Gov. Braun, Indiana lawmakers react to ongoing DOGE cuts

INDIANAPOLIS — As Gov. Mike Braun rolls out his version of DOGE at the state level, he acknowledged Tuesday that proposed federal cuts could affect some state dollars down the road.

“We’re going to be okay transitioning through that,” Braun said. “Programs that we’ve become too dependent on, yes, we may have to scramble to see if they’re good with how we do it on our own accord.”

While Indiana House Republican leaders are pleased with the current budget proposal, Republican leadership has emphasized they’re watching what’s happening with DOGE closely ahead of the April revenue forecast.

“We can’t control that, but we will keep our eye on that because that will have some point may have an effect on the state,” House Ways and Means Chairman Jeff Thompson said.

“I’m for the federal government getting their financial house in order, and if it has an impact on my life and the state, we got to deal with that,” Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston said.

In response to recent federal level turbulence, several members of Indiana’s congressional delegation said they stand behind DOGE’s mission full stop.

“Bureaucrats in Washington are now making decisions that they’ve never been elected to make; DOGE is uncovering some of this,” Rep. Erin Houchin (R-Indiana) said.

“I am concerned about our indebtedness,” Rep. Jim Baird (R-Indiana) said. “We’ve been concerned about that for quite some time, and apparently, this is a means for accomplishing that.”

Several members of that delegation also said they’re in talks with Statehouse leaders over federal proposals that could impact state dollars.

“I want to make sure that there’s no surprises in the General Assembly for anything that we’re doing federally,” Houchin said.

“I think we’ve got to really be certain where every dollar is going that the federal government takes from Hoosiers in the form of taxes and ultimately spends,” Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Indiana) said.

But Rep. Jefferson Shreve said he has questions about DOGE’s approach and the pace of its rollout.

“Not concerned, just questions,” Shreve said. “People that give their service to our government at any level need to be communicated with fairly, timely, in a reasonable fashion.”

Shreve also said he anticipates the courts will weigh in to smooth out bumps in the road.

“My counsel to friends and constituents back home is to breathe, understand that there is a constitutionally protected process,” Shreve said. “People elected change. People in the majority want change, but what change looks like, how that plays out, the speed with which it plays out, and who’s affected, you know, that’s where a great democracy comes into play.”