By Johnny Kincaid Of the City County Observer

Governor Mike Braun has brought his business acumen to state government, applying his executive experience to managing Indiana’s finances. While we may not agree with him on every executive order or legislative priority, his dedication to reducing the tax burden on Hoosiers is commendable. Senate Bill 01, a bill aimed at cutting property taxes, is a prime example, though it has met resistance from city and county officials across the state.

The primary concern surrounding SB 1 is its potential impact on local governments and school districts that rely on property taxes for funding. Braun has emphasized fiscal discipline, advocating for tighter spending controls. His confidence and ability to communicate his vision have been evident, and we have always found him approachable and willing to engage with constituents. This is why his recent visit to Evansville left us perplexed.

The governor’s itinerary last Friday included stops in Terre Haute and Evansville to discuss his tax plan. The day before, a media advisory stated that Braun would participate in a fireside chat with a constituent in Terre Haute and a roundtable discussion with invited guests in Evansville. However, the advisory failed to mention that these events were private, with the doors firmly shut to the public.

In Evansville, the event took place in the Browning Room at the Central Library, which can accommodate over 100 people and is frequently used for public meetings. Instead of an open forum, the discussion was limited to two preselected participants: the governor and press members. A small group of citizens arrived, hoping to voice their concerns about taxes, but surprisingly, they found themselves locked out.

This approach is uncharacteristic of the Mike Braun we know. He is more than capable of addressing constituents’ questions directly. However, in past interactions, we have noticed a pattern: his staff appears overly protective, sometimes to his detriment. When Braun was a candidate and spoke at the CCO Community Service Awards, his handlers attempted to control every aspect of his participation, from selecting who introduced him to screening all questions in advance. Such excessive micro-management turns meaningful dialogue into a staged media event, robbing Braun and his constituents of genuine engagement.

Following the Evansville event, the governor’s office released a statement quoting Braun as saying, “I want to thank all of the people of Indiana that came to meet with me in Terre Haute and Evansville today to share their stories and express their concerns with soaring property taxes.” This statement was puzzling, as it suggested widespread public participation when, in reality, access was tightly restricted, and the governor did not meet with large numbers of people.

Avoidable missteps in public interaction should not overshadow Governor Braun’s policy efforts. Although he has demonstrated leadership in fiscal matters, his team must recognize that transparency and direct engagement with constituents are essential to maintaining public trust. The people of Indiana voted for a straight-talking governor.

We hope that future events reflect the openness and accessibility that Hoosiers deserve. The City-County Observer is willing to facilitate an open conversation with the governor any time he would like to come and meet with more of the people who placed their faith in him at the ballot box.