7/28/2026 Torchbearer Weekly Policy Update
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- Record-High Number of Indiana School Districts Ask Voters for Property Tax Increases
- Distributions Underway to Repay Local Governments for Gas Tax Suspension
- Braun Appoints New Indiana Utility Regulator
- Braun Welcomes Feedback on New Child Care Center Rules
- Trump to Impose New Double-Digit Tariffs on Imports from 60 Countries
- Braun Among 23 GOP Governors to Sign Trump’s Data Center Pledge
- Braun Directs State to Revisit Coal Power Plant Closures
- Braun Signs Cybersecurity Executive Order
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- Important Dates
Record-High Number of Indiana School Districts Ask Voters for Property Tax Increases
A record number of Indiana school districts are asking voters to approve property tax increases due to recent reforms.
Why it matters: These referendums are crucial for maintaining essential services amidst new state laws that compress voting opportunities and limit revenue.
- Schools face significant financial pressure with the restriction of referendums to general elections and a new property tax relief bill.
Details: At least 38 districts are requesting referendums for operating expenses, capital needs, or security projects.
- Many are renewing existing voter-approved tax hikes that don’t expire this year.
- The recent property tax reforms are cited as a key driver.
The bottom line: Despite a record number of ballot questions, most districts have never pursued a referendum, highlighting the challenges and stakes in securing voter support for these financial measures. (Chalkbeat)
Distributions Underway to Repay Local Governments for Gas Tax Suspension
Indiana will cover local losses from the state’s gas tax suspension, distributing $121 million to local governments this week.
Why it matters: This move supports local infrastructure and offsets revenue losses from suspended fuel taxes due to high prices linked to the Iran conflict.
- The funds will be distributed through several accounts, including the Motor Vehicle Highway Account.
- Local governments are expected to forego a combined $533 million during the suspension period.
What’s next: Further relief for drivers may require a special legislative session.
- Governor Braun has suggested using the state’s surplus to replenish the State Highway Fund.
The bottom line: Indiana’s proactive financial management allows for continued support of local infrastructure without raising taxes.
- State tax collections increased by 6.8% in fiscal 2026, boosting reserves to nearly $4 billion. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Braun Appoints New Indiana Utility Regulator
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced the appointment of Joby Jerrells to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Why it matters: This move underscores Braun’s commitment to ensuring affordable and reliable utility services for Hoosiers.
- Jerrells‘ extensive legal experience and public service record position him well to address utility rate concerns.
- The IURC plays a critical role in regulating utility rates, impacting Indiana residents directly.
Background: Jerrells is set to replace David Veleta, who resigned following the commission’s approval of a contentious $71 million rate hike for AES Indiana.
- Jerrells has served as chief counsel at the Indiana Office of the Attorney General and held significant roles in ethics and legal counsel in the U.S. Army and for former Vice President Mike Pence.
What’s next: The IURC will continue to address petitions for rehearing the AES case, which could influence future utility regulations and rates. (IBJ)
Braun Welcomes Feedback on New Child Care Center Rules
Gov. Mike Braun signaled this week that he's open to revising draft child care regulations after pushback from providers.
Why it matters: Providers across the state say proposed rules that lower educational standards for early childhood teachers will hurt the industry and the kids it serves.
Driving the news: While touring a child care center on Indy's near east side Tuesday, Braun reiterated what he's been saying for months — that expanding access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education programs will be a priority during next year's budget-writing session.
- When Axios asked if some of the proposed changes conflict with that goal, Braun said his team will "look at the rules and make sure that they're not inhibiting what I'm going to try to do."
Catch up quick: In June, the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning proposed an overhaul of rules for licensed child care providers in home- and center-based settings, including those addressing education requirements for providers and caregiver-to-child ratios.
- Providers and early-learning advocates say some of the revisions could come at the expense of quality.
- Lowering the lead teacher requirement from some form of higher education (college or a specialized credential) to a high school diploma risks undermining program quality and child outcomes, according to the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children.
At the Shepherd Community Center's early learning facilitator that Braun toured — and praised — this week, all lead teachers have, or are working toward, a credential or degree in early child education or development.
- Plus, all staff receive 25 hours of additional training each year.
- Jay Height, the Shepherd Center's executive director, said they'd continue to pay for staff to earn their Child Development Associate credential even if educational requirements were lowered because "it's going to help them better serve our kids."
The latest: The early childhood office is reviewing the 230 comments received during the first public comment period, which closed this month.
Between the lines: When the proposed changes were announced, Braun said that by "reducing administrative burdens and unnecessary expenses, Indiana is empowering child care businesses to grow and innovate."
- On Tuesday, Braun said he welcomes the pushback he's received from early childhood providers. Education, he said, has to be part of the equation for high-quality providers.
- "It's more than child care," he said. "It's going to be how we get a 'twofer' as we do it."
What's next: A spokesperson for the Family and Social Services Administration, which oversees the early childhood office, told Axios any changes made will be published with the notice for a second public comment period.
- The start of the comment period and subsequent public hearing have yet to be set. (Axios)
Trump to Impose New Double-Digit Tariffs on Imports from 60 Countries
President Trump will impose double-digit tariffs on imports from 60 countries due to forced labor violations, announced by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Why it matters: This action affects 99.4% of U.S. imports and targets Washington’s top trading partners, aiming to eliminate forced labor from global supply chains.
- Countries with commitments to enforce forced labor prohibitions face a 10% tariff.
- Those without such commitments face a 12.5% tariff.
The latest: Tariffs, effective midnight Friday, replace those under Section 122, using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
- These tariffs follow the Supreme Court’s ruling against the “liberation day” tariffs.
What they’re saying: “The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century,” Greer stated, emphasizing the need for global enforcement.
What’s next: More tariffs are anticipated, including a 50% tariff on certain Canadian goods and potential tariffs related to wildfire management issues. (The Hill)
Braun Among 23 GOP Governors to Sign Trump’s Data Center Pledge
Indiana Governor Mike Braun is among 23 Republican governors endorsing Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge to protect against utility rate hikes from data center projects.
Why it matters: The pledge mandates data center developers cover infrastructure costs and hire locally, aiming to bolster local economies and manage energy demands.
- This initiative aligns with Trump’s vision of data centers as “money machines” fueling job growth.
The big picture: As AI demand surges, data centers play a pivotal role in tech infrastructure.
- Braun’s IN AI initiative aims to make Indiana the “most AI-ready state,” enhancing local business capabilities.
What’s next: Over 200 electricity providers and 30 developers, including AES and Indiana Michigan Power, have joined the pledge, signaling robust industry support.
Go deeper: You can track data centers projects across the state here. (Indy Star)
Indiana Officials Aim to Inspire Nuclear Development—Starting with Local-Level Support
Indiana Michigan Power plans to retire the coal-burning units at its Rockport plant, a key energy, job, and tax revenue source for southern Indiana.
Why it matters: The potential closure could devastate local schools and economy, but I&M’s plans offer hope.
- I&M, owned by AEP, seeks approval for a 1,520-megawatt natural gas facility at Rockport.
- It’s also exploring nuclear options, supported by federal grant applications for a small modular reactor.
The big picture: The Braun administration’s “all-of-the-above approach” to energy focuses on nuclear development.
- The Indiana Advanced Nuclear Ready Community program aims to introduce nuclear energy, highlighting small modular reactors as a viable option.
- Despite no completed projects in the U.S., small modular reactors are seen as affordable and offering economic benefits.
What they’re saying: Spencer County Commissioner Jim Seiler and Gov. Mike Braun support the nuclear direction.
- Seiler emphasizes the necessity of energy and sees nuclear and gas as the way forward.
- Critics like Kerwin Olson argue it perpetuates reliance on big projects and base-load plants instead of renewable energy. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Braun Directs State to Revisit Coal Power Plant Closures
Gov. Mike Braun has ordered a review of settlements that aimed to close coal power plants in Indiana before reaching their typical service life.
Why it matters: This review addresses concerns over Indiana’s ability to meet future energy demands amid projected retirement of over 7 gigawatts of coal electricity.
- The North American Electric Reliability Corporation warns Indiana may lack resources to meet upcoming demand.
Driving the news: Braun’s order targets settlements lacking wrongdoing allegations and agreements made without Indiana’s participation in federal negotiations.
- Recent federal support for coal plants, including $700 million for infrastructure, aligns with Braun’s initiative.
What’s next: The state secretary of energy and natural resources will assess the impact of extending retiring plants’ operations on ratepayers.
- Agencies are directed to advocate for affordable, reliable baseload electric generation in federal proceedings. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Braun Signs Cybersecurity Executive Order
The State of Indiana is launching a comprehensive effort to enhance cybersecurity across government sectors.
Why it matters: Cybersecurity is crucial for protecting Indiana’s infrastructure from cyberattacks that could disrupt daily life and economic stability.
- A cyberattack poses significant risks to personal, professional, and financial security.
- Indiana aims to institutionalize cybersecurity within state agencies to safeguard its citizens.
The big picture: The Indiana Executive Council on Cybersecurity has laid the groundwork for this initiative, which will be led by the newly established Office of Cybersecurity within the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
- This office will coordinate efforts across various state agencies and collaborate with national partners.
What’s next: The Office of Cybersecurity will engage with critical infrastructure owners, share threat intelligence, and host public cybersecurity summits.
- The office will also work with educational institutions and private sector entities to bolster cybersecurity resilience. (In.gov)
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Important Dates:
Important Dates:
Tuesday, August 4th at 9:00am: ISC on Financial Institutions and Insurance in Room 404
Tuesday, August 4th at 10:00am: ISC on Roads and Transportation in the House Chamber
Tuesday, August 11th at 9:00am: State Board of Education in Government Center South or streaming
Monday, August 17th at 10:00am: Indiana Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) at 8670 West State Road 56 in French Lick, Indiana
Tuesday, August 25th at 10:00am: Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force in the Senate Chamber
Tuesday, August 25th at 11:30am: ISC on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services in the House Chamber
Wednesday, August 26th at 10:00am: ISC on Corrections and Criminal Code in the House Chamber
Wednesday, September 2nd at 10:00am: ISC on Roads and Transportation in the House Chamber
Tuesday, September 29th at 10:00am: Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force in the Senate Chamber
We will add interim study committee meetings as they are announced.