Braun touts first-year wins amid redistricting fallout
“I’m holding nothing against anyone when it comes to what we do collectively there” on kitchen table issue bills, he told the Capital Chronicle.
Hoosier Gov. Mike Braun is weeks away from wrapping up his first year as Indiana’s top leader and took time this week to dissect his successes and failures.
In a Tuesday sit-down interview with the Capital Chronicle, Braun pointed to big changes in property taxes, education, public safety, economic development and more.
An estimated two-thirds of homeowners will pay less in property taxes next year than they do this year under an immense local government finance bill Braun signed into law in April.
“That’s significant,” he said of the changes.
“The lesson to be learned was that the Senate gives you Senate Bill 1 and then completely guts it. You know, where it had to be rebuilt was in the House,” Braun said. “… It took three months to get it back to record property tax relief.”
The final product remained very different from Braun’s original plan, which he acknowledged faced greater opposition from cash-strapped units of local government.
“I don’t think we ended up too far from where we would have been anyway,” he said.
But his tussle with the Senate presented a “fairly similar dynamic” to another major test of the new governor’s power: fulfilling President Donald Trump’s demand for a congressional redraw benefiting Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The 50-member Senate rejected the new maps last week on a vote of 31-19, with 21 Republicans joining all 10 Democrats in opposition. The defeat came despite threats of primary competition from Trump, Braun and spendy political groups.
“It will have consequences, most likely, and the White House has said that they’re not going to forget it,” Braun said. But it “doesn’t define what happens going forward” on other topics.
“I wouldn’t try to extrapolate on more of a federal issue — redistricting — in terms of what that means on all the kitchen table issues,” he said.
Beyond redistricting
Braun touted a wide range of wins:
- Education: entry-level teacher pay increased; public colleges and universities froze tuition; income limits on state-funded private school vouchers were removed.
- Public safety: Indiana inked cooperation agreements with federal immigration officials; state police seized more illicit drugs.
- Economic development: The state’s economy is growing faster than neighbors and the U.S. average; cost per incentivized job is down; average incentivized job wages are up.
“We did a forensic audit to get to the bottom of what was going on,” Braun said of the controversial Indiana Economic Development Corp.
The analysis identified lackluster oversight and questionable spending from 2022 through 2024, emphasizing a need for greater transparency.
“What they did do may have had merit, but it can’t be cloaked in opaqueness so you can’t see what the heck you’re doing. We’ve turned all that around,” Braun said.
His remake of the quasi-public agency has included an entirely new board of directors.
Braun has also overhauled the state panel that oversees utility companies, naming three new “ratepayer-conscious” commissioners last week.
Braun, a businessman who owns Meyer Distributing, additionally highlighted fiscal progress.
Amid slower revenue growth, he led the push to slash state spending. Agencies have cut staff, contracts and more to comply, although some nabbed exemptions.
“We got hit with an austere budget forecast, and our cash flow’s already exceeding it,” Braun said, “meaning things I was asking for — in terms of running government more leanly, more efficiently — has paid off.”
His reorganization of government, featuring verticals led by cabinet secretaries, has made it “easier to do business with the state.”
“It’s been surprising how much we’ve been able to do through executive orders and just better management,” he said.
It was through an executive order that agencies completed an exhaustive review of “diversity, equity and inclusion,” or DEI, initiatives throughout state government, complete with plans to remove certain programs, positions and more.
Another executive order kicked off major changes to government food assistance.
A recent statewide poll, however, found that Hoosiers aren’t enamored with Braun’s job performance so far. About 32% approved and 50% disapproved.
Looking forward
Braun indicated administration members “weren’t able to craft, really, any of our own legislation” in the 2025 session. The Legislature reconvened before he was even inaugurated.
The administration hasn’t yet unveiled a specific legislative agenda, even though lawmakers have already spent two weeks of the 2026 session on redistricting. They also have pledged to cut work next year short by two weeks to avoid extra expense to taxpayers.
“Even though it won’t be very long or extensive,” Braun said, “we’ll still maybe work forward” and “buil(d) upon what we did in the first year.”
He said lowering health care costs remains a top priority along with education and utilities.
“I’m really looking at anything that’s going to take the kitchen table issues, whether it comes from the Senate or the House, and see what we can do to make that better for Hoosiers,” Braun said. “And I’m holding nothing against anyone when it comes to what we do collectively there.”
Dozens of bills have already been filed. Lawmakers gather again beginning Jan. 5.
Asked what he’s looking forward to in the interim, Braun said he fishes and hunts — including for mushrooms — and manages timber grounds.
“I didn’t give up the things I really like,” he added, despite the demands of public office. “I love nature.”
His favorite foraged fungi are shelves of oyster mushrooms.
“You can find them all throughout the year. They’re not near as particular as a morel would be,” Braun said. “Most years, (morels) decide just not to come up due to it being too warm or not moist enough, and they say, ‘See you maybe next year.’”
Gov. Braun Announces $207 Million Federal Grant to Launch GROW: Cultivating Rural Health
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana was awarded nearly $207 million for the first year of a five-year federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to improve health outcomes in the state’s rural communities. The funding will support GROW (Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being): Cultivating Rural Health, a five-year initiative designed to enhance healthcare access and data, quality, and outcomes through system innovation and collaboration.
This initial award is more than the $200 million a year the state requested Nov. 4 in its application. The award was based on a variety of factors, including the state’s rural metrics, the proposals to enhance access and quality of care in rural communities and initiatives in the application that will have the greatest potential to impact the health of rural communities.
Gov. Mike Braun has directed the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) and the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) to implement the program. GROW represents a comprehensive effort to strengthen rural healthcare systems by promoting innovation, building strategic partnerships, developing infrastructure, and investing in the healthcare workforce.
“Indiana’s rural communities are the backbone of our state, and this investment will help ensure that every Hoosier, regardless of where they live, has access to high-quality, sustainable healthcare,” Gov. Braun said. “Through GROW, we are building a healthier, stronger Indiana.”
GROW focuses on five key goals to transform rural healthcare delivery:
- Make Rural Indiana Healthy Again: Continue Gov. Braun’s initiative with a focus on rural health innovations and new access points to promote preventive care and address chronic disease prevention. Projects will use evidence-based, outcomes-driven interventions to improve disease prevention, chronic disease management, behavioral health and prenatal care.
- Provide Sustainable Access: Strengthen the long-term sustainability of rural clinicians and facilities by improving efficiency and collaboration. GROW will help rural providers coordinate operations, technology, and services with regional systems to expand access to primary, specialty, and emergency care.
- Improve the Rural Health Workforce: Attract and retain skilled healthcare professionals by enhancing recruitment and retention strategies. GROW will provide resources to rural clinicians and expand the healthcare team with community health workers, behavioral health specialists and other professionals trained to support patients in navigating the healthcare system.
- Implement New Ways to Provide Care: Encourage innovative service models, including for prenatal care, and payment mechanisms that improve outcomes, coordinate care, and reduce costs.
- Leverage Technology: Expand the use of digital health tools and technologies to improve care delivery and data sharing. Projects will enhance access to remote care, strengthen data systems, and invest in emerging technologies that support rural healthcare providers and patients.
Indiana’s vision is to ensure that rural Hoosiers have the same opportunities to thrive as their urban neighbors. To achieve this, the state plans to implement 12 GROW initiatives that align with RHTP goals.
Eleven of these initiatives will be implemented statewide to address systemic challenges such as workforce development and infrastructure. Taking the opportunity to lean into the fact that local communities know their needs best, a large portion of the funding (each year for five years) will be provided directly to rural communities through Make Rural Indiana Healthy Again Regional Grants. These grants will engage local stakeholders to identify community-specific needs and opportunities for resource sharing.
By combining statewide frameworks with local expertise, Indiana is creating a comprehensive and adaptable approach to improving rural health outcomes, ensuring that solutions are both effective and tailored to the unique contexts of each community.
Important Changes to SNAP Benefits Starting January 1
Indiana is launching Smart SNAP, a new initiative to promote healthier food choices. Beginning January 1, 2026, sugary drinks and candy will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. This change is part of Governor Braun’s Make Indiana Healthy Again initiative. Learn more about what this means for you by visiting the Smart SNAP webpage.
Governor Braun signed Executive Order 25-55: Making Indiana Healthy Again by Enhancing Nutrition in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on April 15, 2025, instructing the FSSA Division of Family Resources to apply for a waiver from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to exclude candy and soft drinks from SNAP eligible products.
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service approved DFR’s SNAP Food Restriction Waiver on May 22,2025, and the exclusion of candy and sugary drinks from being purchased using SNAP benefits will begin Jan. 1, 2026.
Timeline:
- April 15, 2025
- Governor Braun signed Executive Order 25-55: Making Indiana Healthy Again by Enhancing Nutrition in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Division of Family Resources submitted the SNAP Food Restriction Waiver
- May 22, 2025 – USDA Food and Nutrition Service approved the waiver
Smart SNAP definitions:
- Candy: A preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. The term does not include any preparation requiring refrigeration
- Sugary drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages that contain natural or artificial sweeteners. The term does not include beverages that contain milk or milk products, soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes, or are exclusively naturally sweetened using natural vegetable and/or fruit juice
USI announces the 2026 Hall of Fame Class
Any Screaming Eagles fan was eligible to nominate student athletes or teams on the 10th anniversary of their last season of competition, or a coach/administrator who has been separated from USI Athletics for two years.
This year’s class includes Matt Chavarria ’18 (Baseball 2014-15); MacKenzi Dorsam ’15, M’18 (Softball 2012-15); Anna Hackert ’16 (Women’s Basketball 2011-2015); Brooke Harmening ’15 (Softball 2012-15); Craig Shoobridge ’99 (Baseball 1993-96), and the 2002 Volleyball Team.
“I continue to be amazed by the number of outstanding student-athletes and teams this University has produced,” said USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall. “The Class of 2026 truly represents our growing tradition here at USI. The five individuals and one team that will be honored in January are truly worthy of this extraordinary honor. I know that the entire USI community is proud of this class and what it accomplished while at USI.”
In addition to the induction of the Hall of Fame Class of 2026, USI is inducting Jerry Altstadt, Roger Griffin, and Robby Kent into the Athletic Hall of Distinction for contributions to the success of the University’s varsity programs.
Reservations for the January 21 induction ceremony must be made in advance and online by clicking on USI Athletic Hall of Fame Tickets. For more information, contact the USI Ticket Office at 812-465-1189.
2026 USI ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS
Matt Chavarria, Baseball: One of the heroes of the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship team, Chavarria was a dominant closer and shortstop for the Screaming Eagles. He was named the Most Valuable Player in the NCAA Division II Baseball National Finals after posting two saves and winning the national championship game as the winning pitcher in relief.
During his two seasons with USI, Chavarria was named second-team All-American (2015); first-team All-Midwest Region by Daktronics/D2SIDA (2015); second-team All-Midwest Region by the ABCA (2015), second-team Daktronics All-Midwest Region (2014); GLVC co-Pitcher of the Year (2015), first-team All-GLVC East Division (2014, 2015). He set a USI career record with a two-year 1.99 ERA, breaking a 40-year USI mark, and finished his career ranked second all-time at USI with 18 saves.
For more on Chavarria, visit his bio on USIScreamingEagles.com.
MacKenzi Dorsam, Softball: Dorsam concluded her dominating career ranked first all-time at USI in walks (82), second in runs scored (142), third in home runs (24), and fourth in RBIs (126). Her 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 2015 were the second-most in a single-season in program history. Dorsam also reached base safely in 163 of 188 career games, including 128 of 146 games in her final three seasons.
In addition to her statistics, Dorsam was the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Player of the Year and the GLVC Player of the Year during 2015 when she led the GLVC in batting average (.427), slugging percentage (.803), on-base percentage (.534), and total bases (126). She also was named All-American twice (2014, 2015), All-Region three times (2013, 2014, 2015), Academic All-America (2015), the USI Female Student-Athlete of the Year (2015), and GLVC Scholar Athlete of the Year (2015).
For more on Dorsam’s career, visit her bio on USIScreamingEagles.com.
Anna Hackert, Women’s Basketball: A two-time All-American (2014, 2015) by both the WBCA and the Women’s Division II Bulletin, Hackert finished her career as the program’s all-time career rebounding leader with 1,009. She also finished her career ranked first all-time at USI in career double-doubles (46), second in made free throws (421) and free throw attempts (568) in a career, third in career scoring (1,607), fourth in career field goals (593), and fifth in career blocks (87).
Hackert was a three-time first-team All-GLVC honoree (2013, 2014, 2015) as well as a three-time All-Midwest Region honoree (2013, 2014, 2015), including a two-time second-team honoree and a one-time first-team award winner. She also earned GLVC Player of the Week honors eight times throughout her career.
For more on Hackert’s career, visit her bio on USIScreamingEagles.com.
Brooke Harmening, Softball: Harmening finished her career as USI’s all-time leader in career wins (74), innings pitched (796.1), and strikeouts (642), while tying for first all-time with two career no-hitters. She also finished fourth all-time at USI with 19 career shutouts. Harmening, at the plate, ranked second all-time at USI in doubles (47), home runs (25), and tied for second in RBIs (127).
The USI hurler also was a four-time All-GLVC performer (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), in addition to earning All-Midwest Region honors three times (2013, 2014, 2015).
For more on Harmening’s career, visit her bio on USIScreamingEagles.com.
Craig Shoobridge, Baseball: Following his four-year career, the Shoobridge name is all over the top 10 records kept for different pitching categories. Shoobridge is eighth in career starts (34), ninth in innings pitched (246.1), sixth in complete games (17), first in shutouts in a career (6), and first in shutouts in a season (3). He also is fifth in career strikeouts (189) and eighth in career wins (21), while also pitching a no-hitter in 1996.
Shoobridge was a part of a USI pitching staff from 1993 to 1994 that included Greg Orr (2019 Hall of Fame inductee), Todd Niemeier (2008 Hall of Fame inductee), and Mike Fetscher (2007 Hall of Fame inductee).
Give a Lifesaving Gift at the New Year, New Life Blood Drive
Evansville, Ind. — The community is invited to show their support for patients in need this winter by donating blood products during the New Year, New Life Blood Drive on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Eastland Mall. Your lifesaving gift can help ensure premature babies, cancer patients, those living with sickle cell disease and more have access to a safe and stable blood supply.
Twins Arthur and Tarrant McDaniel were born prematurely on January 23, 2020. The McDaniel twins spent more than 80 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, where they received lifesaving blood transfusions. Tarrant was also eventually transferred to Riley Children’s Hospital, where he underwent open heart surgery at three months old to repair a rare heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot.
“I want to say thank you to the blood donors who saved my twins’ lives,” said mother Nicole McDaniel. “Arthur and Tarrant are such strong and caring little boys. You would never know now that they spent so much time in the hospital when they were born.”
Nicole McDaniel is available for media interviews on Monday, December 22, between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. CT. Please contact Regional Communications Director Isis Chaverri at 317-914-5744 to coordinate an interview.
Access b-roll here.
The winter months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood to meet patient needs. Holiday travel, severe winter weather and seasonal illness could force donors to cancel or reschedule blood donation appointments, which could impact the blood supply.
New Year, New Life Blood Drive
Friday, January 2, 2026
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Eastland Mall
800 N. Green River Road
Evansville, IN 47715
To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code donorama or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Those who come to give Dec. 19, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.
HOT JOBS
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UE travels to Bradley on Monday evening
Aces and Braves to meet at 7 p.m.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In search of its first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team travels to Bradley for a 7 p.m. game on Monday.
ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.
Last Time Out
– Trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, the Purple Aces rallied in the final minutes before dropping a 66-65 decision to Drake on Dec. 21
– Connor Turnbull put together his top collegiate performance with 20 points, a career-high 15 boards, and 3 blocks
– AJ Casey scored 12 points while Alex Hemenway added 11 points
Taking it to another Level
– In the home game against Drake, Connor Turnbull recorded the third double-double of his career and second of the season finishing with 20 points and 15 boards
– His 15 caroms was a career-high and improved his average to 6.5 per game – 6th in the Valley – over his last five games, Turnbull is averaging 19 points and 10 boards
– Turnbull’s scoring average of 14.45 PPG ranks sixth in the conference
MVC Debut
– AJ Casey has a pair of 12-point outings in his first two MVC games
– Casey now has six double digit games on the season and is averaging 8.5 PPG
– Over his last five games, Casey is averaging 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds
– Casey picked up three steals in each MVC game and is 8th in the league with his season average of 1.54/game
– He is UE’s second-leading rebounder with 5.4 per game including 11 versus Ball State
Scouting the Opponent
– Bradley heads into Monday’s game with a 9-4 record and sit at 2-0 through two MVC games
– The Braves opened the league slate with a 108-99 triple overtime win at Indiana State before defeating Southern Illinois by a score of 73-69 on Dec. 21
– Jaquan Johnson leads the Braves with 18.5 points per game
– Johnson paces BU with 47 steals and is tied for the team lead with 44 assists
– Alex Huibregtse checks in with 12.4 PPG while Demarion Burch is averaging 10.3 PPG
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.