5/12/2026 Torchbearer Weekly Policy Update
Thank you for letting us be your trusted source for local, state, and federal policy updates.
Let’s dig in…
- Braun Adds Indiana Gas Tax Suspension on Top of Sales Tax Break
- Unemployment Stays Flat in Delayed March Report
- State Launches ‘Keep IN’ Initiative to Support Small Business Growth, Retention
- Federal Court Rules Against New Global Tariffs Trump Imposed After Loss at Supreme Court
- Braun’s Office Announces Expansion of Indiana Health Prices Platform
- Trump Backs Federal Gas Tax Suspension
- Cost of Raising a Child in Indiana Up Nearly 12%
- Share the Torchbearer Newsletter to with Your Network!
- Important Dates
Braun Adds Indiana Gas Tax Suspension on Top of Sales Tax Break
Gov. Mike Braun has extended the suspension of both the sales tax and the state gas tax on gasoline for another 30 days.
Why it matters: Hoosier motorists will save 59.3 cents per gallon for the next month, offering significant financial relief.
- The combined tax suspensions are expected to cost state coffers $104 million and local units $52 million.
Driving the news: The current 30-day sales tax suspension was set to end on May 8.
- Braun’s initial suspension of the 7% sales tax on gasoline had already cost $50 million.
What’s next: Braun announced plans to increase the mileage reimbursement rate for state employees using personal vehicles for work-related travel. Details are forthcoming from the governor’s office. (Inside Indiana Business)
Unemployment Stays Flat in Delayed March Report
Indiana’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.3% in March, as announced by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
Why it matters: The state continues to outperform the national unemployment rate, which is at 4.3%.
- Indiana added 5,400 private sector jobs, boosting employment in manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation and utilities, financial activities, and private educational and health services.
By the numbers: Indiana’s labor force participation rate slightly decreased to 63.3%, still higher than the national rate of 61.9%.
- The labor force included 3,493,123 individuals either employed or seeking employment.
What’s next: The state had 98,050 open job postings as of March 29.
- 20,972 continued unemployment insurance claims were filed as of April 4.
- The April unemployment report is anticipated later this month, following delays due to the previous federal government shutdown. (Inside Indiana Business)
State Launches ‘Keep IN’ Initiative to Support Small Business Growth, Retention
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation have launched Keep IN, an initiative to support small business owners planning for the future.
Why it matters: The initiative aims to reduce preventable business closures and support smoother ownership transitions. This is critical as more than half of Indiana’s small businesses are owned by individuals aged 55 or older, putting up to 906,000 jobs at risk over the next decade.
- The program includes a pilot targeting businesses in the southern and northwest regions of the state.
The big picture: Research by the Indiana Business Research Center highlights both challenges and opportunities in small business succession across the state.
- In 88 out of 92 counties, at least half of small business revenue is linked to owners over 55.
What’s next: The state will partner with the Exit Planning Institute and SMB.co to provide resources such as business valuations and transition readiness assessments.
- Workshops on succession planning will be hosted in collaboration with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. (IBJ)
Federal Court Rules Against New Global Tariffs Trump Imposed After Loss at Supreme Court
A federal court ruled against the 10% global tariffs that President Trump imposed, marking another setback for the administration.
Why it matters: The decision blocks tariff collections from specific plaintiffs and questions the extent of presidential tariff power.
- The ruling may encourage other businesses to challenge the tariffs and seek refunds.
- The legal battle could escalate to the Supreme Court if the administration appeals.
The big picture: The tariffs were initially imposed after a Supreme Court decision struck down broader tariffs last year.
- The Trump administration is investigating new tariffs against several trading partners.
What’s next: The administration is conducting investigations that could lead to additional tariffs, affecting international trade dynamics. (IBJ)
Braun’s Office Announces Expansion of Indiana Health Prices Platform
The office of Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced the expansion of the Indiana Health Prices platform, aiming to consolidate healthcare cost information.
Why it matters: This platform allows Hoosiers to make informed comparisons, potentially reducing healthcare expenses.
- The platform integrates hospital cash prices, provider-contributed data, and prescription resources.
- It serves as a one-stop resource for health cost data, accessible to residents, researchers, and policymakers.
What’s new: An Indiana Health Prices Chatbot will offer 24/7 interactive responses to simplify searches and provide unified access across state websites.
- New features include cash price transparency, expanded provider data, and a prescription resources tab.
Governor Braun’s perspective: “Transparency and affordability drive competition and lower healthcare costs,” Braun stated.
- The integration aims to empower users with confidence in comparing healthcare options.
Trump Backs Federal Gas Tax Suspension
President Trump endorsed suspension of the federal gasoline tax in an interview with CBS News Monday.
Why it matters: It marks a reversal for the White House as Republicans face political blowback over high gasoline prices.
- Last week the White House told Axios that a suspension was not "currently under consideration."
Driving the news: "[W]e're going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we'll let it phase back in," he told CBS.
Reality check: Suspending the 18.4 cent-per-gallon tax would require Congress.
- Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) posted on X that he'll introduce legislation Monday to suspend the tax.
- At least two other Capitol Hill Republicans — Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.) and Jeff Van Drew (N.J.) — also posted Monday that they're introducing bills.
- The White House did not say whether Trump would seek action from Capitol Hill.
Between the lines: Republican leaders aren't racing to embrace the idea.
- "I've not in the past obviously been a fan of that idea. But you know I've got some colleagues out there who think it's a good idea and so we'll hear them out," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters.
- He noted that the loss of the gas tax revenue could hurt the highway trust fund, and said "the best thing can happen for gas prices is for the [Strait of Hormuz] to get opened up again."
Catch up quick: Gasoline prices have soared since the start of the war with Iran.
- The U.S. average for regular gasoline is currently $4.52 per gallon, per AAA, up from just under $3 per gallon before the conflict.
What we're watching: The potential for action in Congress, which thus far has not taken up the topic.
- Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) have sponsored a bill to suspend the tax until Oct. 1, and Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas (N.H.) has a companion measure.
Go deeper: What a gas tax holiday would actually do (Axios)
Cost of Raising a Child in Indiana Up Nearly 12%
Indiana’s child care costs have increased significantly, with parents spending 23.2% of their income on raising a child.
Why it matters: Families face financial strain as costs rise, impacting economic stability.
- The annual cost is now $26,576, up 11.7% from 2025, according to Lending Tree.
The big picture: While food costs remain low, day care, rent, and transportation push expenses higher. (WISH TV)
Share the Torchbearer Newsletter with Your Network!
Not signed up for our weekly newsletter? Sign up today!
Important Dates:
Important Dates:
Tuesday, May 12 at 1:30pm: Legislative Council, Room 404
Tuesday, May 12 at 4:30pm: State Budget Committee, Room 431
Wednesday, May 13 at 1:00pm: Strategic Energy Growth Task Force, Streaming Only