On Friday, Sen. Mike Braun, the Republican gubernatorial candidate for Indiana governor, released a two-page plan for tax relief on X, formerly Twitter. 

Braun, on Twitter: “Hoosiers are hurting from an excessive property tax burden. As your next Governor, I have a plan to provide much-needed relief.

“Here’s my plan:

• “Cut homeowner property taxes

• “Cap property tax bills

• “Increase local government transparency

• “Reform the referendum process”

Braun, in a press release: “Nothing is more important than ensuring Hoosiers can afford to live in their homes without being overburdened by rising property taxes driven by rapid inflation in home values. As governor, I will introduce a bold agenda to deliver historic property tax relief for all Indiana residents. My plan focuses on capping property tax increases, updating deductions, increasing transparency, and reforming the referendum process. My commitment to this agenda stems from my dedication to protecting the financial stability and well-being of Hoosier families.”

“Hoosiers are sick and tired of politicians who will say anything to get elected. Mike Braun voted for higher Hoosier property taxes when he had the chance and is now only talking about a tax cut because he’s another politician Hoosiers are sick of.”

Donald Rainwater, Libertarian candidate for governor: “The property tax proposal that was introduced today by the Braun campaign has many concerning elements:

• “ This plan does not eliminate the possibility of Hoosiers losing their homes to tax sales.

• “ This plan reduces the rate of annual increase but does not stop the increases.

• “ This plan continues the annual increases of Hoosier homeowners’ property taxes in perpetuity.

“In summation, this is a band-aid meant to temporarily quiet the citizen’s concerns during an election year, instead of an actual resolution to the problem of Hoosiers never really owning their property.”

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl: “Hoosiers deserve real relief from rising property taxes, not gimmicks that would balloon local deficits, endanger local services, and suffocate Indiana’s housing market. From cutting care for our most vulnerable children to watching property taxes soar for seniors without immediate action, Indiana Republicans are proving they are not the party of fiscal responsibility.”

“It’s time to break their supermajority hold on the state legislature and elect Jennifer McCormick as our next governor for property tax reform that protects public schools, keeps seniors in their homes, and ensures resilience for local services.”

Hoosier Democrats will welcome former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan to French Lick on Aug. 3 to keynote the annual Lee H. Hamilton Dinner.

Indiana Ninth District Democratic Party Chair Adam Dickey: “Known for his passionate service and advocacy for hard-working families, Tim’s leadership in Congress helped transform the economic and cultural landscape of Northeast Ohio after years of disinvestment and neglect. Indiana and Ohio share a common Midwest experience and we welcome Tim’s insight as Hoosier Democrats work to bring needed change to our own state after years of being left behind by Republican administrations.

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl: “After taking on J.D. Vance directly in 2022, no one knows the dangers he, Trump, and the MAGA movement pose to working families better than my friend, former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan. Tim is a true Midwesterner and understands what working families have gone through under the Republican tax cuts for the wealthy, and stood up to champion union labor and better opportunities for all every single day in Congress. His advocacy for veterans and manufacturing helped usher in a new era of progress for working families in Northeast Ohio and the heartland from new electric vehicle production to VA benefits for veterans and families impacted by Agent Orange.

“We are excited to hear Tim speak to Hoosier Democrats in French Lick and continue the momentum around Democrats in Indiana and across the country in the coming days and weeks.”

Attorney General Todd Rokita is warning Hoosiers to watch out for scammers soliciting donations for fake charitable causes purporting to raise funds in the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. 

From the press release: “Attorney General Rokita offers the following tips:

• “Slow down. A real charity will accept your donations any day of the week. Take as much time as you need to research and feel confident about the organization before handing over your hard-earned money.

• “Know that it’s OK to ask questions. If the request for a donation is over the phone, the caller should be able to answer critical questions.

• “Know who’s making the request. Don’t assume a request to donate is legitimate because a friend posted it on social media. Your friend might not personally know about the charity or how it spends money.

• “Make sure you are dealing with a real charitable organization.

• “Always donate by credit card rather than cash or other methods. This will ensure you can access the protections available through your credit card company.

• “Research the cause or the organization. Search online for the name of the organization or cause with words like ‘review,’ ‘scam,’ or ‘complaint.’ See if others have had good or bad experiences with the charity. Check out what charity watchdog groups say about that organization.”

Rokita: “These fraudsters appeal to people’s natural sense of compassion and patriotism in order to steal their hard-earned money. Although most of us are appalled by such vile conduct, this is exactly the way scammers think and operate. They try to take advantage of difficult circumstances for their gain. We want to help good-hearted Hoosiers avoid falling for these schemes.”