(INDIANPOLIS) - Indiana Governor Mike Braun is closing in on his first year in office -- highlighting major policy changes while brushing off a high-profile political loss. In an interview with the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Braun pointed to property tax reform as a signature achievement. He says about two-thirds of Hoosier homeowners will pay less next year after a sweeping finance bill took effect this spring, though the final version differed from his original proposal.
But Braun also faced a major setback on redistricting. Republican lawmakers in the Indiana Senate rejected new congressional maps sought by former President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 elections. Braun acknowledged the vote could have political consequences but said it won't derail his broader agenda.
Beyond redistricting, the governor touted gains in education -- including higher starting teacher pay and frozen college tuition -- along with expanded school vouchers. He also highlighted public safety efforts tied to immigration enforcement and drug seizures, and economic development reforms aimed at tighter oversight and higher-paying jobs.
Braun says state government is running leaner amid slower revenue growth, crediting agency cuts and a major reorganization driven largely by executive orders. Those orders also rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and reshaped food assistance programs.
Still, public opinion remains mixed. A recent poll shows more Hoosiers disapprove of Braun's job performance than approve.
Looking ahead to the 2026 legislative session, Braun says lowering health care costs and utility rates will be top priorities -- while insisting he's focused on "kitchen table issues," not political grudges.
And when he's off the clock? The governor says he unwinds by hunting, fishing, and foraging for mushrooms -- especially oyster mushrooms, which he calls more reliable than morels.