(Statehouse) – Indiana should be a national model for bold and innovative leadership. That was one of many messages delivered by Indiana Governor Mike Braun at his first State of the State Address Wednesday night.
He led off by discussing his Freedom and Opportunity Agenda.
“The positive reception to that plan has been overwhelming, and in November Hoosiers sent a resounding message that freedom and opportunity is what they want. I believe the work of this legislature has put us in position to achieve great things, if we seize this opportunity and act decisively,” said Braun.
He promised to deliver “historic tax relief” for Hoosiers. Then he told stories of Hoosiers who he said were victims of what he called “runaway property taxes.”
“My property tax plan is built on three priorities: cut property taxes for Hoosier families – especially new homeowners and seniors, cap the annual increase to protect homeowners, farmers, and businesses, and reform the system through transparency. I understand this tax relief will have an impact on local governments, but taxpayers are struggling, and we have to put their needs first. Just like the example I set with my budget proposal, all governments need to do more with less. We will continue to have important discussions with local governments about how to protect vital services like police, fire, and schools,” said Braun.
Braun said helping farmers is more than just a talking point to him.
“For farmers, let’s create tax-advantaged Farm Savings Accounts to help stabilize their income during bad crop years. And let’s address our aging Ag workforce with a tax credit for retiring farmers passing their farms onto the next generation,” said Braun.
He stressed the need to improve both police recruitment and retention for Indiana State Police with competitive salaries, cost of living adjustments, and more comprehensive benefits.
“A major Freedom and Opportunity public safety bill written by Senator Aaron Freeman passed out of committee yesterday 8 to 1 on a bipartisan vote. This bill increases penalties on fentanyl and meth dealers, raises the price for targeting police, and adds mandatory minimum bail for repeat violent offenders,” said Braun.
Braun says he’s heard from plenty of Hoosiers who do not want open borders.
“Unchecked illegal immigration brings serious risks to our communities. In September, an illegal alien stabbed a 14 year old girl with a butcher knife in a random attack in Lowell. Let me be clear, Indiana will not be a safe haven for illegal immigration. As the Trump administration begins to return illegal aliens with criminal records to their home countries, we will assist,” said Braun reiterating a message he delivered on Tuesday.
He promised to keep an eye on abuse and waste in the state’s healthcare spending.
“But we need legislative action, and the General Assembly has shown a strong desire to get results. State Rep Brad Barrett introduced House Bill 1003, a bill that will require historic price transparency, stop anti-competitive practices driving up prices, and put an end to surprise billing,” said Braun.
On the topic of education and schools, Braun said “education is also workforce development.”
“There are programs around the state where students can get hands-on training in manufacturing skills, get engaged with Indiana companies that are hiring now, and even earn some money. Tonight in the audience we have two instructors from the 4T Academy program in southern Indiana, Rick Gilmore from Princeton Community High School and Gabe Golba from Bosse High School in Evansville. This program is a partnership between high schools and Toyota, and students have launched good-paying careers directly from the class. Thirty-eight 4T Academy students have been hired by Toyota in production roles and fifteen students have started careers as advanced manufacturing technicians. This is a model we should replicate across the state. Rick, Gabe, thank you for your work to teach real world skills and jump-start these students’ careers,” said Braun.
He ended his address with a question.
“Will we treat this moment as a plateau, or as a foundation to build something truly exceptional? Now is the time to be bold and think out of the box,” Braun concluded.
State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) reacted to the governor’s speech.
“I was glad to hear Gov. Braun aims to fulfill his promise to restructure the way we pursue economic development to ensure that it benefits all corners of our state,” Leising said in a statement. “This year, I authored Senate Bill 460 to help in that goal by making the Indiana Economic Development Corporation board more representative of residents across the state. SB 460 would require certain appointed members of the board to reside in separate congressional districts.
“I look forward to working with Gov. Braun on this issue and others in the days and weeks to come,” Leising added.
On the other side of the aisle, Senate Democrats say Hoosiers need more than promises, and they’re on Braun to take action on issues such as housing, health care and education.
“Speeches don’t lower medical bills. Good intentions don’t build homes. Promises don’t pay teachers,” Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) said. “Governor Braun told Hoosiers what he wants Indiana to be—but where is the plan to get it done?”
Senate Democrats say in a statement they are demanding real action on the most pressing issues facing Hoosiers. such:
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Housing: “Indiana has a shortage of 140,000 affordable rental homes, yet the governor’s plan ignored the 30% of Hoosiers who are renters. What is being done for the renters—the seniors on fixed incomes and the families struggling with rising housing costs? How will we prevent out-of-control rent hikes and unsafe housing conditions?”
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Health Care: “Nearly 500,000 Hoosiers are uninsured, one in five counties lacks enough providers, and more than 25% of Hoosiers skip medical care because they can’t afford it—yet the governor’s budget slashes public health funding by a third and kicks 200,000 Hoosiers off health coverage with the possible passage of Senate Bill 2. How will this administration make sure Hoosiers don’t just see prices—they can actually afford care?”
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Education: “With 90% of Hoosier students in public schools, why are we shifting resources away from them while private schools receiving taxpayer money aren’t held to the same accountability standards? If transparency is a priority for health care, why isn’t it for education? And if we can fund school vouchers, why can’t we fully fund public schools and ensure teachers are paid what they deserve?”
“This isn’t about politics—it’s about the future of Indiana,” Yoder continued. “The governor says he wants to support working Hoosiers. So what’s the plan for the family who can’t find a place to live? For the diabetic Hoosier rationing insulin? For the family drowning in medical debt? For the parents wondering if their child’s school will have enough teachers next year? Hoosiers aren’t waiting for promises—they need real solutions. And as Democrats, we are ready to work to make sure Indiana is a place where families don’t just get by—they thrive.”
(Network Indiana contributed to this story)
