INDIANA – Governor Mike Braun is set to deliver his 2026 State of the State address this Wednesday, January 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Speaking before a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly in the House of Representatives chamber, Braun is expected to pivot from the “foundational” work of his first year toward a more aggressive legislative agenda focused on property tax relief and streamlining state bureaucracy.
The address will be broadcast live on 1340 AM WBIW and across Indiana on public television and radio stations.
Key Priorities: The “Freedom & Opportunity” Agenda
While the full speech remains under wraps, recent legislative filings and the Governor’s public schedule suggest several high-priority pillars for the 2026 short session:
Meaningful Property Tax Reform The hallmark of Braun’s platform remains a comprehensive overhaul of the property tax system. Following a year of soaring assessments, the Governor is expected to push for:
- Caps on annual tax increases to protect homeowners and farmers.
- New tax relief specifically targeted at seniors on fixed incomes.
- Increased transparency in how local referendums are presented to voters.
“Run Government Like a Business” Entering his second year, Braun is expected to tout the results of his new “8-Cabinet” structure. He is likely to call for further deregulation and efficiency measures, arguing that a leaner state government allows for deeper tax cuts.
Public Safety & Education Following recent announcements regarding Indiana’s new national drone test site designation, Braun is expected to link economic growth to national defense and public safety. On the education front, look for continued support for:
- Expanding school choice and private school vouchers.
- Protecting parental rights in curriculum decisions.
- Improving teacher salaries and benefits to boost recruitment.
Health Care Transparency Building on his work as a U.S. Senator, Braun remains focused on lowering health care costs through price transparency. He is expected to urge lawmakers to pass “HB 1003” to end surprise billing and hold pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable.
The 2026 legislative session is a “short session,” meaning lawmakers generally avoid drafting a new biennial budget. However, with over 500 bills already filed—including high-profile proposals like displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms and implementing new cell phone bans for students—the Governor’s address will serve as the critical “marching orders” for the Republican-controlled supermajority.
