Indiana Week in Review

Trump-backed candidates defeat most redistricting-opposed incumbents in GOP primaries. Eli Lilly unveils a further $4.5 billion investment in the LEAP District, bringing total investments in the state to over $20 billion since 2020. Governor Braun extends the gas sales tax pause for another 30 days, and includes a new pause to the state gas tax to save Hoosiers around $0.59 per gallon.

Indiana’s May 5 primaries to test Trump’s sway over GOP voters. Cannabis use on the rise among Hoosiers despite strict state laws, though Governor Braun has signaled a willingness to revisit state policy in the future. Indianapolis becomes one of five hubs to administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) nation-wide.

Indiana cracks down on commercial drivers licenses for noncitizens and targets their employers. Governor Braun endorses primary challengers for senators who opposed redistricting, but endorses House lawmakers who voted against it. Jennifer Dorfmeyer is named Director of the Department of Child Services, having served in an interim capacity since January.

Governor Braun seeks $200 million in child care vouchers, the money will go towards vouchers for around 14,000 children. A federal judge overturns Indiana’s ban on student IDs as a valid form of identification in voting, with the state vowing to appeal the ruling. The IEDC announces it will spend $60 million to bring Israeli tech startups to Indiana. April 17, 2026

Governor Mike Braun suspends Indiana’s 7% Gas Tax for at least 30 days over soaring costs. Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ron Gibson’s home shot at, seemingly over an upcoming vote on the Martindale-Brightwood Data Center. Another ICE detainee dies at the Miami Correctional Facility, prompting calls from Congressman André Carson to end use of the facility for immigration. April 10, 2026

Gas prices cross the $4 per gallon mark, boosted by the Iran War, spring break travel, and a move from winter fuel mixes to more expensive summer fuel. Over 500 college degree programs are consolidated, suspending, or cut under a new state law. The controversial Martindale-Brightwood data center is approved by the Metropolitan Development Commission in a 6-2 vote. April 3, 2026

Former Governor Mitch Daniels throws his support behind incumbent GOP state senators who were primaried after their votes against redistricting. The IURC holds a hearing with utilities over rates. Indiana lags behind the nation in primary care coverage.

Governor Braun commits $1 billion to bioscience sector growth, aiming to create 100,000 jobs over 10 years. Indiana ranked worst of all states for foreclosure filing rates. The FSSA could end Medicaid drug reimbursement for qualified health centers.

Governor Braun aligns with TPUSA on the formation of conservative, Christian-aligned school clubs. The syringe-exchange extension becomes law. Maureen Braun says funding is on track to sustain Indiana’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Governor Braun reflects on the 2026 legislative session. Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard joins the race for Indiana Secretary of State as an independent. The Indiana State Treasurer raises questions about the BlackRock buyout of AES Indiana.

SB1, a bill tightening eligibility for Medicaid and SNAP heads to the Governor. Lawmakers call for an investigation into rising utility costs. Late amendments to a bill dealing with commercial drivers licenses would mandate English proficiency tests.

Changes to Indiana’s bail system will be on the ballot in November. Lawmakers create a Stadium Finance Authority to help secure a possible new home for the Chicago Bears. A Cambodian man dies in ICE custody at the Miami Correctional Facility.

The disappearance and death of Fishers teenager Hailey Buzbee prompts changes to the Amber Alert system. Indiana’s May 5th primary election field is set as the deadline to file passes. Hoosiers can no longer change their gender on driver’s licenses.

A bill to align state and local law enforcement with federal immigration policy. Students walk out to protest ICE, while the state and their schools respond. A long-time member of the statehouse GOP leaves the party and will not seek reelection.

The National Guard can make arrests in certain cases. A new bill may expand these powers.

New abortion restrictions target in-state and out-of-state providers and add reporting requirements. Indiana students join national walkouts to protest the Trump Administration. Lawmakers take up efforts to dissolve or combine some township governments.

Gov. Braun gives his second State of the State address, focusing this year on affordability concerns. A proposed bill to ban social media for teenagers. The first hearing of a bill to deregulate zoning restrictions in order to reduce the cost of homes.

Lawmakers return to Indy for part 2 of the 2026 session after defeating redistricting proposals in December. High school students achieve a record-setting 92% graduation rate, the highest on record. A bill to extend syringe exchange programs.

We look ahead at some of the biggest themes emerging in 2026. Lawmakers will attempt to tackle a childcare availability crisis, lukewarm economic forecasts, and the 2026 Secretary of State candidates build their warchests.

A look back at 2025 in Indiana politics. Governor Braun makes significant changes to state agencies, data centers become a major issue for Hoosiers, and state immigration reform to support federal efforts.

Governor Braun names three new members to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Recommended changes to IPS and charter school collaboration. Candidates begin to announce their intent to run- or retire- ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The redistricting push fails in Indiana. Students may have to lock up their cellphones.

GOP redistricting map passed by committee. A new state policy to allow infants at work.

A look back at immigration policy changes in 2025. A push from Attorney General Todd Rokita to go after undocumented workers and the so-called “Speedway Slammer” collaboration between the DOC and ICE.

Organization Day offers a peek at the 2026 legislative session. Indiana University considers adopting guidelines for free expression on campus. A Whitestown man is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of a woman who came to the wrong house.

National conservative interest groups launch pro-redistricting campaign in Indiana. Local leaders gather to draw attention to funding shortfalls as a result of property tax relief legislation. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stops in Fort Wayne.

Uncertainty for the 570,000 Hoosiers who rely on SNAP. Todd Rokita sues Indianapolis Public Schools for refusing access to ICE agents without a warrant. Nearly 4% of third grade students must repeat the year after failing to pass a reading test.

Governor Braun calls a special session to redraw congressional maps in favor of Republicans. A freeze on new childcare vouchers will be in place for at least one year. The Lieutenant Governor campaigns door-to-door against an Avon school referendum.

Data centers generate opposition across the state. Competing political rallies draw thousands of Hoosiers. Purdue researchers explore Amelia Earhart’s 1937 disappearance.

The shutdown threatens food programs. U.S. border czar Tom Homan visits the statehouse and praises local law enforcement. Indiana University announces the end of all print editions of its student newspaper on the same day it fires its Director of Student Media.

V.P. Vance returns to Indiana in a renewed push for redistricting. Governor Braun blamed Democrats for Fox Sports personality Mark Sanchez’s attack in Indianapolis, then deleted his comments once the analyst was charged. The results of the IEDC audit.

The impact of the federal shutdown on Indiana’s 24,000 federal employees. Health care premiums through the ACA may double if extended credits are not approved. Purdue University cancels their GEAR UP program aimed at low-income students.

A Ball State professor sues for wrongful termination on first amendment grounds after being ousted over a post critical of Charlie Kirk. A proposed solution to data center rate hikes. Governor Braun to release the results of an audit on the IEDC.

Pete Buttigieg speaks at a rally against redistricting. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith proposes a pause on the state sales tax amid soaring utility bills. The Indiana Department of Corrections receives $16 million to convert the Miami facility for ICE use.

Indiana seeks a waiver to women and minority contracts rules. Secretary of Public Safety Jennifer-Ruth Green resigns amid an ethics investigation. A new statewide campaign to encourage independent candidates for public office.

Governor Braun appoints Abby Gray to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. The FSSA cuts voucher reimbursement rates for child care. Public meetings to discuss moving all municipal elections to presidential or mid-term elections.

Indiana Republicans visit the White House amid a pressure campaign on redistricting. Education Secretary Katie Jenner to oversee colleges and universities. The US Department of Justice sends a letter requesting access to sensitive voter information.

Disability service cuts under new Medicaid waiver changes. Health care leaders express concern in the face of major public funding cuts. Governor Braun’s trips home via helicopter cost taxpayers $24,000.

Indiana GOP Representative Craig Haggard to run for U.S. Congress. Third grade reading scores rebound to the highest since before the pandemic. Indiana University President Pamela Whitten faces allegations of plagiarism in her doctoral dissertation.

Vice President J.D. Vance meets with Republican legislators to push for midterm redistricting. Indiana agencies agree to assist ICE with immigration enforcement. Google makes a power transfer deal with I&M over a new data center in Fort Wayne.

EPA wants to undo its finding that climate change harms people. Executive order seeks to remove people experiencing homelessness from public places. Governor supports READI economic development grants. Indiana revamping how it grades schools.

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.