By GARRETT BERGQUIST
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Braun
Gov. Mike Braun on Wednesday said he’s still waiting to see what state lawmakers want before he decides whether to call a redistricting session.
Braun’s comments come a day after dozens of Republican state lawmakers traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Trump administration officials. Legislative leaders said those meetings covered many topics, but they did discuss redistricting. Braun said he hasn’t yet had a chance to discuss the results of that meeting with lawmakers. He said he wants to give lawmakers time to decide if they want to proceed.
“We’re going to do what makes sense,” Braun said. “It will be driving by what I think Hoosiers need most, not by what’s coming from a place that needs to drastically reform itself.”
In a Tuesday morning protest at Indianapolis International Airport, Statehouse Democrats said a special session would waste taxpayer money. Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis, said every state lawmaker receives a per diem of $213 whenever they’re in session. So, a special session would likely cost $32,000 per day, plus mileage reimbursements. That’s in addition to any likely litigation costs. Experts have told News 8 based on previous special sessions, a special session to redraw Indiana’s Congressional maps could cost as much as $500,000.
“This is why I’m calling upon every Republican who is on board with this ill-disguised power grab to commit to foregoing their daily pay should we need to get into a special session,” Hunley said. “It’s time to put your money where your mouth is, not just the taxpayer’s dime.”
A spokesperson for Senate Republicans said the cost of a special session would come out of existing appropriations for the legislature’s expenses within the state budget. Braun said estimates of how much a special session would cost are small compared to the overall state budget, but are not something lawmakers can ignore, though he added trying to put a price tag on a special session now is “getting way ahead of our skis.”
Republican legislative leaders did not indicate in statements they released Wednesday which way they were leaning on redistricting.
Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray, R-Martinsville, said, “My colleagues and I are grateful for the opportunity to meet with White House officials, and all in all, I would consider the event extremely productive. The White House recognized the way Indiana is leading the nation on issues like school choice, election security and fiscally responsible Medicaid reform. Indiana has strong alignment with the Trump Administration on these and other issues. While redistricting did come up and members were able to ask questions, we spent the bulk of our afternoon discussing issues like energy, immigration and preventing waste and fraud in government.”
Huston
House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said, “I appreciated the opportunity for me and members of our caucus to hear from Vice President Vance and others about the tremendous work of the Trump Administration. It was encouraging to hear how Indiana has been leading the way for many of their initiatives or was the genesis of policy ideas. A wide range of topics were discussed including education, energy, immigration, fiscal responsibility and redistricting, and members were able to ask questions and share their thoughts. We look forward to Indiana continuing to have a strong partnership with the Trump Administration.”
This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/politics/gov-braun-awaiting-lawmakers-feedback-on-white-house-meeting.