The Braun-Beckwith plan to abolish Carmel: Report

Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith are targeting the suburbs with their property tax cut plan, threatening school funding and community amenities in areas like Hamilton County. The proposal would slash $77 million from Carmel Clay Schools and $82 million from Hamilton Southeastern Schools between 2026 and 2028, a move that local leaders call devastating. Despite pushback from suburban Republican officials like Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam, Braun and Beckwith dismiss concerns as “fear-mongering” and challenge critics to “prove” the necessity of current spending, wrote the Indystar.com.

Their approach risks making Indiana’s thriving suburbs resemble the state’s struggling small towns by undermining the high-quality schools and services that have driven population growth. While Braun criticizes investments like Carmel High School’s $55 million natatorium, residents argue that they willingly pay for these amenities to maintain a desirable quality of life. The debate highlights a broader issue—whether Indiana voters will continue to have a say in funding the public services that define their communities.