulations for any that exceed federal standards. The order prohibits Indiana from implementing environmental protections that surpass the baseline established by federal law. This action constrains the state's independent regulatory authority in environmental matters.

Indiana's Department of Health reported an infant mortality rate of 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, down from 6.6 deaths in 2023, potentially marking the lowest rate since the state began tracking the measure in 1900. Governor Braun issued a statement acknowledging the decline and reaffirming the state's commitment to protecting vulnerable infants and ensuring healthy outcomes for newborns. The state attributed the improvement partly to Health First Indiana, an initiative supporting partnerships to improve prenatal care access, home visiting services, breastfeeding promotion, and infant safe-sleep education.

Braun directed Indiana state agencies to withhold 5 percent of their funds from specific budget line items as part of budget management measures. The directive required agencies to set aside reserves from designated appropriation areas rather than allowing individual department heads to determine where reductions would occur. This action was implemented in addition to appropriation cuts that had already been enacted in the state budget.

The Braun administration directed state agencies to withhold 5% of funds from specific budget line items in addition to appropriation cuts enacted in the state budget passed in April 2025. The directive, implemented through the Office of Budget and Management under director Chad Ranney, represented a change from previous practice by specifying which budget categories would be subject to reserves rather than allowing agency leaders discretion in identifying savings areas. The instruction applied across all three branches of government, including higher education institutions and agencies such as the Department of Correction and Department of Child Services that had received budget increases.

Braun announced a pause on executions in Indiana, stating he does not intend to purchase additional doses of pentobarbital, the drug used in the state's executions, citing the cost of $300,000 per dose and a shelf life of 90 days. Indiana has carried out two executions using pentobarbital since December. The announcement prompted an Indiana lawmaker to call for the state to abolish capital punishment entirely.

Governor Braun stated in June 2025 that he was open to debate on whether Indiana should retain capital punishment, citing practical concerns about the state's execution drug supply and its cost of approximately $300,000 per use with a 90-day shelf life. Braun's comments came after Representative Bob Morris introduced House Bill 1030, which would have repealed Indiana's death penalty law, though the bill did not receive a committee hearing during the legislative session. Morris and ten other lawmakers subsequently requested an Interim Study Committee review Indiana's death penalty policies and practices, focusing on moral impacts and equity in the application of capital punishment.

Indiana education officials presented a draft framework in June 2025 to replace the state's A-F school grading system with a new accountability model that measures student outcomes across academic proficiency, work-based learning, attendance, and soft skills. The proposal was developed in response to House Enrolled Act 1498, signed into law by Governor Braun earlier in 2025, which required the state education board to adopt a revised accountability system by December 2025. The new system is scheduled for implementation in the 2026–27 school year, with the first round of school grades to be issued in fall 2026.

Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration announced in June 2025 that the state-funded On My Way Pre-K program would reduce enrollment to 2,500 children in the upcoming school year, down from approximately 6,200 students in October 2024. The administration also narrowed family eligibility requirements and reduced reimbursement rates for participating preschools. According to FSSA, the cuts were necessary because the program had expanded beyond sustainable funding levels after federal pandemic aid expired and state lawmakers did not provide replacement funding.

Indiana Gov. Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 520 into law on June 5, 2025, at a ceremonial event at the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum. The legislation exempts eligible veterans organizations from a $100,000 perpetual fund deposit requirement, allowing the memorial to proceed with installing a columbarium on its O'Day Road property. The columbarium, a structure designed to store funeral urns in individual niches, had its first phase completed with 48 niches, with additional phases planned for completion by 2026.

Indiana's Department of Education unveiled a draft A-to-F grading system for schools in June 2025, marking the state's return to letter grades after halting them in 2018. The new system will evaluate schools on academic performance, graduation rates, attendance, and other indicators under a "whole-student" approach, with finalization required by December 2025 under state law. Braun stated in a Wednesday statement that the system should "transparently and accurately reflect the preparedness of all students," while the department indicated it will consult with lawmakers on whether current policies regarding chronically underperforming schools require modification.

Braun terminated three elected Indiana University trustees in June 2025 using authority granted through a last-minute state budget amendment, replacing them with new appointees despite having previously indicated the trustees would serve until the end of their terms. The terminated trustees included Vivian Winston, who had one month remaining in her term, and Donna Spears and Jill Maurer Burnett, who had one and two years remaining respectively. Braun stated that numerous individuals had expressed interest in the trustee positions and that the timing difference made little practical difference to his decision to proceed with the replacements.

Braun appointed Indianapolis attorney Jennifer Ruby as Public Access Counselor in late March 2025, succeeding Luke Britt who retired in February after nearly 12 years in the role. The office has experienced significant operational delays, with phone calls going unreturned and no opinions from 2025 posted online, which Braun's administration attributed to a backlog of cases inherited from 2024. The Public Access Counselor's office, which advises government departments and citizens on Indiana's public records and open meetings laws, currently operates with only two employees.

Governor Mike Braun announced in June 2025 that Indiana had exhausted its supply of lethal injection drugs following two executions carried out in the previous six months and stated he did not plan to purchase additional pentobarbital at that time. Braun cited the high cost of approximately $300,000 per dose and the drug's short 90-day shelf life as reasons to reconsider the state's approach to capital punishment. The governor indicated willingness to engage in broader legislative discussions about whether Indiana should continue executing inmates and what alternative methods might be considered, directing lawmakers and courts to weigh the question of capital punishment's continued relevance in the state.

Braun removed Vivian Winston from the Indiana University Board of Trustees, notifying her of the action through a single-sentence letter received Monday morning. Winston had served as one of three alumni-appointed members of the board and held various roles on IU's staff and faculty. Braun subsequently made appointments to fill vacancies on the IU Board of Trustees.

Governor Braun removed all three Indiana University trustees elected by alumni under authority granted by a 2025 state budget provision allowing the governor to remove and replace IU trustees at will. Braun replaced two of the removed trustees, Vivian Winston and Jill Maurer Burnett, with attorney Jim Bopp and sportscaster Sage Steele, while appointing attorney Brian Eagle to the third position. The removals occurred less than two weeks before Winston's term would have concluded.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun's administration appointed Mitch Roob as Secretary of the Family and Social Services Administration, which oversees Medicaid and other state social programs. Roob announced plans to implement HIP 3.0, a revised version of the Healthy Indiana Plan that would reintroduce work requirements for able-bodied adults and establish greater fiscal oversight of program spending. The administration established a cost-control panel to address rapid spending growth in specific Medicaid services, particularly applied behavior analysis therapy, which increased from $120 million in 2019 to $639 million by 2023.

In late March 2025, Braun appointed Indianapolis attorney Jennifer Ruby as Public Access Counselor, the state official responsible for issuing advisory opinions on Indiana's public records and open meeting laws and responding to formal complaints. The office experienced significant disruptions following the February resignation of the previous counselor Luke Britt, who had served for approximately 12 years, leaving Ruby to manage dozens of unfinalized cases from 2024 alongside her statutory responsibilities. Braun's administration stated that Ruby had addressed the inherited backlog and was focusing on 2025 cases while the governor remained committed to transparency.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun's administration opted out of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (SUN Bucks) program for 2025, which had provided an additional $120 to approximately 669,000 qualifying schoolchildren during the previous year's summer break. The administration cited insufficient advance planning by the prior Holcomb administration, stating that key preparatory steps including contract amendments with the Electronic Benefit Transfer processor and procurement of a system vendor should have been completed in late 2024. The state cited approximately $3.7 million in oversight costs for the program as a factor in the decision amid a projected $2 billion revenue shortfall, leading to 5 percent budget cuts across state agencies.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 324 and House Enrolled Act 1014 in a ceremonial signing on May 29, 2025. SEA 324, effective July 1, requires courts to consider requiring persons charged with domestic violence to wear a monitoring device as a condition of bail, and increases penalty levels for crimes involving fentanyl. HEA 1014 restricts government entities from hosting or organizing obscene performances.

Purdue University closed its Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and eliminated separate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives following executive orders from state leadership aligned with federal directives from President Donald Trump. Cultural centers including the Black Cultural Center, LGBTQ Center, and Latino Cultural Center remained operational but were restructured to serve all students under the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life. The university consolidated the Minority Engineering Program and the Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program into a single Boilermaker Opportunity Program Plus to serve all academic programs.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 in April 2025, legislation that restructures Indiana's property tax relief system. According to projections by Southwest Allen County Schools, the new law will limit the district's annual tax levy growth to less than 1 percent, compared to approximately 2.5 percent under the previous structure, resulting in a projected $2.4 million reduction in total levy by 2028. The legislation also adjusted rules for controlled projects, requiring voter approval by referendum if a district's debt service tax rate exceeds 70 cents per $100 in assessed value, down from the previous 80-cent threshold.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 324 on May 28, 2025, legislation that reduces the threshold amount of fentanyl required to trigger enhanced criminal penalties for drug dealing. Under the new law, possession of less than one gram of fentanyl with intent to deliver constitutes a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison, while possession of more than one gram carries higher penalties. Braun stated the law "raises the bar" on fentanyl dealing to protect Indiana residents from the drug.

Governor Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1149, which creates an online portal for farmers to access funding opportunities, regulatory information, and state agency contacts. Senate Enrolled Act 1, a property tax measure, included changes to farmland assessment that increased the capitalization rate from 8 percent to 9 percent and added a new assessed value deduction. Senate Enrolled Act 28, authored in coordination with Republican Senator Sue Glick, established a reporting and investigation process through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to address water availability issues for agricultural users.

Braun signed an executive order in April 2025 as part of his "Make Indiana Healthy Again" plan to restrict SNAP purchases, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Indiana's request for a federal waiver to ban the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds for candy and soda. Indiana became the first state to receive such federal approval for the restriction. The policy takes effect January 1, 2026.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Indiana's request for a waiver to restrict the purchase of candy and soda using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, making Indiana the first state to implement such a restriction. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed the approval. The policy prohibits SNAP recipients from using taxpayer-funded food assistance to purchase candy and soda.

Governor Braun prioritized water planning through recently passed legislation and a new executive order. The article does not specify the names of the particular bills or executive order issued. The summary cannot be completed without identification of the specific legislation or executive order referenced.

Governor Braun signed legislation in May 2025 that establishes new requirements for sex education instruction in Indiana schools, mandating that school boards and governing authorities of charter and private schools review and approve all human sexuality curriculum before instruction. The law requires schools to post all sex education materials online for parental review and specifies that parents must receive information about instructor gender and whether classes will be co-ed as part of the existing opt-in consent process. The legislation limits human sexuality instruction to grades 4-12 and maintains Indiana's existing emphasis on abstinence-only education.

Governor Braun signed an executive order during the recent legislative session directing state law enforcement to "fully cooperate" with federal officials in immigration enforcement. Four Indiana law enforcement agencies, including the Noble County Sheriff's Department, subsequently signed memoranda of understanding to participate in the federal 287(g) program, which deputizes local officers to conduct immigration investigations and determine custody outcomes for migrants. The agencies enrolled in different models of the program: Noble and Jasper counties in the Warrant Service Officer Model, Hamilton County in the Jail Enforcement Model, and the Green Forks Police Department in the Task Force Model.

Braun signed a budget bill that included a last-minute compromise resolving a conflict with the Indiana Historical Society regarding its lease of state-owned land in downtown Indianapolis. The final budget removed a requirement that the Historical Society transfer its building title to the state, a provision that had been in law since 1992 but was never enforced. Under the compromise, the society will retain occupancy of its 165,000-square-foot building while state maintenance support will end and the organization will move toward owning the land outright.

Governor Mike Braun released an executive order supporting the extension of the life of Indiana's coal plants, according to the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor in its review of Duke Energy's proposal to close the Cayuga coal-fired generating station in Vermillion County. The OUCC cited Braun's executive order alongside a similar order from President Donald Trump as potentially decreasing operating costs for the Cayuga plant. Duke Energy proposed replacing the coal plant with a new natural gas facility, a plan that drew divided responses from consumer advocacy groups regarding the utility's energy transition strategy.

Braun's administration is exploring tolling on Indiana highways to address declining fuel tax revenue and fund infrastructure improvements, eight years after former Governor Eric Holcomb's administration abandoned similar efforts. The Indiana Department of Transportation is working with the governor's office to evaluate different tolling routes, processes, and applications, with Chief of Staff Josh Kelley stating that "no decisions have been made" but that tolling must be considered to maintain current and future infrastructure. Recent legislative changes have loosened restrictions that could facilitate tolling efforts, though federal law generally prohibits user fees on federal-aid highways except under specific programs allowing tolls on new construction, reconstructed facilities, or high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

Governor Braun directed the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to establish a working group through an executive order issued in February to examine cost containment measures for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy covered under Medicaid. The panel, comprising twenty-one agency leaders, health industry professionals, and disability advocates, was tasked with developing recommendations to control spending while maintaining care access for autistic youth in Indiana. The working group is required to submit a report containing three cost-containment recommendations by December.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 482 into law, expanding Indiana's student attendance intervention requirements to middle and high school students in grades seven through twelve, effective July 1, 2025. The law requires schools to hold meetings with parents and create attendance plans when students miss five unexcused days within a ten-week period, with plans potentially including wraparound services, disciplinary measures, or referrals for counseling. The legislation also encourages county prosecutors' offices to connect students and families referred for truancy with support services.

Braun's office contracted with FTI Consulting to conduct a forensic review of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation following allegations of self-dealing and unreported conflicts of interest. The contract, valued at up to $800,000 and beginning in May 2025, specified that while the work would include analysis of financial and accounting data, it would not constitute a formal audit. The review was to be conducted in cooperation with the Indiana Office of Inspector General and the IEDC, with work to proceed over a one-year period.

In January 2025, Braun signed executive orders on abortion records designed to ensure Indiana's near-total abortion ban laws are "fully and faithfully executed," including requirements for terminated pregnancy report submissions to the Indiana Department of Health. The executive orders were issued amid disputes over abortion reporting compliance, including incomplete submissions from Indiana University Health physicians and legal challenges regarding the release of individual abortion reports. The first full year of data under the ban showed 146 abortions performed in Indiana during 2024, representing a 98% decrease from the 9,529 abortions performed in 2022 before the ban took effect.

Governor Braun rejected a clemency petition from death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie on May 14, 2025, one day after the Indiana Parole Board unanimously recommended that Ritchie's scheduled May 20 execution proceed as planned. Ritchie had sought commutation of his death sentence to life without parole, citing a recent diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder and his history of childhood abuse and neglect. The parole board determined that Ritchie's request did not meet the threshold for commutation, noting that Ritchie fatally shot Beech Grove police officer William Toney during a 2000 police pursuit and admitted during his clemency hearing to intentionally firing the fatal shot.

Governor Braun announced on May 14, 2025, that he would not grant clemency to death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie, who was convicted in the 2000 killing of Beech Grove police officer William Toney. Braun's decision followed a recommendation against clemency from the Indiana Parole Board, which had conducted hearings considering evidence of Ritchie's brain damage from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder alongside his prison conduct history. Ritchie's execution was scheduled for May 20, 2025.

Braun's initial budget proposal for the 2025 biennium included provisions to terminate a longstanding lease agreement under which the Indiana Historical Society paid $1 annually to occupy state-owned land while the state covered approximately $1 million in annual maintenance costs. Following clarification from Braun's office that the state did not intend to force the institution to vacate, the final budget retained provisions permitting IHS-state leases while removing the state's maintenance cost obligations and initiating a process for the state to transfer the land to the Historical Society. Braun signed the two-year state spending plan this week, with implementation beginning July 1.

Benjamin Ritchie, an inmate on Indiana's death row since his 2002 conviction for the 2000 killing of Beech Grove police officer William Toney, underwent clemency hearings before the Indiana Parole Board in May 2025, one week before his scheduled execution date of May 20. The five-member parole board heard from Ritchie during a private hearing at Indiana State Prison and subsequently conducted a public hearing in Indianapolis where family members, friends, and colleagues of the slain officer urged the board to deny his request for sentence commutation. The governor and parole board retain the authority to commute a death sentence to life imprisonment following the board's recommendation.

Governor Braun issued an executive order in February 2025 directing the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to establish a working group tasked with developing cost-containment recommendations for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy covered under Medicaid. The 21-member panel, composed of agency leaders, health professionals, disability advocates, and parents, was charged with evaluating clinical care models, quality metrics, therapy hour caps, and duration limits while minimizing negative impacts on enrollees and families. The working group is required to submit a written report containing three cost-containment recommendations to Braun by November 30, 2025, following a comprehensive review due September 30.

Braun's original budget proposal for the 2025-2026 biennium included provisions to terminate the lease agreement under which the Indiana Historical Society paid $1 annually to occupy state-owned land housing its headquarters building, with the state covering approximately $1 million per year in maintenance costs. After consultation with the governor's office, the final budget retained provisions permitting IHS-state leases while removing the state's maintenance obligations and deleted language from Indiana Code requiring the historical society to transfer its building title to the state. Braun signed the budget into law, which takes effect July 1 and initiates a process to transfer the land from the state to the Indiana Historical Society.

Governor Mike Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 10 into law in April 2025, which prohibits Indiana voters from using student IDs issued by public colleges and universities as proof of identification at polling places, effective July 1, 2025. The law previously allowed such IDs if they contained the voter's name, photo, and valid expiration date. The measure was challenged in federal court by student Josh Montagne and advocacy organizations Count US IN and Women4Change Indiana, who argued the restriction violated the 26th Amendment and other constitutional protections.

Governor Mike Braun obtained full control of the Indiana University Board of Trustees after the General Assembly added a provision to the state budget in April 2025 that gave him power to remove alumni-elected trustees and select their replacements, eliminating alumni elections that had existed since 1891. Braun signed the budget into law on May 6, 2025, and Indiana University subsequently cancelled its scheduled trustee election. Four former trustee candidates publicly requested that IU President Pamela Whitten provide transparency regarding her involvement in the legislative changes and her communications with state officials about the modification.

Braun signed legislation in 2025 that eliminated the election of three Indiana University Board of Trustees members by the university's 800,000 alumni, a voting right that had existed for 134 years. The bill granted the governor appointment authority over all nine trustee positions, whereas governors had previously appointed six members while alumni elected three through nonpartisan elections. The legislation was inserted into the state budget bill late in the legislative session without a public hearing or opportunity for input.

Union School Corporation filed a lawsuit in Randolph County Superior Court on Thursday naming Governor Braun, the State of Indiana, and Secretary of Education Katie Jenner as defendants, challenging Senate Enrolled Act 1, which was added to a property tax bill during the final weeks of the 2025 legislative session without public hearing and mandates the district's closure by July 1, 2027. The district argues that the law violates several provisions of the Indiana Constitution and is unworkable because a clause prohibiting new obligations after July 1, 2025 would prevent the district from functioning for two years before its dissolution, including hiring teachers and staff, purchasing supplies, and obtaining liability insurance. Union School Corporation serves over 290 in-person students and approximately 7,500 virtual students in the rural community of Modoc.

The Indiana Legislature approved House Enrolled Act 1144, which reallocates judicial resources across the state by eliminating nine judicial posts in four counties while adding eight judicial positions in four others. The bill reduces magistrate positions in Marion County Juvenile Courts from 17 to 11, eliminates the Blackford County Superior Court and a Monroe County Circuit Court, and adds two superior courts in Hamilton County along with additional magistrates in Hamilton, Elkhart, Vigo, and Lawrence counties. The legislation was awaiting Governor Mike Braun's signature at the time of reporting.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 10 into law last month, which bans the use of student IDs issued by public colleges and universities as valid forms of identification at polling places, effective July 1, 2025. Previously, Indiana had accepted student IDs that included the voter's name, photo, and valid expiration date since enacting its photo ID law in 2005. Secretary of State Diego Morales defended the ban by stating it ensures all forms of ID used at the polls meet uniform security standards, though the law was immediately challenged in federal court by student plaintiffs and voting rights organizations.

Governor Braun signed Indiana's $44 billion biennial budget into law on May 7, 2025, along with 62 other measures that legislative leaders had sent to his desk on April 29. The budget required approximately $2 billion in spending reductions due to a constrained revenue forecast, resulting in 5% cuts to public higher education and most state agencies, a 25% reduction to the economic development arm, and a 60% cut to public health funding. The budget preserved Indiana's AAA credit rating and reserve funds while allocating a combined $300 million discretionary augmentation fund to the Department of Correction, Department of Child Services, and Family and Social Services Administration, and included a shift to a universal school choice voucher system in the budget's second year.

Governor Mike Braun signed a state budget bill in May 2025 that included a provision eliminating alumni election of Indiana University board of trustees members and granting the governor full appointment authority over all nine board positions, effective immediately upon signature. Previously, three of the nine trustees were elected by IU alumni while the governor appointed the remaining six members. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in Monroe County Circuit Court the following day challenging the provision as unconstitutional special legislation, arguing that other four-year public universities in Indiana retain some form of alumni board selection while IU alone lost this authority.

Indiana death row inmate Benjamin Ritchie participated in clemency hearings before the state's five-member Parole Board in May 2025, with a scheduled execution date of May 20 for the 2000 killing of Beech Grove police officer William Toney. The Parole Board conducted two hearings and will submit a recommendation to Governor Mike Braun regarding whether to commute Ritchie's death sentence to life imprisonment without parole. Braun will make the final decision on clemency with no set timetable for his determination.

Governor Braun signed the state's two-year budget into law, which included a provision giving the governor full control over Indiana University's board of trustees by eliminating the three seats previously elected by IU alumni. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit the day after the budget was signed, arguing that the provision constitutes unconstitutional special legislation because other four-year public universities in Indiana retain alumni-elected board positions. The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction and a court declaration that the relevant budget provisions are unconstitutional.

Governor Braun attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Eli Lilly's $4.5 billion Medicine Foundry facility in Lebanon, Indiana on May 7, 2025. The research and development facility is expected to create approximately 2,000 construction jobs and 400 permanent staffing positions while integrating drug research, process development, and advanced manufacturing in a single location. Braun stated at the event that the facility would reduce the need for pharmaceutical outsourcing to other countries and accelerate the timeline for bringing new medicines to clinical trials.

Governor Mike Braun issued an executive order in April 2025 directing the Indiana Economic Development Corp. Foundation to file required audited financial reports with the State Budget Committee after the organization had failed to submit six years of such reports. The released reports revealed the foundation spent more than $13 million over six years, with the largest portion allocated to travel, meals, and entertainment associated with international economic development trips. Braun also directed the foundation and other state-affiliated nonprofits to file Internal Revenue Service Form 990s annually, with all required reports spanning ten years due by the end of 2025.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 10 into law in April 2025, which prohibits the use of student identification cards as a valid form of identification for voting in Indiana elections. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025. Two voter advocacy groups, Count US IN and Women4Change, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis on the grounds that it violates the 26th, First, and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Braun signed HB 1002, legislation that deregulates Indiana education laws by removing outdated and duplicative regulations from Title 20 and grants the governor increased authority to appoint a Secretary of Education without prior requirements for advanced degrees or education experience. The bill removes the state requirement for high schools to offer an ethnic studies course, a semester-long elective that had been mandated annually since 2018. Braun also signed dozens of additional education-related bills during the 2025 legislative session, including a property tax reform package expected to reduce school property tax revenue by $744.4 million and legislation expanding vouchers to private schools beginning in mid-2026.

Governor Braun signed legislation on May 6, 2025 that eliminated state financial support for all 17 public broadcasting stations in Indiana as part of the state's new two-year budget. The action removed approximately $13 million in combined state and federal funding that had comprised roughly 30 percent of the budgets for Indiana's public media stations. The funding cuts affected stations that broadcast NPR and PBS content throughout Indiana and neighboring communities in Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 2 into law on May 2, 2025, establishing work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan, requiring beneficiaries to work or volunteer for 20 hours per week or lose benefits, subject to more than a dozen exemptions and federal approval. Braun also signed House Enrolled Act 1008, which establishes a commission to study the potential addition of secessionist Illinois counties to Indiana, a process that would require approval from both Illinois and the federal government. Among the 56 bills signed into law that day were measures addressing eyewitness identification procedures in criminal cases, small modular nuclear reactor pilot programs, and a Medicaid diversion program.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law on April 15, 2025, which provides homeowners a 10% property tax credit through 2028 with a maximum annual credit of $300 while creating additional county income tax authority. In response to a gloomy revenue forecast requiring $2 billion in spending cuts from the state's $44 billion biennial budget, the legislation reduced funding for the program supplementing local public health departments by 60%, from $100 million annually to $40 million. Braun stated he would not allow school districts and local government revenue to grow faster than the economy and indicated that additional public health funding increases could be considered in the future if adequate return on investment could be demonstrated.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 448 on Thursday, legislation that requires the state to develop a plan and framework for high school workforce credentials and work-based learning opportunities. The bill directs the state Department of Education to create a market-driven credential program encompassing at least three industry pathways with corresponding benchmark skills, with higher education institutions providing recommendations for the final report. The measure builds on existing state efforts to redesign high school diplomas and create stackable credentials in fields including advanced manufacturing and healthcare, with the first occupation pathway expected to launch in the 2025-26 school year.

Braun signed Senate Bill 516, a bipartisan measure that requires the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to notify local governments and the State Budget Committee at least 30 days before purchasing more than 100 acres of land in a county, and mandates annual reports on tax-increment financing plans for innovation development districts. The bill also establishes the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which will be housed under the Department of Commerce and consolidate several programs currently managed by the IEDC, with an initial budget allocation of $1 million annually. The new office will oversee certified technology parks and serve as a point of contact for entrepreneurs as part of Braun's effort to redirect state economic development strategy toward small business growth.

Governor Braun signed legislation requiring traditional public schools to share local property taxes with charter schools in Indianapolis. The bill redirects funding from Indianapolis Public Schools to charter schools operating within district boundaries. Braun is also awaiting signature on separate state legislation that would temporarily pause new charter school creation within the district from July through December, with exceptions for schools authorized by the mayor's office.

Indiana's 2025 budget bill, which Governor Mike Braun has until May 6 to sign, contains provisions that modify faculty tenure and governance at the state's public universities. The changes require faculty to post syllabi online, mandate "productivity" reviews for tenured professors, and reduce the advisory authority of faculty senates in favor of university trustees and administrative leadership. The budget also grants Braun total authority over appointments to Indiana University's Board of Trustees and reduces funding for public colleges by 5 percent over two years.

Indiana lawmakers passed a budget reducing Health First Indiana funding from $150 million to $40 million annually for the next two years, representing a nearly 75 percent cut to local public health grants. The legislation includes restrictions on programs serving non-residents and those providing smoking- and tobacco-cessation services, with the residency restriction to take effect upon Governor Braun's signature. Nearly 50 grant recipients in Allen County were notified of the funding reductions and program restrictions, with some provisions requiring immediate implementation.

Braun defended his local property and income tax plan at a celebration of his first 100 days in office, stating that the legislation represented a balanced package despite criticism from multiple groups. He indicated his intention to pursue further gradual cuts to homestead property tax bills through alternative revenue sources while constraining revenue growth at school districts and local governments to match economic growth. Braun also criticized Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith's recent characterization of the Three-Fifths Compromise, stating he would not have used that description and emphasizing the importance of careful public statements.

Indiana University alumni leaders sent a letter to Governor Braun in April 2025 urging him not to sign legislation that would eliminate alumni input in the selection of Indiana University Board of Trustees members. The proposed budget provision would grant the governor full control over all nine trustee appointments, removing the alumni association's ability to elect three board members, a right granted by state legislation since 1891. The alumni representatives stated that the three trustees elected by the university's approximately 800,000 alumni had historically served with distinction in overseeing the institution's policy, finances, and leadership.

Governor Mike Braun included provisions in the state budget that eliminate alumni participation in selecting Indiana University board of trustees members and grant the governor full appointment authority over all nine board positions. The policy change removed the previous system in which three trustees were elected by IU alumni while the governor appointed five members and one student representative. Braun stated that the change addressed low alumni participation rates in trustee elections, noting that only 1.7% of IU alumni voted in past elections, though the provision was added to the budget without public discussion.

Braun defended budget cuts implemented during his first 100 days in office, stating that no major areas were significantly reduced and that essential programs remained intact. The state budget included a 5 percent funding reduction across most state agencies and higher education institutions, while local public health funding was reduced from $150 million to $40 million annually, representing a 70 percent decrease. Braun characterized increased spending as "misguided" for improving public health outcomes while asserting continued attention to health-related priorities.

Governor Mike Braun and state lawmakers reduced state funding for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which had provided $2 million in 2023 and $4 million in the prior year as part of a 50-50 cost share with local organizations. Following the funding cuts, local and state officials announced separate fundraising efforts to support the program that provides free books to children up to age 5. The Allen County Public Library raised $5,870 through an April partnership with the Club Room at Clyde Theatre featuring music by Carolyn Martin.

Governor Braun's administration announced a funding freeze on disbursements designated for Elevate Ventures, a nonprofit organization that invests state and federal funds for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., citing concerns that prompted him to hire an independent auditor to investigate the IEDC and affiliated organizations. The freeze affects approximately $19.6 million in expected State Small Business Credit Initiative funding and leaves 48 early-stage companies potentially days or weeks away from investment approvals without clarity on which accounts are frozen, the specific rationale for the action, or its duration. Braun and Commerce Secretary Adams pointed to accusations in a political newsletter as justification but provided no official detailed explanation, and Elevate officials stated they had not received official notification from the state about the specifics of the freeze.

Indiana lawmakers voted on April 25, 2025, to include a provision in the state budget bill that would grant Governor Braun the power to appoint all members of the Indiana University Board of Trustees. The measure was added late to the budget legislation and passed during a Thursday night session. The budget bill containing this provision was headed to Braun for signature.

Provisions added to Indiana's state budget would grant Governor Braun full control over the nine-member Indiana University Board of Trustees by converting three alumni-elected positions to gubernatorial appointments, effective July 1, 2025. The budget language also grants the governor authority to remove and replace any previously elected board members at any time, with new appointees serving through the remainder of the original term. The provisions sunset on January 1, 2028, and require that at least five board members be university alumni and five be Indiana residents.

Senate Bill 289, written by Republican Senators Tyler Johnson and Gary Byrne, advanced to the governor's desk following a 64-26 House vote and 34-16 Senate vote in April 2025. The bill restricts diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state education, public employment, and licensing by prohibiting decisions based on personal characteristics including race, religion, color, sex, national origin, or ancestry. The legislation includes carveouts for minority business enterprises, women's business enterprises, veteran business enterprises, and allows schools to award grants and scholarships based on personal characteristics if state funds are not involved.

The Braun administration launched a forensic audit of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and its affiliated entities following internal investigations and published allegations of ethics violations and self-dealing by staff members. Secretary of Commerce David Adams stated the audit would examine not only financial records but also specific transactions and processes across the IEDC and its affiliated organizations, including Elevate Ventures, with the administration expecting to hire a national firm to conduct the review within weeks. Funds allocated to Elevate Ventures were frozen pending further evaluation, and Governor Braun stated the audit would help place the agency on a path toward greater transparency.

Braun received House Enrolled Act 1002 from the Indiana General Assembly on April 24, 2025, following a narrow 27-21 Senate vote and earlier 61-25 House passage. The education "deregulation" measure strikes multiple sections of state education code, including the removal of dozens of "may" provisions, COVID-19 pandemic requirements, and duplicate regulations, with the bill's Republican author estimating the cuts would reduce state education regulations by nearly 10 percent. The legislation also removes requirements for charter schools to publish economic interest statements and for administrators to contact employment references before hiring teachers, though it retains language requiring teachers to complete training in trauma-informed care and cultural competency.

Indiana lawmakers included the repeal of the ethnic studies course requirement in House Bill 1002, a deregulation bill that passed both chambers of the General Assembly in April 2025. The state's Department of Education requested the removal of ethnic studies language from education law citing guidance from the federal Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights and concerns about potential violations of President Trump's executive order on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The bill now awaits Governor Braun's action.

Indiana lawmakers approved a budget bill in April 2025 that grants Governor Braun sole power to hire and fire members of the Indiana University Board of Trustees. The provision was added late to the budget legislation and was passed in the early morning hours of Friday. Previously, the IU Alumni Association had selected three of the nine trustees, a responsibility that transfers to the governor under the new budget authority.

The Indiana General Assembly passed House Bill 1001, a $44 billion state budget, on a vote of 66-27 in the House and 39-11 in the Senate in April 2025. The budget included an expansion of school choice voucher eligibility to families earning over $220,000 annually and provisions giving Governor Braun complete control over the Indiana University Board of Trustees. The legislation moved to Braun for signature following its passage by the Republican-controlled legislature.

At a news conference with Governor Mike Braun, Republican legislative leaders announced a final state budget compromise that retained caseload limits for Indiana Department of Child Services case managers rather than repealing the caps as had been proposed in the Senate version of the budget bill. The compromise provision requires DCS to study the workload of case managers instead of abandoning existing caseload standards. The action responded to concerns from child welfare advocates that removing caseload limits could reverse progress in child safety outcomes and create unmanageable work demands for case managers.

The Indiana Legislature gave final approval to House Bill 1144, which redistributes judicial positions across the state based on caseload needs as determined by the state's weighted caseload management system. The legislation eliminates magistrate positions in Marion County Juvenile Courts, abolishes superior courts in Blackford, Jennings, and Monroe counties, while adding two superior courts in Hamilton County and additional magistrates in Hamilton, Elkhart, Vigo, and Lawrence counties. The bill now proceeds to Governor Braun for his consideration after passing the House 83-5 and the Senate 45-4.

Senate Enrolled Act 287, which would require partisan designations on general election ballots for Indiana school board candidates, passed the Indiana Senate on April 24, 2025, by a vote of 26-24, meeting the constitutional minimum needed to avoid a tie-breaking vote from Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith. The legislation now moves to Gov. Mike Braun for his decision. The bill would make Indiana one of four states with partisan school board elections, joining a small group of states that designate party affiliations on school board ballots.

The Indiana Legislature approved a $46.2 billion biennial state budget bill that triples the state's cigarette tax, raising approximately $810 million in revenue over two years, and implements widespread cuts to local health departments, higher education, and economic development programs. Gov. Braun is expected to sign the legislation, which takes effect July 1 and was adopted in response to a revised revenue forecast projecting $2 billion less in state tax collections over the next two fiscal years than previously anticipated. The budget maintains funding increases for K-12 education and includes expansion of the state's school choice voucher program to all Indiana families regardless of income beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

The Indiana Legislature approved a $46.2 billion state budget bill in early Friday morning that eliminated $7.35 million in state funding for public broadcasting stations over the next two fiscal years. Governor Braun is expected to sign the bill within a few days. The removal of funding, which had been included in the previous biennial budget at the same $3.675 million per fiscal year level, will require Indiana's 17 public radio and television stations to seek alternative revenue sources.

The Indiana General Assembly voted to require the Indiana Gaming Commission to conduct an independent study identifying two locations in the state that would most benefit from receiving a casino license currently held by a failing riverboat casino in Rising Sun. The study will evaluate projected gaming revenues, tax impacts, out-of-state patronage, effects on existing casinos and the horse racing industry, and potential impacts of tribal casinos, with findings due to the legislature's budget committee by November 1. The legislation has been sent to Governor Braun for signature.

Indiana state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 289 on Wednesday, which repeals sections of state law establishing diversity committees on college campuses. The bill would require public schools and universities to end or curtail diversity policies. The legislation heads to the governor for consideration.

Braun and top legislative leaders announced a plan to triple Indiana's cigarette tax from 99.5 cents to approximately $3 per pack and increase taxes on other tobacco products, projected to raise about $810 million in additional revenue over two years. The tax increase on cigarettes, which had not been raised since 2007, was proposed as an amendment to House Bill 1001 to help address a $2 billion revenue shortfall in the state budget. The proposal also included reductions in planned spending for public health, higher education, and government agencies, with legislative leaders targeting passage before the April 29 deadline.

Governor Mike Braun announced on April 24, 2025, that the state is freezing all funds designated for Elevate Ventures, a venture capital firm affiliated with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., following an independent investigation into potential impropriety between the two entities. Braun's office reported findings of possible wrongdoing to the Office of the Inspector General and commissioned an independent audit of the IEDC's spending and accounts, expected to take six to twelve months. The fund freeze includes federal dollars from the State Small Business Credit Initiative, while IEDC core operations continue, and the state will await the audit results before determining additional actions including potential board changes.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 119 into law, which prohibits the submission of Certificate of Public Advantage applications after May 13, 2025. The legislation was co-authored by Sen. Ed Charbonneau, who had previously supported COPA legislation in 2021 but reversed course on the policy. The new law effectively blocks the proposed merger between Union Health and Terre Haute Regional Hospital, which had been the subject of opposition from both the Federal Trade Commission and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

Governor Braun listened as Republican lawmakers in the Indiana Senate and House announced a final budget compromise in April 2025 that reduced government spending across public health programs, economic development, and higher education in response to a projected $2 billion budget shortfall. The compromise included a $2 increase in cigarette taxes and proportional increases on other tobacco products, expected to generate approximately $800 million in cigarette tax revenue and $50 million from other tobacco taxes, with the tobacco revenue offsetting Medicaid increases. The budget also maintained the state's reserve fund at just above 10 percent and included a universal school choice voucher program beginning in the second budget year at an estimated cost of $93 million.

Governor Braun received Senate Bill 442, legislation requiring Indiana K-12 schools to teach about the importance of consent to sexual activity in an age-appropriate manner as part of human sexuality instruction, along with provisions mandating school board approval and public posting of sex education curricula and requiring elementary students to view a three-minute fetal development ultrasound video if participating in such coursework. The bill passed the Indiana House of Representatives 72-20 and the Senate 35-12 after a conference committee retained the consent instruction language following initial plans to remove it. The legislation establishes that any human sexuality and sex education materials used in grades four through twelve must be board-approved and publicly available online.

Governor Braun included provisions in the state budget bill that eliminate alumni election of three of Indiana University's nine Board of Trustees seats and convert them to gubernatorial appointments, allowing Braun to remove and replace these members at any time. The budget bill containing these provisions was introduced by the Republican majority on Wednesday night and scheduled for a General Assembly vote on Thursday. Braun stated that the current trustee selection process had not "yielded the proper results" and that he sought a board with different composition.

Governor Braun unveiled the final state budget on April 23, 2025, which addressed a $2 billion revenue shortfall through a combination of spending cuts and new revenue measures. The budget included a $2 per pack increase in the cigarette tax, with a proportional increase on other tobacco products, with revenue earmarked for Indiana's Medicaid programs. The budget also reduced public health funding from $150 million to $40 million annually, provided K-12 schools with 2 percent annual funding increases, and included a private school voucher expansion beginning in the second year of the budget period.

The Indiana General Assembly approved legislation requiring gas station operators to display posters about human trafficking, and the bill was sent to Governor Braun for signature. The measure establishes signage requirements at fuel retail locations to provide information about identifying and reporting trafficking. Braun received the bill following its passage in both chambers of the state legislature on April 24, 2025.

House Bill 1007 advanced to Governor Braun's desk following a 63-23 party-line vote in the Indiana House of Representatives. The bill expedites approval processes for large-load customers such as data centers, requires utilities to make financial assurances covering at least 80% of project costs, and establishes annual reporting requirements for utilities planning to close or convert coal-fired plants of at least 125 megawatts. The legislation also maintains a 20% sales tax credit for Indiana manufacturers producing small modular reactor technology, estimated to cost taxpayers $280 million according to legislative fiscal analysis.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 491, legislation authored by Senator Mike Gaskill that authorizes the annexation of approximately 460 acres of noncontiguous land in Madison County into the city of Alexandria for development of an industrial park. The bill passed the Indiana House unanimously in February and the Senate with three dissenting votes in April, with amendments stipulating the annexed land cannot be used for carbon sequestration projects. The annexation is expected to take approximately one year to complete once the bill became law.

Governor Braun arranged for an independent forensic audit of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's accounting and spending following concerns raised about the agency's relationship with Elevate Ventures, a nonprofit venture capital firm that receives millions in annual funding from the IEDC. The audit was announced the same day that a report questioned how IEDC dollars were being spent through Elevate Ventures. Braun stated in a written statement that "Hoosier taxpayers deserve clear accountability for how their dollars are spent" and indicated the administration would take necessary action to protect taxpayers going forward.

Braun signed two executive orders on April 21, 2025, addressing Indiana's natural resources. The first executive order established a council to develop a market for extracting valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel from the state's coal ash waste for use in batteries, smartphones, and wind turbines. The second executive order created a statewide inventory of Indiana's water resources to supplement regional water studies previously conducted by the Indiana Finance Authority.

Braun announced a goal to position Indiana as a leader in recovering rare earth minerals from coal byproducts. The initiative includes developing methods to extract rare earth minerals as a secondary use of coal industry waste streams. Braun also indicated plans to implement a comprehensive water resource management plan alongside the rare earth minerals recovery effort.

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1, a property tax law that includes several provisions designed to increase transparency in local taxation and bonding practices. The legislation requires a one-year freeze after bond expiration to allow taxpayers to see tax reductions, moves all school referendum votes to general elections rather than primary elections, and mandates affirmative votes by local fiscal bodies to maintain tax rates when assessed values remain constant. The law also requires local income taxes to revert to zero annually, necessitating an affirmative vote by local government leaders to continue collection.

The Braun administration limited access to Applied Behavior Analysis, a therapy covered under Indiana's Medicaid program commonly used for autism treatment. Following this action, advocacy groups including the Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis planned to gather at the Indiana statehouse to seek input on the policy. The administration's limitations on the therapy's availability prompted organized response from organizations representing individuals who rely on the treatment.

A bipartisan road funding bill was sent to Governor Braun's desk in April 2025 that would provide Marion County with an additional $50 million annually for infrastructure improvements while modifying state-wide road funding mechanisms. The legislation restructures funding formulas to account for multiple-lane roads rather than center lanes only, adjusts the wheel tax, modifies trustee distribution methods for infrastructure funds, and expands the state's ability to implement toll roads. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and city officials indicated support for the bill and committed to identifying matching funds by June 2027.

Braun signed House Bill 1518 into law, which requires the state to purchase or lease only base, standard, or government models of vehicles and prohibits the acquisition of luxury or semi-luxury vehicle brands. The legislation was enacted in response to state expenditures on high-end vehicles, including a $90,000 GMC Yukon Denali purchased by Secretary of State Diego Morales and an $88,000 Tahoe High Country SUV acquired by Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith. The measure establishes purchasing standards for state government vehicle acquisitions.

Braun signed into law a property tax reduction bill during the 2025 legislative session that limits total county tax rates to 2.9% and increases the homeowner property tax credit to 10% or a maximum of $300, projected to reduce homeowner tax bills by $1.4 billion over three years while exempting additional business equipment from taxation. The legislation simultaneously creates a new local income tax option for Indiana cities with populations exceeding 3,500 residents, allowing them to impose rates up to 1.2% to offset estimated reductions of $1.5 billion in local government revenue over the same three-year period. Local officials indicated they would likely need to utilize the new income tax authority to maintain existing service levels and fund employee salaries and infrastructure projects amid the property tax revenue decline.

Braun announced a partnership between the Indiana State Police and the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission's Excise Police to address establishments designated as nuisance bars across the state. The initiative includes hiring an excise superintendent to coordinate with the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police and Indiana Sheriffs' Association to identify collaborative opportunities with local law enforcement. Over the next four years, the agencies plan to explore cross-training and resource-sharing measures to address venues associated with crime, drugs, and disturbances.

The Indiana State Senate passed Senate Bill 2 on a 37-10 vote, sending legislation to Governor Braun that would establish work requirements for Medicaid recipients in the state's Healthy Indiana Plan program. Under the bill, Hoosiers receiving coverage through HIP would be required to complete at least 20 work or volunteer hours per week, and the legislation would increase eligibility verification from an annual to a quarterly process. The bill requires federal approval before implementation and awaits Braun's signature to become law.

Indiana legislation designated as House Enrolled Act 1008 heads to Governor Braun after passing a concurrence vote, establishing an Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission to explore the potential absorption of Illinois counties that have voted to secede. The commission must convene by September 2025 regardless of Illinois participation. Additionally, House Enrolled Act 1006, which creates a prosecutor review board to examine prosecutors deemed "noncompliant" with criminal statutes, and House Bill 1461, which modifies the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program and adjusts transportation funding mechanisms, were approved and sent to Braun's office.

Governor Braun signed Senate Bill 1 into law on Tuesday, legislation that provides Indiana property owners with $1.2 million to $1.3 million in tax relief. The bill increases deductions for property taxes, raises the floor for business personal property tax exemptions from $80,000 to $1 million in profit immediately and to $2 million next year, and caps the maximum levy growth quotient at 4 percent beginning next year. Local government fiscal bodies will be required to vote to increase property tax collection above the new caps under the law.

Governor Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1441, legislation that permits qualified foster youth and emancipated minors to open bank accounts without parental consent. Under the law, foster youth must obtain consent from a juvenile court judge to establish an account and remain responsible for all associated bank costs and penalties. The bill was authored by Rep. Chris Campbell and addressed circumstances in which foster parents or biological parents had accessed funds from youth bank accounts without authorization.

Braun issued a written statement in response to a $2.4 billion revenue shortfall projected by the Revenue Forecast Technical Committee for the 2025-2027 biennial budget period. Braun attributed the decline in projected sales, individual income, and corporate income tax collections to policies of the previous administration, while stating he was working with lawmakers to pass a balanced budget that maintains state reserves and funds education and services. Braun indicated that the state would pursue "America First economic policies" to generate economic growth.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 451, legislation that authorizes incremental decreases in Indiana's income tax rate beginning in 2030 and continuing through 2042, contingent on the state achieving annual revenue growth of at least 3.5 percent. The tax rate reductions would decrease by 0.05 percent in even-numbered years, with each reduction costing the state between $150 million and $200 million annually. The state has not met the required revenue growth benchmark in at least two decades, and current projections indicate that state revenue will flatline from 2025 to 2027.

Governor Braun signed Executive Order 25-21 on April 14, 2025, directed at removing tax penalties on marriage in Indiana's tax code. The executive order aimed to modify state tax laws and policies to eliminate disincentives to marriage. Braun stated the order was intended to encourage family formation through Indiana's tax structure.

Indiana lawmakers passed House Bill 1393, which requires jails and detention facilities to report to county sheriffs when they have probable cause to believe individuals booked on misdemeanor or felony charges are not legally in the country, with sheriffs then obligated to report that information to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The legislation passed the House 58-19 and received final concurrence votes in both chambers before moving to Governor Braun's desk. The Senate modified the bill's language to place primary responsibility on sheriffs rather than officers on the street.

Governor Braun signed legislation requiring the Indianapolis Public Schools district to share local property tax funds with nearby charter schools. The law intensified an ongoing debate within Indianapolis regarding charter school expansion and its effects on traditional public school funding and enrollment. The measure reflected differing perspectives on how to best serve students, particularly children of color and those from low-income families, through either charter or traditional public school models.

The Indiana House approved legislation requiring jails to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of individuals in custody suspected of being in the country illegally. The bill passed the chamber on April 16, 2025, with voting largely along party lines before proceeding to the governor. The measure establishes a notification protocol between local detention facilities and federal immigration authorities regarding suspected undocumented immigrants.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 into law on April 15, 2025, establishing a property tax reform package that creates a 10 percent homeowner property tax credit up to $300, additional credits for seniors and veterans, phases out business personal property taxes on equipment, and adjusts farmland assessment methodology. The legislation reduces property tax obligations beginning in the following year but reduces local government and school funding by an estimated $1.8 billion over three years, which the measure addresses by providing local governments new income tax authority. Representative Greg Porter characterized the bill as shifting tax burden responsibility to local communities through the new income tax tools provided to offset the state-level property tax reductions.

The Indiana Senate approved House Bill 1144, which would abolish 11 trial courts in mostly rural counties and eliminate six magistrate positions in Marion County beginning in 2026 to 2028. The legislation would simultaneously establish new judicial positions in faster-growing counties, including two judicial officers in Hamilton County, five full-time magistrates in Elkhart County, and one magistrate each in Vigo County and Lawrence County juvenile court, with decisions based on the state's weighted caseload management system. The bill returned to the House for consideration, where representatives may accept the changes, reject them, or send the legislation to conference committee, pending Governor Braun's signature.

Indiana Governor Braun signed Senate Bill 1 on Tuesday, a property tax relief plan that includes a homestead property tax credit for homeowners beginning in 2026 and provisions requiring certain school districts to share operational funding revenue with charter schools starting in 2028. The legislation was projected to reduce property tax revenue for local school districts by $744.4 million over three years and was passed by the Senate with a 27-22 vote largely along party lines. The bill amended language from Senate Bill 518 to require districts where more than 100 students or 2 percent of enrollment attend eligible charter schools to allocate operational funding to those charter schools on a phased basis over four years.

Governor Braun unveiled the "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative in April 2025, which included nine executive orders with significant modifications to Indiana's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The executive orders restrict SNAP benefits to exclude candy, desserts, and soft drinks, impose work requirements on non-exempt recipients, overhaul the employment and training program, and limit eligibility to households receiving or participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Family programs. The administration also directed the development of recommendations to streamline asset verification processes for SNAP eligibility, including exploration of digital verification solutions.

The Indiana Senate voted 27-22 early on April 15, 2025, to send the House version of Senate Bill 1 to Governor Braun's desk, legislation designed to reduce property taxes for homeowners, farmers, and businesses while limiting future tax increases. Braun stated in a written statement following passage that he looked forward to signing the bill, reversing his earlier threat to veto legislation that did not meet his homeowner-relief expectations. The bill is projected to provide approximately $1.3 billion in property tax relief to homeowners over three years, though local governments could experience roughly $1.5 billion in reduced revenue over the same period.

Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 424, legislation that provides utility companies with a 20% tax credit for costs related to developing small modular nuclear reactors and establishes mechanisms for these companies to recover planning, design, and construction costs from ratepayers. The law allows investor-owned utilities to recover 80% of approved project costs within three years, with the remaining 20% recoverable through general rate increase requests, subject to approval by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. No small modular reactor projects have been completed in the United States to date, though Indiana Michigan Power has applied for a federal grant to explore building one in Rockport.

Braun signed nine executive orders as part of an initiative titled "Make Indiana Healthy Again" announced on April 15, 2025. The orders were developed in conjunction with Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. and Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Dr. Oz. The executive orders focus on addressing root causes of health issues in Indiana.

Governor Braun took a position on terminated pregnancy reports that differed from his predecessor, with the Indiana Department of Health arguing under his administration that the reports should be released, contrary to the state's previous legal position that they were protected medical records exempt from disclosure. Marion County Superior Judge James Jovan issued a preliminary injunction in April 2025 blocking the Indiana Department of Health from releasing individual terminated pregnancy reports, finding that the reports qualify as confidential medical records. The injunction was granted in response to a lawsuit filed by doctors Caitlin Bernard and Caroline Rouse challenging a settlement agreement between IDOH and Voices for Life, an anti-abortion organization seeking access to the reports.

Braun signed Executive Order 25-21 on April 14, 2025, directing changes to Indiana's tax laws and policies to remove what the order characterizes as marriage penalties. The executive order aims to modify state tax treatment and related policies affecting married couples. The specific tax provisions targeted by the order were not detailed in available reporting.

Indiana legislators introduced Senate Bill 118 to establish reporting requirements for health providers participating in the federal 340B drug discount program, which requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to sell discounted medications to providers serving low-income and underserved populations. The bill would mandate reporting on aggregate drug acquisition costs, pharmacy dispensing payments, claims, how 340B savings were used, and patient demographics among qualified 340B entities. Senators sent the measure to a conference committee after opting not to concur with House amendments, with the proposal aimed at increasing transparency around program usage as drug purchases under the initiative grew from $2.4 billion in 2005 to $66.3 billion in 2023.

The Indiana Senate passed House Bill 1004 on April 15, 2025, by a vote of 29-19, which would strip hospitals of their state nonprofit status if they charge prices exceeding certain state average thresholds beginning in 2029. The bill, which targets hospital systems with $2 billion or more in net patient service revenue, requires the Indiana Office of Management and Budget to conduct a study of inpatient and outpatient hospital prices by June 30, 2026, and to adjust allowable price thresholds annually based on the medical Consumer Price Index starting in 2027. The legislation now returns to the House for consideration of Senate amendments before potential transmission to Governor Braun for signature, veto, or approval without signature.

Gov. Braun issued nine executive orders under his "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative on April 15, 2025, including orders to increase work requirements for SNAP benefits, remove candy and soda as eligible foods under SNAP, narrow Medicaid eligibility confirmation procedures, and establish a "Governor's Fitness Test." The executive orders also directed state studies on SNAP effectiveness, artificial food dyes and additives, diet-related chronic diseases, and local food access. The announcement was attended by federal officials Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who stated the orders represented the most extensive gubernatorial support for the federal health policy shift to date.

Braun signed nine executive orders as part of the "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative, which was launched at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. The initiative focused on what Braun characterized as addressing root causes and providing transparent health information rather than implementing top-down public health measures. The event occurred amid a growing measles outbreak in the state.

Braun announced the Make Indiana Healthy Again initiative at a news conference held on April 14, 2025, with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in attendance. The event was livestreamed on Braun's YouTube channel. Kennedy was sworn in as health secretary in February following his selection to President Donald Trump's cabinet and subsequent Senate confirmation, while Oz was confirmed as Medicare and Medicaid administrator earlier in April.

Braun issued an executive order directing the Indiana Department of Revenue and all other state agencies overseeing benefit or welfare policies to identify what he characterized as marriage disincentives in state tax and benefit structures. The order required these agencies to develop recommendations to address policies such as the state's $3,000 renter tax deduction applied equally to single and married filers and the $1,500 maximum credit for 529 plan contributions regardless of filing status. Braun noted that any changes to these policies would require legislative approval.

Indiana Governor Braun signed executive orders in April 2025 directing state energy regulators to assess extending the operational life of coal plants in the state and to evaluate the costs associated with early coal plant retirements, citing energy demand from artificial intelligence data centers. Braun also signed an executive order establishing the Nuclear Indiana Coalition to advance the development of nuclear energy in the state, particularly small modular reactors. These orders mirror similar executive actions issued by President Trump at the federal level.

Governor Braun endorsed Senate Bill 1, a local property and income tax plan that the Indiana House of Representatives passed 65-29 largely along party lines on April 11, 2025. The legislation provides homeowners with $1.2 billion in property tax relief over three years through a 10% credit capped at $300 per homestead, with Braun stating on social media that the plan would "CUT, CAP, and REFORM" while providing "relief now and systemic changes for the future." The bill would reduce local government revenues by an estimated $1.5 billion over the same three-year period, with public school corporations losing approximately $744 million according to fiscal analysis.

Governor Braun endorsed an amended version of Senate Bill 1 shortly before the House voted on the measure on April 10, 2025, with the bill passing 70-27. The amended property tax proposal increased the homeowner credit to 10 percent with a maximum of $300, resulting in cumulative savings of $1.4 billion over three years compared to $1.1 billion under the previous version. The legislation also modified business personal property tax cuts and adjusted local income tax limits.

Governor Braun declared a state of disaster emergency for 18 Indiana counties due to extensive damage from recent floods, storms, and tornadoes. The emergency declaration became effective for 30 days and activated the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to coordinate response efforts. The declaration enabled the state to mobilize resources and coordinate disaster relief operations across the affected counties.

Braun endorsed Senate Bill 1, a local property and income tax plan that passed the Indiana House of Representatives on a 65-29 vote on April 10, 2025, after the governor approved sweeping amendments to the legislation the prior day. The bill would provide homeowners with a collective $1.2 billion in property tax relief over three years through a 10% credit capped at $300 per homestead while capping total local income tax rates at 2.9% and authorizing municipalities to impose rates up to 1.2% within that cap. Braun stated on social media that the plan would deliver "relief now and systemic changes for the future" and indicated his intention to sign the legislation once the Senate passed it.

Senate fiscal leaders presented a $46.8 billion balanced state budget proposal for 2026-27 that excluded Governor Braun's proposed tax cuts, including income tax exemptions, removal of state income tax on tips, tax holidays, and a retirement income tax reduction that would have totaled $265 million in relief in 2026 and $431 million in 2027. The budget, passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on House Bill 1001 by a 10-3 vote, directed nearly all new revenue to Medicaid, the Department of Child Services, and the Department of Correction due to their significant growth in recent years. The Senate plan also removed funding to expand the state's school choice voucher program to all families regardless of income, a priority Braun had championed to extend eligibility to families with incomes above $220,000.

The Indiana House passed an amendment to Senate Bill 1 that increased property tax relief for homeowners through a compromise with Governor Braun, who had advocated for immediate and expansive property tax relief during the legislative session. The amendment raised the homeowner tax credit from 7.5% to 10% with a maximum impact of $300 per household, projected to deliver $1.4 billion in relief over three years, with two-thirds of homeowners seeing reduced tax bills in 2026. The amendment also modified provisions related to business personal property taxes by removing the phase-out and raising the cost threshold for exemptions to $1 million in 2026 and $2 million in 2027.

Governor Braun signed an executive order directing the Indiana Department of Correction to review factors contributing to challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face in securing stable housing and employment. The order requires the IDOC to work with community partners to provide support for people identified as high risk of homelessness and calls on the Hoosier Initiative for Re-Entry to increase employment support for people released from prison. The IDOC commissioner must submit a written report to the governor by June 2026 outlining steps the agency is taking to improve re-entry efforts.

Braun's administration advanced Senate Bill 1, which the Indiana House approved along party lines on April 10, 2025, containing a property tax relief plan. The legislation proposed modifications to property tax structures at the state level. House Democrats stated the measure would necessitate local governments increasing local income tax rates to compensate for reduced property tax revenue.

Governor Braun signed an executive order on April 9, 2025, requiring state-affiliated nonprofits, including the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, to disclose their funders and financial information both retroactively for the past 10 years and prospectively going forward. The IEDF operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in conjunction with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., a quasi-public state agency created in 2005, and had previously refused to publicly identify most donors despite receiving nearly $3 million in outside contributions over a three-year period. The executive order mandates financial disclosures from state-created nonprofits to provide what Braun characterized as transparency and accountability regarding how these organizations operate and use their funds.

The Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 143, a parental rights measure, and sent it to Governor Mike Braun's desk after accepting amendments from the House. The legislation establishes that governmental entities cannot substantially burden a parent's fundamental right to direct their child's upbringing, religious instruction, education, or healthcare unless the government demonstrates a compelling interest. The bill also provides legal recourse for parents who claim their rights have been infringed, with a House amendment placing the burden of proof on parents filing lawsuits rather than on governmental entities.

The Indiana House passed Senate Bill 2, which reintroduces work reporting requirements to the state's Medicaid expansion program, known as the Healthy Indiana Plan, and increases the frequency of eligibility requirement checks. The bill was presented as a measure to address rising Medicaid costs and maintain program sustainability, according to Rep. Brad Barrett. The legislation was enacted despite concerns from Medicaid experts and some lawmakers that the requirements could result in coverage losses for eligible individuals.

Governor Braun signed three executive orders on April 8, 2025, targeting the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and related entities. The orders directed the standardization of economic development regional designations, replacing programs established under previous administrations including the Regional Cities Initiative and READI grant program, and tasked the Indiana secretary of commerce with creating new regional economic maps. The second executive order identified the Indiana Economic Development Foundation as the sole state government-affiliated nonprofit among nine listed entities that maintains an exemption from filing certain tax documents, with Braun's statement indicating the exemption obstructs "full transparency and accountability."

Governor Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 520, legislation that waives a $100,000 cemetery perpetual care fund deposit requirement for the Veterans National Shrine and Museum in Fort Wayne. The waiver allows the shrine to proceed with installing a columbarium, an above-ground structure containing 48 niches for cremation urns and personal mementos of veterans. The columbarium, donated by the McComb Family Foundation, was approved unanimously by state lawmakers and provides an alternative burial option for Indiana's estimated 338,000 veterans.

Braun reached an agreement with Indiana House Republicans on Senate Bill 1, a property tax relief plan that would reduce public school district revenues by an estimated $744.4 million over three years beginning in 2026. The legislation includes a homestead property tax credit for homeowners starting in 2026, with additional credits available for veterans and seniors, and incorporates language requiring local property tax revenue sharing between traditional public school districts and charter schools beginning in 2028. Braun stated his intent to sign the bill once the Senate passes it.

Senate Bill 5 advanced from the Indiana House with a bipartisan 91-1 vote and moved toward Governor Mike Braun's desk for final approval. The legislation establishes new requirements for state agency contracts, including a ban on non-public no-bid deals, mandatory posting of requests for proposals on agency websites for at least 30 days, and quarterly reporting of all active contracts to the state budget committee. The measure also mandates that state agencies report federal fund flows quarterly, requires contracts over $500,000 to include defined scopes and success metrics with penalty provisions, and eliminates unfilled government positions.

Governor Braun's executive order restricting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state government and educational institutions prompted a House committee to refine legislation implementing similar restrictions. The committee scaled back Senate Bill 289 to replace mandatory program closures with financial penalties and definitions of unlawful discrimination in education, employment, and licensing. The amended bill, described by its author as codifying Braun's executive order alongside President Trump's related directives, advanced to the full House for consideration.

Braun signed an executive order on Tuesday requiring all state-affiliated nonprofit foundations and corporations to comply with mandated reporting requirements and submit all missed financial reports from the past 10 years. The order specifically targeted the Indiana Economic Development Foundation, which supports IEDC travel and business-attraction efforts and had not filed required annual reports with the State Budget Committee since 2019. Under the executive order, the foundation must produce and post online all missed state and IRS forms before the end of the year.

Braun signed three executive orders aimed at enhancing transparency and reshaping Indiana's economic development strategy. The executive orders address state-affiliated non-profit transparency and prioritize wage growth and job creation. The orders represent changes to how Indiana measures and approaches economic development initiatives.

The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee advanced a property tax reform proposal on April 7, 2025, that includes a 7.5% property tax credit capped at $200 for homeowners beginning in 2026, a reformed property tax collection system, and incorporation of Senate Bill 518 regarding charter school revenue sharing. Governor Mike Braun had previously proposed a more intensive relief plan that would reduce local government revenue by approximately $1.2 billion in its first year, while the House committee's version is expected to result in a smaller revenue decrease. The bill moved to the House floor for amendments, with some Republican lawmakers signaling potential pushback that additional relief measures may be necessary.

The Indiana House Judiciary Committee approved a revised version of Senate Bill 289, which seeks to limit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state education, public employment and licensing. The committee amendment significantly narrowed the bill's scope by removing provisions concerning university diversity committees and replacing an expansive definition of DEI "efforts" with more specific language outlawing "discrimination" based on personal characteristics. The revised bill establishes civil penalties of $50,000 for a first violation and $100,000 for subsequent violations, to be enforced by the Indiana attorney general, and was advanced to the House floor in a 7-3 party-line vote.

The Indiana House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 2 on a 66-28 vote, authorizing Medicaid work requirements for beneficiaries of the Healthy Indiana Plan, a program covering low- to moderate-income Hoosiers aged 19 to 64. The bill requires enrollees to work or volunteer for 20 hours weekly, with exceptions for caregivers and disabled beneficiaries, and shifts from presumptive to retroactive eligibility while increasing eligibility checks from annual to quarterly. The measure requires Senate concurrence and then approval from Governor Braun before implementation, which will also need federal authorization.

Braun announced that Indiana will host a nuclear energy retreat co-sponsored by the National Governors Association and the U.S. Department of Energy scheduled for summer 2025. The retreat aims to establish a state-based nuclear working group, assess community education needs related to nuclear energy, develop a statewide community engagement strategy, and analyze potential economic development opportunities. Participants include the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Governors Association, the Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources, the Indiana Office of Energy Development, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and the Indiana Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor.

Braun's property tax relief plan was revised and approved by the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee in April 2025. The committee's version of the measure provided a property tax credit of up to $300 for nearly all homeowners in the state. The rewritten proposal represented the second major revision to Braun's original property tax relief legislation during the legislative session.

Governor Braun proposed a budget that eliminated a $3.4 million state grant used by Indiana schools to match federal E-Rate funding for internet connectivity, which the Indiana House passed in February. The state grant served as matching funds for schools receiving approximately $37 million in federal E-Rate support for broadband installation and service costs. The Indiana Senate had until April 10 to consider whether to restore the state grant in its version of the budget.

House Republicans unveiled a property tax reform plan on April 4, 2025, that includes a 7.5 percent property tax credit for homestead owners capped at $200 per year, along with additional credits of $150 for fixed-income seniors and up to $250 for disabled veterans. The plan differs from proposals advanced by Senate Republicans and Braun, with House leaders projecting that a majority of homeowners would pay less in property taxes in 2026 than in 2025 while local governments would still receive 3 to 4 percent in additional revenue. The proposal also includes long-term structural changes to the property tax system to be phased in over several years with the stated goal of increasing transparency and ease of understanding.

Gov. Mike Braun proposed a property tax relief plan that would save homeowners approximately $1.3 billion in 2026 alone through tax credits and system reforms. The House Republican proposal, presented by Speaker Todd Huston and Rep. Jeff Thompson, offered an alternative plan designed to save homeowners $1.1 billion over three years, featuring a 7.5% tax credit up to $200 for all homestead properties, additional credits for seniors and disabled veterans, and a new Property Tax Transparency Portal. Both proposals represented separate approaches to addressing property tax relief within the Indiana General Assembly during the 2025 legislative session.

Braun announced new diploma seal partnerships involving Indiana universities, employers, and the National Guard that provide automatic admission and other benefits to top high school graduates. The partnerships followed months of negotiations and meetings with the involved institutions and organizations. Braun characterized the announcement as a significant education initiative for the state.

Braun signed 20 bills into law on Thursday, April 4, 2025, during the Indiana legislative session. The signed legislation included a bill to expunge certain civil "red flag" proceedings and another bill impacting carbon dioxide sequestration projects. As of that date, lawmakers had sent Braun 38 bills total for his consideration.

House Republican leaders, including Speaker Todd Huston, unveiled a property tax reform proposal on Friday, April 4, 2025, to be amended into Senate Bill 1 by the House Ways and Means Committee. The plan would provide homeowners with $1.1 billion in relief over three years through a 7.5% property tax credit with a maximum impact of $200 on individual bills beginning in 2026, with more than half of Hoosier homeowners expected to pay lower property tax bills in 2026 than in the current year. The proposal would also restructure Indiana's property tax system by converting existing deductions for seniors and disabled veterans into credits, and implementing a multi-year schedule to modify the homestead deduction and establish a statewide property tax rate cap of $3 per $100 in assessed value by 2031.

Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1137, which creates a method to expunge "red flag" proceedings from a person's public record in two situations: when someone alleged to be dangerous is later found not to be, or when courts determined someone was dangerous but deemed them safe after the person received help. The legislation was prompted by testimony that Hoosiers had lost jobs and volunteer opportunities because of old red flag notices, while an amendment clarified that law enforcement would retain access to the records. Braun has signed all 38 bills sent to him by lawmakers thus far during the legislative session.

Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1137, which establishes a process to expunge civil red flag proceedings from a person's public record in two circumstances: when someone found to be dangerous is later determined not to be, or when a person deemed dangerous after receiving help is subsequently found safe. The red flag law allows police to temporarily remove firearms from individuals considered dangerous, and the expungement measure was prompted by testimony that Hoosiers lost employment and volunteer opportunities due to outdated red flag notices on their records. The legislation included an amendment ensuring law enforcement retained access to the records while enabling expungement for affected individuals.

Governor Braun announced on Wednesday a series of partnerships between Indiana's public universities and the state's high school diploma system that will automatically admit students who complete the enrollment honors plus seal into any of seven participating public universities, including Indiana University and Purdue University. The enrollment honors plus seal requires students to complete over 75 hours of work-based learning, maintain a minimum B cumulative GPA, and complete additional high-level courses. The new diploma framework and automatic admission benefits will become available beginning next year for schools that opt in and will become standard for the class of 2029.

Lt. Gov. Beckwith announced spending cuts to his office totaling approximately $260,000 through cancellations and renegotiations of subscriptions and contracts for services including New York Times access, graphic design, and social media management. The office simultaneously purchased a 2025 Chevy Tahoe High Country SUV for just under $88,000 in February, citing the need for a larger vehicle to accommodate staff on town hall trips and community meetings. The purchase occurred as House Bill 1518 was moving through the legislature to restrict state vehicle purchases to base and standard models, with limited exceptions for necessary operational use.

Governor Braun made property tax relief a central campaign promise, and legislative leaders announced their intention to act on this commitment during the 2025 legislative session. Three different proposals have been under consideration by state lawmakers, with Braun's plan featuring tax bill growth caps and an increased homestead deduction that would reduce local government revenue by approximately $1.2 billion in its first year. Braun stated in mid-March that the final bill would likely combine multiple proposals under consideration and indicated he would veto legislation if the relief provided did not meet his expectations.

Braun signed an executive order on April 1, 2025, to modernize technology systems at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to enhance customer service. Braun also signed a second executive order to streamline the permitting process within Indiana's transportation network. The orders were intended to upgrade digital infrastructure and administrative processes within these state agencies.

House Bill 1131, which would exclude the Town of Cumberland from Indianapolis's consolidated city-county government system known as UniGov, passed the Indiana Senate and was sent to Governor Braun's desk for signature in March 2025. The bill would allow Cumberland to become an independent municipal entity separate from the UniGov structure. Town Manager Ben Lipps indicated the governor was expected to sign the legislation within the week of its transmission to his office.

Governor Braun appointed Lyndsay Quist as Indiana Department of Transportation commissioner in March 2025, following the resignation of Kent Abernathy after two-and-a-half months in the position. Quist was elevated from deputy commissioner, bringing more than a decade of INDOT experience and previous service in the Army Corps of Engineers. The State Personnel Department confirmed Abernathy's tenure from January 13 to March 28 but provided no explanation for his departure.

Governor Braun issued an executive order on March 4, 2025, that directed the Vital Records Division of the Indiana Department of Health to halt the process for updating gender markers on birth certificates, including changes that had been ordered by courts. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a class action lawsuit on March 28, 2025, challenging the executive order. The state defended the order through a statement indicating that the policy reflected concerns about replacing biological sex with gender identity.

Governor Braun announced the appointment of attorney Jennifer Ruby as Indiana's Public Access Counselor on March 28, 2025, effective the following Monday. Ruby, who holds a law degree from Indiana University's McKinney School of Law and operates a private legal practice in Indianapolis, will oversee the Office of the Public Access Counselor, which provides guidance on the state's public records and open meetings laws. The appointment marked the first new public access counselor in over a decade, following the February resignation of Luke Britt.

Braun signed an executive order on March 4, 2025, that ended the process within the Vital Records Division of the Indiana Department of Health allowing transgender individuals to change gender markers on their birth certificates under court order. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis challenging the executive order, alleging violations of the equal protection and due process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment and seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the order. The lawsuit identifies a class of all people unable to obtain gender marker changes on Indiana birth certificates due to the executive order and seeks class-action status.

Braun signed HEA 1149 into law, his first bill signature as governor, which creates an online portal for Indiana farmers to connect with state and federal agencies. The portal provides farmers access to regulatory checklists, grant funding opportunities, and mechanisms for submitting feedback on state and federal policies. The legislation was signed during the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session.

Senate Bill 424, which allows utility companies to recover project costs for small modular nuclear reactor development through rate increases, passed both houses of the Indiana General Assembly and was sent to Governor Braun's desk for signature. The bill establishes guidelines for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to follow when approving SMR petitions and permits utilities to recover 80 percent of SMR-related costs within three years. Consumer advocacy groups including the Citizens Action Coalition and Indiana Conservation Voters have raised concerns that the measure allows utilities to recover costs for planning and design work years before construction begins without guaranteeing project completion.

Braun signed Executive Order 25-36 on March 4, 2025, which restricts transgender individuals from updating gender markers on birth certificates. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a class action lawsuit challenging the executive order. The lawsuit was filed on March 28, 2025.

Braun's administration indicated a willingness to increase transparency regarding Indiana's acquisition of pentobarbital, the drug used in executions, directing his legal team to evaluate disclosure options under current state law. A document released during litigation revealed that the Indiana Department of Correction paid $900,000 for the execution drug used in the case of Joseph Corcoran, though details about the timing and quantity of the purchase remained redacted. The Capital Chronicle continues to seek additional information about the execution drug and dosage amounts as litigation between the news organization and the state proceeds.

Governor Braun proposed property tax cuts that legislators subsequently revised, though the original plan and related legislation would reduce state funding for public schools while directing money toward charter schools. Fort Wayne Community Schools anticipated losing more than $14 million in state support over three years under the legislative changes, prompting staff reductions. The property tax reduction plan did not include offsetting measures such as phasing out the existing voucher program that directs state education funding to private schools.

Braun included the Hoosier Workforce Investment Tax Credit in House Bill 1001 as a priority in his policy agenda released in late 2024. The tax credit, included in the state budget bill, allows businesses to claim up to $5,000 per employee and $50,000 total for a maximum of 10 employees who receive training resulting in at least a 25 percent wage increase. The legislation is designed to train approximately 800 workers annually under a $4 million cap and shift lower-wage workers into higher-paying positions in emerging industries.

Braun signed House Bill 1149 into law on March 25, 2025, establishing an online agricultural portal for Indiana farmers. The bill, authored by Rep. Kendall Culp, directs the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to create and maintain a centralized hub providing farmers with funding information, regulatory checklists, farmland tracking tools, and communication channels for feedback on state and federal agricultural services. Braun described the measure as part of his "Freedom and Opportunity" agriculture agenda.

Governor Braun issued executive orders targeting DEI initiatives, gender affirming care, and environmental programs that resulted in cuts to nonprofit contracts and grants in Indiana. The orders are part of a broader reevaluation of public funding to nonprofits at both state and federal levels. According to analysis by the Urban Institute, between 60 and 80 percent of nonprofits receiving government funding lack sufficient operating reserves to sustain operations without this support.

Braun signed HEA 1149 into law on March 25, 2025, marking his first bill signature as governor. The legislation creates an online portal operated by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture that provides farmers with access to regulatory checklists, technical support information, available grants, and a mechanism to comment on federal regulations affecting agricultural operations. The bill passed both chambers with overwhelming support and will be implemented within the department's existing budget.

In late January 2025, Braun announced his intention to maintain Indiana National Guard deployment to the U.S.-Mexico border for 12 months, with an estimated cost of $9 million to Indiana taxpayers. This marked the beginning of a second deployment of 50 citizen-soldiers to Texas, following a previous 10-month deployment under then-Governor Eric Holcomb that cost $8 million. The deployment occurred during a period when unlawful border crossings had reached their lowest level in at least 25 years, with approximately 8,450 apprehensions recorded in March 2025.

Braun signed legislation establishing an online portal for Indiana farmers to access regulatory information through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The bill was the first legislation to receive Braun's signature and represented a legislative priority for his administration. The portal will consolidate regulatory guidance and resources for agricultural operations in the state.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun requested budget cuts of 5 percent on average across all state agencies shortly after taking office. The Indiana Meat Packers and Processors Association expressed concerns that such cuts to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health could result in reduced staffing for state meat inspectors, which would affect small meat processors' ability to operate. The association noted particular concern about the timing of federal budget decisions from the USDA, which provides up to 50 percent of funding for state meat inspectors but does not finalize its budget until October, making it difficult for state agencies to plan staffing levels during the busy season.

Governor Braun attended a White House event on March 20, 2025, where President Trump signed an executive order directing the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education. Braun subsequently stated his support for the executive order on social media, characterizing education as a state and local responsibility and endorsing Trump's action to return education authority to states and parents. Congress would be required to approve any elimination of the department or transfer of its responsibilities, and the order's impact on Indiana's $1.88 billion in annual federal K-12 education funding remains unclear.

Governor Braun's proposed budget reduced funding for Indiana's Office of Community and Rural Affairs, which houses the Indiana Main Street program, from $1.8 million to approximately $1.3 million annually. Advocates testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee in March 2025 requesting restoration of the cuts, warning that the reductions could cause the statewide downtown revitalization program to become ineffective. Braun's office clarified to Indiana Landmarks that the governor did not intend to eliminate the Main Street program, leaving the decision on funding restoration to state lawmakers.

Governor Mike Braun issued an executive order on March 4, 2025, directing state agencies to enforce strict biological binary definitions of gender. The Indiana Department of Health subsequently issued guidance to local and county health departments halting the acceptance of gender change requests for birth record amendments in compliance with the executive order. Gender change requests submitted before the executive order date will follow previous policy, while applications filed after March 4 will no longer be accepted, with those in process referred to the Indiana attorney general's office for review.

A House committee voted 8-4 along party lines on March 19, 2025, to amend Senate Bill 2, removing an explicit enrollment cap of 500,000 people on the Healthy Indiana Plan while retaining work requirements of 20 hours per week with 11 exceptions. The amended bill allows the Family and Social Services Administration to halt new enrollments once state appropriations are exhausted, rather than implementing a hard cap that would have removed approximately 200,000 people from coverage. The measure addresses growth in Indiana's Medicaid program and was sponsored in the House by Rep. Brad Barrett.

Governor Braun's administration distributed more than $17 million in Community Crossings Matching Grants to over 30 cities, towns, and counties in southwest Indiana in March 2025 through the Indiana Department of Transportation. The grants, part of a statewide program that has distributed around $340 million since November 2024, fund road resurfacing, bridge replacement, and other infrastructure improvement projects with municipalities required to match 25 to 50 percent of the awarded amounts. Since its establishment in 2016, the Community Crossings Matching Grants program has awarded over $2 billion for improvement projects across Indiana.

Braun signed an executive order directing the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to review state colleges' and universities' policies regarding antisemitism and their responses to antisemitic incidents occurring after October 7, 2023. The order follows a warning from the U.S. Department of Education to multiple higher education institutions, including Indiana University, regarding potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in protecting Jewish students. The executive order requires the commission to examine institutional policies and incident responses at Indiana's public colleges and universities.

Governor Braun signed a new policy on March 3 expanding paid parental leave for state employees. Women employed by the state now qualify for up to six weeks of paid childbirth recovery leave, or up to eight weeks for cesarean deliveries, compared to the previous four weeks for full-time and two weeks for part-time employees. The policy also eliminated the six-month employment requirement for eligibility, extended benefits to partners of women who gave birth and adoptive parents, and created paid leave provisions for employees who experience fetal loss at 20 weeks of gestation or beyond.

Gov. Mike Braun introduced a property tax relief plan as part of his campaign platform that would reduce property tax bills by approximately $1.15 billion annually for local units of government, with schools accounting for $536 million of the reductions. Braun's 46-page proposal would result in counties losing $211 million in 2026, cities and towns losing $263 million, with larger projected losses in subsequent years. The plan competed with alternative property tax proposals from Senate Republicans and Rep. Jeff Thompson, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee.

Governor Braun pressured the Indiana Legislature to enact significant property tax relief measures during the 2025 session after making the issue central to his gubernatorial campaign. The House Ways and Means Committee discussed an amendment to Senate Bill 1 that would overhaul Indiana's property tax system and municipal income tax collection, representing the third major iteration of property tax legislation considered that session. Braun stated that the final legislation would likely combine elements from his original proposal, which included growth caps and expanded homestead deductions, with other proposals under consideration, and threatened a veto if the bill did not include sufficient homeowner relief.

Braun issued an executive order on March 12, 2025, directing state agencies not to use environmental justice considerations including race, ethnicity, and educational attainment as a determining factor in permitting, enforcement, or grant decisions, stating instead that decisions must be based on scientifically sound data and objective standards. The order asserts there is no legal foundation for using environmental justice in decision-making and represents a response to policies implemented under the Biden administration's EPA. Braun simultaneously issued a second executive order blocking Indiana from adopting environmental rules or regulations more stringent than federal standards.

Braun signed two executive orders on March 12, 2025, that limit Indiana's environmental regulations to federal minimum standards and prohibit the state from implementing environmental justice policies. One of the executive orders specifically bans the use of environmental justice standards such as those considering race and ethnicity in state environmental decision-making. Braun stated that limiting the state to federal environmental rules would provide greater certainty for Indiana businesses.

The Indiana Senate passed legislation clarifying the state's existing 25-foot protective buffer zone law around law enforcement officers on a 39-10 bipartisan vote on March 12, 2025. The bill subsequently moved to the governor's desk for consideration. The measure addressed the scope and application of Indiana's buffer zone statute as it pertains to law enforcement protection.

Senate Bill 424, authored by Sen. Eric Koch, passed the House Utility, Energy and Communications Committee on Tuesday and is moving toward passage in the full House after already passing the Senate. The legislation creates a 20% tax credit for energy companies developing small modular nuclear reactors and allows utility companies to recover costs related to SMR projects, including planning expenses incurred before construction begins. Gov. Mike Braun's administration, represented by Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworski, testified in support of the measure at the committee hearing.

Braun signed an executive order prohibiting Indiana from adopting environmental rules stricter than federal standards unless established by state law or deemed necessary by the governor. He also signed a second executive order directing state environmental agencies to exclude environmental justice considerations from permit decisions and base environmental policy solely on scientific criteria. The first order directed environmental agencies to identify rules deemed "burdensome" and report them to the governor by July.

The Trump administration's General Services Administration announced a list of federal properties considered for disposal as part of cost-saving efforts, initially including 440 buildings nationwide before being scaled back to 320 properties. Three Indiana federal buildings remained on the revised list: the Maj. Gen. Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Lawrence, the Minton-Capehart Federal Building in downtown Indianapolis, and the Lee H. Hamilton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in New Albany. The General Services Administration removed the list from its website as of Wednesday morning but indicated it expected to republish the list in the near future.

Governor Braun applied pressure on the Indiana Legislature to amend Senate Bill 1, the state's primary property-tax relief bill, threatening to veto the version passed by the Senate in February 2025 if it did not provide more immediate and widespread relief. The Senate-passed legislation would slow property-tax growth and target relief to vulnerable demographics, while Braun's initial proposal included growth caps and an expanded homestead deduction. A House fiscal committee was expected to amend the bill, though specific changes had not been publicly detailed at the time of reporting.

Governor Braun made property tax relief a campaign priority, which resulted in the introduction of Senate Bill 1 during the 2025 legislative session. The Indiana House held hearings on Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1402, alternative property tax measures with wide-ranging impacts on local government services and school budgets. The House committee heard testimony from local officials, school administrators, and state agency representatives before scheduling amendments and votes for a subsequent week.

Governor Braun issued an executive order expanding paid leave benefits for Indiana state employees, providing up to six weeks of paid leave for childbirth recovery, eight weeks for C-section recovery, and paid leave for miscarriages at 20 weeks or more. The order eliminated the previous six-month employment requirement for accessing these benefits, though new employees must commit to one year of continued employment after returning to work. Braun stated that major private employers should aspire to offer similar benefits, though he did not call for legislative mandates.

Governor Braun's office advocated for property tax relief legislation during House committee debate on SB 1 in March 2025, with deputy chief of staff Jason Johnson stating that government revenue growth should not exceed taxpayers' ability to pay. The current version of SB 1, sponsored by Senate Republicans, would provide $1.4 billion in relief over three years targeted at older Hoosiers, disabled veterans, and first-time homebuyers, though Braun's original proposal would have offered broader homeowner relief at significantly greater cost to local governments and schools. Local government officials and school administrators testified in opposition, citing budget constraints and concerns that the measure would necessitate service cuts and personnel reductions.

Governor Braun made property tax relief a priority campaign issue, which led to the introduction of Senate Bill 1 during the 2025 legislative session. After Senate Republicans softened the original proposal, reducing the annual savings from over one billion dollars to $1.4 billion over three years and removing provisions including a 3% cap on property tax bill growth, Braun threatened to veto the legislation while acknowledging that lawmakers could override his veto with a simple majority vote. The Indiana House held an extended hearing on the bill and a companion measure, House Bill 1402, listening to testimony from local officials and school administrators regarding the fiscal impact on local government services and education budgets.

Gov. Braun stated that responsibility for reducing healthcare costs should rest with the health care industry rather than government, calling on large corporate hospitals and insurance companies to lower prices. Braun indicated the state would seek to run its Medicaid program more efficiently and reduce waste and fraud in response to potential federal spending reductions. The governor said Indiana would need to respond to any federal changes to ensure the state does not experience a decline in its ability to serve Medicaid beneficiaries.

Governor Braun's proposed state budget contained language that would repeal the existing lease agreement between Indiana and the Indiana Historical Society, which allows the organization to lease state-owned land for $1 per year while the state covers maintenance costs estimated at close to $1 million annually. After the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported that the budget provisions could jeopardize the historical society's downtown Indianapolis headquarters, Braun's office clarified that the governor does not intend to void the agreement entirely but rather to eliminate existing contract requirements and open the door for renegotiation. The budget language would empower the director of the budget agency to make a written determination regarding continuation of the lease, with the final spending plan currently under review by Senate Republicans before an April deadline.

Braun signed an executive order on March 3, 2025, expanding paid parental leave benefits for Indiana state employees. The order eliminates the previous six-month employment requirement, allowing full-time and part-time workers to access childbirth recovery leave immediately upon hire, with full-time employees receiving up to six weeks of paid leave after birth and eight weeks for cesarean sections. Employees hired within six months must agree to remain employed with the state for one year following their return from leave, and the order also extends benefits to employees experiencing miscarriage at 20 or more weeks.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order on March 3, 2025, expanding paid parental leave for state employees to include an additional six weeks of paid leave for childbirth recovery, or eight weeks for cesarean section births. The executive order also eliminated the existing six-month employment requirement for accessing the state's four-week paid parental leave policy, though newer employees receive reduced time off and must commit to working for one full year after returning. The policy applies to full-time and part-time state employees, employees whose spouses gave birth, adoptive parents, and employees who experience fetal loss at 20 weeks or more.

Braun signed an executive order on Monday expanding parental leave benefits for Indiana state employees, adding six weeks of recovery leave for vaginal deliveries and eight weeks for cesarean sections beyond the previously available four weeks of parental leave. The order also eliminated the requirement that employees must have worked for the state for at least six months to qualify for parental leave, though new employees must commit to one year of employment in exchange. The policy additionally extended leave eligibility to mothers who experience fetal death after 20 weeks of gestation, a situation previously excluded from the childbirth recovery leave benefit.

Braun issued an executive order on March 3, 2025, establishing paid childbirth recovery leave for Indiana state employees. The order grants a minimum of six weeks of paid leave to state employees following childbirth, with the possibility of eight weeks in certain circumstances. Braun stated that the state should take measures to accommodate the needs of employees with newborn children.

Braun held an invitation-only roundtable in Madison County on February 28, 2025, to discuss his property tax relief agenda. Braun stated he wants property tax relief extended to all Indiana residents and has threatened to veto a scaled-back Senate version of his original plan that would limit relief to older residents, disabled veterans, and first-time homebuyers. The governor indicated his preference for a plan that provides broad tax relief while allowing local governments and schools to cover legitimate costs and cap taxes for future years.

Governor Braun included provisions in his proposed state budget to terminate the state's contract with the Indiana Historical Society, which currently allows the organization to lease state-owned land for one dollar per year while the state covers approximately one million dollars annually in building maintenance costs. The termination language was retained in the House version of the budget approved in February 2025, with legislative fiscal analysis estimating the repeal would reduce state expenditures by roughly 1.16 million dollars per year. Under the existing contract terms, the Indiana Historical Society would be required to either purchase the land or sell its building to the state in the event the lease is canceled.

Stutzman published a column on February 18 titled "Common-sense congressional reforms will restore America to its greatness" in which he stated his intention to reduce federal spending and regulatory overreach and addressed the national debt as a threat to national security. The column discussed entitlement program solvency and referenced congressional efforts to raise the debt ceiling. A constituent responded with a letter to the editor citing Stutzman's prior voting record and questioning the feasibility of his stated fiscal priorities.

In January 2025, following the Trump administration's rescission of the Biden-era Department of Homeland Security "sensitive locations" policy that had restricted immigration enforcement at houses of worship, Governor Braun issued an executive order promising full cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. The order committed Indiana to assist the Trump administration in immigration enforcement actions. Religious organizations subsequently filed federal lawsuits challenging the rescission of protections for places of worship, with one federal judge in Maryland preliminarily blocking implementation of the policy for certain religious institutions.

Governor Braun signed two executive orders on February 27, 2025, directing the Department of Workforce Development to implement enhanced job search requirements for unemployment insurance recipients, including initial contact within the first week of enrollment and individualized job search plans. The orders also direct DWD to conduct audits of the unemployment system to verify applicant eligibility, investigate claims from single IP addresses or bank accounts, and identify overpayments and fraudulent claims. Braun stated the measures aim to reduce the duration of unemployment benefits and address improper payments, estimating approximately $55 million in overpayments or fraudulent payments occurred over the previous three years.

Indiana lawmakers debated Senate Bill 146, which would raise the minimum teacher salary from $40,000 to $45,000 and require schools to allocate a greater share of state funding to teacher salaries. Governor Braun advocated for an increase in teacher pay as part of this legislative effort. According to the Indiana Teacher Compensation Report, the statewide average teacher salary for the 2023-2024 school year was $60,557, with nearly all school districts providing base salary increases averaging $3,338.

Braun signed two executive orders on February 27, 2025, directing the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to implement fraud prevention measures in the state's unemployment insurance program. The first executive order requires DWD to verify applicant eligibility using state and federal new hire directories and data cross-checking tools, investigate claims filed from single IP addresses or using similar mailing addresses or bank accounts, and provide quarterly reports to the governor. The second executive order directs DWD to contact unemployed Hoosiers within one week to connect them with Work One centers and to develop a review of its reemployment system by November 30, 2025, examining other states' models and identifying common factors associated with long-term unemployment.

Braun signed the U.S. Term Limits organization's Article V convention pledge in March 2024 while campaigning for his current position as governor. The pledge indicates support for a constitutional convention limited to proposing amendments restricting the number of terms U.S. House and Senate members can serve. Indiana's Senate subsequently passed Senate Joint Resolution 21 in January 2025 to apply for such a convention, with the measure now pending House consideration.

Governor Braun addressed the U.S. Department of Education's February 14 directive requiring Indiana schools to eliminate race-based policies by February 28 or face potential loss of federal funding during a press briefing on Tuesday. The directive, issued by the Office for Civil Rights, instructs educational institutions to stop considering race in decisions including financial aid, scholarships, discipline, and housing, asserting that the Supreme Court's 2023 affirmative action ruling applies broadly across all educational settings. Braun stated that education policies in Indiana schools should prioritize merit-based considerations.

Governor Braun announced he will continue advocating for broader property-tax relief after a Senate fiscal committee scaled back his original proposal in Senate Bill 1. Braun's initial plan would have implemented tax bill caps and expanded the homestead deduction, while the Senate-passed version instead slows property-tax growth and targets relief to vulnerable demographics. Braun stated he would veto the measure as a last resort but indicated his administration is working collaboratively with lawmakers to find a compromise before the bill reaches the House.

Braun held a news conference at the midpoint of the legislative session in which he discussed property tax relief, healthcare reform, education policy, and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Braun stated that broader property tax relief was needed than what the Senate had proposed. The governor has made property tax relief a continuing priority throughout his administration and legislative agenda.

Gov. Braun indicated at a midpoint legislative session news conference that he may veto Senate Bill 1, his property tax relief proposal, if the final version does not meet his standards, citing the constitutional authority available to him as governor. Braun stated he was engaged in ongoing discussions with House Speaker Todd Huston regarding the bill's final form and emphasized collaboration between his administration and the legislature in reaching a solution. He also indicated willingness to call a special session if necessary to address concerns with the final legislative product.

Braun indicated during a February 25, 2025 press conference that property tax reform would be a major point of negotiation in the second half of the legislative session. Braun stated he would seek a broader relief approach than the Senate's version of property tax reform, which targets older Hoosiers, disabled veterans, and first-time homebuyers, and threatened to veto SB 1 if it did not align with his proposal. Braun expressed confidence that lawmakers would reach agreement on the issue while maintaining that local governments must demonstrate fiscal restraint in their budgets.

Governor Braun's proposed state budget includes provisions to terminate the state's contract with the Indiana Historical Society, a nonprofit institution that leases state-owned land for $1 per year and receives approximately $1 million annually in state-funded maintenance costs for its downtown Indianapolis headquarters building. The termination, which also appears in the House version of the budget approved in February 2025, would reduce state expenditures by an estimated $1.16 million per year according to legislative fiscal analysis. Under the existing 2007 lease agreement, the Indiana Historical Society would be required to either purchase the land or sell its building to the state if the contract is canceled.

Governor Braun stated through a spokeswoman that his administration remains committed to the LEAP Research and Innovation District project in Boone County, which has received $693.9 million in state-appropriated funding since 2022 with $574.1 million already spent. Braun's stated strategy for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation involves increased focus on helping existing Indiana companies expand while supporting entrepreneurship. The governor's office indicated that future development on the LEAP site will prioritize transparency in planning and mindfulness of existing resources.

Braun removed $6 million in state funding for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library from his budget proposal in January 2025, a program that had distributed free books monthly to children from birth to age five across all 92 Indiana counties. Following the budget cut, Braun announced he had asked First Lady Maureen Braun to lead an initiative to secure alternative funding for the program through philanthropic partners and in consultation with state leadership. The Imagination Library, which had served over 125,000 Hoosier children monthly, was previously funded through the state's biennial budget at Braun's predecessor's direction.

Governor Braun tasked First Lady Maureen Braun with identifying alternative funding sources for Indiana's Dolly Parton Imagination Library program after both his budget proposal and the House Republican-approved budget eliminated the state's $6 million annual funding for the initiative. The program distributes free books monthly to children from birth to age five and had been funded statewide since 2023. The First Lady agreed to lead an effort to work with philanthropic partners and state leadership to secure continued support for the book distribution program.

Governor Braun announced that Indiana will cease state funding for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that distributes books monthly to young children. The governor's office stated that Maureen Braun will lead an effort to secure private investors to support the program's continuation in the state. The initiative represents a shift from government-funded support to private sector financing for the book distribution initiative.

The Indiana House passed House Bill 1008, authored by Speaker Todd Huston, which would establish a commission of five Indiana and five Illinois designees to discuss the potential cession of Illinois counties to Indiana. If the Senate passes the bill and Governor Braun signs it, Braun would appoint Indiana's five members to the commission, which would be authorized to discuss and recommend whether adjusting state boundaries between Indiana and Illinois would be advisable. The bill passed largely along party lines and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Braun issued an executive order that ended diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in state government. He also issued a separate executive order that halted funding for Martin University. Faith and community leaders, particularly from the African American community, subsequently visited the governor's office to demand answers regarding these executive orders.

Governor Mike Braun supported Senate Bill 516, which passed the Indiana Senate unanimously on Thursday, February 20, 2025, by a vote of 49-0. The legislation establishes an office for entrepreneurship and innovation and requires the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to notify local units of government at least 30 days before acquiring more than 100 acres of land, whether in single or multiple transactions, and to submit annual reports detailing district activities including revenue, expenses, debt, and tax increment financing information. The bill also separates the commerce secretary and IEDC leadership positions, which are currently held by a single officeholder, and now moves to the House for consideration.

Governor Braun threatened to veto Senate Bill 1, the property tax reform legislation passed by the Indiana Senate, unless the measure provided broader and more immediate relief to homeowners. The Senate version of SB 1 narrowed the scope of Braun's original proposal to target tax savings of $1.4 billion over three years specifically toward older Hoosiers, disabled veterans, and first-time homebuyers. Braun indicated he would consider calling a special legislative session if he exercised a veto on the measure.

The Indiana House approved House Bill 1001, a $46.7 billion state budget proposal that scales back extracurricular spending while expanding school vouchers and fully funding forecasted Medicaid expenses. The budget includes a 2% annual increase in education funding totaling $540 million and maintains structural balance with healthy reserves. The bill now moves to the Indiana Senate, where it must be reconciled with the upper chamber's version before being sent to Governor Braun's desk for consideration.

Braun signed an executive order establishing a work group to address rising costs and improper payments in Indiana's Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy services covered by Medicaid. The work group, comprising parents, lawmakers, medical professionals, providers, and experts, was tasked with evaluating eight potential solutions including quality metrics, service caps, and coordinated care models. Braun directed the work group to present three actionable recommendations for cost containment while maintaining service quality.

Braun's office was subject to legislative changes in 2024 when state lawmakers amended a House bill to require strict textual interpretation of Indiana's public records and open meetings laws, shifting away from the previous approach of construing the law in favor of government transparency. Braun, who had served as Indiana's Public Access Counselor since 2013 and issued over 2,000 advisory opinions during his tenure, announced his resignation after 12 years in the role, citing that the legislative mandate had fundamentally altered his job's scope and effectiveness. The Office of the Public Access Counselor, established by the Indiana General Assembly in 1999, had previously provided guidance on public records disputes, executive session violations, and records access fees, while conducting training sessions and handling thousands of public inquiries annually.

Braun stated he was "likely" to veto Senate Bill 1, the legislature's property tax relief proposal, if it did not include greater homeowner tax cuts than those contained in the amended version. The bill, which passed the Indiana Senate 37-10 on Monday, had been significantly reduced from Braun's original campaign proposal that would have cut property taxes by at least $1.2 billion in 2026, with the amended version reducing taxes by approximately $1.4 billion over three years. Braun indicated he would also consider calling a special legislative session to address property tax relief if the House-passed version did not meet his specifications for immediate tax reduction.

Governor Braun signed an executive order on Wednesday creating a task force to evaluate applied behavior analysis, or ABA therapy, a behavioral intervention method used to assist individuals with autism in improving communication, development, and socialization. The task force was established following the state's reduction of Medicaid coverage for ABA therapy. Braun defended the Medicaid spending reduction strategy in response to the coverage cuts.

Gov. Braun identified property tax relief as a legislative priority for the 2025 session, with Republican legislative leaders advancing Senate Bill 1 to address the issue. The Indiana Senate approved SB 1, which freezes the property tax levy for 2026 and allows increases of 1% in 2027 and 2% in 2028, reducing property tax revenue by approximately $1.4 billion over three years. Braun stated he would not sign the bill unless more substantial tax cuts are restored to the legislation.

Indiana Attorney General Rokita's office supported House Bill 1531, which advanced through the House Judiciary Committee on a 9-4 party-line vote in February 2025. The legislation would mandate local law enforcement compliance with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests, requiring agencies to hold individuals for up to 48 additional hours beyond their scheduled release, and would grant government units and their employees legal immunity for carrying out such requests. Noncompliance with the detainer mandate would be subject to punishment under the bill, which builds on previous 2011 and 2024 state laws expanding local participation in federal immigration enforcement.

Gov. Braun criticized Senate Bill 1, a property tax relief measure that advanced through the Indiana Senate on a 37-10 vote in February 2025, stating that the proposal did not constitute a meaningful tax cut for homeowners. Braun had originally promoted a more substantial property tax relief plan during his campaign, but the Senate version, introduced by Sen. Travis Holdman, reduced the annual fiscal impact from $1.2 billion to approximately $300 million in the first year and $800 million in the second year. Braun indicated the bill would require significant changes before receiving his signature, specifically calling for restoration of more substantial tax cuts for homeowners affected by rising assessed values.

Governor Braun commented on Senate Bill 1, a property tax relief bill that passed the Indiana Senate 37-10 on February 17, 2025, stating the legislation requires substantial revision before he would sign it. The bill, as amended by a Senate committee, freezes property tax levies for 2026 and caps their growth at 1% in 2027 and 2% in 2028, but Braun contended it fails to provide direct relief to homeowners experiencing high assessment increases since 2020. Braun indicated that restoring direct tax cuts for homeowners would be necessary for the bill to gain his approval as it moves to the House for further consideration.

Braun introduced a budget proposal that advanced out of the House Ways and Means Committee on party lines in February 2025, which included a 2% education funding increase for both years of the state's next two-year budget. The budget prioritized expanding school choice vouchers, including for wealthy families, while providing relatively flat funding growth for traditional public schools where the majority of Indiana students are educated. House Republicans aligned closely with Braun's education priorities in their version of the budget, which also included increased funding for scholarship accounts.

Indiana's House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 1531 on a 9-4 party-line vote, legislation backed by Attorney General Rokita that would require local law enforcement to comply with federal immigration detainer requests. The bill builds on a 2011 law requiring local cooperation with federal immigration authorities and a subsequent 2024 amendment granting Rokita authority to sue jurisdictions for noncompliance, with litigation against Monroe and St. Joseph counties ongoing. The legislation would mandate that local governments hold individuals for up to 48 hours upon ICE request, provide legal immunity to officials who comply, and impose civil penalties of $10,000 per violation against jurisdictions that refuse compliance.

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston authored HB 1008, which the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee approved in an 11-1 vote on Monday, February 17, 2025. The bill would establish the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission, with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun appointed to select five of the commission's ten members, to discuss whether Indiana could absorb several Illinois counties seeking to secede from their state. The proposal would require passage of similar legislation in Illinois and approval from both the Illinois General Assembly and U.S. Congress to effect any actual boundary changes.

House Republicans, led by budget architect Rep. Jeff Thompson, unveiled a two-year state budget proposal in February 2025 that included 2 percent annual increases in K-12 education funding and $560 million in additional tuition support funding. The proposal featured 5 percent cuts to most state agencies' budgets, $100 million per year for local public health programs, and increased funding for the Department of Child Services and Department of Correction, while declining to include Governor Braun's proposals to eliminate the tax on tips or create sales tax holidays. Thompson stated the budget aligned substantially with Braun's own budget proposal and emphasized efficiency in state spending.

Braun released the governor's proposed $46.7 billion two-year state budget, which House Republicans subsequently released their own version of in February 2025. The House Republican budget, designed by Chief Budget Architect Rep. Jeff Thompson, allocated $500 million more in 2026 and $380 million more in 2027 than Braun's proposal, with the additional spending directed primarily to the Department of Child Services and Department of Correction. Both versions aligned on key priorities including universal school vouchers and reducing funding for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., with Braun stating his commitment to continue working with the Legislature to identify government efficiencies as the budget moved forward.

The Indiana House passed House Bill 1007 in February 2025, legislation that would allow public utilities to request permission from regulators to spend money on small modular nuclear reactors and recover costs before obtaining certificates of public convenience and necessity, while also establishing a 20% tax credit for small modular reactor manufacturers. The bill advanced despite concerns from Democratic legislators that utility customers could bear financial responsibility for abandoned projects. The measure received approval along party lines.

Governor Braun issued a statement indicating that Indiana was monitoring bird flu outbreaks affecting poultry farms across the state, with over ten farms infected and more than six million birds affected since the start of 2025. The statement specified that the Indiana Department of Agriculture and Board of Animal Health were engaging with poultry producers to ensure communication and cooperation, while the Department of Natural Resources monitored impacts on recreation and hunting. Braun's statement also emphasized coordination on assessing risks of human exposure, following a probable human case of H5N1 detected in neighboring Ohio.

Governor Braun sent a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore requesting the immediate withdrawal of the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project, which proposes logging 5,000 acres and burning 15,500 acres in the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana. Braun cited concerns that the project could threaten drinking water for more than 100,000 residents and harm recreational areas, and noted that county commissioners and local town councils had unanimously passed resolutions opposing the project. The Forest Service, which originally proposed the project in 2021 as a means to improve forest sustainability and regenerate native hardwood communities, has not yet issued a final determination on the proposal.

The Indiana House passed House Bill 1172 on February 11, 2025, establishing the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation as a standalone state agency to support small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The office would consolidate existing state programs under the Secretary of Commerce and receive approximately $1.8 million in funding for its first year of operations. The bill passed 85-7 with bipartisan support and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Indiana Gov. Braun proposed a property tax reduction plan that would have reduced school district funding by approximately $1.9 billion through a 3% tax increase cap and expanded homestead exemptions. The state legislature modified Braun's proposal in Senate Bill 1, instead implementing a first-time homebuyer tax credit, levy growth caps, and specific deductions for veterans and seniors, reducing the estimated impact on school districts to $183 million annually by 2028. Braun stated that the legislature had taken steps in the right direction but indicated his intent to pursue additional property tax reductions for homeowners.

Indiana Senate Republicans introduced an amended version of Senate Bill 1 that diverged significantly from Governor Braun's property tax relief proposal. The Senate plan removed Braun's proposed 3% annual cap on property tax bill growth, increased homeowner deductions, and the projected 21% immediate reduction in average homeowner tax bills, instead including provisions that tighten school referendum requirements, limit property tax levy growth, and create a first-time homebuyer credit with estimated costs to local government of approximately $300 million in the first year. Braun's office stated the amended plan represented "steps in the right direction" while indicating he would continue working with legislators to strengthen the bill.

Indiana Gov. Braun's tax relief plan, designated Senate Bill 1, received approval from the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee on a 10-3 vote following a meeting on Tuesday. The committee made significant amendments to the proposal, removing numerous deductions that had been included in the original version. The modified legislation advanced from committee for further consideration in the legislative process.

Indiana Governor Braun submitted a letter to the chief of the United States Forest Service requesting cancellation of a proposed restoration project in Hoosier National Forest that would include tree cutting and prescribed burns. Braun stated in his letter that the project, which began planning in 2021, would harm public enjoyment of the forest area. Braun co-owns a 220-acre property within the forest boundaries, approximately two miles from the restoration site, which is currently listed for sale at $1,675,000.

Governor Braun introduced a property tax reduction proposal that the Indiana Legislature substantially modified through amendments to Senate Bill 1 in February 2025. The amended bill removed the expanded homestead deduction and tax bill caps from Braun's original plan, instead incorporating referendum reform, a payment deferral program, and adjusted property tax collection caps, while adding demographic-specific relief for seniors, disabled veterans, and first-time homeowners. The Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee passed the amended bill 10-3, with lawmakers indicating the revised proposal would provide several hundred million dollars in taxpayer relief rather than the $1.2 billion in local government revenue loss projected under Braun's initial plan.

Gov. Braun appointed Jacob Adams, the executive director of the Carroll County Economic Development Corp. since January 2021, to serve as director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The Carroll County Economic Development Corp. subsequently named Jonathan Blake, a senior director of strategic planning at RJL Solutions, as interim director while conducting a search for a permanent replacement. Blake brings more than 20 years of experience in urban planning, project management, and local government administration.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, under the Braun Administration, announced plans to limit Medicaid coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy as part of efforts to address improper Medicaid payments. Disability advocates called on the Braun Administration to reverse the decision regarding the coverage restrictions on ABA therapy. The proposed changes would affect Medicaid beneficiaries who use the autism therapy service in Indiana.

Governor Braun proposed a state budget limiting general fund expenditure growth to 2% in the first year of the biennium and 1.7% in the second year, compared to 4% growth in the prior budget. The proposal included approximately $700 million in tax relief through measures such as eliminating taxes on retirement income and tips, creating a new tax credit for farmers, and establishing a sales tax holiday for school supplies. To accommodate modest revenue growth while providing tax cuts, Braun's budget flatlined or reduced operational funding for multiple state offices and agencies, eliminated certain economic development programs, and included no capital projects for state facilities or higher education.

Governor Braun proposed a comprehensive tax relief package as part of his budget submission that included property tax relief estimated to save Hoosiers over $1 billion collectively, along with multiple income tax relief proposals such as inflation-adjusted deductions, elimination of taxes on retirement income, exemption of tips from taxation, a farming tax credit, and sales tax holidays for school supplies and outdoor equipment. The proposed tax cuts would reduce state tax revenue by $696 million over the two-year budget cycle, which Braun intended to offset through reductions in various categories of state agency spending. Republican legislative leaders including House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray indicated they would proceed cautiously with the tax relief proposals, citing budget constraints, unfunded needs in agencies such as the Department of Child Services, and uncertainty from potential changes to federal funding under the new Trump administration.

Governor Braun submitted a 2025 state budget proposal that reduced agency expenses and curtailed funding for multiple programs including dual-language classrooms, juvenile recidivism prevention, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and the direct flights program, while prioritizing state tax relief amid tight revenue forecasts. Nearly 100 Hoosiers testified before the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee on February 6, 2025, responding to Braun's budget proposal and seeking restoration of the eliminated and reduced funding. House lawmakers indicated they would introduce their own budget version the following week.

Governor Braun signed an executive order in January 2025 directing state law enforcement to "fully cooperate" with federal immigration enforcement officials and authorizing Indiana law enforcement agencies to perform immigration officer functions including investigation, apprehension, and detention of individuals unlawfully present in the United States. The order came alongside legislative action in the Indiana General Assembly, including Senate Bill 430, which advanced on a 39-9 vote and sought to expand state participation in the federal 287(g) program that allows local law enforcement to partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Fort Wayne Police Department announced it was reviewing the executive order to determine its implications for local law enforcement operations.

Bernard filed a lawsuit in Marion Superior Court on Thursday against the Indiana State Health Commissioner and Voices for Life, Inc., seeking a declaratory judgment that terminated pregnancy reports submitted under Indiana Code § 16-34-2-5 are exempt from disclosure under the state's Access to Public Records Act. Bernard and co-plaintiff Dr. Caroline Rouse argue that the public records act does not authorize the state health department to grant public access to terminated pregnancy reports. The lawsuit follows a February 2024 opinion from Attorney General Todd Rokita stating that terminated pregnancy reports do not constitute medical records protected under the state's public records act.

The Indiana Senate approved legislation that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion offices and employees at state universities and state agencies. The measure passed after more than two hours of debate in the chamber on Thursday afternoon. A DEI program administrator testified that the ban would impede efforts to address disparities throughout the state.

Senate Bill 448, authored by Sen. Greg Goode and designated as an agenda bill for Gov. Braun, passed the Senate Education and Career Development Committee unanimously and requires the Indiana Department of Education to develop a plan establishing market-driven stackable credential programs with at least three priority industry pathways by November 1. The legislation directs the department to identify necessary benchmark skills and include recommendations for programming at higher education institutions, aligning with a broader statewide effort to connect 50,000 high school students with work-learning experiences across industries including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and life sciences by 2034. Braun, Secretary of Education Katie Jenner, and Higher Education Commissioner Chris Lowery testified in support of the bill.

Governor Braun proposed Senate Bill 1, which would cap property tax increases at 3 percent annually and increase the state's homestead exemption, with lower caps of 2 percent for seniors, low-income families, and families with non-adult children. According to estimates from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, Braun's plan would reduce funding to Indiana school districts by approximately $1.9 billion across three years, with Hamilton Southeastern Schools facing the largest loss at more than $82 million during that period. Braun stated that school districts should demonstrate greater operational efficiency in response to the reduced revenue.

Braun challenged local government leaders who claimed his property tax proposal would reduce their budgets, stating they should demonstrate fiscal inefficiency before receiving consideration. Braun hosted citizens experiencing property tax increases in his office and argued that local governments should operate with greater efficiency rather than relying on growing tax revenues. Braun's proposal, under consideration in legislation designated SB 1, would reduce local government funding by more than half a billion dollars annually statewide, excluding schools.

Under Governor Mike Braun's administration, the Family and Social Services Administration indicated openness to revisiting Medicaid cost-containment measures implemented by the previous administration, including waitlists for certain services and restrictions on parents serving as paid attendant caregivers for medically complex children. House Bill 1689, authored by Rep. Ed Clere, was amended to remove a requirement that FSSA apply for a federal Medicaid waiver but was advanced by lawmakers with the understanding that the administration would pursue such approval on its own initiative. The bill addresses attendant care services for children with complex medical needs and allows for the creation of additional care options for families unable to work due to caregiving responsibilities.

Governor Braun introduced Senate Bill 1, carried by Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, which expands homestead property tax deductions and institutes caps on property tax bill growth for homeowners and school districts. The bill would reduce assessed property values by 60% for homeowners above a $125,000 threshold and implement new referendum procedures and transparency requirements through the Department of Local Government Finance. According to the bill's fiscal note, the tax cuts could result in approximately $1.2 billion in property tax reductions from local governments across Indiana in 2026, with costs expected to increase annually.

Governor Braun issued an executive order requiring all state and federal law enforcement agencies to comply with the Trump administration's deportation directives regarding immigrants without legal status. The order was issued following President Trump's initial executive actions on immigration that included suspending refugee resettlement, declaring a national emergency at the southern border, and expanding ICE enforcement authority to previously protected areas such as churches and schools. In response to these policies, the non-profit Exodus Refugee Immigration announced it would lock its Indianapolis building and transition to virtual and off-site appointments to protect clients from potential immigration enforcement actions.

Governor Mike Braun included in his first-term agenda House Bill 1637, legislation that would create a new Office of School Safety under the state's Department of Homeland Security, consolidating school safety efforts previously overseen by the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana Secured School Safety Board. The proposed office would oversee approximately $27.1 million in annual funding for school security, including resources for school resource officers, security equipment, and firearms training for teachers. The Braun administration also proposed increased funding for school security grants and expanded cyber safety training for students as part of the school safety initiative.

Gov. Braun endorsed Fort Wayne City Clerk Lana Keesling to serve as chairwoman of the Indiana Republican Party, pending official election by the state committee. Keesling, who has served as vice chair of the Allen County Republican Party and treasurer of the 3rd District Republican Congressional Committee, would become the fourth GOP state chair in two years. Braun stated that Keesling's experience as a county party leader and elected official would enable her to strengthen connections between local party leaders and statewide officials while improving the party's technology, organization, and communication efforts.

Carbaugh authored House Bill 1585, which passed out of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee in early 2025, to waive a $100,000 deposit requirement that state law mandates nonprofits pay to a cemetery perpetual care fund when installing a columbarium. The bill would allow the Allen County Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum to proceed with installing an above-ground structure designed to store cremation urns without paying the deposit, as the organization plans to fund perpetual maintenance through an endowment created from niche purchases. A companion measure, Senate Bill 520 authored by State Senator Justin Busch, passed the Indiana Senate unanimously.

Senate Bill 284, authored by Byrne, advanced from committee with an amendment reducing Indiana's in-person early voting period from 28 days to 14 days, down from an original proposal of 7 days. Byrne stated that county election clerks have difficulty staffing early voting centers for the full month, particularly given lower voter participation during the first half of the period. The committee approved the measure by a 6-3 vote, sending it to the Senate floor.

State Senator Justin Busch introduced Senate Bill 475, which would eliminate physician noncompete agreements in Indiana employment contracts, allowing doctors to move between practices without geographic or temporal restrictions. The bill passed the Indiana Senate on January 28, 2025, with a 47-2 bipartisan vote and builds on language Busch authored in 2023 that was enacted as Public Law 165. Governor Mike Braun has prioritized healthcare expansion through executive orders aimed at reducing costs and increasing access to care, creating alignment with the legislative effort to address Indiana's shortage of more than 1,000 physicians.

Governor Braun issued an executive order on January 28 directing all Indiana law enforcement agencies to fully cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and report evidence of illegal immigration. In response to Braun's order and concurrent federal refugee resettlement suspensions announced by President Trump, refugee resettlement organizations in Indiana adjusted their operations, with Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc. relocating client services to off-site and virtual locations and other organizations pausing new resettlement cases while continuing services for existing clients. The executive order prompted refugee advocacy organizations to request additional funding and community support as federal aid was halted pending a 90-day federal review.

Governor Braun introduced a property tax reform plan during his State of the State address, which prompted lawmakers to hold their first hearing on the proposal six days later. The measure, detailed in legislative hearings on Tuesday, would implement changes to Indiana's property tax system. Indiana mayors from both political parties testified before lawmakers regarding potential impacts of the plan on municipal services, particularly public safety funding.

Governor Braun assembled a cabinet of eight secretaries, each earning $275,000 annually, positioning them among the highest-paid state employees. Five of these secretaries also serve as agency heads under the newly restructured cabinet system. The total compensation for Braun's top agency leaders exceeds his predecessor's comparable payroll by over $1 million, while the administration has simultaneously directed state agencies to reduce budgets by an average of 5 percent.

Braun announced that his office would not provide schools with state-level guidance on immigration enforcement beyond federal directives. Braun signed an executive order on January 28, 2025, directing all state law enforcement agencies to fully cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stating that Indiana would comply with President Trump's January 20 executive order focusing on undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. Braun stated he would not direct law enforcement to enter schools or churches to seek undocumented immigrants in the absence of federal direction to do so.

Governor Braun signed an executive order requiring state law enforcement agencies to assist with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The order aligned Indiana's enforcement approach with federal immigration enforcement priorities under the Trump administration. Senator Jim Banks discussed the executive order in relation to immigration enforcement actions and deportation procedures.

Braun appointed Jared Prentice as Indiana inspector general in January 2025. The inspector general role is responsible for investigating and reducing fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and wrongdoing within state executive branch agencies. The position is dedicated to fostering a culture of integrity within state government.

Governor Braun issued an executive order requiring state health agencies to assess and improve price transparency in health care, with agencies required to submit action plans to his office by November 30 with measurable progress benchmarks. Braun emphasized in his State of the State address that price transparency would enable competition among providers and reduce Indiana's health care costs, citing research showing that Hoosiers pay the ninth highest hospital costs in the nation. The executive order was prompted by data indicating that 40 percent of Hoosiers have difficulty paying health care costs due in part to hidden pricing structures that prevent patients from knowing charges before receiving care.

Governor Braun proposed the creation of a statewide Indiana Office of School Safety as part of his first-term agenda. Lawmakers presented the proposal to a House committee on January 31, 2025, characterizing the new office as a centralized resource for state and local officials. The office was positioned as a cost-effective mechanism to coordinate school safety initiatives across Indiana.

Governor Braun directed state agencies to find savings within their departments, resulting in a 5% cut to the Department of Education and State Board of Education in the 2025-27 state budget draft presented to the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposed budget eliminates all funding for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Career Advising Grant program, the Dual Immersion Pilot Program, and the School Internet Connection fund, while reducing funding for Gifted and Talented Education from $15 million to $13 million annually. These cuts were made to increase funding for tuition support, which serves as the primary funding mechanism for both public schools and private school vouchers.

Banks stated he was considering withdrawing federal grants from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department over the agency's refusal to assist with federal immigration enforcement operations. Banks made the statement in response to a public comment from IMPD Chief Chris Bailey regarding the department's immigration enforcement policies. Banks indicated he would apply the same grant withdrawal threat to any law enforcement agency that does not cooperate with federal immigration sweeps.

During his first State of the State address on January 29, 2025, Braun announced his property tax plan, housed within Senate Bill 1, which would cap annual property tax increases at 3% for most property types and 2% for seniors, low-income homeowners, and those with minor children. The legislation would also raise the homestead deduction for houses valued under $125,000 and require a property tax transparency portal to launch by 2026. Braun stated that while the plan would impact local government revenues, taxpayer relief must take priority and called on lawmakers to pass the measure during the ongoing legislative session.

Governor Braun issued an executive order on January 28, 2025, directing all Indiana law enforcement agencies to cooperate fully with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in removing undocumented immigrants from the state. The order requires law enforcement at all levels to perform immigration enforcement functions including investigation, apprehension, and detention of individuals unlawfully present in the United States, and mandates reporting of credible evidence of undocumented immigrants with criminal histories or suspected felony involvement to Indiana's Intelligence Fusion Center for sharing with ICE. Braun stated the order aims to ensure Indiana agencies comply with existing state and federal immigration policies while emphasizing that law enforcement will not conduct searches in schools or churches absent specific federal directives.

Braun issued an executive order that ended diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in state government. Braun also issued a separate executive order that halted funding for Martin University. Faith and community leaders, particularly from the African American community, subsequently visited the governor's office to demand answers regarding these actions.

Rep. Pressel authored House Bill 1461, legislation that would expand local government funding options for transportation infrastructure by allowing counties to impose delivery fees between 50 cents and $1 per retail order, reallocate Community Crossings Matching Grant Program funds, and explore tolling mechanisms, while providing no additional direct state funding to local governments. The bill emerged from nearly two years of study into revenue alternatives as motor fuel tax collections decline due to increased vehicle fuel efficiency and electric vehicle adoption. Pressel presented the 37-page proposal to the House Roads and Transportation Committee on January 27, 2025, describing it as a starting point for policy discussion, though the committee did not vote on the measure at that meeting.

Governor Braun proposed a property tax reform plan that Fort Wayne Community Schools estimates would result in losses of approximately $55 million over three years, with $14.9 million in the first year, $18 million in the second year, and $22 million in the third year. School Superintendent Mark Daniel presented these projections to the school board, noting that the first-year loss would represent approximately 20% of the district's property tax levy. The potential reduction in property tax revenue would affect the district's operations fund, which finances non-classroom expenses including transportation, maintenance, utilities, and administrative costs.

Governor Mike Braun issued an executive order eliminating Indiana's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program that had been established by his predecessor, Governor Eric Holcomb. According to the letter writer, Braun cited the elimination of remote work policies instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic as a primary rationale for the action. The executive order represented a reversal of the state's previous diversity initiative.

Governor Braun proposed a state budget that does not include funding for Martin University, Indiana's only predominantly Black university, which had received $5 million through a grant program in 2023. The chair of Martin University's Board of Trustees stated the institution would survive the loss of state funding. Democratic State Representative Gregory Porter characterized the proposal as racist.

Governor Mike Braun identified boosting teacher pay as one of his priorities as Indiana's new governor. The article notes that lawmakers are pushing for a higher minimum state teacher salary, with Republican Senator Linda Rogers proposing an increase to $45,000 and Democratic Senator Fady Qaddoura proposing an increase to $65,000. Nearly all Indianapolis-area school districts already offer starting salaries exceeding the current statewide minimum of $40,000, with Indianapolis Public Schools offering the highest minimum salary at $53,460 for the 2024-25 school year.

Braun's office, represented by senior policy advisor Robert Ordway, participated in an AARP Indiana virtual town hall discussion on property tax reform on January 22, 2025. Ordway discussed Senate Bill 1, which increases deductions for homeowners and caps future property tax bill growth, characterizing it as a "great starting point" while noting the governor remained open to modifications through the legislative process. The bill addresses shifting property tax burden distribution, which has moved from approximately one-third each among homeowners, businesses, and farmers to approximately 45 percent on owner-occupied homes.

Governor Braun's education agenda, developed alongside Indiana's Republican supermajorities, prioritizes school deregulation and private school choice expansion during the 2025 legislative session. Several education bills advancing through the legislature reflect these priorities, including House Bill 1002, an omnibus deregulation bill designed to eliminate or loosen existing requirements related to teacher training, professional development, and administrative duties. Additional measures under consideration include House Bill 1201 addressing student attendance and Senate Bill 146 increasing minimum teacher salaries and providing parental leave benefits.

Braun's state budget proposal, released in January 2025, does not include funding for Martin University, a private university in Indianapolis and Indiana's only predominantly Black institution. The budget proposal eliminated state financial support that had previously been allocated to the institution. State Representative Gregory W. Porter characterized the funding cut as a policy decision affecting the university's operations.

Governor Braun's proposed state budget did not include funding for Martin University, the state's only predominantly Black university, which had received $5 million in the previous budget cycle for programs in teaching, criminal justice, and STEM fields. The budget proposal also excluded funding for the College Success Program grant, which provided $5 million to support college counselors assisting 21st Century Scholars, minority, and first-generation students at state universities. Braun's budget decisions followed his signing of an executive order to eliminate state diversity, equity, and inclusion programming and close the state office focused on equity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Braun's administration issued a directive through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to halt advertising for Medicaid programs. The directive, implemented by FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob, required Managed Care Entities offering Medicaid plans to cease advertising activities. Business groups stated the advertising halt would result in significant financial costs to small businesses operating in the Medicaid sector.

A Senate committee unanimously approved legislation on January 22, 2025, to raise the minimum salary for teachers in Indiana to $45,000 per year, matching the amount proposed by Governor Braun in his budget plan. The bill would increase the current minimum teacher salary requirement of $40,000 annually. The committee vote proceeded despite debate among members regarding the appropriate level of compensation.

Braun signed multiple executive orders on January 22, 2025, addressing healthcare policy in Indiana. The orders included directives related to abortion access, health insurance affordability, and Medicaid administration. One order instructed health care providers to cease advertising Medicaid programs.

Governor Braun signed an executive order that effectively banned diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state government. Following this action, Republican senators Gary Byrne and Tyler Johnson introduced Senate Bill 289 and Senate Bill 235 in the Indiana legislature, with both bills passing out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2025. Senate Bill 289 would prohibit K-12 schools from teaching that any race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior to another, while Senate Bill 235 would restrict state educational institutions from operating DEI programs and bar state funding from institutions that promote or require DEI training.

House Bill 1007 proposes tax incentives for businesses manufacturing small modular nuclear reactors in Indiana and allows utilities to pass construction costs to customers even if projects remain unfinished. The bill also aims to keep coal and natural gas plants operating to supply power demands from artificial intelligence data centers locating in the state. Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski, appointed by Governor Braun, characterized the legislation as a means to secure long-term clean energy generation while leveraging private sector investment from technology companies.

Governor Braun signed an executive order replacing "diversity, equity and inclusion" language throughout state government policies and programming with "merit, excellence and innovation" and closed the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer. Braun's two-year budget proposal, presented to lawmakers, would eliminate funding for the Indiana Commission for Women and the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission while reducing Indiana Civil Rights Commission funding by more than 15 percent over the biennium. Members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus publicly criticized both the executive order and the budget proposals at a Statehouse news conference.

Braun proposed a 2% annual increase in K-12 funding as part of his first budget presentation as governor. The proposal also included universal vouchers and property tax caps for school funding. The increase represented a modest growth in state education spending compared to prior budget cycles.

Braun's administration issued a directive through Secretary Mitch Roob to halt advertising by Medicaid managed care entities in Indiana. The order was expected to result in millions of dollars in reduced spending on promotional activities. Groups representing small businesses and healthcare organizations stated the directive would create negative financial consequences for their operations.

Governor Braun issued an executive order directing the Indiana Department of Health to resume releasing individual terminated pregnancy reports, which contain data about patients and procedures completed by medical providers following an abortion. The department had stopped sharing individual reports in December 2023 citing patient privacy concerns and instead began releasing abortion data quarterly, a decision that was challenged in court and ruled contrary to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act by a judge in September 2024. Braun's executive order also directs all state agencies to cooperate with the attorney general regarding enforcement of abortion laws in Indiana.

Governor Braun issued an executive order ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state government and replacing them with a merit, excellence and innovation framework. The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus responded by stating the order sends a message that Indiana does not care about fairness and perpetuates stereotypes about hiring and promotion practices. Braun's proposed budget also defunds the Indiana Commission for Women and the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission while cutting nearly 16 percent from the Indiana Civil Rights Commission budget.

Braun signed a series of executive orders on January 22, 2025, directing state agencies to address surprise billing, pharmacy benefit managers, and high drug prices in an effort to increase health care affordability, accessibility, and transparency. The orders include directing the state to evaluate the charity care provided by nonprofit hospitals and compare it to their tax savings, as well as conducting audits of Medicaid and the State Employee Health Plan to assess efficiency of health care spending. Braun stated the orders aim to bring clarity to what he characterized as an opaque system in which costs and accountability remain unclear to consumers.

Braun's administration issued an order directing all healthcare providers in Indiana to cease advertising Medicaid services as part of an effort to reduce Medicaid enrollment. The directive was implemented shortly after Braun took office and represented one of the state's initial policy actions regarding the publicly funded health insurance program. Secretary of the Family and Social Services Administration Mitch Roob oversaw implementation of the advertising restriction.

Governor Mike Braun stated he is open to discussion of legalizing medical marijuana in Indiana but not recreational use. State legislators including Representatives Sue Errington and Jim Lucas have introduced proposals to legalize marijuana, citing tax revenue potential and medical benefits reported by constituents. Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray indicated opposition to any form of marijuana legalization at a 2024 legislative conference.

Governor Mike Braun appointed Clint Woods to lead the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, a position from which Woods stated his intention to review state environmental regulations for potential streamlining. Woods previously served in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during the Trump administration, where he participated in efforts to modify air pollution regulations and adjust the agency's use of scientific analysis in rulemaking. Braun also appointed former state Senator Jon Ford to head the Indiana Office of Energy Development, a role Ford accepted after serving as president of Reliable Energy Inc., a trade association that represents coal, natural gas, and nuclear interests.

Senate Bill 451, authored by Sen. Travis Holdman, passed out of the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee unanimously, proposing to continue lowering Indiana's adjusted gross income tax rate by 0.05% annually through 2032 if state revenue goals are met, reducing the rate from 3.0% in 2025 to 2.7% in 2032. The bill would result in approximately $35 annually in reduced tax collection per household earning the state median income of $70,000 and is expected to decrease state revenue by approximately $574.6 million from 2029 through 2032. The legislation applies to approximately 500,000 businesses classified as individual income taxpayers, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and S-corporations.

Governor Braun submitted his first budget proposal, which included 2% increases to K-12 tuition support for each of the next two fiscal years. State Education Secretary Katie Jenner characterized the proposed increases as a positive starting point for K-12 education funding in a constrained budget year. Allen County school districts and statewide education organizations indicated they were seeking additional funding increases as lawmakers continued work on the state's biennial budget.

Gov. Braun signed an executive order directing state agencies to identify 5% in savings on average from their current budgets to fund new priorities in the next two-year budget. The order granted the Office of Management and Budget authority to develop performance-based funding adjustments, implement hiring freezes for nonessential positions, pause pay raises and bonuses for overspending agencies, and consolidate programs. Braun's administration presented a budget proposal to the State Budget Committee projecting $700 million in state expenditure cuts while maintaining 2% overall spending growth in fiscal year 2026 and 1.7% growth in 2027.

The Braun administration announced changes to Indiana's Medicaid program shortly after taking office, including modifying eligibility verification from annual to quarterly checks through the Family and Social Services Administration. The administration also stated it would reduce advertising for Medicaid programs and indicated support for Senate Bill 2, which proposes enrollment caps, lifetime eligibility limits, and work requirements for the Healthy Indiana Plan. Secretary Mitch Roob stated the administration intends to "constrain" Medicaid eligibility across multiple programs.

Indiana Governor Braun issued an executive order on Wednesday eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in state government. The order prohibits state agencies from supporting DEI programs, procedures, or activities that provide preferential treatment based on race, ethnicity, or other factors. Braun stated the order aims to ensure equal treatment in state government operations.

Governor Braun presented his first budget proposal on January 16, 2025, directing his eight cabinet secretaries to identify 5% savings across their agencies on average to fund priorities including education spending, universal vouchers, and tax reform. Braun cited potential cost reductions through healthcare cost containment and technology implementation as mechanisms for achieving the savings but did not specify particular cuts. The budget proposal prioritizes small education increases and Medicaid coverage while including property tax reform and expansion of school voucher programs.

Governor Braun unveiled a budget proposal for the 2025 legislative session that includes nearly $700 million in tax relief, inflationary funding increases for K-12 schools, and funding to eliminate child care waitlists. The proposal is structured around Braun's commitment to reduce government spending by $700 million over the next two years. The budget was presented as part of the broader statehouse agenda for the 2025 General Assembly session, which must conclude by April 29.

Braun unveiled a state budget proposal that includes nearly $700 million in tax relief through increased income tax deductions, elimination of taxes on tips and retirement income, and sales tax holidays for school supplies and outdoor recreation equipment. The proposal allocates over $500 million in new K-12 education funding with two percent increases across the budget's two years and sufficient funding to eliminate child care waitlists. Braun pledged to offset the tax relief and spending increases through $700 million in government spending cuts over two years, with the budget proposal specifying a $50 million annual reduction to local public health funding.

On his third day in office, Gov. Mike Braun signed nine executive orders on January 15, 2025, directing Indiana state agencies to reduce regulations by approximately one quarter and lower qualifications for state jobs and professional licenses. The orders also require state employees to return to physical offices by July 1, 2025, and mandate the creation of a public-facing dashboard to track active executive orders with quarterly updates. Braun stated the actions were intended to make Indiana government "more efficient, transparent and accountable."

Braun issued an executive order requiring all Indiana state government employees to return to office by summer 2025, one of his first actions as governor. The order mandates an end to remote work arrangements for state workers. News 8 first reported the policy change on Wednesday afternoon following the order's announcement.

Governor Mike Braun stated that his administration will ensure Indiana University's compliance with a 2023 state law prohibiting state dollars from being used by the Kinsey Institute, according to remarks made by Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith at a press conference held by Purple for Parents on January 15, 2025. Braun indicated his commitment to full transparency regarding the university's adherence to the funding restriction. The governor is scheduled to announce his budget priorities to the State Budget Committee on January 16, 2025, during a period when state lawmakers are drafting the 2026-27 biennial budget that includes allocations for higher education institutions.

Senate Bill 146, authored by GOP Senator Linda Rogers, would provide Indiana teachers with 20 days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child and raise the minimum teacher salary from $40,000 to $45,000. The bill would also increase the portion of state funding allocated to teacher salaries, require schools to offer state employee health coverage plans when less expensive than district plans, and modify Teacher Appreciation Grant criteria to reward teachers in high-need specialties and those demonstrating student growth. Governor Braun identified teacher compensation and professional benefits as campaign priorities for improving teacher recruitment and retention, with the Secretary of Education estimating the salary minimum increase would require approximately $14 million in additional state funding.

Braun signed an executive order requiring all Indiana state employees working remotely to return to in-person work by July 1, 2025, affecting approximately 10,500 remote-work agreements across the state's 80 agencies and departments. Braun signed a second executive order eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion policies from state government, barring DEI positions and programs while discontinuing affirmative action in hiring and pronoun requirements, and shuttering the Office of the Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer. Braun also signed seven additional executive orders aimed at increasing government transparency, budgetary efficiency, performance metrics, and reducing regulatory and licensing requirements across state agencies.

Braun signed a series of executive orders in January 2025 designed to restructure state government administration, including plans to eliminate 25 percent of state regulations over four years, remove degree requirements for state employment where feasible, and reduce background checks for professional licenses unless directly relevant to job duties. The executive orders also included closing the state's Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Office and directing state agencies to comply with the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision restricting race-conscious college admissions policies. Braun stated the changes aimed to streamline government operations and maximize the efficiency of taxpayer resources.

Braun ordered flags at state facilities to be flown at full staff on Inauguration Day for President-elect Donald Trump, following a similar directive issued by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson for flags at the U.S. Capitol. The order reversed the half-staff display of flags that had been in place under the previous administration. Braun's directive applied to flags flown by the state of Indiana.

Newly sworn-in Indiana Governor Braun issued an executive order on January 15, 2025, eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion practices from state government operations. The executive order disbanded the state's DEI office. Braun stated the action was undertaken in accordance with the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Governor Braun signed an executive order on Wednesday removing degree requirements from certain state employment positions. The order eliminates educational credential mandates that previously applied to hiring for jobs within Indiana state government. The action expands the pool of candidates eligible to apply for state positions by removing the bachelor's degree as a prerequisite qualification.

Governor Braun appointed Captain Anthony Scott as the 21st superintendent of the Indiana State Police, with the promotional pinning ceremony taking place on Monday. Scott has served 28 years with the Indiana State Police and most recently held the position of Area 4 commander. Scott was born and raised in Rush County, Indiana.

Braun was sworn in as Indiana's 52nd governor on January 13, 2025, at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis. In his inaugural address, Braun stated his intention to pursue health care reform, property tax reform, and small business growth while positioning Indiana to take a larger leadership role in state governance. Micah Beckwith was sworn in as lieutenant governor and Todd Rokita began his second term as attorney general on the same date.

Braun was sworn in as Indiana's 52nd governor on January 13, 2025, at the Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis before a crowd of hundreds of state officials and citizens. He took the oath of office on two Bibles, one belonging to his family and the other historically used during Benjamin Harrison's presidential inauguration. Braun succeeded Eric Holcomb, who had served as governor for eight years.

Gov.-elect Mike Braun appointed Representative Alan Morrison to serve as director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Morrison stated his intention to streamline rulemaking and regulations at the DNR, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and the Utility Regulatory Commission to increase efficiency in the regulatory process. Morrison resigned from his House seat representing District 42, effective January 13, 2025, upon Braun's inauguration as governor.

The Indiana Ethics Commission unanimously approved post-employment waivers on January 9, 2025, for four state agency heads departing as Governor-elect Mike Braun prepared to take office, including David Rosenberg of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The waivers permitted the officials to accept new positions despite Indiana's standard yearlong cooling-off period that restricts former state employees from jobs involving lobbying or work related to contracts and decisions they administered. Rosenberg's waiver specifically allowed him to become inaugural president and CEO of Indiana University's Launch Accelerator for Biosciences, a position he assumed on January 10, 2025.

Indiana state senator Ed Charbonneau introduced legislation to repeal the state's 2021 Certificate of Public Advantage law, which he had helped author and which permits hospital mergers that would otherwise violate federal antitrust law. The bill was prompted by the failed merger attempt between Union Health and Terre Haute Regional Hospital in Vigo County, which the hospitals withdrew after public and Federal Trade Commission pressure on state regulators. If enacted, the legislation would make Indiana the sixth state to repeal its COPA law, joining Maine, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, and North Dakota.

Indiana Senate Republicans unveiled their 2025 legislative agenda on January 8, 2025, which includes a major overhaul of the state's Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), the Medicaid expansion program serving over 680,000 low-income adults without disabilities. The proposed changes would cap HIP enrollment at 500,000 people, place remaining applicants on a waitlist, implement a 36-month lifetime limit on program participation, and establish work requirements for many Medicaid participants. Senate Republicans also identified property tax reform as a top priority for the 2025 session, with Senator Travis Holdman indicating the specific approach would be refined through the legislative process involving the Senate, House, and governor's office.

Indiana Senate Republicans announced property tax reform, Medicaid adjustments, and water withdrawal regulation as their 2025 legislative priorities, with Senate Bill 1 serving as the primary property tax relief measure authored by Sen. Travis Holdman. The bill incorporates significant elements from Governor-elect Braun's campaign agenda, including resetting property tax bills to 2021 levels and implementing annual caps on tax increases ranging from 2 to 3 percent depending on taxpayer status. Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Ryan Mishler, addresses Medicaid sustainability by reforming presumptive eligibility standards and restructuring the Healthy Indiana Plan to its original scope, including limiting enrollment to 36 months and implementing work requirements.

Indiana State Senator Charbonneau introduced legislation to repeal the 2021 Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) law, which he co-authored and which permits hospital mergers that would otherwise violate federal antitrust standards. The bill was prompted by Union Health's attempted acquisition of Terre Haute Regional Hospital in Vigo County, which was withdrawn in December 2024 following public and Federal Trade Commission opposition. Charbonneau stated that he believed his previous support for the COPA law was incorrect and that repealing it represents the appropriate course of action.

Incoming Governor Braun included property tax relief among his legislative priorities for the 2025 session, proposing restrictions that would limit school property tax referendums to general election years only. Braun also proposed a cap on property tax increases at 2 percent for certain residents and 3 percent for others. Republican Senator Travis Holdman, who heads the Senate's tax-focused committee, indicated that multiple bills addressing property tax issues would be filed during the session.

House Bill 1136, authored by Rep. Jake Teshka, proposes the dissolution of Indianapolis Public Schools and four other Indiana school districts, with their approximately 68 schools converting to charter schools by July 1, 2028. The bill establishes a mechanism for automatic dissolution if more than 50 percent of students residing within a district's boundaries are enrolled in schools operated outside the district as of October 1 of the previous year. If passed and signed into law by incoming Governor Mike Braun, the dissolution process would begin in July 2025.

Braun campaigned on a platform to provide property tax relief to Indiana homeowners by limiting future growth and resetting bills to 2021 levels as part of his first-year agenda. Local units of government have raised concerns that the plan would divert funds from their budgets without state assistance, creating implementation challenges for lawmakers. The incoming governor's property tax proposal is expected to be a key fiscal issue during the 2025 legislative session as lawmakers draft the state's next two-year budget.

Braun included property tax relief as a key component of his campaign platform and first-year agenda, proposing to limit future growth in property taxes and reset bills to 2021 levels. Local units of government have raised concerns that the plan would divert funds from their coffers without state assistance, and lawmakers have struggled to adopt sweeping reforms while property tax bills have continued to increase. A two-year task force reviewing the state's tax system concluded with only vague recommendations, with chair Sen. Travis Holdman indicating that any final solution would likely fall between Braun's proposal and the legislature's preferences.