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Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Mike Braun is leading the race in executive orders
Gov. Mike Braun signs a pair of executive orders dealing with unemployment insurance in his Statehouse office on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) If there is one thing we have seen a lot of during Gov. Mike Braun's first 100 days, it's executive orders: 63 of them, to be exact. If you are keeping track, that's already more than the 56 former Gov. Mike Pence issued across his four-year term. And it's on the way to exceeding totals from former Govs. Eric Holcomb and Mitch Daniels, who both served eight years. Holcomb issued 164 executive orders in all, though around half dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. Daniels issued 175, with many being pardons for convicted Hoosiers; the issuance of pardons has dropped significantly since Indiana adopted an expungement statute. Braun and Daniels have one thing in common — using executive orders in the first year to try to reshape state government. Daniels took over in 2005, after 16 years of Democrats in the governor's office. His first 20 executive orders were significant alterations. One took away the right of state employees to collectively bargain; another required the Indiana Department of Administration to post written state contracts online; others created the Indiana Department of Child Services and the Office of Inspector General. Many of those had immediate impacts that Hoosiers could see. Braun has done the same, even though Republicans have controlled all of state government since 2011. You would think that would mean fewer changes, but apparently not. He used executive orders in the first few weeks to establish his new cabinet structure and to require state employees to return to work in the office, rather than working remotely. But he has also used many orders to simply draw attention to priorities. And then there is the nationalization of federal politics. For instance, Braun declared there are just two genders, male and female, and eliminated state diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. 'The tone of state politics has shifted with this polarization,' said Michael Wolf, a political science professor at Purdue University Fort Wayne. He noted that Braun's order switching DEI to MEI — merit, excellence and innovation came just before President Donald Trump's inauguration. '(It) received a ton of national media attention — and it was straight from the hymnal book that is popular with the Republican chorus,' Wolf continued. 'That's not to question how genuine those beliefs are, it is just noteworthy that this theme has been so important in the national narrative and Braun was able to be right out front with the executive order, where legislation would have taken considerably longer.' CONTACT US Braun also has ordered various studies on topics such as employment best practices, diet-related chronic disease, and laws and policies that disincentivize marriage. Just this week, the governor added two more executive orders to develop a statewide water planning framework and create a body to investigate the recovery of rare earth elements from Hoosier coal sites. Elizabeth Bennion, chancellor's professor of political science at Indiana University South Bend, noted governors usually use executive orders to 'circumvent' the Legislature or 'in response to delegation from' the Legislature' — but said 'neither of these seems to be the major reason that the Braun administration is issuing executive orders.' 'Instead, the governor seems to be responding to expectations of policy leadership,' Bennion said. 'These expectations are, to a large degree, self-created through his own desire to lead the state in a specific policy direction and his promises on the campaign trail.' She added that the substantive impact of the orders is not yet known. Wolf observed that Indiana is one of only a handful of states that has no constitutional or political tradition of legislative oversight of executive orders. 'Hoosier governors can reorganize government through executive order and have no formal provisions restricting the use of EOs, where many or most other states have some restrictions by procedure or by legislative check,' he said. 'Even the structure of the cabinet system is based on gubernatorial power and not derived from the Constitution or statute.' Executive orders themselves aren't a bad thing, but the increasing reliance on them is something to keep an eye on. Braun is using them heavily to score political points. At this pace, he will blow by his predecessors. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
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
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Braun family home in Jasper gets $118K in security improvements with helipad, trailer
Gov. Mike Braun's family home in Jasper will be getting at least $118,000 in various security improvements, paid for by the Indiana Department of Administration. Such efforts include a helipad, updated fencing and gates as well as a temporary trailer for his round-the-clock security protection, the latter of which is provided by the Indiana State Police. 'We consulted with the Indiana State Police to determine what was necessary to secure the safety of the Governor while he is at the Jasper residence,' said Molly Craft, Braun's deputy chief of staff for communications. The Indiana Capital Chronicle asked for 'broad strokes' of the governor's protective detail, and the Indiana State Police confirmed that it wouldn't release specifics. 'The Indiana State Police is responsible for the safety and security for the Governor of Indiana, it would be irresponsible of us to speak on any specific details of that security,' said Sgt. John Perrine, who is the public information office for the Indianapolis District with the Indiana State Police. State-approved contractor Glenroy Construction, one of the businesses used by the Indiana Department of Administration for job order contracting, will perform the work. Nearly one-third of the contract, or 32%, is 'non-pre-priced,' meaning it is a necessary but incidental part of the job that doesn't have a pre-defined, unit price. The Indiana State Police own three helicopters which could be used with the helipad, though the governor's office implied that it wouldn't be used routinely. The 20-foot-by-20-foot gravel pad doesn't yet have a final estimate, though the bill is projected to be between $3,500 and $5,000. While Jasper, Indiana does have a helipad — according to AirNav — it is one of the dozens of privately owned helipads affiliated with a hospital and not available to the public. By car, the distance from downtown Jasper to the Governor's Residence is two hours and 16 minutes, or 130 miles, according to Google Maps. A summarized contractor proposal shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle broke down the $114,424 in other costs, split between electrical work, fencing and gates, the trailer and an accompanying stone pad. The $14,371 in electric costs include wiring for the gates and trailer but not lights for the helipad, which will be unlit. The gates and accompanying operating pads to access the Braun family home make up the largest part of the security improvements at $50,153. Lastly is a security trailer for Braun's protective detail, in which the traditional bedroom will be converted to an office space. It will contain a restroom. The Indiana Department of Administration will foot the bill for the one-time cost of $42,707 for the trailer while ongoing heating and water costs will be paid for by the Indiana State Police. The $7,194 stone pad for the trailer will be large enough to accommodate parking for two trooper vehicles, which used to function as an office space for traveling troopers. 'Troopers do use their cars when there are no other options,' confirmed Perrine. In contrast to his recent predecessors, Braun has publicly said he intends to split his time between the Indianapolis Governor's Residence and his Jasper home. Both Govs. Eric Holcomb and Mike Pence made the Meridian Street home their primary residence while former Gov. Mitch Daniels owned another property in Carmel. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom Braun home has a finished area of 9,787 square feet and two stories, according to Dubois County property records. The plot also has a barn and bird feeders along with a facility where Braun raises beagles, as shown in a 2024 home visit with Governor's Residence in Indianapolis is 10,500 square feet and has at least three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It also has a separate Carriage House that Holcomb upgraded. The Indiana Capital Chronicle, where this story first published, is a nonprofit news site covering state government in Indiana. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Braun family home in Jasper gets $118K in security improvements
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Braun family home in Jasper gets $118K in security improvements with helipad, trailer
Gov. Mike Braun and First Lady Maureen Braun do an interview with WTHR in their Jasper home. (Courtesy of WTHR. WTHR retains copyright and republishing requires separate permission.) Gov. Mike Braun's family home in Jasper will be getting at least $118,000 in various security improvements, paid for by the Indiana Department of Administration. Such efforts include a helipad, updated fencing and gates as well as a temporary trailer for his round-the-clock security protection, the latter of which is provided by the Indiana State Police. 'We consulted with the Indiana State Police to determine what was necessary to secure the safety of the Governor while he is at the Jasper residence,' said Molly Craft, Braun's deputy chief of staff for communications. The Indiana Capital Chronicle asked for 'broad strokes' of the governor's protective detail, and the Indiana State Police confirmed that it wouldn't release specifics. 'The Indiana State Police is responsible for the safety and security for the Governor of Indiana, it would be irresponsible of us to speak on any specific details of that security,' said Sgt. John Perrine, who is the public information office for the Indianapolis District with the Indiana State Police. State-approved contractor Glenroy Construction, one of the businesses used by the Indiana Department of Administration for job order contracting, will perform the work. Nearly one-third of the contract, or 32%, is 'non-pre-priced,' meaning it is a necessary but incidental part of the job that doesn't have a pre-defined, unit price. The Indiana State Police own three helicopters which could be used with the helipad, though the governor's office implied that it wouldn't be used routinely. The 20-foot-by-20-foot gravel pad doesn't yet have a final estimate, though the bill is projected to be between $3,500 and $5,000. While Jasper, Indiana does have a helipad — according to AirNav — it is one of the dozens of privately owned helipads affiliated with a hospital and not available to the public. By car, the distance from downtown Jasper to the Governor's Residence is two hours and 16 minutes, or 130 miles, according to Google Maps. A summarized contractor proposal shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle broke down the $114,424 in other costs, split between electrical work, fencing and gates, the trailer and an accompanying stone pad. The $14,371 in electric costs include wiring for the gates and trailer but not lights for the helipad, which will be unlit. The gates and accompanying operating pads to access the Braun family home make up the largest part of the security improvements at $50,153. Lastly is a security trailer for Braun's protective detail, in which the traditional bedroom will be converted to an office space. It will contain a restroom. The Indiana Department of Administration will foot the bill for the one-time cost of $42,707 for the trailer while ongoing heating and water costs will be paid for by the Indiana State Police. The $7,194 stone pad for the trailer will be large enough to accommodate parking for two trooper vehicles, which used to function as an office space for traveling troopers. 'Troopers do use their cars when there are no other options,' confirmed Perrine. In contrast to his recent predecessors, Braun has publicly said he intends to split his time between the Indianapolis Governor's Residence and his Jasper home. Both Govs. Eric Holcomb and Mike Pence made the Meridian Street home their primary residence while former Gov. Mitch Daniels owned another property in Carmel. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom Braun home has a finished area of 9,787 square feet and two stories, according to Dubois County property records. The plot also has a barn and bird feeders along with a facility where Braun raises beagles, as shown in a 2024 home visit with WTHR. The Governor's Residence in Indianapolis is 10,500 square feet and has at least three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It also has a separate Carriage House that Holcomb upgraded. DOC031225-03122025100049 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
