Latest news with #HouseBill1518
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
$90K taxpayer-funded SUVs raise eyebrows, questions. Here's what to know
IndyStar reported this week that two taxpayer-funded luxury SUVs purchased by the offices of Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Secretary of State Diego Morales were raising eyebrows at the Indiana statehouse. Those purchases would have been more heavily scrutinized if a recently passed, bipartisan bill heading to Gov. Mike Braun's desk had already been in effect. House Bill 1518 makes it harder for most state officials to use taxpayer money to buy cars from luxury or semi-luxury brands. It also requires car purchases to be a base, standard or government model of a car unless granted an exemption by the state. It was spurred in part by Morales' purchase. Here's everything you need to know. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith drives to the Indiana statehouse in a 2025 Chevy Tahoe High Country SUV, which cost taxpayers just less than $88,000 when the state bought it in February, IndyStar's Hayleigh Colombo reported. The High Country is the top trim level of the SUV. Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales drives a taxpayer-funded $90,000 GMC Yukon Denali purchased last summer. Beckwith responded to the IndyStar report to defend the purchase, saying his office has already saved the state money and that his team of large men needs the large vehicle. Read both of those stories below, along with an opinion piece on the response by Opinion Editor James Briggs. IndyStar's original report: New $90K taxpayer-funded SUVs for Diego Morales, Micah Beckwith raise eyebrows at the Statehouse Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith responds: Beckwith says he's cutting spending in his office after facing criticism over $88K SUV Briggs: Micah Beckwith and his Indiana DOGE bros are livin' large | Opinion The choice of Kelley Automotive Group, which has donated nearly $375,000 to Indiana Republican-aligned committees and candidates since 2017, raised questions for some people who were already scrutinizing Morales' use of tax dollars to purchase a $90,000 premium SUV last year. Already this fiscal year, the state has spent nearly $15 million with Kelley Automotive Group, according to the Indiana Transparency Portal. The state spent nearly $10 million at Kelley Automotive Group during the previous year, and $6.4 million in the 2023 fiscal year. Read the full report below, along with James Briggs' column calling for the impeachment of Morales. Dealership ties: Diego Morales' $90K SUV came from dealership that gave him $65K in campaign donations Briggs: Diego Morales is rubbing our faces in his corruption. Impeach him now. | Opinion This story may be updated with additional reporting. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana politicians' $90K taxpayer-funded SUVs raise questions
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Indiana Lt. Gov. announces spending cuts — along with taxpayer-funded car buy
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith talks at a town hall in Franklin March 31, 2025. (Photo from Beckwith's official X account) 'Mass spending cuts' to Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith's office have offset the taxpayer-funded purchase of a luxury car, according to a Wednesday news release. But he has also asked cash-strapped budget writers for other boosts, and told local governments to do more with less in a move to bring property tax cuts. The office said it's canceled a $195 subscription to the New York Times, renegotiated a contract to save $15,000 and won't renew almost $150,000 in other contracts. The services were for professional development, graphic design, social media and image hosting. Beckwith said when he came into office he asked his team to look for items and services that could be cut immediately. 'I knew there would be wasteful spending left over from the previous administration. Fiscal responsibility isn't just about numbers — it's about ensuring … that taxpayer money is going to essential services to Hoosiers.' 'One major purchase,' however, was a new car. The 2025 Chevy Tahoe High Country SUV cost taxpayers just under $88,000 when purchased in February, the Indianapolis Star reported shortly before Beckwith sent his release on cuts. The High Country is the SUV's most expensive model, with more features than lower-trim versions. The office noted that price tag is less than what it's saved through contracts. 'Overall, the Lt. Governor's office has already saved the state money,' Beckwith said in the release. The previous administration's car was in multiple collisions and had mechanical issues, according to the release, and wouldn't have been able to 'accommodate' Beckwith and his staffers for town hall trips and community leader meetings. 'We needed a car that was big enough for the guys on my team, because the previous lieutenant governor had a smaller car, because she had a bunch of women that would travel with her, and we got some big guys that go with us,' Beckwith told the Indianapolis Star. 'And so I said, 'Hey, I've got to have something that's good for three or four guys.' And so when you start looking at those models, I mean, the price gets up there when you're talking about a new car.' The release noted that, when the office submitted a request for a vehicle meeting its needs, it was given just two options by the Indiana Department of Administration. Legislation moving through the Statehouse now would have added greater scrutiny to that purchase. House Bill 1518 requires that the state buy or lease only base, standard or 'government' models, and bars luxury or semi-luxury vehicle brands if non-luxury alternatives use the same vehicle platform. Vehicles for Indiana State Police, the governor and short-term use are exempt. The Indiana Department of Administration can also grant an exception if it's 'necessary' for an agency's 'intended use.' Rep. Justin Moed, D-Indianapolis, filed the legislation after Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales's office used taxpayer funds to buy a $90,000 GMC Yukon Denali over the summer. Beckwith has also raised eyebrows for big asks from budget builders trying to navigate falling revenue and rising expenses. He requested to nearly double his office's budget to nearly $9.5 billion for each of the next two years — mostly to support faith-based initiatives, the Indianapolis Star reported. He also asked for more spending for agencies he oversees — even as Gov. Mike Braun has called on cabinet secretaries to identify 5% in savings across agencies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
