Braun touts prosperity in 2026 State of the State address
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Gov. Mike Braun addressing lawmakers and guests during his State of the State. Photo: Arika Herron/Axios
Gov. Mike Braun painted a picture of prosperity in his second State of the State address Wednesday night.
Why it matters: While Indiana is largely outpacing the national economy, many Hoosiers are still struggling and the agenda Braun outlined is unlikely to move the needle much this year.
The big picture: Braun is focused on job creation and issues of affordability but he's in lockstep with Statehouse leaders about not opening the budget during this short legislative session, which limits how much relief can be offered for utility, health care, child care, food or housing costs.
- The state's GDP is rising faster than the national average and surrounding states but that doesn't always translate to working families.
- Braun acknowledged that while wages are rising, "Hoosiers continue to feel squeezed by the costs of inflation."
Zoom in: Here are several takeaways from Braun's speech.
👨👩👦 No movement on child care this year
"We need to make child care more affordable and available," Braun said. "That's why I look forward to digging in during the budget session on what we can do."
Between the lines: That means he's not going to do anything this year — a non-budget session — about the number of centers closing and tens of thousands of Hoosier families on waitlists for financial assistance.
- While Democrats have called for fully funding child care vouchers in light of the state's improved economic forecast, Republicans have resisted, saying they'll consider it next year if the current economic outlook continues.
⛺️ Braun endorses controversial homelessness bill
Braun used the speech to endorse several bills, including one that critics say would criminalize homelessness.
Zoom in: Senate Bill 285 would prohibit someone from using public property for camping, sleeping or long-term shelter.
- A similar effort was defeated last year.
"Hoosiers are compassionate people," Braun said. "We feel for those who are dealing with homelessness. But we also must set clear expectations for the use of public spaces."
- Braun also endorsed legislation to reduce utility costs, the constitutional amendment to expand uses of preventative detention and bills that would address medical debt through hospitals — preventing collection from noncompliant facilities and requiring nonprofit hospitals to better advertise payment assistance programs.
😡 Dissent on display
It's no secret that American politics is full of deep divisions right now, and Wednesday's event was no exception.
Outside the chamber, a group of several dozen protesters gathered over outrage about the rash of child care centers closing and lack of state action to help.
- The group could be heard shouting "child care matters" as Braun entered the House for his address.
Inside the chamber, at least 10 lawmaker seats were empty.
What they're saying: "You cannot claim to support workers and the economy while dismantling the system that allows parents to go to work," said Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington).
The other side: "It was a good speech," said Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville). "He talked about some of the ... really good parts of the story that Indiana has to tell and we're grateful for the governor highlighting that for us."
Between the lines: Braun's relationship with the legislature, particularly the Senate, was strained during the redistricting debate. He's said he'll support primary challengers to those Republicans who did not support the measure.
- Every piece of legislation Braun endorsed in his speech is authored by lawmakers who voted in favor of redistricting.
What we're watching: How much this fractured supermajority actually gets passed in the next six weeks.
🏈 We're a football state now
I'm not sure who we should be thanking — Curt Cignetti or Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
Driving the ball: In primetime and in front of the Indiana General Assembly, Braun assured Hoosiers that he's "working hard" to bring the Chicago Bears to Indiana.
Why it matters: This feels like more than a PR stunt from an NFL team trying to squeeze more incentives out of their current locale.
- Plus: Roger Goodell seems like too busy a guy to be touring Northwest Indiana for kicks and giggles.
Catch up quick: Pritzker has rejected requests from the team for additional incentives to build a new stadium in or around Chicago.
- Last month, Bears CEO Kevin Warren said in a letter the team would start looking outside Cook County for its next stadium — including in Northwest Indiana.
- Indiana leaders have jumped at the chance — including Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, both of whom have reportedly met with NFL leaders and were in attendance at Wednesday night's speech.
Yes, but: Braun and his team were sparse on details about what "working hard" means.
The bottom line: Bears or no Bears, we have Cignetti and his Indiana Hoosiers.
- On the eve of the team preparing for the program's first-ever national championship game, that's the team that got a shoutout to close out Braun's speech and one of the biggest applause lines of the night.