In a sweeping act of governance, Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed 19 new executive orders just days into office, challenging the status quo of state operations. Among these, significant orders call for a substantial deregulation of state agencies, a return of state workers to the office, and a halt in state-sponsored diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Governor Braun's orders direct agencies to reduce regulations by 25% by January 2029 and streamline licensure processes, which could involve removing certain educational or background check prerequisites deemed nonessential. In a move that portends a cultural shift within Indiana's government operations, employees are mandated to resume in-person work by July 1. This change is interlaced with a drive for increased efficiency and cost savings, as a new incentive system for state agencies that exceed performance targets has also been introduced.
The Governor's agenda extends to technology and performance measurement too. An executive order now requires the implementation of a risk management program specifically tailored for the state's cloud computing services, which, as detailed by the IndyStar, aims to streamline procurement and mitigate cybersecurity risks. Additionally, a public dashboard will be established to display agency performance metrics, including customer satisfaction and policy outcomes, intent on providing a transparent outlook on governmental efficiency.
On matters concerning DEI, the Governor's approach runs contrary to recent trends. According to WTHR, state resources are now prohibited, from being used for activities that endorse preferential treatment based on race or national origin, or require diversity statements from job applicants, and also bans the mandate to disclose pronouns. These orders indicate a clear shift in how the state will handle issues of diversity and equality moving forward.
Transparency initiatives accompany these executive actions as well. Braun has committed to creating a new public-facing dashboard designed to organize active executive orders, including those from previous governorships. This is reportedly part of an overarching strategy to make Indiana “more efficient, transparent and accountable,” a promise from the Governor's office on his third day after taking the helm. This initiative for openness, places responsibility on his team to establish such a webpage on the state's site by July 1 and to update it at least quarterly, mentioned by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
