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Gov. Mike Braun ceremonially signed nine executive orders before the Statehouse Press Corps Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse. (Photo/Schyler Altherr of TheStatehouseFile.com)

This story was originally published by TheStatehouseFile.com.

By DeMarion Newell
TheStatehouseFile.com
January 15, 2025

The newly sworn-in Gov. Mike Braun has signed his first nine executive orders, appearing before the press on Wednesday.

“I think it’s all what I campaigned on,” he said. “It’s to make sure government is leaner, more efficient, better aligned with the needs of Hoosiers. And I think through these orders, you’re going to see my promise to streamline operations, enhance transparency especially. It’s going to be important to make sure that we continue fiscal discipline along the way.

“Government needs to work for Hoosiers, and I think that’s important, and I’m going to make sure that that is the case.”

Some of the executive orders were:

Executive Order 25-14: “Ensuring all Hoosiers have equality of opportunity by eliminating DEI in state government.”

Braun’s order changes DEI—which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion—to MEI, which stands for merit, excellence and innovation.

“I’ve had such a breadth of support from the entire spectrum of Hoosiers that embrace that idea of freedom and opportunity, and we’re directing agencies to examine policies and procedures to ensure compliance with recent Supreme Court ruling, and we are closing the chief equity, inclusion and opportunity office,” Braun said.

According to Braun’s order, all executive branch state agencies cannot use state funds, property, or resources to: “support diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, departments, activities, procedures or programs … [or] require any person to participate in or receive any training, instruction, procedures, or programming.”.

Executive Order 25-15: “Promoting opportunities for more Hoosiers by reducing unnecessary barriers to state jobs.”

This executive order will reconsider whether state positions should require a post-secondary degree to perform the job’s duties.

“In the enterprise I ran for 37 years, some of our best employees were just good at what they wanted to come and do for you, and we need to have a system that, again, recognizes merit, not necessarily qualifications, knowing the importance of both,” Braun said. “We’ll be examining all state job postings and removing your degree requirements where possible, replacing them with alternatives based on skills and experience.”

Braun believes this is going to attract a broader pool of talent.

Approximately two-thirds of Hoosiers do not have a postsecondary or higher degree, according to the Indiana Business Research Center.

As of Oct. 25, 2024, 22 states have eliminated degree requirements for state jobs.

The rest of the executive orders Braun spoke on can be viewed here.

After the ceremonial signing, a reporter asked a question about marijuana.

“We’re now surrounded by four states, at least two of which have the entire spectrum legalized when it comes to recreational,” Braun said. “I’ve been clear that has a need for further discussion. We see in some states, they have not been happy with the results of it.

“When it comes to medical marijuana, … I’m going to be amenable to hearing the case for it. So I’ll guess that will be a whole high-profile bill. Whether it gets a hearing or not, we’ll see.”

Braun also received a question about his thoughts on dividing some of those Illinois counties, like the ones along the border, to be a part of Indiana. His response was:

“I think it’s clear, if you want your place to run like New York, Illinois and California, probably expect people to be voting with their feet. So whenever you hear something like that, I would say it’s to make a point that we’re a place that might be better to raise a family, start a business and for what most people are looking for.”

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

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