Indiana's Governor-elect Mike Braun is to ambitiously set the stage for his term with the recently unveiled "Freedom and Opportunity Agenda." As reported by FOX59, this extensive plan targets reforms and strategic investments Braun believes will propel Indiana to new heights. The plan entails a comprehensive suite of policies focusing on tax relief, government efficiency, healthcare, and more, aimed at fostering a stronger foundation for Hoosier families.
Central to Braun's vision, as WISH-TV details, is to swiftly bring tax relief deemed "historic" to Indiana households grappling with inflationary pressures. Proposed measures include capping property tax increases to 2%-3% annually and resetting homeowner bills to pre-pandemic levels. Further sweetening the deal, Braun intends to remove state taxes on retirement income and introduce sales tax holidays for items such as school supplies. However, his hands are somewhat tied by constitutional rulings guiding the state's tax mechanisms.
The agenda doesn't stop there. Braun, leaning into his private sector experience, wants the state government to work more efficiently, almost resembling a spruced-up business. He proposes a series of cost-cutting measures, including the adoption of new performance metrics and trimming unnecessary roles. Part of this streamlining process includes a push to digitize government services which can make life easier for Indiana's residents, such as at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Education and workforce development are also high on Braun's priority list, aiming to potentially revolutionize the way Hoosiers learn and work. He advocates for universal school choice, a rise in teacher salaries, and new educational performance incentives. Echoing the governor-elect's drive, his campaign promotes "equipping Indiana’s next generation," as mentioned by WOWO. Additionally, in economic terms, Braun proposes tax credits tied to workforce investment and restructured developmental entities to better accommodate job creation.
Healthcare is another domain for Braun's transformative touch, with the agenda outlining moves to drive down costs and increase accessibility. Mandatory price transparency, revising prior authorization processes, and controlling pharmacy benefit managers form part of this initiative. Braun also seeks to bolster mental health treatment and extend healthcare reaches into the rural areas of Indiana, aiming to protect coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Lastly, but certainly not least, quality of life improvements round off the governor-elect's agenda. Braun, described as a proponent of sound environmental practices, strives to guarantee access to affordable and reliable energy and is willing to invest in emerging forms of nuclear power. This strategy should provide a combined benefit of ecological responsibility without putting excessive financial burdens on the citizens of Indiana. Throughout these initiatives, the recurrent theme of "freedom and opportunity" echoes Braun's goal to follow in the footsteps of states he admires, such as Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, creating a legacy he hopes will last for generations.
