Braun vows action on Day One and unveils legislative priorities
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Gov.-elect Mike Braun's team says he'll start taking action to streamline state government on Day One of his administration.
The big picture: The Republican defeated Democrat Jennifer McCormick last month, promising to bring his business savvy to the Statehouse and deliver a more limited, efficient and conservative government. He will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Driving the news: Braun released his 2025 agenda Tuesday, prioritizing property tax relief, shrinking state government, increasing teacher pay and cutting health care and energy costs.
Zoom in: Sources on Braun's team say the governor-elect won't be afraid to utilize executive action where he can and plans to start making moves on his very first day in office.
- Already, he's announced plans to reorganize and shrink the governor's cabinet from more than two dozen to eight cabinet secretaries who will oversee related state government offices and departments.
- His agenda includes creating an Office of School Safety, which will work with schools to implement best practices.
- He's calling for the state to adopt an "all of the above" energy strategy and to develop "next-generation nuclear energy."
Between the lines: Most of Braun's bigger agenda items, such as property tax reform, will require legislative approval.
- Braun is calling for a cap on property tax increases that would apply on top of existing tax caps and is calling for a return to "pre-COVID" property tax bills for homeowners.
- He also wants lawmakers to lift the income cap for participation in the state's private-school voucher program.
- Braun's public safety priorities include combating drug trafficking and addressing illegal immigration.
The intrigue: Braun's plan also calls for increasing the base pay for teachers and creating a performance-based compensation plan.
- The plan doesn't include a figure for what that base pay should be.
Yes, but: Schools also rely on property tax dollars, which would be cut under his plan.
- His team said it's confident that schools that make better teacher pay a priority can direct more dollars into the classroom and teachers' pockets, even while receiving less from property taxes.
Reality check: Starting teacher pay has risen from a minimum of $32,275 to $40,000 since 2020 and average pay is up nearly $7,000 to over $60,000.
What's next: Legislators return to the Statehouse Jan. 8.
- Braun's swearing-in ceremony is Jan. 13.