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Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales has spent 10 days on a privately funded economic development trip to India, missing a legislative budget committee and stirring criticism of whether the goals of the trip fall under the purview of his office.
When asked about the trip, Gov. Mike Braun said Thursday that an economic development trip is outside the responsibilities of the secretary of state, one of several elected offices outlined in the Indiana Constitution.
“I don’t think that’s maybe the bailiwick of that agency,” Braun told IBJ and another publication after an Indiana Economic Development Corp. board meeting. “I think that anybody can, I guess, moonlight and do other things in addition to your core responsibilities, but I think that that’s probably the responsibility” of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
A press release issued by the Secretary of State’s Office said Morales’ trip was paid for using private funds. However, the Secretary of State’s Office declined to say who paid for the trip.
Lindsey Eaton, the office’s communications director, said Morales traveled from March 17-26 and no other state employees accompanied him. She said “no agency or taxpayer funds were used.”
In the press release, Morales called the trip “an invaluable opportunity to strengthen Indiana’s economic ties.”
While in India, Morales’ office said he spoke at an information technology and technology leadership conferences and met with several government and business leaders. His office said he highlighted key Indiana industries and discussed trade and investment opportunities.
“By fostering deeper partnerships, we can unlock new avenues for trade, innovation and collaborations, ensuring that both Indiana and India continue to thrive on the international stage,” Morales said in the news release. “I look forward to seeing the long-term impact of our discussions on Indiana’s economic growth and international influence.”
The governor and IEDC often use trade trips to court new business and pitch investment opportunities and visit companies already doing business in the state.
The Secretary of State’s Office oversees the state’s elections, regulates securities, charters new businesses and registers trademarks, among several other duties. Morales’ office specifically noted the office’s business services in its statements about the economic development trip. “Foreign businesses located in Indiana must register with and obtain certificates of authority to conduct business in the state from the secretary of state,” Eaton told IBJ. “The Secretary of State’s Office is typically among the first contacts international businesses make in the state.”
Braun said that in general, state government officials should be working in unison. But he said any office can participate in economic development efforts if doing so doesn’t interfere with its other duties. Braun doesn’t have control over Morales’ office; the secretary of state is a separately elected position.
“I’d say that’s fine, as long as it’s not at the expense of any of the other things you’re supposed to be doing,” Braun said.
The India trip is an addition to a growing list of decisions Morales has been criticized for since taking office in 2023.
Politicos from both sides of the aisle have been critical of Morales’ fiscal management, including his decisions to hire his brother-in-law for a top position, provide $308,000 in spot bonuses to nearly every employee in his office and to use no-bid contracts.
During a House budget committee presentation in January, Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, pressured Morales to answer for past decision-making. Then last week, Morales missed his agency’s Senate budget committee presentation while he was out of the country. At that meeting, Republican lawmakers repeatedly questioned the staff members who were present about the agency’s spending.
Morales and his staff rebutted legislative concerns during budget presentations saying the office hires the best staff possible, will not offer bonuses next year and chooses contracts based on performance as well as cost.
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Mike Braun absolutely deserves to suffer through an administration surrounded by the fools selected by Republican primary voters – the folks he pandered to who have in turn given him Diego, Rokita, and Beckwith.
Little wonder they want to make it harder for people with independent thoughts to vote in their primaries.
“ The heat is on Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Questionable spending and missteps have, in recent weeks, captured the attention of lawmakers in charge of his budget for the next two years.
Things are adding up, and Republicans known for fiscal conservatism are taking note.”
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/03/28/lawmakers-scrutizine-secretary-of-state-diego-morales-fiscal-affairs/
The clip showing his unwillingness to respond to Legislators’ questions about his office’s budget was embarrassing. Hopefully, enough for him to lose in the next election.
Maybe his staff sends him on trips to keep him out of the office .
So is this not considered a DEI hire by you clowns 🤡 or is that a slur only referred to certain people and “non-republicans” can’t wait for the spin on this.