Fighting for Farmers and Transparency

John,

This has been yet another incredible week for conservative Hoosiers and Americans across the country, with big news from both the Governor's Office and the General Assembly.

The week began with our legislature sending several bills to Governor Braun's desk, with the Governor highlighting HB 1149, directing the Indiana Department of Agriculture to create a central portal for communication between farmers and the state, as both his first signed act and a key part of his Freedom and Opportunity Agenda.

Governor Braun continued to deliver on his campaign promises through executive action, making permitting information public as part of his push to increase transparency in state government.

Our representatives in the General Assembly sent several other important pieces of legislation to Governor Braun's desk, including measures to protect on-duty police officers, combat the drug crisis, and lessen the burden of estate taxes on families.

At the Indiana GOP HQ, we are proud to stand behind Governor Braun and our Republican leaders as they continue to deliver for everyday Hoosiers.

As always, thank you for being a part of our team. Please feel free to reach out if there's anything I can assist with.

Lana Keesling, Indiana GOP Chairwoman

Governor Braun Signs His First Piece of Legislation, HEA 1149, to Support Farmers

Governor Mike Braun last Tuesday, signed his first act into law. HEA 1149 supports Hoosier farmers by creating a new online portal, giving them a one-stop shop for tools to communicate with the state government and get information they need to be successful.

What he said: “This new online portal was part of my Freedom and Opportunity agriculture agenda and is a win for Hoosier farmers. It’s a one-stop-shop to help Hoosier farmers navigate state and federal agencies, avoid red tape, and communicate with the state government what we can do better to help them be successful.”

- Governor Braun, via a press release.

Governor Braun Signs Executive Order to Make Permitting Information Public

Governor Mike Braun last Wednesday, signed an executive order directing the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Department of Transportation (INDOT) to publicly report permitting data monthly, ensuring transparency and supporting growth.

What he said: “My administration is committed to transparency and accountability, and we’re taking action to make Indiana the best place in America to start and grow a business. Permitting is an important part of growing our economy, and publicly reporting permitting data holds agencies accountable and makes them more efficient.”

- Governor Braun, via a press release.

Lake County

White House Women's History Month Celebration

Chairwoman's County Visits: 16

Governor Mike Braun began his political career by serving on his local school board. This past week, he wrote an op-ed in The Washington Examiner praising President Donald Trump for returning education to the states and to parents.

Key Excerpt: "Education is one of the most important things we do as a country, but it only works when it’s directed by parents, local communities, and states — not by the federal bureaucracy in Washington. President Donald Trump is taking bold action to turn education back to where it belongs: with the people and the representatives closest to them. … By fully empowering the states to decide how their federal education dollars are spent and winding down the unnecessary, ineffective, and politicized Department of Education, Trump is putting parents in the driver’s seat and our children first." - Governor Braun

Click Here to Read Full Editorial

Indiana GOP is Hiring Interns for the Spring Semester

Looking to jumpstart your career in politics, public relations, or grassroots organizing? The Indiana Republican Party is now accepting applications for our Spring Internship Program!

✅ Gain hands-on experience in campaign strategy, communications, and event planning
✅ Work alongside state leaders and build valuable connections
✅ Make a real impact on Republican efforts in Indiana

Apply Today! Spots are limited!

🔗 https://www.indiana.gop/internships

📱 News You Can Use

Governor Mike Braun celebrated his birthday by asking Hoosiers to reach out and share their ideas about saving taxpayer dollars, improving government transparency, and more by contacting [email protected].

Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith presented the Hoosier Homestead Award to 56 families to recognize their families’ farm legacies and longstanding commitment to agriculture.

Secretary Diego Morales promoted Indiana at a major Indian tech industry conference, where he was invited to speak on the topic of forging international alliances for tech leadership.

Treasurer Daniel Elliot attended the Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast, where Hoosier leaders come together in faith to seek wisdom and lift each other up in prayer.

Comptroller Elise Nieshalla joined 26 state financial officers nationwide asking President Donald Trump to investigate the European Union's (EU) Corporate Sustainability Directives that subject American companies to comply with the environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure rules in their domestic operations.

Attorney General Todd Rokita called on all Hoosiers to remain vigilant for signs of human trafficking. Spring break, a time often associated with relaxation and celebration, unfortunately provides opportunities for traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals, particularly in areas with large crowds and tourist activity.

Senator Todd Young spoke on the Senate floor to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of WOWO Radio in Fort Wayne. On March 31, 1925, at 500 watts, 1320 on the dial, the Voice of the Midwest – WOWO Radio – first hit the airwaves.

Senator Jim Banks introduced, alongside Senator Collins, the Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2025. Currently, veterans can receive VA burial benefits, including headstones, markers, or urns. This bill would allow veterans with VA-provided urns or plaques to be buried in VA national cemeteries if their families choose.

Congressman Rudy Yakym introduced the Reducing Bureaucracy to Uplift Families Act to ensure more Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds go directly to families in need rather than bureaucratic overhead.

Congressman Marlin Stutzman joined Dinesh D'Souza to discusses what House Republicans can accomplish in 2025.

Congressman Jim Baird spoke on the House Floor with members of the House Commerce Committee in support of H.J. Res. 75 to overturn a Biden Department of Energy standard on commercial refrigeration equipment that threatens small businesses, harms consumers, and drives up costs.

Congresswoman Victoria Spartz met with health care stakeholders in her district to discuss reforms needed to improve health care value, price transparency and competition.

Congressman Jefferson Shreve announced that his office is accepting applications for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to high school students living in Indiana's 6th Congressional District.

Congressman Mark Messmer vocally supported and voted for the DETERRENT Act to protect our nation's students from hostile foreign influences by creating transparency in the reporting process for gifts received by universities.

Congresswoman Erin Houchin reintroduced four key bills to protect students, workers, and retirees.

HEA 1050: Addresses technical issues in the Indiana Code, resolves technical conflicts from the 2024 legislative session, and makes conforming amendments.

HEA 1056: Adds additional substances to the list of controlled substances.

HEA 1121: Creates a process for the state to establish concurrent jurisdiction with the United States for certain juvenile delinquency proceedings on Indiana military property.

HEA 1122: Authorizes a law enforcement officer to order a person to stop approaching the law enforcement officer if the officer reasonably believes that the person's presence within 25 feet of the officer will interfere with the performance of the officer's duties. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally approaches within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer after being ordered to stop approaching commits unlawful encroachment on a law enforcement officer, a Class C misdemeanor.

HEA 1149: Requires the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to create and maintain an online portal that centralizes agricultural resources, funding opportunities, regulatory checklists, and data visualization tools to assist users in navigating federal and state programs. It also includes features for public feedback on federal regulations affecting Indiana’s rural economy and requires periodic updates on lost farmland.

HEA 1213: Removes language regarding coverage under a casualty insurance policy or liability insurance policy on property transferred by a transfer on death deed. Specifies that a provision regarding insurance coverage on property transferred by a transfer on death deed does not apply to a commercial lines property insurance policy. Makes corresponding changes.

HEA 1289: Defines "employment social enterprise" as a nonprofit or for-profit organization that meets certain criteria. Amends the definition of "workforce related program" to include a work based learning program or transitional jobs program that: (1) is through an employment social enterprise; and (2) meets certain other criteria.