Braun creates a dozen topical councils to guide administration transition
The councils will primarily focus on fiscal efficiency and improving the economy but also on issues involving public safety, energy and natural resources and health care.
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Deferred maintenance emerges as higher ed state budget priority
Indiana’s public universities are seeking millions of dollars for capital projects, but the state’s Commission for Higher Education wants lawmakers to concentrate funding in the next budget cycle on deferred-maintenance projects.
Indiana lawmakers get first glimpse at budget requests
Indiana’s State Budget Committee on Tuesday kicked off its first hearing for the upcoming 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. Lawmakers are set to file an initial vision for the $40 billion-plus biennial budget in January.
Attorney general, adult websites clash in age verification lawsuit
Eleven adult content companies and a trade organization say the state of Indiana’s discovery requests in an age verification lawsuit are “invasive” and “harassing”—prompting Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office to dismiss the allegations of overreach as “outlandish.”
Indiana Republicans reelect legislative leadership following Election Day victories
Preliminary results showed Republicans had earned enough apparent victories to retain at least 67 seats in the 100-member House, and 40 of the 50 seats in the Senate.
Gov.-elect Mike Braun lays out transition team, priorities after election win
Braun’s transition team largely consists of former members of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ administration and board members of the nonprofit Hoosiers for Opportunity, Prosperity & Enterprise, or HOPE.
Democrat spending on legislative races pales in comparison to Republicans
Republicans are pouring financial resources into a handful of legislative races around the state, recognizing potentially tight margins with an aim to protect the party’s supermajority hold in the General Assembly.
Indiana’s annual average teacher pay tops $60K, new report says
Nearly all—98%—of Hoosier school districts gave teachers a raise last year, benefitting about 92% of educators statewide, the report indicated.
Indiana early voting growing in popularity due to convenience, changing attitudes
While statewide numbers are down from 2020’s pandemic election—when voting hours were expanded—early voting numbers are far outpacing 2016 numbers, aligning with the uptick seen across several states.
White River State Park reveals plans for $65M expansion on stamping plant site
The park will expand into 15 acres between the White River and Elanco Animal Health’s new headquarters and will include an event pavilion to be developed inside the remnants of a former crane bay that had been part of the original stamping plant.
Key lawmaker signals opposition to coal plant anti-closure proposal
Hoosier coal advocates pushing for a ban on early coal-fired plant retirements have found allies among Senate leaders. But a key House lawmaker on Thursday publicly signaled opposition.
Candidates focus on economy, workforce, taxes in final gubernatorial debate
Candidates Mike Braun, Jennifer McCormick and Donald Rainwater covered the overall economy, right-to-work policy, property taxes, state spending and the rate of unemployed disabled Hoosiers in Thursday night’s debate.
At debate, Indiana attorney general candidates spar over abortion, immigration
The fiery 20-minute debate between incumbent Republican Todd Rokita and Democrat Destiny Wells also focused on the role of the Attorney General’s Office.
Statehouse races to watch around Indianapolis, suburbs
Political forecasting for Indiana Statehouse races can be tricky. To help, IBJ spoke with party leaders ahead of Election Day to scope out which races could be competitive.
Holcomb heading to Greece on latest trade trip
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is scheduled to lead a trade delegation to Athens in a trip organized by the Council of State Governments.
Indiana joins multistate lawsuit seeking to halt federal nursing home staffing rule
A lawsuit filed Tuesday by 20 states challenging a federal rule mandating higher staffing levels in nursing homes alleges that facilities will be forced to close.
Democratic group pumps $600K into Indiana governor race
The Democratic Governors Association is spending more on the campaign of nominee Jennifer McCormick after a survey it funded showed a closer-than-expected race for Indiana governor.
State panel recommends judicial reallocation from low- to high-need counties
Some Indiana counties have more than double the judicial officers needed to handle court cases, while others are understaffed, according to the state’s most recent weighted caseload report.
Would Braun, McCormick take as many trade trips abroad as Holcomb? Not likely
As governor, Holcomb has traveled on 25 overseas economic development trips (27 total including Canada) since he took office in 2016. He’s embarked on five in 2024 alone.
Gubernatorial candidates advocate cuts in property taxes, spending in second debate
Voters will have one final televised opportunity to hear from the candidates on Oct. 24 during the Indiana Debate Commission’s debate.