Ditch Mike Braun

Power Grab: Silencing Alumni at Indiana University

In May 2025, Governor Mike Braun signed a last-minute amendment into the state budget bill (HEA 1001), stripping Indiana University alumni of their 100-year-old democratic right to elect three of the nine Board of Trustees members. The law gives the governor absolute control to appoint all nine members and fire them at will.

The ACLU of Indiana filed a major constitutional lawsuit in response, charging that singling out IU while leaving alumni representation intact at every other Indiana state university is an unconstitutional "special legislation" power grab.

Should a governor strip alumni of their democratic voice to exert direct political control over our universities?

View Source on ACLU of Indiana »

Partisan Gerrymandering and Political Bullying

In late 2025, Governor Braun partnered with national political allies in an aggressive push for a mid-decade congressional redistricting map. The goal was transparent: gerrymander Indiana's congressional boundaries to wipe out the state's remaining two Democratic-held districts ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Despite massive pressure, a coalition of 21 Republican senators crossed party lines to join Democrats, resoundingly defeating the map 31-19 on December 11, 2025. Infuriated by the defeat, Braun immediately vowed to recruit and endorse primary opponents to unseat the Republican senators who voted against the gerrymander.

Should governors be spending taxpayer resources on partisan gerrymandering and bullying their own legislators?

View Source on Ballotpedia »

Mike Braun slashes critical services

• Office of Secretary of State: 14% cut
• Indiana Destination Development Corporation: 85% cut
• Indiana Economic Development Corporation: 30% cut
• Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority: 64% cut
• Local public health initiative: 64% cut
• State Board of Education: 46% cut
• Preventative maintenance and repairs for many correctional facilities, state parks and state hospitals: Eliminated

How does gutting health, education, housing, and parks help Hoosiers?

View Source on IndyStar.com »

Your Money, His Mansion

While Hoosiers face budget cuts, public records reveal over $118,000 in taxpayer-funded "security" upgrades were made to Mike Braun's private family home in Jasper. These weren't just fences; the improvements included a gravel helipad for his private use.

When essential services are cut, should Hoosiers be funding a politician's private airport?

View Source on Indiana Capital Chronicle »

Budget Denies Preschool to Thousands

As a result of the budget signed by Governor Braun, Indiana's "On My Way Pre-K" program is being drastically cut. The number of children served has been slashed by over half, from 6,200 to just 2,500—while more than 17,000 children were already on the waiting list.

This decision reverses years of progress in early childhood education, removing a critical lifeline for low-income families. It will likely force parents out of the workforce and create "child care deserts" across the state.

How does denying education to our youngest and most vulnerable children put Hoosiers first?

View Source on WFYI.org »

Tolls: A Costly and Inefficient Burden

The new law signed by Mike Braun, allowing tolls on all Indiana interstates, isn't just a fee—it's an inefficient and regressive tax. A significant portion of every dollar you pay won't even go to the roads; it will be eaten up by the high administrative costs of the tolling companies themselves.

Worse, this policy creates new problems. To avoid the fees, cars and heavy trucks will divert onto our local streets. Studies have shown this leads to more traffic, more accidents, and more wear and tear on the local roads.

Is more traffic, more danger, and more tax what hoosiers want?

View Source on Local12.com »

Pink Slips for Public Servants

As the direct result of the budget signed by Mike Braun, at least 50 state employees have been laid off. These are not statistics; they are real Hoosiers with families who have lost their jobs. The layoffs include:

• 16 employees at the Indiana State Library
• 14 at the Indiana School for the Deaf
• 6 at the Department of Education
• 3 at the Commission for Higher Education

Are these the "tough choices" that benefit everyday Hoosiers, or just the consequences of a mismanaged budget?

View Source on Indiana Capital Chronicle »

Raises for the Powerful, Cuts for Hoosiers

In a time of statewide budget cuts and layoffs for public servants, the Braun administration has quietly made its eight cabinet secretaries among the highest-paid employees in the state, with salaries of $275,000 per year.

This decision to award massive paychecks to a handful of political appointees, while services for education, health, and state parks are slashed, raises serious questions about this administration's priorities and its respect for taxpayer money.

Is this fiscal responsibility, or just taking care of political insiders?

View Source on Indiana Capital Chronicle »

Cuts Create "Crisis" at School for the Deaf

The budget signed by Governor Braun has created a "crisis" at the Indiana School for the Deaf. The school suffered a 5% budget cut, leading to the layoff of 26 staff members, including teachers, nurses, and janitorial staff.

As a result, overnight healthcare for students has been eliminated and a summer camp has been canceled. Governor Braun dismissed the cuts as not "draconian" and suggested the school find "efficiencies."

Is cutting services for deaf children fiscally responsible or just cruel?

View Source on WTHR.com »