Indiana Week in Review

Electric bills rise by $28 monthly on average. High school graduates attending college hits a record low as only 52% enroll. A report by the Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future lays out steps the state should take to address an attorney shortage.

A look back at the 2025 State budget session. From Governor Mike Braun’s initial proposal to an unprecedented revenue forecast showing a $2.4 billion downturn. July 18, 2025

Faith leaders hold a funeral for those they say are “marked for death” by federal tax and spending cuts. The Trump administration withholds nearly $7 billion in education grant funds. The Braun administration releases their DEI elimination report.

A special episode looking back at the property tax reform debate in the 2025 legislative session. Governor Mike Braun threatens to invoke his veto powers and a Statehouse rally calling for lawmakers to make substantial changes to the property tax system.

Hundreds of college degree programs at risk under new laws. Advocates for clean energy tax credits release an ad targeting Todd Young. Cuts at the Indiana School for the Deaf after budgets are slashed 5% and more than a dozen staff members are laid off.

Ball State freezes tuition for two years. Diego Morales is defiant in the face of questions over spending in the Secretary of State’s office. Indiana’s infant mortality rate hits a “historic low” for the state since record-keeping began in 1900.

Indiana slashes available pre-k numbers to less than half of the current enrollment. Mayor Hogsett resists calls to resign over texts to women involved in an investigation against his former chief of staff. Concerns about managed care for those over 60.

Governor Braun fires three elected IU trustees. The Indiana Department of Education unveils the first draft of a new A-F school grading system. Braun freezes $25 million allocated for Elevate Ventures, who was set to invest on behalf of the IEDC.

Trump approves the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel. Diego Morales investigated over footage used in a campaign launch video. Secretary Collins defended a proposed 15% cut to the VA during a visit to the Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Major cuts to Medicaid and SNAP pass in the U.S. House. Advocates split on Duke Energy’s proposal to shut down Cayuga coal plant and replace it with a natural gas plant. Schools face new intervention requirements on chronically absent students.

The IEDC puts two properties associated with the LEAP district up for sale in Boone County. Attorney General Todd Rokita threatens to sue the University of Notre Dame over DEI efforts. Lawsuits filed over a ban on student IDs for voting.

A bill threatening the non-profit status of several hospital systems over the cost of care. Governor Braun signs a controversial anti-DEI bill into law. Lawmakers revive the A-to-F school ranking system with rollout expected by the end of 2026.

Governor Braun reflects on the 2025 legislative session. Micah Beckwith faces blowback over comments praising the Three-Fifths Compromise as a “great move”. A last-minute addition to the budget bill gives Braun full control of the IU Board of Trustees.

A $2 cigarette tax and cuts to both public health and higher education in the state budget. Gov. Braun launches a forensic audit of the IEDC amid allegations of self-dealing. A bill offering tax incentives to coal plants and small nuclear reactors.

State Revenue Forecasts project a $2.4 billion loss in revenue, the worst forecast since the Great Recession. Governor Braun unveils significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The property tax overhaul is signed in to law.

The House GOP passes a major property tax overhaul. Differences between the House and Senate budget proposals. A House committee scales back and refocuses controversial measures to eliminate DEI programs in state agencies and educational institutions.

A partisan school board elections bill advances. The Indiana House guts a bill eliminating the statute of limitations on reporting certain sex crimes. Secretary of State Diego Morales refuses to answer questions over a privately funded India trip.

A possible primary challenger for Senator Todd Young. A democratic property tax proposal.

Hundreds rally at the statehouse for property tax relief. Former State Senator Karen Tallian named the new Indiana Democratic Party Chair. Federal Democratic Senators help advance a continuing resolution, prompting outcry from many in the party.

Proposals for a major property tax system overhaul to completely change how property taxes are calculated. The role of pharmacy benefits managers in lowering the costs of medication. A proposed raise to teacher minimum wage may strain school budgets.

LEAP district spending nears $1 billion, with only Eli Lilly so far signed on. The Senate approves a study committee to look at relocating a casino. A proposal to introduce consumer protections against medical debt collection fails to advance.

A bill banning DEI in state government and public schools advances. A bill to exclude trans women from college sports heads to the House. The senate narrowly approves legislation to force school board race participants to declare a political party.

The House GOP advances their budget proposal with new money for DCS and the Department of Corrections. A controversial immigration bill passes in the House. Governor Braun threatens to veto major property tax reform if it doesn’t “improve”.

The property tax reform bill sees a major overhaul, focusing savings on older Hoosiers and disabled veterans. A committee approves major changes to the Healthy Indiana Plan. Medicaid legislation expands contraceptive access but limits methods offered.

New disciplinary charges filed against AG Todd Rokita. Governor Braun calls on local community leaders to “prove” that his property tax proposal would harm their budgets. A controversial “national identity” bill receives little support in committee.