Governor Mike Braun reacts to last night's primaries

Well, I don't remember what the particulars were of what you would have suggested, but I think all of us did to the extent we could do, but when you had one individual, and I'm calling for leadership change there after this in terms of Senator Bray, he obviously was using methods that scared off the individuals that were thinking about it, and it wasn't going to happen. And I think when you have someone that has that kind of power and digs in. regardless of what you could do. I'm not going to say that I always love to learn from what you go through and distill it. But in this case, he made that decision and figured there probably wouldn't be any consequences. These margins were unbelievable when almost anyone in mainstream media was saying, lucky if we'd pick up one or two. So I think, yes, always go back, debrief. see what you can do better. You may be right. But in this business, you deal with what happens in the moment, and then you do react to it. And I think this is a clear statement of where they were wrong. And I think the way you prevent stuff like this in the future is make sure whoever leads your chamber is going to be more in line with the pulse of what's going on, not only in your own backyard in the country as well. So let's make sure we go a little bit deeper on this, talking to the governor of Indiana, Mike Braun. Are you calling for the Senate pro tem Rod Bray to step down from leadership? Well, I think with this statement that was so crystal clear, I think that if he doesn't, it probably will happen within their own caucus anyway. I'm not going to be, I'm one that figures once you have something like this, however it occurs, it's the harbinger of change. And my main issue was not even redistricting. The Senate has been the place. where a lot of good conservative entrepreneurial legislation seems to die. And if we're going to be a state that is going to do things above and beyond the normal, you can't have as your default a wet blanket. And I'll let things evolve here forward within their own caucus. And I think it's going to be clear, you know, what should happen. We'll see if it does. Well, that was a mouthful, sir. I mean, referring to the Senate pro tem as a wet blanket, you now have to go about getting these candidates to win the general election. What have you heard from groups that were out there engaged in this fight, whether it's Turning Point USA, Turning Point Action, Club for Growth, I believe, and others who spent a tremendous amount of money in Indiana. What are you hearing from them about their commitment to see it through and get these candidates elected in a general? You know, I think if you just extend the equation logically, they're probably not interested in the spending this much and then seeing it fall flat in the general. There's been no particular conversation on it. I mean, I think we're kind of savoring what happened last night. It was such a clear statement with such wide margins. I think the rest is a simpler equation. And in these places, some of these districts are going to be.

maybe close to where they could go either way. And most of them, though, are solid Republican Senate seats to where there won't be any question. A few of them will be ones where you will have to put resources into it. And I think it will be good money after good when you do it. Let's talk about what comes next because you now have two years to work with this potential new crop of GOP state senators talking to the governor of Indiana. Mike Braun, are you going to take another bite at the apple on property taxes and make any changes that provide further relief? Because a little bit was seen this year. I don't think as much as people wanted to see. Serious relief, not even a little relief, serious relief for Hoosier taxpayers because of the size of property taxes that we have all been experiencing. Well, it was $1.3 billion over three years. It passed by two votes, mostly due to Senate leadership. When they give you SB1 and gut it down to a hollow shell, it took us four months to build it back in the House. And when you look at homes being two-thirds exempted regardless of value over the next five years, That's about as much as the cash flow could stand anyway. And remember, most of the criticism of that would have been from Republicans that run local government. So I think there's always room to do more. The key thing, Tony, you've got a cash flow. And our economic development that we put into place in the year and four months is knocking it out of the park. We're getting it across the state with a regional approach. And here's the other dividend we're getting. I was asking for agencies to run themselves more efficiently after the COVID glut of funds and all the things that we were doing that was growing government faster than ever before in Indiana. We're really realizing that. And when that faulty forecast from April of 25 was vindicated by an accurate one in December, we're in a trajectory of being in the best shape we've ever been in. I'm going to credit that to a great entrepreneurial team that I put together. Entrepreneurs, private sector folks that were willing to come into government, and we're seeing it across the policy silos of health care, education, utility rates, restructured the IURC to make them rate payer attentive. froze tuitions at the public schools. I mean, that affordability issue is real, and I want to end with this on that issue. Biden gave it to us over those three years of 22, 3 and 4, cumulative inflation of 25%. We're living with that hangover. We can't forget why we've got affordability issues. I'm going to do everything to mitigate it as governor.

And we've shown that with stuff that we've done over these last four months here in 26. When this new crop of senators, if they should all win the general, are sworn in, just a quick yes or no, we can do a round robin right here. Are you going to take another bite at the apple to further lower property taxes? Property taxes are always going to be on the table. I feel that after a certain point in time, especially after you've paid off your mortgage, that you probably shouldn't have another expense out there. Several different angles to do more and add to, that is always going to be on the table. And again, focus on our state Senate. whoever might remain that was against more aggressive property tax reform, we're certainly going to have a different complexion there. So yes, it is on the table. When it comes to gas taxes, will we see the gas tax holiday continued? Do you want to make that announcement right now that we've got another month of reduced gas taxes? I'll tell you what I am going to do today. I'm going to break the news and I'm going to make an announcement later this afternoon. So stay tuned. See, that's not what we need. We don't need announcements this afternoon. We need announcements now. We will tune in for that. Are the Chicago Bears coming to Indiana? Yes or no? Well, where would you like to spend the next 50 years if you were starting a business on the outskirts of Chicago in a state like Illinois that is lagging in every category or a place like Indiana where the economic growth is twice that of Illinois, where you've got reasonable regulations, where you've got plenty of territory where logistically it'd probably be easier to get to the game? But most importantly, they're a business and who do you think is going to pay for? all the mismanagement in Illinois, it'll be the businesses, the major enterprises that do so, the way they govern. I think that'll be the driving factor in terms of what they do over the next month and a half or two. But the bears haven't asked for anything else. We haven't offered anything else. No one's trying to make some desperation plea for the bears. We've made our case, and now the bears have to do the right thing. Is that where we're at? I think that's where we're at. And we can see by the due diligence that we're checking off week after week, Mayor McDermott and Hammond has been doing a yeoman's job up there. It looks good that it's kind of going in that direction and about the speed we figured once things pass the threshold of legislation in their strong statement, I think back in February. Last but not least, when do I get named Trade Ambassador of Indiana? And you publicly are still interested in doing it. So we're going to actually probably make that happen if you're serious about in your spare time trying to bring economic development to...

Indiana, and I think you're targeting the state of New York. Am I correct there? New York, California, Illinois, any place that has horrible politics, but they can't bring the politics with them, and only I can deliver that message. Yes, sir. Let's get this done. You've got some low-hanging fruit to pick there, and you'd be a good one to do it. Let's, I look forward to my sash and my scepter and, of course, my good parking spot. Most importantly, getting the job done. Governor Braun, I appreciate you taking the time to be with us. Governor Mike Braun, the governor of Indiana. We will have traffic for you on the fives at 735. Keep it right here. Tony Katz 93 WIBC. Good morning. What is Toyota affordability? It all starts with buying smart. and your Toyota dealer has great deals available to qualified customers on reliable cars and SUVs, including the redesigned RAV-4, spacious Grand Highlander, sporty Camrys, and Corolla's. It means driving for less, with efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid options available throughout the lineup, extending your overall driving range and delivering great MPGs, saving you money at the pump. And it means trading for more. Toyota is known for building long-lasting vehicles. And as the best resale value brand, according to Kelly Blue Book, your Toyota can be worth thousands more than average when it's time to trade in. That's Toyota affordability. Buy smart, drive for less, and trade for more. Shop Toyota.com or your local dealer for deals and details. Vehicles projected resale value is specific to the 2026 model year. For more information, visit Kelly Blue Books KB.com. Toyota brand average resale value is 53% versus the average vehicle at 45%. Toyota, let's go places.