News

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 30, 2026) – Carroll County communities are receiving more than $829,000 in state funding for road and bridge projects, according to State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 30, 2026) – Tipton County communities are receiving more than $1 million in state funding for road and bridge projects, according to State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 30, 2026) – Howard County is receiving more than $650,000 in state funding for road and bridge projects, according to State Reps. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 30, 2026) – Cass County communities are receiving more than $1.1 million in state funding for road and bridge projects, according to State Reps. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).

PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) (second row, far left) welcomes fourth-grade students from Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi Elementary School on Oct. 29, 2026, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. The students toured the Statehouse, learned about how a bill becomes law and asked Mayfield about her role as a legislator.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 29, 2026) – State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) recently presented Middlebury Police Officer Darci Campbell with her Heart of a Hoosier Award for Campbell's life-saving actions during a welfare check. The presentation occurred on Oct. 28, 2026, during National First Responders Day.

For Hoosier families, affordability is not just the price of one bill or one tax. It is whether a paycheck goes far enough to cover a mortgage or rent, property taxes, healthcare, utilities and the other costs of everyday life. Indiana has been working to address these pressures and lower costs for Hoosiers, and I remain committed to building on that progress during the 2027 legislative session.

Indiana has cut taxes every year over the last decade, saving taxpayers nearly $27 billion. This is more of your money back in your pocket. We've cut Indiana's personal income tax from 3.15% in 2023 to 2.95% today, with another reduction to 2.9% coming next year to get to one of the lowest income tax rates in the nation.

The Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force recently submitted its final recommendations on agricultural topics for the upcoming legislative session and as a member, I am excited to see the legislation that will come forth as a result of these discussions.

With the Oct. 31 deadline quickly approaching, now is the time for Hoosier students to apply for the Indiana House Republican Internship Program and secure a spot for the 2027 legislative session. This paid internship offers a chance to gain hands-on experience at the Statehouse while building skills and connections for future careers.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 27, 2026) – State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) recently joined the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename a section of State Road 45 near Assembly Hall on Indiana University's main campus in Bloomington after legendary basketball coach Robert "Bobby" Montgomery Knight.

Indiana continues to be a place where hard work pays off and families can build a future. From a strong business climate to growing career opportunities, our state is making progress in ways that benefit Hoosiers across all its communities. As a state representative, I believe we must continue building on these strengths while making affordability a priority for families.

Our state's economy continues to show encouraging signs. Indiana added nearly 39,000 residents in 2025, leading the Midwest in population growth, and our gross domestic product has grown faster than neighboring states and the national average. Forbes also ranked Indiana second in the nation among the best states to start a business in 2024. These accomplishments reflect the opportunities available to employers, entrepreneurs and families who choose to call Indiana home.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 22, 2026) – State Rep. Craig Snow (R-Winona Lake) applauded the announcement at a recent Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight meeting that Indiana's Pre-1996 Teachers' Retirement Fund is expected to be fully funded a decade earlier than projected.

Hoosiers affected by August's severe storms and flooding are reminded to apply for federal disaster assistance before the Oct. 25 deadline as state officials continue working to help families recover and secure long-term housing.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 21, 2026) – State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) is highlighting public safety legislation he sponsored last session that resulted in question 1 appearing on this year's general election ballot.

PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) (right) presents Lee Hoard (left) with the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Hoard served 10 years as Carroll County Sheriff and eight years as Delphi Mayor.

"Lee Hoard has dedicated nearly two decades of his life to serving the people of Carroll County," VanNatter said. "His commitment to public service and his community is deserving of recognition, and I'm proud to honor him with the Sagamore of the Wabash for his many years of leadership and service to Indiana."

AWARD BACKGROUND: Dating back to the 1940s, the Sagamore of the Wabash award was created by former Gov. Ralph Gates. It is the highest honor the governor can bestow and is presented to distinguished Hoosiers who have made significant contributions to the state of Indiana.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 20, 2026) – State Reps. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) and Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) will welcome Hoosier veterans, active-duty personnel and their families to the 2027 Indiana Military & Veterans Legislative Day on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2027, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 19, 2026) – State Rep. Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) presented Carmel teens Maddox Larger and Grant Larger with Distinguished Hoosier Awards for their heroic actions saving a grandmother and two young children from a retention pond in Carmel. Lopez was joined by State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers).

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 15, 2026) – State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) recently presented Lozier in Middlebury with her Heart of a Hoosier Award for 70 years in business.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 15, 2026) – State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) welcomed First Lady Maureen Braun to Grant County on Wednesday, Oct. 14. They visited local libraries, businesses and educational organizations to celebrate the work being done across the community. The visit highlighted literacy, innovation and opportunities for Hoosier children.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 14, 2026) – State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) recently congratulated three Evansville-area schools honored at the 2026 Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala in Indianapolis.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 13, 2026) – State Rep. Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) will be recognized by the Indiana Library Federation with the 2026 Legislative Champion Advocacy Award at the 2026 ILF Annual Conference: Libraries at the Crossroads of Learning, on Nov. 9, 2026.

STATEHOUSE (Oct 13, 2026) – Porter County schools recently received more than $734,000 from Indiana's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to area legislators.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 9, 2026) – State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) recently presented Bedford Mayor Samuel J. Craig with the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award.

Hendricks County legislators are applauding the announcement at a recent Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight meeting that Indiana's Pre-1996 Teachers' Retirement Fund is expected to be fully funded a decade earlier than projected.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 8, 2026) – Jasper County schools recently received state grant funding from Indiana's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to area legislators. Kankakee Valley School Corp. received $86,000 and Rensselaer Central School Corp. received $47,561.