Mike Braun Faces Criticism Over Gas Tax Suspension, Special Session Debate, and Loyalty to Trump

Everyone’s so concerned about the taxes on gas now, to the point that when Rod Bray was asked Tuesday, I guess, about whether he would support a special session to extend the pause in the gas tax. So let’s explain this. So Braun two months ago, last month, suspended the sales tax on gas. Then he announced that he was suspending for another month the sales tax on gas and the gas tax, the excise tax. Legally he can only do that for two months. So at the end of this month, his time will be up at what, June the 7th, I think is the day. And he cannot do that going any further without the permission of the General Assembly, which since the General Assembly is not in session right now, that means they would have to call a special session.

Indiana Leaders Debate Special Session to Extend Gas Tax Suspension

So Rod Bray got asked about the special session for gas to extend these gas tax suspensions. And he said, quote, according to the Capital Chronicle, we haven’t had that conversation with the governor yet, but certainly would. When asked whether he’d be supportive of a special session. So Rod Bray, the pro tem of the Senate, saying he is in support of a special session if needed for the governor to further the governor’s suspension of the gas tax. Braun got asked about this and said he hasn’t made a decision about calling a special session to lengthen the pause. As usual, when he got asked about something, he put out a whole bunch of word salad. We’ll read it to you and try to make some sense. That would happen if in fact both chambers were willing to do it. And at this stage of the game, there’s not been a discussion on it.

Critics Say Mike Braun Shows More Urgency for Trump Priorities Than Taxpayer Relief

Let me go back to the most important part of that word salad there. That would happen if in fact both chambers were willing to do it. Now, that’s important because once again, Braun has reverted back to, well, if the General Assembly wants it, then I’ll call the special session. If not, I’m not going to fight for it.

Property Tax Frustration Continues to Shape Criticism of Braun and GOP Leadership

Which is exactly what he said during property taxes. Remember that? He was like, I signed the bill and I didn’t veto it. And I didn’t call special session because the General Assembly wouldn’t have done anything. So it was pointless. And we were like, wow, that’s a pretty weak way to lead. Doesn’t really sound like the guy that rolled up his sleeves at our property tax rally when everyone was yelling, fight, fight, fight. But okay, if that’s your standard operating procedure with the General Assembly, well, if they want it, then I’ll do it. If not, I’m just going to hide in a corner and say sorry for having ideas. Okay, but that wasn’t what Braun did with redistricting, now, was it? In fact, Braun was told repeatedly by Rod Bray and others, there’s not the votes to do redistricting. Please don’t do it. He called the special session anyway. So when it’s trying to save you money on property taxes, well, no, the General Assembly doesn’t want it. When it’s potentially saving you a whole bunch of money. By the way, I saved, I was 391, I paid today, but like, I got a hell of a bargain because of the suspension of the gas taxes. But when it comes to helping you with your finances, are you seeing a trend here? When it comes to helping you with your finances, well, if the General Assembly wants it, then I’ll do it. But if not, there’s no point. But when it came to being subservient to Donald Trump, and Braun was told repeatedly there aren’t the votes there, he called the special session.

Gas Prices Remain High Despite Temporary Indiana Fuel Tax Relief Measures

Donald Trump is more important, far more infinitely more important to Mike Braun than you are. Why is it that when it comes to helping us, it’s subserviency to the General Assembly? When it comes to helping Trump, he’ll go to the ends of the earth. The average price for a gallon of gas in Indianapolis, according to AAA on Tuesday, was 432. The average last week was 478. Now that price is down because of the suspension of the gas taxes. But if you do the math on this, gas has actually gone up. So if the price was 478 and he suspended the sales tax on gas, the gas tax, you put that together. Gas is fluid. But I mean, if he hadn’t done that, the price of gas probably actually would have gone up.