Indiana State Comptroller & Treasurer Launch State Financial Fireside Chat

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Indiana Comptroller Elise Nieshalla and State Treasurer Daniel Elliott have launched a statewide series to bring Hoosiers a firsthand look at how the State manages taxpayer dollars, kicking off the new State Financial Fireside Chat series. The first event took place last week in Crawfordsville, Ind., in partnership with the Crawfordsville-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.

The series is a collaborative initiative between the two statewide fiscal offices, underscoring their shared commitment to transparency and effectively communicating state financial information.

“Hoosiers deserve clear, accessible information about the State’s finances,” Comptroller Nieshalla said. “The Fireside Chat Series gives us another way to share key updates – from Indiana’s AAA credit rating to our low debt position – so taxpayers can see how their state’s resources are being responsibly managed.”

“Financial transparency is more than a principle, it’s a practice,” Treasurer Elliott said. “These fireside chats give Hoosiers the opportunity to understand how their dollars are invested and how state resources support communities across Indiana. Every dollar that we’re able to earn or save is a dollar we don’t have to take away in taxes from hardworking Hoosiers.”

Each Fireside Chat draws on the distinct but complementary responsibilities of the two offices. Comptroller Nieshalla provides an overview of Indiana’s financial position and the key operations of her office, including the accounting and reporting of state funds, disbursement of tax revenues to state agencies and local units of government, payment of Indiana’s employees and vendors, and administration of the State’s deferred compensation retirement plan.

Comptroller Nieshalla also advances good governance through the administration of the Indiana Transparency Portal and her leadership in building a movement from the states calling for the restoration of the country’s fiscal solvency, given its $39 trillion debt burden.

Treasurer Elliott, the State’s Chief Investment Officer, is responsible for managing more than $16 billion in state assets, and he provides an update on the performance of the State’s investment portfolio, savings programs available to Hoosiers, and the work of the Indiana Bond Bank in helping communities finance critical infrastructure and public projects.

Since taking office in January 2023, Treasurer Elliott’s investment strategies have generated more than $1.24 billion in earnings for Hoosiers, including a record $513 million in general fund investment returns during Fiscal Year 2025. These earnings reflect conservative, disciplined investment practices designed to safeguard taxpayer dollars while maximizing returns for the State.

The Crawfordsville event drew local business owners and community leaders, and the State Financial Fireside Chat Series will continue across Indiana in the coming months in partnership with local organizations.