About 14,000 additional low-income children could soon nab vouchers for free and reduced-cost child care under a $200 million proposal announced Tuesday by Gov. Mike Braun’s administration.

The administration will ask the State Budget Committee to let it divert $200 million from the General Fund to another account — created to cover underfunding in other agencies — and use the money to reopen admissions for a key child care program.

The Child Care and Development Fund is a state-administered federal program that serves about 43,000 children in Indiana. Families must meet income and work requirements to qualify for the assistance.

“Every voucher represents a working parent that wants to take a step forward for both their lives and then also for the next generation of Hoosier lives here,” said Adam Alson, the director of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, which administers CCDF in Indiana.

“This is not just a social service program,” Alson added. “This is an economic engine that supports Indiana’s workforce and the state’s long-term economic future.”

The program has been closed to new children for more than a year, since enrollment peaked at 69,000 in December 2024. Former Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration paused sign-ups and opened a waitlist.

Braun’s administration previously said the program would not expand until 2027, citing funding constraints after a dismal revenue forecast. But the latest forecast is significantly rosier.

Shortly after, lawmakers approved Senate Enrolled Act 4, allowing the state to spend money from the $300 million Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth fund on CCDF — or to direct more money to the fund specifically for CCDF.

The $200 million move would be subject to State Budget Committee approval. The lawmaker-dominated body next meets Thursday, for the first time since the end of the legislative session.

According to the March revenue report, Indiana is now $653 million ahead of the budget plan.

“We as an administration understand the importance of the CCDF voucher program, and we want to bring this to the State Budget Committee as quickly as possible … in order for child care businesses, families and children … (to) have more clarity around what the future holds,” Alson told the Capital Chronicle.

His office is part of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. As of February, almost 35,400 children were waiting for a CCDF voucher, according to FSSA’s child care subsidy dashboard.

The $200 million is projected to bring enrollment back up to 57,000, bringing a lucky 14,000 off the waitlist as soon as May.

Alson said there will be seats set aside for foster and kinship families, followed by slots for special needs and homeless children, as well as for the children of child care workers.

Indiana Public Media has reported that the voucher pause is forcing foster parents to pass on children they otherwise would’ve taken in.

“We don’t want the hindrance on that, for those individuals and those families that are looking to do that, to be the cost of child care,” Alson said.

The number of seats set aside per category hasn’t yet been determined, according to Alson. If the augmentation is approved at the Thursday meeting, implementation would begin late May.

That timeline is intended to give child care providers time to reopen classrooms and rehire staff. Many providers have constricted their operations or even closed amid the voucher enrollment crunch and deep cuts in voucher reimbursement rates from the state.

Regulated provider capacity has grown from about 170,900 in December 2024 to 175,600 in December 2025, according to FSSA quarterly financial reporting. But the state has lost 64 locations over that year.

Asked how to offer child care providers greater stability, Alson acknowledged the importance of “consistent funding,” as well as reduced regulatory burdens.

The $200 million influx will be paired with a statewide variance waiving state regulations on the mixing of different age groups at the beginning and end of the day, which Alson said increases staffing costs.

About 21,400 children are expected to remain on the waitlist, however.

“This $200 million is the largest one-time investment, one-year investment, in child care in the state’s history,” Alson said. “And it’s a significant step forward in … our acknowledgement of the importance of the child care space to the state of Indiana.”

“I think after we execute this, we’ll have a much better handle on what that demand for this program is as well — and we’ll be in a … more advantageous position going into the next budget cycle to address things like this,” he continued.

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

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By Niki Kelly and Mackenezi Klemann
Indiana Capital Chronicle

Gov. Mike Braun issued an executive order Wednesday to enact a 30-day suspension of the 7% sales tax on gasoline — with the potential for extensions.

“I am declaring a gas tax holiday to give Hoosiers relief from the pain at the pump from high gas prices,” Braun said in a news release. “Affordability is my top priority.”

The order is in effect now through May 8. Braun called on retailers to pass savings directly to customers, noting the state will be monitoring prices to make sure.

Taxes on fuel in Indiana are made up of the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, the state excise tax of 36 cents per gallon and the 7% state sales tax.

The current average cost for a gallon of gas in Indiana, according to AAA, is $4.14 — of which about 17 cents is attributable to the sales tax.

Braun estimated savings for Hoosiers could reach $50 million a month. He will revisit the emergency declaration in 30 days.

Attorney General Todd Rokita also announced that his office will actively monitor fuel prices across the state and enforce price gouging protections.

“Hoosiers deserve the full relief intended by this emergency measure and we will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the removal of the tax translates into lower prices at the pump — and that consumers are not taken advantage of during this time,” Rokita said in a news release. “If a consumer suspects that a gas station in Indiana is still charging tax during the suspension, they should file a consumer complaint with our office.”

History of suspending gasoline sales tax

In 2000, then-Gov. Frank O’Bannon suspended the sales tax on gasoline for two 60-day periods heading into an election. It saved motorists more than $46 million.

At that time, gas was nearing $2 a gallon; the savings were between 8 and 10 cents per gallon.

O’Bannon cited a 1981 statute allowing him to declare an energy emergency if “an existing or projected shortfall of at least eight percent (8%) of motor fuel or of other energy sources that threatens to seriously disrupt or diminish energy supplies to the extent that life, health, or property may be jeopardized.”

The law doesn’t specifically mention fuel taxes, but it allows the governor to “suspend the provisions of any state statute regulating transportation or the orders or rules of any state agency if strict compliance with any of the provisions would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the energy emergency.”

Authority unclear

But in 2007, then-Gov. Mitch Daniels asked the Attorney General’s Office whether he had the authority to suspend the sales tax on gas.

The letter, signed by then Chief Deputy Attorney General Gregory Zoeller, said it was “clear that a suspension of a sales tax is not among those powers enumerated by this statute nor does it fall with the same category of those within the 1981 act.”

“Without further legislative action granting the governor the authority to suspend the gas tax, we agree that this authority is not within the intent of the 1981 statute,” the letter continued.

A message to Rokita’s office seeking clarity on authority wasn’t immediately returned. All AG opinions are non-binding.

“We feel this is within the latitude of what I’m able to do,” Braun told reporters Wednesday, citing the cumulative effect of inflation.

“The emergency was created by conditions outside our control,” he said, “and that was done in D.C. — not particularly on fuel, but in many of those years it was way above $4. We’ve been carrying that burden for a long time.”

The executive order said the ongoing war with Iran “has threatened the global supply of oil,” with 20% to 25% of the world’s crude oil production shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have blocked the strait in recent weeks.

When asked about the 8% shortage requirement, the governor’s office cited the executive order.

Braun praised President Donald Trump for negotiating a two-week ceasefire with Iran, which he said should lead to lower fuel prices over time.

“This is big news,” Braun said. “You can already see it in the markets. We’ll begin to see that peace dividend over time, and there’s now clarity in terms of what they’re doing.”

Legislative reaction

Half a dozen Senate Republicans released statements supporting the move, including the chamber’s leader.

“Senate Republicans have led on issues of affordability for years, resulting in one of the lowest costs of living in the country for Hoosiers, but the recent spike in gas prices is still leaving many Hoosiers feeling undue pressure on their budgets,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville. “With affordability top of mind right now, I’m supportive of temporarily suspending the state’s sales tax on gas.”

Many of those in support are facing primary challenges and have been attacked for earlier votes to raise the gas tax.

Markle Republican Sen. Travis Holdman, who is locked in a tough reelection race, called on Braun to suspend the gas tax moments before he did so.

“Despite everything we have done at the Statehouse to maintain our state’s low cost of living, the current price of gas is adding too much pressure on Hoosiers and their wallets,” Holdman said. “Today, along with some of my colleagues, I am calling on Gov. Braun to provide relief at the pump for Hoosiers by using his legal authority to suspend the state’s tax on gas.”

House Democrats backed the suspension on Wednesday but questioned the timing.

House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, noted the caucus repeatedly called for a suspension back in 2022, when gas prices jumped amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I want to be clear: House Democrats support this suspension, but Gov. Braun and Statehouse Republicans are only cleaning up a mess that they helped create,” GiaQuinta said in a Wednesday news release. “Hoosiers are tired of unstrategic and unfocused foreign wars that cost American lives, drive up gas prices and raise the cost of living.”

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Indiana nursing homes are owed hundreds of millions in back payments for services provided under the state’s Medicaid program for long-term care.

The federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services hasn’t yet approved the methodology for the 2026 state fiscal year, which is nine months old. The data was originally submitted in June 2025, but the federal agency has responded with questions and seeking more data.

“The feds are in no hurry. So, we’ve now missed our December payment and our March payment heading into our June payment,” said Jeff Huffman, chief operations officer for The Strategies.

The Strategies operates five nursing home and rehabilitation facilities across the state in Muncie, Loogootee, and Vincennes and employs roughly 300 Hoosiers to care for 230 residents.

At issue are supplemental payments received up to the Medicare rate for long-term care under Indiana’s PathWays for Aging system. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by Congress in July 2025, added some wrinkles to the internal calculations behind the payments.

These payments are about $1 billion a year, and at least two quarterly payments have already been stalled. State officials said $462 million in payments to 496 nursing homes have been delayed.

“We understand why nursing homes are concerned about delayed supplemental payments. The reality is that CMS has not yet approved Indiana’s payment structure for the current policy year, and federal approval is required before any payments can be issued,” a statement from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration said.

“The current model — developed jointly with nursing home associations — was designed to maximize funding, and everyone involved understood that CMS could later require changes. That is what has happened. The state is working closely with federal officials to resolve this quickly, including exploring a new CMS grandfathering option that may preserve existing funding levels.”

The providers have received their standard base rates for services provided but not the supplemental payments. It’s still causing problems for some entities with tighter business margins.

“The only people this is really hurting are folks that are smaller companies, newer companies. We don’t get paid, so we have to slow pay our vendors, and it kind of snowballs,” Huffman said.

The Indiana Health Care Association, which advocates for senior care facilities around the state, acknowledged the situation but said providers were aware that last year’s federal reconciliation bill might delay state submissions.

“That said, we are hopeful for their approval soon and appreciate FSSA’s continued leadership as they work with their federal partners,” President Paul Peaper said. “In the interim, our caregivers continue to provide high-quality care without impact to their payroll or services.”

A CMS spokesperson provided the Indiana Capital Chronicle with this statement: “States are responsible for making provider payments, and CMS works with states on an ongoing basis to review financing arrangements and ensure compliance with federal requirements. In some cases, CMS may request additional information from a state as part of routine program oversight.”

The latest issues are causing more concern for Indiana’s controversial PathWays for Aging program.

PathWays for Aging began enrolling members in 2024, moving most long-term services and supports for older Hoosiers and certain disabled adults into managed care.

Under the existing model, the state pays private managed care entities a set rate to coordinate medical care and long-term services, including nursing facility stays and in-home and community supports designed to help people remain outside institutional settings.

The shift was intended to better coordinate care and control Medicaid spending, but providers have raised concerns about payment delays, administrative complexities and the growing waitlist for home-based services.

Indiana lawmakers in February passed legislation to reform the program. House Enrolled Act 1277 attempts to address the shortcomings by moving long-stay nursing home residents out of the PathWays for Aging program and into a fee-for-service model that is not run by insurance companies, starting July 1, 2027.

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Almost 1,800 noncitizen truck and bus drivers without specific employment-based visas lost their commercial driver’s licenses Wednesday as a new statutory ban — inspired by recent traffic fatalities — took effect.

“Too many of these illegal drivers have killed innocent people and made our roads less safe,” Rep. Jim Pressel, the law’s author, said in a news release.

“Indiana is taking a stand to protect Hoosiers against these dangerous drivers who are exploiting our laws and licensure process,” added Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie.

U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement arrested a Kyrgyzstan national accused of killing four people in a crash along State Route 67 in Indiana in February. The agency alleges he entered the country illegally but was still issued a CDL in Pennsylvania.

Pressel’s House Enrolled Act 1200 narrowed eligibility by requiring that non-domiciled commercial drivers hold H-2A, H-2B or E-2 visas to receive and maintain their CDLs, effective April 1. The visas are for temporary agricultural and agricultural workers, as well as for investors. The provisions are similar to a recent federal rule.

“Nearly all non-domiciled CDL drivers have lost their CDL privileges with the passage of HEA1200. Those 1790 drivers were notified by mail,” Bureau of Motor Vehicles spokesman Greg Dunn told the Capital Chronicle in an emailed statement.

• An unexpired employment authorization document, which is one way to prove work authorization for a specific time period
• An expired employment authorization document, accompanied by a Form 1-797 receipt or approval notice
• A valid foreign passport, accompanied by an approved Form 1-94, which is issued to noncitizens admitted to the U.S.

“Those are actual visas,” Pressel said of the new requirements. “… The thought process with the Attorney General’s Office and myself … was to really limit who we’re going to allow and how are they vetted.”

Attorney General Todd Rokita celebrated Indiana’s status as “the first state in the nation to take this commonsense action” in a post to X.

The law makes driving a commercial vehicle with a “false” CDL — or a foreign one, without additional entry documents — a Level 6 felony. An individual driver is subject to a civil penalty of $5,000, with employers are subject to a civil penalty of $50,000.

The law also blocks the BMV from expanding CDL testing to other languages. The agency currently administers the exams only in English, according to Dunn.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans last month to add an English-only CDL testing mandate to federal regulations.

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Mike Braun revealed a new economic development initiative Tuesday aimed at creating 100,000 high-wage agriculture and life sciences jobs over the next decade.

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Former Republican Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is shaking up Indiana’s race for secretary of state by announcing a run as an independent Wednesday.

He will have to gather nearly 37,000 petition signatures to get on the ballot, and raise millions to be competitive in just a few months.

“I’m doing this for the people, and I think they deserve a really nonpartisan, low-key professional in that office, and that’s what I intend to do,” Ballard told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

The retired, two-term mayor has kept busy writing a book — Urban Republican Mayor: My Story — and has been weighing in on various topics in recent months. He came out against early redistricting and has talked about data centers, food assistance and the filibuster. He now lives in Boone County.

There are multiple candidate choices on both the Republican and Democrat side, but Ballard said 41% of voters consider themselves to be independent and are looking for something different.

“That’s a pretty wide swatch to walk down,” he said. “I’m kind of disaffected by the path that both parties are taking and … I think there are people in the Democratic and Republican party who are kind of looking for something different, too. And so, this makes sense to me.”

The secretary of state’s race will be the top statewide race on the Indiana ballot this year. Republican and Democratic nominees will be decided at the party conventions in June.

Current GOP Secretary of State Diego Morales’s renomination bid is being opposed by Knox County Clerk David Shelton and Jamie Reitenour, who unsuccessfully sought the 2024 Republican bid for governor.

Political legacy and Marine veteran Beau Bayh faces a Democratic challenge from Blythe Potter, a small business owner and Army veteran from Bargersville.

But Ballard — a retired lieutenant colonel from the United States Marine Corps — said he’s not in this as a spoiler.

“I’m in this to win it,” he said.

Ballard was elected mayor of Indianapolis in 2007 with his upset of incumbent Democratic Mayor Bart Peterson. He was re-elected in 2011 but decided not to seek a third term.

He said people have approached him about running for various offices since then, but his heart wasn’t in those.

Ballard chose not to characterize Morales’ first term in office — instead focusing on a few changes he would make immediately.

The former mayor said the state’s top election officer shouldn’t be involved in political races. He promised not to endorse, campaign for or donate to a candidate running for office.

Ballard also said Indiana should join a growing list of states providing a nonpartisan voter’s guide introducing the candidates, explaining voting mechanics, providing information on ballot measures and more.

“Hopefully that would increase people going to the polls. They won’t be so disengaged, and would have knowledge going into the polls,” he said.

Ballard will hire a national firm to help gather signatures. He plans to submit 50,000 to ensure he meets the 36,943 number for an independent to make the ballot.

Ballard said he thinks he will have to raise about $2 million to be competitive. He will open an exploratory campaign finance committee today but can’t technically file to run until he gathers the signatures.

Bayh raised $1.8 million last year and ended 2025 with nearly $1.6 million available.

That compares to the $500,000 raised by Morales for the year and his campaign’s $1.2 million available.

Those figures already put the secretary of state campaigns well ahead of spending for the entire 2022 cycle, when Morales raised $1.3 million and Democratic challenger Destiny Wells raised $860,000.

State of the secretary’s race

A recent poll shows Ballard might have a shot.

Independent Indiana — a group aimed at supporting independent political candidates in Indiana — on Monday released the results of a poll conducted last fall showing Ballard with support from nearly one-quarter of voters in a hypothetical matchup against Morales and Bayh.

“We think it’s important for people to know that if he were to decide to run, that he would be a viable candidate,” said Nathan Gotsch, executive director of the group. “Historically, independent candidates have not met that threshold, but I think that he is very unique in that respect.”

Results from the poll found Bayh with 31.5% support, followed by Morales at 28.5% and Ballard at 23.8%, with 16.3% undecided.

The poll was conducted Oct. 24-Nov. 1 by InAct, an Indianapolis-based market research firm, through an online survey of 400 likely general election voters with a margin of error of 4.9%, according to Independent Indiana.

Gotsch declined to say which other potential independents were included in the poll or identify the group’s funding sources. He said Ballard has not been involved with Independent Indiana but that he has talked with the former mayor about a possible campaign.

“You couldn’t get numbers back like this and not at least reach out to people close to him and see if this is something that he might consider,” Gotsch said. “So, we have had some of those conversations.”

The Morales campaign dismissed the Independent Indiana results, saying it “will not be misled by ‘polling’ data suggesting a tight race.”

“Secretary Morales welcomes all challengers,” the campaign said in a statement. “With the resources and a proven track record, he is ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone.”

Bayh’s campaign expressed confidence in the poll results.

“This race is a referendum on Diego Morales’s tenure as secretary of state and this poll reiterates that Beau Bayh is the only candidate in the race that can defeat him and put an end to his blatant corruption,” Bayh campaign manager Jack Tormoehlen said.

Ballard acknowledged he will have to overcome straight-ticket voting to win.

“I already know people are excited … and we’re going to have to tell them the mechanics of making sure ‘don’t push that button. Push this button instead.”

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

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Perhaps hundreds of Indiana’s roughly 1,000 township governments could face consolidation under a bill on its way to Gov. Mike Braun’s desk.

State senators voted 34-15 on Thursday in favor of the bill that supporters say is aimed at improving local government efficiency.

Braun has up to a week to sign the bill into law.

Provisions of Senate Bill 270, which the House approved on Tuesday, would require townships with poor performance scores to merge with other townships or some cities.

Bill author Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, said while about 325 townships could face mergers, the legislation was meant to preserve township government.

“This isn’t an assault on township government,” he said during the Senate debate.

Indiana’s township officials have long argued for the importance of the services they provide. That work includes providing emergency aid for expenses such as utilities and housing to low-income residents, with some townships also operating fire departments or parks and maintaining old cemeteries.

Critics believe the township system, dating to the 1800s is inefficient and that those functions could be better operated by cities or counties. But numerous attempts over the past two decades in the Legislature for major reorganization of Indiana’s townships have failed.

The bill specifies that townships would accumulate points based upon factors such as whether it provides emergency aid, operates a fire department or emergency medical services agency, files financial reports on a timely basis and has had candidates in recent township trustee elections.

Some senators said they worried about the impact the merger process would have on services in rural areas, including volunteer fire departments.

“I think there’s too many unanswered questions,” said Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg. “We’re moving too fast, and I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t wait for another year to make sure that all those unanswered questions are resolved.”

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

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INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s offer to help build a multi-billion dollar stadium is officially on the table — now it is up to the Chicago Bears to decide whether they will cross the state line.

State senators voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to approve a plan to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority in Hammond and to allow increased county restaurant, hotel and admission taxes for the project.

Gov. Mike Braun signed the measure into law within about an hour of the vote, adding to the proposal's momentum.

[caption id="attachment_127591" align="alignright" width="157"] Ryan Mishler[/caption]

State Sen. Ryan Mishler, one of the architects of the proposal, spoke with News Now Warsaw shortly after the vote and expressed confidence that Bears officials are serious about the Hoosier plan.

Officials will now wait and see if Illinois lawmakers are able to develop a plan that would keep the NFL team in Chicago.

Illinois lawmakers were discussing their proposal as Indiana State Senators approved the Indiana plan by a vote of 45-4 on Thursday afternoon.

Mishler said he doesn't see it as a competition.

"We have what we have," Mishler said. "I know that any company that steps over into Indiana is gonna save a lot of money just in our tax structure alone."

Indiana's plan is based on a template used in similar stadium deals for Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

"I know they'll still talk to Illinois," he said. "I think we have a great chance because I know what we have to offer."

If the Hammond plan comes to fruition, the state would own the facility, while the Chicago Bears would lease and operate the stadium under a long-term agreement of at least 35 years.

The Indiana financing plan calls for capturing taxes from a new stadium development district, along with revenue from a 12% admissions tax on stadium events, a doubling of Lake County’s 5% hotel tax (where Hammond is located) and a 1% food-and-beverage tax in both Lake and Porter counties, according to Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Mishler said such a stadium plan would be "transformational" for The Region and benefit the state in several ways.

"You know, there are a few states that have two (NFL) football teams, but to have two NFL football teams in the state of Indiana would be huge," Mishler said.

Braun and Mishler both said the Bears will now be doing their "due diligence" with the Hammond property, and Braun predicted a deal could be signed in four to eight weeks.

The Bears' stadium, Soldier Field, is the oldest and smallest in terms of seating capacity in the NFL.

The Hammond site is about 12 miles from Soldier Field.

Mishler pointed out that the Bears' leadership sought out Indiana as it expanded its search for a new facility and that they have been great to work with.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle contributed to this story. You can read that full version here.

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