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Gov. Mike Braun delivers his first State of the State address before a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly Wednesday evening. (Photo/Schyler Altherr of TheStatehouseFile.com)

This story was originally published by TheStatehouseFile.com

By Anna Cecil
TheStatehouseFile.com
January 29, 2025

On Wednesday evening in the Indiana House, Gov. Mike Braun gave his first State of the State address, which focused on his initiatives to reduce taxes, cut government spending, promote public safety, better equip Hoosier employers and employees, lower the cost of health care, and support educators and the parents of schoolchildren.

The address outlined Braun’s early administrative wins and was punctuated by applause from lawmakers while the shouts of protestors outside faintly lingered in the background.

Tax cuts and reducing government spending 

The first issues he mentioned were high prices and property taxes, which the governor said force some Hoosiers out of their homes. His plan is to cut property taxes, especially for senior homeowners and young families. He also plans to put a cap on annual property tax increases and make the system more transparent.

“Tax payers are struggling, and we have to put their needs first,” he said.

When it comes to farmers, Braun intends to make tax-advantaged famer’s saving accounts that he said will cushion their income during bad crop years. He also plans to give tax credits to farmers who pass farms down to the next generation.

Braun said these tax cuts are part of his plan to run the government with fewer tax payer dollars.

“Every Hoosier family and business had to tighten their belts over the last four years. It’s time the government does the same thing,” Braun said. “My vision is a streamlined, accountable, responsible government that keeps more money in your pocket and empowers the private sector to innovate and grow.”

In an executive order during his first weeks of office, Braun also cut some government agencies, including the executive branch’s office of diversity, equity and inclusion. He said removing DEI and replacing it with merit, excellence and inclusion (MEI) will level the playing field for Hoosiers. Senate Bills 289 and 235 also aim to lessen DEI initiatives in school and health professional licensing boards.

“Diversity and equality are hallmarks of what we all believe as a country, but these top-down DEI mandates led to division and inefficiency,” he said. “MEI puts merit and results at the forefront, and everyone has the chance to get ahead with hard work. My agenda is about delivering Freedom and Opportunity for all Hoosiers.”

DEI was among the subjects that spurred members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus to skip the speech and hold a Unity Rally outside the House Chamber. Their chants could be heard from their fourth-floor gathering place.

Public safety

Braun’s public safety agenda aims to recruit and retain police by implementing competitive salaries, making the cost of living more affordable and adding more comprehensive benefits. The agenda also supports increased penalties on fentanyl and meth dealers, especially ones who target officers.

He added that based on the results of November’s election, Americans want a more secure border. Braun said illegal immigration is a risk to communities.

“Indiana will do whatever we can to help secure our Southern border and end this crisis that has brought deadly fentanyl and crime to our streets,” he said. “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. A state should always put the safety of its own citizens first.”

Economic development 

The governor said his economic development plan is focused on building skills that will match job openings with high wages.

Braun said his administration is restructuring the Indiana Economic Development Corp. by expanding its mission to existing employers and building on what other state agencies are doing.

He is also making an Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which he said is focused on “Main Street” entrepreneurs who are not backed by venture capital but by their communities.

“Maureen and I lived the American dream of starting homegrown businesses in our hometown of Jasper. … I want every Hoosier to have the opportunity to live that dream as well,” Braun said.

Health care

Braun said Hoosier health care is too expensive, so he plans to decrease prices, increase access and champion innovation in the health-care industry.

“I signed several executive orders to pull back the curtain on health-care prices and bring down costs,” he said.

Braun said he will do this by stimulating competition amongst providers, which may cause prices to drop and allow patients to shop around. Braun added that his administration is carrying out audits to find areas of waste and abuse in the state’s health-care spending.

Braun also said his administration supports price transparency, so Indiana residents know what to expect when paying medical bills.

“Hoosiers should be able to see what they’re going to have to pay before they receive care,” he said. “Medical bills like that should never come as a surprise.”

House Bill 1003 addresses health-care fraud and surprise billing, and House Bill 1004 prevents nonprofit hospitals from charging high prices.

Education

The governor said his focus is to keep student education in the hands of their parents.

He began the education portion of his speech by announcing that Indiana ranks sixth in the nation for reading, according to a national report card.

Braun encouraged lawmakers to pass bills that increase teacher pay and school safety.

He mentioned Senate Bill 146, which would increase teacher salaries by $5,000, and House Bill 1637, which would establish an Office of School Safety.

The speech also had an emphasis on education as an agent of developing Indiana’s work force. Braun applauded the work of programs that equip students with hands-on skills that can be used upon graduation.

“Indiana’s future depends on how we educate the next generation,” he said. “We’ve got great teachers and we’ve got great systems that are building on innovation.”

Braun’s final remarks called for bipartisan participation for the remainder of the legislative session.

“My message, my partners in the General Assembly on both sides of the aisle, we’re ready to have discussions,” he said. “I want your ideas. I want your collaboration.”

Democrats respond

Criticism swiftly followed the speech.

Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) issued a press release after the speech.

“Tonight, we heard from Gov. Braun that he believes diversity and equality are cornerstones of what makes America great,” he said. “That’s interesting, because just days into his administration, he signed an executive order banning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices from state agencies.

“Let’s see some action from the governor by reversing his executive order to reinstate equity and fairness in our state agencies and make it clear that Indiana values diversity. Across the state, we’ve heard our constituents worry about how they’re going to afford their prescriptions and their groceries, their struggles to find a safe home and how to help their children get a good education. With his executive orders, Braun has shown the Hoosier people where his priorities lie. We are concerned with making life easier for the people of Indiana, not targeting our most marginalized citizens.

“Tonight, we in the IBLC hosted a Unity Rally on the fourth floor of the Statehouse during Gov. Braun’s address. The purpose of the rally was to send the message to Hoosiers that, when we work together for a common cause, there is very little we can’t do to accomplish to make our state a better place for all. This rally was a celebration of diversity, equity and inclusion and an opportunity for citizens to make their voice heard. I hope this gathering was a reminder to all that unity is the only path toward equity.”

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, also released a statement to the press, saying, “I found several points of agreement with Gov. Braun tonight. He’s right that Hoosiers are barely keeping their heads above water due to the rising cost of living. And we agree that Hoosiers are paying too much for healthcare and we need to address each of aspect of the health care industry individually to bring down costs.

“However, Gov. Braun says local government can do more with less. But when you’re having a heart attack and call 911, do you want the people coming to help you to be doing more with less? Do you want them underfunded? I think no.

“Finally, the Republican property tax plan is a farce. The proposals we’ve seen so far shift more of the burden of funding our schools, police and first responders to local government. That means Hoosiers will continue to pay more in taxes, just to a different entity. It’s a bait and switch attempt for Republicans to blame cities and counties for rising costs and run for reelection on cutting taxes.”

From the other side of the aisle, the two chamber leaders also issued press releases after Braun’s speech.

“Gov. Braun is showing right out of the gate that he is going to lead with action,” said House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers. “Our caucus is working closely with the governor and his team on several shared priorities to reduce health care costs, streamline government, improve public safety, empower parents and strengthen our schools. We’ll continue to advance the bold, conservative leadership that’s resulted in low taxes, a growing economy and increased opportunity for Hoosiers.”

Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, said in his release, “I am extremely pleased to see Gov. Braun focusing his speech—and his administration—on issues that matter most to Hoosiers. Property tax reform, fiscal integrity, lowering health care costs and improving government accountability are all issues that are very important to me and my caucus, which is why those issues are addressed in our 2025 caucus agenda bills.

“We look forward to a collaborative and productive session with the governor and our colleagues in the House as we work toward innovative solutions that improve our state for all Hoosiers.”

Anna Cecil is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

 

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