4/9/26 - Gas Tax Holiday, Data Center Strategy, Kleinhelter Case

On today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show, the big headline is Governor Mike Braun’s decision to suspend Indiana’s sales tax on gasoline for 30 days. After weeks of pressure and rising gas prices, the move is expected to save drivers roughly 17 cents per gallon through early May. But the bigger debate is whether the state ever needed the tax revenue in the first place. If the tax can be suspended without harming the state budget, what does that say about how Indiana collects and spends taxpayer money? We break down the three separate taxes Hoosiers pay on gasoline and what Braun’s decision really means for drivers and state finances. We also dig into the politics surrounding the gas tax suspension. Many lawmakers who were silent for weeks are now celebrating the move, raising questions about why the relief wasn’t pushed sooner. The discussion examines the broader affordability claims coming from state leadership and whether rising costs—from property taxes to utilities—tell a different story. If the state can function without this tax for a month, it raises an important question about whether it should return at all once the suspension ends. Another major topic today focuses on the rapid expansion of data centers and how developers are changing their strategy. Companies are increasingly targeting land already zoned for heavy industrial use, allowing them to bypass many of the political hurdles and public hearings that typically come with rezoning requests. A proposed $2 billion data center project in Indianapolis highlights this shift, bringing with it only a few dozen permanent jobs while raising broader questions about land use, economic benefits, and the balance between development and community oversight. The show also explains how zoning rules normally protect communities and why the rezoning process is designed to be difficult. When land is already classified as industrial, however, much of that process can be avoided. That means fewer opportunities for residents to weigh in on projects that could dramatically change their communities. It’s a look at how developers are learning to navigate the system and what that could mean for future projects across Indiana. Finally, we cover a major legal development involving Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinfelter. The sheriff has been charged with false informing and official misconduct related to statements made during a theft and fraud investigation tied to jail commissary funds. The case has drawn attention because of its long and unusual history, including an extensive investigation, an 80-page probable cause affidavit, and months of unanswered questions about why charges were not initially filed. Now, prosecutors have stepped in and the case is moving forward. We also examine the broader story behind the investigation itself—how the allegations surfaced, the role of the Indiana State Police investigation, and the scrutiny that followed when the case appeared to stall. With charges now filed, the legal process begins in earnest, and the situation is likely to remain a major story in Indiana politics and law enforcement accountability in the weeks ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices