Gov. Mike Braun’s second State of the State stresses affordability issues
The governor also celebrated data center development, but he said tech companies should pay for 100% of their power needs.
Politics
Articles
Indy woman charged with threatening to kill a member of the US House
According to court documents, the woman sent text messages, emails and left comments on social media directed at a member of the U.S. House of Representatives whose name has not been publicly released.
Democratic legislator seeks to challenge GOP Rep. Spartz
J.D. Ford’s departure from State Senate District 29 leaves an open seat up for grabs, and a prominent local minister has already announced his plans to run for it.
Indiana positions itself to attract Bears as Braun prepares for second State of the State address
The governor is expected to address the Bears situation during his speech Wednesday night, although the Governor’s Office is keeping specifics—and the names of the guests it has invited to the event—under wraps.
Court says Trump admin illegally blocked billions in clean energy grants to Democratic states
The grants supported hundreds of clean energy projects in 16 states, including battery plants, hydrogen technology projects, upgrades to the electric grid and efforts to capture carbon dioxide emissions.
Lawsuits by Trump allies could shape how the 2030 census is done and who will be counted
As the challenges work their way through the courts, the Census Bureau is pushing ahead with its planning for the 2030 count and intends to conduct practice runs in six locations this year.
Indiana House Republicans count affordability in utilities, housing among legislative priorities
House Republicans are emphasizing affordability through deregulation in their legislative priorities. The measures center on local zoning laws for housing, new methods of utility ratemaking and cutting down on code in education.
Legislation seeks to close ‘loopholes’ in E-Verify requirements for public contractors
Public work project contracts entered into or renewed after June 30 would have to include a provision requiring the primary contractor and all tiers of subcontractors to enroll in E-Verify.
INDOT cancels, postpones projects as it applies for tolling option for I-70
INDOT had planned a “major” interchange project near Whitestown but will now break that into three smaller projects.
Partnership between public affairs firms highlights growing Indiana-Ireland bond
A former Hoosier lawmaker and a former Irish government minister are linking their firms as Indiana’s ties to Ireland grow.
2025 Year in Review: New property tax law forces tough decisions in cities
Motivated by rising property tax bills caused in part by rising home prices, Gov. Mike Braun and the Republican-majority Legislature last spring upended the funding structure for local government and forced tough budgeting decisions in cities and towns.
2025 Year in Review: Gov. Mike Braun launches audit of IEDC and related organizations
The investigation, which Braun labeled a “forensic audit,” launched in May and continued through the summer, leaving work by Elevate and other organizations in limbo and raising questions about whether the state would continue to invest in fledgling companies
2025 Year in Review: Revenue shortfall strains budget
The final budget boosted the tax on cigarettes by $2 per pack, with similar hikes on other forms of tobacco. Those tax increases were expected to generate $850 million over the two-year budget cycle.
2025 Year in Review: Fallout from accusations against Hogsett adviser continue to plague administration
More than 18 months after accusations surfaced in the media that Joe Hogsett’s former chief of staff and campaign manager had sexually harassed three women, the fallout continues for the Indianapolis Democratic mayor and his administration.
Trump administration moves to overhaul how H-1B visas are granted, ending lottery system
The change follows a series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at reshaping a visa program that critics say has become a pipeline for overseas workers willing to work for lower pay but supporters say drives innovation.
Indiana business groups create nonprofit to push for civil, tort law reforms
Groups including the Corydon Group, the Indiana Motor Truck Association, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Manufacturers Association are banding together to advocate for pro-business reforms.
Indiana lawmakers to weigh joining Trump’s tax cuts
Legislators would likely need to act quickly to enact any tax breaks for 2025 before individuals and businesses begin filing their tax returns.
Wage garnishment for defaulted student loans to resume early next year
There were about 5.3 million borrowers who had not made a payment on their federal student loans for at least 360 days as of June 30.
UPDATE: Democrats announce plans to elect Maggie Lewis, John Barth as new council leaders
Lewis previously served as president from 2012 to 2017. The council—which Democrats control 19-6—will make the decision official at the Jan. 5 council meeting.
Forrest Lucas posthumously honored with 2025 Sachem Award
Lucas, who died in August at age 83, is the 20th Sachem Award honoree and the first chosen by Braun.